SS7: Magalhães fends off Kopecký
Mikkelsen close the gap
Bruno Magalhães has strengthened his grip on third place on Sata Rallye Açores by going quicker than Jan Kopecký through the seventh stage of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.
Kopecký had closed to 1.2s of the Peugeot Sport Portugal driver after stage six but a faster time by Magalhães means the gap has widened to 2.9s. “We changed a few things on the car and I pushed a lot,” said Magalhães.
Out front, Juho Hänninen’s lead over Andreas Mikkelsen has been trimmed to 8.3s after the Finn lost precious time when he struck a large rock close to the stage start. The ŠKODA Motorsport driver completed the stage with damage to his front-left tyre.
Drivers are reporting that stones and small rocks being pulled onto the road are proving a major hazard.
Overall positions after SS7