By Paul Evans

Esapekka Lappi set the fastest time on the opening stage of the Dayinsure Wales Rally GB to lead the event after tonight’s one mile spectator stage around the Tir Prince Raceway near Rhyl.

Co-driven by Janne Ferm, the Toyota driver set a time 0.3 seconds faster than team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila and World Rally Championship leaders Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai), while five-time world champions Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC) were fourth, a further 0.4 seconds behind.

Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja, who crashed their Toyota on the morning’s Shakedown stage in Clocaenog forest, made it all three Yaris WRCs in the top five, while Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders Jaeger completed the top six in their Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC.

Last year’s winner Elfyn Evans made a small mistake on the opening stage, which was reflected in his 13th fastest time. Partnered by Dan Barritt, the M-Sport driver is only three seconds behind the leader.

The first full day of rallying takes place in North Wales tomorrow, with tough gravel stages in Clocaenog, Penmachno and Brenig forests, plus two loops of a rocky Slate Mountain stage, held in The Slate Caverns – home to Zip World, near Blaenau Ffestiniog in Snowdonia.

Wales Rally GB – top times after SS1
1. Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm (Toyota Yaris WRC) 1min 21.6secs
2. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +0.3secs
3. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +0.3secs
4. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) +0.7secs
5. Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) +0.9secs
6. Andreas Mikkelsen / Anders Jaeger (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +1.7secs
13. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC) +3.0secs