New Zealand driver Hayden Paddon has forged a narrow lead in the Super 2000 class after the first day of Rally France.
Paddon and co-driver John Kennard hold a lead of just 2.2 seconds over Irishman Craig Breen after winning five of the seven stages on Friday local time.
Going into the mountainous, tarmac-based rally south of Strasbourg - the penultimate event of his season - Paddon held a share of second place in the class alongside Breen. They are on 68 points, eight behind Swedish driver Per-Gunnar Andersson.
"We're happy to get to end of first day without too many problems," Paddon says.
"Other than the spin, it's been a good day. We've not been on the limit, just trying to learn where the grip is and how the Skoda handles on tarmac."
NZN