RALLY: Rallye De Portugal: End of Leg 1

24 March 1999

Colin McRae/Ford Martini lead the Rallye De Portugal by 49 seconds at the end of the Leg 1. Colin pushed very hard on the first two stages this morning and then controlled things from the front.

McRae: "Its been a superb day for me and the Ford Martini team. After our pre-rally tests we knew the Ford Focus would be quick on this type of surface but Im surprised just how quick its been today. I dont think running first through tomorrows stages will be a problem because the roads are not too dusty and loose," he said.

2nd is Richard Burns in the Subaru Impreza how is in a close battle with Sainz. "I hope Im demonstrating a good tactical approach. I think I could find more time today, but it is probably too early to take big risks, so I am saving something for tomorrow"

Both the Toyota's are only seconds behind Burns - Sainz: "The Corolla has been running well, but Colin (McRae) is really flying. To win in Portugal you have to be quick everywhere and have a car that is good in all the conditions - it has been quite rough in places so maybe that has been better for Colin. We bent a left rear wheel hub in stage 6, but the conditions have been cleaner and faster second time through the stages this afternoon. Everything is fine and we are in a good position to attack, but we are further behind Colin than I would have liked."

Tommi Makinen is well down in 9th position due to differential problems. "It has not been such a good day for us, but the car felt better on the last few stages and I am sure it will be good tomorrow. There is a long way to go yet," Makinen commented.

But stand in team mate Marcus Gronholm has driven superbly all day despite this being only his first event in the car. "Its quite OK. The car is so easy to drive and you do not need to spend much time learning it. We have had no problems apart from sliding a bit wide on one corner of stage six," Gronholm said.

The Seats had a battle between themselves with Rovanpera maintaining the edge over Liatti to finished in 8th and 9th respectively. No major problems for the Seats.

Skodas Armin Schwarz and Emil Triner are both out after clutch problems led to retirement, Schwarz on the startline of the final stage and Triner before the start of that last test. Schwarz was running approximatley 12th when he retired.