Bruyneel widens the gap at Diois

Author of four scratch times out of six possible on Saturday, Dominique Bruyneel dominated the first stage of the rally Land of Diois. Too cautious in the fog which had risen after a storm which occurred in the fourth special, the Belgian briefly lost the lead, to the benefit of Thomas Privé (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9). But this one couldn't resist the rush of the Subaru WRC of the Belgian pilot at the end of the day. However, with 16 seconds behind on Saturday, Privé could still believe in his chances.

Behind, there is a gap, since the third, Paul Chieusse (206 WRC), was already more than a minute behind and the fourth, Laurent Carbonaro (307 WRC), at 1:31. Finally, this first stage was fatal to Bernard Munster (Skoda Octavia WRC/blown clutch), Christophe Ferrier (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10/exploded turbo), and Philippe Gache (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9/broken gearbox). The latter nevertheless stood out by winning his first scratch time in a gravel rally.

These gaps were confirmed from the first special on Sunday. SS7 at Ausson saw a new scratch time from Bruyneel, further widening a gap which is almost becoming a ditch. This SS7 saw the second time of Carbonaro (+7.4) and the third of Chieusse (+15.3).