Was Gronholm a worthy winner?

Richard Burns won his home Rally of Great Britain for the second year in succession but it was not enough to deny Marcus Gronholm, the race runner up, from winning the World Championship.

It was a remarkable achievement for Gronhom at the end of his first full season on the global stage - but Burns won more races than anyone this season.

So who do you think is the best rally driver of 2000? Send us your views.

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Burns' win in Wales was his fourth of the season compared to Gronholm's three.

Yet Gronholm went into the race knowing exactly what he had to do. He did not have to push for victory - a top five finish was what he required.

It was been a remarkably close season, with five drivers in with a chance of winning the championship up until the penultimate round in Australia.

Colin McRae has done well in the Ford, while his team-mate Carlos Sainz has proved he is still a force after more than 10 years at the top of the sport.

And then there is Tommi Makinen, who has lost the chance to clinch his fifth consecutive title, and yet has been in the picture all season, despite having an outdated car.

Gronholm has been crowned 2000 world rally champion. Can there be any doubt the Finn is the best rally driver in the world?

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The man who has the most points is the winner. That's Marcus and he will be a good Ambassador for the sport.
Bill Baird, Finland

The Peugeot is the reson that Gronholm will win the championship. Therefore if he is the best driver of the best car - he of course should win!
Rick, France

There is no doubt that Gronholm will win the title

  Will, England

There is no doubt that Gronholm will win the title; due to consistency and having better machinery. Burns, has made mistakes but should be a major contender (again) for the title next year. This leads me on to my main point. 'Sandy' very rightly pointed out that there is not enough British talent in the WRC. Whatever happened to Martin Rowe? An excellent driver who seemed to fade away. Evans and even McRae, to an extent, have not caught the attention of the major teams. I hope for the benefit of British rallying in the future that someone notices the talent of Neil Wearden, Mark Higgins and good manufacturers will take them on board.
Will, England

Gronholm's performance has been outstanding considering Sweden was his first WRC win. Burns has been supurb all season as well. Whichever one wins the championship will deserve it as much as the other.
Patrick Dunstan, UK

Gronholm and Peugeot have proved themselves to be a class apart this season and should deservedly finish the season on top. Gronholm deserves the title, what he has achieved this year with such limited experience is nothing short of amazing.
Adam Kent, UK

I would really like to see the change! Finns are not so selfish that we would like to keep it a whole decade !
Flying Finn, Finland

Well, Burns has his work cut out if he's to snatch the title off Makinen

  Graham Palmer, Devon

Burns, I have no doubt if the car is reliable will win in GB. The Mitsubishi and Subaru teams need to redesign for next year. Ford will be strong next year if they again get the reliability right. As a Scot living near McRae's home town I'd have loved to see him win but I'd rather see Burns in his low flying Blue missile win ahead of the Peugot scrapheap.
Figures, Scotland

If Gronholm wins, maybe the national motorsport organisations should once have a think why it is AGAIN a Finn who wins the Rally crown.
Sandy, UK