Zoom A dominant victory for Loix in the Czech Republic

Freddy Loix has achieved his first-ever victory at the conclusion of Barum Rally Zlin, the Intercontinental Rally Challenge's sixth round of the 2008 season.

The Peugeot Belgium-Luxemburg teammates controlled the event right from the start; Loix took the honours ahead of Nicolas Vouilloz, thereby delivering a one-two result and a maximum points score in the Czech Republic for the team.

The Peugeot Belux team's dominance appeared early, yet the teammates remained locked in a close battle as the stages went by. Vouilloz encountered two separate and time-costly mechanical issues during Day Two which put him out of contention for the win, but the Frenchman's lead was enough to allow him to secure second position overall.

Bryan Bouffier came close to taking over Vouilloz's position however, and were it not for a one-minute penalty received yesterday, the Frenchman would be standing on the second step of the podium. It was reported that Bouffier had already filed a protest regarding the decision; it remains to be seen if a review might change the final standings...

The rally's final stage was won by a determined Nicolas Vouilloz, who recorded a fastest time of 12:19.7, merely 0:00. 4 ahead of the Abarth Grande Punto driven by Giandomencio Basso. Bryan Bouffier's final attempt at overtaking Vouilloz resulted in a third position on this run.

Renato Travaglia's Grande Punto was fourth-fastest, while rally winner Freddy Loix eased into fifth place, 16.7 seconds slower than his stage-winning teammate.

The final standings show that Belgian driver Freddy Loix won the Barum Rally Zlin with an overall advantage of 59.9 seconds on Nicolas Vouilloz. Bryan Bouffier officially ends 9.7 seconds later in third place.

Fourth position went to Pavel Valousek aboard the BFGoodrich Drivers Team car, a position almost lost to Renato Travaglia, who completed the rally only 2.8 seconds adrift.

The next event appearing on the IRC calendar is the Rallye Principe de Asturias, on 12-13 September.

Daniel BASTIEN
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