Fear of skating off the road on patches of ice nearing the stage finish prompted event leader Jan Kopecký to take a cautious approach on stage 13 of the International Jännerrallye.
As a result the factory ŠKODA Motorsport driver heads to mid-morning service in Freistadt with his lead on round one of the 2013 FIA European Rally Championship trimmed to 14.3s with five stages remaining.
“I was too careful on the last part,” said the reigning Czech champion. “I didn’t want to risk because there is still a long way to go. Bryan [Bouffier] is pushing like hell but he has nothing to lose. I think I can go much faster but I had in my pacenotes there was ice everywhere but in the end it was just in a few parts.”
While Raimund Baumschlager was able to strengthen his grip on third place by winning the 7.79-kilometre Arena Königswiesen test, Václav Pech is beginning to come under pressure from François Delecour in the battle for fourth.
“We push to try to get back to fourth position,” said Delecour. “I try to catch Pech but it’s not easy. I am experienced but they know the roads, I am here for the first time.”
Following a 20-minute service halt in Freistadt, stage 14, the rerun of Gutau, goes live at 11:23hrs local time.