Hirvonen misses world title by a point after tense finale in Wales

gb09 hirvonen Hirvonen misses world title by a point after tense finale in Wales

Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen's dream of a maiden FIA World Rally Championship title ended in disappointment today in Wales after a stirring final day battle. The BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team drivers missed the drivers' crown by just one point after finishing second in the Rally of Great Britain. A freak incident with the bonnet of their Focus RS World Rally Car on the penultimate speed test ended their challenge following one of the most exciting title races in recent years.

After more than 4040km of flat out driving across the globe, the destiny of the 2009 title came down to today's final 79.84km of competition in this 12th and final round. The Finns started the final day 30.2sec behind Sébastien Loeb in their head-to-head showdown. After several days of heavy rain, the gravel forest tracks in the Vale of Neath, near Cardiff, were treacherously muddy but Hirvonen threw caution to the wind in his attempt to overhaul the Frenchman and claim the title.

The 29-year-old edged closer to Loeb by winning the opening Port Talbot special stage and then gave himself a real chance by slashing more than 11sec from Loeb's advantage in the classic Rheola test. With just a repeat pass through those two stages remaining, the deficit was down to only 18.2sec. Hirvonen was again quicker than his rival through the early sections of the 17.41km Port Talbot test, before his chances evaporated shortly before the midpoint.

gb mik Hirvonen misses world title by a point after tense finale in Wales

"The car landed after a jump and the left pin holding the bonnet came loose. The bonnet began to flap in the wind but the hinge on the right stayed attached. I couldn't see a thing and stopped to rip off the bonnet. It was such bad luck," he explained. Hirvonen started the final test only 0.9sec ahead of third-placed Dani Sordo but, despite his disappointment, he was again fastest to secure second by 1.0sec.

"I'm frustrated to lose by so little, but happy I was able to fight for the title with a six-time world champion until one stage from the end of the season. The year turned round for us in the second half and nobody will forget such an exciting end. After the first two stages this morning I thought I could do it, but the time I lost yesterday morning cost me in the end. I scored 11 podiums in 12 rounds, but I needed more wins. My challenge is to beat Loeb before he retires. I've learned a lot this year and I will come back stronger and better next year," added Hirvonen.

Photo: worldrallypics.com