2014 Wales Rally GB - Shakedown


Andreas Mikkelsen posted fastest time in his Volkswagen Polo WRC at this morning's Wales Rally GB shakedown stage, three tenths of a second faster than his fellow Polo drivers Sebastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala, tied on second quickest over the two-mile Clocaenog stage, thus ensuring Volkswagen a clean sweep for the German manufacturer. The popular Norwegian had completed four runs in the test and clinched the scratch time on his third attempt.

Mikkelsen is chasing his maiden WRC win in Wales this week, but will face huge competition from both Ogier and Latvala. With both the drivers' and manufacturers' championships sorted, the Volkswagen crews have been given the green light to fight for outright victory on this weekend's rally.

M-Sport's Robert Kubica was best of the rest, nine tenths of a second off Mikkelsen and one tenth ahead of Ott Tanak. The Estonian is back in a Fiesta RS WRC for this event and running a new-specification DMACK tyre. British drivers Kris Meeke - Citroen and Elfyn Evans - M-Sport were tied in sixth spot. Meeke was keen to get as much running under his DS3 WRC as possible and completed seven runs as the 14 miles stage represents his only gravel testing for this, his home round of the WRC after the Citroen team had elected not to run a pre-event test.

The Wales Rally GB is Elfyn Evans's home event with two of the stages almost within earshot of his home and fortunately these two stages will be used twice during the rally, offering the Welshman a great opportunity to stamp his mark on the results.

The International Rally Drivers Club wishes all its members who will be competing in the rally a safe and successful event. Among the 95 competitors in the National Rally is IRDC chairman Shaun Martin, practising what he preaches and driving his familiar Subaru Impreza, co-driven this year by Iestyn Williams. It will be the venerable Impreza's fifth Wales Rally GB.

13th November, 2014