Hayden Paddon, the current title holder, leads Chris Ingram, who became European champion in 2019, by 21.2sec after four all-action stages in Mid Wales held in dry and sunny conditions.
Leading overall by 1.3sec following two runs through the Aberystwyth super special on Friday evening, Paddon blamed grip levels that “were changing from corner to corner” for losing out on the fastest time through SS3. But the Pirelli-equipped New Zealander was without equal on SS4, completing the 26.55km Signature Systems Llyn Brianne test 16.9sec quicker than Ingram.
“Lots of nice sights but a tricky stage, we were bouncing off all the bumps and bottoming out everywhere and the confidence is not so good when it’s like that,” the BRC Racing Team runner said.
James Williams vaulted from 10th overnight to second, 1.4sec behind Paddon, with the fastest time through SS3 for his maiden ERC stage win by 4.2sec. The Welshman said: “It was hairy. That was my home stage. What an incredible feeling to be going through there at that speed. I’m over the moon with that, I can’t put it into words.”
However, the British championship frontrunner rolled into retirement after 1.5km of SS4. Both he and co-driver Ross Whittock were uninjured. But with Williams’ stricken i20 N Rally2 blocking the road, the stage action was halted after 10 cars and will not restart.
Ingram said the set-up of his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, which he’s using in competition for the first time this weekend, was “too soft” on SS3.
With a deficit of 31.1sec to Paddon to recover, Mathieu Franceschi faces a tough task to land his first ERC victory. After completing SS4 26.0sec slower than his points rival, Michelin-equipped Franceschi, who is fifth overall behind third-placed Meirion Evans and Callum Devine, said: “I never find feeling, when I try to have good rhythm we slide. The first part of the stage was good, the feeling was nice but by the lake it was bumpy and we touched a lot with the bottom of the car.”
British championship leader William Creighton dropped back from ninth when he was forced to change a damaged front-left tyre 5.3km from the start of SS3. His M-Sport team-mate and fellow Motorsport Rally Academy driver Jon Armstrong, running behind Creighton on the road, reported losing time in dust being thrown up by the leading Ford Fiesta Rally2.
A spin at the 4.9km mark of SS4 caused further delay for Armstrong, who reported losing 20 seconds during the incident.
Despite his delay, Armstrong is sixth overall after four stages followed by Andrea Mabellini (Team MRF Tyres), Keith Cronin, Simone Tempestini, Osian Pryce and Miko Marczyk, who said he was “too cautious” through SS3. Matt Edwards is 13th following a moment on SS4.
Philip Allen, who is 12th overall, had been on course for a strong time through SS3, but an overshoot and a stall cost the Northern Irishman vital seconds. Meanwhile, Albert von Thurn und Taxis said it was “a miracle” that he completed SS3 after he spun into a ditch.
Jakub Matulka (Ford Fiesta Rally3) was on top in FIA ERC3 after three stages with Calle Carlberg leading FIA ERC3 and Junior ERC in his Opel Corsa Rally4, 12.8sec ahead of Mille Johansson, who heads the points battle in both championships.
SS5, the 14.52km Caws Cenarth Nant y Moch stage is due to get under way at 11:13 local time.
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