Chris West holds a commanding 47.1 second lead after six of the first day’s eight stages in the Rally of Otago.

Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer, West leads Andrew Hawkeswood’s Lancer, with Patrick Malley third in another Mitsubishi.

Championship favourite, Richard Mason, sits in seventh place after
struggling for grip in his Subaru Impreza, while former Dunedin local,
Emma Gilmour, is fifth in her Subaru.

2009 Classic Rally winner, Derek Ayson, holds a 19.8 second lead in his
Ford Escort, ahead of Regan Ross, also in an Escort. Jeff Judd is third
in a Vauxhall Chevette.

Italian star, Piero Liatti, had been in the top three, but lost time in a
water crossing in his Escort RS1800. He now lies fourth.

Andrew Graves leads Dean Bond and Steve Wellington in the Allcomers
Rally.

View photos from Day 1 of the Otago Rally HERE.