SS3: Kopecky moves in front

Jan Kopecký has completed the 12.95-kilometre Pindula stage on Barum Czech Rally Zlín with the fastest time in his ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia.

“This is one of the best stages, we were on the limit and the car is working well, I tried to push – we have to be 100 per cent concentrated on our work,” said the Czech driver, who has moved ahead of Andreas Mikkelsen into the overall lead.

Guy Wilks was second fastest in his Peugeot UK. “I was a little bit steady at the start but got a good rhythm,” said Wilks. “We know the pace is there, we just have to manage it.”

Peugeot France’s Bryan Bouffier was third fastest. He said: “It was not so bad, the stages are really tricky and we had some moments.”

ŠKODA UK’s Mikkelsen led the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier overall after two stages but has dropped to third. He said: “The car is going in the right direction so no problems. The feeling is very good and I’m getting used to the stages.”

Juho Hänninen said the “big vibration” he experienced on stage two was not a puncture but added that he was unsure what the exact problem was in his ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia.

Thierry Neuville continues to struggle with the handling of his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 and has slipped to seventh overall. “The car was better but I don’t feel like I should feel so I went a bit slow on that stage,” said Neuville.

A crash for Czech champion Pavel Valoušek has forced organisers to stop the stage after he reported pains in his back. Toni Gardemeister reported losing time trying to pass Valoušek’s stricken Peugeot.

Václav Pech is running with a 40-second time penalty after leaving service late while his mechanics rushed to change a broken front differential.