Petter Solberg was fastest around the opening super special stage as the first Rally Poland for almost four decades got underway.
The Norwegian, driving his Citroen Xsara WRC, finished the 2.5km stage just outside of the Mikolajki service park in one minute 48.3 seconds, just 0.3secs ahead of five-time world champion Sebastien Loeb.
Solberg, paired with his brother Henning as both cars took to the specially-built track, emerged best from the wet conditions. "This is great," he said. "It was really slippery some places because of the rain, but I couldn't get a better start. It gives us the good feeling we need before the weekend starts, as I am certain this will be our toughest rally this season."

Finland's Mikko Hirvonen, seven points behind leader Loeb in the standings, finished the stage third, a second behind the Frenchman.
After crossing the time control, Loeb hedade to the service area noticing an overheating on his Citroën C4wrcar's engine.
The mechanics crew only have 15 minutes to try to find out the problem on the french's car until the machine must be closed in the parc fermé of the event.