Freddy Loix continues to have a serene run at the head of the Rally Madeira, while problems beset many of the series' regular frontrunners in his wake.
The Skoda guest driver is now 35 seconds ahead of his teammate Jan Kopecky, whose second place is looking extremely secure after reigning Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Kris Meeke was forced to retire earlier today.
The Peugeot driver had an early scare when he had to carry out rapid alternator repairs at the end of SS15. He bounced back by winning SS16 and reclaiming second from Kopecky, only to then retire on SS17 with an oil leak.
That moved local driver Miguel Nunes up to third, with championship leader Juho Hanninen having dropped back to fourth with a puncture. He is 4.9sec behind Nunes with three stages to go.