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<B>PICTURES: Mikkelsen's big crash.</B>

Andreas Mikkelsen's first outing in his new Ford Focus RS WRC 06 came to a premature end on the Wales Rally GB at the weekend when he crashed out heavily on the second day.

The Norwegian, who had been running tenth overall, went off in SS9, the 18.37 kilometre-run through Halfway 1, when he clipped a rock, which pitched his car up in the air and into several rolls.

Although the 18-year-old and his co-driver, Ola Floene escaped unhurt, the car suffered substantial damage and unsurprisingly he could not re-join on day 3 under the SupeRally format.

Ironically, although Mikkelsen had been struggling to get use to his new stead on day 1, he felt he was starting to gel with it prior to his off.

"We are getting better," he stated post-SS7. "I have a good feeling with the car but there are still lots of places where I could have more confidence. We are going well even though the steering wheel is over to the right a bit. I won my first rally around these so stages, so it's good to be back."

To see more pictures of the crash CLICK HERE.

You can also currently see footage of the crash on www.youtube.com

Just type in 'andreas mikkelsen, wales' in the search.