Aiming for top 3 at Wales Rally GB

Aiming for top 3 at Wales Rally GB

In only his second rally with Hyundai Motorsport, Andreas Mikkelsen aims for a podium position. – We had a good test in Wales, and I know it can be done, he says.

The Norwegian made a strong and impressive performance in his first rally with Hyundai Motorsport earlier this month, when he was leading Rally Spain after the first day. Together with co-driver Anders Jaeger, he was fastest on the gravel stages, but as expected, it was a bit more challenging on the asphalt. With Wales Rally GB being an all gravel event, Andreas Mikkelsen is positive ahead of the penultimate round, even with not the best starting position.

- My starting-position is not the best, but it should be possible with a good result even if I do start late in the field. I will be very happy to finish with a podium position, being realistic victory should not be possible – but of course, not impossible! Starting late is usually a good thing on a gravel event, but with the muddy stages in Wales, it’s not.

Even though Wales Rally GB is a gravel event, the stages are mostly described as muddy.

- It’s a very unpredictable event. The weather plays a key role with fast changes. Rain, wind, fog and even icy roads, you can have it all in one stage. One of the challenges in Wales are the constant changing grip. In one corner, you can be surprised of how good the grip is, while in the next corner there is no grip at all. It is a gravel event, but it is mostly mud on every stage, add some rain and it becomes a very slippery mud-bath on the medium-fast roads, Andreas explains.

This will be the seventh time Andreas competes at Wales Rally GB, and it was in Wales in 2006 that the now 28-year-old competed at his first WRC-event. – It’s almost like home, I have so many good memories about the area and I really enjoyed my time there.

Wales Rally GB is based in Deeside, and kicks off with a spectator stage on Thursday evening at 19:00.

Itinerary Wales Rally GB

Thursday 26 October
19:00 SS1 Tir Prince (1,49km)

Friday 27 October
07:15 Service Deeside
10:20 SS2 Myherin 1 (20,28km)
11:00 SS3 Sweet Lamb 1 (4,24km)
11:15 SS4 Hafren 1 (35,14km)
13:23 Newtown Tyre & Light Fitting Zone
14:31 SS5 Myherin 2 (20,28km)
15:11 SS6 Sweet Lamb 2 (4,24km)
15:26 SS7 Hafren 2 (35,14km)
20:01 FlexiService Deeside

Saturday 28 October
06:10 Service Deeside
07:55 SS8 Aberhirnant 1 (13,91km)
08:47 SS9 Dyfnant 1 (17,91km)
09:59 SS10 Gartheiniog 1 (12,61km)
10:28 SS11 Dyfi 1 (25,86km)
12:08 SS12 Gartheiniog 2 (12,61km Live TV)
12:37 SS13 Dyfi 2 (25,86km)
15:48 SS14 Cholmondeley Castle (1,80km)
16:55 Service Deeside
18:55 SS15 Aberhirnant 2 (13,91km)
19:47 SS16 Dyfnant 2 (17,91km)
22:26 FlexiService Deeside

Sunday 29 October
07:00 Service Deeside
08:34 SS17 Alwen 1 (10,41km)
09:08 SS18 Brenig 1 (6,43km)
10:06 SS19 Gwydir (7,49km)
11:09 SS20 Alwen 2 (10,41km)
12:18 SS21 Brenig 2 (PowerStage 6,43km)

All the best,

Andreas
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