The battle for Intercontinental Rally Challenge glory in Madeira has taken another twist after Kris Meeke was forced to retire on the event’s 17th stage due to a mechanical failure.
Jan Kopecký, who was battling for the runner-up spot with Meeke, now inherits second place, 33.2s behind Škoda Motorsport team-mate Freddy Loix, who was quickest through the 22.01-kilometre Chão da Lagoa run.
IRC title leader Juho Hänninen was also in trouble on the stage after picking up a puncture. He remains in fourth but is now 6.6s behind local hero Miguel Nunes in a Peugeot 207 S2000.
Crews are now heading to service north of Madeira’s capital Funchal for a 20-minute halt prior to the final four stages of the event.
Overall positions after SS17:
| Pos. | Team | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Loix Freddy / Miclotte Fréderic | Škoda Fabia S2000 | 2h32m13.6s |
| 02 | Kopecký Jan / Starý Petr | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +33.2s |
| 03 | Nunes Miguel / Calado Victor | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +2m11.6s |
| 04 | Hänninen Juho / Markkula Mikko | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +2m18.2s |
| 05 | Sá Vítor / Rodrigues Nuno | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +2m44.5s |
| 06 | Freitas Filipe / Figueiroa Daniel | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X | +7m36.8s |
| 07 | Magalhăes Joăo / Pereira Jorge | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X | +7m48.0s |
| 08 | Silva Joăo / Janela José | Renault Clio R3 | +8m43.3s |
| 09 | Peres Pedro / Ferreira Tiago | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX | +8m45.4s |
| 10 | Moura Ricardo / Costa Antonio | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX | +8m53.4s |
| 11 | Bruyneel Dominique / Vanneste Lara | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +10m39.0s |
| 12 | Sousa Samir / Miranda Duarte | Renault Clio S1600 | +11m30.8s |
| 13 | Fontana Corrado / Arena Nicola | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +11m44.4s |
| 14 | Fernandes Rui / Fernandes Rui Jorge | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX | +12m53.0s |
| 15 | Meireles Pedro / Henriques Jorge | Subaru Impreza STI | +12m53.3s |