Date: Friday, September 14th
Day: 1 Flash N°: 6
Special stage: Ula 2 Distance: 21.90 km
Weather: Hot and sunny
Road conditions: Dry and dusty
Car 1. OGIER/INGRASSIA
“We are very close to Thierry. It was very rough. I did not expect it to be that bad. It’s risky
in these conditions.”
Car 2. EVANS/BARRITT
Clouted a rock, spun the car and broke the suspension and retired. Evans tried frantically
to move the Ford into a safe place while his co-driver warned other drivers of the car in
the stage around a blind corner.
Car 3. SUNINEN/MARKKULA
“Really nothing. I was a bit careful. We are far away. There was two cars and I needed to
slow down a bit. I have never been in those conditions and I didn’t know how much the
tyres can take.”
Car 4. MIKKELSEN/JAEGER-SYNNEVAAG
“We had a rear end puncture. It came in the end. I was very careful and it looks like I was
too careful.”
Car 5. NEUVILLE/GILSOUL
“You have to take it carefully. There is no chance in the ruts. Ogier surprised us all by
taking more risks and we had to react. I have done a really good stage I think.”
Car 6. PADDON/MARSHALL
“It’s the way it is. The conditions are ridiculous. You cannot drive. It would be stupid for us
to take risks and break the car. We have to play the sensible game.”
Car 7. LATVALA/ANTTILA
“I must say Thierry did an amazing stage. It is very loose and maybe our car is not the
best to drive on this. When it is cleaner and faster our car is very good.”
Car 8. TÄNAK/JARVEOJA
“We are losing less than in the morning, so..”
Car 9. LAPPI/FERM
“I’m doing all that I can but I cannot do any better. I know what is wrong. I have a hunch
but I cannot fix it.”
Car 10. ØSTBERG/ERIKSEN
Slowed on the stage close to the finish with the front wheels pointing in different
directions. He was forced to stop.
Car 11. BREEN/MARTIN
“Mads and Elfyn both off and I had to slow down for the two of them. It’s a war zone. Quite
incredible. I will try and enjoy it as best I can. The rally should start on a Saturday from
now on…..”
Car 31. TIDEMAND/ANDERSSON
He changed two wheels in SS5.
Car 32. KOPECKÝ/DRESLER
SS5 news. “For me it was a bit difficult. We have to decide about the title on this rough
rally. It is the same for everyone but this is not a sport I want to do. We changed two
punctures at the same time and we have no spares now.”
