COFFS HARBOUR, Australia - Sebastien Ogier of France extended his Rally Australia lead on Saturday by winning the first three road stages and taking a 35sec advantage over Finland's Mikko Hirvonen, a three-times winner in Australia.
Ogier, who came into the rally with a 75-point lead and could clinch the World Rally championship if he wins it, has won 11 of 13 stages with one road and two special stages scheduled for later Saturday.
SIX STAGES TO GO
Northern Ireland's Kris Meeke retired after he rolled his Citroen 20km into the afternoon Nambucca stage. Meeke, fourth overall going into the stage, and co-driver Chris Patterson were not injured.
The 354 rally will end on Sunday with the final six of 22 stages
Leading results from Day 3 of the four-day, 354km Rally Australia after 14 of 22 stages
1 Sebastien Ogier, France, VW 2hr12min09.2
2 Mikko Hirvonen, Finland, Citroen, 2hr12min51.4
3 Thierry Neuville, Belgium, Qatar World Rally, 2hr13min19.3
4 Jari-Matti Latvala, Finland, VW, 2hr13min54.2
5 Andreas Mikkelsen, Norway, VW Motorsport, 2hr14min15.7
6 Mads Ostberg, Norway, Qatar M-Sport, 2hr14min16.7
7 Evgeny Novikov, Russia, Qatar M-Sport, 2hr18min37.6
8 Nathan Quinn, Australia, Mini, 2hr21min13.1
9 Khalid Al-Qassimi, Citroen, 2hr22min18.0
10 Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Ford Fiesta, 2hr23min46.9
Ogier, who came into the rally with a 75-point lead and could clinch the World Rally championship if he wins it, has won 11 of 13 stages with one road and two special stages scheduled for later Saturday.
SIX STAGES TO GO
Northern Ireland's Kris Meeke retired after he rolled his Citroen 20km into the afternoon Nambucca stage. Meeke, fourth overall going into the stage, and co-driver Chris Patterson were not injured.
The 354 rally will end on Sunday with the final six of 22 stages
Leading results from Day 3 of the four-day, 354km Rally Australia after 14 of 22 stages
1 Sebastien Ogier, France, VW 2hr12min09.2
2 Mikko Hirvonen, Finland, Citroen, 2hr12min51.4
3 Thierry Neuville, Belgium, Qatar World Rally, 2hr13min19.3
4 Jari-Matti Latvala, Finland, VW, 2hr13min54.2
5 Andreas Mikkelsen, Norway, VW Motorsport, 2hr14min15.7
6 Mads Ostberg, Norway, Qatar M-Sport, 2hr14min16.7
7 Evgeny Novikov, Russia, Qatar M-Sport, 2hr18min37.6
8 Nathan Quinn, Australia, Mini, 2hr21min13.1
9 Khalid Al-Qassimi, Citroen, 2hr22min18.0
10 Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Ford Fiesta, 2hr23min46.9