1.   Among the new contenders is former world rally champion Ari Vatanen, who now spends his time farming in southern France.

2.   Australian rally champion Possum Bourne won the second round of the Petronas Malaysian Rally Championship on Sunday.

3.   Defending world rally champion Richard Burns of Britain slipped to fourth in his Peugeot.

4.   Former world rally champion Colin McRae of Scotland is prepared to amputate his little finger if it will keep him from missing key races.

5.   Former two-time world rally champion Carlos Sainz of Spain took the lead after the second day of the Monte Carlo Rally.

6.   He said the message of hate some rally speakers champion was not enough to overcome constitutional protections.

7.   Multiple Middle East rally champion Mohammed Sulayem said Monday he is making a comeback in the sport after Ford Motor Co. agreed to sponsor him again this season.

8.   Reigning world rally champion Colin McRae finished fourth after a bad day Saturday.

9.   Previously, the Finnish Post Office has issued stamps of leading sports figures, including world rally champions Timo Makinen and Juha Kankkunen.

10.   Reigning world rally champion Tommi Makinen of Finland shared top place with Italian Piero Liatti after the second day of the Catalonia Rally here Tuesday.