Nothing went to plan for local rally co-driver, Ross Whittock from Radstock. This home event, as part of the World Rally Championship, did not get off to a good start after the excellent run of results in previous events.
Chris Ingram and Ross in the Toksport WRT/11° Skoda R5 rally car started the run of bad luck on Thursday, before the start of the rally. Organisers arrange a special venue where competitors can shake the cars down ready for the start. Chris and Ross did not start this when a part on the cooling system failed and allowed the car to overheat.
After an easy repair on Friday morning, the start proper, the event headed into the forests of North Wales, which saw them both on the pace through special stage 1, 2 and 3, but on stage 4, the famous Penmachno stage, they slipped wide on a muddy corner, rode a small embankment, and firmly lodged themselves in a bog. With no hope of removal, and in an area where spectators were not allowed, their hopes were over. World Rally rules allow cars to be repaired overnight and restart the next day with heavy penalties, so this allowed the two stars for the future to come out again on Saturday and Sunday to gain experience and knowledge in time for 2019.
With the finish on the promenade in Llandudno, the event was won by Seb Ogier in the Ford Fiesta WRC just ten seconds in front of second place Jarri Latvala in the Toyota Yaris WRC.