Andreas Mikkelsen and Ola Fløene finished in 9th place in Rally Ireland, their best WRC result to date.

The achievement is more impressive given the impact of a string of technical niggles which plagued their Ford Focus WRC 05 throughout the weekend, and Andreas's driving in SS18 when he was third quickest in spite of a puncture, is testament to his potential.

Rally Ireland got off to a good start for Andreas and Ola in Friday's Leg 1.  They had hydraulics problems which meant changing the gearbox and hydraulics systems during service and continued to plague them throughout the day, but they were able to complete all the stages and collect experience.

Andreas said, "It was really slippery here today, unbelievably muddy!  It was like driving on ice so totally crazy.  We had a couple of problems with the car but I'm happy with my driving today and we didn't let the car niggles get us down.

We didn't give up, just kept on going.  The roads aren't as technical as I was expecting but we're having good fun and can't wait to do it again tomorrow."

Heavy rain made the Rally Ireland roads even more slippery on Saturday and Andreas Mikkelsen tackled the challenge with style.  Driving without differentials on many of the stages, he was forced to use some spectacular sideways slides to get round the tight corners, to the delight of the cheering spectators.

"We kept the car on the road today which was not easy at all and quite hard work at times but we are having such fun here," Andreas said on Saturday evening.  "I´m happy with my own driving,  it´s just a little bit frustrating that there have been a few problems with the car.

It´s been so reliable until now.  I can´t complain though as we are really enjoying ourselves and we´re doing well to have completed so many stages."

Friday's hydraulic and gearshift problems meant that the car was running normally for only three special stages, whilst front differentials caused headaches on Saturday.

On Sunday the car ran as smoothly as it should but three punctures in four stages meant they were driving with two wheels punctured by the rally finish.

Andreas said, "It's been an eventful rally for us and we've had some problem or other to cope with almost all the time. There's only been a handful of stages where the car was normal.

When you take all that into account it's pretty good to finish 9th overall and even to have been third in one of Sunday's stages.

It was fantastic fun to drive in Ireland, really great!  Not long to go before we're back on the road in Wales and I can't wait."