Rowe leads day two of Manx Rally

He is currently ahead of Neil Wearden in his Vauxhall Astra and SEAT's Gwyndaf Evans.

'Apart from some brake problems this morning, the Megane has been very good,' said Rowe.

'As you can see from the stage times, I've been able to push hard whenever I want to.

'My strategy for the six stages tonight and for tomorrow is to control the rally from the front. I don't need to take any big risks.'

There was plenty of drama during today's stages when Volkswagon Golf driver Mark Higgins crashed out on Stage 11.

His car then caught fire.

Higgins and co-driver Brian Thomas are both fine; however, the stage had to be stopped while the fire was extinguished.

The following cars of Justin Dale and Mike Brown were among several drivers who stopped to carry buckets to the flaming vehicle.

Neil Simpson in his Volkswagen Golf Turbo Diesel are also going well, and currently lie fourth after 13 of the 27 stages.

Justin Dale is leading the Super 1600 in his Peugeot 106, and going well.

The Manx is SEAT's last championship rally, so Evans will want to do well.

The other SEAT of Mike Brown has lost two minutes due to a differential problem.