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RALLY: Didier Auriol makes history with winning run at first FIA World Rally Championship in China

20 September 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Didier Auriol has made history by winning the first FIA World Rally Championship event in China. The Toyota crew totally dominated the third and final leg, setting fastest times in five of the six stages to take victory by nearly a minute over Subaru rival Richard Burns. Toyota team-mate Carlos Sainz finished on the podium in third ahead of Burns' team-mate Juha Kankkunen.

"I am obviously delighted with the result; we knew when we came here that it would be rough, important to keep out of trouble and not make any mistakes. We are now equal on points with Tommi and for the three remaining events I think we will be very evenly matched," stated Auriol.

Conditions on today's six stages have been as tricky as ever. Running two loops of three stages, rain again created treacherous conditions this morning, some drivers reporting sections being more slippery than anywhere else in the world.

The FIA World Rally Championship now heads back to Europe for the last of the asphalt rounds of the series, Rallye Sanremo (11-13 October).

Provisional Results after Leg 3

1. Didier Auriol Toyota Corolla WRC 
2. Richard Burns Subaru Impreza WRC99
3. Carlos Sainz Toyota Corolla WRC
4. Juha Kankkunen Subaru Impreza WRC99
5. Harri Rovenpera SEAT Cordoba WRC
6. Volkan Isik Toyota Corolla WRC
7. Toshihiro Arai Subaru Impreza WRX
8. Gustavo Trelles Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V
9. Katsuhiko Taguchi Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V
10. Alister McRae Hyundai Coupe Evo II

Group N
1. Toshihiro Arai Subaru Impreza WRX
2. Gustavo Trelles Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V
3. Katsuhiko Taguchi Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI

2-Litre
1. Alister McRae Hyundai Coupe Evo II
2. Kenneth Eriksson Hyundai Coupe Evo II
3. Wen Fan Peugeot 106 Rallye

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