Andreas Mikkelsen remains in control of the penultimate round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, the RACMSA Rally of Scotland, in his ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia S2000, having successfully completed Sunday morning’s loop of three stages.
Having started the day with a 50.7 second lead, Andreas and co-driver Ola Fløene have understandably eased their pace and are focused entirely on getting their car to the finish in first position.
Overnight rain has left the gravel forest roads of Stirlingshire extremely wet, and whilst it’s a pleasant autumn day with bright skies and high clouds – the surface remains very muddy and slippery.
It’s been a faultless drive by Andreas, who completed the final run through Carron Valley, plus the stages at Loch Chon and High Corrie (which at 16.15 miles / 26kms is the longest of the event) without incident.
Juho Hänninen (ŠKODA Motorsport) has moved up to 2nd, although he is 28.3 seconds behind Andreas.
“The feeling is good,” says Andreas. “We’re going fast enough to maintain concentration, but we are not pushing hard and we’re happy with the pace that we have. There are some ruts on the stage and the surface is very slippery, but if you’re careful it’s okay.”
After a remote service in Callander, crews will repeat the Loch Chon and High Corrie stages before service at Perth airport and a final two stages and the Ceremonial Finish at Scone Palace.
Overall positions after SS11
1. Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)….1h04m08.7s
2. Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)….+28.3s
3. Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000)….+49.6s
4. Craig Breen/Gareth Roberts (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000)….+1m31.8s
5. Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)….+1m53.4s
6. Jarkko Nikara/Petri Nikara (Mitsubishi Lancer)….+2m19.7s
7. Toni Gardemeister/Tapio Suominen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)….+2m35.8s
8. Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Peugeot 207 S2000)….+2m55.1s
9. David Bogie/Kevin Rae (Mitsubishi Lancer)….+3m21.6s
10. Alastair Fisher/Daniel Barritt (M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000)….+4m53.1s
