Laukkanen leads Pirelli Intl rally

In the Pirelli International Rally in Gateshead near Newcastle, and with six stages completed, Finland's Tapio Laukkanen - in a Group N Subaru Impreza - holds a 27 second advantage over the Ford Focus of British driver, Mark Higgins and his Northern Ireland co-driver, Michael Gibson.

David Higgins (Toyota Corolla WRC) is third, a further 21 seconds in arrears.

Kris Meeke, in a Ford Puma holds second spot in the Super 1600 class, 30 seconds adrift of the similar car of Guy Wilks.

Meeke, from Fermanagh, is 20 seconds ahead of Meath driver, Rory Galligan, who is the top Republic of Ireland driver.

Co-driven by Gordon Noble, Galligan, the inaugural winner of the Billy Coleman award, is eleventh overall.

Austin McHale, who was in third place after the third stage, lost several minutes when his Toyota Corolla WRC punctured and dropped him well down the leaderboard.

Another driver in trouble on the same stage was Marcus Dodd, who rolled his Subaru.

Garry Jennings leads the Peugeot 206 category, Shaun Gallagher is fourth and Gareth McHale is eighth.