WRC Finland, Moscow DTM, Argentina WTCC
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WRC - Finland: Meanwhile, it's a much more promising run for Kubica in WRC2. He's 3.1s quicker than Lappi through this stage, so he's now a second ahead of him overall, too.
WRC - Finland: Quickly looking ahead to Saturday... and there's a very big treat in store for spectators in one section of Ouninpohja. The organisers have built a new jump in the stage (clearly, Finland's short on jumps...) and Tommi Makinen will be the first man over it.
And he'll be flying over it in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III he used to win this event in 1996. Makinen will also drive the car on a lap of the Killeri super-special stage tonight.
WRC - Finland: Paddon leapfrogs Kubica overall by going 2.5s faster on the stage but Jari Ketomaa goes even quicker - 4m38.3s (and 7s ahead of Paddon overall).
We think, though, that Elfyn Evans' 5m15.9s is wrong - noise has been made that he in fact completed it in 4m38.1s. More on that when we know.
We think, though, that Elfyn Evans' 5m15.9s is wrong - noise has been made that he in fact completed it in 4m38.1s. More on that when we know.
SS3 will get underway before too long - and now Finland starts to test the drivers even more. Koukunmaa is an 8.5-mile stage; that's longer than the previous two combined. So if it's this close at the end of that, we're absolutely in the early throes of a mega rally.
Almost 20 minutes until we should see the first car on SS3. They really haven't gone far yet - Finland does tend to be quite like this. With the cars on the limit in so many fast corners, the times are always quite close.
AUTOSPORT has spotted a legend in Finland, and got all excited about the prospect of a just-for-fun competition. So, open a new tab, and tell @davidevansrally who the megastar is he's captured on his mobile...
Apologies for the quality of the picture - turns out there was some olive oil smeared across the lens of the iPhone, which probably didn't help the process.
If you need a hint - this fella won the 1000 Lakes loads of times - as many times, in fact, as Tommi Makinen and Timo Salonen put together...
If you need a hint - this fella won the 1000 Lakes loads of times - as many times, in fact, as Tommi Makinen and Timo Salonen put together...
WRC - Finland: Bit of a worry here in press office. There's a smell of burning - and it's getting stronger...
WRC - Finland: ...and as the media are distracted, Tahko gets SS3 underway.
WRC - Finland: Latvala-watch. Repairs have been made as best as possible, and they'll be taking the start of SS3 after that suspension damage suffered on the previous stage. It's a gruelling run to make given they've not been to service...only time will tell how well they have repaired that car.
WRC - Finland: And relax... Turns out the smoke was from burning rubber from the stunt team in the car park. Just as well, I was figuring out what to save in my dash from the burning building: Tunnocks were top of the list!
WRC - Finland: First car through SS3, Tahko reports damp conditions - slipperiest stage so far.
WRC - Finland: Early times from SS3: Tahko 7m22.9s; Prokop 7m19.9s and P-G fastest despite oversteer on 7m10.7s.
WRC - Finland: Sordo struggling for confidence, feels the Citroen DS3 WRC is moving around too much beneath him. The Spaniard is third quickest behind P-G and Nikara.
WRC - Finland: Mega time from Meeke... 7m01.1s. And that comes with a front-right puncture for the last three miles!
Meeke said: "That was a beautiful stage, I really enjoyed that one. I think the road will clean a little bit, but it was just lovely to drive through there. I absolutely love this car!"
Meeke said: "That was a beautiful stage, I really enjoyed that one. I think the road will clean a little bit, but it was just lovely to drive through there. I absolutely love this car!"
WRC - Finland: Mads and Mikkelsen can't beat Meeke's time. Ostberg couldn't find the rhythm in a stage he usually likes and goes well in.
Mikkelsen relaxed and still learning the Polo on his third Finland in a World Rally Car. He said: "I know there is more speed to come, I am not doing anything crazy."
Latvala-watch... hasn't started the stage.
Mikkelsen relaxed and still learning the Polo on his third Finland in a World Rally Car. He said: "I know there is more speed to come, I am not doing anything crazy."
Latvala-watch... hasn't started the stage.
WRC - Finland: Neuville goes fastest with 7m00.3s. And the joint rally leader reckons he could go even quicker in his Qatar M-Sport Fiesta.
"These are new pace notes," said Neuville. "There are some corners where we could go faster - but already we are going quickly!"
"These are new pace notes," said Neuville. "There are some corners where we could go faster - but already we are going quickly!"
WRC - Finland: Ogier immediately eclipses Neuville with 6m59.4s.
WRC - Finland: Hirvonen fourth fastest and not feeling relaxed enough. Neuville still joint leader, but now sharing P1 with Ogier.
Latvala expected to start the stage at 16:03 local time.
Latvala expected to start the stage at 16:03 local time.
WRC - Finland: Latvala has checked in to the start of the stage.
Brynildsen still struggling with misfire on his Fiesta R5. Elfyn Evans fastest WRC 2 through so far. Ketomaa coming...
Brynildsen still struggling with misfire on his Fiesta R5. Elfyn Evans fastest WRC 2 through so far. Ketomaa coming...
WRC - Finland: Ketomaa still leads WRC 2 from Paddon. The Finn still loving his new Fiesta R5 and goes six seconds faster than his nearest WRC 2 rival in Koukunmaa.
WRC - Finland: Latvala starts the stage 28 minutes later after working on the left-rear wheel of his Polo R WRC. His late arrival at the start means a 4m40s penalty will be added to his total time.
It's unlikely Volkswagen's Finnish star will be repeating his 2010 1000 Lakes win...
It's unlikely Volkswagen's Finnish star will be repeating his 2010 1000 Lakes win...
WRC - Finland: Latvala makes it through the finish with toe-out on left-rear. His time was 10m01.7... three minutes down on team-mate Ogier's benchmark.
Latvala said: "I will try to make it through, but it will be tough. The suspension is damaged, but I am happy how well it has taken it so far."
Latvala said: "I will try to make it through, but it will be tough. The suspension is damaged, but I am happy how well it has taken it so far."
Checkered flag
WRC - Finland: SS3 results: 1 Ogier; 2 Neuville +0.9s; 3 Meeke +1.7s; 4 Hirvonen +2.0s; 5 Ostberg +3.7s.
Overall: 1 Neuville; 2 Ogier +0.0s; Hirvonen +1.2; Ostberg +2.9s; Novikov +8.3s.
Overall: 1 Neuville; 2 Ogier +0.0s; Hirvonen +1.2; Ostberg +2.9s; Novikov +8.3s.
Breaking news
WRC - Finland: There's now about an hour's gap before the start of the next stage. Until then, we'll bring you any updates if we get them, and if you've just joined us - here's everything you need to know about the first afternoon's set of stages on Rally Finland...
Neuville and Ogier share lead
WRC - Finland: Given Ketomaa's brilliant run so far in the Fiesta R5 (he's 13s clear at the head of WRC2 at this stage), here's a very relevant little something from June to break up this lull in stage action.
Back then, AUTOSPORT had a chance to sample rally's new formula. And even though there was a bit of a shunt, AUTOSPORT loved every minute of it.
R5: a taste of rallying's saviour
Back then, AUTOSPORT had a chance to sample rally's new formula. And even though there was a bit of a shunt, AUTOSPORT loved every minute of it.
R5: a taste of rallying's saviour
WRC - Finland: The start of the second bout of stages for the opening day of Rally Finland is about 15 minutes away. Unbelievably, the lead is still shared. We thought for certain the 8.5-mile SS3 would break the leaders up. We were wrong.
WRC - Finland: We're back to Torittu for SS4, so an 8.3km - or just over five miles - route. It's underway, and we should have the first times soon.
WRC - Finland: Tahko's through, with a slow first split and a bit of damage. I think you can add two and two together. 4m43.0s is his time, but as Martin Prokop comes in he's 13s quicker in the first split...but only betters Tahko to the tune of 0.7s.
It should of been more. "I made a stupid mistake and missed a junction," he admits.
PG Andersson comes through and does keep it together this time - he's the benchmark now. 8.8s quicker on 4m33.5s.
It should of been more. "I made a stupid mistake and missed a junction," he admits.
PG Andersson comes through and does keep it together this time - he's the benchmark now. 8.8s quicker on 4m33.5s.
WRC - Finland: Well, I say that. Nikara puts in a stunning final part of that run to go top, 1.7s quicker than Andersson.
WRC - Finland: Dani Sordo's troubles continue. He comes in third fastest so far - 1.8s down on Nikara. To compound that, Meeke comes through in the sister car with a time of 4m30.9s - 2.7s quicker.
"If I get a puncture, I'm out of the rally," reckons Meeke, who isn't carrying a spare wheel after his earlier woes. He's taking it a bit easier, it seems.
"If I get a puncture, I'm out of the rally," reckons Meeke, who isn't carrying a spare wheel after his earlier woes. He's taking it a bit easier, it seems.
WRC - Finland: Hanninen, though, comes through to immediately depose Meeke in the Ford. 4m28.3s for the Swede and then Ostberg comes through 2.7s slower. Good run by Hanninen, aided by a mistake from Ostberg, who went off the road.
WRC - Finland: Mikkelsen also runs on at a junction and says he spent a lot of time in neutral trying to find reverse. And Novikov has posted a slow first split time. SS4 catching out a few drivers.
WRC - Finland: Conditions may not be helping them, mind. The weather is looking more miserable than ever in service park right now.
Brollies are up and big, black clouds are gathering... Forecasters reckon it will brighten up tomorrow or certainly on Saturday.
WRC - Finland: Andreas drops 9.2s as a result of his off, good enough only for 10th at the moment. Novikov admits to a mistake, too, which saw him lose 18s to Hanninen in the first split, and 11.4s in total.
WRC - Finland: Thierry Neuville, the joint-leader of this rally, comes through unscathed, but 0.5s down on Hanninen.
WRC - Finland: "No problems for us," says Ogier as he brings the car in a fraction slower than Neuville - handing the Belgian a 1.6s rally lead for now. It's easy to mess up on a stage like, reckons the Frenchman, and he's pleased to survive.
WRC - Finland: Hirvonen comes in. "I was really surprised how bad the stage was. It's really in a bad condition."
However, no dramas for the Citroen star. "No worries, we came through without any problems," he adds. Too right - he comes through to win the stage, but you'll never guess what the situation is at the top of the overall leaderboard...
However, no dramas for the Citroen star. "No worries, we came through without any problems," he adds. Too right - he comes through to win the stage, but you'll never guess what the situation is at the top of the overall leaderboard...
Checkered flag
WRC - Finland: We are still seeing a shared lead of Rally Finland! Hirvonen gains 1.1s on Neuville to put him back on level terms with the Belgian. Fantastic fight so far.
SS4 results - 1 Hirvonen; 2 Hanninen +0.6s; 3 Neuville +1.1s; 4 Ogier +2.7s; 5 Meeke +3.2s.
Overall - 1 Neuville; 2 Hirvonen +0.0s; 3 Ogier +1.6s; 4 Ostberg +5.1s; 5 Hanninen +12.4s.
SS4 results - 1 Hirvonen; 2 Hanninen +0.6s; 3 Neuville +1.1s; 4 Ogier +2.7s; 5 Meeke +3.2s.
Overall - 1 Neuville; 2 Hirvonen +0.0s; 3 Ogier +1.6s; 4 Ostberg +5.1s; 5 Hanninen +12.4s.
WRC - Finland: Kubica extends the advantage he has over Lappi in WRC2, but the front three are still to run. The Pole is not as dominant here as he was in Italy, but is hanging in there.
By: Scott Mitchell, David Evans, Mark Glendenning, Sam Tremayne, Matt Beer, Jamie O'Leary, Kevin Turner
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