Loeb takes control in Rally of Norway

SEBASTIEN LOEB holds the lead at the end of the opening day of the Rally of Norway, having moved ahead of Mikko Hirvonen on Friday’s final stage.

The reigning world champion had trailed his Finnish rival for most of today’s running but posted a time 9.9 seconds faster than Hirvonen on the return run through the Kirkenaer stage to secure a slender overnight advantage of 2.6 seconds.

Ford driver Hirvonen had been the quicker of the two men through the morning loop of four stages, opening a lead of 4.8secs over the Frenchman.