Ardeca Ypres Rally
Two international stars set the pace in the 61st Ardeca Ypres Rally, dictating the order in the opening round of four special stages. Stéphane Lefebvre, took two stage wins, leads the standings with a tight 1.2 second lead over Hayden Paddon.
The rally started with two big significant events on the iconic special stage over the Kemmelberg. Kris Meeke, who is driving Pieter-Jan Michiel Cracco’s Porsche this weekend, suffered a puncture after just 500m and had to change a wheel. The Northern Irishman lost 6 minutes and all hope of a good result.
Grégoire Munster, who was determined to challenge teammate Hayden Paddon, made a mistake and had to retire. A disaster for his title chances.
At the front, Lefebvre and Paddon gave each other no quarter. With two fastest times each, the gap remained very small. The Frenchman returned to Ypres with a 1.2 second lead. “I attacked where possible, but I certainly haven’t taken all the risks yet,” said Lefebvre.
“I think we are both playing games,” laughed Hayden Paddon. “Neither of us wants to open the course as the leader tomorrow. I know from last year how difficult that is.”
Maxime Potty follows in third place 13.9 seconds off the lead. He is currently doing very well in the Belgian Championship standings. “We are close to Stéphane and Hayden’s times. I would like to compete at the front, but without putting the points at stake,” Potty said.
Lander Depotter sits in fourth place, barely 15.2 seconds behind the leader. “This confirms the good feeling I had yesterday after the shakedown. On the Qualifying Stage we set the 7th fastest time, but I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the setups. Later in the evening we found a better setup and that resulted in the times we are setting today. I am very satisfied!”
Bernd Casier is in fifth place at 20 seconds, despite having a minor excursion. “We try to keep up the pace at the front, but sometimes I hesitate in certain braking zones and that costs a few tenths,” said Casier, who demonstrates his speed year after year in Ypres, despite a lack of seat time.
Vincent Verschueren has not find the confidence he had on the Nieuwkerke qualifying stage. He is in sixth place, ahead of Bjorn Syx, who also hoped to stay closer to the leaders. The top 10 is completed by Thomas Martens, Christophe Merlevede, and Davy Vanneste, who has already moved up well from a distant 32nd starting position.
Jos Verstappen, had the mechanics of his damaged Skoda Fabia RS rebuilt into a new bodyshell overnight, sits in 12th place, 53 seconds adrift. The Sarrazin Motorsport by Richard Pex’s mechanics worked hard to get the back out. “I don’t have a good feeling today. It seems like the car is driving me. Maybe I’m still suffering from yesterday’s crash,” Verstappen admitted honestly.
In Rally3, the battle has begun between leader Benoit Verlinde and Olivier Decoene, with Dominique Bruyneel in third place ahead of Xavier Dekeyser.
In Rally4, many had tipped local driver Manuel Merlevede beforehand. But on SS Zwarteberg, his Peugeot 208 disappeared into a ditch and he lost a considerable amount of time. Lander Dhaene (Opel Corsa) and Thijs Meirlevede (Lancia Ypsilon), who reappeared on the rally scene after a 2-year absence, shared the fastest times. After the first round, Dhaene takes the lead ahead of Frenchman Frederic Perrard and German Lukas Thiele, resulting in an all-Corsa top 3. Meirlevede follows in 4th place. Maxim Decock is back too at very short notice. He only learned yesterday at 11 pm that he could start as a replacement for the sick Jordy Cruys.
Rally5 is right up Mathias Ver Eecke’s alley, who is apparently handling the switch from the Historic Opel Kadett to the more modern Renault Clio very well.
Among the Juniors, Emilien Allart is leading the pack. After the first run, the young RACB prospect was full of praise for the course in the Westhoek. A major plus for him was the experience of Johan Jalet, who is in the codriver’s seat. Nolann Lejeune follows half a minute behind, while Benoit Wauthier already has about 45 seconds to make up. Brent Boudrez (Lanciia Ypsilon), previously suffered a flat tyre, achieved his first stage winning time on SS Zonnebeke.
