Rallying: McRae makes appeal to his fans for fair play

Colin McRae is appealing to his supporters not to resort to sabotage in an attempt to help his world championship cause at Network Q RAC Rally, which starts on Sunday.

The Scot and the organisers of the decisive event fear spectators may target his rival, Finland's Tommi Makinen, who needs only to finish in the top six to retain his title.

Past opponents of McRae have found logs in their path and officials are anxiously endeavouring to tighten security. An RAC spokesperson said: "We're going to be as vigilant as it is possible to be."

McRae must bring his Subaru home first in the three-day rally to become champion even if Makinen fails to claim a point.

He said: "I wouldn't want to win the championship as a result of any active sabotage by the spectators. I hope the spectators behave themselves and just enjoy the rally. If I am going to win the championship I want to do so fair and square. Any other way would be meaningless."