Reigning World Rally Champion and Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen has powered up the leaderboard in Rallye Sanremo to hold third position in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Team-mate Freddy Loix is eighth in this, the 12th round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

The second leg of Rallye Sanremo has also seen the continuation of yesterday’s thrilling battle in the Group N production car category. Local star Gianluigi Galli has now taken the lead in his Mitsubishi Carisma GT, however 3.9 seconds is all that separates him from former Group N World Champion Alex Fiorio, also driving a Carisma GT.

While the 91 remaining crews started in darkness from Sanremo early this morning, as dawn broke hazy conditions gave way to blue skies and warm Mediterranean temperatures. Today’s 160 competitive kilometre route to the north of the host town has been the toughest of the rally and, again, only two roads have been used, both run in each direction and incorporating the longest section in the event at more than 37 kilometres. Fanatical supporters have again been pouring into the stages and the action has not disappointed as a titanic battle unfolded throughout the day. The most significant development however has been that of title chaser Richard Burns who he hit a rock, damaged his Subaru’s radiator and ultimately retired with engine failure.

Makinen, and co-driver Risto Mannisenmaki, started the day in seventh position, but were soon on a charge over the same stages that sealed them victory in 1999. Within two stages Tommi had overhauled Peugeot’s series leader Marcus Gronholm and asphalt expert Piero Liatti in the Ford Focus and had his sights set firmly on third position. A furious battle between these three and third-placed Carlos Sainz ultimately saw Makinen overhaul the Spanish Ford driver and inch ahead into the final podium position. Although Makinen admits the Peugeots of Gilles Panizzi and Francois Delecour will be hard to beat, the Finn has a fight on his hands to protect his hard-fought third position with only two stages remaining tomorrow.

"It was a very good day for us but also a difficult morning because one of the rear wheels was incorrectly aligned", said Tommi. "The long stage in particular has been a very good one for us and we’ve set good times every time we did it. On the last stage this evening though we were trying a bit too hard and nearly went off. Obviously Richard and Piero’s retirements have helped us, but tomorrow will be very difficult and we have to keep the concentration".

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart F. Loix / S. Smeets

Team-mates Freddy Loix and Sven Smeets have moved two places up the leaderboard in their Carisma GT, overhauling Subaru’s new recruit Petter Solberg, and benefiting from the retirement of Ford’s third driver, Piero Liatti. The Belgians have suffered slightly with handling problems but have pushed hard in an effort to improve on their position.

"I’m not so happy with my day, I seem to be wearing out a lot of tyres and I don’t really know why", said Freddy. "I had to take the hard compound this afternoon and that lost me a lot of time on the short stages. At the end tonight it was a bit better, but now we have to go flat out".

Adding to his drivers comments, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart team principal Andrew Cowan said: "We’re delighted with Tommi’s performance today. It seems that the two Peugeots ahead of Tommi have too much of a lead for us to challenge, but to finish the day in third place is a very respectable performance in light of the strong competition, and we’re pleased to have had good times from both cars throughout leg two".

Each of the leading trio of Mitsubishi Group N contenders has taken their share of the stage victories, however Galli inched ahead of leg one leader Alex Fiorio after the first stage when a lack of turbo boost hampered his charge. The two rivals have been trading times and the overall lead throughout the day, but Galli ultimately took the advantage after the final stage. "Today has been very good. We had a little problem with the transmission, but the mechanics fixed that really fast and otherwise I am very happy, although I am a bit concerned about Fiorio’s time in the last long stage!" Galli stated.

Mitsubishi Carisma GT Gr.N G. Galli / M. Messina