Makinen wins Safari Rally

Tommi Makinen leads Colin McRae by 10 points

Finland's Tommi Makinen won the Safari Rally in Kenya on Sunday to take the outright lead in the World Rally Championship.

Former world champion Makinen, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer, finished 12 minutes 37 seconds ahead of compatriot Harri Rovanpera in a Peugeot.

Germany's Armin Schwarz came third to hand Skoda their first ever podium finish.

Makinen won Sunday's opening stage, the 117-kilometre Oltopesi section, from Rovanpera.

Heavy cloud disrupted the early racing, and with the safety helicopters grounded the 12th stage was cancelled.

France's Francois Delecour won the 13th stage, but Makinen wrapped up the race after finishing five minutes clear of nearest rival Rovanpera.

Makinen finished with an overall time of 8 hours 58 minutes 37 seconds, comfortably ahead of Rovanpera's 9:11.14.

Schwarz was a further five minutes back on 9:16.52, but was delighted with Skoda's best ever showing in a World Championship event.

Makinen's win gives him a 10-point lead over Britain's Colin McRae, who retired on the first day.

Next up the drivers face conditions as far removed as possible from those they found in Kenya at the Rally of Finland on 23 August.

FIA World Rally Championship, round 8 Safari Rally, Kenya, final positions:

1 Tommi Makinen (Finland) Mitsubishi 8 hours 58 minutes 37 seconds
2 Harri Rovanpera (Finland) Peugeot 9:11:14.0
3 Armin Schwarz (Germany) Skoda 9:16:12.0
4 Francois Delecour (France) Ford 9:19:13.0
5 Freddy Loix (Belgium) Mitsubishi 10:42:39.0
6 Gabriel Pozzo (Argentina) Mitsubishi 11:06:03.0
7 Marcos Ligato (Argentina) Mitsubishi 11:06:27.0
8 Rory Green (Kenya) Subaru 11:54:33.0
9 Azar Anwa (Kenya) Mitsubishi 12:11:40.0