Can Burns keep with the pace?

The event marks the half way point in the world series and Burns needs to snare a good result to offset a run of poor performances by his team in recent months.

Unique in World Championship rallying, the Cordoba stage features three cars competing side by side in a 300 horse power version of the Roman chariot races. This time the winner was Spain's Carlos Sainz, edging out reigning World Champion Tommi Makinen with Burns a close third.

Colin McRae ended the stage sixth in his Ford but none of the top crews were unduly concerned about leading the event after the opening stage when today's action takes place on the widest variety of roads the championship has to offer. Makinen said prior to the event, "Sunday's first three stages could decide the rally, they are so difficult. Whoever leads at the end of the day will have a big advantage for the rest of the rally."

Welshman Gwyndaf Evans is making his first visit to the event but was a comfortable leader of the two-wheel drive category after the opening stage, his SEAT Ibiza a full second per kilometre faster than the local experts.