Hayden Paddon and fellow Kiwi John Kennard sit just 3.8 seconds adrift of the top three despite a tricky day one at the UK leg of the World Rally Championship in Wales.
The Kiwi pairing pushed the top three in a day that will be remembered for the rain battering the region before and during the race.
All drivers had to push the boundaries as large and considerably steep chasms of mud and water dominated the track.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Ogier finished the day atop the leaderboard, with Estonian Ott Tanak and France's Thierry Neuville rounding out the top three heading into day two.
An equally challenging day two awaits the drivers as rain continues to pound northern Wales.
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