SS16, Rheola 2: One to go for Burns

Richard Burns, meanwhile, looks good for his first world title in third position overall, and said: "With just one more stage to go, it's going very well."

Subaru's Burns is now only 27.93 competitive kilometres and the following drive to Cardiff away from winning his first world title. His 90 per cent approach was 23.9secs slower than Gronholm's time, but just over a second slower than the second placed Pug of Harri Rovanpera.

"That was better," said Gronholm. "Because all the cars passed through the first time [the stage] was cleaner and less slippery. I'm much happier now."

Burns said: "The car is working fine and I'm driving very carefully."

Rovanpera made a mistake in the stage and lost some time: "The car stopped for about 10secs in the stage but it was my fault. I made a mistake with the handbrake and I stalled in the mud."

The rest of the top six, however, is still up for grabs. Alister McRae, on his last outing for Hyundai, is clinging doggedly to fourth position, despite Schwarz's best efforts. The German was only 19secs slower than Gronholm through Rheola 2 and gained 9secs on McRae, but the Scot holds a 44sec advantage with just the final stage at Margam remaining.

Just behind, McRae's team mate Kenneth Eriksson is fighting a similar rearguard action against Peugeot's Didier Auriol. The Frenchman was second quickest through Rheola 2 on his final outing for Peugeot and gained 8secs on the Swede. Eriksson remains 25.2secs ahead, however.

For full times from SS16, click here.

For full rally live timings, click here.

For rally itinerary, click here.

For full entry list, click here.