SCOTLAND'S Colin McRae yesterday conceded his World rally championship title after Finland's Tommi Makinen stormed to victory in the Rally of Australia.

McRae, who took the title for the first time after winning the RAC Rally last November, has known for weeks his crown had slipped. But that was confirmed yesterday as Makinen completed his dominance of the event in Australia, finishing one minute and 17 seconds ahead of the field in his Mitsubishi Lancer.

Makinen clinched the title after finishing the four day, 974 mile rally ahead of McRae's Subaru team mate Kenneth Eriksson with Spain's two time former champion Carlos Sainz third for Ford.

The 32 year old became the first driver to win more than half the rounds of the world championship in one year. There are two more rounds to come.