FIA World Rally Championship leader Tommi Mäkinen has suffered an early exit at the Rally of Finland this morning. Mäkinen was hoping to extend his lead at the top of the standings with victory this weekend and as a five-time winner of the event, he stood an excellent chance. However, he hit a tree stump half-way through the opening stage, forcing him out of the race.
Mäkinen began this event on 40 points after his Rally of Kenya victory, but second-place Colin McRae, who has never won in Finland, now has an excellent opportunity to cut into the 10-point lead.
Mäkinen, McRae and Carlos Sainz all have 23 WRC victories to their name and with Mäkinen out of the way, the other two will be trying to make the record for most wins their own in Finland. The fourth man with 23 successes, Juha Kankkunen, is also present, having been drafted into the Hyundai squad for a one-off appearance.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
