Makinen leads title race

WORLD champion Tommi Makinen won the Portuguese Rally yesterday to take the lead in the drivers' championship.

Makinen, in a Mitsubishi, finished four minutes five seconds clear of Belgian Freddy Loix in a Toyota. Germany's Armin Schwarz was third in a Ford.

The Finnish driver leads the world championship with 18 points ahead of Subaru's Colin McRae on 13 and Spain's Carlos Sainz in a Ford on 12.

Makinen's victory for Mitsubishi, his first of the season, brought an end to Subaru's domination of the 1997 championship.

Subaru drivers, Italian Piero Liatti, Swede Kenneth Eriksson and McRae of Britain won the opening three rounds.

Makinen took the lead during the 18th stage following a spirited drive on the second day which saw him set the fastest time on every stage.

The rally was again marred by controversy involving spectators which may force future rallies to move north to Porto, where there are safer stages.

"You could not see the bends for spectators and you could not see the finish," said Eriksson. "It was just impossible."