Second successive win for Sainz

INDONESIA, Sept 23: Carlos Sainz overcame fierce heat and humidity, plus tropical rainstorms, and closed the gap to World Rally Championship leader Tommi Makinen with his second successive win in the rally of Indonesia. The Ford driver8217;s success in the 11th round of the series moved him to within nine points of reigning world champion Makinen, who was forced to retire on the second day of the event. The two Toyota Castrol team Corollas of Didier Auriol-Denis Giraudet and Neal Bates-Coral Taylor both retired from the event. However, Yoshio Fujimoto and Arne Hertz claimed fifth position in their Castrol supported Toyota Celica GT four.

Kenneth Erikson8217;s third place in the sole remaining Subaru ensured they maintained the lead in the manufacturer8217;s championship, just one point ahead of Ford. Richard Burns was fourth in his Mitsubishi, losing time on the first day with a misfire.

Karamjit Singh claimed the production car category with his Proton Wira, finishing sixth overall. However, the Castrol backed Subaru Impreza of Shigeyuki Konishi and Tony Sircombe stormed to second place in the class with a fine drive over the final leg. Harri Rovanpera8217;s Seat was the first Formula Two car home in seventh, with the second Seat of Erwin Weber ninth.