The Ypres Historic Regularity headed towards Hainaut today, after a loop via Tielt and the Flemish Ardennes around Oudenaarde in East Flanders. The challenging course resulted in many revolutions at the front.
Drama started very early due to a delay on the first RT. “A van with a trailer blocked the road at a construction site. We couldn’t pass and that cost us a few minutes. We then attacked to make up for the lost time to limit the penalty, but we drove wrong,” said Guino Kenis, who lost the leadership position due to this incident. The BMW driver dropped back to 14th place, partly because they were the first on the track and were held up a few times in traffic.
Because Yves Deflandre had already put his Porsche in a ditch on Friday evening and today drove without any ambition but for fun, Mirko Savic was able to move into the lead. The Porsche driver from Kortrijk surprised the specialists, although he ultimately had to be satisfied with second place after a small slide. “We drove a very regular race, without many incidents. But, it is certainly not over yet,” Mirko remained cautious, although he is barely 4.3 behind leader Decremer.
Michel Decremer has taken over the lead with his Opel Ascona 400. The businessman who won the Rally Monte-Carlo Historique in 2017 had an excellent day. “It was clearly a bit busier this morning on the lanes around Ypres than we expected. Then you just have to stay calm. Everyone had their moments. I drove part of the spoiler when I had to pass an oncoming car on the shoulder.”
Geert and Cédric De Jaeger also stayed out of trouble. They continue to lie in wait with their green Porsche to strike on Sunday morning on the Early Bird stage. They follow at 7.2 from Savic. Julie Kenis, a good fourth, follows at 7.4 from the Porsche duo. “This fourth place exceeds my expectations, because I was aiming for a top 10. However, I don’t want to put any pressure on myself. We ride best when we are relaxed. It will be a long day tomorrow.”
Christophe Baillet did not have the easiest day, but the Frenchman continues to keep in touch with the lead with a fifth place at 27 seconds. However, the front runners make very few mistakes. Eddy Snaet, who completed the test in Zillebeke yesterday, follows suit. 32 seconds off with his Porsche. “Sometimes it is a disadvantage if you know the road too well. That’s why I was surprised in the forest of Zillebeke, exactly where Guino Kenis made a mistake last year, also due to fallen leaves. Still, I am very satisfied with this 6th place in the standings,” said Snaet.
Mario Varrewaere still had the prospect of a place in the top 5 in the morning, but the Alcatel Nissan Sunny fell back to 9th place in the afternoon, behind Lieven Lannoye and Michael Demortier.
Like every year, the final day starts very early with a long Early Bird Stage, which had to be shortened somewhat due to flooding in the region. On Sunday afternoon we will know the winner of this 5th edition of the Ypres Historic Regularity.
