Nice weather and many spectators at the start in the town centre of Porec, as well as around the close by track where the first special stage of the rally was held.

The 40th Croatia Rally is successful from the very beginning. And it also is captivating from a sports' standpoint with local hero Juraj Sebalj who was fastest in the first stage and leads the pack at the overnight regroup.

Fourth place behind the revelation Hank Lategan and Hermann Gassner jr (who was fastest in the Production class) for the European Championship leader Jan Kopecky. But gaps are currently narrow, with the first 11 cars enclosed in less than 4 seconds.

In the 2WD class provisional lead for the European Championship class leader, Hungarian Bessenyey (Honda Civic R3). In the Ladies Thophy excellent first stage for slowenian Asja Zupanc (Mitsubishi Lancer) who leads by 4“ bulgarian Ekaterina Stratieva (Citroen C2 Maxi) and by 26“ the australian championship leader, Molly Taylor, delayed by a fuel surge problem: here too, it's only the beginning.

The rally will restart tomorrow with a forecast for good weather and a programme comprising 6 special stagesi (three to repeat twice) between 10:19 and 17:39 with the end of the leg in Porec from 20:00