Milner takes lead

British champion Jonny Milner leads the Scottish Rally after two of today’s five stages as previous leader Tapio Laukkanen suffered a puncture.

Milner’s Toyota Corona heads the Finn’s Subaru Impreza by 12 seconds in the third round of the Pirelli British Championship after the previous leader lost a minute when he was forced to drive for six miles with the puncture.

Eighteen-year-old Finn Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford Focus) is clawing back the time lost yesterday and is up to third place behind Milner and Laukkanen.

Cumbrian driver Dougi Hall (Mitsubishi Lancer) has been demoted from third to fifth as the top drivers battle for a place on the podium.

Gwyndaf Evans (MG) leads the Super 1600 class from Kris Meeke (Vauxhall Corsa) and is in a strong sixth place overall.

Neil Buckley still leads the Production class and lies in 12th position in his Mitsubishi E5.

Shelley Taunt (Nissan Micra) continues as the leading lady driver, a daunting 15 minutes ahead of Kate Heath (Seat Ibiza).

There are now just three stages to go before the crews return to Dumfries for the finish.