The M-Sport driver clocked the quickest time by way of the 2 passes of the well-known avenue stage held across the Unesco World Heritage website in downtown Guanajuato.

Tanak’s occasions moved the Estonian right into a 1.7s benefit over Toyota’s reigning world champion Rovanpera, whereas Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi will head into Friday’s gravel levels, 2.2s adrift in third.

“As we speak was a little bit of enjoyable, tomorrow is the job,” stated Tanak, who will open the gravel roads on Friday. “For certain it won’t be a straightforward day however we have to maximise. Let’s have a look at what tomorrow brings – I’ve by no means pushed on this automobile on gravel earlier than.”

Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and six-time Rally Mexico winner Sebastien Ogier ended the night locked collectively, with the pair tied for fourth, 2.8s adrift of Tanak.

Enormous crowds descended upon Guanajuato’s historic streets to welcome the WRC again following its two-year hiatus.

With the highway order reversed for the superspecial, it was Tanak, the ultimate Rally1 automobile to deal with the 1.12km twisty and technical stage, that lit up the timesheets.

The 2019 world champion emerged 0.8s sooner than nearest rival Rovanpera, whereas Lappi posted a benchmark early on that resulted within the third quickest time, 1.3s adrift.

Elfyn Evans was fourth quickest regardless of flirting with the kerbs positioned within the cobble stone run by way of the enduring tunnel part, which this yr is adorned with a watch catching mural tribute to the late Ken Block, who died earlier this yr.

Neuville was two tenths additional again however was sooner than his Hyundai team-mate Dani Sordo and Toyota’s Ogier, who clocked an identical occasions.

Tanak was 1.8s sooner than his first time within the second move of the stage, which earned him back-to-back stage wins on Thursday evening.

Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Picture by: Toyota Racing

Rovanpera as soon as once more emerged as his nearest rival though the Finn set an an identical time to his countryman Lappi to share the second quickest stage time, 0.9s behind Tanak.

“It’s a loopy environment. This sort of stage isn’t so fulfilling however when you have got followers like this it’s good,” stated Rovanpera.

Ogier was solely a tenth again on his second run as he managed to navigate by way of the tight avenue stage with out concern.

“I really feel good. The true rally begins tomorrow. Tonight was about staying away from the kerb,” stated Ogier.

Learn Additionally:

Evans will head into Friday’s levels sitting fifth general, 3.3s from Tanak, after his protected move by way of the 2 levels.

Sordo, M-Sport’s Pierre-Louis Loubet, competing in his first rally outdoors of Europe, and Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta accomplished the highest 9 positions.

The crews will deal with Mexico’s tough gravel levels on Friday, with the motion set to start on the well-known El Chocolate (29,07km) stage at 1448 GMT.