Fog, ice and heavy rain made the first day of Rally Japan a real challenge. The stages in Japan are known to be narrow, and the weather conditions didn’t make it easier for the drivers. 10 stages are completed today. Mikko Hirvonen is in the lead after the first leg is completed, followed by Sebastien Loeb only 10 seconds behind.

Petter set off to a good start, but lost seconds on SS5 when he slid off the road and into a ditch. He damaged the front off his car, but managed to complete the stage, only 10 seconds behind Latvala, who had the fastest time through that stage. However, on the roadsection heading to SS6 the gearbox started to trouble forcing him to retire. Both Petter and SWRT hope he will restart again tomorrow under SuperRally regulations.

Markus Grønholm was first to retire today. He went off the road on SS4, but managed to complete the stage. Later at the servicepark they found that the roll cage was damaged, and he had to retire. Chris Atkinson also had to retire, after he went off the road on SS6. Xevi Pons, who is competing in Japan for the first time, is 7th after the first day.

Rally Japan continues tomorrow with 10 stages. First car is on the road at 0713 – local time.

Overall classification Leg 1:

1. Hirvonen, Ford
2. Loeb, Citroen +10,3
3. Latvala, Ford +13,7
4. Sordo, Citroen +40,6
5. Henning, Ford +48,4
6. Stohl, Citroen +1.30,0
7. Pons, Subaru +2.02,6
8. Perez Companc, Ford +2.20,8