CARRALLYIRC

Loix makes history on home event


Belgium rally veteran Freddy Loix made history on his home event by becoming the first driver to win the Belgium Ypres Rally five times.

Loix's resounding success saw him lead from the opening day in order to clinch a dominant victory. In second place was his teammate Nicolas Vouilloz, who has moved to within four points of the IRC series leader thanks to another podium finish.

 
While Loix enjoyed a clear advantage, the battle behind him was intense - with third to sixth places covered by less than half a minute even in the closing stages. It was a battle where every second - and even the smallest problem - counted.
 
Luca Rossetti was Loix's closest challenger at the start of the rally, but a puncture during the opening leg meant that the Italian dropped out of the lead battle. Undeterred, he launched himself back into the battle for the points positions with the firm aim of maintaining his series lead.

An excellent drive saw him climb back to third and achieve his objective by winning the final 42-kilometre stage, Heuvelland 2.Rossetti narrowly beat Bernd Casier, who marked Volkswagen's best result in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge series to date. Casier overcame a heavy crash in the shakedown to claim fourth place and underline the competitiveness of the Polo S2000.

Belgian rally legend Patrick Snijers was fifth at the wheel of his BFGoodrich-backed Peugeot, while Abarth driver Giandomenico Basso had to settle for sixth. The Italian, who won the Ypres Rally in 2006, was a regular podium contender throughout the rally but was let down by a puncture halfway through the final stage.

The tough and unpredictable asphalt roads of Ypres meant that a number of drivers fell victim to the stages. Jan Kopecky, a podium finisher on the last IRC round in Portugal, rolled his Peugeot on Friday. Other retirements included former Junior World Champion Brice Tirabassi - out with a broken suspension whilst he was challenging for a strong points finish - and Renato Travaglia, whose car went off-road.

"This was just the result that myself and the team needed," said Loix. "I came here looking for the win, as it was the only way I could get back into contention for the title. Hopefully our luck has changed now - and it's nice to have the record of Ypres wins as well!"

IRC final results, Belgium Ypres Rally:
1 Loix/Buysmans Peugeot 207 S2000 2h44m40.3s
2 Vouilloz/Klinger Peugeot 207 S2000 +58.7s
3 Rossetti/Chiarcossi Peugeot 207 S2000 +1m28.6s
4 Casier/Miclotte Volkswagen Polo S2000 +1m34.5s
5 Snijers/Soenens Peugeot 207 S2000 +1m44.0s
6 Basso/Dotta Abarth Grande Punto +3m22.9s
7 Van den Heuvel/Kolman Mitsubishi Lancer (N) +4m43.7s
8 Lietaer/Dejonghe Mitsubishi Lancer (N) +6m20.6s
9 Auquier/Pirotte Volkswagen Polo S2000 +7m42.1s
10 Debackere/Geerlandt Mitsubishi Lancer (N) +1m48.4s

Published 30/06/2008 13:00

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