The Great Britain rally has kicked off with some difficult weather conditions for both drivers and the public.
Valentino Rossi has started his rally adventure after having warmed up in the Monza Rally Show in November.
In the Thursday Shakedown, the fastest on the track was Mikko Hirvonen, driver for BP Ford Abu Dhabi Team, preceding the other specialists, Petter Solberg for Subaru and Loeb for Citroen.
Valentino is at the wheel of his Ford Focus WRC Stobart in 17th position, clocking a time of 2.
41.
7 on the 3.
9 km circuit in the Penllergaer forest.
This is a position 16 seconds behind the leader, but only now, after the Cardiff Millenium Stadium ceremony and test drive, will the race really start with eight specials and timed races in the bad English weather.
Rossi, who is gaining most of the attention, raced last time the GB Rally in 2002, making some excellent times before crashing the Subaru after the start.
Rossi’s last appearance in the Fia WRC was at the New Zealand Rally where he finished with a respectable 11th position.
Rossi has managed to race with his favourite number, 46, which Finnish driver Jari Ketomaa gave him for this weekend.
Below are the results from the Shakedown Great Britain Rally for Fia WRC:1.
Hirvonen 2:25.
62.
P.
Solberg: 2.
26.
53.
Loeb: 2:27.
04.
Sordo 2:27.
25.
Latvala 2:28.
16.
Duval: 2:29.
07.
Atkinson: 2:29.
28.
Wilson: 2:30.
29.
Andersson: 2:30.
410.
Ogier: 2:30.
611.
Gardemeister: 2:31.
712.
Ostberg: 2:32.
213.
H.
Solberg: 2:33.
814.
Clark: 2:34.
615.
Al Qassimi: 2:36.
816.
Rautenbach: 2:37.
417.
Rossi: 2:41.
718.
Jones: 2:45.
219.
Weston: 2:46.
020.
Perez: 2:47.
521.
Boland: 2:53.
9