Volkswagen Polo R WRCs fill the top three slots at the end of the opening day of competition in LOTOS Rally Poland with reigning FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier heading the charge. Ott Tanak was however an early pace-setter, the Fiesta driver leading for four of the day’s eight stages before slipping back with tyre and brake issues. Andreas Mikkelsen has enjoyed a strong day of competition and overnights in second while Jari-Matti Latvala moved into the final provisional podium position at the end of the day, benefitting from Tanak’s problems.

Rally Poland got underway last night with the first of three runs around the Mikołajki super special stage, where Ogier narrowly edged out Polish star Robert Kubica for the stage victory. Today, however, crews were faced with a long day of competition covering nearly 150 competitive kilometres, crucially with no service. Fastest time in the first stage saw Mikkelsen jump into the lead, but Tanak powered ahead in the next, the Estonian setting a string of four fastest times, steadily increasing his advantage stage by stage to 9.3 seconds by the mid-day tyre change zone. This afternoon he fared less well, soft compound tyres hampering his charge and while he held on to his lead in stage 6, he slipped back to third with an intermittent brake problem and worn tyres, and then lost his provisional podium position in the penultimate stage. Tanak’s problems this afternoon, coupled with two stage victories, enabled Ogier to pull ahead after the seventh stage. Mikkelsen, who had high hopes of a top result in Poland, isn’t disappointing and while the Norwegian has had one off-road excursion, an otherwise faultless performance sees him in a close battle for victory. Latvala and Ogier traded positions for most of the morning, the Finn lying third overnight after a few mistakes but he too remains within striking distance of the lead.

Behind the top four, Haydon Paddon has climbed to fifth and he, Robert Kubica and Thierry Neuville are all evenly matched and split by just a handful of seconds this evening. Neuville has had a couple of moments during the day, as well as a problem with the pace notes. Kris Meeke hasn’t had a great start to Rally Poland. The Citroën driver rolled heavily during shakedown on Thursday and was lucky to take the start. He then stalled on the start line of last night’s super special stage and has been climbing his way back up the leaderboard from 17th overall since. He then went off the road this afternoon, but holds eighth this evening. Team-mate Mads Østberg has also struggled and the Norwegian then incurred a 10 second penalty for a jump start in the penultimate stage. He is 10th, but within striking distance of ninth-placed Dani Sordo.

Lotos Rally Poland – Unofficial Results after Section 3