Solberg takes early lead in Finland

Photosport

Norway's Petter Solberg has won the opening special stage in Rally Finland to lead the WRC event by one second.

Norway's Petter Solberg leads in his privately entered Citroen after the opening super special stage of Rally Finland.

The Citroen driver has won the short 4.19 kilometre curtain-raiser ahead of Ford's Mikko Hirvonen.

Hirvonen will start the first full day one second off the pace, with championship leader Sebastien Loeb and Jari-Matti Latvala tied for third a further six tenths of a second back.

There are 10 stages tonight and eight more on Saturday night before the finish.

Kiwi Hayden Paddon is contesting the PWRC class - his first ever attempt in Finland. With roads similar to New Zealand, the 22-year-old is hoping he'll be competitive and pick-up valuable series points.

He currently sits fifth in the championship and is hoping good results over the remaining rounds could secure a drive for next year.