Kankkunen set to quit?

Although Kankkunen is also nominally on Subaru's books for 2001, he has yet to agree terms and earlier today suggested that he would review his future career after the British event. Opinion is divided on whether Kankkunen will tackle a reduced programme of events - using his 'elder statesman' position to help the young Norwegian and Estonian drivers - or retire altogether.

Kankkunen made his WRC debut on the 1979 1000 Lakes Rally. Since then he has won 23 WRC events (a total equalled only by Ford's Carlos Sainz in Cyprus this year) and has taken four World titles. Ironically Kankkunen has never won an asphalt WRC event.

He has won the British event three times and enjoys it immensely. "It seems to suit my driving style, although there are times when I've wondered if I shouldn't fit my car with a propeller rather than wheels as the event can get so wet!"

His chances of bowing out with a fourth victory would appear to be slim as the main focus of Subaru's attack in Wales will depend on Richard Burns' World Championship hopes and Kankkunen knows he would have to work hard to beat his young team mate.

"Last year none of us could even get close to Richard in Britain. He was so bloody quick we couldn't live with him..."