Kopecky wins, Meeke saves honor

Winner of the Asturias Rally, Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia) is hot on the heels of Kris Meeke (Peugeot 207) in the IRC general classification. The Briton limits the damage by finishing second in the Spanish event.

Published on 12/09/2009 à 16:42

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Jan Kopecky and Kris Meeke will have to compete in the last two IRC events to determine the 2009 champion of the discipline. While Kopecky's program did not include the end-of-season rounds, including that of Asturias, the Czech found himself in second place in the championship, one point behind Kris Meeke. At the end of the Rally, the Briton can be satisfied with a second place which still seemed inaccessible at the start of the second stage.

It is a real race by elimination which made it possible to reach the general classification of the Rally Principe de Asturias. While Giandomenico Basso (Abarth Grande Punto) was leading the proceedings at the start of the second stage, the Italian driver was the victim of a spin which cost him seven minutes and all chances of winning the event. Second behind Jan Kopecky, local driver Alberto Hevia suffered a puncture in the penultimate special, allowing the drivers to Peugeot 207 to be able to place on the podium.

Nicolas Vouilloz seemed best placed to be the runner-up to Jan Kopecky, impeccable this Saturday, but the Frenchman also had a puncture, this time in the last special, receiving, in addition, a 40-second penalty after the end. arrival. As a result, Kris Meeke finished second in the Asturias Rally, having only started the day in sixth place. This result allows the Briton to maintain his advantage in the general classification of the IRC, with one point ahead of Jan Kopecky. The next IRC event, the Sanremo Rally, will take place from September 24 to 26.

Final classification:
1. Kopecky (CZ)? Skoda? 2hrs 41m 51.3s
2. Meeke (UK)? Peugeot – +2m 46.9s
3. Vouilloz (F)? Peugeot – +2m 49.5s*
4. Loix (B)? Peugeot – +2m 58.9s
5. Fontana (I)? Peugeot – +3m 45.0s
6. Hevia (E)? Skoda ?+4m 27.2s
7. Solowow (PL)? Peugeot – +5m 58.0s
8. Basso (I)? Abarth? +7m 3.8s

* Penalty of 40” for late departure from the service park

Winners of the specials:
Vouilloz: 5 (ES2, ES4, ES11, ES13, ES14); Bass: 3 (ES6, ES7, ES15); Hevia: 2 (ES1, ES5); Kopecky: 2 (SS3, SS9); Meeke: 1 (SS10)