Guy Wilks has moved to within touching distance of fifth-placed Karl Kruuda heading into the final stage of the GEKO Ypres Rally. Wilks, in his Peugeot UK 207 Super 2000, is just 7.7s behind the Estonian with 10.23 competitive kilometres of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier remaining. Kruuda meanwhile, said he lacked confidence behind the wheel of his ŠKODA Fabia S2000 on the test.
Freddy Loix maintains his comfortable advantage at the head of the field in his factory Fabia S2000 after setting the second fastest time behind stage winner Andreas Mikkelsen.
Fourth-placed Michal Solowow reported a sticking throttle on his M-Sport Fiesta while Luca Rossetti was slowed by a rear-left puncture on his Abarth Grande Punto. Toni Gardemeister said his Fabia was lacking power.
Robert Barrable has moved into 10th overall following Mark van Eldik’s delay. PG Andersson, in his PROTON Motorsports Satria Neo S2000, is just 8.9s adrift of the Irishman.
Overall positions after SS17
| Pos. | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loix Freddy / Miclotte Fréderic | Škoda Fabia S2000 | 2h33m54.9s |
| 2 | Bouffier Bryan / Panseri Xavier | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +1m40.3s |
| 3 | Weijs Hans / Degandt Bjorn | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +3m45.7s |
| 4 | Sołowow Michal / Baran Maciej | Ford Fiesta S2000 | +5m45.0s |
| 5 | Snijers Patrick / Gitsels Johan | Mini John Cooper Works S2000 | +6m19.1s |
| 6 | Kruuda Karl / Järveoja Martin | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +6m27.0s |
| 7 | Wilks Guy / Pugh Phil | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +6m34.7s |
| 8 | Gardemeister Toni / Suominen Tapio | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +6m55.3s |
| 9 | Rossetti Luca / Chiarcossi Matteo | Fiat Grande Punto S2000 | +7m19.9s |
| 10 | Ten Brinke Bernhard / Thierie Davy | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +7m20.0s |
| 11 | Barrable Robert / Connolly Damien | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +7m37.4s |
| 12 | Andersson Per Gunnar / Axelsson Emil | Proton Satria Neo S2000 | +7m46.3s |
| 13 | Maurin Julien / Ural Olivier | Ford Fiesta S2000 | +8m18.2s |
| 14 | Van Eldik Mark / Buysmans Robin | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +8m27.8s |
| 15 | Van Den Heuvel Jasper / Kolman Martine | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X R4 | +9m20.6s |