Burns just six stages away from victory

The Oxford driver leads the Rally of Argentina going into today's final leg with almost 15 seconds in hand over the Toyota of 1994 World Champion Didier Auriol.

Burns' Subaru team has confounded its critics by turning in a second day of dominance on a mixture of surfaces that ranged from sandy to damp and muddy.

But the day might have begun in tears as Burns found his high-tech fly-by-wire gearbox unwilling to change gear on the run to the first stage.

'I twiddled with buttons, flicked switches and even shouted at it,' said Burns, 'but it wouldn't work. In then end I just got mad, revved the engine hard and whatever was blocking the system seemed to clear.
'It's worked perfectly ever since but I didn't dare touch anything after that!'

Burns gained a 10-second penalty for the late start but within three stages was back in the lead.

Subaru, and its Pirelli tyres, have been on the rack this season with plenty of criticism of their respective performances.

However, in Argentina, both companies got their act together and just six stages stand between Burns and a glorious victory when the event returns to Cordoba this afternoon.

Sadly Gwyndaf Evans' first attempt at the rally ended at the finish of yesterday's final stage.

His battered SEAT Ibiza was still handling badly after Sunday's encounter with the Argentine scenery but further damage was incurred during yesterday's action and the engine finally gave up the unequal struggle when the mountings failed and damaged an oil pipe.

'I could write a book about my experiences here,' he said.

'There's not been a dull moment since I left home over a week ago.

'Although we retired, everyone in the team has made a fantastic effort and I'd love to return one day and finish this great event.'