Sweden - fun on the shakedown

[SJ Spode]

Rally-live.com are reporting crews having problems with the conditions on the shakedown.

Apparently the temperature is around zero degrees so the snow / ice is only just freezing and whilst the drivers who went first benefited from the snow covering, it had turned to mud for the others. Drivers having fun included;

Markko Martin. Serious damaged to front of his Focus WRC when he went off the road. Crew fine but he may not make the ceremonial start at 19H00 this evening. Harri Rovanpera. Knocked his Peugeot 206 damaging the windscreen during his last run. Francois Delecour had a moment but hit nothing & Toni Gardemeister planted his Skoda in a snowdrift and had to shovel his car out before he could restart and continue.

Gilles Panizzi led the shakedown session time-wise,and both Citroen's look to be on the pace. (Can Loeb really prove to be rallying's boy wonder)

[SJ Spode]

Autosport.com are reporting that Markko Martin is out as the Ford team failed to repair his car in time for scrutineering. He could have used the spare Focus if that hadn't already been used after Sainz's elk-collection activities earlier in the week.

It's a pity, Markko could have done well this weekend.

[domaza]

Oh my god, just heard the same from TV. Markko, my guy, is out of the rally. What a shame, when will he have some luck. With Subaru he had only problems and it starts the same way again.

Uhh, Markko, Estonia is with you - show them next time, what u r capable of!

[Speedworx]

Its a shame Markko Martin is out. I have one less of my favourites to cheer.