The Rally of Great Britain, the decisive round of the FIA World Rally Championship, got underway this evening when the 121 competing crews crossed the start line outside Cardiff’s City Hall. As hundreds of fans waited eagerly to watch the crews close-up in the heart of the capital city, others poured into the purpose-built super special stage to witness the cars powering round the high-speed dual lane track in the Cardiff Docks area.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart T. Makinen / K. Lindstrom

With autumn slowly disappearing and winter rapidly approaching, darkness had fallen by mid-afternoon and, while the cool night air might have chilled the spectators, it did nothing to dampen spirits and the fans were treated to spectacular floodlit action on their doorstep.

Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen powered his Lancer Evolution WRC round the tight and twisty circuit, launching the car over the cross-over bridge and through spectacular watersplashes. Having clipped a wall in the first corner, the Finn dropped a few seconds to stage winner and arch rival Colin McRae, and overnights in 18th position after 2.45 competitive kilometres.

"We were trying a little bit hard and slid wide on the first corner", said Tommi. "The back end hit a wall and we lost a bit of time. Never mind - tomorrow is something different".

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart F. Loix / S. Smeets