PLEASURE AND PAIN FOR HYUNDAI ON DAY 2 OF RALLY AUSTRALIA

Mixed day for Hyundai at Rally Australia – Photo: LAT

It was a tale of two totally different results for the Hyundai team in today’s Kennards Rally Australia action.

Overnight leader Andreas Mikkelsen dropped 4.5s to teammate Thierry Neuville on the opening stage of the day and the longest on the rally, Nambucca. The next stage was where the rally turned for Mikkelsen, who clipped a bank and punctured two tyres in the 20km Newry stage, dropping the Norwegian 1m 40.8s and ultimately into retirement after he was unable to complete the next stage due to no spare tyre.

This handed Neuville a slim 5.7s lead over Toyota’s leading challenger Jari-Matti Latvala, who held a further 10s lead to Citroen’s Kris Meeke. Latvala had bumped Meeke off the podium after Nambucca, while Ott Tanak started his charge towards the front by jumping Craig Breen into fifth by the end of Nambucca.

Apart from the retirement of Mikkelsen, Newry provided plenty of action as Meeke, world champion Sebastien Ogier and Neuville overshot the same junction losing 10s-15s each. Neuville lost first gear and did the Raceway Special Stage with it until it was replaced at service. Hayden Paddon was another to have issues, namely being a stick that was perilously close to the radiator.

Kris Meeke was in podium contention during the day – Photo: LAT

Neuville still held onto the lead through the packed Raceway Stage at Raleigh Kart Raceway where Tanak, who won the stage and closed within 4.8s of Meeke. Ogier finished just 0.2s behind his teammate, while Neuville was a further 0.4s behind.

Neuville extended his lead by 9.8s after SS12 Welshs Creek in a phenomenal drive, which left Latvala scratching his head. Tanak finished second, which leapt him ahead of Meeke for third, while Ogier continued to struggle and finish the stage eighth.

Again, Neuville continued Hyundai’s domination so far by also taking the TV Stage, Argents Hill, extending his margin by 2.8s to be 19s in front of Latvala. Paddon also jumped Ogier for fifth, but behind a strong run from Breen, who sits 25s behind Tanak. Meeke was a casualty after breaking the rear suspension of his DS3 forcing him into retirement.

The following stage was cancelled due to a damaged bridge with another run around the Destination NSW Super Special later this evening completing the day.

Leading Australian contender Brendan Reeves retired this morning after rolling in Nambucca with both he and co-driver Rhiannon Gelsomino emerged unscathed.

The battle for the Australian Rally Championship is still in Molly Taylor’s hands, though a problem with her Subaru at the close of Argents Hill may put that in jeopardy as title rival Nathan Quinn holds a 2m 27s lead over Taylor.

Tomorrow’s final day starts at 8:30 with the Pilbara Reverse stage.

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