Marcus Gronholm held off Petter Solberg to claim the lead at the end of the first day of the Swedish Rally.

The World Rally Championship has taken a good deal of flak in the recent past, much of it justified, but this embattled fraternity may well be able to offer one of the best duels in sport.

Markko Martin drove to his second successive world rally victory as he won the Rally of Catalunya yesterday.

Petter Solberg conjured a spectacular third consecutive victory at Rally GB to keep Sebastien Loeb waiting a little longer for the title.

The champion and his likely successor put on a classic duel in the classic Rally GB elements of rain, fog, and even a shaft of sunlight.

Different time of the year, same old hazards: Sébastien Loeb had to negotiate rain, mud and fog to keep rivals at bay and his World Rally Championship campaign on course yesterday.

The world champion Petter Solberg took control of the Acropolis Rally yesterday with a scintillating display in Greece to leave his rivals trailing.

Markko Martin led home a Ford one-two in Rally Mexico yesterday to force his way into world championship contention.

TOMMI MAKINEN

Norman Fox finds what makes Gilly Handley such a fast lady

Ever wondered what it must be like to go rallying? To feel the grit between your teeth at the wheel of a... Ford Ka?

A Formula One veteran must curb his instincts in the Rally of Great Britain, starting Sunday.

THE FORMULA ONE jamboree may soon be stopping off in the Middle East after it emerged yesterday that representatives of Dubai are negotiating with the sport's supremo, Bernie Ecclestone, to host a grand prix.

TAPIO LAUKKANEN added the Mobil 1 British Rally Championship to Finland's rapidly increasing haul of motor sport honours on Saturday, and then admitted that he thought he had missed his chance.