SS6: Set-up changes boost Loix

Freddy Loix’s bid to win Barum Czech Rally Zlín for the second year in a row is back on track after he won stage six of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.

By switching to a ‘harder’ set-up on his BFO-ŠKODA Rally Team Fabia, the Belgian reported that he was far happier with the handling of his car for the first repeated stage of the day.

“We have gone for harder tyres and a harder set-up and things are much better,” said Loix, who is now 24.0s adrift of first place.

Jan Kopecký has extended his advantage over Andreas Mikkelsen to 10.4s despite admitting to being more conservative in his factory Fabia.

“It’s a little bit rough and I don’t want to take any punctures so I did not risk anything,” said the Czech.

After completing this morning’s loop of stages 14.4s off the lead, Juho Hänninen was closer to the pace. “There were no vibrations, a much better start for the afternoon,” said the Finn after going third fastest.

Running at the head of the road Bryan Bouffier was fourth quickest in his Peugeot France 207. He said: “The road was a bit more dirty for the second pass and it was easy to make a mistake.”

Thierry Neuville dropped more than 30 seconds going off the road in his Team Peugeot-Belgium Luxembourg 207.

“We went off in sixth gear and the car took a jump 90 degrees to the road,” explained Neuville. “We went out for 80 metres and there were a lot little trees that are no more there.”