Loeb takes 3rd World Rally Championship from home
Rally racing star Sebastien Loeb was crowned World Rally Champion for a third time in a row...a little early. Loeb's title was secured at a race he wasn't even at, let alone racing in. And he didn't race in the stage before that one, either. Plus there are still two stages left to go, but the title's his whether he comes back to race or not.
The champ watched the Rally of Australia on Sunday from his home in France as he recuperates from a mountain bike injury. His main rival, two-time champion Marcus Gronholm (driving a Ford Focus) failed to finish in the top four in Australia, giving Loeb an air-tight twenty-one point lead, securing the title early. Between the two of them, Gronholm and Loeb won 13 out of 14 races so far this season, virtually locking out the rest of the field.
Two rally stages remain, in New Zealand (November 17-19) and Wales (December 1-3). But with the pressure off, the French driver is likely to focus on his healing and rehab a little longer before hopefully returning for the final stage in Wales. The win is even more remarkable when you consider that Loeb races for Kronos Racing, a private team supported by Citroen Sport, while other rivals race for full factory works teams.
Congratulations to Sebastien along with wishes for a full recovery as he sets his sights on the future to break the records of Finnish drivers Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Makinen, who each hold four championships. Next season Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena leave their old Citroen Xsara behind and move into the new C4.
[Source: Motorsport.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
blitzkrieg79 3:59PM (10/31/2006)
Yup Loeb is the man. Congratulations to him, I just don't understand why rally racing is so under appreciated here in USA when in my opinion it is the most demanding and challenging motor sport out of all the NASCAR or F1 series. These guys don't drive on wide lane, straight, nicely paved roads.
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vectorbug 4:11PM (10/31/2006)
Haha thats awesome. Way to rock the f' out Loeb.
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Alex K 5:19PM (10/31/2006)
When you keep saying "stage" over and over again I think you mean Event. Stages are the individual sections of closed roads used in the event, so there are two events left, which consist of many stages!
Loeb is the man for wrapping up the title, but don't let that accomplishment overshadow Miko Hirvonen's first WRC win!
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Disco Stu 7:28PM (10/31/2006)
Loeb's a legend in the making. Absolute class.
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rocketpunch 11:46AM (11/01/2006)
Yeah, He is really something. People need to realize that the car he is driving is bascially last years car in a privateer outfit - Kronos Racing (yes, it is not even a factory team). He is a true master in all road conditions and a very well calculated and precise driver.
You the man Leob!
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dharit 11:03AM (11/06/2006)
The article incorrectly says that Loeb was at his home in France. He actually lives near Geneva, in Switzerland.
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