Mads Ostberg leads into the second day of Kennards Hire Rally Australia having extended his lead following the Destination New South Wales Super Special.
The Citroen driver holds a 6.8s advantage over team-mate Craig Breen who climbed to second after two runs through the 1.27km super special held on the Coffs Harbour Jetty.
Toyota's Jari-Matti Latvala has dropped to third with the Finn 8.7s adrift of Ostberg.
New Zealand's Hayden Paddon remains fourth ahead of the first of the three title contenders Ott Tanak (Toyota).
Championship leader Sebastien Ogier (M-Sport Ford) held seventh position behind Esapekka Lappi, while title hopeful Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) is more than minute adrift after losing time through an error and puncture on Stage 6.
Rally Australia continues tomorrow with the crews set to tackle 10 stages including another two runs through the Destination New South Wales Super Special.
Rally Australia: After Special Stage 8 (Top 10)
Pos | Num | Driver | Nat | Team | Car | Time/Gap | |
1 | 10 | Mads Ostberg | NOR | Citroen | C3 WRC | 53:37.4 | |
2 | 11 | Craig Breen | IRL | Citroen | C3 WRC | +6.8 | |
3 | 7 | Jari-Matti Latvala | FIN | Toyota Gazoo | Yaris WRC | +8.7 | |
4 | 6 | Hayden Paddon | NZL | Hyundai | i20 WRC | +12.5 | |
5 | 8 | Ott Tanak | EST | Toyota Gazoo | Yaris WRC | +16.9 | |
6 | 9 | Esapekka Lappi | FIN | Toyota Gazoo | Yaris WRC | +28.3 | |
7 | 1 | Sebastien Ogier | FRA | M-Sport Ford | Fiesta WRC | +38.2 | |
8 | 2 | Elfyn Evans | GBR | M-Sport Ford | Fiesta WRC | +45.2 | |
9 | 3 | Teemu Suninen | FIN | M-Sport Ford | Fiesta WRC | +47.2 | |
10 | 5 | Thierry Neuville | BEL | Toyota Gazoo | Yaris WRC | +1:11.9 |
VIDEO: Rally Australia Stage 4-8 Highlights