Loeb ready to make history

04th September 2008

Citroen ace Sebastien Loeb is on course to claim a record fifth world crown, following a dramatic win on Rally New Zealand. The leading factory Fords struck trouble while in the lead, enabling the Frenchman to secure victory ahead of his team-mate Dani Sordo on the penultimate stage. Pacesetter Mikko Hirvonen suffered a puncture and a spin, relegating him to third. His fellow Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala was on course for a second-place finish when his car’s radiator was damaged on a rock, ending the event for him.

Petter Solberg brought his Subaru Impreza home in fourth, while Suzuki celebrated a double points haul after its SX4 WRC cars finished in sixth and seventh. The teams now return to Europe for the Rally of Spain on 2 October.

Standings

Rally New Zealand
1. S. Loeb Citroen
2. D. Sordo Citroen
3. M. Hirvonen Ford
4. P. Solberg Subaru

Drivers
1. S. Loeb 86
2. M. Hirvonen 78
3. D. Sordo 51
4. C. Atkinson 40

Constructors
1. Citroen 141
2. Ford 121
3. Subaru 74
4. Stobart Ford 51

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