IT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE TO DISCOVER THAT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR.
I love wearing jumpers. I love the first frost of the season and the autumn colours. Most of all, I love traffic on the A470 just south of Mallwyd, and the smell of mud being cooked on hot exhausts next door in Dyfi.
I love Rally GB, and this year I love it just that little bit more because we have absolutely no idea who’s going to win.
Can Ott Tanak continue his exceptional run of form? He thinks so. And he tells us so in our exclusive interview – alongside his fellow championship challengers Thierry Neuville and Sebastien Ogier on page 6.
What about last year’s local hero, Elfyn Evans? He’s definitely in there with more than a fighting chance. Or previous winner Jari-matti Latvala? You can never discount a Finn, particularly not one who lists Myherin as one of his favourite stages in the world.
Let’s hope Craig Breen can break his Friday curse and give the superb Irish support plenty to cheer about. Every one of the four factory teams has at least one driver capable of topping the podium in Llandudno on Sunday.
And then there’s the subplot of the direction of the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles, and even a British Rally Championship crown to be awarded. It’s all happening on Deeside this week.
Have a fantastic rally and, wherever you go, enjoy the action, listen to the marshals and stay safe. See you on the stages.