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SS18: Victory in sight for Toyota

Didier Auriol is now cruising to victory on the 555 China Rally

The Frenchman continues to set fastest stage times and increase his lead over second placed Richard Burns. With only four stages remaining, it is going to take either a spectacular performance from Burns or some spectacular misfortune for Auriol if the Toyota driver is to be denied victory.

The fight for the lead is the closest in the top ten. Toshi Arai's path to Group N honours appears to have been eased by Hamed Al Wahaibi's focus on the championship. The Mitsubishi driver had been reeling Arai in, but admitted that his primary concern was finishing the rally and scoring more points towards his battle with Gustavo Trelles for the GpN championship.

It seems that a double puncture yesterday and this morning's awful conditions have persuaded Al Wahaibi to settle for the points. Title rival Trelles has now moved up to third in class.

Positions after SS18:





















































1


Didier Auriol


Toyota Corolla


2h59m22.1s


2


Richard Burns


Subaru Impreza


2h59m40.6s


3


Carlos Sainz


Toyota Corolla


3h00m47.1s


4


Juha Kankkunen


Subaru Impreza


3h03m45.5s


5


Harri Rovanpera


SEAT Cordoba


3h06m27.6s


6


Volcan Isik


Toyota Corolla


3h12m39.0s


7


Toshi Arai


Subaru Impreza


3h15m58.3s


8


Hamed Al Wahaibi


Mitsubishi Lancer


3h16m55.9s


9


Gustavo Trelles


Mitsubishi Lancer


3h22m33.6s


10


Katsuhito Taguchi


Mitsubishi Lancer


3h24m59.2s

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