WRC Italy, Barcelona MotoGP
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WRC - Italy: Potential trouble for Ostberg too, though. He had been a solid couple of seconds quicker than Ogier, but he's now 18s down heading towards the end of the stage.
WRC - Italy: Not quite halfway through the stage and Paddon has lost nearly a minute to Ostberg.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Meeke completes his day of running first on the road with a 28m12.8s on Monte Lerno.
Though actually he may well (subject who else uses Rally 2 and how big their penalties are) find himself first on the road tomorrow too when the field is flipped and runs in reverse rally order.
Ogier was pretty perky that there were four Rally 2 runners doing the road sweeping for him this morning, but Mikkelsen, Sordo and Kubica's further problems meant it was just Meeke ahead in the end and the champion was second on the road.
Though actually he may well (subject who else uses Rally 2 and how big their penalties are) find himself first on the road tomorrow too when the field is flipped and runs in reverse rally order.
Ogier was pretty perky that there were four Rally 2 runners doing the road sweeping for him this morning, but Mikkelsen, Sordo and Kubica's further problems meant it was just Meeke ahead in the end and the champion was second on the road.
WRC - Italy: By split two, Paddon's deficit to Ostberg is up to 35.6s. His second place is surely going to be in jeopardy thanks to this gearbox issue.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Ostberg isn't feeling too sympathetic to Paddon's plight - he's still the pacesetter on the stage just past the halfway point, just under 4s quicker than Ogier.
WRC - Italy: Paddon had just under two minutes in hand over third-placed Ostberg going onto this stage.
WRC - Italy: Paddon's car is running, but he's lost 13s by the first split of the six on the stage.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Among the healthy cars, Ostberg is the initial pacesetter on the splits by a couple of seconds over Ogier.
Ostberg may yet have a shot at second on this rally subject to the extent of Paddon's troubles.
Ostberg may yet have a shot at second on this rally subject to the extent of Paddon's troubles.
WRC - Italy: Perhaps appropriately for how this day has turned out, this stage is going to be all about watching split times to see how broken two key cars are.
Latvala lost nearly three minutes with his damper damage on the last stage and this one's significantly longer still.
Paddon has been working frantically on the Hyundai on the road section to try to resolve the gearbox glitch that slowed his pace on the last stage.
They started the day in a three-way fight for the lead with Ogier, but for the champion's erstwhile combatants it's now all about what they can salvage from Sardinia.
Latvala lost nearly three minutes with his damper damage on the last stage and this one's significantly longer still.
Paddon has been working frantically on the Hyundai on the road section to try to resolve the gearbox glitch that slowed his pace on the last stage.
They started the day in a three-way fight for the lead with Ogier, but for the champion's erstwhile combatants it's now all about what they can salvage from Sardinia.
WRC - Italy: If you think WRC and WRC2 have been attritional this weekend, they're nothing compared to the stuttering WRC3 class.
There were only four entries - three Italian federation proteges and Toyota young driver Teemu Suninen - and they've all retired. Andrea Crugnola will probably end up being leader of however many turn up tomorrow under Rally 2.
There were only four entries - three Italian federation proteges and Toyota young driver Teemu Suninen - and they've all retired. Andrea Crugnola will probably end up being leader of however many turn up tomorrow under Rally 2.
Andrea Crugnola, WRC Italy 2015
Lights out
WRC - Italy: Monte Lerno has begun, Meeke takes to the stage.
Checkered flag
NASCAR - Michigan: Final practice is done, and this man was fastest. Yeah without the #24 you probably wouldn't realise that was Jeff Gordon in blue, but that's this week's livery.
The NASCAR legend still hasn't won a race (and therefore isn't secure in the Chase) in his farewell season yet. It's surely only a matter of time before he does, and even if he doesn't he'll surely get in on points, but this is race 15 of the 26-round 'normal' season and it's a surprise Gordon's still win-less.
Kyle Busch was second, Truex ended up third.
The NASCAR legend still hasn't won a race (and therefore isn't secure in the Chase) in his farewell season yet. It's surely only a matter of time before he does, and even if he doesn't he'll surely get in on points, but this is race 15 of the 26-round 'normal' season and it's a surprise Gordon's still win-less.
Kyle Busch was second, Truex ended up third.
Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Chevrolet, Michigan NASCAR 2015
WRC - Italy: We're running a little bit late this afternoon, so the Monte Lerno Saturday finale is set to start soon-ish.
It's 26 miles long, and concludes the longest single day of WRC stage mileage since the Safari was on the schedule.
Here's how Evans's co-driver Dan Barritt describes it:
"This stage is nice, wide and fast in places, but everybody knows this one for Micky's Jump.
"This is a completely different kind of jump to the one in the stage previous – the approach is so steep, but it's a real up and nose down jump.
"You have to knock a lot of speed off here, if you don't you'll be flying a long, long way.
"Monte Lerno's a fantastic stage, but it's so abrasive – the second pass will be very hard on the tyres."
It's 26 miles long, and concludes the longest single day of WRC stage mileage since the Safari was on the schedule.
Here's how Evans's co-driver Dan Barritt describes it:
"This stage is nice, wide and fast in places, but everybody knows this one for Micky's Jump.
"This is a completely different kind of jump to the one in the stage previous – the approach is so steep, but it's a real up and nose down jump.
"You have to knock a lot of speed off here, if you don't you'll be flying a long, long way.
"Monte Lerno's a fantastic stage, but it's so abrasive – the second pass will be very hard on the tyres."
WRC - Italy: After that WRC2 shake-up, Andreucci is only 26s behind new leader Protasov, so battle is still on.
The new Skoda is up to third in Jan Kopecky's hands now, after a tough Friday for the Czech and team-mate Esapekka Lappi, then it's Yazeed Al-Rahji in fourth.
They're all on course for outright points too as we're so short on World Rally Cars. In fact we think Ogier and Ostberg are the only ones left that haven't been broken in some way at some point over the last two days.
The new Skoda is up to third in Jan Kopecky's hands now, after a tough Friday for the Czech and team-mate Esapekka Lappi, then it's Yazeed Al-Rahji in fourth.
They're all on course for outright points too as we're so short on World Rally Cars. In fact we think Ogier and Ostberg are the only ones left that haven't been broken in some way at some point over the last two days.
Quote
WRC - Italy: It might be a little later than expected, but here's Jari-Matti Latvala's explanation of his puncture on SS13 today (that's the puncture that spoiled his morning, rather than the damper damage that's spoiled his afternoon). Predictably, it's entertaining.
"It wasn't the big jump," said Latvala, "not the famous long jump, there's another jump further into that stage.
"The speed is the same – we have half a kilometre of straight road before, so it is the top gear for the take off.
"In years before, I have always been flat here, so again, I came flat.
"I take off, no problem, but landed a little bit sideways – there was half a turn of lock.
"The right-rear didn't hit anything, but the surface was so hard and abrasive when it hit, it straight away knocked the tyre from the rim.
"There was no mark on the tyre, nothing, it just got good grip and forced the tyre off the rim. If there was some gravel there, it would be no problem."
So, let's just take a moment to consider that one. Flat out, Polo on the limiter, well past 100mph and lands with a half-a-turn of lock…
Moment?
"No, no," said Latvala deadpan, "this wasn't the moment. The moment only comes when you are in the ditch."
Of course. What were we thinking…
"It wasn't the big jump," said Latvala, "not the famous long jump, there's another jump further into that stage.
"The speed is the same – we have half a kilometre of straight road before, so it is the top gear for the take off.
"In years before, I have always been flat here, so again, I came flat.
"I take off, no problem, but landed a little bit sideways – there was half a turn of lock.
"The right-rear didn't hit anything, but the surface was so hard and abrasive when it hit, it straight away knocked the tyre from the rim.
"There was no mark on the tyre, nothing, it just got good grip and forced the tyre off the rim. If there was some gravel there, it would be no problem."
So, let's just take a moment to consider that one. Flat out, Polo on the limiter, well past 100mph and lands with a half-a-turn of lock…
Moment?
"No, no," said Latvala deadpan, "this wasn't the moment. The moment only comes when you are in the ditch."
Of course. What were we thinking…
Breaking news
WRC - Italy - SS18 summary:
* Paddon loses further time to Ogier as gearbox problem develops
* Latvala drops back to sixth due to damper damage from previous stage
* Ostberg fastest and now secure in third
* Andreucci loses WRC2 lead to Protasov (pictured) as he has to stop to close boot
* Paddon loses further time to Ogier as gearbox problem develops
* Latvala drops back to sixth due to damper damage from previous stage
* Ostberg fastest and now secure in third
* Andreucci loses WRC2 lead to Protasov (pictured) as he has to stop to close boot
Yuriy Protasov, WRC Italy 2015
Checkered flag
WRC - Italy - SS18 results:
Stage times:
1 Ostberg 23m51.7s
2 Ogier +4.7s
3 Meeke +8.9s
4 Neuville +10.7s
5 Evans +11.3s
6 Paddon +18.9s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Paddon +26.8s
3 Ostberg +2m22.9s
4 Neuville +3m52.7s
5 Evans +4m57.2s
6 Latvala +5m33.6s
Stage times:
1 Ostberg 23m51.7s
2 Ogier +4.7s
3 Meeke +8.9s
4 Neuville +10.7s
5 Evans +11.3s
6 Paddon +18.9s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Paddon +26.8s
3 Ostberg +2m22.9s
4 Neuville +3m52.7s
5 Evans +4m57.2s
6 Latvala +5m33.6s
Breaking news
WRC - Italy: Andreucci makes it to the stage finish having lost the WRC2 lead. It seems he had to stop to close his Peugeot's boot early on the stage - a freak and costly problem. Protasov will take the WRC2 lead when he comes through.
Breaking news
WRC - Italy: Paddon is struggling with a gearbox issue on his second-placed Hyundai.
His had been the only i20 to run trouble-free this weekend as he led for nearly two days. It would be cruel for the car to misbehave now with a podium in Paddon's grasp.
His had been the only i20 to run trouble-free this weekend as he led for nearly two days. It would be cruel for the car to misbehave now with a podium in Paddon's grasp.
WRC - Italy: Now does Paddon have a problem? He said at the end of the last stage that he'd be cruising now, but he chose not to speak to reporters at the end of this stage, having steadily lost more time as the stage went on.
WRC - Italy: Latvala confirms that he did have damper damage from the impact on the previous stage. And there's another 26-mile stage to go in a short while too...
WRC - Italy: Latvala finishes the stage with a two and a half minute delay, while 'cruising' Paddon comes in 14s down on Ogier.
Crash
NASCAR - Michigan: Today's second practice session for Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Michigan has just been interrupted by a crash for Denny Hamlin.
He made it as far as the wall, and though initial indications are that Joe Gibbs Racing will try to repair the battered Toyota, he may have to switch to his back-up car. That would mean a drop from his current 13th on the grid to last.
Martin Truex Jr, last week's winner at Pocono, is currently quickest. Kevin Harvick led the earlier session.
He made it as far as the wall, and though initial indications are that Joe Gibbs Racing will try to repair the battered Toyota, he may have to switch to his back-up car. That would mean a drop from his current 13th on the grid to last.
Martin Truex Jr, last week's winner at Pocono, is currently quickest. Kevin Harvick led the earlier session.
WRC - Italy: Latvala continues to struggle through the stage and is going to lose about two minutes.
The field is so depleted and spread out, that might only cost him one place! It'll be touch and go whether he emerges in fifth ahead of Evans or sixth behind the Welshman.
The field is so depleted and spread out, that might only cost him one place! It'll be touch and go whether he emerges in fifth ahead of Evans or sixth behind the Welshman.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Pacesetter on this stage is now Ostberg, he's completed 5s quicker than Ogier's time.
Hayden is a bit smaller now, but still within 2.2s of Ogier's pace.
And in WRC2, leader Andreucci is in trouble. He escaped that particularly pesky rock on the last stage but stopped early on this one and has lost about a minute. That's going to hand the class lead to Protasov.
Hayden is a bit smaller now, but still within 2.2s of Ogier's pace.
And in WRC2, leader Andreucci is in trouble. He escaped that particularly pesky rock on the last stage but stopped early on this one and has lost about a minute. That's going to hand the class lead to Protasov.
Breaking news
IndyCar - Toronto: An intriguing piece of news ahead of qualifying for the IndyCar race in Toronto later.
The series has traditionally made the data of how much push-to-pass each driver had left (and when it was deployed) available on its main timing system.
But now it's going to keep it secret in the hope of creating better racing.
And in on-track news, Penske had a one-two in final practice with Castroneves and Montoya.
You can follow the afternoon's qualifying session from Toronto on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live around 7.30pm UK time tonight.
The series has traditionally made the data of how much push-to-pass each driver had left (and when it was deployed) available on its main timing system.
But now it's going to keep it secret in the hope of creating better racing.
And in on-track news, Penske had a one-two in final practice with Castroneves and Montoya.
You can follow the afternoon's qualifying session from Toronto on AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live around 7.30pm UK time tonight.
WRC - Italy: Meanwhile at the stage's halfway point, Latvala has lost a minute to the leaders. Any hope of a podium from this wild event is rapidly disappearing.
WRC - Italy: The lead may be gone and he may be claiming to be in "cruise" mode, but Paddon's not exactly given up. He's only three tenths off Ogier on the splits on this stage at the moment.
WRC - Italy: At the next split, Latvala is over half a minute off the pace.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Third-placed Ostberg is setting the pace on the splits. He's probably going to be on for a few stage wins now with Ogier able to take it a bit easier now Paddon's down to second.
Ostberg did need to push to stay out of Latvala's reach when this stage began, but if the VW has a problem he needn't worry.
Ostberg did need to push to stay out of Latvala's reach when this stage began, but if the VW has a problem he needn't worry.
Breaking news
WRC - Italy: And more drama on SS18 - Latvala was late into the stage and is going slowly, losing 21s to Ogier by the first split. Does that suggest the impact with a rock has left an ongoing problem?
We're getting very short on functioning World Rally Cars here now.
We're getting very short on functioning World Rally Cars here now.
Breaking news
WRC - Italy: We've lost two Fords to gearbox trouble in quick succession now. M-Sport has confirmed Tanak's problem cannot be fixed on the stage so he's out, while Kubica also became stuck in gear and has parked before SS18.
M-Sport's verdict on erstwhile third-place man Tanak: "An unjust end to what has been one of their best WRC performances to date"
Absolutely right, poor Ott.
M-Sport's verdict on erstwhile third-place man Tanak: "An unjust end to what has been one of their best WRC performances to date"
Absolutely right, poor Ott.
Breaking news
WRC - Italy - SS17 summary:
* Paddon spins and loses the lead to Ogier
* Tanak retires from third overall when his Ford gets stuck in gear
* Latvala hits a rock hard and loses a little time with possible suspension damage
* Ostberg moves up to third
* Paddon spins and loses the lead to Ogier
* Tanak retires from third overall when his Ford gets stuck in gear
* Latvala hits a rock hard and loses a little time with possible suspension damage
* Ostberg moves up to third
Checkered flag
WRC - Italy - SS17 results:
Stage times:
1 Ogier 13m38.9s
2 Ostberg +5.9s
3 Meeke +5.9s
4 Evans +9.4s
5 Neuville +10.7s
6 Latvala +11.2s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Paddon +12.6s
3 Ostberg +2m27.6s
4 Latvala +2m40.2s
5 Neuville +3m46.7s
6 Evans +4m50.6s
Stage times:
1 Ogier 13m38.9s
2 Ostberg +5.9s
3 Meeke +5.9s
4 Evans +9.4s
5 Neuville +10.7s
6 Latvala +11.2s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Paddon +12.6s
3 Ostberg +2m27.6s
4 Latvala +2m40.2s
5 Neuville +3m46.7s
6 Evans +4m50.6s
Quote
WRC - Italy: Paddon explains what cost him the lead he'd held since SS2:
"We had a spin about the third of the way through. Coming into a hairpin left, on the corner before we lost the back end. Then the car wouldn't restart and we lost minimum 10s there.
"Then we saw Ott [stopped] and decided the stage was too rough to be pushing."
With a 2m15s cushion to Ostberg in third behind him now, and little chance of being able to hunt down and repass Ogier for the lead, Paddon's changed his strategy for the rest of the day:
"It's time to cruise."
"We had a spin about the third of the way through. Coming into a hairpin left, on the corner before we lost the back end. Then the car wouldn't restart and we lost minimum 10s there.
"Then we saw Ott [stopped] and decided the stage was too rough to be pushing."
With a 2m15s cushion to Ostberg in third behind him now, and little chance of being able to hunt down and repass Ogier for the lead, Paddon's changed his strategy for the rest of the day:
"It's time to cruise."
WRC - Italy: Paddon completes the stage 21s slower than Ogier and falls to second place overall, 12s adrift.
WRC - Italy: Neuville is through without any such dramas. He reports a particularly massive rock on the line that he managed to dodge as he was driving carefully.
"It will be a nice surprise for those behind," says Neuville, meaning "nice" in an entirely ironic fashion.
Forget those behind, that's probably the rock Latvala smacked.
"It will be a nice surprise for those behind," says Neuville, meaning "nice" in an entirely ironic fashion.
Forget those behind, that's probably the rock Latvala smacked.
WRC - Italy: Despite his rock problem, Latvala is still within 12.6s of Ostberg in what is now going to be a battle for third with Tanak stopped. The worry for the VW man is whether that impact has caused more damage deeper in the suspension that will affect his pace on the remaining two stages.
WRC - Italy: Paddon's time loss continues, at split three he's now lost 17.7s to Ogier. His lead heading into this one was just 9s.
WRC - Italy: Big time loss for leader Paddon relative to Ogier at split two - the Hyundai is 15s slower than the VW and that's going to cost him the rally lead!
By: Matt Beer, Jack Benyon, David Evans, AUTOSPORT staff, Mark Glendenning, Peter Mills, Alex Kalinauckas
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