By Paul Evans

Elfyn Evans has started this weekend’s Rally Germany by setting equal sixth fastest time over the Shakedown stage and successfully completing the opening St Wendel superspecial test in his Ford Fiesta WRC.

Co-driven by Dan Barritt, this is an important FIA World Rally Championship event for the Dolgellau driver, as he aims to improve on his current eighth place in the drivers’ standings.

He completed the opening stage tonight tied on time with Citroën driver Mads Østberg, 3.2 seconds behind leader Ott Tänak (Toyota).

“I’m really looking forward to this one,” said Evans. “The stages are looking great, so let’s wait and see.”

With the short opening stage over and done with, crews await tomorrow’s full day of action through the German vineyards, with six stages beginning with the first pass of the 12 mile Stein Und Wein test.