Mikko Hirvonen took an early initiative on the Wales Rally GB which roared into action today (FRI) following last night’s (THURS) “ceremonial start” in Cardiff.

The 27-year-old Finn who has won just three world rally championship events, led a Ford 1-2 with 2006 Wales Rally GB winner Marcus Grönholm 21.4secs behind after the opening three timed forest stages in the Vale of Neath.

Frenchman Sébastien Loeb (Citroën), aiming for a fourth successive FIA World Rally Championship Drivers’ title and only needing to finish fifth should Grönholm win, lies third a further second adrift.

Poor visibility due to fog affected the morning’s opening times trials as well as muddy conditions which saw Hirvonen fastest on all three tests.
Stage one in Port Talbot had to be abandoned after two hours when a Subaru Impreza, driven by Simon Harraway, from Somerset, went off the forest track.

The crew were uninjured but two spectators sustained minor injuries, medical services attending the scene within three minutes. Both spectators were conscious but were taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea by County Ambulance.