The highest of the leaderboard closed up dramatically on SS4 Strašín, the occasion’s longest check at 16.6 miles. In difficult circumstances with drizzle and mist in locations making for a humid floor and altering grip ranges, Evans went quickest regardless of claiming it “appeared like we weren’t utilizing all of the grip obtainable”.
However SS5 Šumavské Hoštice had extra alternative for cuts in addition to leaf cowl making it troublesome to learn grip ranges. Neuville and Tänak took benefit of being the primary two automobiles on the street, with Tänak going quickest, 0.3s faster than Neuville and three.3s quicker than Ogier.
“We had a bit extra cuts so I attempted to place a bit extra grime on the street,” admitted Neuville. “However total, very difficult, a lot of grip adjustments and we nonetheless wrestle with the steadiness in these circumstances.”
Ogier made mild of an earlier second the place he ran vast at a junction and clipped the bottom of a tree. “Nothing occurred – I lose a little bit of time, in fact,” he shrugged. However he reckoned circumstances have been towards him on SS6, including: “I believe this one was a bit anticipated that it get fairly soiled from the entrance automobiles. Some leaves. It was only a mistake from me on the final junction once more the place I lose a little bit of time however in any other case it was OK stage.”
From being simply 0.8s off the lead after SS4, Evans dropped one other 6s or so on the subsequent check. “It was simply troublesome. There was a bit within the center with the leaves the place it appeared such as you had no grip however the leaves are all over the place so you’ll be able to’t learn the street in any respect. So [I was] in all probability far too cautious.”
