Burns and McRae ready for action

The pair, who have had a battle of words in the press build up to the event, joked together, but it is clear that both are determined to win their home event.

Burns, who can't be beaten in the overall standings by McRae said: 'I won this event last year, and our preparations this year have been very good. I hope we have a good battle -- not just with Colin. You have to beat everyone to win.

'We will be going flat out from the start. You have to here, there's no other way.'

McRae, who hasn't finished in the last seven events of the series, said: 'There may only be 22 stage miles on Sunday, but they are stages you can attack. If you push really hard, it's possible to get a 30 second lead. If you go at nine tenths, you will be half a minute behind at the end of the first day.

The Silverstone stage in partcular is a good one, That's one where you can make time.'