Third stage win for Valoušek

Pavel Valoušek has claimed his third stage victory on Barum Czech Rally Zlín as the expected rain stayed away from the 13th test of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.

Driving a factory-assisted Škoda Fabia S2000, Valoušek again made the most of his decision to use a hard-compound dry weather tyre. The Czech also lives close to the rally route and possesses excellent knowledge of the stages.

In the battle for second, Bryan Bouffier has edged clear of Freddy Loix as the Belgian struggled on the mud-coated roads, which became steadily worse as the stage progressed.

The slippery conditions also caught out Václav Pech who slid off the road into a fence and punctured his front-right tyre, which handed sixth place back to stage winner Valoušek.

Jan Kopecký, who was fourth fastest through the Pindula test, leads overall by 26 seconds as crews now head to the regroup in Zlín before the midday service in Otrokovice.

Overall positions after SS13: