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World Rallycross - Portugal: We're less than 13 minutes away from the final stage of Rally Argentina, but in Portugal, the World Rallycross final has just concluded. HAL RIDGE has the update:
Swede Johan Kristofferson won the first round of the World Rallycross Championship in torrential conditions in Portugal.
Peter Solberg led early on but was jumped mid-race by Kristoffersson, who took a first-lap joker. Solberg finished second ahead of Timmy Hansen and Davy Jeanney.
Andreas Bakkerud fought with PG Andersson early on and finished fifth, while Andersson suffered rear suspension damage.
Swede Johan Kristofferson won the first round of the World Rallycross Championship in torrential conditions in Portugal.
Peter Solberg led early on but was jumped mid-race by Kristoffersson, who took a first-lap joker. Solberg finished second ahead of Timmy Hansen and Davy Jeanney.
Andreas Bakkerud fought with PG Andersson early on and finished fifth, while Andersson suffered rear suspension damage.
Twitter
WRC - Argentina: Back in Argentina, Citroen is eagerly anticipating what looks like being its biggest result in recent years...
@CitroenRacing: #WRC Who's the most ready of you? Power Stage starts in 20 minutes!
@CitroenRacing: #WRC Who's the most ready of you? Power Stage starts in 20 minutes!
Quote
This time next week the opening round of the DTM season will have been run and won in Hockenheim.
BMW launched its campaign today in Nurnberg, the hometown of 2014 champion Marco Wittmann.
“I'm delighted that the BMW Motorsport Car Launch was on my doorstep this year,” said Wittmann. “When you look at the beaming faces of the fans, you’re happy that you get to give them a little something back with this kind of show as thanks for their support."
Wittmann will be hoping he's got reason to celebrate next Sunday...
BMW launched its campaign today in Nurnberg, the hometown of 2014 champion Marco Wittmann.
“I'm delighted that the BMW Motorsport Car Launch was on my doorstep this year,” said Wittmann. “When you look at the beaming faces of the fans, you’re happy that you get to give them a little something back with this kind of show as thanks for their support."
Wittmann will be hoping he's got reason to celebrate next Sunday...
WRC - Argentina: The Power Stage is a repeat of what the drivers have just completed on SS11 - El Condor.
Here's what Meeke says about the 10-mile test.
"It’s famous, nice name and nice landscape and all of that, but the road is completely hellish. It’s a car’s width in places and it’s lined by the mountain and by rocks, narrow bridges; it’s twisty and even when it’s 30 degrees and bright sunshine down here in service it can be complete fog up there.
"When we did it in the recce it was raining and, obviously, last year it was terrible in the fog and mist. The second pass through this one will be horrible, the ruts will be deep and it’ll be a case of getting through and surviving."
Here's what Meeke says about the 10-mile test.
"It’s famous, nice name and nice landscape and all of that, but the road is completely hellish. It’s a car’s width in places and it’s lined by the mountain and by rocks, narrow bridges; it’s twisty and even when it’s 30 degrees and bright sunshine down here in service it can be complete fog up there.
"When we did it in the recce it was raining and, obviously, last year it was terrible in the fog and mist. The second pass through this one will be horrible, the ruts will be deep and it’ll be a case of getting through and surviving."
WRC - Argentina: If you've just joined us for the first time this afternoon, the big news is that Kris Meeke is one stage away from becoming the first British driver to win a World Rally Championship event since Colin McRae's Safari Rally 2002 triumph.
Here's the standings, with the Power Stage to start in about 25 minutes:
1 Meeke
2 Ostberg +27s
3 Evans +2m34.7s
4 Neuville +4m48.1s
5 Prokop 5m58s
Here's the standings, with the Power Stage to start in about 25 minutes:
1 Meeke
2 Ostberg +27s
3 Evans +2m34.7s
4 Neuville +4m48.1s
5 Prokop 5m58s
World Rallycross - Portugal: The semi-finals are done, here's the latest from HAL RIDGE.
The rain is now falling hard in Portugal.
Petter Solberg won semi-final one from Andreas Bakkerud and PG Andersson, who both took early jokers. Mattias Ekstrom, Reinis Nitiss and Robin Larsson were knocked out.
Johan Kristoffersson won semi-final two from Timmy Hansen and Davy Jeanney. Jeanney passed Toomas Heikkinen at the end of lap three to claim a place in the final.
Heikkinen, Timer Timerzyanov and Manfred Stohl finished fourth, fifth and sixth.
The rain is now falling hard in Portugal.
Petter Solberg won semi-final one from Andreas Bakkerud and PG Andersson, who both took early jokers. Mattias Ekstrom, Reinis Nitiss and Robin Larsson were knocked out.
Johan Kristoffersson won semi-final two from Timmy Hansen and Davy Jeanney. Jeanney passed Toomas Heikkinen at the end of lap three to claim a place in the final.
Heikkinen, Timer Timerzyanov and Manfred Stohl finished fourth, fifth and sixth.
World Rallycross - Portugal: The World Rallycross Championship season opener is also currently in progress in Portugal. An update from HAL RIDGE on the scene.
World champion Petter Solberg finished top of the Intermediate Classification in Montalegre, heading Peugeot-Hansen driver Timmy Hansen and Ford OMSE man Andreas Bakkerud after heats three and four, to claim the maximum 16 championship points.
Having held first position on day one, Bakkerud would have been top had it not been for a botched start in the fourth heat.
In much drier conditions than yesterday, those not to make it to the semi-finals include Liam Doran, with heat three fuel issues, and Anton Marklund, who rolled in heat one yesterday.
Semi-finals are due to start soon, but the sunshine in the Vila Real mountains has turned to rain and teams are changing to wet tyres.
Semi-final 1:
1 Petter Solberg
2 Andreas Bakkerud
3 Mattias Ekstrom
4 PG Andersson
5 Robin Larsson
6 Reinis Nitiss
Semi-final 2:
1 Timmy Hansen
2 Johan Kristoffersson
3 Toomas Heikkinen
4 Davy Jeanney
5 Timur Timerzyanov
6 Manfred Stohl
World champion Petter Solberg finished top of the Intermediate Classification in Montalegre, heading Peugeot-Hansen driver Timmy Hansen and Ford OMSE man Andreas Bakkerud after heats three and four, to claim the maximum 16 championship points.
Having held first position on day one, Bakkerud would have been top had it not been for a botched start in the fourth heat.
In much drier conditions than yesterday, those not to make it to the semi-finals include Liam Doran, with heat three fuel issues, and Anton Marklund, who rolled in heat one yesterday.
Semi-finals are due to start soon, but the sunshine in the Vila Real mountains has turned to rain and teams are changing to wet tyres.
Semi-final 1:
1 Petter Solberg
2 Andreas Bakkerud
3 Mattias Ekstrom
4 PG Andersson
5 Robin Larsson
6 Reinis Nitiss
Semi-final 2:
1 Timmy Hansen
2 Johan Kristoffersson
3 Toomas Heikkinen
4 Davy Jeanney
5 Timur Timerzyanov
6 Manfred Stohl
Twitter
WRC - Argentina: With the biggest stage of his WRC career so far approaching, Evans found time to tweet.
@ElfynEvans: Just one more stage. The team have done an amazing job and given me a perfect car all weekend. Now we just to bring the result home! #WRC
@ElfynEvans: Just one more stage. The team have done an amazing job and given me a perfect car all weekend. Now we just to bring the result home! #WRC
WRC - Argentina: Elfyn Evans being promoted to third has sent us scurrying for stats here at AUTOSPORT Live.
We reckon the last time Brit's finished first and third in that order on a WRC event was the 1995 Network Q RAC Rally, with Colin McRae first and Richard Burns third.
That was enough to give McRae his first and only WRC title.
We reckon the last time Brit's finished first and third in that order on a WRC event was the 1995 Network Q RAC Rally, with Colin McRae first and Richard Burns third.
That was enough to give McRae his first and only WRC title.
McRae 1995
Twitter
WRC - Argentina: No doubt buoyed by Elfyn Evans' elevation to third following Latvala's retirement, M-Sport is feeling more than a little patriotic.
@MSportLtd: On the brink of an epic result for British rallying. New Zealand 2001 was the last time two Brits made the podium. Bring her home boys! #WRC
@MSportLtd: On the brink of an epic result for British rallying. New Zealand 2001 was the last time two Brits made the podium. Bring her home boys! #WRC
Formula Renault 3.5 - Aragon: Argentina isn't the only venue hosting motorsport today. It isn't even the only one that starts with the letter 'a'!
The second race of the Formula Renault 3.5 season opener has just finished at Motorland Aragon, with Matthieu Vaxiviere taking his maiden victory after completing an audacious pass on Nyck de Vries at the penultimate corner.
Aragon Formula Renault 3.5: Lotus' Vaxiviere snatches last-lap win
The second race of the Formula Renault 3.5 season opener has just finished at Motorland Aragon, with Matthieu Vaxiviere taking his maiden victory after completing an audacious pass on Nyck de Vries at the penultimate corner.
Aragon Formula Renault 3.5: Lotus' Vaxiviere snatches last-lap win
WRC - Argentina: While Citroen are set to score a 1-2 if they can hold on during the power stage, Volkswagen adversely aren't on the podium at all as Latvala retired during the El Condor test.
The last time a Volkswagen wasn't on the podium in the WRC?
Rally Germany 2013.
The last time a Volkswagen wasn't on the podium in the WRC?
Rally Germany 2013.
WRC - Argentina: Reports in from the stage suggests there was no problem with Meeke (breathe a sigh of relief.)
He avoided interviews to make sure the car was ready for the power stage, it seems.
He avoided interviews to make sure the car was ready for the power stage, it seems.
WRC - Argentina: Nicolas Fuchs has usurped Dominguez for second on the stage, 13.2s off Protasov.
Still, that's a very respectable time from Fuchs, although it's pretty meaningless considering he's over 38 minutes behind leader Al-Kuwari overall.
Still, that's a very respectable time from Fuchs, although it's pretty meaningless considering he's over 38 minutes behind leader Al-Kuwari overall.
WRC - Argentina: The power stage is due to begin at 16:08pm GMT, with Kris Meeke leading by 27s over Citroen team-mate Mads Ostberg.
Can the Brit secure his first WRC victory at the age of 35? We're not long from finding out.
Can the Brit secure his first WRC victory at the age of 35? We're not long from finding out.
Meeke/Citroen/Rally Argentina jump
WRC - Argentina: So the big news for El Condor is the retirement of Jari-Matti Latvala.
With him out of the occasion, here's the order going into the power stage.
1 Meeke
2 Ostberg +27s
3 Evans +2m34.7s
4 Neuville +4m48.1s
5 Prokop 5m58s
With him out of the occasion, here's the order going into the power stage.
1 Meeke
2 Ostberg +27s
3 Evans +2m34.7s
4 Neuville +4m48.1s
5 Prokop 5m58s
WRC - Argentina: Yuriy Protasov continues his epic pace in WRC2.
He manages a 13m51.5s, and that's 30.5s quicker than Dominguez in second.
If the Ukrainian hadn't had as many problems and penalties as he has had, you can't help thinking it could have been an easy victory for him.
He manages a 13m51.5s, and that's 30.5s quicker than Dominguez in second.
If the Ukrainian hadn't had as many problems and penalties as he has had, you can't help thinking it could have been an easy victory for him.
WRC - Argentina: Kris Meeke hasn't given any interviews at stage end and wasn't the happiest looking of men according to reports.
Does the Brit have a problem or is he ultra-focused?
We're really hoping for the latter.
Does the Brit have a problem or is he ultra-focused?
We're really hoping for the latter.
WRC - Argentina: Al Kuwari and Ketomaa are through in WRC2.
Al-Kuwari's lead is well over 2 minutes, so he shouldn't be coming under any immediate pressure.
Second placed man Dominguez takes 6.9s out of Al-Kuwari on that stage.
Al-Kuwari's lead is well over 2 minutes, so he shouldn't be coming under any immediate pressure.
Second placed man Dominguez takes 6.9s out of Al-Kuwari on that stage.
WRC - Argentina: Ostberg took more time out of Meeke there, but not really enough to set off the panic button in the Northern Irish-powered DS 3.
The lead is still 27s, with one stage remaining.
The lead is still 27s, with one stage remaining.
WRC - Argentina: So that's the main runners and riders through El Condor, here's the result:
1 Mikkelsen 13m09.8s
2 Sordo +5.7s
3 Ogier +9.3s
4 Ostberg +12.4s
5 Tanak +20.9s
1 Mikkelsen 13m09.8s
2 Sordo +5.7s
3 Ogier +9.3s
4 Ostberg +12.4s
5 Tanak +20.9s
WRC - Argentina: Meeke will likely be the next through, can he limit the damage to second placed Ostberg?
The answer is, kind of...
It's a 13m33.8s, and the lead is down to 27s.
Latvala is out of the rally, and that promotes Evans to third.
The answer is, kind of...
It's a 13m33.8s, and the lead is down to 27s.
Latvala is out of the rally, and that promotes Evans to third.
WRC - Argentina: Ostberg comes through the flying finish, he goes fourth overall.
His time: 13m22.2s, 12.4s off Mikkelsen.
His time: 13m22.2s, 12.4s off Mikkelsen.
WRC - Argentina: Latvala was due to come through next, so we'll have a short gap before Ostberg comes through first.
The Finn has stopped again.
The Finn has stopped again.
WRC - Argentina: With Latvala seemingly in trouble, M-Sport's Elfyn Evans could be set for a podium.
Could we have first win and a first podium for two Brits in one rally?
Could we have first win and a first podium for two Brits in one rally?
Crash
WRC - Argentina: We missed Neuville in the excitement of watching the Citroen splits, he went fifth overall.
Jari-Matti Latvala has STOPPED on the stage.
He gets going again, but slowly.
Jari-Matti Latvala has STOPPED on the stage.
He gets going again, but slowly.
WRC - Argentina: Elfyn Evans is through, the fourth placed man overall goes seventh quickest. He's 34.1s off Mikkelsen who continues to top the charts.
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: The next two runners are key to the lead battle. It's Citroen team-mates Mads ostberg and Kris Meeke.
Ostberg is through the first split 5m55.3s, and shortly after is Meeke, 3.9s slower.
Remember, the gap was 38.6s at the start of the day.
Ostberg is through the first split 5m55.3s, and shortly after is Meeke, 3.9s slower.
Remember, the gap was 38.6s at the start of the day.
WRC - Argentina: Latvala is through the first split, and it's not as bad as first feared.
He's around 6s off Evans, who will be hoping to take more time out of him being one place behind in the overall leaderboard.
He's around 6s off Evans, who will be hoping to take more time out of him being one place behind in the overall leaderboard.
WRC - Argentina: Khalid Al Qassimi is having a strong rally, seventh overall.
He's the slowest car through SS11 so far though, 44.5s off the benchmark.
He's the slowest car through SS11 so far though, 44.5s off the benchmark.
WRC - Argentina: It's not a great first split from Elfyn Evans though.
6m04.8s at the first split, that's some way off Mikkelsen's 5m49.1s benchmark.
Neuville is closer to the pace, but not by much. 7s or so off Mikkelsen's time.
6m04.8s at the first split, that's some way off Mikkelsen's 5m49.1s benchmark.
Neuville is closer to the pace, but not by much. 7s or so off Mikkelsen's time.
WRC - Argentina: Sordo also puts in a strong time.
The Spaniard is only 5.7s off Mikkelsen's stage leading time.
Considering Latvala's woes, could we have two Brits on the podium?
Elfyn Evans is 1m20.9s behind the Finn entering El Condor.
The Spaniard is only 5.7s off Mikkelsen's stage leading time.
Considering Latvala's woes, could we have two Brits on the podium?
Elfyn Evans is 1m20.9s behind the Finn entering El Condor.
WRC - Argentina: Latavala has arrived at the stage start - finally. The Finn is two minutes late though, and that will likely incur a penalty.
Latavala has some sort of fuel delivery to the cylinder issue.
Latavala has some sort of fuel delivery to the cylinder issue.
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: Mikkelsen is in, that's an impressive time from the man currently occupying second in the championship.
13m09.8s, 9.3s up on Ogier.
13m09.8s, 9.3s up on Ogier.
WRC - Argentina: Tanak slots in second on the stage overall 11.6s behind Ogier.
WRC - Argentina: Hayden Paddon is through, 18.3s down on Ogier's time.
Next to finish the stage will be Tanak and the flying Mikkelsen.
Next to finish the stage will be Tanak and the flying Mikkelsen.
Quote
WRC - Argentina: Sordo - who retired out of fourth yesterday - is through the first split. 5m51.5s is his time.
Despite retiring yesterday, the Spaniard was still eighth thanks to the level of attrition this weekend.
Ogier is through at the end of the stage.
"We know this stage quite well now from the past. The notes were fine," said the reigning champion.
Despite retiring yesterday, the Spaniard was still eighth thanks to the level of attrition this weekend.
Ogier is through at the end of the stage.
"We know this stage quite well now from the past. The notes were fine," said the reigning champion.
WRC - Argentina: Bertelli and Ogier have both now completed the stage.
13m49.2s for Bertelli, but Ogier goes 30.1s quicker.
13m49.2s for Bertelli, but Ogier goes 30.1s quicker.
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: Mikkelsen is through and considerably quicker than anyone so far.
The Norwegian sets a 5m49.1s, 4.4s up on Volkswagen team-mate Ogier.
The Norwegian sets a 5m49.1s, 4.4s up on Volkswagen team-mate Ogier.
WRC - Argentina: It's a long wait for Meeke, he's thirteenth on the road...
Haydon Paddon's split isn't registering, but the car after him on the stage - Ott Tanak - sets a 5m58.6s. That's 5.1s down on Ogier.
For the second rally in a row, Tanak has had trouble with water, after hitting a rock in a watersplash.
We won't mention his reservoir excursion on Rally Mexico...
Haydon Paddon's split isn't registering, but the car after him on the stage - Ott Tanak - sets a 5m58.6s. That's 5.1s down on Ogier.
For the second rally in a row, Tanak has had trouble with water, after hitting a rock in a watersplash.
We won't mention his reservoir excursion on Rally Mexico...
By: David Evans, Jack Benyon, Matt Beer, Peter Mills, Mitchell Adam
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