Burns leads Safari Rally

The crews have already completed more than double the competitive mileage of a single day on a 'normal' rally and the gruelling Kenyan roads are taking their toll on the cars.

SEAT's Didier Auriol led after the first section but smashed a rear wheel on a rock to let Burns go fastest and take the lead on the second.

Auriol remains in second place with Juha Kankkunen third.

Many teams have been suffering with punctures because this event is not suited to the anti-deflation mousse that is used on every other event.

Carlos Sainz openly criticised Michelin prior to the event and his fears were realised as the punctures on the official Fords reached double figures on the opening two stages.

"The tyres are overheating and it's not going to get any better," said a frustrated McRae.

Wild animals have also been getting too close to the action with several drivers having to slow because of them, Kankkunen actually decapitating a cow that wandered in front of his Subaru on the opening stage.

World Champion Tommi Makinen has posted the first retirement of the event after suffering three punctures on the second section.

Although he completed the test the car's electrics failed at the control (possibly because of the pounding resulting from the damaged wheels) and he was forced to retire from seventh place.

Toni Gardemeister completed that test with the driver's door missing from his SEAT.

He damaged it during a brief 'off' and, as it wouldn't close, the young Finn wrenched the door off the car and continued with black dust pouring in.