Alen leads rally

Press, 22 November 1978, Page 6

Alen leads rally

NZPA Teeside. Markka Alen. of Finland, driving a Lancia Stratos, held his lead m the 3200 km Royal Automobile Club round BHtain car i ally after a testing special stage through the north Yorkshire forests yesterday. ”• But the Ford team, whose Reparations had been disrupted by. an eight week strike, had fought its way back into the reckoning Alen’s compatriot, Hannu Mikola, in an Escort RS 1800. had powered his way up to second place and there were another fi\e Escorts in the top 10. The 27-year-old Alen, who has been almost unbeatable in a list Abarth 131 this year, switched to the powerful, chisel-shaped Stratos for the R’-A.C, Mikola took second, spot yesterdav from the West GertfWJ Walter RohrL who led briefly, in his Fiat Mirafiori Abarth when the rally was flagged -.away from Birmingham on Mortda-' New Zealand time).

Bioro Waldegaard of Sweden, last year's winner, had brake problems early on. but has moved up to fifth place in his Escort

Pentri Airikkala Finland! is holding fourth place in his Che\ette DTV.

The Auckland driver. Ai«n Carter, was lying tl I fift Monday night. Carter, driving an Ks.cut Rfi 2QOO was seeded fifty-MXth at the start but a good petformWe on Monday in specif -tages aboono the rally pa-.e, Binning Kam, raised his standing for yesterday's re-start.