Defending American champion David Higgins says he's frustrated by the lack of visibility caused by dry, dusty conditions at the New England Forest Rally.

The Subaru factory driver is 32 seconds behind rally leader Antoine L'Estage with seven stages set to run on day two but is not optimistic that conditions will improve on Saturday's Leg with no rain expected in the forecast.

Higgins is comfortably in second overall with a 58.7 second lead over CrazyLeo Urlichich and only needs to place sixth or better to clinch the championship.

Higgins explained that dust would linger in heavy clouds throughout sections of Friday's stages and become trapped by the trees with no wind to help clear the air. Despite Organizers granting top crews an extended time window on the afternoon stages, Higgins was still slowed down and unable to commit where he needed to.

Seven stages spread over approximately 48 miles remain for Saturday before teams return to the finish at the Sunday River Ski Resort in the late afternoon. All of the day two stages are new tests for the event.