After service the drivers headed back to Hermeskeil / Gusenburg for a second test of the 11.37km stage.
Sebastien Loeb entered the stage first and finished with a time of 6m 12.6s.
"It's okay, still slippery on the gravel. No problems. We are in a position where it would be stupid to fight. We have two minutes on the other drivers."
His team mate Ogier was quicker by 3.5s. Pushing hard for his first win on Asphalt despite team orders telling him to freeze position.
Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen dropped 3.0s to Sebastien Ogier on the stage but went 1s quicker than Dani Sordo. The two boys are locked in battle for the remaining podium position.
Hirvonen said...
"Dani Sordo and MINI are doing really well, but it will be hard to catch them. My car is really good to drive now."
Sordo said....
"It's not so bad. I tried to push, but it's a long rally with really long stages. I'm very happy with the MINI, it's working really well."
Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala sets the second quickest stage time on SS11, dropping 1.2s to stage winner Sebastien Ogier.
"I was fastest here on the first run through, I really tried hard again on the gravel section but it wasn't so easy to make time."
Unfortunate Petter Solberg suffered another puncture on SS11 although he didnt lose much time. He only dropped 4.0s to Ogier. He must have picked up the puncture towards the end of the stage.
Kris Meeke dropped 1.8s to team-mate Dani Sordo and 2.8s to Ford's Mikko Hirvonen on SS11.
"It wasn't too bad. I was a little bit untidy in one or two places, but okay."
Petter's brother Henning set a strong time on SS11. 6m 15.6s.
"The stage is okay. I tried my best and I'm pushing hard."
AFTER STAGE 11 SEBASTIEN LOEB WAS STILL IN THE LEAD BUT ONLY BY A SLIM 1.3S.
STAGE TIMES SS11
Stage
| Pos | No | Driver | Time | Diff Prev | Diff 1st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2 | S. OGIER | 6:09.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2. | 4 | J. LATVALA | 6:10.3 | +1.2 | +1.2 |
| 3. | 3 | M. HIRVONEN | 6:12.1 | +1.8 | +3.0 |
| 4. | 1 | S. LOEB | 6:12.6 | +0.5 | +3.5 |
| 5. | 11 | P. SOLBERG | 6:13.1 | +0.5 | +4.0 |
| 6. | 37 | D. SORDO | 6:13.1 | 0.0 | +4.0 |
| 7. | 52 | K. MEEKE | 6:14.9 | +1.8 | +5.8 |
| 8. | 9 | D. KUIPERS | 6:15.4 | +0.5 | +6.3 |
| 9. | 15 | H. SOLBERG | 6:15.6 | +0.2 | +6.5 |
| 10. | 6 | M. ØSTBERG | 6:16.1 | +0.5 | +7.0 |
OVERALL CLASSIFICATIONS AFTER SS11
Overall
| Pos | No | Driver | Time | Diff Prev | Diff 1st | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1 | S. LOEB | M | 2:07:49.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2. | 2 | S. OGIER | M | 2:07:51.2 | +1.3 | +1.3 |
| 3. | 37 | D. SORDO | 2:09:50.7 | +1:59.5 | +2:00.8 | |
| 4. | 3 | M. HIRVONEN | M | 2:10:22.6 | +31.9 | +2:32.7 |
| 5. | 52 | K. MEEKE | 2:10:27.8 | +5.2 | +2:37.9 | |
| 6. | 11 | P. SOLBERG | M | 2:10:42.8 | +15.0 | +2:52.9 |
| 7. | 9 | D. KUIPERS | M | 2:12:47.0 | +2:04.2 | +4:57.1 |
| 8. | 15 | H. SOLBERG | 2:12:50.8 | +3.8 | +5:00.9 | |
| 9. | 8 | K. RÄIKKÖNEN | M | 2:12:54.5 | +3.7 | +5:04.6 |
| 10. | 4 | J. LATVALA | M | 2:14:07.2 | +1:12.7 | +6:17.3 |
The drivers then headed to the second run of Bosenberg!
Rally Leader Sebastien Loeb set the fastest time on the second stage of the afternoon, after his team gave Ogier a target time for the stage. Ogier wasnt happy about being ordered to go slower.He dropped 2.1s to his team mate with a time of 8m 25.9s,
Rally Leader Sebastien Loeb set the fastest time on the second stage of the afternoon, after his team gave Ogier a target time for the stage. Ogier wasnt happy about being ordered to go slower.He dropped 2.1s to his team mate with a time of 8m 25.9s,
"We had to slow down for the team."
Mikko Hirvonen sets the second fastest time on SS12 as he kept fighting with third-placed driver Dani Sordo.
"We just had a big jump, I like it like that! I was in my element."
His team mate Latvala set a time 2.3s down on Sebastien Loeb's fastest time.
"We are calculating where we can be at the end of the day. I was maybe pushing too hard because we had a small off."
Dani Sordo couldn't explain why he lost time on SS12, He lost 4.5s of his lead over Hirvonen.
"We lost a lot, I don't know why. We didn't make any mistakes. In the stage I didn't feel those five seconds. At the moment I am trying to push."
His team mate Meeke was 3.5s faster through the 14.29km test.
"Its the first stage today where I haven't made a mistake. I'm striving for perfection and I'm getting there slowly. I have to be quite encouraged, but there's more to come."
Petter Solberg was "losing time where (he) shouldnt be..." on stage 12.
STAGE TIMES: SS12
Stage
| Pos | No | Driver | Time | Diff Prev | Diff 1st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1 | S. LOEB | 8:23.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2. | 3 | M. HIRVONEN | 8:25.5 | +1.7 | +1.7 |
| 3. | 2 | S. OGIER | 8:25.9 | +0.4 | +2.1 |
| 4. | 4 | J. LATVALA | 8:26.1 | +0.2 | +2.3 |
| 5. | 52 | K. MEEKE | 8:26.5 | +0.4 | +2.7 |
| 6. | 11 | P. SOLBERG | 8:26.9 | +0.4 | +3.1 |
| 7. | 37 | D. SORDO | 8:30.0 | +3.1 | +6.2 |
| 8. | 6 | M. ØSTBERG | 8:34.8 | +4.7 | +10.9 |
| 9. | 8 | K. RÄIKKÖNEN | 8:38.9 | +4.1 | +15.1 |
| 10. | 9 | D. KUIPERS | 8:39.4 | +0.5 | +15.6 |
OVERALL CLASSIFICATIONS AFTER SS12
Overall
| Pos | No | Driver | Time | Diff Prev | Diff 1st | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1 | S. LOEB | M | 2:16:13.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2. | 2 | S. OGIER | M | 2:16:17.1 | +3.4 | +3.4 |
| 3. | 37 | D. SORDO | 2:18:20.7 | +2:03.6 | +2:07.0 | |
| 4. | 3 | M. HIRVONEN | M | 2:18:48.1 | +27.4 | +2:34.4 |
| 5. | 52 | K. MEEKE | 2:18:54.3 | +6.1 | +2:40.5 | |
| 6. | 11 | P. SOLBERG | M | 2:19:09.7 | +15.4 | +2:56.0 |
| 7. | 9 | D. KUIPERS | M | 2:21:26.4 | +2:16.7 | +5:12.7 |
| 8. | 15 | H. SOLBERG | 2:21:31.3 | +4.9 | +5:17.6 | |
| 9. | 8 | K. RÄIKKÖNEN | M | 2:21:33.4 | +2.1 | +5:19.7 |
| 10. | 4 | J. LATVALA | M | 2:22:33.3 | +59.9 | +6:19.6 |
SS13 Birkenfelder Land 2 (15.23km)
Sebastien Loeb was fastest again on SS13, 0.4 quicker than team mate Ogier stretching the gap between 1st and 2nd to 3.8s.
After that it seemed a stage for all the remaining drivers to drop time.
Hirvonen dropped 3.4s to Seb Loeb,
Sordo 0.2s to chasing Hirvonen,
Meeke 19.7s to team mate Sordo,
Solberg 7.7s to Meeke.
Punctures for Petter Solberg, Mr Latvala and Kris Meeke were the cause of lost time on SS13.
STAGE 13 TIMES!
Stage
| Pos | No | Driver | Time | Diff Prev | Diff 1st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1 | S. LOEB | 8:36.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2. | 2 | S. OGIER | 8:36.9 | +0.4 | +0.4 |
| 3. | 3 | M. HIRVONEN | 8:39.9 | +3.0 | +3.4 |
| 4. | 37 | D. SORDO | 8:40.1 | +0.2 | +3.6 |
| 5. | 9 | D. KUIPERS | 8:50.8 | +10.7 | +14.3 |
| 6. | 8 | K. RÄIKKÖNEN | 8:51.3 | +0.5 | +14.8 |
| 7. | 15 | H. SOLBERG | 8:52.4 | +1.1 | +15.9 |
| 8. | 17 | A. ARAÚJO | 8:59.2 | +6.8 | +22.7 |
| 9. | 51 | P. FLODIN | 8:59.7 | +0.5 | +23.2 |
| 10. | 52 | K. MEEKE | 8:59.8 | +0.1 | +23.3 |
AFTER THE NEXT STAGE THE TOP TWO DRIVERS WERE TO SWITCH POSITONS. YOUNG SEBASTIEN OGIER WAS ABOUT TO BE HANDED THE RALLYE DEUTSCHLAND LEAD!
Overall
| Pos | No | Driver | Time | Diff Prev | Diff 1st | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1 | S. LOEB | M | 2:24:50.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2. | 2 | S. OGIER | M | 2:24:54.0 | +3.8 | +3.8 |
| 3. | 37 | D. SORDO | 2:27:00.8 | +2:06.8 | +2:10.6 | |
| 4. | 3 | M. HIRVONEN | M | 2:27:28.0 | +27.2 | +2:37.8 |
| 5. | 52 | K. MEEKE | 2:27:54.1 | +26.1 | +3:03.9 | |
| 6. | 11 | P. SOLBERG | M | 2:28:17.2 | +23.1 | +3:27.0 |
| 7. | 9 | D. KUIPERS | M | 2:30:17.2 | +2:00.0 | +5:27.0 |
| 8. | 15 | H. SOLBERG | 2:30:23.7 | +6.5 | +5:33.5 | |
| 9. | 8 | K. RÄIKKÖNEN | M | 2:30:24.7 | +1.0 | +5:34.5 |
| 10. | 17 | A. ARAÚJO | 2:32:04.8 | +1:40.1 | +7:14.6 |
Sebastien Loeb entered the final stage of Day 2 expecting to lead the rally into the final day only to pick up a puncture on the longest stage of the rally at just over 34km.
Team mate Ogier inherited the Rally lead and surprisingly went into the final day of the rally with a lead of 1m11.3s!
At the stage end the boys said
"I don't know what happened. There were some rocks on a straight. I was taking it easy."
Sebastien Ogier
"I don't want to celebrate it. I can't be happy when my team-mate has a problem. There is justice in the squad, which is a good thing."
Mini driver Dani Sordo fought well to keep his third place setting the second fastest time 3.4 slower than Ogier. Rival Mikko Hirvonen could only manage a time of 19m 58.5s. losing more time to Dani.
"I tried to fight for third but Dani is going well. We'll see tomorrow."
Kris Meeke completed SS14 having collected some damage to the rear of his MINI. He set a time of 20m 22.3s.
"At a junction it got away from me under braking. We changed the set-up but I didn't like it, but we're still here."
Petter Solberg suffered another puncture on the final stage of the day.
He struggled through the test with a broken front-right damper, sustained on the previous stage. He set a time of 20m 8.3s.
STAGE TIMES FOR THE FINAL STAGE OF DAY 2
Stage
| Pos | No | Driver | Time | Diff Prev | Diff 1st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2 | S. OGIER | 19:49.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2. | 37 | D. SORDO | 19:52.6 | +3.4 | +3.4 |
| 3. | 3 | M. HIRVONEN | 19:58.5 | +5.9 | +9.3 |
| 4. | 11 | P. SOLBERG | 20:08.3 | +9.8 | +19.1 |
| 5. | 8 | K. RÄIKKÖNEN | 20:11.7 | +3.4 | +22.5 |
| 6. | 15 | H. SOLBERG | 20:18.9 | +7.2 | +29.7 |
| 7. | 52 | K. MEEKE | 20:22.3 | +3.4 | +33.1 |
| 8. | 17 | A. ARAÚJO | 20:30.0 | +7.7 | +40.8 |
| 9. | 14 | P. VAN MERKSTEIJN | 20:36.7 | +6.7 | +47.5 |
| 10. | 51 | P. FLODIN | 20:44.8 | +8.1 | +55.6 |
OVERALL CLASSIFICATIONS AFTER DAY 2 OF RALLYE DEUTSCHLAND
Overall
| Pos | No | Driver | Time | Diff Prev | Diff 1st | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2 | S. OGIER | M | 2:44:43.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2. | 1 | S. LOEB | M | 2:45:54.5 | +1:11.3 | +1:11.3 |
| 3. | 37 | D. SORDO | 2:46:53.4 | +58.9 | +2:10.2 | |
| 4. | 3 | M. HIRVONEN | M | 2:47:26.5 | +33.1 | +2:43.3 |
| 5. | 52 | K. MEEKE | 2:48:16.4 | +49.9 | +3:33.2 | |
| 6. | 11 | P. SOLBERG | M | 2:48:25.5 | +9.1 | +3:42.3 |
| 7. | 8 | K. RÄIKKÖNEN | M | 2:50:36.4 | +2:10.9 | +5:53.2 |
| 8. | 15 | H. SOLBERG | 2:50:42.6 | +6.2 | +5:59.4 | |
| 9. | 17 | A. ARAÚJO | 2:52:34.8 | +1:52.2 | +7:51.6 | |
| 10. | 14 | P. VAN MERKSTEIJN | M | 2:53:09.1 | +34.3 | +8:25.9 |
So with Day 2 completed with a shocking final stage what will Day 3 be like tomorrow?
It looks very unlikely that anyone other than Sebastien Ogier will win the rally tomorrow.
It looks very unlikely that anyone other than Sebastien Ogier will win the rally tomorrow.
There will be a fight for the final podium position between Mikko Hirvonen and Daniel Sordo.
Will mini get the first podium?
Kris Meeke and Petter Solberg will also be battling for Fifth position!
It looks like we have a very exciting final day tomorrow!
It looks like we have a very exciting final day tomorrow!
NONE OF THE IMAGES IN THIS POST BELONG TO ME.
SOME OF THE PICS BELONG TO CITROEN AND OTHER BELONG TO A WRC FAN.
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