Three stages in and the drivers of the 2012 Geko Ypres Rally returned to the Dikkebus and Mesen-Sauvegarde stages of the first leg but the added the Langemark stage to end this first day in beauty. A day without real surprises.
In summary, all drivers improved on their times of the first leg when going through Dikkebus and Mesen-Sauvegarde. Juho Hänninen (Škoda Fabia S2000) still dominates the debates and sets three fastest times on three stages. He is now leading the number two by a comfortable 26’’8. And on number two, it’s not who we thought it would be !
One of the events of this second leg is the mistake made by Hänninen’s team mate, Andreas Mikkelsen. He got things wrong on Mesen-Sauvegarde (SS 5). « I simply missed a breaking point and slid into a ditch. I was stuck for about a minute. Fortunately, the spectators pushed me out » This actually also slowed Freddy Loix (Peugeot 207 S2000) a little bit down as he was hindered as the Škoda was being pushed back onto the road. The seven times winner in the city of Cats does takes things in his stride. «Things are going very fast at the front, but there is still a long way to go… ». The number two of Škoda n°2 actually already managed to get passed Patrik Flodin (Ford Fiesta S2000) and Patrick Snijers (Mini Coutryman RRC) again, who are 6th and 5th, while Pieter Tsjoen (Škoda Fabia S2000) will probably be the next one to be caught. Pieter is very satisfied with his temporary podium position though.
Other important « off » of the day was the one by Mathieu Arzeno (Citrën DS3 R3) on SS5. The Frenchman was in an amazing 10th place overall and lost one and a half minute in Mesen-Sauvegarde. Kevin Demaerschalk, also on a DS3, benefits of this despite going off too, on the same stage even ! The other competitors are already well behind. Arzeno remains in the lead amongst the Citroëns, but he now has the Estonian Martin Kangur (Honda Civic Type R) in front of him.
All change in Gr.N. Cédric De Cecco (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) takes advantage of the turbo problems of Bob Colsoul (idem) and comes in as leader in class 3 with Kris Princen (Renault Mégane RS) second and first amongst the 2WD cars.
The Ford clan saw about 20 cars taking to the roads of Ypres. Xavier Baugnet and his Ford Fiesta R2 are leading Thibault Radoux by about 30 seconds
We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. A very long one with 202.67 km against the clock. Needless to say anything can happen still…
SS4 – Dikkebus 2 (14.30 km)
1. Hänninen : 7’53’’7 ; 2. Mikkelsen : + 2’’5 ; 3. Loix : + 4’’8 ; 4. Tsjoen : 12’’7 ; 5. Flodin : 14’’8 ; …
ES5 – Mesen-Sauvegarde 2 (15.00 km)
1. Hänninen : 8’11’’7 ; 2. Loix : + 7’’7 ; 3. Tsjoen : 12’’3 ; 4. Snijers : + 15’’0 ; 5. Flodin : 19’’0 ; …
SS6 – Langemark (18.84 km)
1. Hänninen : 9’48’’7 ; 2. Mikkelsen : + 1’’4 ; 3. Loix : + 2’’0 ; 4. Tsjoen : 8’’8 ; 5. Snijers : 11’’9 ; …
After SS6 – Day 1
1. Hänninen-Markkula (Škoda Fabia S2000) : 46’42’’3
2. Loix-Vanneste (Peugeot 207 S2000) : + 26’’8
3. Tsjoen-Chevaillier (Škoda Fabia S2000) : + 1’00’’6
4. Mikkelsen-Floene (Škoda Fabia S2000) : + 1’14’’0
5. Snijers-Gitsels (Mini Coutryman RRC) : + 1’16’’6
6. Flodin-Bergsten (Ford Fiesta S2000): + 1’29’’0
7. So?owow-Baran (Peugeot 207 S2000) : + 1’52’’1
8. Viane-Vyncke (Peugeot 207 S2000) : + 2’12’’6
9. Saliuk-Aftnaziv (Ford Fiesta S2000) : + 2’25’’4
10. Barrable-Loudon (Škoda Fabia S2000) : + 3’03’’2
…
Leaders
SS1 : Mikkelsen ; SS2 & 6 : Hänninen.
