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General

Rally GB and Sepang MotoGP

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We do now have a delayed start. Initially the start was delayed, but a 3pm local time (7am UK time) was set to happen utilising the quick-start format. Riders and teams had made their way to the grid, but have now been sent back.
Autosport
It actually did dry out earlier, during the Moto2 race, as Johann Zarco became the first man to successfully defend that title, with a commanding victory:

MotoGP-bound Zarco secures back-to-back Moto2 titles at Sepang

Johann Zarco will graduate to MotoGP with Tech3 Yamaha next year as a two-time Moto2 champion, after securing the 2016 title with a commanding Sepang victory

MotoGP-bound Zarco secures back-to-back Moto2 titles at Sepang
The news from Sepang is that it is wet. Very wet. Conditions are best described as torrential at the moment.
Green flag
Good morning and welcome back to Autosport Race Centre Live. We'll start the day shortly with MotoGP's Malaysian Grand Prix, followed by WRC Wales Rally GB and even throw some Formula V8 3.5 from Jerez in, too.
Autosport
That's a wrap. Thanks for joining us today for coverage of the event, and to those of you who returned for the short, sharp blast around Cholmondeley Castle.

We'll leave you with our report from this afternoon's loop, and will be back tomorrow from 8:15am UK time (don't forget the clocks go back!) for the conclusion of Wales Rally GB.

Rally GB: Sebastien Ogier to carry half-minute lead into final day

Sebastien Ogier will enter the final day of Wales Rally GB with a 33.8-second lead over Ott Tanak as he bids to win the event for a fourth-straight year

Rally GB: Sebastien Ogier to carry half-minute lead into final day
Checkered flag
And how about some times to end the day?

SS16 Cholmondeley Castle leading times:
1 Mikkelsen 1m08.6s
2 Ogier +0.3s
3 Paddon +0.6s
4 Neuville +1.3s
5 Sordo +1.5s
6 Meeke +1.9s

Overall classification:
1 Ogier 2h43m25.3s
2 Tanak +33.8s
3 Neuville +1m34.5s
4 Paddon +1m47.1s
5 Meeke +2m29.5s
6 Sordo +3m36s
7 Ostberg +4m15s
8 Latvala +4m22.2s
Information
SS16 Cholmondeley Castle summary:
- Mikkelsen takes first stage win on 1.11-mile run
- Ogier second, enters final day with half-minute lead
- Second-place Tanak only seventh on stage
Meeke goes sixth-fastest, 1.9s off the pace. He's contemplating what he's going to have for dinner tonight, rather than his times. Steak seems to be the favourite there.
Quote
"I've had a good rhythm and very easy to enjoy the stages," says Tanak. "It's quite surprising how exciting a stage can be with only two corners."
Stopwatch
Ostberg is through, as is Tanak. They're 2.5 and 2.3s off Mikkelsen's benchmark respectively.
Quote
"I'm not happy on that stage - I drove quite hard and made a mistake; there was dirt on the road and I ran wide," says Latvala.
Stopwatch
Sordo is now through, 1.5s down on Mikkelsen, while Latvala is slowest of all so far. He's 2.6s slower than his team-mate.
Paddon is now in and 0.6s slower than Mikkelsen.
Stopwatch
Mikkelsen goes 0.3s faster than his team-mate to clinch top spot for now, while Neuville comes through and is 1.3s slower than Mikkelsen.
Only one-minute intervals between the cars here, due to the (very) short nature of the stage.
Stopwatch
As quick as a flash, Ogier is through in 1m08.9s.
Lights green
Ogier is up and running, and SS16 is go!
Information
With that start not far away, here's one final stage guide for you, courtesy of our man DAVID EVANS:

SS16 Cholmondeley Castle (1.11 miles)
This one might be one of the shortest stages of the season, but you’re unlikely to find one any more symbolic. This is the first time Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship has ventured into England to compete since 1999. Granted, we’re not talking Kielder or Grizedale here, but this 1.11 miles is very important in spreading the Wales Rally GB word across Offa’s Dyke.
About five minutes before the start of the Cholmondeley Castle stage, which marks the first time in 17 years that the rally has ventured across the border into England.
Hello, and welcome back for one final Wales Rally GB stage of Saturday afternoon with Autosport Race Centre Live.
FV83.5
Deletraz's Fortec team are, predictably, in complete disagreement with the decision, while Dillmann maintains that the penalty awarded to his rival was justified. Story to follow.
FV83.5
Louis Deletraz's tenure at the top of the Formula V8 3.5 drivers' standings has been brief. The Fortec driver moved one point clear of Tom Dillmann after finishing fourth on-the-road in race one at Jerez. However, Deletraz has received a 10-second time penalty for his part in a collision with Dillmann, which sent the Frenchman into retirement.
Information
There's a gap now before the final stage of the day, as the rally heads back over the English border to Cholmodeley Castle. That stage is scheduled to start at 3:41pm, so we're going to take a break now until 3:30pm.

We'll be back then for live coverage of Saturday's final stage, as well as a report from the afternoon loop. See you back here in a bit.
Checkered flag
SS15 Aberhirnant leading times:
1 Ogier 7m29.3s
2 Paddon +5.8s
3 Latvala +6.6s
4 Neuville +6.9s
5 Tanak +7s
6 Mikkelsen +8s

Overall classification:
1 Ogier 2h42m16.4s
2 Tanak +31.8s
3 Neuville +1m33.5s
4 Paddon +1m46.8s
5 Meeke +2m27.9s
6 Sordo +3m34.8s
7 Ostberg +4m12.8s
8 Latvala +4m19.9s
Information
SS15 Aberhirnant summary:
- Ogier re-establishes 30s lead with fastest time on stage
- Second-place Tanak unable to repeat previous pace, fifth on stage
- Paddon buys back 1s in battle for third with Neuville
Quote
"I was going really well and had a really good feeling, but there was quite a lot of loose mud," says Tanak of his run on SS15. "It was difficult."
Stopwatch
Meeke is the last of the main runners through, and completes the stage 15s slower than Ogier.
FV83.5
Television replays now clarify that there was clear contact between Deletraz and Dillmann. However, apportioning blame could prove a tough call.

By: Matt Beer

Published: