Peugeot's Marcus Gronholm will win the Rally New Z♋ealand - provided he does not encounter problems on the run back to the finish in Auckl🌠and.

Althou🌜gh he rarely ran right at the front during the third leg, the Finn was always in touch with those that did, and monitored his advantage to the end.

Colin McRae ended the rally as Gronholm's nearest challenger, following the late demise of Richard Burns, and both drivers close the championship gap as a cons🍌equence.

Carlos Sainz and Petter Solberg took third and fourth for Ford - confirming the Focus' improved reliability - while Kenneth Eriksson survived where tꦰeam-mate Alister McRae faile﷽d to take fifth for Hyundai. Possum Bourne's privateer Impreza took sixth as leading Asia-Pacific runner.

Manfred Stohl took GpN honours for Mitsubishi, acting as some comfort following Tommi Mak🦩inen's retirement, but was pushed all the way by Cody Crocker's Subaru. Gustavo Trelles was third in class.

A full report and results w🦄ill follow shortly after the return to Auckland....