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FIA RALLY: Telstra Rally Australia: Makinen Excluded; Gronholm Wins

14 November 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Tommi Makinen has been excluded due to the turbo on his car not complying with FIA homolgations. The FIA Technical delegate examined the turbo after the rally and found it did not comply with homologation rules. An FIA representative this morning said it appeared that the turbo's non-compliance was a genuine mistake rather than deliberate.

The change in the rally results, and the extra points for Peugeot, mena that it has now won the Manufacturers Championship (even if Ford equalled Peugeot's Championship points by coming first and second in the Rally of Great Britain - which it theoretically could - Peugeot would win the Championship on a countback).

The Telstra Rally Australia results also puts Gronholm in a nearly unbeatable position to clinch the Drivers championship to ensure a double triumph for Peugeot.

Text Provided By FIA

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