A stunning stage time by Juho Hänninen has handed the former Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion a lead of 16.2s on Barum Czech Rally Zlín.
The ŠKODA Motorsport driver was 10.8s faster than team-mate Jan Kopecký through the 23.38-kilometre Maják stage, which was shown live on Eurosport and free-to-air Czech TV. “It was good,” said Hänninen, whose tally of 10 IRC wins is more than any other driver has managed. “I really was pushing that I can promise. We are here and that’s nice.”
Roman Kresta benefited from Tomáš Kostka’s “big moment” in the stage to move into third place in his self-run Fabia. Kostka, who specialises in circuit racing, completed the stage with a damaged wheel rim and now trails Kresta by 8.6s with three stages remaining.
Jaromír Tarabus, whose Fabia is prepared by Kresta’s team, has demoted Robert Barrable for fifth place, benefiting from his decision to bolt two wet-weather tyres on the front of his car ahead of the stage. The Czech now heads Barrable by 7.6s in the overall standings after going 1.7s faster than team-mate Kresta. “It’s good to push on the main road where it’s abrasive but in under the trees I don’t have the confidence to push,” said Barrable.
With no spare tyres available having used both to replace his punctured covers on stage 11, Andreas Mikkelsen is having to adopt a cautious approach in his ŠKODA UK-backed Fabia. The Norwegian was fifth quickest and holds ninth overall.
Crews are now heading to service in Otrokovice for a 30-minute halt ahead of the final loop of three stages.