Legendary Loeb eyes 4th Rally GB victory

France’s eight-time world champion Sebastien Loeb will be looking for a fourth win in five starts when he races the Wales Rally GB starting today, with his eye on even bigger prizes. Loeb can help Citroen to an eighth manufacturers’ crown in Rally GB this week but also boost his own chances of a ninth drivers’ title. “It’s a rally that I like and we’ve got some good memories from the last few years,” said the Frenchman, who is aided by co-driver Daniel Elena. “This year, it would be good to win and secure an eighth world title for the team. That would also make us ideally placed to win a ninth championship at the Rallye de France. “However, I’m not obsessed by that, by any means. I’ll be approaching this rally just like any other.” Loeb topped qualifying on Wednesday, taking 2min 22.260sec to complete the 3.91-kilometre stage at the Walters Arena complex north of the event base in Cardiff. “It was a good run,” said Loeb. “I made one or two small mistakes but I am happy, it was not raining for me.” As Loeb gained an early advantage in his bid for his fourth Rally GB triumph, Norwegian arch-rival Petter Solberg was left ruing his luck as the heavens opened just as he set out on his run in his Ford Fiesta. “It’s unbelievable,” Solberg said, after finishing 0.051sec off Loeb. “The rain tap is turned on again at the start line (just like the last rally in Germany). “I didn’t know what the grip would be like and I was braking too early for some of the corners. It’s frustrating but I still have one aim and that is to win.” Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen, in the second works Citroen, was third quickest with Citroen Junior Thierry Neuville - making his Rally GB debut - fourth fastest. Factory Ford pilot and last year’s winner Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland was fifth quickest, 1.133s slower than Loeb with Ford privateer Mads Ostberg completing the top six. Neuville said: “Perhaps the course will make me think of Rally of Scotland, in which I have competed twice. “In any case, I’m not afraid of racing in places that are totally new to me. The purpose of this season is to provide me with experience and I’m always happy to take part in rallies that I could only watch on television a few years ago.” From gulf times.