By Paul Evans

On his return to competition, a now fully fighting fit Elfyn Evans set the second best time on today’s Wales Rally GB Shakedown stage.

Co-driven by Scott Martin in the home favourites’ M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC, the 30-year old from Dolgellau set an impressive time of 2mins 55.2 secs through the 4.68km Gwydir forest stage, equal with Citroën Total WRT team-mates Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia and Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm.

Kris Meeke/Seb Marshall set the fastest time of 2min 54.1secs in their Toyota Yaris WRC, 1.1 seconds quicker than their nearest rivals. Their Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT team-mates and World Championship leaders Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja were eighth fastest, over two seconds behind.

Crews will shortly leave the rally host town of Llandudno to travel to this afternoon’s Ceremonial Start in Liverpool, which gets underway at 16.00. The opening stage of this year’s Wales Rally GB takes place tonight, with a 3.58km spectator stage at the Oulton Park racing circuit – before the event returns to Wales for high-speed action in the forests (and on Colwyn Bay promenade and around the Great Orme) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The rally finishes in Llandudno on Sunday afternoon.