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Loeb takes WRC for record eighth time after Hirvonen crashes
publication date: Nov 11, 2011
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author/source: Peter Hughes
Sebastien
Loeb has secured his eighth successive FIA World Rally Championship after rival
Mikko Hirvonen crashed out on the second day of Wales Rally GB.
Loeb had
set out from Llandudno with a 0.7second lead over the Finn and extended this by
a further 3.1 seconds on the opening stage of the day, Gartheiniog. Hirvonen
hit back on the very next stage, his Fiesta 2.5 seconds quicker than the
Citroen of Loeb and when they moved on to the second stage in the Dyfi complex,
he took a 0.4 second lead. |  |
Sadly,
what looked set to be a titanic battle was over soon afterwards when Hirvonen
hit a tree branch in Dyfnant, holing his radiator and damaging his engine too
badly to continue.
With
Loeb's record breaking title assured, he has now vowed to fight for overall
victory despite Hirvonen's team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala closing to within a
second of him by the end of the day.
Mads
Ostberg currently holds third place in his Fiesta but fellow Norwegian Petter
Solberg is less than eight seconds behind in his privately run Citroen.
Speaking
at the end of the day, Loeb said, "For sure it's a great moment to be eight
times World Champion but it is also strange to have this in the middle of a
rally. You can't have a drink, you just have to get in the car, still get up
early and continue the rally."
Meanwhile
Elfyn Evans (above) continues to lead the two wheel drive class while Builth Wells
driver Jason Pritchard is in fourth place in the competitive Production
category. Carmarthen co-driver Gareth Roberts and Irish driver Craig Breen head
the standings in the WRC
Academy which reaches its
conclusion on Saturday.
Also
concluding on Saturday is the two day national event, currently led by
Herefordshire's Roger Chilman but last year's winner, Presteigne's Nigel
Griffiths is hard on his heels and said "there is room for improvement
tomorrow." | | |
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