13 Sep 12

Novikov moved
forward in Wales

Evgeny Novikov won't run as far back on Wales Rally GB as he intended after the Wales Rally GB stewards took the decision to reposition the Russian ace on the starting order for day one of the FIA World Rally Championship qualifier.

Novikov had selected 14th position at the ceremonial start in Llandudno earlier this evening but the stewards, which include double world champion co-driver Timo Rautiainen, have decided the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team pilot will now start 12th on the road after he was moved ahead of Jan Habig and Paulo Nobre on grounds of safety.

Habig, a vastly successful driver from South Africa, is competing in World Rally Car for the first time, while Nobre is in his first full season of competition in a MINI John Cooper Works WRC.

Thirty-one crews will start the Cardiff-based event, which begins with the first of 19 stages at 08:13hrs local time on Friday.