ERC Poland: Bryan Bouffier opens early lead over Robert Kubica

The triple Polish champion adapted to the slippery conditions from the get-go and completed the shortened Talty and Baranowo stages - due to damage caused by heavy rain - with a 5.8s advantage, which he further extended in this morning's final test.

Local hero Robert Kubica has also impressed in his home round by setting the quickest time of the 25.1-kilometre Mragowo stage which duly promoted him to second overall.

Kajetan Kateanowicz currently occupies third place after excelling on his debut in a new-generation Ford R5. He is 4.2s adrift of his fellow countryman.

Current championship leader Jan Kopecky, who is running first on the road, is having a rather torrid time and is embarking on a cautious approach to the event after encountering deep ruts and muddy conditions.

He currently sits in fourth place, ahead of Michal Solowow who is making a rare appearance after semi-retiring from the sport.

Craig Breen is seventh and beginning to find his form as he adapts to life with his new co-driver Lara Venneste.

The Irishman set the fourth quickest time on the Mragowo stage, despite beaching his Peugeot on a right-hand corner near the finish.

Leading positions after SS3:

Pos  Driver                Team/Car        Time/Gap 
 1.  Bryan Bouffier        Delta Peugeot    26m36.0
 2.  Robert Kubica         Citroen          + 12.3s
 3.  Kajetan Kajetanowicz  Ford R5          + 16.5s
 4.  Jan Kopecky           Skoda            + 41.7s
 5.  Michal Solowow        Ford RRC         + 42.8s
 6.  Krzysztof Holowczyc   Ford R5          + 45.5s
 7.  Craig Breen           Peugeot          + 47.2s
 8.  Michal Kosciuszko     Ford R5          + 57.8s
 9.  Martin Kangur         Ford R5        + 1m00.8s
10.  Zbigniew Staniszewski Ford S2000     + 1m14.1s