Mitsubishi team driver Tommi Makinen has won the Rally of Portugal in the face of tremendous opposition from Spain's Carlos Sainz in the Ford Focus and atrocious conditions as a result of recent heavy rain. Colin McRae went out with engine problems but his brother Alister finished the Rally in 6th place. World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm was 3rd a few minutes behind the leading duo (doubtless very relieved that his water pump managed to survive this time! ). Richard Burns was reported to be very concerned about spectator safety and was having to tread very carefully but still managed to claim 4th.
Going into the final stage Carlos Sainz had dug out a slender lead of just a few seconds over his Finnish rival but apparently Tommi's tyre choice gave him a slight advantage on the very last stage and he was able to win the event by a margin of just 8 seconds.
Alister McRae finished in a fine 6th place
Rally Results posted by
David Little
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