Despite the drivers talking of today's Rally Australia conditions being among the most tricky ever experienced in the World Rally Championship, there are indications that tomorrow could be even worse.
Heavy rain through today has soaked the roads, with the weather being particularly bad in the Bellingen area, south of Coffs Harbour, where all four of tomorrow's twice-run stages are held.
"From what we've heard, the conditions were worse down there than they had been up here," said Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson. "I think there has been one more douse of rain [over tomorrow's roads]. It's supposed to be dry tonight, but I can't imagine it's going to be that dry. It's going to be very tough tomorrow."
Wilson reckoned those conditions would favor Mikko Hirvonen being first on the road.
"There's no question," Wilson added, "if you look at today, even on the second pass of the stage, running first has been the best place to be. It's a good place to be for Mikko."
Today's wet and slippery conditions have brought about the retirement of both factory Citroens, with Sebastien Loeb rolling his DS3 on the day's second gravel stage, while Sebastien Ogier crashed his car on the first afternoon test.