News and quotes from Český Krumlov

High-tech racing cars in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage city: after the extremely demanding first stage over the Col de Jan route, the participants arrived in Český Krumlov at midday for regrouping. Without the more extensive facilities of a technical zone, many teams had to repair minor and major damage themselves using the resources available on board after Friday's extremely demanding stage. Here is a selection of statements from the participants.

#17 Sébastien Ogier (FRA) / Vincent Landais (FRA), Toyota GR Yaris Rally

"The morning went quite well for us, I'm glad we got through SS5 without any problems. We all knew that this would be one of the biggest challenges of the weekend. The first seven kilometers in particular are very tricky: very slippery mud in the forest. It wasn't easy to assess the situation. There were also some very unpleasant jumps, and I saw that many cars had problems there. I myself also drove a little onto the small embankment there on the second jump. It's all super tight and super fast. The second lap will probably be even more difficult, but at least we've already got the first one behind us. Otherwise, the first two special stages went smoothly for me, although I had actually expected to lose some time due to the many anti-cut beacons."

#33 Elfyn Evans (GBR) / Scott Martin (GBR), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

"The first two stages today were okay. Col de Jan didn't go so well; we were a little too cautious in the mud at the start. We also drove a little too wide in the middle of the stage, which meant we lost quite a bit of time there. Now we have to wait and see how the weather develops and then, of course, wait for more information. I guess it will be pretty dirty in SS5 and SS6 now that we are returning directly, and for the rest we have to wait for more information."

#69 Kalle Rovanperä (FIN) / Jonne Halttunen (FIN), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

“It went pretty well this morning. The first two special stages went well, the conditions were quite easy. Now on the special stage, the conditions are definitely much more difficult, there is a lot of dirt. Seb, who was first on the track, was really fast. As the third car on the track and still with a good time compared to everyone else, I'm pretty happy.”

#1 Thierry Neuville (BEL) / Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL), Hyundai i20 N Rally1

"Unfortunately, things didn't go so well for us. A flat tire here on the last special stage, when we ended up a little too far to the right after a jump, cost us 1:20 minutes. The special stage was, of course, extremely dirty and muddy. The fact that we were fifth on the road and all the anti-cuts were no longer in place made it extremely difficult. In general, we struggled more with ourselves than with the track conditions. It won't be any easier this afternoon. I think we're lacking a bit of aero. The conditions will be difficult. We want to try to get through as best we can and work on the car. We need to get a better feeling to get back to where we were before.“

#16 Adrien Fourmaux (FRA) / Alexandre Coria (FRA), Hyundai i20 N Rally1

”The morning was okay until SS4, but then there was a lot of mud in SS5, where we lost a lot of time compared to the others. There's really nothing you can do about that. It probably won't be any different in the afternoon. But I would say that the conditions should be a bit more consistent for everyone.“

#5 Sami Pajari (FIN) / Marko Salminen (FIN), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

”I have mixed feelings. We had very, very good speed on the first two special stages. And now on the last one, the conditions were a bit difficult. I was sure we would lose some time because it was so muddy and difficult for us. I didn't expect to lose so much, so it was a little disappointing to see the time. I don't think I could have matched the leading driver's time anyway."

#20 Oliver Solberg (SWE) / Elliott Edmondson (GBR), Toyota GR Yaris

"The morning went pretty well. The first two stages in the morning went great, but then I had to hold back a bit on that really tricky Col de Jan stage, which could have cost me a lot of time. Now I'm probably in the lead, which is very good. It's difficult, we had a lot of leaves on the front of the car, so the water temperature was 120 during half of the special stage. So we lost a lot of power, but we were still able to push really hard to set a good time and made up a lot of time on the very slippery forest road. It was really challenging: lots of unexpected mud, at least for us starting a little further back. On top of that, it was quite wet, slippery, and bumpy. So, a typical Czech stage."

#22 Nikolay Gryazin (BUL) / Konstantin Aleksandrov (KGZ), Skoda Fabia RS

"It didn't go well for us, we had a puncture – a rather unfortunate mistake on my part. I just drove a little faster than I should have. So I think the battle for victory is definitely over, but at least I want to have fun with the car and find a better setup. Col de Jan is a tough one. Of course, the Czech stages are bumpy, which isn't usually a big deal, but when you have these green patches in the middle, like leaves and mud, it becomes really difficult because you can't use special tires for that. You also have to focus on the dry sections that we have on the special stage afterwards. So, of course, it's difficult to drive these really slippery corners on slicks, but that's part of rallying. It's difficult, but that's why we enjoy it.

#24 Jan Černý (CZE) / Ondřej Krajča (CZE), Skoda Fabia RS

"It's difficult, to be honest. The first stage wasn't perfect for me, the second was a little better. And on the third, I tried to push, but it was so muddy, so dirty, and I didn't have the confidence to push any more. But we're here and we can continue, which is important. I like the car, I like the conditions, everything is perfect, I just need to build up my confidence. I love driving in Czechia. We had a great start in Prague, and now we're in Český Krumlov, a really beautiful town, and I'm proud that we can show how beautiful the Czech Republic is."

#27 Filip Mareš (CZE) / Radovan Bucha (CZE), Toyota GR Yaris

"I really enjoyed today's special stage three in Czechia. The crowd was just incredible, there were lots of Czech flags and lots of spectators waving at us. That gave us extra energy and strength, and we are trying to do our best to show our best pace. So far, we are also satisfied. Nevertheless, it was difficult. In the afternoon, conditions will also be more difficult, although it is not raining at the moment and it may be drier in some places. Nevertheless, there will definitely be a lot of mud."

#28 Fabio Schwarz (GER) / Pascal Raabe (GER), Toyota GR Yaris

The car is running better today. The first special stage this morning was a bit out of control, the setup wasn't quite right, which was a bit tedious. Then we made a few changes and the second round was actually quite okay. And the third stage was crazy, of course. We had a few minor problems with braking, so the engine stalled and we had to restart a few times. But the time wasn't too bad for that. The instructions from the gravel crew were very clear: drive very slowly. And the first part is super slippery, you actually lose control of the car in every corner. The grip gets a little better towards the end, but there are very tricky spots everywhere. A few competitors ahead of us cleared away a hay bale, so it looks very wild. The second run will certainly be very exciting."

#32 Taylor Gill (AUS) / Daniel Brkic (AUS), Ford Fiesta Rally3

"We found our rhythm on SS 3 today, the second special stage went quite well, and we had a good run on the last one. But there were also some dicey situations. It's a really tricky track here in the Czech Republic, so it's going to be a difficult afternoon. It's really, really muddy there, and there's a lot of mud coming from the inside of the road, and it's also wet under the trees. When you're driving on dry tires, it's really difficult, and it's also technically demanding and bumpy. It's really cool to drive here in Czechia and see these old towns that you don't normally get to see. I'm here in this city that I, as an Australian, have never actually heard of. Then you arrive here and it's really, really cool, with a great atmosphere and great people.“

#40 Claire Schönborn (GER) / Michael Wenzel (GER), Ford Fiesta Rally3

”So far, it's gone very, very well. I've already achieved my goal: I wanted to have a zero in front of the number of seconds per kilometer I'm losing to the leaders. The third stage was super challenging, and we saw a few cars off the road there. It was a really, really demanding stage. I'm curious to see how things look now."

#41 Philip Geipel (GER) / Jennifer Lerch (GER), Toyota GR Yaris Rally2

"The first two stages today were good, they were really fun and went well. Col de Jan was the stage I was most wary of, and that proved to be the case. It was a complete disaster – so much mud and so many cut corners. With our start number so far back in the field, you can only drive slowly and hope that you get through cleanly. It goes through the forest, it's extremely rutted everywhere, lots of mud. With the slick tires, you have hardly any grip, there's moss everywhere. If you're even slightly off track, your wheels immediately lock up. We also had a close call where I thought we were going to end up sideways in the forest, but I managed to save it. And then, of course, all the alarm bells are ringing and you drive through very carefully.“

#46 Hermann Gassner Jr. (GER) / Ursula Gassner (AUT), Renault Clio Rally3

”That was a disaster. The first two stages were still okay. We were running third or fourth in our class, which is where we finished yesterday. Unfortunately, we hit something in the cut on the Col de Jan stage. I have no idea what it was exactly, but we definitely had a flat tire, had to change it, had a bit of trouble finding the right spot, of course, and then didn't change it very quickly, so it wasn't a great performance on our part. Yes, now the battle for the podium is over. But we hope that we can now get the car to the finish line so that we can fix it up again tonight and attack again tomorrow. It certainly won't be any easier in the afternoon.“

#47 Hermann Gassner sen (GER) / Natascha Vgra (AUT), Renault Clio Rally3

”I was a bit cautious on the first stage, but the second one was actually quite okay. The third was very slippery through the forest and one section is very slippery. I went off the road once, but we got through it well, so I'm satisfied so far.“

#48 Petr Kačírek (CZE) / Petr Černohorský (CZE), Ford Fiesta Rally3

”I think Col de Jan was the most beautiful special stage I've ever driven. It was really long, really hard, so much mud, but we're here and enjoying it as much as we can. The afternoon and evening will bring us the night drive on the last special stage. I hope we can see better than yesterday and that we'll enjoy it. It's incredible how many fans are here, and I'm enjoying seeing them at my home rally.