Volkswagen’s Sebastien Ogier heads into the second day of Rally Australia with a lead of 20 seconds over Citroen driver Mikko Hirvonen.
The Frenchman could wrap up his first World Rally Championship title during competition around Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast on Sunday.
He made his intentions clear with the fastest times on seven of Friday’s eight stages.
Hirvonen is not in contention for the world title but, having won Rally Australia three times in the past (2006, 2009, 2011), he is keen to add another victory to his tally.
A further 18 seconds back in third place is Ford’s Thierry Neuville, who is 75 points behind Ogier in the drivers’ championship.
After Friday night’s two Super Specials in the heart of Coffs Harbour, Citroen recruit Kris Meeke is in fourth place while Ogier’s teammate Jari-Matti Latvala rounds out the top five, 58.2 seconds behind his Volkswagen colleague.
Local driver Nathan Quinn, in his first run in a WRC-specification car, goes into the second day in ninth place in his MINI.
To secure the title this weekend, Ogier must pick up nine points more than Neuville and one more than Latvala.
Saturday has four forest stages including two runs over the longest section of the whole event, the 49.90km Nambucca stage.
“I think on this stage everyone will be having a lot of fun,” said Ogier, who has a simple plan for the last two days of the event.
“We will be trying to control the gap but at the end of the rally I will be happy to have just one-tenth [over the field].”
There will be a further two Super Specials in the town on Saturday night and the event finishes in Coffs Harbour on Sunday afternoon.