Jan Kopecký will take a lead of 14.4 seconds into the overnight halt in Las Palmas after organisers cancelled the opening day’s ninth stage due to concerns over spectator safety.
Spectators have turned out in their thousands throughout the day but the build-up of fans at one particular corner of the 7.8-kilometre La Atalaya de Santa Brigida stage was deemed to be too dangerous.
He heads Intercontinental Rally Challenge title leader and Škoda Motorsport team-mate Juho Hänninen with Guy Wilks completing a Škoda one-two-three a further 17 seconds back.
Saturday’s leg features six stages with the first car due to leave service in Las Palmas at 08:10hrs.
Overall standings after the first day:
| Pos. | Team | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | Kopecký Jan / Starý Petr | Škoda Fabia S2000 | 1h20m25.0s |
| 02. | Hänninen Juho / Markkula Mikko | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +13.4s |
| 03. | Fuster Miguel / Avińo Ignacio | Porche 911 Gt3 | +28.5s |
| 04. | Wilks Guy / Pugh Philip | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +31.4s |
| 05. | Viera Alfonso / Perez Victor | Ford Focus WRC | +37.9s |
| 06. | Magalhăes Bruno / Magalhăes Carlos | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +49.3s |
| 07. | Hevia Alberto / Iglesias Alberto | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +1m17.4s |
| 08. | Meeke Kris / Nagle Paul | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +1m28.0s |
| 09. | Vallejo Sergio / Vallejo Diego | Ford Fiesta S2000 | +3m35.6s |
| 10. | Neuville Thierry / Klinger Nicolas | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +3m40.9s |
| 11. | Vinyes Joan / Mercader Jordi | Suzuki Swift S1600 | +4m00.1s |
| 12. | Cima Francisco / Noriega Alejandro | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X | +4m18.9s |
| 13. | Ponce Jose M. / Larrode Carlos | BMW M3 | +4m52.9s |
| 14. | Gracia Ruben / Sanjuan Diego | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X | +5m51.5s |
| 15. | Suarez Jose A. / Cabrera Candido | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X | +5m55.8s |