Loeb extends Monte Carlo lead as battle for second rages

WITH five out of six fastest stage times, Sebastien Loeb (Citroen DS3) extended his overall lead in the Monte Carlo Rally to a minute and 37.2 seconds as the battle for second between Dani Sordo (MINI WRC) and Petter Solberg (Fiesta WRC) hotted up.

Solberg snatched the spot on yesterday’s opening test (S.S. 5) but Sordo regained the spot on S.S. 6 to move 10.3s clear. Mikko Hirvonen (Citroen DS3) climbed to fourth ahead of Evgeny Novikov (Fiesta WRC) and Sebastien Ogier (Skoda Fabia).

In the continuing battle for second, the pendulum swung back in favour of Solberg, who claimed he wasn’t taking any risks as he finished the loop 3.7 seconds ahead of Sordo. Up front, Loeb led by a minute and 23.2s. On the repeat loop, Sordo set a fastest time and regained second on the day’s final stage where Sebastien Ogier crashed his Skoda Fabia out of the rally.

Meanwhile, it was a day of consolidation for 21 year old Waterford driver, Craig Breen. Driving his Kel-Tech liveried Fiesta S2000, he was mindful of his second place behind the Proton Satria of PG Andersson. “It’s been another tough morning. I didn’t take any risks out there, PG (Andersson) has a good advantage but I’m in a good position to score championship points and that’s my overriding priority today.”

On the day’s penultimate stage, Breen’s Fiesta S2000 suffered a puncture. Wexford’s, Eamonn Boland (Mitsubishi) was 39th. overnight.

Tomorrow’s three stages are closer to Monaco and with weather conditions set to deteriorate, it could make for some changes to the leaderboard.

On the home front, tomorrow’s 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland’s New Year Stages Rally at Kirkistown will mark the debut of the MINI WRC in Ireland. The car that Eugene Donnelly will drive in the forthcoming Galway International Rally, will be driven by Derek McGeehan, who will actually run the car for Donnelly in 2012.

The six stage event in County Down, all within the confines of the racing circuit, features last year’s winner, Kenny McKinstry (Subaru WRC), Derek McGarrity (Ford Focus WRC) and George Robinson (Subaru WRC), the latter pair may switch from their nominated car.

The Hewison Autotest Championship double header takes place at Brown’s Road, Waterford tomorrow at 11.00am and Sunday at 10.30am. Also tomorrow, the Garda Síochána Motor Club host a Sporting Trial at Bohernabreena, Tallaght and the Cork 1000 Shakes Navigation Trial begins from the Macroom Community Leisure Centre at 11.00pm. tomorrow night.

Awards for the 2011 Top Part West Coast Rally Championship takes place at the Woodland’s House Hotel, Adare tomorrow night. The Kerry/Clare combination of Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Ford Escort) won the overall award and Cork duo, Stephen Carey/Breda O’Driscoll (Honda Civic) secured the Group N award.