The hard-fighting Finn had a small spin in SS7 (Dyfnant) while leading in his Fiesta WRC but clipped a tree stump which damaged the radiator and sent the engine temperature rocketing. With the only water available from a nearby stream, it wasn't enough to keep the engine running. "A branch had gone through the radiator so we cleared a load of mud out from the front of the car and carried on, but got through the stage and had to stop. The engine was down onto three cylinders and that was it. Game over," Hirvonen confirmed.
Bidding to deny Loeb his unequalled 68th WRC victory is Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala, who ended the day 1.1 seconds behind the Frenchman in his Fiesta WRC
Other dramas further down the leaderboard saw MINI's Dani Sordo plunge off the road on SS5. Stranded in a ditch, the crew couldn't get out in time and now join the rally under SupeRally regulations tomorrow.
Norwegian Mads Ostberg capitalised on fellow countryman Petter Solberg's misfortune after his charge through the morning was slowed by a broken spring on the front-right of his privately-run Citroen and a puncture on the front-left.
"I'm pleased with things now," Ostberg said. "I don't know what the change is with my Fiesta, but the engine is really pulling now and working really well. This is a good fight and I'm going to give everything I've got to beat Petter. Maybe it's time for the young Norwegian to be coming through."
In the FIA Production WRC class, New Zealander Hayden Paddon in his Subaru Impreza leads the Skoda Fabia of Dutchman Kevin Abbring and is on the verge of celebrating his own Championship title with a seemingly unbeatable lead as he heads into Day Two on Saturday.
The WRC Academy Cup, with its 500,000 Euro first prize, is currently lead by Ireland's Craig Breen. His only rival and current academy leader, Estonian, Egon Kaur is 11 places and four minutes behind in 36th place. Breen needs a 21 point advantage at the end of the event to claim one of rallying's richest prizes. Welsh man, driving a fiesta, Elfyn Evans and Andrew Edwards are currently leading class six in 23rd place overall.
The highest placed British driver is Kris Meeke in the British built Mini, who is currently in eighth place overall and reflecting on his first special stage win on special stage nine (Dyfi East) today.
Sweden's Patrick Flodin leads class three in his Subaru Impreza.
Leading positions after Friday 11th November: For an audio summary, please click here.
Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap
1. Sebastien Loeb Citroën 1h23m18.3s Interview Available
2. Jari-Matti Latvala Ford + 1.1s Interview Available
3. Mads Ostberg Stobart Ford + 1m13.5s
4. Petter Solberg Solberg Citroën + 1m21.3s
5. Henning Solberg Stobart Ford + 2m51.7s
6. Ott Tanak Stobart Ford + 3m46.0s
7. Kimi Raikkonen Ice 1 Citroën + 3m47.0s
8. Kris Meeke Mini + 3m51.3s
9. Matthew Wilson Stobart Ford + 3m59.4s
10. Dennis Kuipers FERM Ford + 4m23.2s
Jari-Matti Latvala gives us a preview of what we can expect on Saturday.
Click here to view pictures from the first two days, and here for fan-submitted pictures through Twitter (@WalesRallyGB)
A selection of quotes from Friday:
Petter Solberg (NOR) / Chris Patterson (GBR) - Citroën DS3 WRC
It was a difficult day today. We lack a lot of traction today but it has got better and better. We have what we have so we are pushing for a podium.
Dennis Kuipers (NLD) / Frederic Miclotte (BEL) - Ford Fiesta RS WRC
Really hard, fog really bad. Had to slow right down in places but we were happy with the car and am looking forward to stages tomorrow as Ive done them before.
Sébastien Ogier (FRA) / Julien Ingrassia (FRA) - Citroën DS3 WRC
I'm just driving now, it is about finishing my job. That's it.
Hayden Paddon (NZL) / John Kennard (NZL) - Subaru Impreza R4
Roads are getting a bit rough for what is basically a production car. The car is improved over this morning because of the changes we made. There is more grip than we had this morning which says it all.
Mads Østberg (NOR) / Jonas Andersson (SWE) - Ford Fiesta RS WRC
The car has been perfect all day today. Everything is working really well and we have done a good job inside the car too. I just keep on smiling and try to enjoy it. The more dirty and bad it is the better for me. A fine line between having fun and being on the roof in a ditch.
Sébastien Loeb (FRA) / Daniel Elena (MCO) - Citroën DS3 WRC
Not too worried about the time loss, we just need to finish the rally and see what Mikka does in the morning.
Ashley Haigh-Smith (ZAF) / James Aldridge (GBR) - Ford Fiesta R2
I can't say I'm enjoying it, but building up speed. I'm getting used to it, getting used to left hand drive and moving on step by step.
And from the drivers on the National Rally:
Roger Duckworth (GBR) / Mark Broomfield (GBR) - Subaru Impreza WRC
We are having braking problems at the front and are losing time
Jochen Walther B4 / Stefanie Fritzensmeier B4 - Volvo 940
An honour to be on a world event
Alan Paramore (GBR) / Steve Partridge (GBR) - Land Rover Wolf XD
It's just so so slippy, I can't turn in properly
Ewen Christie (GBR) / Tom Neathway (GBR) - Land Rover Wolf XD
There is only one thing missing here - the rain!
Martin Payton (GBR) / Darren Parsons (GBR) - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI
We have a wasp in the back of the car so I had to go like hell so it wouldn't sting me!
Will Onions (GBR) / Dave Williams (GBR) - Ford Escort RS
We had no back brakes there. The last time I got out of an Escort I climbed out of the windscreen!
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