Peugeot plans assault on Rally GB

Francois Delecour, Marcus Gronholm and Gilles Panizzi will spearhead the French marque's challenge on the final round of this year's championship.

It will be Peugeot's sixth event of 1999, having already competed in Corsica, Greece, Finland, Italy and Australia.

Panizzi, who competed on the event for the first time last year, said, 'For those with limited experience of competing in this country, the Rally of Great Britain is one of toughest of the championship.

'The weather can be very changeable and the level of grip varies all the times so you've got to be permanently on your toes.

'The worst hazard is fog, which can cut visibility to practically zero. And when that happens, the best local drivers, like Colin McRae and Richard Burns, are capable of pulling out an enormous advantage.'

With four previous visits to the events, Francois Delecour has more experience of the former RAC Rally having finished fourth in 1991.

Meanwhile, Marcus Gronholm has started the Rally GB on two previous occasions, finishing fifth in 1997.