Martin edges closer to victory

Markko Martin remains on course for his first World Rally Championship victory after consolidating his lead at the head of the Acropolis Rally today.

The Estonian’s Ford Focus heads the leaderboard after special stage 19 and he has an advantage of just under one minute heading into the three final stages of the event.

Behind him is Norwegian Petter Solberg of Subaru.

Solberg began the day in third place behind Carlos Sainz of the Citroen team but launched a ferocious attack on the Spaniard.

The Norwegian closed the gap to half a second after SS18 before Sainz clawed a few tenths of a second back on the third stage of the day.

Colin McRae lies in fourth place and is poised to pounce on any problems that may befall the leading trio.

The Scot knows more than anyone how to handle what is regarded as the most gruelling circuit in the calendar.

He has won the event for the last three years and is well aware of the jagged rocks that litter the sides of the routes and which can often cause huge problems and enforced retirements.

McRae’s fellow Briton Richard Burns of Peugeot is showing little sign of the gearbox problems that are forcing him to compete without second gear on Sunday and he is locked in combat with Finland’s Tommi Makinen of Subaru for fifth spot.