Rally GB 2017
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And Evans comes through the stage end. He's second to Ogier, 0.7s off the Frenchman's time.
That's about the most competitive performance we've seen from eighth-placed Sordo so far this weekend. He's slowest of all so far, but only 0.2s behind Latvala/Tanak through Sweet Lamb.
David Evans
SS7 Hafren (21.83 miles)
Kris Meeke’s favourite, this one. And it’s not hard to see why – especially when it’s running at the full length like we are this time. Looking at the map, you’ll get a good view of the cars for a long time from car park D, while E will take you to an uphill hairpin left. There are so many surface and grip changes in this stage, reading the road and interpreting the colour of the mud is vital. You’ve got to be on your mettle in here. This stage isn’t as quick as Myherin: there are a few more corners and junctions to slow the pace down a little bit.
Kris Meeke’s favourite, this one. And it’s not hard to see why – especially when it’s running at the full length like we are this time. Looking at the map, you’ll get a good view of the cars for a long time from car park D, while E will take you to an uphill hairpin left. There are so many surface and grip changes in this stage, reading the road and interpreting the colour of the mud is vital. You’ve got to be on your mettle in here. This stage isn’t as quick as Myherin: there are a few more corners and junctions to slow the pace down a little bit.
While we wait for Sordo and Evans to come through, here's a quick preview of the afternoon final (final!) stage.
We'll wait for a few more cars (Evans) to come through this stage before splitting our attention - the longer Hafren test comes up pretty sharply for crews after Sweet Lamb. Latvala is the latest driver through, and matches Tanak.
Neuville is again quicker than one M-Sport Fiesta, but slower than the other. He's 1.3s down on Ogier.
Tanak comes through the stage end and is 1.7s down on Ogier.
David Evans
Ruts will definitely be a feature of the route second time through, particularly for the runners further down the field. Recent heavy rain has softened the roads considerably and near-400 horsepower rally cars take no prisoners.
Stopwatch
Ogier completes the stage in 2m41.6s.
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Just like that, Ogier gets the stage underway.
David Evans
SS6 Sweet Lamb (2.63 miles)
People call this a spectator stage, which technically it is, but it’s not your average spectator stage – it’s the best spectator stage in the world! Watching the cars tearing down that famous hill into the watersplash (where you have to be careful to get the car into the water absolutely square on or it can throw you off and spit you out) and into the main bowl area, is brilliant fun. And it’s some challenge for the drivers as well.
People call this a spectator stage, which technically it is, but it’s not your average spectator stage – it’s the best spectator stage in the world! Watching the cars tearing down that famous hill into the watersplash (where you have to be careful to get the car into the water absolutely square on or it can throw you off and spit you out) and into the main bowl area, is brilliant fun. And it’s some challenge for the drivers as well.
Phew! The second of this afternoon's stages is about to get underway.
Information
And here's how the competitive order looks:
SS5 times
1 Evans 10m.52.3s
2 Ogier +4.3s
3 Mikkelsen +6.3s
4 Breen +6.8s
5 Meeke +7.7s
6 Neuville +7.8s
Overall classification
1 Evans 46m15.5s
2 Tanak +15.1s
3 Ogier +20.7s
4 Meeke +23.7s
5 Latvala +29s
6 Mikkelsen +33.7s
7 Neuville +37.3s
8 Sordo +55.2s
SS5 times
1 Evans 10m.52.3s
2 Ogier +4.3s
3 Mikkelsen +6.3s
4 Breen +6.8s
5 Meeke +7.7s
6 Neuville +7.8s
Overall classification
1 Evans 46m15.5s
2 Tanak +15.1s
3 Ogier +20.7s
4 Meeke +23.7s
5 Latvala +29s
6 Mikkelsen +33.7s
7 Neuville +37.3s
8 Sordo +55.2s
Information
SS5 Summary:
- Evans takes another stage win to further extend lead
- Fiesta driver now leads by 15.1s
- Ogier grabs third back from Meeke overall
- Hyundai of Mikkelsen third on stage
- Evans takes another stage win to further extend lead
- Fiesta driver now leads by 15.1s
- Ogier grabs third back from Meeke overall
- Hyundai of Mikkelsen third on stage
Mikkelsen is the last of the leading 'contenders' to come through and is 6.3s down on Evans. That's third on the stage, though - a good effort there.
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Ah, good. No we have a chance - no one looks as though they're going to trouble Evans' time - check out JACK BENYON's glimpse of Kris Meeke in action on Hafren from earlier today. Turn that voume up.
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Meeke goes fourth on the stage, 7.7s behind Evans, and drops behind Ogier overall.
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Same message from Breen - trying to keep it clean and tidy. He sounds a bit more downbeat than this morning, understandably.
Meeke will be in next but doesn't look as though he'll be as quick as Breen.
Breen can't keep up that pace on the run to the stage end, but slots into third on the stage, 6.8s down on Evans.
Remember, Breen is recovering after a slow puncture on the final stage of the morning loop.
Breen, a couple of cars back, is the only other man registering greens against Ogier's time.
Quote
"The stage was good, I was trying to be very clean and just seeing where we can make the advantage. Seems to be working OK at the minute," says Evans.
That gives Breen a lead of 15.1s!
Stopwatch
Evans is in and 4.3s faster than Ogier. Another great start there.
Latvala slots in 0.3s slower than Neuville, while Sordo is +12.6s to Ogier at the stage end.
Evans is now 4.2s up on Ogier through the second split.
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"The car was OK but we went wide a couple of times," says Neuville, who adds he can't hear co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul properly. "Sometimes I could not understand the pace note."
Neuville slots in between Ogier and Tanak on the stage, 3.5s down on the former's effort.
Mega first split from Evans, who is 3.5s up on Ogier's effort.
Tanak is in and drops 4.1s to Ogier. No real complaints from the Estonian, who says there are some dryer patches out there.
David Evans
SS5 Myherin (11.30 miles)
Running in the same direction, albeit with a different configuration. Unfortunately, some of the best hairpins on the route (the ones knows as Pikes Peak near what was the start) are now a car park – good for fans’ access, but a shame for the drivers who love a bit of drifting. New for this year is Elfyn’s Corner (#ELFYNSCORNER), established by a group of fans of the local hero. If you’re up for giving the M-Sport star a cheer surrounded by likeminded folk, car park B’s the place for you. This corner is right in the middle of one of the fastest and most flowing stretches of route through the windfarms. It’s a stunning drive through there. The drivers reckon this one’s Finland without the jumps.
Running in the same direction, albeit with a different configuration. Unfortunately, some of the best hairpins on the route (the ones knows as Pikes Peak near what was the start) are now a car park – good for fans’ access, but a shame for the drivers who love a bit of drifting. New for this year is Elfyn’s Corner (#ELFYNSCORNER), established by a group of fans of the local hero. If you’re up for giving the M-Sport star a cheer surrounded by likeminded folk, car park B’s the place for you. This corner is right in the middle of one of the fastest and most flowing stretches of route through the windfarms. It’s a stunning drive through there. The drivers reckon this one’s Finland without the jumps.
We are all over the place this afternoon. Apologies. When we say 'the stage', in this case we mean Myherin. Here's a recap stage guide for you:
Quote
"Last stage was not good for me," says Ogier. "We could not do so much [to change the caar] but I am happier with the car."
Stopwatch
Ogier completes the stage in 10m56.6s.
Ogier is through the second split in 7m11s flat, and Tanak is 1.3s down at the same marker.
By: Matt Beer
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