Loeb holds lead into final stages
Sebastien Loeb leads Marcus Gronholm by 2.9 seconds with four stages to go as the title rivals matched each other throughout the penultimate loop of the Rally New Zealand
After losing out to Loeb in the final stage of day two, Gronholm won this morning's first stage and retook the rally lead with an incredible 0.1 second margin over Loeb.
But the reigning champion struck back in SS13 and reclaimed first position - this time by just half a second.
It looked like the lead would change hands yet again through Whaanga Coast 1 as Gronholm set faster times at the opening splits of the 29.81 kilometre stage.
However Loeb had the advantage in the second half of the stage and completed it 2.4 seconds faster than Gronholm, stretching his lead to 2.9 seconds with just four stages to go.
The rally will be decided over a repeat run through this morning's three stages before a return to the Mystery Creek superspecial.
Mikko Hirvonen is now a minute and a half behind the lead battle in his comfortable third place, while fourth-placed Jari-Matti Latvala is coming under renewed pressure from Chris Atkinson.
"It's close, we're fighting," said Atkinson, who is now just 4.5 seconds behind the Finn "The car's working well in the slow sections, so we'll try and haul him back."
Atkinson's teammate Petter Solberg is also gaining ground this morning, and has closed to within 14 seconds of sixth-placed Dani Sordo.
"The car is faster than yesterday, no question," said Solberg. "It's definitely better."
Urmo Aava is still on course for eighth place, while Henning Solberg passed Stobart Ford teammate Matthew Wilson for ninth in Whaanga Coast.
Pos Driver Make Time 1. Loeb Citroen 3h 19:03.3 2. Gronholm Ford + 2.9 3. Hirvonen Ford + 1:32.9 4. Latvala Ford + 2:22.7 5. Atkinson Subaru + 2:27.2 6. Sordo Citroen + 3:29.4 7. P Solberg Subaru + 3:43.7 8. Aava Mitsubishi + 8:29.8 9. H Solberg Ford + 9:29.4 10. Wilson Ford + 9:36.1
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments