From the World Rally Championship
Sebastien Loeb capped the perfect day with an eighth fastest time on the final stage of the Rallye de France - but the recently crowned seven-time champion wasn't remotely worried about how long it had taken him to race around his town for the second time.
The Frenchman and his Citroen C4 WRC enjoyed another inch-perfect and trouble-free day. Fourth fastest in Haguenau this morning, the champion elect was second in what would become the day’s only visit to the 24-kilometre Bitche Camp stage.
When the re-run of that test was cancelled due to high number of spectators, just over four kilometres stood between Loeb and his 60th win. And those kilometres were dispatched with a smile on his face.
Loeb’s team-mate Dani Sordo took second place, helping to confirm Citroen as winners of the manufacturers’ championship again. With Petter Solberg not too far behind - and fastest on Sunday’s opening stage, Sordo had to be on his mettle in Bitche Camp. He was. He was fastest. Second to Loeb again, Sordo didn’t mind this time.
Even though he ended the event just 12.8 seconds behind Loeb, Latvala was delighted with his event - and the four fastest times he set. In fairness to the Finn, his scratch time on the second run through Haguenau will probably be shaded by a Frenchman winning a bit more. But no matter, Latvala had driven exceptionally, but he was still a little disappointed.
Latvala’s team-mate Mikko Hirvonen was fifth with a returning (following his suspension damage yesterday) Sebastien Ogier sixth.
Patrik Sandell won the Super 2000 category, while Armindo Araujo mastered the Production class and Jeremi Ancian collected his first Junior win in a Suzuki Swift S1600.
Rallye de France – Classification:
1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen C4) in 3h05’49’’3
2. Sordo-Vallejo (Citroen C4) + 35’’7
3. Solberg-Patterson (Citroen C4) + 1’16’’8
4. Latvala-Anttila (Ford Focus) + 1’29’’3
5. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Ford Focus) + 3’43’’8
6. Ogier-Ingrassia (Citroen C4) + 11’55’’9
7. Villagra-Curletto (Ford Focus) + 14’15’’4
8. Wilson-Martin (Ford Focus) + 14’26’’9
Etc.
Championship:1. Loeb 266 points, 2. Ogier 166, 3. Latvala 144, 4. Solberg 133, 5. Sordo 125, 6. Hirvonen 104, 7. Wilson 60, 8. Villagra 36, etc.
Sebastien Loeb capped the perfect day with an eighth fastest time on the final stage of the Rallye de France - but the recently crowned seven-time champion wasn't remotely worried about how long it had taken him to race around his town for the second time.
The Frenchman and his Citroen C4 WRC enjoyed another inch-perfect and trouble-free day. Fourth fastest in Haguenau this morning, the champion elect was second in what would become the day’s only visit to the 24-kilometre Bitche Camp stage.
When the re-run of that test was cancelled due to high number of spectators, just over four kilometres stood between Loeb and his 60th win. And those kilometres were dispatched with a smile on his face.
Loeb’s team-mate Dani Sordo took second place, helping to confirm Citroen as winners of the manufacturers’ championship again. With Petter Solberg not too far behind - and fastest on Sunday’s opening stage, Sordo had to be on his mettle in Bitche Camp. He was. He was fastest. Second to Loeb again, Sordo didn’t mind this time.
Even though he ended the event just 12.8 seconds behind Loeb, Latvala was delighted with his event - and the four fastest times he set. In fairness to the Finn, his scratch time on the second run through Haguenau will probably be shaded by a Frenchman winning a bit more. But no matter, Latvala had driven exceptionally, but he was still a little disappointed.
Latvala’s team-mate Mikko Hirvonen was fifth with a returning (following his suspension damage yesterday) Sebastien Ogier sixth.
Patrik Sandell won the Super 2000 category, while Armindo Araujo mastered the Production class and Jeremi Ancian collected his first Junior win in a Suzuki Swift S1600.
Rallye de France – Classification:
1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen C4) in 3h05’49’’3
2. Sordo-Vallejo (Citroen C4) + 35’’7
3. Solberg-Patterson (Citroen C4) + 1’16’’8
4. Latvala-Anttila (Ford Focus) + 1’29’’3
5. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Ford Focus) + 3’43’’8
6. Ogier-Ingrassia (Citroen C4) + 11’55’’9
7. Villagra-Curletto (Ford Focus) + 14’15’’4
8. Wilson-Martin (Ford Focus) + 14’26’’9
Etc.
Championship:1. Loeb 266 points, 2. Ogier 166, 3. Latvala 144, 4. Solberg 133, 5. Sordo 125, 6. Hirvonen 104, 7. Wilson 60, 8. Villagra 36, etc.