SS9: Loix equal on time with Hanninen
Joint second in the standings
Freddy Loix has moved ahead of Bryan Bouffier into third place and equal on time with Juho Hänninen in the battle for second position on Barum Czech Rally Zlín after he won the ninth stage of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.
Loix, in a BFO-ŠKODA Rally Team Fabia, was 1.6s faster than Hänninen through the 11.49-kilometre stage. Along with the ŠKODA Motorsport driver he trails leader Jan Kopecký by 19.7s at the completion of day one.
Kopecký was third fastest through the stage, 0.7s quicker than the time recorded by Bryan Bouffier in a Peugeot France 207.
Guy Wilks, who is recovering from the puncture he suffered on the previous stage, was fifth fastest, with Kronos Racing team-mate Thierry Neuville sixth quickest.
Crews are now returning to service in Otrokovice ahead of the overnight halt in Zlín.