From the BP Ford Team Press Release Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen were outstanding in dreadful weather conditions to win five of the day's six speed tests in south Wales and build a 39.6-sec lead in the Rally of Great Britain, final round of the 2008 World Rally Champiosnhip. Teammates Marcus Grönholm and Timo Rautiainen shared fastest time on the other special stage to end the day in second.Hirvonen was a fast starter this morning and quickest time on the opening three tests allowed him to build a 21.4sec lead. He was beaten into third on the middle stage of the afternoon loop but quickest time on the other two stages enabled the 27-year-old Finn to extend that advantage into a comfortable overnight lead.Grönholm, making his 150th WRC start on his final rally before retirement, was focused more on the battle for the drivers' title in the championship. The 39-year-old Finn's hopes of a third crown depend on the fortunes of archrival Sébastien Loeb, and he made a cautious start in the fog. However, he quickly climbed to second and remained there this afternoon to end the day ahead of the Frenchman. Petter Solberg (Subaru) lies fourth despite a big spin early in the first stage and a broken shock absorber on the final test. Dani Sordo (Citroen) and Matthew Wilson (Ford) completed the top six. Leaderboard after Leg 1 1. M Hirvonen/J LehtinenFINFord Focus RS1hr 17min 21.3sec2. M Grönholm/T RautiainenFINFord Focus RS1hr 18min 00.9sec3. S Loeb/D ElenaFCitroen C41hr 18min 19.2sec4. P Solberg/P MillsNSubaru Impreza1hr 18min 55.3sec5. D Sordo/M MartiECitroen C41hr 19min 59.2sec6. M Wilson/M OrrGBFord Focus RS1hr 22min 22.6sec 7. C Atkinson/S PrévotAUSSubaru Impreza1hr 22min 23.6sec8. M Stohl/I MinorACitroen Xsara1hr 22min 59.2sec9. X Pons/X AmigoESubaru Impreza1hr 23min 18.8sec 10 A Mikkelsen/O FloeneNFord Focus RS1hr 24min 03.1sec
Hirvonen leads the way