Frustration for McCormack, Saliuk

While Andreas Mikkelsen was able to complete stage four of Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse with a slight advantage in the lead battle, there was frustration for M-Sport Ford Fiesta pilots Marty McCormack and Oleksandr Saliuk.

McCormack punctured both tyres on the right-hand side of his PSEngineering example striking a rock on the exit of a bend, while contact left Saliuk’s Dream Team Ukraine machine with a damaged left-rear corner.

“It was my own fault,” said McCormack, who completed day one – his competitive debut in a Super 2000 car – in 12th overall. “There was a stone sitting out on the exit of a right-hand corner. It was hard to get into a rhythm after that and with no spare tyres it was just a slow run through.”

Although Saliuk, who was an impressive 11th overnight on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier, was able to leave the stage finish area, he stopped shortly afterwards and told Rally Radio’s Chris Rawes that he would be unable to continue due to suspension and brake damage.