Toyota aiming for exit win

The team is withdrawing from the championship at the end of 1999.

Having secured the manufacturers' title, both Carlos Sainz and Didier Auriol will be bidding to win the final World Championship Rally of this century.

Sainz and co-driver Luis Moya have a wealth of experience in this event.

The duo will be competing for the 11th time, having won in 1990 and 1992.

Sainz said, 'You have to be prepared for many different conditions in this event.

'It is quite a high speed rally, normally wet and muddy and there is always a chance of fog, which is one of the worst things.

'The fact that Toyota has won the Manufacturers' Championship takes a lot of the pressure off us, but victory in this event would be very sweet for me.'

French team-mate, Auriol, has finished in the points on three occasions, but has yet to win the event.

'I have to say it is not one of my favourite events,' said Auriol.

'It is not so much that I don't go well, but in the past I have been quite unlucky and the wet and muddy conditions are not really for my liking.

'It is difficult to beat Colin (McRae) and Richard (Burns) on their home event, but I have as much chance of success as any of the rest of the World Championship contenders.

'It would certainly be good to round off the season with one final victory.'