Solberg wins in New Zealand

The world champion Petter Solberg won Rally New Zealand yesterday despite a late scare.

The Norwegian smashed his Subaru into a rock on stage 20. Peugeot's Marcus Gronholm looked set to capitalise until his spin on stage 22 handed the initiative back to Solberg. Ford driver Markko Martin's third place gave hima clear lead in the drivers' championship.

Scotsman Alister McRae was third in the production class, which was won by. Manfred Stohl.