Four drivers are within 7.2 seconds at the top with Finnish WC leader Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota, holding fourth place.
The longest stage of the WC series with over 16 miles of special stages was a tough test.
Difficult driving after a lot of rain and limited visibility.
Craig Breen, Ford, was second when he skidded off the road into a ditch and was forced to retire for the day.
Solberg and British map reader Elliott Edmondson started modestly but came back strongly in the closing stages of the afternoon.
- I had to take it carefully at the end when my rear tires started to take a beating.
The times could have been better but it feels like I'm getting more and more into this, Oliver tells wrc.com and continues:
- It's been a long time since I drove on gravel, but the feeling is getting better and better.
Tomorrow we're expecting really crappy weather and we'll start early.
It will be tough.
The Swedish map reader Jonas Andersson had a really good day together with the Briton Gus Greensmith, Ford.
The team is fifth, 43.8 seconds behind, and was fastest on the first leg of the day.
Large amounts of rain are expected during Saturday's stage.
Six legs are to be run and SVT broadcasts from SS 8 and SS 11 starting at 21.00 in SVT24/play.