First win for Puras

Spaniard Jesus Puras held off the challenge of Gilles Panizzi to claim a maiden world championship rally win in France today.

Spaniard Jesus Puras held off the challenge of Gilles Panizzi to claim a maiden world championship rally win in France today.

Puras won the Rally of Corsica by 17.5 seconds, despite finishing over a minute off the pace on the final stage.

Aside from Puras, the most satisfied driver will have been England's Richard Burns, who claimed two championship points for his fifth-place finish.

The reward means he moves to within five points of joint-leaders Tommi Makinen and Colin McRae with just the Australian and British legs remaining.

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Scot McRae, who finished second to Burns on the final stage - stage 16 - managed only 11th place and missed out on the points.

PA