Rallying - Gronholm leads in Japan

Ford's Marcus Gronholm took the early lead in the Rally of Japan after winning six of the first 10 stages yesterday. Championship leader Sebastien Loeb, driving a Citroen for the Kronos team, ended the opening day 10.5 seconds behind the Finn and well...

Ford's Marcus Gronholm took the early lead in the Rally of Japan after winning six of the first 10 stages yesterday. Championship leader Sebastien Loeb, driving a Citroen for the Kronos team, ended the opening day 10.5 seconds behind the Finn and well placed to hunt down his rival today.

By mid-afternoon, the rally was already a private battle between the two, with Gronholm's Ford team-mate Mikko Hirvonen ending the opening leg a distant third, one minute 2.1 seconds off the pace.

Loeb, chasing a record 27th career win, leads Gronholm by 31 points in the overall standings with six rallies, including Japan, remaining.

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