KEY POINTS:
Defending world champion Sebastien Loeb closed in on Rally New Zealand leader Mikko Hirvonen during the first special stage on day two today.
The Frenchman was second fastest in his Citroen through the 17.22km leg around Port Waikato, with a time of 10 minutes 6.6 sec, to cut Hirvonen's advantage by more than 7s to 20.3s.
Finn Hirvonen, driving a Ford, has the disadvantage of being first out in today's stages and thus acting as sweeper on the gravel roads for the cars behind him.
Third overall is Hirvonen's compatriot and Ford team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala, who is 22.7s down.
The fastest through the opening stage was Norwegian Henning Solberg, who flew through to be 4.4s quicker than Loeb.
However Solberg, who was handicapped yesterday by steering problems with his Ford, remained more than 10 minutes off the pace.
- NZPA
