Series leader Sebastien Ogier has overcome slippery conditions on the NSW Coffs Coast to finish fastest in the opening forest stages of Rally Australia on Friday.
The Volkswagen driver, who leads the World Rally Championship standings by 75 points and could clinch the title this weekend, topped the timesheets in the each of the three morning events.
He now holds an 8.8-second buffer over Kris Meeke, with three-time Rally Australia winner Mikko Hirvonen a further 0.2 seconds back in third.
Volkswagen’s Andreas Mikkelsen, who started the day in the lead after posting impressive runs in the opening two stages on Thursday night, slipped back to sixth.
Ogier’s nearest rivals for the crown, Thierry Neuville (Ford) and Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen), currently sit in fourth and eighth spot (25.6 seconds and 44.9 seconds behind) respectively.
Dry and dusty conditions forced organisers to extend by one minute the gap between cars.
Ogier had the benefit of starting the day in ninth, allowing other drivers to sweep the road ahead of him.
“It was okay. Quite a slippery stage and I think an advantage to be back of the road,” Ogier said.
“It was not a good stage for me but I’m looking forward to the rest of the rally.”
Latvala started third and paid the price, losing valuable time on the way through the first stage with a spin.
“It was quite slippy to be honest on this stage,” he said.
“We spun and somehow the front left took more grip than the other wheels and we went round. Anyway my target for this rally is to make sure I get to the end.”
Local Coffs Harbour driver Nathan Quinn had the hardest task, with his WRC-specification Mini – the only one in the rally – the first car on the road.
“It might not have been fast but it was for the brave – a dream come true while trying to learn to drive the car. I really enjoyed it though,” Quinn said.
The central leg of the 10th round of the season continues late on Friday afternoon ahead of another night session.