Stage 4: Burns' position threatened
As temperatures in the Rally of Monte Carlo fall below freezing, Richard Burns must keep his wits about him as he carried a scant nine seconds lead into the final two stages of the day before the overnight halt at Gap
'In the past I've not had the right ice notes for these conditions, but things are much better now. I'm just trying to see what I can do.'
Observers believe that the Oxford driver is surprised to be leading the most technically difficult event of the season with four-times World Champion Tommi Makinen snapping at his heels, and with a determined Gilles Panizzi the third driver in the trio that has already shot clear of the pack.
However, on the first of the last two stages Burns saw his lead evaporate as the champion shot clear by 5.5 seconds and sounded a warning that positions change quickly on this event.
Panizzi has voiced concerns that the gap could widen too quickly unless he gets his act together.
'I know these stages well so now is the time to start my attack,' he warned.
Further back, Colin McRae has slipped out of immediate contention after a suspension change to harder settings proved to be the incorrect choice, especially as it coincided with his Ford Focus suffering a suspected loose steering rack.
Stage 4 times to follow:
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