SCOTTISH driver Colin McRae thought he was back in the Highland mists of home as he ploughed his Subaru Legacy through mud, slush and shifting gravel to seize the lead in the 555 Hong Kong to Beijing Rally yesterday after 15 stages.
McRae, 25, sliced through New Zealander Possum Bourne's lead of one minute and 13 seconds to open up a gap of 56 seconds over Finn Ari Vatanen, who made another big move yesterday.
Vatanen trailed in fifth place after his Subaru Legacy suffered a fuel pump problem on Sunday, but he has steadily chipped away at a near four-minute deficit.
Bourne, also driving a Legacy, paid the price for not doing the race recce but still lies within striking distance in third place, one minute and three seconds off the lead.
''Conditions on the 13th stage were among the most difficult I have experienced since I started rally driving in 1979,'' Bourne said.
''Visibility was down to 15 to 20 feet in the fog and with the rain overnight the surface was really slippery.