Citroen and Loeb in WRC Rally of Corsica

Citroen’s World Champion, Sebastien Loeb has extended his lead in the 2006 World Rally Championship after another commanding win, notching up his 23rd WRC win at the weekend in the French round, the Rally of Corsica, with Loeb joined on the podium by fellow Citroen driver Dani Sordo. What makes the result even more remarkable is the fact that Citroen is dominating the 2006 World Rally Championship with a two year old car, built for the previous rule regime and modified for the ’06 season, while its rivals are running their latest designs. Second in the event and now a clear second in the title chase, BP-Ford World Rally Team drivers Marcus Grönholm and Timo Rautiainen claimed their fourth podium finish in five rallies by finishing second on the Rallye de France Tour de Corse.

To maintain this level of competitiveness means that the Citroen team and Loeb have to be even better prepared than ever.

“In the last round in Spain, my choice of set-up at the start of the rally was hardly ideal and then Marcus hit problems,” explain Loeb after yet another champagne result. “This time we both had a clean run. The Citroen Xsara and its BFGoodrich tyres were extremely competitive, the team was faultless and we were able to bring home a victory that was extremely important to us - in Corsica, in front of all our fans, on an event I love, which is the Rally de France!”

“In the short term, this is a valuable win as it gives me a lead of more than 10 points in the drivers’ championship. This means I have some breathing space, which is useful as the gravel rallies coming up will be extremely tough. Looking further ahead, this 23rd win takes me close to Carlos Sainz’s all-time rally win record – which is obviously a big thing for me!”

Loeb’s co-driver, Daniel Elena, is even closer to his own world record. The Corsica win is now just one win away from matching the all-time co-driver WRC record of Luis Moya.

Xevi Pons and Carlos Del Barrio were also at the forefront, but less often than their team mates. Some minor brake problems on Friday and a small ‘off’ on Saturday did not entirely help the crew regain their confidence, which had taken a bit of a knock in Catalunya.

“After two retirements, it was vital for me to finish the rally,” said the Spaniard. “Notwithstanding the fact that the potential of the Xsara on asphalt is capable of targeting some big points in the manufacturers’ championship. When I realised that I would not be able to catch Alex Bengué, I concentrated on the five points that I would definitely be able to score for the team.”

For a rent-a-rally driver, Dani Sordo, put in another remarkable performance with his second podium in just three events in the WRC, clearly laying his claim as the successor to fellow Spaniard Carlos Sainz.

Unflustered by an electronic problem that held him back on Friday morning, the reigning Junior World Champion rose perfectly to the challenge. By finishing third he secures another podium, having set another two fastest times.

...continued