Preview: McRae ready for title push

The Scot is tied at the top of the points standings with four-time world champion Tommi Makinen with just the Rally of Great Britain left after the Perth-based event. But with Makinen struggling to develop Mitsubishi's new WRC Lancer and a substitute co-driver for this event, McRae knows he has a great chance to add to his single world championship title, won way back in 1995.

"I've never been in such a good position at the end of the year," he admitted. But McRae still believes Makinen will be a threat in Australia. "I expect Tommi to be business as usual," he added.

However, there are more than just two protagonists for this year's world title. Subaru's Richard Burns gained on McRae and Makinen on the Corsica Rally and is now just six points behind the pair in third place. McRae's Ford team mate Carlos Sainz is still in the reckoning too and is just one point behind Burns.

The spectacular Langley Park super special stage kicks off the Rally Australia tomorrow (Thursday), taking place at 10.40am GMT. That's Thursday evening Australian time. The rally proper kicks off the following morning - that's 2.30am GMT on Friday!

Click on Autosport.com for up to the minute news as it happens from Australia - if your are awake in your part of the world...