Rally Australia moved to a later date and was held on October 30 to November 2, based in Perth.
World Rally Championship Round 13
Asia Pacific Rally Championship Round 6
The WRC this year was a very close tussle between Tommi Mäkinen in a Group A Lancer, Colin McRae in a Subaru WRC and Carlos Sainz in an Escort WRC. With Rally Australia now the second last round, there was all to play for. Coming into the event, McRae and Sainz both trailed Mäkinen and both needed a win.
Mitsubishi came with Mäkinen and Burns, backed up by local Ordynski also in a Group A Lancer. Subaru had McRae and Eriksson, backed up by Possum Bourne. Ford had Sainz and Kankkunen, while Toyota fielded WRC Corollas for Auriol, Loix and local Neal Bates.
Unlike the previous year, conditions were dry and dusty with some disadvantage to early runners on the ball bearing surfaces, somewhat balanced by the dust free run at the front. So by the end of day one, McRae was just ahead of Burns, then Auriol, Sainz and Eriksson. Mäkinen was in sixth more than a minute adrift after a 30 second penalty. Kankkunen was all but out having hit something. Day two saw inspired rives by both Mäkinen and Sainz. McRae was ahmpered by road position but held the lead until the final stage, while team-mate Erikkson crashed out. At day end Sainz had a 2 second lead over McRae and Mäkinen had picked up time but was still fifth behind Burns and Auriol. Sainz’s Corolla retired with engine problems on the first stage of the final day, his championship hopes all but over. McRae could not be beaten but Mäkinen won all four stages on the final day to climb up to second, critical points that would ultimately see him take the championship from McRae by a single point.
Among the locals, Possum Bourne came home in fifth well behind Auriol and Burns, with Ordynski sixth and Bates eighth behind the remaining factory Corolla of Freddy Loix.
