<B>Gronholm: It was a big, big impact.</B>

BP Ford team leader, Marcus Gronholm has said that while his neck is a bit sore, he is otherwise 'OK' following his big crash this morning on the Rally Ireland.

Gronholm had been running third overall, just 4 seconds off the lead going into SS4, when he lost control of his Focus RS WRC car under braking for a corner and crashed heavily into a stone wall.

The incident occurred towards the end of the 20.57 kilometre-run through Lough Gill 1 and the earlier split times showed he was more than six seconds quicker than his nearest rivals.

Although Gronholm and co-driver, Timo Rautiainen were taken to Sligo General Hospital by ambulance, after the former briefly lost consciousness, they have since been released and given the all-clear.

"The accident happened near the finish on a wide, right corner," Marcus explained back in service. "I braked for the bend but it was extremely slippery and the car skated off the road.

"I managed to turn it sideways before hitting a stone wall hard. It was a big, big impact because the car stopped immediately. Both wheels on my side of the car were ripped off.

"We were taken to hospital where we were both given a scan but that showed no problems. My neck is sore but otherwise I'm OK."

Gronholm's exit however is major blow for his championship aspirations. Indeed with arch rival Sebastien Loeb currently on course for the win, the Finn looks set to go to Wales Rally GB in two weeks time, the final round in the FIA World Rally Championship, six points behind.

"It will be hard to lift the drivers' championship if S?bastien Loeb wins, but there are a lot of kilometres remaining here and on the final round in Great Britain so I'm not giving up hope yet," Gronholm summed-up defiantly.