Central Europe Rally 2008 : Central Europe Rally

Breaking news (GMT + 1)

17:21 - Car

200 - “Peter” regains control

Stephane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi) has won the second special, 25" ahead of Carlos Sainz (VW). As a result, even though the Spaniard has won the 5th stage 1’17" in front of Nani Roma (Mitsubishi) and beat Luc alphand (Mitsubishi) by 2’16", StĂ©phane Peterhansel, with a 4th-placed overall finish for the day, has climbed back to the top of the general standings, but with a lead of only 22" ahead of “Carlos el Matador” (the bullfighter). Nani Roma occupies third place in the general standings, 2’38” behind the leader.

14:38 - Bike

3 - Casteu wins the 5th stage

2nd in the day’s second special 7" behind Slovakian Katrinak (KTM), Frenchman David Casteu (KTM) has won the 5th stage, 1’16” ahead of Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM) and 3’02” in front of Spain’s Pellicer (Yamaha). Thanks to a 6th-placed stage finish, 1’27” ahead of Cyril Despres, Alain Duclos (KTM) has grabbed 3rd place in the general standings, which are still led by David Casteu, 4’39” in front of Francisco Lopez.

14:06 - Truck

400 - Stacey on a procession toward victory

The runaway leader in the general standings, Hans Stacey (MAN), has won the day’s only special in the truck category, 8’49” ahead of Spaniard Rep Vila Roca (Mercedes) and 13’48” in front of German Franz Echter (MAN). As a result, the gap between the Dutchman and his rivals in the general standings has widened again. He now boasts a lead of 50’24” over Franz Echter.

13:42 - Quad

124 - Victory in the special for Hungary’s Nemeth

The Hungarian Norbert Nemeth (Bombardier) has won the first special of the day, 42" ahead of Frenchman Christophe Declerck (Yamaha). In 3rd place 2’59” behind the winner, Frenchman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris) now boasts a lead of 42’58” over Declerck in the general standings.

12:34 - Car

201 - Redemption for Gordon whilst Sainz takes the lead

Having finished 10th in yesterday’s stage due to brake problems, American Robby Gordon (Hummer) gave everyone a reminder of his skills by winning the first special of the day, 12" ahead of Spaniard Carlos Sainz (VW) and 1’19” in front of Nani Roma (Mitsubishi). However, the main news is that by finishing in provisional 7th position 4’09” behind the winner, Stephane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi) has lost the lead in the provisional standings by only 3 seconds to Sainz.

11:38 - Car

203 - Now it’s De Villiers’s turn…

Following the incident involving Al Attiyah after 12 km, now South African Giniel De Villiers has rolled his car at the 122 km mark. Fortunately, the accident was not serious for the South African driver and his co-pilot, who are now awaiting the assistance team.

11:17 - Car

205 - Problem for Al Attiyah

Having won the second special yesterday in superb fashion, Qatari Nasser Al Attiyah (BMW) suffered a mechanical problem this morning in the first special of the day. This severely compromises his chances of a good result in the general standings.

10:23 - Bike

10 - Lopez wins the first special

Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM) has won the first special of the day, 36" ahead of America’s Jonah Street (KTM) and 56" in front of David Casteu (KTM). The Frenchman still holds onto the lead in the general standings, 2’27” in front of the Chilean.

10:18 - Bike

8 - 1 hour and 10 minute penalty for Katrinak!

Like 37 other competitors, Jaroslav Katrinak (KTM), who was 2nd in the general standings, missed a waypoint during yesterday’s special. The Slovakian has therefore been sanctioned with a penalty of 1 hour, plus an extra ten minute penalty for using non-compliant tyres. As a result, Katrinak started the day in 32nd place in the general standings. American Jonah Street (KTM) also received a 1 hour penalty for missing a waypoint.

10:03 - Truck

No 2nd special for the trucks today

At the request of all the competitors in the truck race and due to technical precautions, the day’s 53-km long second special for the trucks has been cancelled by the organisers. The race’s behemoths will head straight for the assistance park following the first 156-km long special this morning.

09:21 - Bike

8 - 8 bikes at waypoint 1

Now that the first 8 bikes have passed through waypoint 1 (after 63 km), Slovakian Jaroslav Katrinak (KTM) is the provisional leader, but only 1 second ahead of Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM).

08:32 - Bike

1 - The race is underway for the bikes

Yesterday’s winner, Frenchman Cyril Despres (KTM), kicked off proceedings of the 5th stage by starting the 156-km long first special of the day at 08.00. He was followed by Slovakian Jaroslav Katrinak (KTM) and Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM).

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