Juho Hänninen’s lead of Sata Rallye Açores has been slashed to 1.3s after Andreas Mikkelsen completed the second day of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event with his fifth fastest stage time.
The ŠKODA UK Motorsport driver was 4.7s quicker than Hänninen on the Coroa da Mata stage after the Finn reported losing precious seconds when he stalled his Fabia’s engine on a junction.
In the battle for third position, Bruno Magalhães said the rear of his Peugeot Sport Portugal 207 was “moving a lot” due to a possible damper problem.
Bryan Bouffier completed the day in fifth position and will now start first on the road in the final day in his Peugeot France 207.
Crews are now heading back to Ponta Delgada for the day’s final service halt.
Overall positions after SS12
| Pos. | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hänninen Juho / Markkula Mikko | Škoda Fabia S2000 | 1h07m45.8s |
| 2 | Mikkelsen Andreas / Floene Ola | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +1.3s |
| 3 | Magalhaes Bruno / Grave Paulo | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +49.8s |
| 4 | Kopecký Jan / Starý Petr | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +54.7s |
| 5 | Bouffier Bryan / Panseri Xavier | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +2m20.1s |
| 6 | Moura Ricardo / Eiró Sancho | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX | +3m12.8s |
| 7 | Sandell Patrik / Parmander Staffan | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +3m20.8s |
| 8 | Lopes Vítor / Magalhăes Hugo | Subaru Impreza Sti | +4m49.7s |
| 9 | Pascoal Vítor / Ramalho Luis | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X | +5m56.9s |
| 10 | Silva Sérgio / Cordeiro Nelson | Subaru Impreza Sti | +6m11.2s |
| 11 | Nutahara Fumio / Ichino Hakaru | Subaru Impreza R4 | +7m45.2s |
| 12 | Lousado Rui / Assunçăo Luis | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX | +8m14.8s |
| 13 | Maciel Paulo / Gouveira Filipe | Citroën Saxo VTS | +8m39.0s |
| 14 | Raoux Jean-Michel / Mazotti Francis | Renault Clio R3 | +9m54.5s |
| 15 | Castro Juan Pablo / Olivenza Juan | Subaru Impreza Sti | +10m19.2s |