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Frenchman Loeb wins stunning Rally Finland race
Shattering all odds, Frenchman Sebastien Loeb raced to victory after an exciting battle with the BP-Ford Abu Dhabi team's Mikko Hirvonen from Finland.
- By K.R. Nayar, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:35 August 3, 2008
- Mikko Hirvonen of the BP Ford Abu Dhabi team, who finished second in Rally Finland in his Ford Focus after putting massive pressure on eventual winner Sebastien Loeb. The Abu Dhabi team are still in the lead for the manufacturer's championship.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Jyvaskyla, Finland: Shattering all odds, Frenchman Sebastien Loeb raced to victory after an exciting battle with the BP-Ford Abu Dhabi team's Mikko Hirvonen from Finland.
Loeb won the Rally Finland which has always been dominated by local drivers. He became only the seventh non-Finnish driver to win this event in the 57-year history of this rally.
"I desperately wanted to win this rally because it's been one of the hardest," said Loeb. "So getting a win here was more important to me than just getting points. It's been a very hard battle with Mikko all weekend with no chance to relax. He did a great job - I've had to fight for every second," remarked a delighted Loeb.
Loeb and Hirvonen fought to the end. So intense was the battle that when Hirvonen was asked when did he realise that he did not have a chance to win, he said: "I realised I had no chance to win only when I reached the podium. It was so close and fantastic."
The gap between the battling drivers never went beyond 18.2 seconds over the 24 speed tests covering 340.42km. Despite Hirvonen racing on the last day through the forest stages east of Jyvaskyla, which is also his home town, he ended this fastest round of the season just 9.0sec behind Loeb.
Cutting the lead
Incidentally, Citroen's six time WRC title winner Loeb has now cut the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority backed Hirvonen's lead in the 2008 drivers' championship to a single point.
Meanwhile, the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally team retained its lead in the manufacturer's championship. Hirvonen has gained eight points by finishing second and hence the Abu Dhabi team will now head to the next WRC round in Germany with a three-point cushion over rivals Citroen.
"It was enjoyable and frustrating at moments. It was a great battle and would have been great to watch for the spectators," said Hirvonen.
"I am pleased with my driving but I came here to win and Loeb found a few seconds more. We played cat and mouse all weekend and whenever I won a stage he made sure to win the next. For there to be only nine seconds between us after all this crazy driving is amazing. I lost the time by not being brave enough in the narrow sections."
"I am pleased to lead the championship but one point isn't much. It is unfortunate I didn't win in front of my home fans," he added.
Hirvonen started yesterday 18.2sec apart and he needed to put everything into the final three stages. On stage 23, he recorded exactly the same time as Loeb but in the penultimate 10.92km Hannula stage he reduced the deficit to 11.8sec.
Hirvonen put up a splendid show in the final Ruuhimaki stage to bring him within 9.9 seconds of Loeb.
Another BP Ford Abu Dhabi team driver, Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi, finished with an impressive 11th finish despite spinning out on day two. He also recorded the longest jump of the event with a spectacular 55-metre leap.
Striking a balance
Talking about his experience, Shaikh Khalid, who will now head to Rally Germany in ten days, said: "I am extremely happy with my driving. We were cautious in some places and then had to lift the pace in other areas. It is all about balance.
"This is a very competitive event and everyone is fighting for those precious seconds.
"To clock up an 11th finish, especially as I have limited experience in this region, is really great."
Shaikh Khalid is also looking forward for a good show in Germany.
"Germany is a tarmac event and it has been quite a while since I competed on that surface. It will be interesting; you have to change your driving style considerably as it requires a different set of lines and approach. I am eagerly looking forward to it," he said.
BP Ford Abu Dhabi team's Jarri Matti Latvala, who had an accident on the first day, finished 39th. He had received a 45 minute penalty after the accident but went on to claim four stage wins.
"I didn't achieve what I wanted, which was the podium. I have regained my confidence, rhythm and speed back. I hope that next year I'll have the chance to fight for a win here," said Latvala.
Final positions
- S Loeb/D Elena FRA Citroen C4: 2hr 54min 05.5sec
- M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen FIN Ford Focus RS: 2hr 54min 14.5sec
- C Atkinson/S Pravot AUS Subaru Impreza: 2hr 57min 22.5sec
- D Sordo/M Marti ESP Citroen C4: 2hr 57min 36.4sec
- H Solberg/C Menkerud NOR Ford Focus RS: 2hr 58min 03.2sec
- P Solberg/P Mills NOR ubaru Impreza: 2hr 58min 09.6sec
- M Rantanen/J Lönegren FIN Ford Focus RS: 3hr 00min 16.6sec
- T Gardemeister/T Tuominen FIN Suzuki SX4: 3hr 02min 24.2sec
- M Wilson/S Martin GBR Ford Focus RS: 3hr 02min 42.8sec
- C Rautenbach/D Senior ZIM Citroen C4: 3hr 04min 36.4sec
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