Central Europe Rally 2008 : Central Europe Rally

Breaking news (GMT + 1)

20:30 - Truck

400 - Stacey wins again

Having won both the day’s specials, Hans Stacey (MAN) has obviously triumphed in the 4th stage, 2’59” ahead of Wulfert Van Ginkel (Ginaf) and 4’57” in front of Ales Loprais (Tatra). The outcome is that the Dutchman continues to open up his advantage in the general standings and now boasts a lead of 16’34” over Van Ginkel and 37’37” over Ales Loprais.

17:48 - Quad

118 - Full house for Deltrieu

Having won the second special of the day, Frenchman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris) also wins the 4th stage and as a result comforts his position further still at the top of the general standings with a lead of more than 30 minutes over his nearest rival.

17:04 - Bike

8 - Katrinak wins the 2nd special, Despres wins the stage

The Czech Jaroslav Katrinak (KTM) has won the 2nd special of the day, 57" ahead of Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM). In provisional 3rd place, 1’25" behind the Czech, Frenchman Cyril Desprès has won the 4th stage. In the general standings, David Casteu keeps hold of the lead, 1’28" in front of Katrinak.

14:19 - Truck

400 - Stacey wins another special

The leader of the general standings, Dutchman Hans Stacey (MAN), has won the first special of the day, 41" ahead of his countryman Marcel Van Vliet (Ginaf) and 2’10” in front of another Dutchman Wulfert Van Ginkel (Ginaf). The Czech Republic’s Ales Loprais (Tatra) finished in 4th place, 3’21 behind the winner.

13:11 - Truck

401 - Now it’s the trucks’ turn…

The winner of yesterday’s stage, the Czech Ales Loprais (Tatra), was the first to get to grips with the day’s first special. He was followed by the leader of the general standings, Dutchman Hans Stacey (MAN) and his countryman Wulfert Van Ginkel (Ginaf).

13:05 - Car

203 - A repeat for De Villiers in the first special

Having won the 3rd stage yesterday, Giniel de Villiers (VW) is in a good position to repeat the feat today, because, in spite of opening proceedings, the South African won the first special of the day, 4" only in front of stable-mate Dieter Depping and 12" ahead of Robby Gordon’s Hummer. The leader of the general standings, Stephane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi), achieved a provisional 6th-placed finish, 1’17” behind the winner.

11:42 - Bike

103 bikes/quads still in the race

Nine bike/quad riders (Numbers 24, 44, 60, 68, 76, 90, 92, 105 & 126) did not start the first special of the day, which means the total number of bikes and quads left in the race after 3 stages is 103.

11:36 - Car

203 - The cars are on their way

South African Giniel de Villiers (VW) has just kicked off proceedings for the first special in the car category.

11:20 - Quad

122 - Irimescu loses all hope of victory

After a mistake and a crash in the first special, Paul Razvan Irimescu (Polaris), 2nd in the general standings this morning, has lost all hope of winning this first Central Europe Rally. Suffering from pains in the wrist, the Romanian has been taken to hospital in Budapest for examinations. The special was won by his main rival and now comfortable leader of the general standings Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris).

11:12 - Bike

1 - Despres wins the first special

Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM) has won the first special of the day, 47" ahead of Portugal’s Ruben Faria (Honda). Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM) came 3rd, 1’31” behind. The leader in the general standings, David Casteu (KTM), finished in provisional 5th place 1’56” behind the winner and 13” behind the Slovakian Katrinak (KTM), who came 4th.

10:14 - Bike

8 - First special underway for the bikes

The winner of yesterday’s two specials, and 2nd in the general standings this morning 3’52” behind leader David Casteu (KTM), Slovakia’s Jaroslav Katrinak (KTM) kicked off proceedings for the day’s first special, at 09.35 as planned. He was followed by Frenchmen Cyril Despres (KTM) and David Casteu, and Chilean Feliciano Lopez (KTM).

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