SS3: Delecour fastest, Auriol still on top

After the Group N Mitsubishi of Hermann Gassner took the stage win on SS2 Entrevaux, Frenchman Francois Delecour has set the fastest time on the third timed section of the first day, nine seconds ahead of overall leader Didier Auriol.

Ford's Colin McRae set the third fastest time moving the Scot up to the same position in the overall standings from seventh, after a slow start as a 'snow plough' on the opening two stages. The former world champion's Ford team mate Carlos Sainz was fourth.

Olivier Burri, who was second overall after two stages has now dropped down to sixth place after finishing 14th on Roquesteron, which is a re-run of the first stage of the day.

Richard Burns came home fifth in his all-new Subaru Impreza WRC, moving the Englishman up to just outside the top 10 in 11th spot. The Prodrive-run squad has already lost Marko Martin to an engine problem.

The move to hand-cut slicks has allowed the two-wheel drive Citroen Saxo Kit car of Phillipe Bugalski top move up just behind Burns in 12th place.


1 Francois Delecour (Ford) 18m32.7s
2 Didier Auriol (Peugeot) 18m41.9s
3 Colin McRae (Ford) 18m42.6s
4 Carlos Sainz (Ford) 18m43.5s
5 Richard Burns (Subaru) 18m57.4s
6 Tommi Makinen (Mitsubishi) 18m57.7s


1 Didier Auriol (Peugeot) 1h05m31.2s
2 Petter Solberg (Subaru) 1h05m51.7s
3 Colin McRae (Ford) 1h06m03.8s
4 Tommi Makinen (Mitsubishi) 1h06m10.5s
5 Francois Delecour (Ford) 1h06m20.3s
6 Olivier Burri (Toyota) 1h06m22.5s
7 Armin Schwarz (Skoda) 1h06m28.9s
8 Carlos Sainz (Ford) 1h06m32.2s
9 Freddi Loix (Mitsubishi) 1h06m53.6s
10 Alister McRae (Hyundai) 1h07m10.7s