WRC Spain, Sepang MotoGP
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WRC - Spain: Neuville gives away 1.5s to Ogier, which will nudge the VW man's lead in the rally just a tenth shy of the 10 second mark.
"I was pushing to the maximum, the time is OK," the Belgian says. "We have a different tyre strategy for the afternoon."
"I was pushing to the maximum, the time is OK," the Belgian says. "We have a different tyre strategy for the afternoon."
WRC - Spain: Hirvonen goes fourth quicker, and with a time 1.7s slower than Mikkelsen, his advantage in the battle for fourth is reduced to just 0.9s.
WRC - Spain: Andreas Mikkelsen slots nicely in between his VW team-mates Ogier and Latvala, 0.6s slower than the former but 0.7s quicker than the latter.
Next up will be Mikko Hirvonen, followed by Neuville, Mads Ostberg and Elfyn Evans.
Next up will be Mikko Hirvonen, followed by Neuville, Mads Ostberg and Elfyn Evans.
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WRC - Spain: Not a good latter half of the stage, as Latvala arrives at the flying finish 1.3s slower than the Frenchman.
"Not the best feeling with the car, but better than this morning," says the Finn.
"Not the best feeling with the car, but better than this morning," says the Finn.
WRC - Spain: Ogier is through the short 4.3 mile SS5 already in a time of 4m23.0s, but Latvala is up at the midway split.
Breaking news
WRC - Spain: This morning has seen Sebastien Ogier, who has a chance of wrapping up the title this weekend, get off to the best possible start.
The Frenchman leads Thierry Neuville by 8.4 seconds, with title rival Jari-Matti Latvala down in seventh.
Ogier leads as rivals struggle in dust
The Frenchman leads Thierry Neuville by 8.4 seconds, with title rival Jari-Matti Latvala down in seventh.
Ogier leads as rivals struggle in dust
WRC - Spain: The afternoon leg is a mirror image of the morning, with second runs through Candesa, Pesells and Terra Alta giving us a further 43 miles of competitive action today.
Welcome back to AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live, where we're about to continue with our coverage of the Rally of Spain as well as the ERC round in Valais.
ERC - Valais: Back in Switzerland, there's been a change of the lead. Lappi was 8.9s quicker through SS5 than Skoda team-mate Wiegand, giving the Finn a 4.1s advantage in the overall standings.
With most of the leading cars through, it looks like another stage win for Breen, who remains just under a minute off the lead.
In other Peugeot news, it was a clutch problem prior to the previous stage that brought the luckless Abbring to a halt.
We'll be back at around 12.50pm UK time to continue our coverage - be sure to join us then.
With most of the leading cars through, it looks like another stage win for Breen, who remains just under a minute off the lead.
In other Peugeot news, it was a clutch problem prior to the previous stage that brought the luckless Abbring to a halt.
We'll be back at around 12.50pm UK time to continue our coverage - be sure to join us then.
Checkered flag
WRC - Spain - SS4 results:
Stage times:
1 Ogier 23m26.1s
2 Neuville +8.5s
3 Ostberg +11.9s
4 Hirvonen +12.1
5 Kubica +13.4s
6 Evans +15.9s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Neuville +8.4s
3 Ostberg +19.8s
4 Hirvonen +20.1s
5 Mikkelsen +22.7s
6 Kubica +23.5s
7 Latvala +24.2s
8 Sordo +35.9s
Stage times:
1 Ogier 23m26.1s
2 Neuville +8.5s
3 Ostberg +11.9s
4 Hirvonen +12.1
5 Kubica +13.4s
6 Evans +15.9s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Ogier
2 Neuville +8.4s
3 Ostberg +19.8s
4 Hirvonen +20.1s
5 Mikkelsen +22.7s
6 Kubica +23.5s
7 Latvala +24.2s
8 Sordo +35.9s
WRC - Spain: Kubica's decent morning continues - fifth fastest on the stage, sixth overall. He admits he's having to take it easy in places as he was too cautious here last year when wrapping up the WRC2 title and doesn't know quite how hard to push.
We're trying not to get too excited about the fact Kubica's current position is, frankly, brilliant, because we don't want to end up heartbroken again if he throws it in a ditch within sight of the finish as he did in France.
We're trying not to get too excited about the fact Kubica's current position is, frankly, brilliant, because we don't want to end up heartbroken again if he throws it in a ditch within sight of the finish as he did in France.
WRC - Spain: Paddon completes the stage, now well outside the points after losing nearly six minutes.
He says he pushed a bit too hard trying to make the most of his decent road position and ended up spinning into a bank at the very first corner of the stage, causing damage that hampered him throughout.
"I have no regrets, I was trying," he says.
And unlike Meeke, Paddon had two spare tyres so is still here.
He says he pushed a bit too hard trying to make the most of his decent road position and ended up spinning into a bank at the very first corner of the stage, causing damage that hampered him throughout.
"I have no regrets, I was trying," he says.
And unlike Meeke, Paddon had two spare tyres so is still here.
WRC - Spain: Evans and Prokop are smoothly through, we're now waiting for Sordo, Kubica and the delayed Paddon to give us a definitive leaderboard for the morning.
Here's how the overall standings currently look:
1 Ogier; 2 Neuville +8.4s; 3 Ostberg +19.8s; 4 Hirvonen +20.1s; 5 Mikkelsen +22.7s; 6 Latvala +24.2s
Here's how the overall standings currently look:
1 Ogier; 2 Neuville +8.4s; 3 Ostberg +19.8s; 4 Hirvonen +20.1s; 5 Mikkelsen +22.7s; 6 Latvala +24.2s
ERC - Valais: The first stage of the day is complete for the leading runners, and it's Breen who takes it by 3.6s from Kajetanowicz.
That puts the Irishman up to 13th overall, as Wiegand, third on that stage, pulls out an extra four tenths on Lappi in the fight for the lead of the rally.
Abbring meanwhile appeared to have an issue of some kind before the start of that stage. That's going to drop the Peugeot driver well down the order, with Kajetanowicz inheriting third place as a result.
That puts the Irishman up to 13th overall, as Wiegand, third on that stage, pulls out an extra four tenths on Lappi in the fight for the lead of the rally.
Abbring meanwhile appeared to have an issue of some kind before the start of that stage. That's going to drop the Peugeot driver well down the order, with Kajetanowicz inheriting third place as a result.
WRC - Spain: Paddon is moving again, but he's lost over four minutes.
Remember he was up to a spectacular third overall after SS3.
Remember he was up to a spectacular third overall after SS3.
WRC - Spain: Ostberg is third quickest, behind Ogier and Neuville.
He had a spin along the way, he reports.
"I had to reverse and go again, so maybe lost 5-8s."
He had a spin along the way, he reports.
"I had to reverse and go again, so maybe lost 5-8s."
Crash
WRC - Spain: Paddon took his first stage win on the last one, but reports from on the stage suggest he's been off the road a couple of times on this one, and is now stopping to change a puncture.
WRC - Spain: Neuville comes through second quickest, 8.5s down on Ogier and back to second overall.
"I'm waiting for the day when I'll be that lucky as world champ," he says of Ogier's clear air. "It's very difficult to see, and then on the Tarmac section you lose your tyres by the end.
"I had to slow down a few times because I just couldn't see where I was."
"I'm waiting for the day when I'll be that lucky as world champ," he says of Ogier's clear air. "It's very difficult to see, and then on the Tarmac section you lose your tyres by the end.
"I had to slow down a few times because I just couldn't see where I was."
WRC - Spain: Hirvonen was among several drivers actually quicker than Ogier on the early splits, but who lost it in the middle.
The same now applies to Neuville, who was our pacesetter early on and looked set to extend his rally lead, but is now likely to lose it to Ogier.
The difference potentially comes from the asphalt section in the middle of the stage, where Ogier doesn't have any dust concerns.
The same now applies to Neuville, who was our pacesetter early on and looked set to extend his rally lead, but is now likely to lose it to Ogier.
The difference potentially comes from the asphalt section in the middle of the stage, where Ogier doesn't have any dust concerns.
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WRC - Spain: But it's better for Hirvonen, who comes through second quickest for now, 12s behind Ogier.
"It was really, really difficult, and maybe our time is better than Mikkelsen and Jari-Matti, but the dust was really difficult for us as well," says Hirvonen.
He thinks the change to three-minute gaps between cars was inadequate and that a four-minute break was necessary.
"It was really, really difficult, and maybe our time is better than Mikkelsen and Jari-Matti, but the dust was really difficult for us as well," says Hirvonen.
He thinks the change to three-minute gaps between cars was inadequate and that a four-minute break was necessary.
WRC - Spain: And it's not much better for Mikkelsen, who also loses 18s to Ogier. He says the dust level is just impossible in the other VWs' wake and he can't see enough to drive flat-out.
WRC - Spain: All Latvala can offer as a reason for his plight is that the VW's set-up isn't working for him.
He needs to turn things around during the upcoming lunchtime service if he's to have any hope of delaying Ogier's 2014 coronation.
He needs to turn things around during the upcoming lunchtime service if he's to have any hope of delaying Ogier's 2014 coronation.
WRC - Spain: Huge time loss for Latvala, he completes the stage 19.2s down on Ogier's pace. Even on a long 22-mile stage, that's painful.
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WRC - Spain: Ogier makes it through Terra Alta safely.
"It's always the same [with the gravel], luckily in this one there was some asphalt," he says. "I'm really happy with my loop though, I pushed from the first kilometre to the last."
He suspects this afternoon will be just as challenging for loose gravel as he continues to run first on the road until tomorrow.
"It's always the same [with the gravel], luckily in this one there was some asphalt," he says. "I'm really happy with my loop though, I pushed from the first kilometre to the last."
He suspects this afternoon will be just as challenging for loose gravel as he continues to run first on the road until tomorrow.
WRC - Spain: It's been a breathless start to the rally so far, with quick-fire stage action on the gravel loop this morning.
And last night was pretty extraordinary too, reckons DAVID EVANS. The Barcelona stage was a massive hit with the Spanish rally fans. They turned out in their thousands to watch in Montjuic Park.
In fairness, I'm not very good at estimating numbers, but off the start line there was definitely somewhere between 2500 and a million people.
And last night was pretty extraordinary too, reckons DAVID EVANS. The Barcelona stage was a massive hit with the Spanish rally fans. They turned out in their thousands to watch in Montjuic Park.
In fairness, I'm not very good at estimating numbers, but off the start line there was definitely somewhere between 2500 and a million people.
Wiegand ERC Valais
ERC - Valais: The second leg is about to get under way in Switzerland, and following yesterday's action, it's Sepp Wiegand (who, as you can tell from this picture, has questionable taste in headware) who leads the way.
Fellow Skoda runner Esapekka Lappi is 4.4s behind, ahead of top Peugeot man Kevin Abbring.
Lights out
WRC - Spain: The 22-mile mixed-surface beast called Terra Alta is up and running. This one gives the crews not only loose gravel and hanging dust to deal with, but asphalt sections that have to be tackled on gravel tyres.
Checkered flag
WRC - Spain - SS3 results:
Stage times:
1 Paddon 15m26.6s
2 Ogier +2.1s
3 Neuville +3.6s
4 Latvala +4.1s
5 Hirvonen +5.7s
6 Kubica +6.3s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Neuville
2 Ogier +0.1s
3 Paddon +2.3s
4 Mikkelsen +3.9s
5 Latvala +5.1s
6 Ostberg +8.0s
7 Hirvonen +8.1s
8 Kubica +10.2s
Stage times:
1 Paddon 15m26.6s
2 Ogier +2.1s
3 Neuville +3.6s
4 Latvala +4.1s
5 Hirvonen +5.7s
6 Kubica +6.3s
Overall leaderboard:
1 Neuville
2 Ogier +0.1s
3 Paddon +2.3s
4 Mikkelsen +3.9s
5 Latvala +5.1s
6 Ostberg +8.0s
7 Hirvonen +8.1s
8 Kubica +10.2s
WRC - Spain: Block comes through SS3. The dust and lack of recent WRC experience aren't helping him, but as ever he sounds like he's having vast amounts of fun.
V8s Surfers Reynolds
V8 Supercars - Surfers Paradise: This weekend is one of the biggest of the V8 Supercars season, as the Surfers Paradise street circuit plays host to a pair of races that will be crucial in the title battle.
Shane van Gisbergen set the pace in practice earlier today, closely followed by fellow Holden driver James Courtney and top Ford man David Reynolds. Points leader Jamie Whincup was fourth fastest.
Among the co-drivers, which sadly lack the international flavour of a couple of years back, Tony D’Alberto, who is partnering Tim Slade this weekend, was quickest ahead of Steven Richards (Craig Lowndes) and Greg Ritter (Robert Dahlgren).
Breaking news
WRC - Spain: Meeke has officially retired from the day. Two punctures plus one spare is not an equation that works.
WRC - Spain: It does seem this morning that there's a clear difference between those who are bothered by the fact they can't see where they're going, and those are just putting absolute faith in their pace notes and going for it blind.
Although this afternoon's loop is a repeat of the same stages, this should be the worst the dust gets, as it's exacerbated by the early-morning stillness and low sun.
Although this afternoon's loop is a repeat of the same stages, this should be the worst the dust gets, as it's exacerbated by the early-morning stillness and low sun.
WRC - Spain: Another thoroughly decent time for Kubica, he's sixth quickest and 6s off Paddon's stunning pace.
That puts Kubica ahead of erstwhile rally leader Mikkelsen on the stage times, right behind team-mate Hirvonen, and a long way clear of other team-mate Evans.
That puts Kubica ahead of erstwhile rally leader Mikkelsen on the stage times, right behind team-mate Hirvonen, and a long way clear of other team-mate Evans.
WRC - Spain: This non-stop morning keeps rolling with the 22 miles of gravel and asphalt mixture known as Terra Alta coming up in just under a quarter of an hour, and a few more drivers - including Kubica and Block - still to come on Pesells.
Breen ERC Valais Peugeot
ERC - Valais: Meanwhile, in Switzerland, things don't get much better for Craig Breen.
His Peugeot 208 T16 (and those of his team-mate Kevin Abbring and Bruno Magalhaes) had a spot of engine trouble leaving overnight parc ferme in Sion this morning.
This is Breen's car being pushed to his service area after it wouldn't start. It is four degrees centigrade after all.
Stopwatch
WRC - Spain: Another superb performance by Paddon, who is 2s quicker than Ogier and therefore fastest on the stage. That brings him up to third overall behind Neuville and Ogier.
"Maybe Christmas has come early," says Paddon, who coped with the dust brilliantly there.
"Maybe Christmas has come early," says Paddon, who coped with the dust brilliantly there.
WRC - Spain: More unhappiness from the Sordo side of Hyundai though, who says the dust level made the stage "impossible to drive." He's 15s off the pace on that stage.
WRC - Spain: While we were watching Meeke's dramas, we missed the fact that our new rally leader isn't Ogier, it's Neuville - by a tenth of a second.
Breaking news
MotoGP - Sepang: Here's the full story of how Jorge Lorenzo took charge when Friday afternoon eventually got going at a wet Sepang:
Sepang MotoGP practice two report
Sepang MotoGP practice two report
WRC - Spain: It looks like Meeke used the spare on a punctured rear and then struggled through with a punctured front.
It's not going to be possible to complete the road sections and a 22-mile stage with a punctured tyre he can't replace, it's surely game over for Meeke for today.
It's not going to be possible to complete the road sections and a 22-mile stage with a punctured tyre he can't replace, it's surely game over for Meeke for today.
By: Matt Beer, Jamie Klein, Peter Mills, David Evans
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