Finnish ace Jari-Matti Latvala leads the way after eight special stages of Historic Vltava Rallye, second round of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship.  It's been far from plain sailing for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Principle, as mechanical challenges have affected a number of historic rally crews on day one in the Czech Republic.

Latvala and co-driver Tuukka Shemeikka lead by just over a minute. The Finns dropped time on the final stage of the day when their Toyota Celica GT4 had some turbo gasket problems, dropping power.  

Chasing them in Category 4 is reigning champions Tibor Erdi Jr/Istvan Kerek.  The Hungarian driver reporting a noisy 3rd gear in his Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 at the end of the leg.  In 3rd position is the impressive Belgian duo of Pieter-Jan Maeyaert and Yves Dewulf.  A hard charging performance in their BMW M3 rewarded after a day long battle with teammates Donagh Kelly and Rory Kennedy from Ireland.  The Irishmen are just ahead of last years winner Vojtech Stajf with Veronika Havelkova alongside in their Toyota Celica GT4.

Another impressive drive from Swedes Tobias Johansson and Jenny Strandberg in their Audi Quattro after a promising debut at Rally Costa Brava in FIA EHRC. Johansson reporting a problem with the transmission as he arrived back into the service park, so some work for the team to do overnight to restart for day 2.

Spaniards Jesus Ferreiro Perez and Javier Anido lead the way in Category 3.  Their Ford Escort RS1800 running well all day as they set some Top 5 stage times in an impressive start to the season.

An impressive drive from Frenchman Bertrand Metivier with Fabrice Garin alongside.  They lead the Category 2 field after overcoming locking brakes earlier in the morning. After some changes, their Ford Escort RS1600 continues to set Top 10 times.  Also impressing today are Italians Enrico Brazzoli and Martina Musiari.  After some challenges with the car bouncing in places, some set up changes gave Porsche driver increased confidence, as he cemented a Top 10 place and 1st in his class.

Leading Category 1 are Italian veterans Antonio Parisi/Giuseppe D'Angelo in their Porsche, whilst local ace Olda Kovarik Junior leads both the FIA EHRC Front Wheel Drive Trophy and the 1600cc Trophy in his Skoda Favorit 136L.

Competitors experiencing a tough day included Ernie Graham, who suffered a terminal engine failure before the first stage.  The day was not kind to the German crews entered. Michael Baltes, Siegfried Mayr, and Jurgen Geist all suffered technical problems which stopped their progress on day one. Series newcomer Erwin Keller went off the road on the first stage in his Mitsubishi Galant VR4, as did the English pairing of Richard Jordan and Sam Collis in their Ford Escort RS1800.  Keller will restart for day 2, whilst the Escort will be repaired for another day.  Richard Ronay was also another casualty of day one - having to stop after SS3.

Four longer special stages are in store for leg two on Sunday, before the final finishing podium positions can be celebrated in the historic city of Klatovy.