Patterson and Solberg out in front in Finland

NORWAY’s Petter Solberg and Irish co-driver, Chris Patterson begin today’s second stage of the Neste Oil Rally Finland in first position after setting the fastest time on last evening’s opening stage.

On board a Citroen C4, Solberg finished the 4.19 kilometre Laajavuori sprint stage a second faster than Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Focus WRC). World champion, Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) and Jari-Matti Latvala share third with Sebastien Ogier rounding off the top five. Four-time world champion Juha Kankkunen, driving for the Stobart M-Sport Ford team is competing as the event celebrates its 60th anniversary, finished in 13th.

Craig Breen, in his Kick Energy Ford Fiesta S2000 that has been re-fettled since his accident in Donegal, was seeded at 67 and was classified 34th at the stage finish.