Intro:

Two-time defending champion Sebastien Ogier was fastest in Thursday's (2nd July) shakedown for the WRC's (World Rally Championship's) Rally Poland.

Script:

Sebastien Ogier is in his accustomed position at the top of the timesheets, following Thursday's shakedown ahead of the 72nd Rally of Poland.

The Frenchman heads into the seventh round of the season with a commanding 66-point lead over nearest rival Mads Ostberg of Norway at the top of the championship standings.

Volkwagen's Ogier, who is looking to win this rally for a second year in a row and move a step closer to a third successive world title, covered the 3.7-kilometre circuit in one minute, 39.1 seconds.

Dazzling the home crowd, Robert Kubica was joint second fastest in the shakedown, finishing half-a-second behind Ogier.

The former Formula One star has only finished in the top ten once this season - taking ninth place in Rally de Portugal - but the fanatic support may inspire the 30-year-old to greater things on home soil.

Jari-Matti Latvala joined Kubica and Norway's Andreas Mikkelsen in joint-second.

Latvala has put his season back on track in the last couple of months - winning in Portugal and finishing sixth in Italy following two retirements in the three previous rounds.

Thierry Neuville went fifth-fastest, 0.9-of-a-second off the pace.

Kris Meeke is in a race against time to secure his participation in Thursday's opening super special stage.

The Briton crashed on the shakedown and rolled seven times, which caused significant damage to his Volkswagen.