Marcus Gronholm clinched his third successive win in the Rally of Finland on Sunday.

The Finn came home one minute and 27.3 seconds ahead of Peugeot team-mate and reigning world champion Richard Burns of Britain.

Earlier, Colin McRae's championship hopes suffered a severe blow when his Ford Focus went up in flames at the end of the 20th stage.

The 1995 world title holder is now 17 points behind Gronholm, who leads the standings on 47.

McRae was flying until fire put paid to his chances

Scot McRae and his co-driver Nicky Grist, third at the time of the fire, were unhurt but perplexed by the cause.

A Ford team spokesman said: "From what we hear of the damage we may never find out."

Gronholm drove steadily on Sunday, taking no unnecessary risks to claim victory in his home event.

Burns was quickest on the opening stage of the day - Keuruu 1 - but failed to make significant inroads into Gronholm's lead.

McRae's exit allowed Subaru's Petter Solberg to take third after the Norwegian set the pace on the third stage of the leg - Kruununpera 1 - to move ahead of Spaniard Carlos Sainz.

Briton Alister McRae's rally ended on Jukojarvl 1 when rear suspension damage forced out his Lancer WRC.

Final positions and championship standings

1 Marcus Gronholm (Fin), Peugeot 3hrs 17min 52.5secs
2 Richard Burns (GB) Peugeot at 1:27.3
3 Petter Solberg (Nor) Subaru at 2:49.6
4 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Ford at 2:53.8
5 Markko Martin (Est) Ford at 3:10.0
6 Tommi Makinen (Fin) Subaru at 4:34.1
7 Sebastian Lindholm (Fin) Peugeot at 5:36.4
8 Jani Paasonen (Fin) Mitsubishi 5:55.3
9 Freddy Loix (Bel) Hyundai 6:07.8
10 Sebastien Loeb (Fra) Citroen 6:13.6