McRae: It was a good dream while it lasted.

Colin McRae was left a frustrated bystander as time ticked down on his challenge for the Rally Australia podium, his Skoda having succumbed to a clutch problem with just three familiar stages to run.

Despite having lost second overall to Mitsubishi rival Harri Rovanpera during the first loop through Atkins and Helena, the Scot was confident that he could make up the gap between them, and go on to give Skoda a rare - and welcome - second place finish. However, the run through SS22 made McRae think that something may be wrong with the Fabia WRC and his crew duly set about replacing the clutch at the day's only service halt, fearing that it may not last the remaining three tests.

The changeover, however, proved trickier than first anticipated and eventually put the 1995 world champion over the allowable time limit for repairs. Earlier in the event, a similar change on team-mate Armin Schwarz?EUR(TM)s car took just 22 minutes, well within the time allowed.

Members of every rival team gathered to watch the drama unfold, keen to see the returning Scot continue his battle against the odds, but it was not to be. When it was realised that the rally was over, the audience burst into spontaneous - and sympathetic - applause, acknowledging McRae?EUR(TM)s drive to what might easily have been ? koda Motorsport?EUR(TM)s best ever finish in the World Rally Championship. That, however, was of little consolation to a gutted driver.

"It was a huge disappointment retiring so close to the end," he sighed, his second appearance in the Fabia having been brought to a premature close, "We were confident of passing Harri for second place, but it all came to nothing.

"These things can happen at any time, and with any team, but it was especially frustrating for it to happen just now. It was a good dream while it lasted."

Skoda's future in the WRC remains in doubt as the bean-counters in the Czech Republic decide whether another campaign is viable. It had been hoped that a strong result in Australia may tip the balance in favour of a return, and McRae remains hopeful that the marque can continue next season. Whether he will be involved, however, remains to be seen.

"I?EUR(TM)ve proved a lot to myself, and also a lot about the Fabia WRC 05," he admitted, "I hope it will have a positive effect on the future of the team."