Solberg loses overnight lead

Although the Norwegian was able to push the car into the designated area after his allotted time slot he received outside assistance in the process from two journalists, and was given a five minute penalty, dropping him to 11th place. Subaru's Luis Moya confirmed that the team would not appeal the stewards' decision.

"We were waiting to start the car to go into time control," Solberg explained. "The car didn't start and, unfortunately, it was uphill there, it was difficult to push and, because of a stupid rule to not have a start battery any more in parc ferme, it's destroying a lot. First of all we pushed it to the yellow flag, and then afterwards I understand you're allowed to have help. But not so many people helped us, so we were standing for a while before anyone pushed us. "

His misfortune handed the overnight lead of the event to Citroen's Sebastien Loeb, and the Frenchman now stands an even greater chance of taking a record-breaking third straight win from the opening three rounds of the 2004 season.

Loeb seemed sanguine about the matter, though, preferring to focus on his own rally after suffering brake problems throughout the first day. "It has been a good day, with no mistakes," he said after the news of Solberg's problems. "I'm driving at my own pace, and it seems to be good enough for second. It doesn't really matter if I'm first or second, either would be good."