Once the fog which dogged the early stages finally receded to give way to the spectacular scenery and the festivities of fans by the roadsides, McRae reveled in the adulation.

Their Ford Focus RS was quickest from Capilla del Monte to San Marcos Sierra in special stage five and second fastest on the 9.61km sixth stage back across the plain to Charbonier.

‘‘Everything is still fine,’’ said McRae.

‘‘The last stage was quite rough and rocky so we eased off a little to look after the car.

‘‘The roads were more similar to what we had anticipated today’s stages would be but generally the conditions have been better than we thought and that’s showing in our times.’’

Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya lie third in the second Ford Focus 57.30sec behind their colleagues.

The 39-year-old Madrid-based driver has battled on through a back injury and admitted his injury felt ‘‘no better, but no worse either’’.

Englishman Richard Burns ended the day in second spot, just 41.40sec behind McRae.

Things were not too bright for the Hyundai team however, as on the final stage both Accents caught fire forcing the drivers to take action.

While Alister McRae lost a massive seven minutes and finished down in 37th place, team-mate Kenneth Eriksson fared a little better finishing 13th.