Travis Hanson and his father/co-driver Terry have taken a commanding lead of the Super Production (SP) class after Day One of the Sno*Drift Rally.

Burdened with engine troubles at the start of the event, the Hansons managed to build a gap of more than seven minutes over the next fastest SP crew. They're in fourth overall. It's unlikely Hanson will get a repeat of his 2011 victory here, but with 12 stages remaining on Saturday, inheriting an overall podium spot is not a far-fetched idea.

David Sterckx and co-driver Karen Jankowski finished the day second in class with a 19.2 second lead over 2010 Super Production champion Pat Moro and his co-driver Scott Crouch. Sterckx, a former Belgian Group N champion, was able to pass Lauchlin O'Sullivan and take more than a minute out of Moro on the final loop of today's stages.

Moro now comfortably sits third in class but did say he'll battle Sterckx for position if road conditions allow better traction on Day Two. Moro's teammate Tim Rooney retired from the rally after crashing on Stage 11.

Lauchlin O'Sullivan and co-driver Scott Putnam finished their day nearly a minute behind Moro, but managed to stay in the top ten overall while Evan Cline and co-driver Greg Dorman lost time after spinning out twice. Cline is fifth in the category overnight.

New to the Super Production category is Mason Moyle, one of the youngest drivers in the Championship. Moyle's SP debut was cut short when he and co-driver John Hall stuffed their car into a snowbank on Stage 4 and were unable to continue.

The second and final day of the rally resumes on Saturday January 28 with the first car on stage at 10:16am.