LOEB ENDS 2004 ON THE WINNER'S PODIUM!

Team Director, Guy Fréquelin puts in perspective the conditions faced by Loeb.

"Where the gravel had been cleared aside, the surface was as hard as concrete," commented Fréquelin. "However, the end of the braking zone where I was standing was sandy. That's not easy for a driver arriving at the braking point at something like 200 kph!"

The finale of Rally Australia in the celebrated Sotico Complex south of Perth where the two loops of two stages were split by a Remote Tyre Fitting Zone (RTFZ). For 'Bannister North Short' and 'Bannister Central 1', Loeb chose the Michelin Z, a slightly wider tyre than the Michelin ZE option taken by their rivals. However, there was apparently more surface gravel to be cleared than expected which tipped the balance in favour of those who had gone for the narrower choice. For the event's last two stages ('Bannister North Long', the longest of the weekend at 35.64 km, and 'Bannister Central 2'), the Xsara went out on the same tyres as its rivals and bagged two more fastest times, taking its score to 13 from a possible 25.

Overall classification Telstra Rally Australia 2004

1. S. Loeb/D. Elena (Citroën Xsara) 3 h 39 min 46,8 s 2. H. Rovanperä/R. Pietilainen (Peugeot 307) + 1 min 55,1 s 3. F. Duval/S.Prevot (Ford Focus) + 3 min 40,2 s 4. M. Hirvonen/J. Lehtinen (Subaru Impreza) + 6 min 00,4 s 5. Ch. Atkinson/B. Atkinson (Subaru Impreza) + 16 min 55,6 s 6. X. Pons/O. Julià (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 17 min 36,1 s 7. C. Crocker/G. Foletta (Subaru Impreza) + 17 min 43,3 s 8. T. Arai/T. Sircombe (Subaru Impreza) + 19 min 23,3 s

FIA World Manufacturers' Rally Championship

1. Citroën, 194 points (World Champion 2004) 2. Ford, 143 pts 3. Subaru, 122 pts 4. Peugeot, 101 pts.

FIA World Drivers' Rally Championship

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