Early exit for Rossi as Gronholm takes control

The rally of Great Britain was at its most pernicious yesterday, seeing off high-profile guest competitors, tripping up the leading home drivers and frustrating all with the cancellation of a spectator-congested stage. But nothing, it would appear, can divert Marcus Gronholm from his relentless cause, and while others were casting their dignity into ditches and trees, the imperious world champion was heading for a record equalling sixth win of the season.

Colin McRae and Richard Burns, each armed with three victories on this event, faltered in the morning and effectively put themselves out of contention for a fourth. They were left to try to salvage self-respect and places on the podium.

For some there would be no consolation. Valentino Rossi, the MotoGP world champion, came into the rally wearing his customary smile and steered by zealous commercial machinery. But nine miles into his first forest stage he discovered that supremacy on two wheels is no guarantee of security on four slithering tyres.

The 23-year-old Italian's Peugeot went into a half-spin, slid backwards off the road, and down a bank. With no spectators on the scene to help push him out he was helpless. He managed to round up willing hands but even they were powerless to assist him. His world rally championship debut was over.

He is said to have blamed he blinding early sun and his team, aware of his plight, tried to call him but he had left his mobile phone in the stricken car. He was driven back here by his father, to pick up his own car and drive towards London, leaving his co-driver, Carlo Cassina, to take the retrieved 206 back to the service park here at Felindre.

Cassina said: "We tried to push the car back on the road ourselves but it was clear that it would not work. So Valentino went running back up the stage and eventually came back with 10 spectators. That, unfortunately, still wasn't enough.''

Mark Blundell, the former Formula One driver, survived a brush with a tree, but the MG, already down on power, came to a halt on stage five.

The ITV commentator said: "We were on three cylinders but it looked like we would get to the end of the stage. Then, with about one and a half miles to go, we lost all drive.''

McRae, competing in his last event for Ford, and Burns, still seeking his first victory with Peugeot, will now settle for places on the podium, accepting that Gronholm cannot be caught.

The first stage of the day cost McRae dear. He missed a junction and, even with the help of spectators, lost so much time that he completed the test in 17th place overall. By the end of the day's forest stages he had lifted his Focus up to seventh.

The Scot said: "We went straight on at a junction in sixth gear, which is about 100mph. The car went into a ditch and it took ages for the spectators to push us out.

"But we will keep going for it. A podium finish is still possible. We're quicker than just about all the guys except Marcus. It's not so important for him whether he stays on or goes off. We drive at 10-tenths all the time. Nothing less.''

Burns was up to eighth from a low point of 12th. He went off the road twice, damaging but not crippling his Peugeot 206.

Burns said: "On the road back to service we realised we had a hydraulic leak from the differential. We will try to change both the gearbox and the diff. The cancellation of stage four hasn't helped our cause, but I can still finish second.''

It has been the story of the season. Burns and McRae admit they have made life too easy for the Finn and again he capitalised on their generosity.

The Peugeot driver headed for last night's second running of the super special stage in Cardiff with a 50-second advantage over his nearest challenger, the Norwegian Petter Solberg, driving a Subaru.

Gronholm said: "The other guys seem to think I am taking risks but they can't tell by just looking at my lines. I'm not taking risks, it's just that sometimes you brake and the grip isn't there.''

Stage four was scrapped because of "spectator pressure''. Thirteen people were injured when Carlos Sainz's Ford went off in last year's event and organisers were adamant that safety would be paramount.

NETWORK Q RALLY OF GREAT BRITAIN Leading positions after six stages: 1 M Gronholm (Fin) Peugeot 1hr 4min 58.1sec; 2 P Solberg (Nor) Subaru +49.6sec; 3 M Martin (Est) Ford +51.8; 4 C Sainz (Sp) Ford +1min 5.0secs; 5 H Rovanpera (Fin) Peugeot +1:43.2; 6 T Makinen (Fin) Subaru +1:46.4; 7 C McRae (GB) Ford +1:58.7; 8 R Burns (GB) Peugeot +2:00.3; 9 S Loeb (Fr) Citroen +2:10.5; 10 M Higgins (GB) Ford +2:43.4.