J-WRC midday update

The second day of the rally began with a loop of three different stages, in the same area north-east of Leon as yesterday, starting with the longest of the event.

The Interspeed team declared that the Serbian driver Milos Komljenovic would not restart because of damage to his engine after his impact yesterday, but the other eight were still in the action.

Although classified last, Martin Prokop's repaired car was allowed to run today sixth among the Junior crews. Jaan Molder had survived electrical problems the previous evening but found the opening stage was critical for traction, which let Kosciuszko get pass his Suzuki teammate into second place by stage ten. Kosciuszko made a big attack on stage ten but then nearly overdid things near the end of stage 11 when he took a jump too fast and landed heavily. Both Molder and Burkart were unhappy with their pace notes.

Sandell started the day determined to recoup as much of the time he lost yesterday as possible, making best J-WRC time on all the stages in the morning, immediately moving ahead of Burkart into fourth, but still over a minute behind the two Suzukis. "I am beginning to wonder if a podium result is possible after losing so much time yesterday."

Burkart was worried about his lack of pace generally. Ogier was now over 1m30s in the lead with his veteran Citroen C2 S1600, which has already seen two heavy seasons in the J-WRC in the hands of Conrad Rautenbach and then Kris Meeke.

Prokop was still lying eighth, "The car is fine but I am a little worried about the engine. I hope it will reach the finish." Gallagher is physically struggling, finding the conditions very exhausting especially after his illness on the first day of the rally.

Francesco Fanari, anxious to qualify as a finisher, had lost third gear on his C2-R2 and was considering an option of withdrawing now in order to make the car perfect for the final morning - when Superally is nowadays not allowed.

Ogier led all morning, Sandell made fastest time on all stages this morning.