Reigning world champion Sebastien Ogier snatched the lead of the Coates Hire Rally Australia in dramatic fashion after dominating the two Super Special stages.
The Volkswagen driver was in full attack mode for the showpiece 1.5km stage in front of a bumper Coffs Harbour crowd as he grabbed the overall lead by 0.4 seconds from team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala.
Ogier topped the times on both runs through the stage with his second tour producing a stage best time of 1.35.6s.
“I tried to push all day in slippery conditions so am really really pleased as it was not an easy job,” said Ogier
Andreas Mikkelsen moved into third overall just 3.1 seconds adrift of Ogier to complete an impressive day for the German manufacturer.
Just 7.9s covered the top five in what proved to be one of the hardest fought opening legs of the season.
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Citroen’s Kris Meeke had held a 2.1s lead heading into the two runs on the day ending Super Special but was unable to match the pace of Ogier and the entire Volkswagen team.
The Northern Irishman’s advantage turned into a 4.1s deficit as he struggled to finish in eighth and ninth respectively which dropped him to fourth in the standings.
M-Sport’s Mikko Hirvonen ended the day in fifth position ahead of Hayden Paddon with the Kiwi the top Shell Hyundai World Rally Team entrant.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Chris Atkinson will begin the second day of action in 11th spot for Hyundai.
Coates Hire Rally Australia Leading Times after SS8
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | Gap |
| 1 | Sebastien Ogier | Volkswagen | 58:05.8s | |
| 2 | Jari-Matti Latvala | Volkswagen | 58:06.2s | +0.4s |
| 3 | Andreas Mikkelsen | Volkswagen | 58:09.3s | +3.5s |
| 4 | Kris Meeke | Citroen | 58:09.9s | +4.1s |
| 5 | Mikko Hirvonen | M-Sport Ford | 58:13.7s | +7.9s |
| 6 | Hayden Paddon | Hyundai | 58:52.2s | +46.4s |
| 7 | Mads Ostberg | Citroen | 58:56.1s | +50.3s |
| 8 | Robert Kubica | M-Sport Ford | 59:03.4s | +57.6s |
| 9 | Elfyn Evans | M-Sport Ford | 59:36.3s | +1:30.5s |
| 10 | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | 1:00.55.2s | +2:08.4s |
| 11 | Chris Atkinson | Hyundai | 1:00.55.2s | +2.49.4s |
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