RALLY NEWS NO.1                              Felindre/Service/Friday 09.30

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2 Brechfa
1st (18) Sebastien Loeb/Daniel Elena (Citroen) 15.31.6
2nd (7) Petter Solberg/Phil Mills (Subaru) 15.32.9
3rd (4) Markko Martin/Michael Park (Ford) 15.38.1
4th (1) Marcus Gronholm/Timo Raitianen (Peugeot) 15.40.5
5th (19) Carlos Sainz/Marc Marti (Citroen) 15.50.4
6th (8) Tommi Makinen/Kaj Lindstrom (Subaru) 15.54.7
7th (17) Colin McRae/Derek Ringer (Citroen) 15.58.0
8th (5) Francois Duvan/Stephane Prevot (Ford) 16.02.1
9th (21) Gilles Panizzi/Herve Panizzi (Peugeot) 16.05.6
10th (3) Harri Rovanpera/RistoPietlainen (Peugeot) 16.09.9

Petter Solberg led this Wales Rally GB initially following the Cardiff Super Special last night, but on the first stage this morning, Brechfa, it has been Sebastien Loeb setting the pace with the a time of 13.19.6 over the 23.12 km stage.  Solberg was less than 5s adrfit, Markko Martin 4 behind Solberg.  Ironically, following all the pre event blurb about difficult conditions, fog, rain and snow were all mentioned, it is the bright autumn sunshine which is causing the drivers most difficulty.  It is pretty blinding in place, and although the weather is dry, most of the top competitors reported that first stage this morning to be pretty slippery. 

Early major happening include Carlos Sainz' Xzara being late into the stage following a problem with the in car camera recorder overheating and smoking.  We believe there was a quick re-wiring job required on the start line of the stage.  Carlos started the stage late but still set a fairly respectable time, 5th fastest.  Latest news coming in from stage 3 is however that he is in trouble again - suggestions that the Citroen is off the road.   

Rally leader Loeb reported the stage to be slippery but "so far so good".  Solberg reported a couple of half spins. Gronholm said he was getting little grip in that opening test and further news coming in is that he struggling through the Trawscoed test.   Markko Martin was well on the pace through stage 2 but his Focus was showing high temperatures, and the radiator header tank was pretty dry apparently at stage finish. Colin McRae's time was desperately disappointing through that first proper forest stage, Colin as usual saying little, but it sounded like "that just didn't work". 

Gilles Panizzi was slowed because of a puncture, Gardemeister reported "No feeling with the car". He did have some problems with the car going on to 2 wheel drive at the Cardiff super special.   Rovanpera knew he was slow in the stage but didn't really know why.  Mikko Hirvonen finished stage 2 with some rear quarter panel damage. Freddy Loix, who has taken over the unfortunate Richard Burns car, said at stage finish "It is difficult, with little testing, but we make no big mistake". 

Looking back to last night's Super Special - fastest of the Junior category drivers was Baldacci and Kris Meeke, who tied, Carlsson was 3rd. Leon Pesticcio celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday and wasn't a mile off the pace of the Baldacci and Meeke, just 4s back. Interestingly Geoff Jones was fastest gpN in his Subaru from Tomasz Kuchar, with new Production Cup World Champion Martin Rowe, 3rd.

More news to follow. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON