SS2, Lankamaa 1: Now it's Gronholm

It has been nip and tuck between the two Finns on the first two stages, with Gronholm less than half a second quicker than Rovanpera on SS2. But despite setting the fastest time, the reigning world champion still holds second place overall, albeit just eight tenths of a second back from his younger compatriot.

Local hero Jani Paasonen continues to mix it with the big boys. The 26-year-old was third fastest on Lankamaa, 2.7 seconds slower than the leader and moves up to fourth overall.

Richard Burns seems determined to break the Scandinavian stranglehold on the Rally of Finland. The Englishman is still keeping in touch with the leaders - his Subaru was just three seconds off Gronholm's pace on SS2 and is five seconds back on the leaderboard.

However Burns is being pushed hard by his younger team mate, but it is Estonian Markko Martin breathing down Burns' neck and not Petter Solberg. While Solberg was 11th fastest through Lankamaa, Martin was fourth, five seconds behind Burns. Martin is in fifth place overall holding off Carlos Sainz's Ford Focus with a five-second cushion.

Kenneth Eriksson's Hyundai suffered steering problems on the stage and it is legend Juha Kankkunen and Alister McRae, passed over for makes points nomination, who leads the Korean marque's charge. Another team with its problems it Mitsubishi. Following championship leader Tommi Makinen's retirement on SS1, Toni Gardemeister spun on the same stage and although he was able to continue, the Finn is 37 seconds back from the leaders after SS2.

For SS2, Lankamaa 1, results, click here.

For full live timings table click here.

For full entry list click here.

For the itinerary click here.