Wales Rally GB : Loeb denied lead

Loeb denied lead

Les Kolczak

7 December 2008, 11:36 am

Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) has sensationally been denied the lead of Wales Rally GB on the penultimate stage of the event, Rheola 2.

The Frenchman went into the stage 1.4s behind rival Jari-Matti Latvala, who is driving a Ford Focus, but set a time 9.2s faster.

That should have put him in the rally lead, but he was then handed a 10s penalty for a jump start.

That means Latvala’s advantage is now 2.2s heading into the final stage.

A disbelieving Loeb said: “I don’t think I jumped the start. I think that is wrong. Now the battle will go to the last stage.”

The final stage is a 20.9km run through the Port Talbot test.

For 2010, Wales Rally GB fans can look forward to a new competitive stage and Rallyfest zone in Cardiff Bay, a return to the much-loved Radnor Forest stage near Presteigne and a new look and location for the ceremonial start and finish.

In the lead up to this year's Wales Rally GB, one of the UK's largest motorsport events, we will be featuring the diary of Welsh rally co-driver Gareth Roberts. Gareth is 22 years old, hails from Camarthen and has been co-driving for 6 years.

Jari-Matti Latvala has won Neste Oil Rally Finland, round eight of the 2010 FIA World Rally Championship. Co-driven by Miikka Anttila, Latvala took the lead on stage seven and drove without error to land his second win of the season.

Useful Contacts

Welsh Assembly Government

World Rally Championship

Information on Cardiff

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