Rally Ypres: Lefebvre crash, Fourmaux leader, Loix best Belgian

Heavy crash Stéphane Lefebvre

‘Le nordiste’ Stéphane Lefèbvre had set his sights on the Ypres Rally. With his Citroën C3 he also had the best start in the first special stages. But at the KP in Mesen, almost at the end of day one, things went completely wrong. Lefèbvre went off track after a steering error. His car flipped over ten times. Miraculously without injuries. But the rally was over for Lefèbvre.

Fast Freddy in his element

Rally enthusiasts enjoyed a wonderful first rally day under a radiant sun. Lefèbvre had been in a battle of seconds with his French challenger Fourmaux all day. At the end, he was able to neatly place his Ford Fiesta in pole position for the long, second day. But he must fear because his challenger is not the least. Freddy Loix runs brilliant times, with Pieter Tsjoen next to him. Fast Freddy already took the scratch on the penultimate KP and Fourmaux, as the first Belgian, is close behind. The difference is barely 25 seconds after eight KPs. On Saturday there are still 10 KP’s on the menu.