The Central European Rally has come to an end. Thierry Neuville claimed his second win of the season.
Day One
The first day of the Central European Rally saw drivers compete in two SuperSpecial stages. Thierry Neuville ended the day with a 1.2-second lead over Ott Tänak. Tänak won SSS1, whilst Neuville won SSS2. Sebastien Ogier sat third at the end of the day, 5.8 seconds behind Neuville.
Day Two
The second day of the event was dominated by Kalle Rovanperä. With the championship hopeful winning 4 out of the day’s 6 stages to take a 36.4-second lead over Thierry Neuville to end the day. Rovanperä’s championship rival Elfyn Evans sat third to end the day, 47.2 seconds behind Rovanperä. Rovanperä did everything he needed to on the second day to put pressure on Evans.
Day Three
Thierry Neuville regained the rally lead, winning two of the day’s 6 stages. Sebastien Ogier also won two stages on the day. The big story heading out of the penultimate day wasn’t anything to do with Neuville or Ogier however. As on SS11 Elfyn Evans championship hopes came crashing down. As Evans overshot a corner and crashed into a barn that was stageside. Breaking his rear suspension and ending his championship hopes. This allowed Kalle Rovanperä to slow down. Rovanperä ended the day in second, 26.2 seconds behind Neuville. Ott Tänak rounded out the top three to end the day, nearly two minutes behind Neuville.
Day Four
Thierry Neuville maintained the lead over the fourth and final day of the Central European Rally. With only 4 stages this wasn’t very hard. Nevertheless, he still did it despite not taking a stage win. Instead, Elfyn Evans and Sebastien Ogier both took two stage wins on the day. With Evans winning the Powerstage. It was all for nothing for Evans however as Kalle Rovanperä held on to second place to secure his second championship. Ott Tänak ended the event third.
Drivers Championship Rundown After The Central European Rally
Kalle Rovanperä will head into the final event of the season with a 44-point lead over Elfyn Evans. Meaning he has clinched the championship as only 30 points are on the table in Japan. Switching the attention to who will finish second in the championship. As Neuville winning the Central European Rally closed the gap between him and Evans to just 7 points. Ott Tänak also has a chance to move into the championship top three. As the Estonian sits 22 points behind Neuville and 29 behind Evans. Sebastien Ogier rounds out the top five in the championship.
Another Unfortunate Ending For Lappi
Esapekka Lappi yet again retired from an event before the end of the second day. This time however he made it 4 stages past what he did in Chile. Lappi retired after going wide on a corner in SS5 and hitting a tree. Ending his weekend in the process.
Earlier this week the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT announced two drivers that will drive in WRC2 as part of the Next Generation program.
Who Are They?
The two drivers that will drive for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Next Generation team in WRC2 next season are Yuki Yamamoto and Hikaru Kogure. Both Yamamoto and Kogure drove in the WRC4 class this past season at select events. Following in Takamoto Katsuta’s footsteps both Japanese drivers will drive select European events for the team. It hasn’t been confirmed what car they will drive. However, it’s a safe bet that they will drive the new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
A Bit About The Drivers
Yuki Yamamoto
Born in Japan, Yamamoto is a 26-year-old driver. They have competed in a Rally4 car for the last two seasons. Yamamoto has competed at select rounds of the Finnish Rally Championship and the World Rally Championship among others. Finishing 7th in the ERT4 class in the FRC last season, and 3rd in the ERT4 Junior championship. Yamamoto has shown steady development as a part of the Toyota Gazoo Racing NG Team. Yamamoto made his rally debut in 2018 at the Rally in Akitakata in Japan. From 2018 to 2021 Yamamoto competed in Japan. Before joining the Toyota Gazoo Racing NG team.
Hikaru Kogure
Born in Japan, Kogure is a 22-year-old rally driver. Making his rally debut in 2020 at the Shikoku no Teppen Rally in Japan. Kogure spent his first two years competing in Japan before joining the Toyota Gazoo Racing NG team. Much like Yamamoto, Kogure competed in select rounds of the FRC and WRC last season. Finishing 9th in the ERT4 class and 5th in ERT4 Junior.
Why Straight To Rally2?
Yamamoto and Kogure will jump from 2WD Rally4 cars to 4WD Rally2 cars, but why? Normally drivers would drive in a Rally3 car before Rally2. However for Toyota this likely makes more sense. As it’s worked for them before, well sort of. As Takamoto Katsuta started driving in a 2WD Toyota GT86 some years ago. Before joining Tommi Makinen Racing, which was a part of Toyota. There is a difference between the GT86 Katsuta drove and the Rally4 cars Yamamoto and Kogure drove. The premise is the same, however. Plus ultimately this move just skips a stepping stone for the drivers and allows them to learn and develop in the Rally2 cars. As opposed to driving a Rally3 car and then a Rally2 car.
The 2023 WRC2 championship has been crowned. Andreas Mikkelsen secured the championship this past weekend.
Champions Again
Andreas Mikkelsen is now a 2 time WRC2 champion. Winning the WRC2 championship in 2021 and nearly winning it last season. Mikkelsen has been one of the top drivers in the WRC2 class for the past couple of seasons. Winning the WRC2 championship this season is a bit of a shock for Mikkelsen. As the Norwegian not only started his season at the fifth round of the season at Vodafone Rally De Portugal. There were also many questions about funding for Mikkelsen this season. There was also the possibility of Mikkelsen returning to the sports top level this season. As Mikkelsen was apparently the one chosen to replace Craig Breen after Breen passed away in April. However, the contract never came for Mikkelsen and Teemu Suninen got the spot instead.
The First Of Many
Andreas Mikkelsen’s WRC2 Championship this season just wasn’t for him. It was also for Sköda. As the manufacturer debuted a new Sköda Fabia R5 this season. Mikkelsen will go down in history as the first driver to win a championship in the car. Mikkelsen will likely be the first of many to win a championship in the car.
Mikkelsen’s 2023 WRC2 Season
Andreas Mikkelsen has only competed in 6 events so far this season. Despite starting late Mikkelsen got off to a hot start. Placing third at Vodafone Rally De Portugal, his first event of the season. Mikkelsen took the win on his second event of the season at Rally Italia Sardegna. Skipping Safari Rally Kenya, Mikkelsen returned at Rally Estonia. Winning the event for his second consecutive win at an event he attended. Things changed at Secto Rally Finland however. As the Norwegian finished 4th after some struggles at the event. However, everything was back on track at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. As Mikkelsen put on a monster drive to win the event after getting three punctures on the first day.
Mikkelsen skipped Rally Chile BioBio, which allowed his championship rivals Yohan Rossel and Gus Greensmith to take the championship lead. Neither driver capitalized on that opportunity. Mikkelsen went into the Central European Rally with a 4-point lead over Rossel and 8 over Greensmith. With Rossel crashing out on the second day his season was over. Leaving only Greensmith in Mikkelsen’s way. However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Mikkelsen. As he struggled throughout the event. Ending the second day 20th in class. His chances looked bleak. However, with a Powerstage win Mikkelsen secured the championship.
The fourth and final day of the Central European Rally has come to an end. Nicolas Ciamin took the lead to claim the class win.
SS15, Bohmerwald 1
Nicolas Ciaamin kicked off the fourth and final day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. With Ciamin posting a time 0.9 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to take the stage win. Alejandro Cachòn finished third fastest on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Gryazin. Simon Wagner set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.8 seconds slower than Cachòn. Josh McErlean rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.1 seconds slower than Wagner.
SS16, Passauer Land 1
Andreas Mikkelsen claimed the stage win on the sixteenth stage of the Central European Rally. Setting a time 0.9 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win the stage. Nicolas Ciamin finished third fastest on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Gryazin. Alejandro Cachòn posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 8.6 seconds slower than Ciamin. Erik Cais rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.1 seconds slower than Cachòn.
SS17, Bohmerwald 2
Nikolay Gryazin took home the stage win on SS17. Posting a time 2.7 seconds faster than Alejandro Cachòn on the stage. Sami Pajari finished third fastest on the stage, 3.6 seconds slower than Cachòn. Nicolas Ciamin set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Pajari. Miko Marczyk and Erik Cais rounded out the top five on the stage. With each finishing 1.3 seconds slower than Ciamin.
SS18, Passauer Land 2
Andreas Mikkelsen took home the stage win on the eighteenth and final stage of the Central European Rally. With Mikkelsen setting a time 1.6 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win the stage. Nicolas Ciamin finished third fastest on the stage, 3 seconds slower than Gryazin. Alejandro Cachòn posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 6.1 seconds slower than Ciamin. Erik Cais rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.1 seconds slower than Cachòn.
Lindholm Retires
Emil Lindholm had all but won the class to start the final day of the Central European Rally. However, his rally would come to an abrupt end before the start of the first stage of the day. As an alternator failure on the road section between SS15 and service. This promoted Nicolas Ciamin to the class lead. Ciamin held onto the lead to take his first-ever WRC2 victory.
With a second-place finish at the Central European Rally, Kalle Rovanperä has claimed his second World Rally Championship.
Champions Again
Kalle Rovanperä won his first championship last year at Repco Rally New Zealand. Winning it with relative ease as nobody challenged him until Secto Rally Finland. When Ott Tänak won the event. Just over a year later Rovanperä is lifting the championship yet again. However this one was slightly more hard fought than the Rovanperä’s championship last season. For more on Rovanperä’s 2023 season look below.
A Quick Look At Rovanperä’s 2023 Season
In 2023 Rovanperä had more of a challenge. As Sebastien Ogier won 2 of the 3 events to start the season. Rovanperä was left winless until Bonafide Rally Portugal. Up until round 5, Rovanperä only had one podium. Which was a second overall at Rallye Monte-Carlo. From Portugal onward Rovanperä was nearly unstoppable. Winning Rally Estonia and finishing on the podium at Rally Italia Sardegna and Safari Rally Kenya. However, everything changed at Secto Rally Finland, Rovanperä’s home event. The then 22-year-old was leading the rally on the third day. However, on one of the afternoon stages, Rovanperä went wide and clipped a rock. Rolling his car and ending his event as a result. This put Elfyn Evans back into the title race. Evans sat just 25 points behind Rovanperä heading into EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. Rovanperä won the event, expanding the gap to 33 points. Tire struggles for both drivers in Rally Chile BioBio left Rovanperä behind Evans. Closing the gap to 31 points. Everything was on the line for Evans at the Central European Rally. Rovanperä claimed all but two stage wins on the second day of the event leaving Evans in the dust. On the third day Evans’ championship hopes ended. As Evans would go off the road and hit somebody’s barn. Breaking his rear suspension and ending his day at the event. All Rovanperä had to do was finish the event 7th or higher and the championship was his. Rovanperä sat second at the end of the third day. With just 4 stages on the final day, the championship was all but his. Rovanperä held on to second to secure the championship.
The Central European Rally has come to an end, Thierry Neuville held on to the lead to secure the rally win.
SS15, Bohmerwald 1
Sebastien Ogier kicked off the fourth and final day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. With Ogier posting a time 1.8 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to take the stage win. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Evans. Teemu Suninen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Suninen.
SS16, Passauer Land 1
Elfyn Evans claimed the stage win on the sixteenth stage of the Central European Rally. Setting a time 4.6 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to win the stage. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 2 seconds slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage 0.4 seconds slower than Katsuta. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS17, Bohmerwald 2
Sebastien Ogier took home the stage win on SS17. Posting a time 3.3 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta on the stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Katsuta. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS18, Passauer Land 2
Elfyn Evans took home the stage win on the eighteenth and final stage of the Central European Rally. With Evans setting a time 3.4 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win the stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Thierry Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Katsuta.
Neuville Holds On
Thierry Neuville held onto the rally lead to take his second win of the season. Despite not taking a stage win Neuville ended the rally with a 57.6 second lead over Kalle Rovanperä. However, neither driver was likely pushing on the final day as for Rovanperä he had a championship to secure. While Neuville wanted to win his second of the season.
The third day of the Central European Rally has come to an end. Emil Lindholm retains the WRC2 class lead on the day.
SS9, Schärdinger Innviertel 1
Nicolas Ciamin kicked off the third day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Posting a time 4.9 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to take the stage win. Erik Cais finished third fastest on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Gryazin. Sami Pajari set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Cais. Josh McErlean rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS10, Mühltal 1
Emil Lindholm topped the 10th stage of the weekend. With the Fin setting a time 3.2 seconds faster than Nicolas Ciamin. Nikolay Gryazin finished third on the stage, 2.6 seconds slower than Ciamin. Erik Cais posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Gryazin. Kajetan Kajetanoiwcz rounded out the top five on the stage, 10.7 seconds slower than Cais.
SS11, Knaus Tabbert Bayerischer Wald 1
Nicolas Ciamin rounded out the morning loop of the third day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Posting a time 0.3 seconds faster than Emil Lindholm to take the stage win. Erik Cais finished third fastest on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Lindholm. Nikolay Gryazin set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Cais. Miko Marczyk rounded out the top five on the stage, 7.7 seconds slower than Gryazin.
SS12, Schärdinger Innviertel 2
Gus Greensmith took the stage win on the twelfth stage of the weekend. Setting a time 1 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to take the stage win. Nicolas Ciamin finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Gryazin. Sami Pajari posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.3 seconds slower than Ciamin. Emil Lindholm rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS13, Mühltal 2
Emil Lindholm topped the thirteenth stage of the weekend. Posting a time 1.2 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win the stage. Nicolas Ciamin finished third fastest on the stage, 2.4 seconds slower than Gryazin. Erik Cais set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Ciamin. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 9 seconds slower than Cais.
SS14, Knaus Tabbert Bayerischer Wald 2
Emil Lindholm capped off the third day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Setting a time 1.2 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith. Erik Cais finished third fastest on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Greensmith. Nicolas Ciamin posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.8 seconds slower than Cais. Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Sami Pajari rounded out the top five on the stage. With both drivers finishing 5.6 seconds slower than Ciamin.
The third day of the Central European Rally has come to an end. Thierry Neuville regained the rally lead on the day.
SS9, Schärdinger Innviertel 1
Elfyn Evans kicked off day three of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Posting a time 1.3 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Neuville. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.4 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS10, Mühltal 1
Thierry Neuville topped the 10th stage of the weekend. With the Belgian setting a time 3.8 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans. Sebastien Ogier finished third on the stage, 6.8 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Ogier. Pierre-Louis Loubet rounded out the top five on the stage, 4.6 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS11, Knaus Tabbert Bayerischer Wald 1
Thierry Neuville rounded out the morning loop of the third day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Posting a time 2.3 seconds faster than teammate Teemu Suninen to take the stage win. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Suninen. Grégoire Munster set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Munster.
SS12, Schärdinger Innviertel 2
Sebastien Ogier took the stage win on the twelfth stage of the weekend. Setting a time 1.5 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 3 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta tied for the fourth fastest time on the stage. With both drivers posting a time 0.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Pierre-Louis Loubet rounded out the top five times on the stage, 4.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä and Katsuta.
SS13, Mühltal 2
Sebastien Ogier also took the stage win on the thirteenth stage of the Central European Rally. Posting a time 0.1 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to take his second consecutive stage win. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 3.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS14, Knaus Tabbert Bayerischer Wald 2
Kalle Rovanperä capped off the third day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Setting a time 0.5 seconds faster than Rally Leader Thierry Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 3.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3 seconds slower than Katsuta. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 2 seconds slower than Suninen.
Evans Out
Elfyn Evans championship hopes were on the line this weekend. Now his championship hopes look bleak. This comes after Evans went off the road and crashed into a barn that was stageside. His car looks like it has no significant damage. However, it is now up to the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team mechanics to get the car ready for tomorrow. Evans can still keep the championship battle alive. However, all Rovanperä needs to do now is score 4 points and the championship is his once again. For Evans, a rough event has only gotten worse.
A Cautious Kalle
Kalle Rovanperä spent most of the third day of the Central European Rally being cautious. Rovanperä didn’t take many risks nor was he fully on the pace we’ve come to expect from the youngest champion in WRC history. With Evans seemingly out Rovanperä has nothing to push for. For Rovanperä position doesn’t matter. The only pressure he has at this point is finishing the event. Something that shouldn’t be much of an issue as there are only 4 stages tomorrow.
What To Expect Day Four Of The Central European Rally
The fourth and final day of the first-ever Central European Rally will see drivers contest four stages totalling 67.24 km. With no tire fitting zones or services on the day, drivers will look to preserve their tires for the Powerstage. With Thierry Neuville having a 26.2-second lead over Rovanperä heading into the final day he sits in a somewhat comfortable spot. This is due to Rovanperä likely not pushing as previously mentioned. Ott Tänak seems on track to take the final step of the podium. As he sits nearby a minute and a half behind Rovanperä and 31.1 seconds ahead of Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta could find himself in a battle with Teemu Suninen for fifth. However, from there, nobody is really close enough to one another. Pierre-Louis Loubet will once again be first on the road.
The second day of the Central European has come to an end. Emil Lindholm took the WRC2 class lead on the day.
SS3, Vlachovo Brezi 1
Emil Lindholm kicked off the second day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. With Lindholm posting a time 1.6 seconds faster than Andreas Mikkelsen. Nicolas Ciamin finished third fastest on the stage, 4.9 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. Erik Cais set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.7 seconds slower than Ciamin. Georg Linnamäe rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 6.1 seconds slower than Cais.
SS4, Zvotoky 1
Nikolay Gryazin took his first stage win of the weekend on SS4. Setting a time 11.7 seconds faster than Emil Lindholm and Alejandro Cachòn on the stage. Miko Marczyk finished with the third fastest time on the stage, 4.5 seconds slower than Lindholm and Cachòn. Erik Cais posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Marczyk. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top five fastest times on the stage, finishing 1.6 seconds slower than Cais.
SS5, Sumavske Hostice 1
Nikolay Gryazin also took the stage win on the fifth stage of the Central European Rally. Posting a time 16.2 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to take the stage win. Emil Lindholm finished third fastest on the stage, 3.2 seconds slower than Greensmith. Kajetan Kajetanowicz set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Lindholm. Sami Pajari rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.3 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.
SS6, Vlachovo Brezi 2
Cancelled due to spectator issues.
SS7, Zvotoky 2
Nicolas Ciamin took his first WRC2 stage win on SS7. Setting a time 1.7 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win the stage. Erik Cais finished third fastest on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Gryazin. Kajetan Kajetanoiwcz posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.5 seconds slower than Cais. Gus Greensmtih rounded the top five on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.
SS8, Sumavske Hostice 2
Nikolay Gryazin capped off the second day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Posting a time 5.7 seconds faster than Emil Lindholm to win the stage. Erik Cais finished third fastest on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Lindholm. Gus Greensmith set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.3 seconds slower than Cais. Georg Linnamäe rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Greensmith.
Rossel Out
Yohan Rossel’s event and championship hopes ended on SS3. Rossel would go into a corner slightly too fast and go off the road. Normally this would be insignificant. However, on tarmac tires driving on grass is like driving on ice. There’s no grip to be had so the car just slides. Unfortunately for Rossel that sliding ended up with him knocking a few trees over.
Trouble For Mikkelsen
The second day of the Central European Rally wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Andrea’s Mikkelsen. Besides the fact that there was very little sun at all during the day. Mikkelsen suffered a puncture during the morning loop and spent the afternoon loop nursing the car. With no service between the loops, day two was effectively a drive to survive for all drivers. Mikkelsen likely won’t be scoring any championship points this weekend now. As he sits over 11 minutes behind the rally leader and over 9 behind the final points-scoring position.
The second day of the Central European Rally has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä took the lead from Thierry Neuville on the day.
SS3, Vlachovo Brezi 1
Kalle Rovanperä started the second day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. With Rovanperä posting a time 1.8 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to win the stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.1 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS4, Zvotoky 1
Kalle Rovanperä once again took the stage win on SS4. With the championship leader setting a time 10.1 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to win the stage. Elfyn Evans once again finished third fastest on the stage, 4.5 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.9 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 4 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS5, Sumavske Hostice 1
Kalle Rovanperä also took the win on the fifth stage of the Central European Rally. With the Fin posting a time 6.4 seconds faster than championship rival Elfyn Evans to win the stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 5.6 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.8 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS6, Vlachovo Brezi 2
Elfyn Evans stopped Rovanperä’s dominance with a stage win on SS6. Evans would set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take his first stage win of the day. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 6.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.9 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS7, Zvotoky 2
Kalle Rovanperä was back to his ways on the seventh stage of the Central European Rally. With Rovanperä posting a time 8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 7.9 seconds slower than Evans. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 6.6 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS8, Sumavske Hostice 2
Thierry Neuville capped the second day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. The Belgian would set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to win the stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 10 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Sebastien Ogier posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.7 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 6.4 seconds slower than Ogier.
Rovanperä Dominates
Kalle Rovanperä was at his A-game today. Winning 4 out of the day’s 6 stages and taking a 36.4-second lead over Thierry Neuville into day three. This is ideal for Rovanperä who has a chance to win the championship this weekend. Rovanperä sits 47.2 seconds up on his championship rival Elfyn Evans. All Rovanperä has to do now is hold his lead. This is Rovanperä however and he will likely continue to push tomorrow. As if he didn’t, there may be cause for concern.
Not Again
Esapekka Lappi is once again out of the rally due to an accident. His rally lasted 4 stages longer than it did in Chile earlier this month. However, on SS5 Lappi would go wide on a corner and clip a tree. Flinging his car into a berm and then off the road. His i20 was too damaged to continue. He may rejoin the event tomorrow but it’s looking unlikely.
What To Expect From Day Three Of The Central European Rally
Day three of the Central European Rally will see drivers compete two loops of three stages yet again. This time the loops are shorter, only totalling 54.75 km for each loop. Making the total stage kilometres on the stage 109.50. This time however Kalle Rovanperä won’t be the first on the road. He will be the last Rally1 car to drive the stage. Being the current rally leader is a slight disadvantage for Rovanperä on tarmac. As overtime, the more drivers cut on the stage the more dirt and mud will go out onto the road. Pierre-Louis Loubet will be first on the road as he currently sits last. Then Grégoire Munster second and Teemu Suninen third.