McRae roars back in Dakar Rally

Colin McRae scored his first podium finish on the Dakar Rally today to put his speeding penalty to the back of his mind.

The Scot was docked seven minutes 30 seconds last night after speeding through a restricted zone, a decision which dropped the Nissan driver to eighth overall.

But McRae, the 1995 World Rally champion, bounced back today to take third on stage six and move back up into sixth overall.

McRae, driving a Nissan, is over 23 minutes behind leader Hiroshi Masuoka, who was fastest on stage today.

Masuoka’s fellow Mitsubishi driver Stephane Peterhansel, another to suffer a penalty yesterday, lost the lead of the event after conceding almost eight minutes to Masuoka, who he now trails by 6mins 40secs.

Giniel de Villiers is third overall after finishing second on today’s 351-kilometre stage from Ouarzazate to Tan-Tan in Morocco.

Two of McRae’s fellow former World Rally greats suffered misfortune today with Ari Vatanen losing three hours after water seeped into the engine of his Nissan while Miki Biasion only has three wheels on his Mitsubishi after a serious accident.

Huddersfield’s Mark Round was 69th on today’s stage to be 70th overall in his Land Rover.

On two wheels, Joan Roma took stage glory today to climb into second overall, almost two minutes behind leader Isidre Esteve Pujol, who was second today. Cyril Despres is third overall to complete a KTM whitewash of the top three.

Mike Extance, from Derbyshire, is 104th overall while Patsy Quick, from East Sussex is 134th.

Vladimir Tchaguine, in a Kamaz, won today’s stage in the truck category to retain his lead from Gerardus de Rooy, who was second today in his DAF.