Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen secured his third victory of his World Rally Championship career with a comfortable win over Dani Sordo in the Rally of Japan.
The Ford Rallye Sport driver kept his composure superbly in tricky conditions that saw both title contenders Marcus Grönholm and Sébastien Loeb, and early rally leader Jari-Matti Latvala, all crashing out within the first day.
It was a dramatic blow for both Grönholm and Loeb’s title chances. Marcus lost control of his Ford Focus on the first day of the event – which resulted in a damaged rollcage! As for the triple WRC champion, Sébastien should have benefited from his rival’s misfortune but he too went off the road after co-driver Daniel Elena misread a pace note…
Unlike Grönholm, the Citroen was able to resume under the Super Rally regulations the next day. The Frenchman took four stage wins but retired from the event after oil pressure problems in the penultimate stage. The result means that Grönholm is still four points ahead with two rounds remaining.
It is going to be a close contest between the two. Marcus will be determined to finish his WRC career in style with a championship win (the Finn will retire at the end of this year). For Sébastien, he wants to win the title for the fourth successive year, driving the brand-new Citroen C4 rally car. Who will win the ultimate prize? Let’s see how the final two rally events will throw in this fascinating season of the World Rally Championship.