Sainz: so near but so far!
Four times rally world champion Tommi Makinen drove his Mitsubishi to victory at the end of Portugal Rally. After two days battling through thick mud and torrential rain the event finally lived up to its reputation for close finishes and the result was only resolved on the final stage.
After snatching the rally lead for the first time with his sixth scratch result of the event, Carlos Sainz (Ford-Pirelli) took a 0.3 second advantage into the final stage, only to be narrowly beaten by Tommi Makinen. Two fastest times for Richard Burns secured the Subaru-Pirelli driver's first points of the season and both Pirelli-equipped teams can head for the asphalt of Catalunya full of confidence.
The unusual weather conditions in Portugal meant that Pirelli's tyre/compound option was always the KM6 with different extra cuts according to the surface.
The Group N battle was decided when reigning World Champion Manfred Stohl caught and passed his event-long rival Marcos Ligato (both Mitsubishi-Pirelli) on today's first stage before going on to secure victory.
FINAL STANDINGS (22 SSs in total): 1. Makinen (Mitsubishi), 3h46m42.1; 2. Sainz (Ford-Pirelli) +8.6; 3. Gronholm (Peugeot) +2m55.6; 4. Burns (Subaru-Pirelli) +3m24.3; 5. Delecour (Ford-Pirelli) +10m06.8; 6. A. McRae (Hyundai) +12m08.4; 7. Eriksson (Hyundai) +13m32.5; 8. 8. Auriol (Peugeot) +16m08.6;. . .; 12. Ligato (1st of Gr.N) (Mitsubishi-Pirelli) +17m50.3
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (after 3 events)
Drivers : 1. Makinen pt.20; 2. Sainz 16; 3. Rovanpera 10; 4. Delecour 8; 5. Radstrom 6; 6. Gardemeister 5
Manufacturers : 1 Mitsubishi pt .33; 2. Ford-Pirelli 20; 3. Hyundai 8; 4. Subaru-Pirelli 7; 5. Skoda 6; 6. Peugeot 4
NEXT EVENT: Spain (tarmac), 23-25 March
OPORTO (Portugal), March 11, 2001