Welshman had the speed to challenge for victory only for puncture to blow chances.
M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin had the speed to challenge for another home-soil victory at this weekend’s Wales Rally GB, but Welsh hearts were broken early on when the returning heroes picked up a puncture through the first pass of Penmachno (SS3).
The puncture cost them 43.3 seconds to the leading pack, but seven fastest stage times later they finished just 48.6 seconds adrift of the win – proving that they and their EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC had the ability to challenge for the top positions.
Despite their weekend not going to plan, Evans and Martin remain upbeat – coming out on top in their final-day battle for fifth place and knowing that they have the speed and the confidence to challenge for the top results when the FIA World Rally Championship travels to the final rounds in Spain and Australia.