UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 4 - Rhondda

1st (1) Marcus Gronholm/Timo Rautainen (Peugeot) 28.38.9

2nd (2) Didier Auriol.Denis Giraudet (Peugeot) 28.50.8

3rd (5) Richard Burns/Robert Reid (Subaru) 28.58.3

4th (16) Harri Rovanpera/Risto Pietilainen (Peugeot)29.11.4

5th (10) Alister McRae/Dave Senior (Accent) 29.19.7

6th (17) Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford) 29.32.9

7th (11) Armin Schwarz/Manfred Hiemer (Octavia) 29.35.6

Dramas seem to happen every year on the early stages of this Rally GB. This year is no exception - indeed more dramatic than most. First major story was that Tommi Makinen had retired, ending his chances of another World title. Then it was reported that Solberg had not appeared at the end of stage 2. Meanwhile Colin McRae was fastest through stage 2, Gronholm was fastest through stage 3....then came the most shattering news of all...Colin McRae had end over end rolled his Ford Focus. First and foremost, the most important thing was that Colin and co driver Nicky Grist were OK. In theory, if Richard Burns was to retire from the event, and Carlos Sainz had further problems (Carlos has already had a puncture, some related brake problems and road penalties), then Colin could still win the World title. That, however, is a chance in about three million! One interesting facet of the WRC title race is that Pirelli tyres will definitely be on the World Champion's car!

Makinen's retirement would appear to be down to damaged fron suspension, sounds like a re-run of the Rally Finland incident. Solberg stopped when his Subaru engine died through lack of fuel - the pumps were still rattling away, but there was no petrol going to the engine. When David Richards heard the news, he phoned chief engineer David Lapworth, and subsequently told us "It sounds like a one-off thing. Everything is duplicated, twin lift pumps, twin collector systems. The only consolation is, it could have been Richard!"

Another retirement is Piero Liatti, his Hyundai succumbing to clutch problems. The same cannot be said for his team mate Alister McRae - Alister has been right on the pace from the word go, in the top 6, his team mate Eriksson inside the top 10.

Ioannis Papadimitriou retired his Subaru at the service before stage 2 following transmission problems last night.

In the Super 1600 race after 3 stages - Duval was leading Loeb from McShea. While outside the overall top 6 (after 3) Panizzi fwas 8th, Mark HIggins was 9th and has now moved up, Thiry was 10th, Loix 11th, Eriksson 12th, Schwarz 13th, Wearden 14th, Tuohino 15th, Gwyndaf Evans 16th, Arai 17th, De Mevius 18th,Kresta 19th, Henning Solberg 20th and leading gpN from David Higgins with Backlund 3rd in gpN.

More RallyNews later..BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON