IRC Acores 2011 Day 1

Sata Rallye Açores is set for a thrilling final-day showdown after Andreas Mikkelsen slashed Juho Hänninen's overall lead to 1.3s.
The ŠKODA UK Motorsport driver began the closing loop of three stages 10.1s behind the defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion but edged into contention with a hat trick of fastest stage times on the tricky gravel event, which has been full of drama from the outset.
Bruno Magalhães, the winner in the Azores in 2010, is third overnight in his Peugeot Sport Portugal 207 following a close battle with Hänninen's factory ŠKODA team-mate Jan Kopecký. Bryan Bouffier is fifth in his Peugeot France entry and will start first on the road on Saturday's final five stages when the leading positions are reversed.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• IRC
• Sata Acores
• Juho Hanninen
• Andreas Mikkelsen
• Jan Kopecky
• Skoda
• Peugeot