Pzero Rx Tyre Is Key To Makinen's Pace

Tommi Makinen (Subaru-Pirelli) has made a remarkable recovery into the top 10 leaderboard today thanks to a bold decision to use the new PZero RX racing tyre from SS11 onwards.

The new tyre, debuted on this event, is specifically designed for dry or damp roads but it can be additionally hand cut to provide extra grip if the conditions demand. Makinen used the tyre to good effect over SS11-13 to climb into the top 10 and, with good fortune, could target a points finish tomorrow.

Unfortunately luck was not with Makinen's team mate, Petter Solberg retiring today after being caught out by a bump that threw the car into one of Baumholder's notorious stone blocks and ripped off a rear wheel.

Colin McRae, Carlos Sainz and Markko Martin (all Ford-Pirelli) continued their bid for top six places - and a podium finish in McRae's place - on a day when weather conditions were treacherous and performance was determined by good fortune as much as personal choices of hand cutting of their tyres.

Tomorrow sees seven stages to decide the outcome of the event, stages that are regarded as similar to those in Catalunya.