Petter Solberg sets early European Rallycross pace in Germany

After romping to victory in heat one, Solberg was slower away from the startline in heat two but found a gap on the inside and took the lead as the pack headed towards the second corner.

He remained in front until the chequered flag and heads the order overnight.

"It's going OK today, but the car almost stalled on the startline of heat two so the guys are looking at that now to see what the problem was. The track here is good fun, no problem at all," said Solberg.

Second after two heats is championship leader Timur Timerzyanov, who won his first heat race but was beaten by Solberg in the second encounter.

Currently 20 points clear at the head of the title chase, all Timerzyanov needs to do to claim the crown is finish in the top eight of the Intermediate Classification after four heats.

Timerzyanov's championship position has been vastly improved by second place man Davy Jeanney forgetting to take his joker lap in the first heat, placing him last of the 22 runners.

Fifth fastest time in heat two places the French driver 13th overnight.

Peter Hedstrom is having his best run of the season in Germany, two strong races putting him third after two heats, ahead of British driver Liam Doran and the winner of the previous round, Alexander Hvaal.

Timmy Hansen had a slow start in heat one but fought back with second fastest time in heat two to sit in second position overnight.

Super1600 champion Reinis Nitiss once again heads the order in that class, with Robin Larsson fastest in the first two TouringCar heats.

Watch the title-deciding RX Supercar semi-finals and final LIVE on AUTOSPORT, plus coverage of heats and the support classes, from 2pm BST on Sunday September 22.