The Czech star beat Erik Cais through the legendary Semetín test by 0.2sec to close to within 6.5sec of Cais, who has snatched the final podium spot from Adam Březík by 1.5sec.
“It’s good,” Hankook-equipped Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 driver Mareš said. “Normally I am not so strong in the morning stages so it’s good for me I’m awake already.”
Meanwhile, Dominik Stříteský’s overnight lead of 21.1sec has been trimmed to 14.5sec after the Hankook-equipped Czech championship pacesetter completed the 11.51-kilometre 10th stage with deflated rear-right tyre on his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
“We had the puncture form the second kilometre of the whole stage but there’s still a long way to go,” said Stříteský, who continues to head Michelin-shod Simon Wagner.
The 16.57-kilometre Pindula test, another Barum Czech Rally Zlín classic, is next from 09:16 local time.
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