Friday PWRC wrap: Flodin profits from Nikara exit

Patrik Flodin’s bid to finish runner-up in the Production Car World Rally Championship is on course after he completed day two of Wales Rally GB leading the category by more than two and a half minutes in his Subaru Impreza.

Flodin, from Sweden, had been trailing Jarkko Nikara in the battle for victory in Wales only for the Finn to suffer a spin on the first Dyfnant stage and drop 9.9s behind Flodin heading into the afternoon loop of stages. A close fight ensued before Nikara went off the road the day’s final stage and retired, handing Flodin a clear advantage.

“It was quite okay today but the conditions were tricky,” said Flodin, who is being co-driven by Timo Alanne for the first time this week after Goran Bergsten, his regular navigator was unable to travel to Wales due to work commitments. “We still need to get used to each other and build a good relationship but it’s working well so far.”

Michal Kosciuszko is second overall in a Mitsubishi Lancer with Martin Semerad third after the Czech was slowed by a mechanical glitch in the morning when his Lancer’s engine dropped onto three cylinders.

Kosciuszko is more than 20 seconds in front of Semerad and has vowed not to take any risks. “We’re currently on the podium which is the aim of the weekend,” said Kosciuszko. “The rally is very long though so we hope to continue like this.”

Welsh wildcard Jason Pritchard, who lives in Builth Wells where the permanent service park is housed, is fourth overnight with Benito Guerra fifth with Majed Al Shamsi sixth in his Abu Dhabi Junior Team-run Subaru.

Nikara wasn’t the only driver to hit trouble on day two: Ukrainian Oleksandr Saliuk also failed to complete stage 11 after going off the road in his Mitsubishi.