Rali Ceredigion – Saturday Update
What a day today has been. We hit the stages hard from the first bit of asphalt and ended it leading the field by 7.3 seconds heading into tomorrow’s finale. It could not have gone better.
We kicked off on the moors with SS2 and I managed to nick the top time from Romet Jürgenson by six tenths of a second. That stage win moved us into the overall rally lead by three tenths ahead of Miko Marczyk, who had been out front after Friday. It was the perfect way to start the morning.
Next up was Y Diafol, which translates as The Devil, and it really lived up to its name. I spun at one point and clipped a gate post, but luckily it was only cosmetic damage and we got away with it. Romet took his first stage win there and the fight was really on.
In the afternoon loop we put our heads down. On SS6 we pulled more than three seconds clear of Romet and built some breathing room. He matched our pace on SS7 so the pressure stayed on right until the last stage of the day. But we held firm and brought the car back with a healthy advantage.
Standing at service with the team afterwards we allowed ourselves a moment to take it in. I said to the media, “It was a good day, only one mistake… it’s quite close between me and Romet which makes it a little bit easier from that side but also more difficult because you just have to keep driving with a good rhythm and not having to manage a big lead.”
The stages today were long, technical and constantly changing in grip, so staying sharp was vital. Ending the day 7.3 seconds in front gives us the perfect launchpad into Sunday, but we know the job is far from done. The weather forecast is looking unsettled and the final stages are always where rallies are decided.
Massive thanks to everyone who came out into the hills and lined the stages. The support has been unreal and it fuels you in those tight corners when the mind is racing. Tonight it is all about rest, debrief with the team and keeping everything tight for the final day. We have the lead, but tomorrow we fight for victory.
— Jon
