Ahlin can compete in WRC2 at Wales Rally GB despite Isle of Man engine failure WIN

Fredrik Ahlin will compete in WRC2 on Wales Rally GB with a new powerplant, after engine problems on the Rally Isle of Man in September seemed set to rule him out.

Ahlin will stick with the team who steered him to victory on the Pirelli Carlisle Stages in the British Rally Championship this year – CA1 Sport – and will be partnered by regular team-mates David Bogie (WRC2 in a Skoda Fabia R5) and Thomas Preston (National Rally in a Fabia R5).

On the Isle of Man, Ahlin’s engine blew, but has now been repaired by M-sport.

Ahlin believes his frontrunning pace in the British series will put him at the front with the other WRC2 pacesetters.

“On gravel the pace has been good all year and consistent,” said Ahlin. “The first two gravel events went really well, we had some bad luck after that. The propshaft went in Scotland, there was nothing we could do about that. I feel very confident, I think we can go there and do very well and we need to drive like we’ve done on gravel this year. We’re quite confident we can go in with a very high pace.” ● The two leading CA1 entries will have new co-drivers on Wales Rally GB. Andrew Roughead joins Ahlin for the first time, while Bogie will be partnered by Kevin Rae after work commitments prevented the Scot competing for the whole BRC season.

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