Peugeot Rally Academy driver Craig Breen is in 11th place overnight at the ERC Czech Rally Zlin, after a difficult day that saw him pick up three punctures during the eight special stages.
Czech driver Jan Kopecky leads the event with fellow countryman Vaclav Pech in second spot. Polish driver Kajetan Kajetanowicz lies third. Six stages remain tomorrow.
Breen arrived in the Czech Republic second in the championship, but lost two and a half minutes and all hopes of victory after picking up a puncture on SS5.
The number of punctures had increased to three by the end of the day, and the fight is now on to salvage the best result he can and maintain his strong fight for the ERC title in his Peugeot Rally Academy 208 T16.
Co-driven by Pavel Dresle leg in his SKODA Motorsport Fabia R5r, Kopecky is on course to win the event for the fourth time and clinch another Czech national title after a dominant performance on a blisteringly hot day in southern Moravia.
“It’s been a great day for us,” said Kopecky. “The Fabia R5 has worked very well. We hit a big hole on the first stage this morning, which shows how strong the car really is. We have made no mistakes, we have a good pace and we have built up a nice gap behind us.”
Last year’s event winner Pech is second, 35.4s behind Kopecky, in his Mini John Cooper Works S2000.
