Definitely not the start of the first stage. Location of the TC0 seems to vary. In Ireland ceremonial start was at Enniskillen from 19:30 onwards in Thursday but TC0 was in Sligo next day from 07:25 onwards. In Norway, where they had Super Special in Thursday, they probably had TC0 at ceremonial start (it's not listed in itinerary).

What comes to FIA rules, when crew is required to make a start in order to qualify (like in so-and-so-many-starts in certain championships in 1990's), crossing the start ramp was enough.