Mitsubishi take early lead in standings

With neither Francois Delecour or Toni Gardemeister, both of whom finished ahead of Loix, nominated to receive makes' world championship points, the Belgian scooped three points to take Mitsubishi's total to 13.

Last year's champions Peugeot and the Prodrive-built Subarus are tipped to be the main contenders in this year's manufacturers' title fight, but neither marque has opened its account after the first event.

Ford take second place with only six points, despite Carlos Sainz and Francois Delecour finishing second and third, as the Frenchman was not selected to receive points.

Skoda lie a surprising third after Armin Schwarz finished an impressive fourth and team mate Bruno Thiry came home eighth, but moved into third and sixth for manufacturers' points.

Both Peugeot and Subaru will be keen to get their scores underway for the 2001 campaign when the teams head to round two and the high speed snow stages in Sweden at the beginning of February.



Tommi Makinen (Mitsubishi) 10
Carlos Sainz (Ford) 6
Francois Delecour (Ford) 4
Armin Schwarz (Skoda) 3
Toni Gardemeister (Peugeot) 2
Freddy Loix (Mitsubishi) 1


Mitsubishi 13
Ford 6
Skoda 5
Hyundai 2