Rallying: Makinen enters the record books

FINLAND'S TOMMI Makinen, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer, yesterday won the Finland Rally for a record-breaking fifth time.

After 10 rounds of the world championship, Makinen moves up into second place on equal points with Colin McRae, nine points behind the leader, Spain's Carlos Sainz, with three events remaining.

Sainz, driving a Toyota, finished second after fending-off a fierce attack from Finland's Juha Kankkunen, driving for the British-based Ford team.

Frenchman Didier Auriol claimed fourth place after a number of technical problems with his Toyota. Richard Burns of Reading, Makinen's Mitsubishi team-mate, was fifth - an exceptional performance on his first attempt at a difficult event where local knowledge is vital.

Scotland's Alister McRae, driving a Volkswagen Golf, finished 13th overall and won the category for two-litre cars.

"I've salvaged some family pride," said McRae after his older brother, former world champion Colin, was forced out of the rally on Friday after hitting a tree.

The last four of Makinen's successes were in a Mitsubishi, making them the first manufacturer to achieve the feat in the event's 47-year history.