News and quotes from the evening service on Friday

With a total distance of 567.77 kilometres (including around 110 special stages), Friday of the Central European Rally was the longest day of the weekend. As there was only one remote service in the Czech Republic at midday, many teams were probably happy to finally be able to carry out the necessary repairs and setup adjustments. We collected news and voices - and spoke in particular with the Rally 2 and Rally 3 teams.

# 11 Thierry Neuville (BEL) / Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL), Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid

‘It was a really good day - I was amazed at how well things went today. Our rhythm was right, the performance was there at all times and we were able to pull out a small lead. Even if it's only 6.4 seconds - that's better than nothing. The most difficult tracks and conditions are now behind us, that's the good news. But the weekend is still long. Tomorrow will be very technical with lots of junctions and ditches to stay away from. We'll just try to take the good feeling from today into this new day.’

# 17 Sébastien Ogier (FRA) / Vincent Landais (FRA), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid

‘We are within striking distance of the leader and are fighting for victory. Different tracks await us on Saturday than today. It is also important that we have similar starting positions at the end of the field, because the starting order of the WRC1 drivers will be reversed on Saturday. But we know that Thierry is fast on road special stages like here at the Central European Rally. The challenge is to put him under as much pressure as possible.’

# 20 Oliver Solberg (SWE) / Elliott Edmondson (GBR), Skoda Fabia RS (Rally 2)

‘It was pretty good for us today. It was really slippery in places and therefore very difficult - but also a nice day to have fun in the cockpit. Being back on tarmac after a nine-month break was definitely a challenge. But it was fun, we also had a bit of luck here and there - and now it will probably be a bit easier driving-wise. ’

# 21 Yohan Rossel (FRA) / Florian Barral (FRA), Citroën C3 (Rally 2)

‘The first special stage this afternoon wasn't bad, but on the slippery sections I had zero feeling for the brakes and I don't yet understand what the reason was. Was it me or the car? I don't know - but you can't drive like that. We obviously want to change that for tomorrow so that we can enjoy the last event of the year.’

# 22 Nikolay Gryazin (BGR) / Konstantin Alexsandrov (ANA), Citroën C3 (Rally 2)

‘The stages in the Czech Republic were really tricky, we really had a lot of adrenalin in our blood. We took it slowly on the last stage today so as not to take any risks. But it went well and we really had fun in the car. Now we'll make a few changes for tomorrow and then go into the third leg well prepared.’

# 27 Armin Kremer (GER) / Ella Kremer (GER), Skoda Fabia RS (Rally 2)

‘It was an extremely long day. But it was a lot of fun for us, especially as we are clearly in the lead in the Mastercup standings. That's our declared goal, to do everything we can to clinch our sixth win in a row. The changing conditions today were very demanding, which was a lot of fun. With the Skoda, the team and my daughter as co-driver, it was a very well-rounded event. We're looking forward to Saturday!’

# 30 Filip Mareš (CZE) / Radovan Bucha (CZE), Toyota GR Yaris (Rally 2)

‘It was a difficult day - probably the most difficult of the whole rally. On the last special stage in particular, it was extremely slippery due to the autumn leaves and the dirt from the cars in front, and darkness was just falling. We had to drive very carefully. We want to defend our position tomorrow and make sure we do our best from stage to stage to bring home a podium finish in WRC2.’

# 31 Marijan Griebel (GER) / Tobias Braun (GER), Skoda Fabia RS (Rally 2)

‘It was a great experience to be back in the big circus after such a long break. We knew beforehand that the stakes were extremely high - every bend where you don't drive at the limit, there are four, five or six people making up time. For my taste, we could have been a little faster on two of the special stages, but we already had less light on the track than the competitors who had started ahead of us. But we're within striking distance of the established competition and there's not a scratch on the car - so we're really happy.’

# 39 Jan Černý (CZE) / Ondřej Krajča (CZE), Ford Fiesta Rally3 (Rally 3)

‘It was a perfect day for us. We only had braking problems on SS 4, but the rest went great. We had good pace and will continue to push tomorrow. We are within striking distance of the podium and will give everything to finish in the top three in the class.’

# 40 Filip Kohn (CZE) / Tom Woodburn (GBR), Ford Fiesta Rally3 (Rally 3)

‘We had a good feeling today, we just didn't feel completely comfortable in the car on the final special stage. Tomorrow will be good special stages to attack - and that's what we intend to do. They will be high-speed stages and I will try everything.’

# 43 Hermann Gassner (GER) / Michael Wenzel (GER), Renault Clio Rally3 (Rally 3)

‘It's positive that we're finally here. I wasn't entirely happy with the set-up today and was surprised at how slippery it was in the Czech Republic. But we didn't make any mistakes either, so we can work on it tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Our main aim today was to survive, and that worked out. Now we're looking forward to the home stages.’