WRC: Makinen eyes up British victory

The Mitusbishi driver, who clinched his fourth successive title at the recent Australian round, will be hoping to upstage British heroes Colin McRae and Richard Burns.

The Network Q Rally of Great Britain is traditionally the last event in the World Championship season and generally one of the least predictable.

By late November, the weather in Wales and western England is likely to be bad and drivers could face anything from rain to snow, sleet, ice and hail.

Even if the sun shines, the forest tracks are likely to be muddy.

Regardless of the weather, the crowds are expected to be huge, with two million people expected to attend the three-day event.

Makinen is looking forward to returning to the scene of last year's dramatic finale, when he clinched the title following the late retirement of Carlos Sainz.

However, he is also pleased to be entering the event having already secured the 1999 crown.

'I am looking forward to going to Britain without any pressure. It was great to wrap the title up in Australia,' said the Finn.

'I really want to win this one and beat the British drivers on their home event.

'I am sure it is going to be very difficult, but we will try our best. Our car is working very well at the moment.'

Based in Cheltenham, in western England, the rally runs from November 21-23 and covers a total of 1765 kilometres, with 22 stages comprising 381 kilometres.

The first leg consists of a small number of stages in parks and at race tracks.

It is based at Silverstone circuit, which includes just 34 kilometres of stages.

The rally is likely be won or lost during the second and third legs in the renowned Welsh forests.

The second leg heads north-west into central Wales, with eight stages totalling 154 kilometres, while the last leg is not only the longest, but includes the longest stage, covering 44 kilometres in Resolfen in south Wales.

Competitors will attempt 191 kilometres of stages in the final leg before the ceremonial finish in Cheltenham.