SS19 - Fafe 2

STAGE FLASH

Date: Sunday 21st May 2017
Day:  3
Flash N°: 20
Special stage: SS19 - Fafe 2 (Power Stage)
Distance: 11.18km
Weather: Slight cloud, dry, slight breeze
Road conditions: Dry, dusty, loose gravel and sand
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Car 1, Ogier/Ingrassia
“It’s great for sure. It’s fantastic to be on top of the podium. It was great in the car, the team was perfect. The car was amazing. The team will love this one. They deserve it, it’s a team effort. I’m sure if they can afford to give me a new car every rally though!”

Car 2, Tanak/Jarveoja
“At the beginning it was maybe not perfect. But after that it was a good clean run. After the rally some points would be nice.”

Car 3, Evans/Barritt
“It wasn’t really the plan, we were going to go the same speed at the first time. We went off to the left a little bit. Don’t know why.”

Car 4, Paddon/Marshall
“It was cleaning a lot. More so than I thought. It was sliding a lot, it was good fun. The team did and absolutely brilliant job on the car this weekend. It’s been good.”

Car 5, Neuville/Gilsoul
“It was a good stage for me. I tried my best. I had a good clean run, but it wasn’t enough – Tanak is still faster. I think we’ve shown a good performance and for me it’s been good for the Championship.”

Car 6, Sordo/Marti
“I’m really happy. I was disappointed with the problems on the longer stages. I need to tell everyone in the stages thank you. To see all these people watching is important. It’s incredible.”

Car 7, Meeke/Nagle
“It was okay. The jump feels a bit different this year. There’s something different about the take-off. It’s sending the cars up on the right hand side.

Car 8, Breen/Martin
“We made a couple of small adjustments to the diff. It’s been good. We can be consistently fast. It hasn’t been a terrible weekend.”

Car 9, Lefebvre/Moreau
“I don’t take a risk. It was very difficult. I hope for more in the next rally.”

Car 10, Latvala/Anttila
“It was good, a lot of fans here. I’m happy to finish. I’ve had to fight with myself a lot. But now it’s done and we can score some points. It’s good.”

Car 11, Hanninen/Lindstrom
“It was a bit easier than Argentine. We learn a lot. It’s nice to have a clean run. But we still need to improve. It’s our first time on these stages.”

Car 12, Lappi/Ferm
“It’s a positive for sure. Surprisingly positive. \it was a shame what happened yesterday. But the speed at this level is amazing. But you still push yourself. We’re still learning.”

Car 14, Ostberg/Floene
“It was a big jump. It felt a bit long.”

Car 15, Al Qassimi/Patterson
“It was quite a moment! I wanted to go fast, I thought I could carry more speed.”

Car 32, Tidemund/Andersson
“Andreas was stopped near the beginning of the stage. I don’t know what happened. It was odd for me. In the first corners I thought we had punctures. When we saw Andreas we were really careful!”

Car 33, Camili/Veillas
“We had out two best times this morning. It’s been okay. But we’ve been so unlucky this weekend, so we didn’t push. The car has been working well though, I’m not worrying about it.”

Car 34, Suninen/Markkula
“It was okay. We did a good rally, some small mistakes. I can improve the driving. It’s my first rally on gravel in this car. We need to learn from this.”

Car 39, Tempestini/Bernacchini
“We didn’t expect this. It’s not beautiful to be on the podium like this, when two guys in front of you have problems. We’ve worked a lot on the setup, it was the first rally on gravel. I’ve learned a lot. For the next one we’ll be more ready.”

Car 47, Campos/Costa
“It was a brilliant stage, great to win the national championship. We’re really happy with our result.”

SS18 - Montim

STAGE FLASH

Date: Sunday 21 May 2017
Day: 4
Flash N°: 19
Special stage: SS18, Montim
Distance: 8.66 km
Weather: Sunny, warm   
Road conditions: Dry, dusty, sandy
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Car 1, Ogier/Ingrassia
“We will have a last push in the Power Stage. I don't need the win but I would like the extra points if I can. But I will not risk it all as a victory here would feel really good.”

Car 2, Tanak/Jarveoja
“The morning was OK. A bit boring but nothing special. It has been nothing special – in the morning, we maintained the gap to Breen and this last one, we saved the tyres for the Power Stage. We are close [to Ogier] but we need to improve a bit more.”

Car 5, Neuville/Gilsoul
“The stage was Ok. I tried to avoid using too much of the tyres. I am focusing on the Power Stage and try to get important points for the team.”

Car 6, Sordo/Marti
“The stage was good – the time was not so bad but we were a bit slow, to keep the tyres. The gap to Tanak is quite big, so I think it is important to finish. The first one, Ott started really fast and I had a bit of a scare so I push a bit more. Now I think the Power Stage we need to manage and get the finish.”

Car 8, Breen/Martin
“[SM] It’s not the feeling we had on Friday but we know what we need to do – get to the end and a solid fifth place. The team worked hard. On Friday, everything clicked. The pace notes were working well and it all came together. Since then, we have not had the same feeling. This rally has three very different days, with different characters.”

Car 9, Lefebvre/Moreau
“I make a mistake on the first corner and lost three or four seconds. So after that, I was calm to finish the stage and take no risks. Now I hope to make a good Power Stage. I made one mistake on the second stage of the rally and it was difficult to get the rhythm back again. Nothing to fight for, for us. I hoped for better on this rally but it didn't happen.”

Car 10, Latvala/Antilla
“[MA] The stage was OK – a couple of very small mistakes and maybe lost a couple of seconds. We are ready for the Power Stage and we will try to take the points but nothing crazy - we need to keep the championship in mind.”

Car 12, Lappi/Ferm
“The stage was OK. The first 1.5Km are pretty flat and there is one corner that turns a bit more and I am bot brave enough to go flat. It is still slippery but you need to do a bit more sideways. It has been a positive rally – to be at this speed is good but it is even harder to get the last bit of time. You need a perfect stage to get a good time and them repeat it 18 times in the weekend.”

Car 14, Ostberg/Floene
“The stage was Ok – I was taking it steady and making sure everything was Ok for the final stage. We like jumps but if we can’t win the stage, we will try to jump the furthest. The rally has been good – a lot of positive things. We lost the game with a puncture so the rally was over but we tried to do different things. It was a learning weekend.”

Car 15, Al Qassimi/Patterson
“[CP] Today is OK – the stages are in beautiful condition. It’s been a long weekend and we’re just learning the car. But we’re really enjoying it. We have very good engineering support. All the settings are recorded for the future and we inform the engineers. It all works very well. It has been a learning curve. This year has been a lot of learning for us. T is a pleasure to drive and a pleasure to be involved with the team.”

Car 21, Prokop/Tománek
“I am happy – It looks like we will change the tyres around. The first stage was nice but the next two were twisty, slippery, everything. Fun to drive but you have to be careful of mistakes. There are a lot of ditches, rocks and so on. Proper stages. It has been a nice weekend – I had a smile on my face and I enjoyed the driving. It is nice to be back I the WRC.”

Car 31, Mikkelsen/Synnevaag
“We have a very big gap so we are trying to have a go on the Power Stage. The jump is tricky – it is hard to get the perfect line. It is exciting…”

SS17 - Luihas

STAGE FLASH

Date: Sunday 21st May 2017
Day:  3
Flash N°: 18
Special stage: SS17 - Liuhas
Distance: 11.91km
Weather: Clear skies, dry
Road conditions: Dry, dusty, loose gravel and sand
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Car 1, Ogier/Ingrassia
“It’s rally, you have to cross the finish line. But I’m happy. It’s very slippery, but after some cars it’s getting better.”

Car 2, Tanak/Jarveoja
“That’s not so good. I think I was going pretty slow. Not completely happy with the car so we need to make a few changes.”

Car 3, Evans/Barritt
“Not a lot of high speed in there to be honest. Not a lot of grip in there. We just wanted to get through it. The next one should have a bit more grip and be quite a lot faster.”

Car 4, Paddon/Marshall
“We spun 2 or 3 km from the end. Not ideal, but otherwise the time would have been good. It was a difficult corner.”

Car 5, Neuville/Gilsoul
“It was good. Tried to be careful on the tyres. Very technical stage so it was slow. It was very loose out of the line. You have to be so careful with the entry of the line.”

Car 6, Sordo/Marti
“Today was a bit relaxed, but I saw Tanak was really quick so in this stage I push. The rear of the car in unbelievable. It’s sliding all over the place. It’s not my style of driving.”

Car 7, Meeke/Nagle
“It’s new to me. I spun in here on a slow corner. Lost maybe five seconds.”

Car 8, Breen/Martin
“There’s not really much we can do in there. It’s just a case of driving through it. The balance of the car isn’t right.”

Car 9, Lefebvre/Moreau
“It was very slippery. I was wide on the corners. It was very difficult to find the traction. I was cleaning the road.”

Car 10, Latvala/Anttila
“The feeling is really good. I’m happy now, I feel a lot better than yesterday so I can push now. I had half a spin in there. There’s not a lot of grip. It’s a very difficult stage.”

Car 11, Hanninen/Lindstrom
“It was really, really slippery. Let’s how it goes. We might change something on the road section. It’s not so easy now.”

Car 12, Lappi/Ferm
“It was slippery as hell. There was no grip. The line is not so clean. You try to use the line but you can’t. I’m going sideways too much even though it’s a narrow road.”

Car 14, Ostberg/Floene
“It was okay. I tried some changes on the dampers. I think it helped a bit.”

SS16 - Fafe 1

STAGE FLASH

Date: Sunday 21 May 2017
Day: 4
Flash N°: 17
Special stage: SS16, Fafe 1
Distance: 11.18 km
Weather: Sunny/light cloud, warm   
Road conditions: Dry, dusty, sandy surface
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Car 1, Ogier/Ingrassia
“I was happy with the stage. I think everyone is pushing. It is tricky to do it fast.”

 Car 2, Tanak/Jarveoja
“I have quite a clean stage – still slippery but OK.”

Car 3, Evans/Barritt
“The stage is OK. The grip level wasn’t massive the first time through. The difference between this and last year is the speed – I was here in an R5 last year.”

Car 5, Neuville/Gilsoul
“I don't think anyone can chase Ogier with a 16 second gap. I pushed but mainly to et a clean run and check my notes for the Power Stage.”

Car 6, Sordo/Marti
“I slide a lot on the stage – I am not pushing now – I drive very slow. To prepare for the next one. I will try to keep third position but the car is sliding and is herd to keep I the line – I can't drive very fast.”

Car 8, Breen/Martin
“It’s my first time in there, compared with the others. I struggled with the car – not a good feeling but we got there. It’s an incredible atmosphere but I still didn’t enjoy it.”

Car 9, Lefebvre/Moreau
“The settings on the car are better but not perfect.”

Car 10, Latvala/Antilla
“There is so much dust in the car an we had a little touch on the tarmac section. We were discussing we had a spare tyre in case we had a puncture but I think it is OK. We need to push a bit. I am feeling much better today than yesterday.”

Car 11, Hanninen/Lindstrom
“We tried something with the car to see and get information. No problem.”

Car 12, Lappi/Ferm
“It was OK – we are trying to find the feeling again. It was pretty slippery so I guess the grip will change a lot for the Power Stage. I am trying to get used to that. It is good experience for the future. At least I was not first on the road.”

Car 14, Ostberg/Floene
“The jump was not so bad but painful enough. We are on full soft today, so the tyres are equal. I did not have a good feeling in there. We thing we find something and then, we go out the next morning and we are lost.”

Car 15, Al Qassimi/Patterson
“We had a completely different set up today. We used new diff maps but for the first four or five corners I was completely of the road so I went back to what I know.”

Car 21, Prokop/Tománek
“We can enjoy it because we are sliding a lot – a lot of drifting. We should spend every Sunday morning like this!”

SS15 - Amarante 2

STAGE FLASH

Date: Saturday 20th May 2017
Day:  3
Flash N°: 16
Special stage: SS15 - Amarante 2
Distance: 37.55km
Weather: Clear, sunny and warm
Road conditions: Rough, loose gravel, dusty, some tarmac and cobbles
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Car 1, Ogier/Ingrassia
“Yeah, it’s not bad. We’re happy with that. Ion this one I didn’t push hard because it was a bit rough at the end. I think I managed to tyres too much. I’m happy with the gap I have tonight. Tomorrow we have to finish the job. We still have to push until the end. We’ll have to enjoy it in Fafe. I hope I can’t be caught!”

Car 2, Tanak/Jarveoja
“Same, clean as the previous runs. The car is feeling good, but I’m not pushing so much. I’m happy with the afternoon loop. Just trying to enjoy it and have a good run.”

Car 3, Evans/Barritt
“Not particularly happy. The mistake on the morning loop wasn’t what we wanted. It was okay until we had that issue. But overall it was tough day. The car feels better now, but the grip has been low all the way through.”

Car 5, Neuville/Gilsoul
“It was an okay stage for me. Had two hard tyres on the front and soft on the rear. We had some slides. We’ll have to see how Ogier did. How his tyres are, and if he’s done better than us.”

Car 6, Sordo/Marti
“I didn’t hit anything, I promise you. I don’t know why the car is like this. (bent left rear axle)”

Car 7, Meeke/Nagle
“We were quite good on these stages last year, but this year not so good. Lacking a bit of confidence maybe.”

Car 8, Breen/Martin
“We didn’t end up with the tyre package we wanted. The ones on the rear are completely dead. On the tarmac bit I had a spin. I thought the package was perfect, but it wasn’t right. It’s been a tough day.”

Car 9, Lefebvre/Moreau
“There was a lot of dust on this one. I cleaned the road. It was okay. The afternoon was better. It’s very good for my confidence. It’s different compared to yesterday.”

Car 10, Latvala/Anttila
“The feeling has been getting better and better over the day. But I’m not 100%. But we have improved the car for the second passes, suspension work, so the guys have done really good work. The car is flying well.”

Car 11, Hanninen/Lindstrom
“I don’t know what happened [to Lappi]. It was nice of them to let us pass.”

Car 12, Lappi/Ferm
“I was on loose gravel, really didn’t stay on the line and went off. I hit a wall and that was it.”

Car 14, Ostberg/Floene
“It was a challenging afternoon. We had to mix a lot with the tyres. But I didn’t feel confident to be honest. I felt the difference was different in my tyres, I had a mixed package. It was hard to get a balance in the car, had understeer and oversteer in different places.”

Car 15, Al Qassimi/Patterson
“We started with a very hard setup this morning. It’s been very difficult being first car on the road. The last two stages were hard on the car. We had to drive more carefully.”

Car 21, Prokop/Tománek
“No problem on this one. It was clean. No problems like yesterday. A very nice stage for us. This stage wasn’t rough, just the last part was a bit rocky.”

Car 23, Raoux/Escartefigue
“We had a puncture in the stage on the front right, so we had to stop and change it. It was not easy. Then we were behind Andreas and there was a lot of dust. I touched a stone in the braking point and I could do nothing.”

Car 31, Mikkelsen/Synnevaag
“This stage is not so rough. I’m not sure where the others did their mistakes, The last 6 or 7km was quite rough, but it was good clean stage. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s stages. The new stages will be a challenge for everyone.”

Car 32, Tidemund/Andersson
“We had a puncture and had to stop and change. We’ve had a good rally though, it’s really good to drive. It’s been a bit too soft in place for the tyres. For sure we need to be on the pace because the other’s won’t give up.”

Car 34, Suninen/Markkula
“I got a puncture. There was a big, big stone in the line. There was nothing we could do. That’s rally. We need to focus on the racing. It’s always bad when drivers have bad luck.”

Car 41, Gilbert/Jamoul
“We’re quite happy about our day. A good choice of tyres. We’re there, we’ve done Saturday.”

SS14 - Cabeceiras de Basto 2

STAGE FLASH

Date: Saturday 20 May 2017
Day: 3
Flash N°: 15
Special stage: SS14, Cabeceiras de Basto 2
Distance: 22.3 km
Weather: Sunny, warm   
Road conditions: Dry, dusty, some surface rocks
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Car 1, Ogier/Ingrassia
“It's a good time. I tried to push harder on this one. The first one I tried to save my tyres. Now, it is all about the long one. If it stays like this – or even lose a little – then it is perfect.”

Car 2, Tanak/Jarveoja
“It was good – a clean run and no problem. I don't know if I can catch Breen but now, it is important to collect the points.”

 Car 3, Evans/Barritt
“Not very good. I struggled a lot with confidence and the balance in the car. We are on a different package this afternoon and it wasn’t what I was expecting.”

Car 5, Neuville/Gilsoul
“It was OK. I was three soft and one hard. There is a section where you gain with the soft and another where you lose with the soft. We will see if we have the tyres for the last, long stage.”

Car 6, Sordo/Marti
“I am trying. I’m trying for the clean line but I enjoy it a lot. On this stage, I was a little careful for the rear tyres – we have soft on the back and hard on the front. But Sebastien was very fast. We have good tyres for the next one, so we will try to do something there.”

Car 7, Meeke/Nagle
“I have learned that yesterday was better.”

Car 8, Breen/Martin
“There is something strange - it feels like a puncture on the front. For five or six Km in the stage.”

Car 9, Lefebvre/Moreau
“I am happy with the set-up. The car was moving a little bit but OK. I lost some time in the dust of Khalid but not too bad. This stage was good. ”

Car 10, Latvala/Antilla
“I have a good feeling with the car – it is going very well. There is a lot of pressure on the stomach so it is not very nice. I wouldn't want anyone else to feel [ill] like I am feeling today.”

Car 11, Hanninen/Lindstrom
“We had an issue on the stage – it was maybe a lack of fuel pressure. I fixed it but it cut the engine again before the finish.”

Car 12, Lappi/Ferm
“I am really trying to beat Jari with a big push but I lost a bit of time. Maybe some corners I was not hard enough. But we need to keep it on the road. I am too competitive to not push.”

Car 14, Ostberg/Floene
“It was better in the previous stage but I struggled in this one again. I had no rhythm.”

Car 21, Prokop/Tománek
“We made a puncture on the front left. It was a long corner and there was some stone. We lost the pressure in the tyre. But luckily we managed to get to the finish without stopping.”

Car 23, Raoux/Escartefigue
“The stage was fine. I feel better with the car and I am beginning to learn the roads, so it is a pleasure. I changed the ride height and the dampers.”

Car 31, Mikkelsen/Synnevaag
“It was a new stage this morning. On the second pass, I was pushing a bit more as I knew the lines a bit. This stage is a tyre-killer and I tried to take care of my softs. It's the long stage coming up now and I tried to keep them as good as possible.”

Car 32, Tidemund/Andersson
“We are on soft tyres so they were moving too much early in the stage. But you know, we were trying. It feels like the stage is a tyre killer. We have more to put on for the long one.”

Car 33, Camili/Veillas
“We didn’t do this stage this morning, so we are all the time in delay on this rally. We are not really on the pace this afternoon. We will see on the next one.”

Car 34, Suninen/Markkula
“I hope I managed to get past Tidemund. The fight is tight. Now there are starting to be ruts. Let's see what is the time.”

Car 39, Tempestini/Bernacchini
“It was good. We didn't take any risks. One moment, we had to take care of the bonnet, as the catch on one side was coming up but we managed to finish this stage.”

Car 40, Heller/Olmos
“That was very good. We improved 30 seconds over the first time, so for us, keeping improving s very good. We are improving Km by Km.”

Car 41, Gilbert/Jamoul
“It was good. Like this morning. The tyres were too hard and I think it will be the same for the last one.”

Car 42, Greensmith/Parry
“It wasn’t a great stage. I’m in a bit of pain with my hand from this morning. I was a bit cautious and need to get some experience and then, think about a little bit of a go in Fafe.”

Car 46, Pieniazek/Mazur
“It was quite OK. The stages are amazing and very demanding here. We are very happy that we can take part in such a big event. I enjoy the stages so much. Everyone is amazing.”

Car 47, Campos/Costa
“For the national rally it was OK. Now, I want to get to the end as I have a problem with the turbocharger so I need to check.”

Car 81, Meireles/Castro
“I had to run in road mode, as I have problems with the fuel pressure. The car is not working so well. The engine is always going down.”

SS13 - Vieira do Minho 2

STAGE FLASH

Date: Saturday 20th May 2017
Day:  3
Flash N°: 14
Special stage: SS13 - Vieira do Minho 2
Distance: 17.43km
Weather: Clear skies, no wind
Road conditions: Loose gravel and sand

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Car 1, Ogier/Ingrassia
“It’s possible to manage the gap. It’s never easy. We have to push hard. But we have to be careful with the tyres. It’s a long loop this afternoon.”

Car 2, Tanak/Jarveoja
“There was not too much frustration. It was pretty rough, we were maybe a bit careful.”

Car 3, Evans/Barritt
“We had a really bad electrical burning smell. We had to stop at one point. We need to find out what it is.”

Car 5, Neuville/Gilsoul
“It’s a bit more grippy, so the car is working a bit better. It’s still sliding a bit from the rear. But we had a good stage.”

Car 6, Sordo/Marti
“It was good. I did the maximum, I drive like hell. It was really, really nice. The next stages are the most important now.”

Car 7, Meeke/Nagle
“We’re still trying to learn some stuff. We’re trying some different things. It’s a difficult day to be honest.”

Car 8, Breen/Martin
“It’s too soft on the rear of the car. We thought we had a puncture it was sliding about that much. We’ll have to see what we can do for the rest of the afternoon.”

Car 9, Lefebvre/Moreau
“I hope with my tyre choice I can do the loop with no problem. I have four soft and two hard, so we’ll see.”

Car 10, Latvala/Anttila
“I think the most important think was to speak to the doctors and have some rest and something to drink. At the start of the stage in the jumps I felt a bit horrible. But it got better toward the end.”

Car 11, Hanninen/Lindstrom
“The tyres have a lot of movement. It’s not good for confidence. We’ll look at what we can do for the next loop.”

Car 12, Lappi/Ferm
“The lines for the car were not ideal because of the tyre choice. It was moving a bit. But it was okay, we didn’t make any mistakes. The stage was in really good condition.”

Car 14, Ostberg/Floene
“The car works brilliantly. It’s the first time I’m running the hard D-Mack tyre. We’re testing that choice and it’s good.”

Car 15, Al Qassimi/Patterson
“I expected it to be rougher. We raised the suspension and we don’t know if that was the right decision.”

Car 21, Prokop/Tománek
“It’s very nice. We didn’t raise the car too much which was the right decision. I’m still not exhausted!”

Car 23, Raoux/Escartefigue
“It’s still good. More grip on the road. It’s better. We have a different setup from this morning, we’ve gone higher and changed the dampers.”

Car 31, Mikkelsen/Synnevaag
“It was quite a nice condition. It was breaking up in some places, but it was a nice stage actually.”

Car 32, Tidemund/Andersson
“It’s going well. We’re trying. We will try and push on the long stage. We’ll try be like this morning.”

Car 34, Suninen/Markkula
“It was a pretty good stage. Just one or two small mistakes.”

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Hayden Paddon has pulled off the stage. Car lost speed/power. Reported to be a power steering failure.