 Gronholm is looking for a third rally win this year |
Marcus Gronholm responded to a brief challenge from runaway championship leader Sebastien Loeb to dominate the second day of the Rally of Greece. Overnight leader Gronholm got off to a flying start on stage eight, the first of the day, finishing 2.4 seconds ahead of Loeb with Petter Solberg third.
Loeb responded by the next stage from Gronholm - but Gronholm then won three of the last four stages of the day.
Solberg dropped completely out of the rally after a final stage accident.
Solberg was forced to swerve off the road to avoid a reckless driver travelling the wrong way down the road.
In doing so, the Norwegian hit a rock and damaged his suspension and steering.
However, under rally rules, Solberg will be allowed to continue racing on Sunday, although his chances of a high finish have been destroyed.
His retirement promoted Finnish driver Mikko Hirvonen into third place.
Reigning double world champion Loeb, who won the previous five rallies, after Gronholm won the first two, has a 31-point lead on the Finn after seven of 16 rallies.
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