Gilles Panizzi built on an impressive early start to stretch his lead at the end of day one of the Catalunya Rally. The Frenchman has established a 26.1 second lead over reigning World Rally Championship leader and teammate Richard Burns after winning all of today's five stages, with stage one cancelled because of excessive spectator numbers near the finish.
Only Tommi Makinen managed to create a ripple on the otherwise smooth waters when he slid into a ditch on tonight's final stage and lost two minutes and three places before he could regain the road. Colin McRae has battled gamely despite a seriously finger injury sustained in his Corsica Rally accident. The Ford mechanics have had to fit the Focus with an extra gear shift system so that the Scot can control the car while changing gear in the sweeping corners that epitomise this event.
For the final two legs the action moves closer to the rally base at the holiday town of Lloret de Mar, north of Barcelona. The stages are less abrasive than those used today but more prone to gravelly surfaces and so they bring a fresh set of challenges.
Filed by Shane Murray
