Loeb’s chances improve as Gronholm slides out

SEBASTIEN LOEB’S prospects of capturing a fourth consecutive world championship improved considerably after leader Marcus Gronholm was forced out of Rally Japan during a dramatic first day in Obihiro.

Defending champion Loeb entered the event four points behind his rival but now has a golden opportunity to erase that deficit after the Finn retired at the end of stage four while leading the race when he left the road and damaged his car’s roll cage on a tree stump.

Although Gronholm was able to make it back to the service area, his BP-Ford was deemed too dangerous to continue driving.

Loeb’s Citroen eventually finished the day in second place, 10.3 seconds behind leader Mikko Hirvonen with fellow Ford Focus driver Jari-Matti Latvala in third, 3.4 seconds behind the Frenchman.

Gronholm refused to get too downhearted over his misfortune.

“The drivers’ title is still open, whatever the result here, but a non-finish obviously makes it more difficult,” he said.

“The accident happened at a third gear corner at a point in the stage where I changed my pace notes during the recce. It’s faster there this year because some trees have been cut down. I slid wide and the right rear wheel hit some straw bales.

“The impact threw the car down a bank into a tree stump. The stage was covered with loose gravel and was slippery all the way through. It was similar to the accident in Australia last year when I went off the road and hit some tree stumps. That cost me the title so I hope it works out a different way this season.”

Latvala set the early morning pace after claiming stage one as ice and fog posed plenty of problems, but Gronholm had overhauled his countryman by the end of stage three, after being fastest on stage two, before disaster struck.

Loeb was also firmly in contention and the afternoon saw the Frenchman, Latvala and Hirvonen in a three-way duel.

The latter assumed the lead after stage six and eventually claimed two stage victories in his BP-Ford.

Despite circumstances turning firmly in his favour, Loeb was far from happy with his day’s efforts.

“On one hand it’s been a good day because we now have a good chance to lead the championship after this rally but I’m not satisfied with my driving,” the 33-year-old said. “The set-up of the car is not perfect, it’s understeering and I can’t keep it in line.”