SS9: Casier closes on fifth-placed Weijs

Bernd Casier has narrowed the gap to fifth-placed Hans Weijs to five seconds on the GEKO Ypres Rally after recording the fourth quickest time through the 24.74-kilometre Heuvelland stage.

Casier, in a privateer ŠKODA Fabia, was 12.5s behind Weijs starting the stage nine but made the most of the Dutch driver’s cautious run to close up.

Out front, ŠKODA Motorsport driver Freddy Loix set the fastest time and continues to lead the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event with a margin of 46.9s over Peugeot UK’s Guy Wilks.

Wilks, running on slick, dry weather tyres, albeit with cuts to provide additional grip, said he lost time when it began to rain lightly at the start of the stage.

Luca Betti completed the stage with a cracked windscreen on his 207, which had been caused by his bonnet flying open early in the stage after it had been incorrectly closed.

Overall positions after SS9