Sunday, November 7, 1999 Published at 10:44 GMT
Burns' win but Makinen's title
Tommi Makinen kicks up the dust in Australia
Tommi Makinen has been crowned World Rally Champion for the fourth year in a row.
Makinen's effort in his Mitsubishi was enough to ensure that no other driver can catch him in the final round of the championship, the Rally of Great Britain later this month.
Makinen equalled Juha Kankkunen's record of four world rally crowns, although this is the first time anyone has won so many in succession.
After a fourth career win, Subaru's Burns is now third in the drivers' championship, just seven points behind Didier Auriol who retired from the rally on the second day.
The Briton could grab runers-up spot in the championship if he repeats his British win of last November.
"I had to take some risks on the second last stage to get some time difference out of Carlos, but I'm delighted to have won in Australia."
Auriol could equal Makinen's points total if he wins the final round, but would still lose the title on countback.
The Finn said: "This is just incredible - it is a fantastic feeling. Four years in a row is going to be very hard to beat.
"I'm glad I've won it here because now I can go to the British rally and try to win because I've never won it."
Toyota clinched the Manufacturers' title due to the efforts of Sainz and Auriol.
The team will withdraw from rallying at the end of the season to concentrate on Formula One.
McRae OK after smash
Britain's other top driver, Colin McRae, failed to finish the Australian event after a 100mph crash on the third of the four days.
Scot McRae admitted he and Welsh co-driver Nicky Grist were lucky to be just bruised and battered after their Ford Focus smacked head on into a eucalyptus
"I didn't have much time to think about it but I knew it was going to be a big one," he said.
"It was the kind of accident you want to forget about pretty quickly - certainly one of the biggest and most frightening I've had."
1 R Burns, Subaru Impreza (Gbr) 3hrs 44mins 31.5sec
1 T Makinen, Mitsubishi Lancer (Fin) 62 points
1 Toyota 109 pts