Solberg seized his chance

Saturday's eight special stages, run in temperatures which soared to 60C degrees, proved too gruelling for the cars of drivers including Marcus Gronholm, Richard Burns and Gilles Panizzi.

Other drop-outs included the Ford of Markko Martin of Estonia and Frenchman Francois Duval, and Belgian Freddie Loix's Hyundai.

Overnight leader and reigning world champion Gronholm's had to quit during a tough eighth stage with propshaft damage.

Championship leader Burns followed his Peugeot team-mate out of the race after the 10th stage when he was in sixth.

Tomorrow morning, I guarantee you that I will attack on the first three stages Petter Solberg

Burns, who suffered hydraulic problems on Friday, retired when his engine expired 1km from the service park after overheating on the ninth and 10th stages.

Subaru's Solberg took his chance following Gronholm's exit but he then came under attack from Finn Harri Rovanpera's Peugeot.

But the Norwegian made a fine comeback in the 10th stage, pulling back 10 seconds in 15km.

And he has promised more of the same on Sunday: "Tomorrow morning, I guarantee you that I will attack on the first three stages," he told www.wrc.com.

"I need more seconds - you can have a spin or a puncture, or anything. We want to try to be world champion this year and taking rally wins and 10 points is important."

It's been a tough day - I don't think I can remember one like it, really Colin McRae

Frenchman Sebastien Loeb is third in his Citroen, nearly two and a half minutes off the pace but well ahead of fourth-placed British team-mate Colin McRae.

The Scot was fortunate to finish the 10th stage after breaking his rear suspension.

"It's been a tough day. I don't think I can remember one like it, really - the rate of attrition has been pretty amazing," McRae said.

"But we're here and all three Citroens are here, and that's encouraging.

"We hope that everything can keep going OK, but there are still six stages to go and I'm sure conditions will still be difficult tomorrow."

Spaniard Sainz, second in the championship standings five points behind Burns, is in fifth place.

The Fords of Acropolis Rally winner Martin and Duval both retired during the fifth stage due to the same problem - loss of oil pressure.

Frenchman Panizzi suffered engine failure during the sixth special and Loix also retired close to the end of that stage.