The final round of the 2002 FIA World Rally Championship kicked off this evening with a spectacular start in the heart of Wales’ capital city, Cardiff. Father Christmas was one of the stars of the show and the world’s most famous seasonal visitor left his sleigh and reindeer behind as he abseiled onto the start ramp, marking the start of the Rally of Great Britain.

Britain’s reigning World Rally Champion Richard Burns also marked the beginning of the festive season by switching on the city’s Christmas lights, to the delight of tens of thousands of rally fans and late-night shoppers. The 85 competing crews then proceeded through the city and out to the docks where they thrilled a capacity crowd of 15,000 as they raced head-to-head round the 2.45 kilometre purpose-built super special stage.

Markko Märtin takes the early lead for Ford in the Rally of Great Britain, the Estonian posting a time six-tenths of a second ahead of his nearest rival, Petter Solberg (Subaru). The competition was however tight and the Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crew of François Delecour and Dominique Savignoni head the team’s assault, the French pair 5.3 seconds adrift. Jani Paasonen and Arto Kapanen, in their first outing together in Britain, hold 19th position, 6.6 seconds adrift, while Justin Dale and Andrew Bargery lie 21st.

"There were lots of people and it was good fun", said Jani. "The stage was getting quicker with each car as the mud and water cleared off the surface, but it was good, I’m happy".

Adding to his comments, team-mate Justin Dale said: "It’s good to finally get going on the first stage after the build-up of the past week. It’s settled my nerves for the morning, because we had a good steady run through the stage".

While the Rally of Great Britain is not a round of the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship, there are nevertheless a host of leading contenders in Group N machinery. No fewer than 20 drivers are contesting the event and, in current form, the 17 Mitsubishi crews are sure to feature highly.

Tomorrow marks the first full day of competition as the crews head into the Welsh forests for five special stages before returning to the city for a second run at the super special.