Toyota holds a triple lead in the rally, which would easily be enough to secure the manufacturers’ championship. Before the Central European round, Toyota had a 125-point advantage over its arch-rival Hyundai. If the gap remains over 120 points, the Japanese manufacturer will clinch its fifth consecutive title even before the final two rallies of the season.
Kankkunen is close to a historic feat, as he has celebrated a world championship with Toyota as a driver – and perhaps on Sunday, he may do so again as a team principal.
“There’s nothing else to do but smile. It was a good day for us. It looked in the morning that we have a big fight, but in the slippery conditions Hyundais set up wasn’t that good. The boys made the big difference in in the Czech Republic on that one stage basically,” Kankkunen said.
Sébastien Ogier leads the rally by 0.6 seconds ahead of Kalle Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans is third, but already half a minute behind the leader. The same trio are also battling for this season’s world title. Before the Central European round, Ogier led Evans by two points, with Rovanperä 21 points behind Ogier.
Ogier and Rovanperä have been in a class of their own in Central Europe. On Saturday, however, things will become more difficult for the leading duo as they will have to start the day from the back of the field, meaning their road positions will not be ideal.
“Now they will start as the last two cars on the route, so there’ll be a lot more dirt on the road. Still, they were fast today even on the dirty sections. I’m not worried about that,” Kankkunen summed up.
“Of course, it changes things a bit. In this rally there’s a lot of dirt and leaves on the road, so the best starting position is always to go first. Still, I’m looking forward to the battle.”
Evans faced tough luck already on Thursday when the rally stewards handed him a five-second time penalty for hitting a hay bale. The bales have been placed along the route as corner-cutting barriers similar to other obstacles.
“I don’t agree with that. Of course the regulations are regulations, but I don’t agree because that can happen for everyone. You know, he was just breaking a bit too late and touched the ball and things. But that can happen for everyone,” Kankkunen told.
“I think something you should not penalize that kind of thing. Everybody do mistakes and hit something and things like that. But I can’t do anything for that, unfortunately. I would take it off if I could.”
The Central European Rally continues on Saturday with six special stages. The rally concludes on Sunday.
