Auriol shunt increases Makinen lead
It's all falling into place for Tommi Makinen, as Didier Auriol, his nearest challenger in both New Zealand the overall championship, crashes and drops from 2nd to 7th
Auriol lost over three minutes on SS14 after heavily damaging the left rear corner of his Toyota Corolla. Forced to complete the stage on three wheels, the damage may yet spell the end of his rally.
The incident makes it a 1-2-3 for Finland, Makinen leading Juha Kankkunen and the sensational Toni Gardemeister. In his first event in the Seat WRC, the inexperienced British series regular is running comfortably with the leaders and giving the Spanish manufacturer their best showing since moving up to the WRC class a year ago.
Thomas Radstrom was actually the fastest man on SS14, moving up to 4th in the process. Behind him, Carlos Sainz has now closed to within a second of 5th place Possum Bourne.
Positions after SS14, Batley:
|
1 |
Tommi Makinen |
Mitsubishi Lancer |
2h12m29.5s |
|
2 |
Juha Kankkunen |
Subaru Impreza |
2h14m06.2s |
|
3 |
Toni Gardemeister |
Seat Cordoba |
2h14m45.3s |
|
4 |
Thomas Radstrom |
Ford Focus |
2h16m18.7s |
|
5 |
Possum Bourne |
Subaru Impreza |
2h16m50.7s |
|
6 |
Carlos Sainz |
Toyota Corolla |
2h16m51.8s |
|
7 |
Didier Auriol |
Toyota Corolla |
2h16m58.9s |
|
8 |
Harri Rovanpera |
Seat Cordoba |
2h17m42.9s |
|
9 |
Matthias Kahle |
Toyota Corolla |
2h20m12.5s |
|
10 |
Gustavo Trelles |
Mitsubishi Lancer |
2h21m28.9s |
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