Rallye Monte-Carlo Day Two

Rallye Monte-Carlo Day Two

2012 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
RALLYE MONTE-CARLO
 
19.01.2012
 
Sébastien Loeb continues to head the leaderboard of the legendary Rallye Monte-Carlo and the Frenchman has extended his lead as the crews head into the third leg of this five-day rally. Behind him, the battle for second position is intense with Dani Sordo and Petter Solberg dicing for position and split by just seconds at the end of 10 of the 18 special stages.
 
Today’s route took in two loops of three stages and 131.76 competitive kilometres and, after the snow and ice encountered yesterday, conditions today were milder and largely dry. Loeb has had an incredible run during the second day, a clean-sweep of fastest stage times only interrupted when Sordo was quickest through SS8. The Frenchman now has one minute 37.2 seconds in hand heading into Friday.
 
The fight for second between Sordo and Solberg has been thrilling, the rivals trading position throughout the day before Sordo ultimately secured a slim 3.7 second lead this evening. Mikko Hirvonen has moved into fourth position in his first outing in the Citroën DS3 WRC but is only 11.1 seconds ahead of Russian, Evgeny Novikov. Both have benefitted from the retirement of Sébastien Ogier late this afternoon. The Frenchman had set a stunning pace in a less powerful Super 2000 car, but crashed in the final stage of the day. Both he and co-driver Julien Ingrassia were unhurt. François Delecour is sixth overnight.
 
Friday’s route takes in three stages and 77.30 competitive kilometres, leaving from Valence and arriving in Monaco tomorrow evening.
 
Rallye Monte-Carlo – Unofficial Results after Day 2