Abu Dhabi/Hagfors, 7th Feb. 2014 (WAM) ? With just over sixty kilometres of timed stages, day one of Rally Sweden was the shortest leg on this year?s calendar. Each focusing on different goals, the three Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team crews took advantage of the day to acquire experience in their Citroen DS3 WRCs.
Mads Ostberg and Jonas Andersson ended the day fifth overall, just 22.5 seconds behind the leaders. Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle finished inside the top 10, whilst Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi and Chris Patterson held 20th position. Rally Sweden got underway with a short, televised super special stage. After a night in Karlstad, the Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team headed for the Hagfors service park, located 85 kilometres to the north. Day?s one leg featured six stages completed without any service period, including four over the border in Norway. Looking to find the right feeling in the car, Mads Ostberg made use of the midday regroup to work on improving the set-up of his Citroen DS3 WRC. In the afternoon, the Norwegian proved to be increasingly competitive before setting the second fastest time on the final stage. He ended the day in fifth overall, within striking distance of the leaders. Kris Meeke had other aims for this rally. Making his first appearance on snow-covered roads, the Northern Irishman picked up as much experience as possible during the first few tests. Ending the first leg in tenth place overall was just rewards for the hard work he has so far put in. Handed a penalty for a false start at the beginning of the race, Khalid Al Qassimi made steady progress up through the standings to reach twentieth position on the day?s final test. Nine stages are scheduled for day 2 featuring a total of 532 kilometres, with 117kms of timed stages. After SS16, the competitors will drive their cars into parc ferme in Karlstad at 7.40pm. Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi: "We were fairly cautious this morning. I felt more comfortable in the quick sections. Chris and I also need to get our bearings in the car. This is the first time we have competed together. We?re still making adjustments to the pace notes. I?m trying to find the right balance in my driving style. As I grow in confidence, I think I can push harder."Mads Ostberg: "It has been an interesting first leg. The surface was quite slippery this morning with a mix of fresh snow and slush. Our set-up wasn?t ideal this morning, but we managed to make some improvements before the second loop. My driving was also better in the afternoon. When there was a bit of gravel, I felt more confident. We?re moving in the right direction."Kris Meeke: "I have to say I really enjoyed myself today. Finnskogen is one of the greatest stages that I have driven on in my career. There has been a bit of snow and the temperatures have dropped since we did recce. I?m not too bothered about where I am in the standings ? the times only serve as a benchmark for me. I?m pleased with the car and the conditions are pretty good. We have to keep doing the same thing tomorrow."Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2014.
