Patrik Flodin continues to top the Production Car World Rally Championship classification on Wales Rally GB but it could have been a different story had the Swede lost control of his Subaru Impreza on the day’s penultimate stage.
Flodin began the 4.01-kilomete Sweet Lamb test with a comfortable margin of four minutes over Martin Semerad. Although he maintained his advantage by winning the stage he admitted he feared he could have been in big trouble.
“We’re on safe mode and don’t want to take too many risks,” said Flodin, who will secure second in the final PWRC standings if he remains in front on Sunday’s final six stages. “It’s difficult to stay focused when you are not fighting so we can’t lose the concentration as we’re eager to get this win. I’ve been really enjoying it but I had a really scary moment [on stage 16] and we nearly rolled after hitting a hole after the jump.”
Semerad, who is second overnight, reported suffering from a lack of traction and understeer in his Mitsubishi Lancer. Benito Guerra is third despite damaging his car’s radiator on the second Sweet Lamb stage. The Mexican had earlier picked up 20 seconds in time penalties for starting stage 14 two minutes behind schedule when he had to change a punctured tyre prior to the start.
Nicolas Fuchs is fourth with Dmitry Tagirov fifth. Majed Al Shamsi completes the top six with Michal Kosciuszko battling back from his retirement on the road section heading to overnight parc ferme in Cardiff on Friday to hold seventh.
The Pole completed Friday’s final test in second overall but stopped three kilometres from the parc ferme with an electrical fault. He had to restart on day three under SupeRally regulations.
“I’m a bit disappointed to have lost the podium,” said Kosciuszko. “Now we’re just driving and trying to finish this rally.”
Briton Harry Hunt leads the Production Car Cup for Drivers of 2WD Cars despite losing four minutes with a turbo failure on Saturday’s opening run.