[Weasel 555]

The event is based once more in the western-German city of Trier, which lies just shy of the border with Luxembourg in Germany’s Moselwein region. The rally is an incredibly varied affair; not your normal clear-cut asphalt event. The rally is run on a blend of fast but narrow vineyard tracks normally more used to hosting the local farmers’ tractors, and wide and dirty military roads where the cracked and worn asphalt is very abrasive when dry, or incredibly slippery when hit by rain. Slightly slower than Finland, last year’s event was won with an average speed of just over 100kph.

Driver quotes
Petter Solberg: “Germany is a rally I like, but one I’ve had mixed experiences on. It’s fast, but it’s very unforgiving. We have done two days’ testing in the new car on asphalt, and Markko has done a few more days, so it’s relatively new for us but things so far are feeling good. We’ve been fast in Germany in the past so we will see what we can do there in the new car. It’s a new car on new tyres, so there will be a lot of learning for the team, but it’s important ahead of Spain and Corsica.”

Chris Atkinson: “We were fast in Germany last year, but this year we have a new car on new tyres and the first rally on tarmac so it’s hard to know where we are speed-wise. The test there went well, and if we can carry the same form we had last year it would be good. It was great in Finland to get a podium as our first points-score with the new car, as it does build confidence – the more time you spend in the car the more confident you get with it. We will go there pushing hard and get a gauge of our performance, and then see how we go from there, but I’m looking forward to it.”

SWRT.com WRC Germany

official website:
rallye-deutschland

 

[Weasel 555]

shakedown

Francois Duval enjoyed a solid start to his return to the World Rally Championship with the quickest time in shakedown for Rallye Deutschland.

The Belgian ace, who comes into the Stobart VK M-Sport team for the tarmac event, posted a quickest time of 3min 35.5secs on his third run through the 5.8km stage near the Trier service park which saw him end up six-tenths of a second clear of Citroen's Dani Sordo.

read more:
Duval Tops Shakedown

Shakedown times:

1. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 3mins 35.5secs MT
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 3mins 36.1secs M
3. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 3mins 36.6secs M
4. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 07 3mins 36.9secs M
5. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 3mins 37.2secs A8
6. Gigi Galli Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 3mins 38.2secs MT
7. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 3mins 38.8secs M
8. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC 3mins 39.8secs A8
9. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 07 3mins 39.9secs M
10. Andreas Mikkelsen Ramsport Ford Focus RS WRC 06 3mins 40.3secs A8
11. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 3mins 41.1secs M
12. Conrad Rautenbach PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC 3mins 43.7secs A8
13. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC 3mins 44.0secs M
14. Mark van Eldik Subaru Impreza WRC 07 3mins 44.4secs A8
15. Matthew Wilson Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 3mins 45.2secs A8

 

[Weasel 555]

Day 1

Overall times after SS1:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 11mins 31.6secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 05.8secs M
3. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +00mins 05.9secs M
4. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +00mins 06.3secs MT
5. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +00mins 09.3secs M
6. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +00mins 09.6secs M
7. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +00mins 15.0secs M
8. Gigi Galli Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +00mins 17.2secs MT
9. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +00mins 21.9secs A8
10. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC +00mins 25.4secs A8
11. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +00mins 30.4secs M
12. Andreas Mikkelsen Ramsport Ford Focus RS WRC 06 +00mins 32.2secs A8

Overall JWRC after SS1:

1. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C2 S1600 12mins 39.9secs J
2. Martin Prokop Citroen C2 S1600 +00mins 01.4secs J
3. Aaron Burkart Citroen C2 S1600 +00mins 10.1secs

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Overall times after SS3:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 30mins 15.3secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 15.3secs M
3. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +00mins 15.3secs M
4. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +00mins 27.9secs MT
5. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +00mins 31.0secs M
6. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +00mins 32.4secs M
7. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +00mins 35.8secs M
8. Gigi Galli Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +00mins 55.2secs MT
9. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +00mins 55.4secs A8
10. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC +01mins 02.0secs A8
11. P-G Andersson Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +01mins 22.1secs M
12. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +01mins 23.2secs M

Overall JWRC after SS3:

1. Martin Prokop Citroen C2 S1600 33mins 15.7secs J
2. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C2 S1600 +00mins 8.9secs J
3. Aaron Burkart Citroen C2 S1600 +00mins 38.2secs J

crash.net/motorsport/wrc/home/

 

[Weasel 555]

Driver quotes from service A (after SS3)

Impreza WRC2008 No.5
Petter Solberg: “Ok we’re a little bit back this morning, but I know where I’m losing time so I’m happy with the morning actually. We’re giving away a little in the slow pieces and in the hairpins, but we have some ideas so it’s quite ok at the moment.”

Impreza WRC2008 No.6
Chris Atkinson: “We were on the hard compound tyre this morning when everyone else was on the soft, but we had no real problems. It’s difficult to judge whether the tyre choice lost us some time as it’s the first time we’ve all competed on these tyres and that this has happened, but it was our choice. The roads are slippery anyway and the car moves around a lot, but it was going pretty well. I feel I drove well this morning. In some areas of the stage our times were very close to the others, and in some places we gave away some time. Ok I could have driven a little faster, but it wasn’t the time to take big risks.”

http://www.swrt.com/news/latest_news.html?id=1525

 

[Rally-Fast]

I hope we can close the gap without crashing. Or maybe for once Petter could drive smart and let everyone else crash out first?

 

[Weasel 555]

^yup altho imho Duval shouldnt count

Overall times after SS4:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 41mins 44.0secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 17.7secs M
3. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +00mins 18.7secs M
4. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +00mins 30.1secs MT
5. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +00mins 44.2secs M
6. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +00mins 45.7secs M
7. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +00mins 46.0secs M
8. Gigi Galli Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +01mins 00.0secs MT
9. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +01mins 13.8secs A8
10. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC +01mins 19.0secs A8
11. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +01mins 48.7secs M
12. P-G Andersson Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +01mins 51.0ecs M

Overall JWRC after SS4:
1. Martin Prokop Citroen C2 S1600 45mins 47.5secs J
2. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C2 S1600 +00mins 07.6secs J
3. Aaron Burkart Citroen C2 S1600 +00mins 44.6secs J

 

[Weasel 555]

Gigi Galli has crashed out of the Rallye Deutschland in his Stobart Ford Focus RS WRC07 after going off the road around halfway through the 23.04 km Grafschaft Veldenz 2 test(SS5).

Galli, who had been running eighth overall, 14 seconds off BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT man Jari-Matti Latvala in P7, went out, according to early reports, around 11 kilometres in.

The stage was subsequently stopped to allow medical personnel to attend to him and he has since been taken to hospital for checks. Gigi's co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini has also been taken to hospital in Trier for 'precautionary' checks.

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wrc/news/167635-0/galli_crashes_out_in_germany.html

 

[Weasel 555]

SS6 Cancelled:
The organisers of the Rallye Deutschland have cancelled the final stage of the day due to the volume of spectators.

A statement on the events official website explained that the decision was taken following advice from the FIA safety delegate, who reported that too many fans were standing in dangerous places.

Although three drivers completed the test at speed - namely Sebastien Loeb, Mikko Hirvonen and Chris Atkinson - all other runners did the 9.82 km Moselland 2 test as a road section.

 

[Weasel 555]

End of Day 1:

Overall times after SS6 / Day 1 - Top 12:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 1hour 00mins 22.5secs M
2. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +00mins 19.9secs M
3. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 25.6secs M
4. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +00mins 38.7secs MT
5. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +00mins 55.7secs M
6. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +01mins 03.9secs M
7. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +01mins 34.0secs M
8. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +01mins 36.2secs A8
9. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC +01mins 39.4secs A8
10. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +02mins 12.4secs M
11. P-G Andersson Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +02mins 12.9ecs M
12. Andreas Mikkelsen Ramsport Ford Focus RS WRC 06 +02mins 23.8secs A8

Overall JWRC after SS6 / Day 1 - Top 5:

1. Martin Prokop Citroen C2 S1600 1hour 04mins 59.6secs J
2. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C2 S1600 +00mins 07.6secs J
3. Aaron Burkart Citroen C2 S1600 +00mins 44.6secs J
4. Gilles Schammel Renault Clio R3 +01mins 33.6secs J
5. Florian Niegel ' Suzuki Swift S1600 +01mins 59.4secs J

 

[BLACK 05 RS]

Too many fans.... I would have to say that is pretty cool, but it sucks they canceled that stage. Expecially since a few drivers run that stage at speed putting extra wear on the cars, and drivers compared to the rest of the pack.

 

[Weasel 555]

Stobart Ford's Gigi Galli will have an operation tonight following his crash on day one of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

The accident occurred on a flat right-hand corner 11.3 kilometres into SS5, the 23.04 kilometre Grafschaft Veldenz 2 test, when a cut on the inside of the corner bounced his car across the road careering him into some trees at high speed.

Luckily the safety roll-cage on his Ford Focus RS WRC07 did its job and prevented further injury in what could have been a horrific accident.

Galli was subsequently airlifted to the Barmherzige Hospital in Trier and after suffering a fracture to his left femur he will be operated on in the next few hours.

Crash.net Galli breaks leg

YouTube - Gigi Galli Big Crash Germany 2008

 

[Weasel 555]

Day 2:
Overall times after SS7:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 1hour 11mins 12.6secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 25.9secs M
3. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +00mins 27.4secs M
4. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +00mins 42.8secs MT
5. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +01mins 07.1secs M
6. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +01mins 18.3secs M
7. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +01mins 46.8secs M
8. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +02mins 05.0secs A8
9. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC +02mins 23.4secs A8
10. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +02mins 39.5secs M
11. P-G Andersson Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +02mins 40.0ecs M
12. Andreas Mikkelsen Ramsport Ford Focus RS WRC 06 +02mins 53.8secs A8

Overall JWRC after SS7:

1. Martin Prokop Citroen C2 S1600 1hour 17mins 12.1secs J
2. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C2 S1600 +00mins 00.6secs J
3. Aaron Burkart Citroen C2 S1600 +01mins 52.7secs J
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Overall times after SS10:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 1hour 46mins 21.1secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 35.9secs M
3. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +00mins 50.3secs M
4. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +01mins 17.7secs MT
5. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +01mins 59.1secs M
6. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +02mins 35.4secs M
7. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +03mins 22.9secs A8
8. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC +023mins 35.9secs A8
9. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +04mins 03.2secs M
10. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +04mins 06.9secs M
11. Andreas Mikkelsen Ramsport Ford Focus RS WRC 06 +04mins 48.6secs A8
12. Matthew Wilson Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +05mins 10.9secs A8

Overall JWRC after SS10:

1. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C2 S1600 1hour 36mins 45.5secs J
2. Aaron Burkart Citroen C2 S1600 +02mins 59.2secs J
3. Alessandro Bettega Renault Clio R3 +03mins 17.5secs J

read more:
Crash.net WRC

 

[Weasel 555]

Driver quotes from service D (after SS10)

Impreza WRC2008 No.5
Petter Solberg: “Chris and I are driving almost exactly the same speed this morning so I think we’re both driving well. It’s not so bad, we’re doing what we can but the stages are slippery and it’s easy to make a mistake so when you’re a little down on confidence in the car on tarmac it really shows in the times. We were on the soft tyres this morning, and then the hard tyres for the long stage after the remote service. It’s working ok for us so I’m quite happy with the decision. No problems, and we’re just doing what we can at the moment.”

Impreza WRC2008 No.6
Chris Atkinson: “We had a steady run through the stages this morning, not really trying to make up any ground but just making sure we stay ahead of the guys behind. We picked up a place with Jari-Matti’s incident, but we’ll have to see whether he can fight back. We’re being a little bit cautious this morning, but still driving hard as we can’t afford to back off too much. The roads had a lot of grass on them this morning and they seem more overgrown than last year. Then we have Panzerplatte which is even dirtier. You need a slightly different driving style in there so you can just go with what the grip will let you do.”

 

[Rally-Fast]

I hope Galli will be ok. That sucks.

 

[Weasel 555]

Overall times after SS12:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 2hours 06mins 42.1secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 42.7secs M
3. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +01mins 00.4secs M
4. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +01mins 28.0secs MT
5. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +02mins 15.0secs M
6. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +03mins 08.6secs M
7. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +03mins 59.1secs A8
8. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC +04mins 22.5secs A8
9. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +04mins 40.5secs M
10. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +04mins 51.3secs M
11. Andreas Mikkelsen Ramsport Ford Focus RS WRC 06 +05mins 42.8secs A8
12. Matthew Wilson Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +06mins 07.2secs A8

Overall JWRC after SS12:

1. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C2 S1600 2hours 19mins 15.5secs J
2. Aaron Burkart Citroen C2 S1600 +03mins 09.5secs J
3. Alessandro Bettega Renault Clio R3 +03mins 27.0secs J
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gigi Galli Update:

"Gigi Galli underwent successful surgery on Friday night to a fractured left femur he injured during a high-speed accident on day 1 of ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

"The Italian is recovering well and is expected be released from hospital on Wednesday.

"Doctors' have estimated that he will be unable to walk on the leg for six to eight weeks and will require physiotherapy after this time."

Galli is thus unlikely to compete again this season, although there is perhaps a slight outside chance he could return for the Wales Rally GB, as that doesn't run until December 5-7.

read more:
Galli Update

 

[Weasel 555]

Overall times after SS14:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 2hours 32mins 22.6secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 40.3secs M
3. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +01mins 44.3secs MT
4. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +01mins 48.2secs M
5. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +02mins 28.7secs M
6. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +03mins 32.1secs M
7. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +04mins 33.4secs A8
8. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC +04mins 57.1secs A8
9. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +04mins 59.7secs M
10. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +05mins 43.7secs M
11. Andreas Mikkelsen Ramsport Ford Focus RS WRC 06 +06mins 39.8secs A8
12. Matthew Wilson Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +06mins 56.0secs A8

Overall JWRC after SS14:

1. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C2 S1600 2hours 47mins 30.1secs J
2. Aaron Burkart Citroen C2 S1600 +03mins 32.6secs J
3. Alessandro Bettega Renault Clio R3 +04mins 17.1secs J

 

[R22B]

Sebastian Loeb is a beast.

 

[Weasel 555]

Day 3:
Overall times after SS15:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 2hours 46mins 56.4secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 31.4secs M
3. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +01mins 33.6secs MT
4. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +01mins 39.7secs M
5. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +02mins 27.3secs M
6. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +03mins 55.2secs M
7. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +04mins 51.6secs A8
8. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC +05mins 08.8secs A8
9. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +05mins 57.2secs M
10. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +06mins 01.4secs M
11. Matthew Wilson Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +07mins 23.3secs A8
12. Andreas Mikkelsen Ramsport Ford Focus RS WRC 06 +07mins 36.3secs A8

Overall JWRC after SS15:

1. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C2 S1600 3hours 03mins 42.5secs J
2. Aaron Burkart Citroen C2 S1600 +03mins 31.4secs J
3. Alessandro Bettega Renault Clio R3 +04mins 19.5secs J
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Overall times after SS17:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 3hours 12mins 06.0secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 43.2secs M
3. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +01mins 23.6secs MT
4. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +01mins 35.3secs M
5. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +02mins 40.5secs M
6. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +04mins 38.9secs M
7. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +05mins 27.8secs A8
8. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC +05mins 35.6secs A8
9. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +06mins 16.2secs M
10. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +06mins 51.9secs M
11. Andreas Mikkelsen Ramsport Ford Focus RS WRC 06 +08mins 07.9secs A8
12. Matthew Wilson Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +08mins 24.6secs A8

Overall JWRC after SS17:

1. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C2 S1600 3hours 32mins 01.5secs J
2. Aaron Burkart Citroen C2 S1600 +03mins 25.4secs J
3. Alessandro Bettega Renault Clio R3 +04mins 37.6secs J

 

[Weasel 555]

Overall times after SS18:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 3hours 22mins 57.3secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 46.4secs M
3. Francois Duval Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +01mins 17.7secs MT
4. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +01mins 29.7secs M
5. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +02mins 35.3secs M
6. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2008 +04mins 45.6secs M
7. Henning Solberg Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +05mins 33.7secs A8
8. Urmo Aava PH Sport-Citroen C4 WRC +05mins 37.7secs A8
9. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Abu Dhabi Focus RS WRC 08 +06mins 16.2secs M
10. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +07mins 11.1secs M
11. Andreas Mikkelsen Ramsport Ford Focus RS WRC 06 +08mins 30.8secs A8
12. Matthew Wilson Stobart VK Ford Focus WRC 07 +08mins 43.0secs A8

Overall JWRC after SS18:

1. Sebastien Ogier Citroen C2 S1600 3hours 43mins 54.5secs J
2. Aaron Burkart Citroen C2 S1600 +03mins 34.6secs J
3. Alessandro Bettega Renault Clio R3 +05mins 06.2secs J

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sebastien Loeb has done it again on the Rallye Deutschland, once again coming through to take the victory on the Trier-based event.

Loeb dominated the tenth round in the World Rally Championship, as he has done now for so many, many years, leading the event in his Citroen C4 WRC car from start-to-finish.

The Frenchman won all six stages on Friday and then extended his lead on Saturday, winning all but one of the eight tests. Seb then paced himself through Sunday's final 85 competitive kilometres to take the laurels by over 40 seconds.

It is the seventh year in succession he has come out top in Germany – having won every year since the event joined the WRC back in 2002 - and the result moves him back into the lead in the battle for the 2008 drivers' championship, 4 points up on Mikko Hirvonen.

Crash.net WRC

Next Round: WRC New Zealand-Gravel Event-August 28-31

Official Website: rallynz.org.nz/

 

[Weasel 555]

The Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team has announced that Francois Duval has been chosen to replace the injured Gigi Galli for the Repco Rally New Zealand.

Duval will be entered in the 'second' car, with Matthew Wilson the other nominated point scoring driver, as Henning Solberg is already committed to making another 'guest' appearance for the Munchi's Ford World Rally Team.

Crash.net Stobart confirms Duval