Antoine L'Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard have a 32 second lead over 2011 American champion David Higgins and his co-driver Craig Drew after day one at the New England Forest Rally in Newry, Maine.

Four of the rally's eleven Special Stages were run today. The remaining tests will start Saturday morning and are all new stages. L'Estage, obviously, was pleased with Friday's stages having won all four and breaking Ken Block's record for fastest time on Concord Pond in the process.

L'Estage says competition now is himself as he fights to stay ahead of Higgins and win NEFR for a third straight year.

Listen to what he said at the end of day one here: CLICK

Higgins is comfortably in second overall with a 58.7 second lead over CrazyLeo Urlichich and co-driver Carl Williamson. He'll clinch the championship this weekend if he places sixth or better at NEFR.

Higgins said he was frustrated by the lack of visibility caused by heavy dust and that conditions could be just as bad if not worse on Saturday's Leg.

Get more NEFR headlines here over the weekend: CLICK