Championship leader Sebastien Ogier holds a slender lead at the Rally Mexico after Thursday's opening two stages.
The French Volkswagen driver won SS2 in Leon, Guanajuato, to take a lead of 1.2 seconds over Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) and Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen).
Ogier was happy with his start, but faces a test on Friday as the first one out on loose gravel.
"It's a good start to the rally. Tomorrow all I can do is go flat out," he said.
Neuville had edged the 1.01-kilometre street stage to open the rally, but was fourth during SS2 to slip into second.
Mikkelsen was fourth and then second and shares the same time as Neuville, while Jari-Matti Latvala is fourth.
Neuville edged a tight SS1, with Italian Ford driver Lorenzo Bertelli the surprise packet as he finished second.
"My pace notes weren't 100 per cent right. I was a bit late on the brakes in the last right-hand bend and we went wide," Neuville said after his run.
"Not the best start, but we have a good time so I have to be pleased."