Moselland is a Rallye Deutschland classic. It runs alongside the Mosel river, twisting and turning through 60 junctions in vineyards on steep hillsides. Narrow but fast service roads, linked by strings of hairpin bends are its hallmarks. It was used in the opposite direction to last year.
Jari-Matti Latvala moved into the lead of ADAC Rallye Deutschland when Sébastien Ogier crashed in the vineyards of the Moselland stage.
The test was initially delayed for more than 35 minutes but when it started Ogier went off the road 7.5km after the start. His Volkswagen Polo R emerged from the grapes onto a different road below the stage, which he drove along in an effort to regain the correct route.
However, it did not lead back to the stage and the Frenchman eventually found a way down to the main road and set off on the journey back to service in Trier. He will receive a 10 minute penalty for not completing the test.
Also in trouble was Thierry Neuville, who drove all but the opening 2km with smoke in his Hyundai i20. The exhaust tunnel leading from the engine to the rear was extremely hot and Neuville and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul were quickly out of the car at the finish before starting the liaison section to Trier.