UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 15 RHONDDA

1st (1) Marcus Gronholm/Timo Rautainen (Peugeot)2.51.51.2

2nd (16) Harri Rovanpera/Risto Pietilainen (Peugeot)2.53.37.9

3rd (5) Richard Burns/Robert Reid (Subaru) 2.54.14.1

4th (10) Alister McRae/Dave Senior (Accent) 2.57.44.7

5th (11) Armin Schwarz/Manfred Hiemer (Octavia) 2.58.37.9

6th (9) Kenneth Eriksson/Staffan Parmander (Accent)2.59.10.9

7th (2) Didier Auriol/Denis Giraudet (Peugeot) 2.59.44.8

8th (12) Bruno Thiry/Stephan Prevot (Octavia() 3.00.50.3

9th (26) Gregoire De Mevius/Jack Boyere (Peugeot)3.03.51.2

10th (21) Toshihiro Arai/Tony Sircombe (Subaru) 3.05.07.0

It was Harri Rovanpera who set the pace for Peugeot this morning, fastest through the 16.7 miles of the Rheola test in 15m 36 secs. This moved the Finn ahead of Richard Burns, but the English driver has eyes on only one thing now, the World Rally Driver's title. Didier Auriol set 3rd fastest time, which would indicate that the 206's are well geared for this morning's dreadfully wet and slippery conditions. The rain didn't suit Hyundai drivers Alister Mcrae and Kenneth Erikkson - both had wiper trouble. We hear that Alister has tied the wires from his spare intercom to one of the wiper blades and co-driver Dave Senior is going to have yank the wire back and forward as well as read the pace notes! Other points of interest from the first few Rheola times is that David Higgins continues to keep the hammer down in the Barretts Subaru in his fight for GpN honours. David moved ahead of Backlund and was 11 secs faster than Ferreyros, to close the gap to 30 secs for the GpN lead.

In the Super 1600 section Dallavilla put in a real charge through Rheola stage to set a stunning 14th fastest time, 20s up on Loeb and 34s quicker than McShea. This knocks McShea back to 3rd in the category.

Through the Rhondda stage (No.15) Gronholm was fastest on 14.31.6, then it was Rovanpera on 14.42.3 and Richard Burns was 3rd fastest with 14.51.8. Burns seems to be under no pressure from behind, Alister McRae's time 15.27.9 which was really quite good considering his wiper problems, but it gives Burns yet more breathing space in his quest to be 4th or better today to secure the world rally driver's title.

More news from stage 15...Ferreyros has got ahead of Solberg on the overall l/board, the Peruvian now 11th. Of more interest perhaps is that David Higgins has taken more time from Ferreyros to leave the gpN battle very tight with 2 stages to go. More news..only lady driver, Natalie Barratt has retired with driveshaft trouble SS12.

Overnight class leaders: Loeb in the Super 1600, Ferreyros in Group N. Graham Middleton A7 with his Hyundai. Paul Griffiths in his Micra Cl.A5. Andreas Mansfield (Integra) Cl.3. Martin Newcombe (Civic) Cl.2. An up-date on yesterday's accident confirms that all the casualties are making good progress - 9 were discharged from hospital on Saturday evening. A 12 year old boy with bruising is expected to leave hospital today. A 13 year old girl is going to have some surgery on a lowerlimb injury and an adult with head injuries is expected to be discharged today. One other adult with back injuries is expected to be kept in hospital for one more night. More news later..BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON