Loeb opens up big lead

Sebastien Loeb has a 30-second lead over closest rival Mikko Hirvonen as he enters the final day of the World Rally Championship season in Wales.

Like yesterday, the Frenchman was quickest on four of the six stages and now he just needs to complete tomorrow’s four stages without delays to secure a sixth world title.

Despite Hirvonen’s best efforts to close the gap, starting with a fastest time on the first stage of the afternoon, Citroen driver Loeb was able to edge slightly further away through the next two stages.

“I’m very happy, we’ve done a really, really good day, especially those two stages in the morning,” Loeb told www.autosport.com.

“Now he’s faster and I cannot make the same difference, but it was still a good drive with no mistakes and we will lead tomorrow.”

Hirvonen was baffled by his car’s lack of pace in the morning and a lunchtime check found no mechanical problems.

Hirvonen did better on the second loop, but still he could not stop Loeb pulling away despite winning the other two stages.

“It’s not been a good day and I still don’t understand how much time we lost in the morning here,” said the Finn.

“What we lost now is understandable.

“Tomorrow is the last day of the year so we’ll have to go flat out and see what happens.”

Dani Sordo seems set for third after Petter Solberg lost time as he went into a ditch.

Sebastien Ogier (Citroen Junior) is safely ahead of Henning Solberg in fifth.