News from P-G:
P-G Andersson (2nd in JRC after SS7): "This rally was actually a lot rougher than I was expecting it to be - and I was expecting it to be bad anyway! I had a right-rear puncture on the opening stage about three kilometres from the finish. It could have been worse, but as the last part of the stage was all uphill, it felt I was dragging a lorry up there. In the afternoon I made a few set-up changes to make the car firmer over all the bumps, and I just concentrated on staying out of trouble. It's going to be a long weekend, and I think a lot will still happen."

News from Urmo:
Urmo Aava (1st in JRC after SS7): "I'm happy to be leading but I've had a few nervous moments: this rally is far from easy. In the morning I went wide on a corner on SS4 and stalled, then in the afternoon I had a puncture on SS5 - thankfully near the end of the stage. I'm generally very happy with the car, but the biggest risk here will be punctures. Even if you drive around the biggest rocks, you can still be unlucky and pick up a puncture that will cost you more than a minute just like that."

News from Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima, team principal:
"It's obviously hard to improve on first and second places but unfortunately this is just the first day of the rally and not the last one! Until then, we cannot really conclude anything. The Swift has stood up well to the rough conditions, while both P-G and Urmo have chosen a very good compromise between speed and safety. Now they must continue to do that, and keep their concentration at the maximum."