The Croatia Rally 2024 shakedown stage has come to a close. Sebastien Ogier was the fastest driver in the Rally1 class.
Shakedown Run One
Hyundai’s Ott Tänak kicked off his event with the fastest time on the first run of shakedown. The Estonian posted a time 0.4 seconds faster than his teammate and championship leader Thierry Neuville. Toyota drivers Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans tied for third on the first run of shakedown. As both Ogier and Evans finished 2.1 seconds slower than Tänak and 1.7 seconds slower than Neuville. M-Sport driver Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the first run, finishing 0.1 seconds slower than Ogier and Evans.
Shakedown Run Two
Eight-time World Champion Sebastien Ogier was fastest on the second run of the Croatia Rally 2024 shakedown stage. As the Frenchman set a time 1.4 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak. Elfyn Evans finished with the fourth fastest one second slower than Neuville and Tänak. Adrien Fourmaux once again rounded out the top five, finishing 0.1 seconds slower than Evans.
Shakedown Run 3/4
Only a handful of drivers did a third and fourth run of shakedown. Therefore I am going to put them both in the same section, otherwise, there would only be one driver in the fourth run slot. Elfyn Evans was fastest on the third run of the shakedown stage. As the 2023 Croatia Rally winner set a time 0.9 seconds faster than Ott Tänak. Andreas Mikkelsen finished third fastest, 1.6 seconds slower than Tänak and 2.5 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta was the slowest on the third and fourth runs of shakedown. As the Japanese driver finished 4.6 seconds slower than Mikkelsen.
What To Expect From Day One
The first day of Croatia Rally 2024 will see drivers contest 119.74 km across eight stages. The longest of the day’s stages is the 23.63 km Krašić-Sošice stage which is the final stage of each loop. While the shortest is the 9.48 km Jaškovo-Mali Morduš Potok stage which is the third stage of each loop. Day one will feature a single tire fitting zone between the two loops and no service. Thierry Neuville will be first on the road as he leads the championship. Normally this would be a disadvantage to drivers. However, due to the Croatia Rally being a tarmac event, it can actually be an advantage. This is a result of having a clean road. As more cars contest the stage the more mud, dirt and gravel will get pulled out onto the road due to cutting. Elfyn Evans is second on the road, followed by Adrien Fourmaux.