SS7: Bouffier takes lead as snow falls

The battle for victory on Rallye Monte-Carlo, round one of the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge, has been turned on its head following a dramatic seventh stage.

Heavy snow for much of the test caught out several leading runners, including defending IRC champion Juho Hänninen, who lost the lead of the event following a disastrous run through the stage.

The Finn opted for intermediate tyres on his Škoda Fabia S2000, which offered insufficient grip in the treacherous conditions. With one stage remaining before the completion of Thursday’s action and no opportunity to bolt on a set of studded tyres, Hänninen is set to lose even more ground.

Bryan Bouffier now leads overall from fellow Peugeot France driver Stéphane Sarrazin, who is 3.8s adrift. Hänninen has slipped to fourth behind Freddy Loix, 16.9s down on Bouffier.

Petter Solberg, who chose intermediate tyres, also hit trouble in the conditions, falling to seventh overall. François Delecour benefited from opting for studded tyres and climbed from eighth to sixth, 55.8s off first place.