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SS9, Livadia 1: Sainz responds to Burns pressure

Carlos Sainz had been coming under increasing pressure from Subaru's Richard Burns in the first of Saturday's stages, as the pair battle for second place overall in the Acropolis Rally. But the Spaniard has fought back on the third stage of the day, the first run through Lavadia, setting the fastest time through the 11.66km test

Leader Colin McRae again lost time over his rivals, as his Ford Focus clears the stage for the cars behind, but the Scot was only five seconds slower his team mate over Livadia, posting the fifth fastest time on the stage. The gap between leader McRae and second placed Sainz is now down to 19 seconds.

In between the two Fords is another Blue Oval car. Francois Delecour continues to set fast times today, second quickest on Livadia.

Harri Rovanpera in the Peugeot 206 WRC was third fastest, just ahead of Subaru's Richard Burns in fourth. The second Subaru of Petter Solberg set the sixth fastest time, but the Norwegian will need to be wary of the charging Rovanpera if he is to keep his fourth place overall.

Freddy Loix was the fastest Mitsubishi on SS9, four seconds ahead of team mate Tommi Makinen, who was tenth on the stage.

Hamed al-Wahaibi posted his first top-10 stage time in the event for the Oman Arab World Rally Team, coming eight on the stage, ahead Armin Schwarz's Skoda Octavia in ninth.

Alister McRae's Hyundai is in trouble. The Scot stopped about 1km into the stage with a left-front driveshaft problem. After removing the driveshaft, he managed to get his Accent going again and completed the stage with three-wheel drive, 17 minutes down. He has two stages to go before repairs can be made in service.

For SS9 results click here.

For full live timings table click here.

For full entry list click here.

For the itinerary click here.


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