Martin Prokop was disqualified for irregular brakes. The FIA Stewards has issued the release shown in the picture.

On the Saturday, both Solberg brothers touched the same rock beside the stage, and both punctured as a result. When they got to the end of the stage, they discovered the difference in their times was just 1 second!

Hirvonen's was the first engine failure for the M-Sport team for three years. That was when Ford had been experiencing valve train troubles, and the sealed engine pairing rules meant the team had to take engines to Argentina which they knew would be faulty.

Fuel problems struck several crews. PCWRC driver Gabor Meyer, from Hungary, spent 40 minutes trying to make his Subaru climb the high altitude Guilio Cesare stage.

There were huge crowds. It was estimated that there were 300,000 spectators on the second day, 10,000 on one stage alone. Despite alarmist pre-event health warnings, there were no reports of spectators attacked by mosquitoes.

Sebastien Ogier still does not know if his programme of six WRC events will be extended. All he knows is that he will enter Sardinia.

Alessandro Bettega confirmed that this was his final rally in a Super 1600. From now on he will compete the rest of the season only in Clio R3 cars.

Conrad Rautenbach was banned from continuing on the rally after his excursion on Saturday, as the roll cage was damaged.

3mmm