Gronholm dominates first day of New Zealand rally

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2006

HAMILTON, New Zealand (AFP) — Marcus Gronholm has survived an early puncture to dominate the opening day of the Rally of New Zealand. The Finnish driver ploughed into a fence post in the first stage, causing a puncture, but by the end of the day he and his compatriot Mikko Hirvonen had helped their team Ford zero in on world rally's manufacturers' title for the first time since 1979.

Ford need just three points from the New Zealand rally to deny Citroen, who have already taken the drivers' crown through Frenchman Sebastien Loeb. Loeb is not driving the New Zealand round as he is recovering from a broken arm. With two days to go, the flying Finns look well-placed to achieve a long overdue win for Ford, with the nearest Citroen challenger, Spain's Dani Sordo, in third, one...