Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen is on course to win the Swedish Rally, the second round of the 1999 FIA World Rally Championship, for the third time in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The win would give Mitsubishi a remarkable six World Rally victories in a row.

The World Rally Champion extended his lead to half a minute over Toyota driver Carlos Sainz, while team-mate Freddy Loix lies in a respectable ninth place on his Swedish debut. Makinen, co-driven by fellow Finn Risto Mannisenmaki, dominated the second leg of the rally, recording four consecutive fastest stage times to demonstrate the Lancer Evolution’s superiority in winter conditions.

Ford has had mixed fortunes today with Swede Thomas Radstrom challenging Sainz for second place and Colin McRae retiring on the first stage of the day with engine problems. Subaru drivers Burns and Kankkunen have benefited from McRae’s problems to take fifth and sixth places but have struggled to keep pace with the leaders.

Temperatures hovered just below zero in the Scandinavian sun, as the rally headed north from Karlstad to Borlange through Sweden’s picturesque pine forests. The ice was softer today offering the cars more grip – a situation that suited the Mitsubishi drivers and their Michelin tyres perfectly.

"I made one or two little mistakes this morning, like stalling the engine on stage 10, but everything has gone very well. It has been so fast in these conditions – it’s not easy for anyone," said Makinen.

"Tommi has been enjoying the stages, he’s has had no problems with the car and the tyres have been good. In those circumstances, we’d expect to be somewhere up at the front. Tommi has just kept the pressure on throughout. Freddy is gaining confidence. His biggest problem is adapting his pace notes to these conditions, but he prefers it now that there are bigger snowbanks at the side of the road," said Marlboro Mitsubishi team manager Phil Short.

Mitsubishi drivers have taken command of the Group N production category, in which the Lancer Evolution and the Carisma GT are regularly in a class of their own. It has developed into a battle between Finland and Sweden, with rising Finnish stars Jouko Puhakka and Jani Paasonen narrowly beating local hero Stig-Olov Walfridson.

"Conditions here suit us quite well and the car is very good. We will keep attacking to the finish," promised Puhakka.

"I know all the stages well, but I don’t think it makes such a big difference against these quick Finns. It’s a really good fight," said Walfridsson.

Sunday’s final leg is the shortest, with five stages covering 98 kilometres, before the finish in Karlstad on Sunday afternoon.