Racing start for Mikko Hirvonen

Jyvaskyla, Finland: The most awaited Rally Finland got off to a great start yesterday with BP Ford Abu Dhabi's Mikko Hirvonen and Citroen's Sebastien Loeb from France engaged in a keen battle for supremacy.

It was a wet start for the rally with the picturesque City of Jyvaskyla soaked in morning rain. Hirvonen and Loeb displayed what is in store for the next three days during the 2.06 super special stages on Thursday night. Hirvonen, who holds a three point drivers' standing lead over Loeb, was piped at the post by 0.4 seconds.

The battle resumed yesterday morning but heavy showers welcomed the cars. The front runners greatly benefited from it as it bound together the loose gravel and helped Hirvonen and Loeb record quick times.

Speaking to Gulf News during a service break, Shaikh Khalid Al Qassimi of BP Ford Abu Dhabi team, said: "There are many fast stages. Due to the rain some of the places were slippery, though not too much. As the stages were very fast with lots of speed, I had to make a lot of fifth gear commitment and also indulge in big jumps. Some places were very narrow so I maintained my speed with commitment. I enjoyed it but in lots of places I backed away from taking the risks."

Loeb's display won him applause as this is a rally where non-Finns rarely sparkle yet he led through the opening five stages.

Enjoyable fight

Hirvonen raced to finish second on both runs of the 17.16km Vellipohia stage and also during the 11.38km Mokkipera pass and 13.90km Palsankyla gravel test. In the end he was sitting pretty just 6.6 seconds behind Loeb at the leg one midpoint.

"I am delighted with the way it has started," said Hirvonen. "The first stage was wet while others were damp. It was a bit slippery in the gravel on the dry road. I thoroughly enjoyed the battle with Loeb. I drove well in the fast sections but I made sure to be careful in the junctions."

Hirvonen is 17.8 seconds ahead of third-placed Citroen driver Dani Sordo. Earlier, the BP Ford Abu Dhabi team had been dealt a blow with Jari Matti Latvala forced to retire after crashing out in the Mokkipera in stage three.

This has shifted focus to the UAE's Shaikh Khalid Al Qassimi. He put up an impressive Leg One display to hold 18th in the overall standings as he entered the Jyvaskyla Service Park.