McRae Hopes for Drier Stages

Despite the skies in Wales being clear this morning, the opening two stages in the Welsh forests still had wet patches from overnight rain. McRae, driving on his first WRC event in nearly two years, believed this made it difficult to learn more about the Skoda Fabia and push hard.

He currently lies in ninth after setting the sixth fastest time through SS3, Rheola, which he said was drier, allowing him to push the car further.

"When it is wet it is a bit more difficult, but if it dries out I will increase the speed," McRae said.

"The first two stages were difficult and it was so easy to make a mistake and that's the last thing I want to do at the moment. I went as quick as I felt safe going.

"Trying to learn the car with inconsistent stages makes it very difficult. The drying out on SS3 helped us a bit and the stage was more consistent and it wasn't not heart in the mouth stuff - it was a bit more relaxing.

"Everything is working ok and there were no problems with the car ­and that's the main thing."

McRae also acknowledged the support from his fans, who are lining the stages to cheer the home driver.

"There has been lots of support out here from the fans, which I always pleased to have. The crowd reaction doesn't surprise me at all and on Rally GB it has always been very strong."