Barum Rally Zlin 2008 Final Results: Freddy Loix wins as Vouilloz takes second to cement his IRC series lead

                                                                                

Freddy Loix continued where he finished off yesterday and cruised to win the 2008 Barum Rally. His team-mate Nicolas Vouilloz kept second place despite losing time on a couple of stages this morning with a technical problem. This was Loix' first win on the Czech event and the first win for a Belgian since Patrick Snijers, who won Barum previously in 1991 and 94.

Barum Rally 2008

Sunday action:

Kresta crash Barum 2008 SS2:

Solowow crash:

A number of spins, overshoots and crashes at this corner on SS5:

Polish rally championship leader Bryan Bouffier scored a great 3rd o/a while Kronos Racing claimed three of the top four positions with Valousek 4th. Travaglia came in as highest placed Punto driver in 5th and took maximum ERC points.

Loix on his victory in the Barum Rally:

I came to Zlín with a clear goal. The track is similar to some passages in Belgium, especially Rally Condroz. We set the car for given conditions and were successful. Every victory brings great feelings. I’m very happy.“

On getting his championship back and running:

I needed to score some points to improve my place in the championship, so this is exactly the best way to do it. My objective is still to be in the top three at the end of the year, so another win is the best way to go about it.”

More last day action:

Barum Rally Zlin 2008:

It was another miserable weekend for the Punto's and in particular Abarth whose drivers, Alen and Basso, both had problems again today during SupeRally. Bernd Casier reportedly retired his RGRS Polo S2000 on SS11 after crashing into a bridge. Garcia Ojeda lost 4 mins on SS11 with a puncture and then went off on SS12.

Jan KOPECKÝ commented about the Škoda Fabia S2000's performance over the weekend:

We’re satisfied with the car. It’s working perfectly.“

Footage from Saturday:

In-car Valosek SS4:

Some, ahem, distractions on the Barum Rally 2008:

Barum Rally Zlin 2008 Final Classification:

1. Loix/Buysmans (Peugeot 207 S2000) 2.24.24.3
2. Vouilloz/Klinger (Peugeot 207 S2000) + 59.9
3. Bouffier/Panseri (Peugeot 207 S2000) + 1.09.6 
4. Valoušek/Hrůza (Peugeot 207 S2000) 
5. Travaglia/Granai (Abarth Punto S2000) 
6. Tóth/Tagai (Peugeot 207 S2000)
7. Rossetti/Chiarcossi (Peugeot 207 S2000)
8. Peták/Benešová(Peugeot 207 S2000) 
9. Solowow/Baran (Peugeot 207 S2000)
10. Odlozilik/Odozilik (Peugeot 207 S2000)

Provisional Drivers Standings IRC (after Barum):

1. Vouilloz, 44 pts
2. Rossetti, 32 pts
3. Loix, 29 pts
4. Basso, 22 pts
5. Kopecky, 15 pts
6. Alen, 14 pts

Manufacturers' Championship:

1. Peugeot 103
2. Abarth 50
3. Mitsubishi 9
4. Volkswagen 5

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