SuggestedLeadIn: Sebastien Ogier suffered a minor blip but recovered to set the pace in the shakedown stage of the WRC Rally Australia in Coffs Harbour on Thursday (10 September).

Script: France's Sebastien Ogier went into the 2015 Rally Australia going in search of a third successive WRC title.

Victory in New South Wales will ensure he secures it, but it wasn't all smooth sailing for the VW star on Thursday's shakedown stage.

He suffered a slight scare when he mounted the bank on a corner, but quickly corrected his error.

Nevertheless, he posted the fastest time, half a second ahead of Andreas Mikkelsen.

The Norwegian has secured six podium finishes in nine rounds so far this season and will be looking to improve on that record.

Kris Meeke is fighting for his team to claim the runner-up spot in the manufacturer's standings and finished fourth in the shakedown.

His team-mate in Australia is Stefan Lefebvre, who is standing in for Mads Ostberg after the Norwegian's recee accident left him with minor injuries.

Lefebvre is competing in his first WRC rally on gravel.

Meanwhile, local driver Scott Pedder is looking for a first win in the WRC2 category.