Exclusive access from $7.49/month
Get a subscription
Back to Home

Toyota and Tanak dominate first day in Spain

  • 27th October 2018, 8:19am
  • by
Ott Tänak has taken a dominant lead at RallyRACC Catalunya - Rally de España after the opening day's gravel stages. The outsider in a thrilling three-way FIA World Rally Championship battle promised an all-out attack in his efforts to close on series leader Thierry Neuville and second-placed Sébastien Ogier, and he did not disappoint. Tänak mastered slippery gravel tracks on Spain’s Costa Daurada to head Dani Sordo by 26.8sec in his Toyota Yaris. Home hero Sordo finished 2.9sec clear of Elfyn Evans in third. Importantly for the Estonian’s championship challenge, he distanced Ogier and points leader Neuville, who trailed in seventh and ninth respectively, with two days of the only mixed surface fixture remaining. Only once did Tänak finish outside the top three in seven speed tests, although he headed the timesheets just once. His consistent pace on roads which disadvantaged the title-chasing trio at the front and favoured the later starters as the grip improved, was impressive. “Nothing is done yet,” he said. “It was a tricky day. At the beginning of the afternoon the car was really good, but later I started to struggle, I don’t know why. I tried to do everything I could to stay on the road, I couldn’t do much more,” he said.   Sordo, driving his first gravel rally since May, claimed one stage win in a Hyundai i20 and overhauled a disappointed Evans in the final stage. Half a second behind Evans’ Ford Fiesta in fourth was nine-time champion Sébastien Loeb. Competing in the last of his three-rally programme in a Citroën C3, the Frenchman struggled with understeer, but after curing the issues he charged up from ninth. Jari-Matti Latvala was Tänak’s biggest challenger. He was on course to relegate his team-mate and take the lead midway through this morning’s long La Fatarella - Vilalba test until a puncture cost almost 50sec and he plunged to 10th. The Finn won the final two stages, taking his tally to three, to climb to fifth. He headed Andreas Mikkelsen’s i20 by 1.5sec, with Ogier’s Fiesta a further three-tenths back.   Neuville endured the worst of the slippery gravel as road opener and lost more seconds with an overshoot, ending almost a minute off the lead. In tonight’s extended service, mechanics transformed the cars from rugged gravel fighters into sleek asphalt racers in preparation for tomorrow’s sealed surface action. Drivers face two identical loops of three tests, before a final blast alongside Salou promenade. The seven stages cover 121.90km. Leading positions: 1. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) 1:34:27.4 2. Dani Sordo / Carlos del Barrio (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +26.8 3. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC) +29.7 4. Sébastien Loeb / Daniel Elena (Citroen C3 WRC) +30.2 5. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +37.6 6. Andreas Mikkelsen / Anders Jaeger (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +39.1 7. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) +39.4 8. Craig Breen / Scott Martin (Citroen C3 WRC) +44.7 9. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +59.7 10. Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm (Toyota Yaris WRC) +1:07.4  

More rally news:

https://rallysportmag.com/re-born-rod-millens-aprc-winning-mazda-323-4wd/

SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY

RallySport Magazine Subscription
Select Subscription Level
Select Subscription Length
Recurring Subscription Cost
A subscription to RallySport Magazine give you access to all our rally content from Australia, New Zealand and around the world – with news, features and experiences nobody can match. Our team are dedicated to providing an unrivalled experience which shares, supports and promotes the sport of rallying.
Already have an account?

By clicking "Subscribe Now" you agree to receive news, offers and updates on RallySport Magazine. If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can update your preferences in My Account.

We will commence charging your payment method after the 7 day free trial expires. If you cancel after expiry of your trial, cancellation will take effect from the end of your current monthly subscription period. You will not be refunded any fees paid to RallySport Magazine unless otherwise set out in the terms and conditions.

Account Details
Payment Information

By clicking "Subscribe Now" you agree to receive news, offers and updates on RallySport Magazine. If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can update your preferences in My Account.

We will commence charging your payment method after the 7 day free trial expires. If you cancel after expiry of your trial, cancellation will take effect from the end of your current monthly subscription period. You will not be refunded any fees paid to RallySport Magazine unless otherwise set out in the terms and conditions.

Show Your Support

Author

Trending Posts...

PODCAST: Discussing Burnie’s ARC return

Read More

Rally Tasmania 2024: what you need to know

Read More

The title scenario for Rally Tasmania

Read More

Skoda and Toyota locked in makes’ battle

Read More

You might also like...

Hyundai drivers free to fight for WRC title in Japan

Read More

WRC gives hybrid the flick for 2025

Read More

New Toyota rally book open for pre-orders

Read More

Croatia returning to the WRC in 2026

Read More

Title

© 2023 RallySport Magazine • Powered by WordPress

Go to Top