Peugeot Italy's Luca Rossetti has taken the early lead on the Vodafone Rally de Portugal, the second round in the 2008 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
Rossetti, who is currently leading the IRC standings by virtue of his victory on round one in Turkey last month, was fastest through the 1.3-kilometre long Faro superspecial stage on Thursday evening.
Nicolas Vouilloz meanwhile was second, just over a half a second behind, while Portuguese driver Armindo Araujo, a former winner of the Portugal Rally two years ago, was third in a Group N Mitsubishi Lancer, much to the delight of the local fans.
With the top five places currently covered by less than a second, it is clear that the event will be as closely contested as was expected before the start at the Algarve Stadium near Faro.
None of the drivers encountered any serious problems during the superspecial, although Austrian driver Andreas Aigner slid slightly wide at the start in his Mitsubishi Lancer and Brice Tirabassi hit a kerb in his Peugeot 207 S2000.
Most of the competitors were content to drive safely through the stage, knowing that the rally will never be won on a superspecial but aware that there is always a chance of losing it.
Former World Rally champion Didier Auriol was 14th quickest through the superspecial, not feeling at his best, but confident of an improvement on Friday, when the action begins proper.
![Luca Rossetti (I) / Matteo Chiarcossi (I) Peugeot 207 S2000. Istanbul Rally. April 5 2008. [PIC CREDIT: IRC]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/424945.jpg)
