WRC Argentina
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WRC - Argentina: If Latvala does retire, we'll be down to six WRC cars after an incredible day of action here in Argentina.
WRC - Argentina: Meeke is through and takes the stage lead, 10m03.9s. That's 8.4s quicker than Citroen team-mate Mads Ostberg.
His lead is up to 53.1s.
His lead is up to 53.1s.
Quote
WRC - Argentina: The Northern Irish driver has a huge lead now, but he isn't getting carried away.
"There's a very long way to go, I'm not expecting any result."
"There's a very long way to go, I'm not expecting any result."
WRC - Argentina: So after more carnage (we're struggling to cope with the excitement at AUTOSPORT Live) here's the stage order:
1 Meeke 10m03.9s
2 Ostberg +8.4s
3 Evans
4 Neuville
5 Sordo
1 Meeke 10m03.9s
2 Ostberg +8.4s
3 Evans
4 Neuville
5 Sordo
WRC - Argentina: the WRC2 battle will begin to take shape shortly, with only Ketomaa through so far.
WRC - Argentina: The problem for Jari-Matti Latvala is there is still one more stage to complete before service, so the Finn could lose more time in SS6 - the superspecial.
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: back to the WRC2 battle - Al-Kuwari comes through 47.4s quicker than Ketomaa.
WRC - Argentina: Ketomaa has driven the whole of SS5 without brakes!
Will this rally get anymore incredible? Not possible, surely.
Will this rally get anymore incredible? Not possible, surely.
WRC - Argentina: Nicolas Fuchs managed to get within 11.4s of Al-Kuwari.
The only man likely to challenge Al-Kuwari is Protasov, who isn't due through for another seven or eight cars.
The only man likely to challenge Al-Kuwari is Protasov, who isn't due through for another seven or eight cars.
WRC - Argentina: In the melee surrounding Latvala's problem's, we missed Martin Prokop. We should explain that he picked up an anti-roll bar issue on SS4, and did well to keep his car on the road.
He was 32.8s off Meeke's time, but still a comfortable sixth overall.
He was 32.8s off Meeke's time, but still a comfortable sixth overall.
WRC - Argentina: While we wait for Protasov, let's update the overall rally order after SS5:
1 Meeke 1h39m43.4s
2 Latvala +53.1s
3 Ostberg
4 Sordo
5 Evans
6 Prokop
7 Neuville
1 Meeke 1h39m43.4s
2 Latvala +53.1s
3 Ostberg
4 Sordo
5 Evans
6 Prokop
7 Neuville
WRC - Argentina: That's a brilliant time in WRC2 by Diego Dominguez, 2.1s up on Al-Kuwari and fastest.
After Protasov's earlier issues, Dominguez is second overall, but still 2m42s behind Al-Kuwari.
After Protasov's earlier issues, Dominguez is second overall, but still 2m42s behind Al-Kuwari.
WRC - Argentina: Up next at 9:08 GMT is a repeat of yesterday's superspecial in Villa de Merlo.
Ogier was quickest ahead of Meeke and Mikkelsen yesterday. Meeke is the only one of those drivers remaining though, and the rally leader will no doubt look to extend his lead.
The big question is can Latvala's gearbox hold on, and/or keep the Finn competitive enough to stay within reach of Meeke.
Ogier was quickest ahead of Meeke and Mikkelsen yesterday. Meeke is the only one of those drivers remaining though, and the rally leader will no doubt look to extend his lead.
The big question is can Latvala's gearbox hold on, and/or keep the Finn competitive enough to stay within reach of Meeke.
WRC - Argentina: Back with SS5, Protasov is finally on his way into the final part of the stage.
We'll give you his time as soon as we get it. Let's hope he hasn't left his wheel two corners from the end, as he did before.
We'll give you his time as soon as we get it. Let's hope he hasn't left his wheel two corners from the end, as he did before.
WRC - Argentina: Very inconveniently, the Ukrainian's times aren't showing on the timing screens...
WRC - Argentina: Protasov is through and takes the fastest time ahead of Dominguez, a 10m39s.
That promotes Protasov into second overall in WRC2, 1m36.3s behind Al-Kuwari.
That promotes Protasov into second overall in WRC2, 1m36.3s behind Al-Kuwari.
WRC - Argentina: There is less than 10 minutes to go until the final stage of the day, SS6.
The superspecial is an exciting way to finish an exciting day, that's for sure.
The superspecial is an exciting way to finish an exciting day, that's for sure.
WRC - Argentina: Latvala is struggling with drive in his Volkswagen, with gearbox and differential issues.
He's expecting to lose around a minute in SS6, and is already 53.1s down on rally leader Meeke.
He's expecting to lose around a minute in SS6, and is already 53.1s down on rally leader Meeke.
WRC - Argentina: WRC2 will take to the superspecial first, with the tandems as follows:
Al Qassimi vs Ketomaa
Al-Kuwari vs Fuchs
Tempestini vs Dominguez
Lefebvre vs Saba
Al Qassimi vs Ketomaa
Al-Kuwari vs Fuchs
Tempestini vs Dominguez
Lefebvre vs Saba
WRC - Argentina: Then it's the WRC runners (Or what's left of them)
Ligato vs Prokop
Neuville vs Evans
Sordo vs Ostberg
Latvala vs Meeke
Ligato vs Prokop
Neuville vs Evans
Sordo vs Ostberg
Latvala vs Meeke
WRC - Argentina: Al Qassimi vs Ketomaa is go, and it's Ketomaa who takes it in his R5 Fiesta.
The Finn's time was 5m13.7s.
The Finn's time was 5m13.7s.
WRC - Argentina: It's certainly not your average superspecial, with a brilliant watersplash a particular highlight.
Next up is Al-Kuwari - WRC2 leader - and Nicolas Fuchs.
Next up is Al-Kuwari - WRC2 leader - and Nicolas Fuchs.
WRC - Argentina: Fuchs attacked that watersplash with vigour first time around, epic stuff from the Fiesta driver.
WRC - Argentina: We're over halfway with this heat, Fuchs and Al-Kuwari pretty evenly matched so far.
WRC - Argentina: Fuchs takes the quicker time, 5m11.3s. That puts him 2.4s clear of Ketomaa in WRC2 overall.
WRC - Argentina: Next up, Tempestini vs Dominguez.
WRC - Argentina: There's a decent sized crowd in Merlo for this super special, Tempestini's Subaru should please the rally purists.
It should be added that it isn't blue, though.
It should be added that it isn't blue, though.
Marco Tempestini
WRC - Argentina: Dominguez takes the lead with a 5m09.8s, 1.5s ahead of Fuchs.
Tempestini slots in fourth.
Tempestini slots in fourth.
WRC - Argentina: Already lined up are Citroen junior prospect Stephane Lefebvre and Gustavo Saba.
WRC - Argentina: Saba's Skoda has a difficult start in the watersplash, it has taken off the front left part of the bumper!
WRC - Argentina: Saba's Skoda Esso livery is very 306 Maxi, if only Gilles Panizzi was at the wheel.
Mind you, the asphalt specialist would probably struggle in the safari-like conditions of Argentina this weekend!
Mind you, the asphalt specialist would probably struggle in the safari-like conditions of Argentina this weekend!
WRC - Argentina: Both drivers finish then, Saba sixth and Lefebvre seventh.
Prokop and Ligato are into the stage.
Prokop and Ligato are into the stage.
WRC - Argentina: The onboard footage of Prokop going through the watersplash shows it isn't that deep.
At least not compared to the kind we are used to seeing on this rally, and the one that took Ott Tanak out of the rally on SS4
At least not compared to the kind we are used to seeing on this rally, and the one that took Ott Tanak out of the rally on SS4
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: As expected Prokop takes the fastest time by a 2.3s margin.
Ligato also impresses with the fourth fastest time.
Now we are into the meat of the WRC runners, Neuville and Evans up next.
Ligato also impresses with the fourth fastest time.
Now we are into the meat of the WRC runners, Neuville and Evans up next.
WRC - Argentina: Evans is very sideways through the first corner!
The M-Sport man taking no prisoners and neither is Neuville, who hit the bank coming out of the watersplash. No damage to the Belgian's car though.
The M-Sport man taking no prisoners and neither is Neuville, who hit the bank coming out of the watersplash. No damage to the Belgian's car though.
WRC - Argentina: Evans again slides wide, clipping the bank before the watersplash.
Both drivers pushing very hard indeed.
Both drivers pushing very hard indeed.
WRC - Argentina: The rear bumper is coming off the Hyundai, but that's probably the least of the Belgian's worries after the day he has endured.
He also hits the rear right in the same place as Evans!
He also hits the rear right in the same place as Evans!
WRC - Argentina: Neuville manages a 5m2.9s, 2.2s quicker than Evans. That put's them 1-2.
Sordo vs Ostberg next into the stage. Ostberg is third and Sordo fourth overall.
Sordo vs Ostberg next into the stage. Ostberg is third and Sordo fourth overall.
WRC - Argentina: This is the penultimate heat, with only Meeke and Latvala left to run.
WRC - Argentina: The onboard action with Sordo really is a joy to behold.
The Spaniard has the Hyundai on a sixpence on the tricky superspecial.
Meanwhile, stage leader Thierry Neuville has just put out a fire on his Hyundai...
The Spaniard has the Hyundai on a sixpence on the tricky superspecial.
Meanwhile, stage leader Thierry Neuville has just put out a fire on his Hyundai...
By: David Evans, Jack Benyon, Matt Beer, Peter Mills, Mitchell Adam
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