Stage 14: Makinen close to victory

The Finn's lead over Ford driver Carlos Sainz is just 1m43s, but if Makinen does not suffer any problems, it should be enough to secure him his first win of 2000.

Meanwhile, Didier Auriol is out of the rally. The Frenchman retired with engine problems just 7km into the 29.17 km section of stage 14.

Sainz actually won the St. Auban - Roquesteron stage, just three seconds ahead of team-mate, Colin McRae.

The Scot has a real chance of snatching second place in the rally away from Sainz. He is now just 15.2 seconds behind the Spaniard.


Overall positions:

1 T Makinen - Mitsubishi - 3.59.34.9

2 C Sainz - Ford - 4.01.26.5

3 C McRae - Ford - 4.01.41.7

4 J Kankkunen - Subaru - 4.02.42.9

5 T Gardemeister - SEAT - 4.03.24.0

6 B Thiry - Toyota - 4.04.28.8

7 F Loix - Mitsubishi - 4.05.43.8

8 A Schwarz - Skoda - 4.08.36.8

9 O Burri - Toyota - 4.09.34.7

10 M Stohle - Mitsubishi - 4.17.48.5

Results from stage 14:

1 C Sainz - Ford - 19.23.9

2 C McRae - Ford - 19.26.3

3 B Thiry - Toyota - 19.40.6

4 T Makinen - Mitsubishi - 19.48.8

5 J Kankkunen - Subaru - 19.50.7

6 F Loix - Mitsubishi - 19.51.6

7 T Gardemeister - SEAT - 19.58.5

8 A Schwarz - Skoda - 20.05.5

9 O Burri - Toyota - 20.18.1

10 M Stohle - Mitsubishi - 20.45.7