Motorsport: Burns drops to third but is still on track

Richard Burns has dropped one place to third in the Network Q Rally of Great Britain this morning, but is still on course for the world title.

The 30-year-old lost more than 30 seconds to leader Marcus Gronholm and Harri Rovenpera, who is now second, on the opening special stage at Rheola, in south Wales.

Burns needs to finish in the top four to snatch the title from Colin McRae. He is more than two minutes ahead of fourth-placed Alister McRae, with just three special stages left.

Rovanpera clocked the fastest time on the 16.73-mile stage, from fellow Peugeot driver Gronholm as they encountered the worst conditions of the rally so far of heavy rain and fog.

Gronholm now leads by one minute and 36 seconds from his Finnish countryman, with Burns and co-driver Robert Reid another 26secs adrift in their Subaru.

McRae is younger brother of Colin, who crashed out on Friday.

Burns trails Ford's McRae by two points, but would become England's first world champion by two points should he remain in third spot for the rest of the rally.