The way was clear for Britain's Richard Burns to win the 2001 world championship drivers' title today following the retirement of two key rivals on the second day of the Rally of Great Britain.
Scotland's Colin McRae, the world championship leader, took no further part after rolling his Ford Focus on the third special stage in south Wales.
Finland's Tommi Makinen was also sidelined after his Mitsubishi lost a front left wheel on the day's first specially timed 8.5mile race.
Subaru driver Burns, two points behind McRae and a point behind Makinen at the start of the race, needs to finish at least fourth in this 14th and final round of the championship to assure his first ever world title.
Ford driver Carlos Sainz, who still has a slim chance of the drivers' crown, was a minute adrift of the leaders after incurring a 40-seconds penalty in the first special.
PA