SS9: Burns edges it

Peugeot stars Marcus Gronholm and Didier Auriol showed signs of improved form with third and fourth fastest times, 2.2s and 2.5s behind Burns respectively. Auriol has also moved up in the overall standings, at the expense of Tommi Makinen, whose slow time - 37 seconds off the ultimate pace drops him to fifth place overall.

Makinen's Mitsubishi ran into differential problems and the Finn had to tackle the stage with front-wheel drive only on the Lancer. The four-times World Champion will almost certainly have to tackle the next two stages with the same handicap. The next service halt where the Ralliart team can work on the Lancer is not until after SS11.

McRae's Ford team mate Carlos Sainz continues to show well despite a niggling back injury. The Spaniard was fifth fastest, just 2.9s off Burns' pace, while fellow Ford driver Francois Delecour picked up from where he left off at the end of Leg One by finishing sixth for the second consecutive stage, ahead of Petter Solberg's Subaru.

Alister McRae put all thoughts of his Hyundai Accent catching fire on Friday evening behind him to put in a storming drive to eighth, but the Scot remains in 15th overall.