OXFORD-based driver Richard Burns tightened his grip on the Network Q Rally of Great Britain after the opening three stages of today's final day.

Burns, of Kidlington, who was boosted when his nearest challenger, Alister McRae, joined his brother Colin in retiring from the race after crashing out on the opening stage of the final leg, then proceeded to pull away from his rivals.

Driving a Mitsubishi, Burns was already over two-and-a-half minutes ahead of second-placed Juha Kankkunen having won the first three stages on the final day.

The Oxford ace then clocked 25 mins 30.5 secs for the 25th stage - the rally's longest of 27.34 miles at Resolfen - which was 32.4 secs faster than Kankkunnen.

Burns, who suffered heartbreak when he missed out on victory on the final day last year, was determined to survive this time to record his maiden Rally of Great Britain success.

He said: "I'm concentrating on being neat and quick. Running first on the road is OK as there should be no rocks thrown up by other cars to get in my way.

"There's a long day ahead, but I believe I can win - that would mean everything."

Meanwhile, Alister McRae, who started the day one minute and 15 seconds adrift of leader Burns, went off about one-and-a-half miles from the end of the 8.54-mile 22nd leg at St Gwynno after his fog lights failed.

Spain's Carlos Sainz, who needs to finish in the top four to pip Tommi Makinen for the world title, moved up to third place.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.