Solberg still third despite dramas

The Subaru driver took the lead after going quickest through SS3. But then he struck a gatepost early in the next stage and removed the window from co-driver Phil Mills' side of the Impreza, causing the car to fill with dust.

Two punctures on subsequent stages then slowed Solberg further, with the mousse insert on his right rear tyres breaking up near the end of SS5.

He completed the morning in third place, 14.6 seconds behind leader Marcus Gronholm.

"It's been quite a busy morning, I think we've had a little bit of everything," said Solberg.

"But despite of all this we're still third and still in the fight.

"I'm keeping positive and will try my best."

Solberg's teammate Chris Atkinson has struggled with unpredictable handling and had several spins during Friday morning's stages. He currently runs eighth.

"It's clear we have a few handling issues to sort out," he said.

"The rear of the car is breaking away in fast corners and the car doesn't seem well balanced - especially over jumps. We're going to have a look at the data in service and see what changes we can make."