SS9: Ypres legend Loix closes on Hanninen

Freddy Loix continues to eat into Juho Hänninen’s lead of the Geko Ypres Rally by going 10.6s faster than the former Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion through stage nine, Watou 1.

Loix, in a 2C Competition Peugeot 207 Super 2000, now trails ŠKODA Motorsport driver Hänninen by 22.8s heading to regroup and service in Ypres.

Despite having admitted defeat in his bid to catch Hänninen, Loix – a seven-time Ypres winner – was able to take advantage of the Finn’s indecision at several junctions.

IRC Production Cup frontrunner Andreas Aigner is suffering from serious brake problems in his Subaru Impreza, and reported having to rely on his handbrake only to complete the run. However, he still heads the category after Jasper Van den Heuvel retired from the category lead on the previous stage with broken transmission.

Following the 25-minute service in Ypres, crews head to the first running of the 28.82-kilometre Hollebeke run, which gets underway at 13:42hrs local time.