By Paul Evans
Elfyn Evans admits that there are “very few positives to take” after another difficult day at Rally Sweden, during which he’s uncharacteristically struggled to set even top 10 stage times.
Co-driven by Daniel Barritt, the 29-year Dolgellau driver has lacked the confidence in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS WRC’s grip that is so essential for setting top times over the snow and ice-covered forest stages – although there is no questioning his determination and never-give-up spirit.
“I still didn’t feel massively comfortable. The balance in the car is changing from oversteer to understeer. We’ll keep working on it,” said Elfyn at the end of SS10, the second stage of the day.
Stuck in 11th position is not what Elfyn had aimed for, but try as he might, breaking into the top 10 was proving difficult to achieve.
“We had a pretty big spin in there, not ideal,” said Elfyn after SS13. “The car is working better now, giving me more confidence. Perhaps a bit too much!”
After another eight tricky winter stages today – including the Vargåsen test, which contains the famous ‘Colin’s Crest’ where an award in the name of the late Colin McRae is given for the longest jump – Elfyn completed the day still in 11th place, some 4mins 53.7secs behind the leader.
It’s been a magnificent day for Irishman Craig Breen and co-driver Scott Martin, who have set four top three fastest time, including an unbeaten run over SS12, in their Citroen DS3 WRC to split the dominant Hyundai drivers and to move up to second.
With one day remaining, Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul still lead in their Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC, heading into tomorrow final three stages.
Positions after SS16
1. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)….2hrs23m23.8s
2. Craig Breen / Scott Martin (Citroen DS3 WRC)….+27.7
3. Andreas Mikkelsen / Ander Jaeger (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)….+32.0
4. Hayden Paddon / Seb Marshall (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)….+48.6
5. Mads Østberg / Torstein Eriksen (Citroen DS3 WRC)….+56.8
6. Esapekka Lapp / Janne Ferme (Toyota Yaris WRC) +1:05.8
11. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC) +4:53.7