WRC3 title fight hits fever pitch

Overnight leader Lauri Joona began the penultimate leg with a 19.7sec advantage over Jan Černý in the all-Ford Fiesta Rally3 class. But the Finn was too conservative on the opening stage against a charging Černý and dropped 9.9sec.

It went from bad to worse for Joona on the next stage when his left-rear driveshaft broke, allowing Černý to claim another stage win and move into the overall lead with a half-second advantage. 

Joona’s saving grace was the next 24km stage being cancelled - allowing him to return to the respite of Salou’s service park for some much-needed midday repairs.

On the second running of Savallà it was Černý taking another stage win by just nine-tenths of a second, increasing his overall advantage to 1.4sec.

The see-saw battle switched hands again on the penultimate test as Joona went back ahead by a tenth. But the lead appeared to have disappeared as quickly as it came. 

On Salou's 2.15km street stage - which brought an end to the day's proceedings - Černý pushed to the limit. He was 2.6sec faster than his rival and reclaimed the lead by 2.5sec with four stages remaining. The lead though, would be overturned at the hands of the stewards, who handed Černý a 10sec penalty for a late check-in to the Salou stage, meaning it is Joona who is in front by 7.5sec when action resumes Sunday.

Diego Dominguez looks set for his second-consecutive podium following on from EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. The Paraguayan youngster is 4min 26sec off the lead but 9min 17sec clear of Zoltan László, who rounds out the field.