Battle starts for Loeb’s crown

WITH the dawning of a new era in the World Rally Championship, one question remains pertinent — who can break Sebastien Loeb’s dominance? World champion since 2004, the unflappable French ace bids to continue his amazing WRC record as Rally Sweden begins in earnest today following last night’s super special at the city’s trotting track in Karlstad.

The new projectiles – wider and shorter that their predecessors — with the 1.6-litre turbo engine, minus launch control, active central differential and paddle shift gear change that was part of the 2.0-litre turbo engine cars of previous seasons, will place more emphasis on driver skill.

Essentially and for the moment at least, it remains a battle between Citroen, with their DS3 WRC’s and Ford with its Fiesta WRC. Loeb (36) spearheads the Citroen challenge and will be joined by new team-mate Sebastien Ogier and privateer, Petter Solberg, who has Irish co-driver, Chris Patterson calling the notes.