The local star Freddy Loix takes the first stage Dikkebus 1 (14.30 km) in Geko Ypres Rally 2013. Second position in the stage for Craig Breen in this rainy weather. The third in the stage finished Bryan Bouffier at +15.9 seconds.
Kris Meeke comments: It was incredibly dirty, really slippery.
F. Loix: OK, already quite tricky, especially because the R5 cars in front of us were cutting on left and right.
The advantage for Freddy Loix rises in the next SS 2 Wijtschate 1 (24.89 km) with 10.3 seconds by Craig Breen. B. Bouffier delays with 29.3 seconds in the stage.
The same positions keep in SS 3 Langemark with a distance of 13.82 km. Freddy Loix is first followed by Breen, Bouffier, forth in the stage is Hayden Paddon.
Comments:
Paddon: The tyres are too hard, we have no grip. Not so fun to drive.
Bouffier: We were not confident on this one, we found some muddy places there so we just wanted to survive.
After the service park follow with second run of Dikkebus with Loix stage win. In this stage Craig Breen is with a puncture but delay 5.6 seconds only. In SS Wijtschate 2 Loix continue to extend his overall lead as takes 25.7 seconds by Bryan Bouffier who finished second, third is Paddon. Craig Breen delay 1:40 minutes due too a technical problem Breen explains: We broke a driveshaft on the road section so now we drove with complete rear wheel drive.
Breen down to third position but 7.5 seconds ahead the fourth Paddon.
A. Aigner: I expected puncture already 2 kilometers after the start, we hit some stone, but finally it was only vibration in the steering. There is lot of standing water, difficult.
F. Loix: I expected puncture already 2 kilometers after the start, we hit some stone, but finally it was only vibration in the steering. There is lot of standing water, difficult.
In SS 6 Mesen 9.66 km, Freddy Loix drives carefully to finished third. First in the stage is H. Paddon followed by Bryan Bouffier.
Results after the end of Day 1:
1. F. Loix (Skoda Fabia S2000) 57:56.8
2. B. Bouffier (Peugeot 207 S2000) +1:36.2
3. H. Paddon (Ford Fiesta S2000) +2:09.0
4. C. Breen (Peugeot 207 S2000) +2:22.2
5. A. Aigner (Subaru Impreza Sti R4) +3:17.9
6. D. Vanneste (Peugeot 207 S2000) +3:46.9
There are 14 stages to run tomorrow.