SS8: Determined Loeb makes serious progress

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Sebastien Loeb was quick to respond to Hirvonen's stage winning performance on SS7, completing the Crychan stage which followed a massive 10.2sec ahead of the Finn - his biggest single stage gain of the rally so far.

After Saturday's opening stage in south Wales, crews journeyed 60km north to Crychan, for the first of two adjoining stages close to the town of Brecon. Weather conditions remained gloomy, however, with persistent rain and a chilly temperature of 13 degrees Celsius.

First to arrive at the finish control, Loeb was very satisfied with his performance. "I was very fast in there," he acknowledged. "After taking it a bit easy on the first one (SS7) I was absolutely flat-out. I'm feeling good and the car is perfect."

Hirvonen, in contrast, said nothing at the stage end and set off immediately on the short liaison section to SS9. After setting the third fastest time the gap between the Finn and Loeb had grown to 13.1sec.

Spaniard Dani Sordo was the closest to Loeb's time, and almost as happy as his team-mate. "Difficult conditions, but the feeling in the car was good. I'm happy with that," he said.

Petter Solberg was fourth-fastest and still driving defensively as a result of his wiper issues. "I can only keep them in the slow speed setting - any faster and they lock up," he explained. It's not easy, but apart from that everything's fine. I'm trying all I can to get some time back from Sordo. I'll try!"

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Photo: Willy Weyens