SS6: Hanninen makes it five stage wins in Ypres

Juho Hänninen has made it five stage wins out of six on the opening day of the Geko Ypres Rally in Belgium by setting the pace through Friday’s final run, Langemark.

Hänninen was 1.4s faster than defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Andreas Mikkelsen with Freddy Loix 2.0s slower than the flying Finn, whose overall lead stands at 26.8s.

“There were a few places where it was tricky with the sun coming down so I had to slow down,” said Hänninen. “But it has been a good day and I am happy.”

Patrik Flodin lost ground when he overshot a junction in his Petter Solberg Engineering M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000.

“I went straight in a junction after a misunderstanding when I did not understand the correct pacenote,” said Flodin. “I was 10 or 15 metres away from the road and had to reverse. I lost a lot of time.”

Andreas Aigner also reported overshooting a junction after complaining about the low-lying sun affecting his vision in his Subaru Impreza. Oleksandr Saliuk and Jasper Van den Heuvel – an impressive fifth fastest – also experienced similar problems.

Crews are now heading to Ypres for the 45-minute overnight service halt. The action resumes with the 26.75-kilometre Heuvelland test at 10:43hrs local time.