Elfyn Evans is right in the hunt for a podium finish as he looks to put an end to his recent rally pain in Spain.
The Dolgellau-born ace and co-driver Daniel Barritt are third overall after the opening gravel stages of the RallyRACC Catalunya – Rally de España after a succession of consistently competitive stage times.
And Evans would have been second overnight but for a 10th place finish on thee final stage which dropped his below Dani Sordo by less than three seconds.
Estonia’s Ott Tanak leads with a 30 secs advantage over thad-placed Evans.
“It’s been a pretty strong day for us but I was disappointed to have given so much time away on that last stage – I would have preferred not to have done that,” who now tackles the asphalt stages.
“But Saturday is another day and the gaps are so close that you could almost start a new rally – it’s going to be interesting for sure.
“It looks as though the weather could be fairly challenging and coming from Wales I’m used to a bit of rain, but we don’t have so much Tarmac so let’s wait and see what happens.
“The gaps are really small throughout the field so nothing can be taken for granted and it’s all to play for.”
http://twitter.com/MSportLtd/status/1055931752080904193
Evans’ M-Sport’s team of expert mechanics will have transformed his Fiesta into its sleek Tarmac guise overnight ready for the thrilling battles to continue with the potential threat of rain on some of the championship’s smoothest, fastest and most circuit-like sealed-surface roads providing an added challenge.
Team Principal Malcolm Wilson said: “It’s great to see Elfyn having a good day as everyone knows how much bad luck he’s had to endure this season.
“He’s been really strong all day, but just lost a little bit on that last one which dropped him from second to third.
OVERALL
CLASSIFICATION
1. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) 1:34:27.4
2. Dani Sordo / Carlos del Barrio (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +26.8
3. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC) +29.7
4. Sébastien Loeb / Daniel Elena (Citroen C3 WRC) +30.2
5. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +37.6
6. Andreas Mikkelsen / Anders Jaeger (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +39.1
7. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) +39.4
8. Craig Breen / Scott Martin (Citroen C3 WRC) +44.7
9. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +59.7
10. Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm (Toyota Yaris WRC) +1:07.4
Elfyn Evans Stage performances:
SS1: 5th (+6.0)
SS2: 3rd (+3.0)
SS3: 3rd (+5.0)
SS4: 4th (+3.9)
SS5: 4th (+1.1)
SS6: 6th (+6.9)
SS7: 10th (+18.2)