Rallying: Auriol mounts challenge

DIDER AURIOL, last year's winner, staged a brilliant comeback yesterday to mount a threat to Ford's leading pair, Francois Delecour and Massimo Biasion in the Monte Carlo Rally.

The French Toyota driver won the last two of the day's five stages, breaking the record on both at Chateauvieux and Quatre-Chemins, to close to within 1min 11sec of his compatriot, Delecour, and just 8sec of the Italian, Biasion. Auriol had started the day in an apparently hopeless position, 2min 17sec behind Delecour's Ford Escort.

But with just five stages left on the final 'Turini night' before the rally finishes in the Principality tomorrow morning, Auriol is well aware that victory is still a long way off. The Frenchman had cause to regret a crash on the Col de Turnin during the first stage of the rally on Saturday, an incident which cost him Imin 12sec when he had to replace his nearside back wheel.

'It's a pity because I'm starting to get used to the Toyota,' said Auriol, who won last year in a Lancia.

Delecour, who dominated the first two days, had braking problems throughout yesterday.

Results, Sport in Short, page 29