By Paul Evans

Elfyn Evans has made a steady start to Wales Rally GB, completing a very slippery opening stage at the Oulton Park motor racing circuit without drama.

His time of 2mins 59.8secs was, however, over 12 seconds off the fastest time set by Kris Meeke/Seb Marshall (Toyota), leaving the Dolgellau driver outside the top 20.

But fear not, because the short 3.58km blast around a venue better known for hosting motorbike and touring car races is nothing compared to what’s to follow over the next three days, with tomorrow’s route through Dyfnant, Aberhirnant, Elsi and Penmachno forests (not to mention the Slate Mountain stage) a full 116kms in length.

Together with co-driver Scott Martin, Evans was just pleased to get his first FIA World Rally Championship stage since Rally Italy on 16 June completed, as he returns to the series after injury.

“It’s been a difficult time to be off but it doesn’t get much easier being back here tonight – it was tough,” said the M-Sport Ford driver. “I’m definitely looking forward to tomorrow so let’s see what we can do.”

The star of the opening stage was four time Rally GB winner Petter Solberg, who is being reunited for one last time on his swansong appearance by Newtown-based co-driver Phil Mills, who he has encouraged out of retirement for one last rally. The 2003 world champions head back to Llandudno tonight third overall, which is a dream start in their Volkswagen Polo GTI R5.

On his first stage in a Hyundai i20 R5, double British Rally Champion Matt Edwards set the seventh fastest time – beating the likes of works WRC superstars Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota), Craig Breen (Hyundai) and series leader Ott Tänak (Toyota). Tom Cave/Dale Furniss were 13 seconds behind Edwards in a similar car.