Sebastien Loeb claimed an unprecedented eighth successive world rally championship in Wales. Photo / AP
Sebastien Loeb claimed an unprecedented eighth successive world rally championship in Wales on Friday after a submerged branch stumped closest rival Mikko Hirvonen's title hopes.
Hirvonen, eight points off Loeb going into the 13th and final rally of the season, damaged the radiator on his Ford Fiesta after striking the offending object on the Wales Rally GB's seventh stage.
He tried to return to service in Builth Wells, a journey of more than 100 kilometres, but failed to get beyond the town of Newtown, and later conceded defeat in his attempt to get his battered car to Saturday's start line.
"It's over for sure," the Finn said.
"I have to thank the team for a really good effort and all the help. Unfortunately we have to look to the future and see what we can do in the future."
Even more distressing for Hirvonen was that he had just taken the lead of the event having been fastest over both stages five and six.
"I felt really good. There were some slippery places but I was still able to push, although maybe not much more. It's a hard rally and you can always have moments like that," he told wrc.com.
His misfortune handed the title to arch-rival Loeb.
The 37-year-old Frenchman commented: "It came a bit earlier than planned and in a way it's a relief because at the pace we were racing there was a strong chance that it would end in a KO for either one of us.
"Luckily for me it was him (Hirovonen). Staying on the road for four days here in these conditions wouldn't have been easy."
He added: "This title has a different taste because it's a new record, it's special."
Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson said: "It's devastating to go out in an incredible battle with Sebastien Loeb.
"It's a huge disappointment for the whole team after getting back into the championship fight again and then sadly losing it on the first day of the event."
Citroen DS ace Loeb was quickest in stages four and seven on Friday to top the standings by 1.1sec from Hirvonen's Ford Fiesta teammate and fellow Finn Jari-Matti Latvala, who was quickest in stages eight, 10 and 11.
- AFP
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