SS8, Manukau Super 2: Sainz again
Ford's Carlos Sainz was again fastest on the Manukau Super, topping the timesheets on his second run through. With Leg 1 officially come to a close, Hyundai's Kenneth Eriksson still sits proudly at the top of the leaderboard - it's the first time the Korean marque has ever led a WRC event
Sainz shaved 1.5 seconds off his previous time, stopping the clocks at Manukau in 1m20.1s. Subaru's Petter Solberg was again second fastest, this time half a second slower than the Spaniard.
And it was treble dose of deja vu as Colin McRae rounded out the top three, mirroring the result of SS7.
Didier Auriol claimed a spot of his own in fourth, followed by team mate Marcus Gronholm in fifth. Freddy Loix was again the fastest of the Mitsubishis, posting the sixth fastest time.
Saturday's stages kicks off with the 59km Parahi/Ararua test. It is the longest stage on the WRC calendar outside of the Safari's special sections in Kenya. Depending on their road position, some of the drivers will be wanting rain while others hope it stays dry. The weather forecast looks to favour the latter, with a slight chance of a shower in the morning, but clearing up in the afternoon.
Carlos Sainz, Ford, 1m20.1s
Petter Solberg, Subaru, +0.5s
Colin McRae, Ford, +0.6s
Didier Auriol, Peugeot, +01.2s
Marcus Gronholm, Peugeot, +01.3s
Freddy Loix, Mitsubishi, +01.7s
1 Kenneth Eriksson, Hyundai, 1h16m19.5s
Marcus Gronholm, Peugeot, +16.5s
Carlos Sainz, Ford, +20.5s
Colin McRae, Ford, +30.4s
Petter Solberg, Subaru, +39.6s
Freddy Loix, Mitsubishi, +44.6s
Francois Delecour, Ford, +47.4s
Richard Burns, Subaru, +47.7s
Alister McRae, Hyundai, +47.7s
Possum Bourne, Subaru, +52.9s
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