Ford triumph in Japan but Loeb takes title
Last updated 19:41, Thursday, 06 November 2008
BP-FORD took first and second in Rally Japan – but arch rival Sébastien Loeb claimed his fifth world championship.
Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lahtinen led the rally from the opening speed test in the Sapporo Dome with team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila in second.
But Loeb brought his Citroen to the finish line in third place which was enough to take the title for a record-breaking fifth time.
Ford’s success in Japan keeps them in the hunt for manufacturers’ championship, which they have won for the last two years. They are 11 points behind Citroen with a maximum of 18 at stake.
The last event of the season is Rally GB, based in Cardiff from December 4 to 7.
Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, hosted the rally which had a new base at the ultra-modern Sapporo Dome sports stadium.
The bulk of the action took place over gravel forest roads east and south of the city, which varied from twisty and narrow tracks on the opening day to wider and faster roads during the final two legs.
Four special stages were cancelled during the three-day event as a result of snow, which caused roads to deteriorate to an unsafe level, and an accident.
Hirvonen powered into the lead on the opening stage and was never headed. The 28-year-old built a comfortable advantage over Latvala during Friday’s stages.
With no pressure from behind, Ford’s Finns continued to dominate during the second day and maintained their positions during the final day’s treacherous conditions.
Hirvonen won 11 stages to secure his third win of the campaign while 23-year-old Latvala claimed three victories en route to his first podium since June.
Hirvonen said: “I’m delighted with the win but at the same time disappointed that my hopes of the drivers’ title are over.
“We did all we could but it wasn’t enough to prevent Sébastien Loeb winning the title, which he richly deserves, and I congratulate him.
“Conditions were so changeable that it was a difficult and nerve-wracking weekend and I never had the luxury of being able to ease off.
“Although the drivers’ championship is out of reach we will go to the final round with the manufacturers’ title still possible and my thoughts will now focus on that.”
Latvala was delighted to score a podium for the first time since Rally of Turkey. He said: “It feels fantastic to take a top-three finish on gravel again. After a bad August this is my third strong rally and I really wanted this result.
“The conditions were probably the worst I’ve seen and I can’t explain how much water there was in the forests. We seemed to be aquaplaning all the time.”
BP Ford team director Malcolm Wilson said: “It has been a difficult weekend for all of us involved with the Ford team after the injuries to Patrick Pivato on Friday.
“Full credit to both drivers for delivering incredible performances in what were probably the most changeable road conditions we’ve seen on a rally.
“It keeps our championship hopes alive and the same top three on the final round would give us the crown again.”
Result - 1, Hirvonen/Lehtinen, Ford Focus RS, three hours 25 minutes three seconds; 2, Latvala/Anttila, Ford Focus RS, 3.25.34.1; 3, Loeb/Elena, Citroen C4, 3.27.33.6; 4, Atkinson/Prévot, Subaru Impreza, 3.28.45.4; 5, Andersson/Andersson, Suzuki SX4, 3.30.15.9; 6, Gardemeister/Tuominen, Suzuki SX4, 3.31.12.4; 7, Wilson/Martin, Ford Focus RS, 3.32.08.3; 8, Solberg/Mills, Subaru Impreza, 3.38.22.9; 9, Villagra/Perez Companc, Ford Focus RS, 3.40.43.8; 10, Sordo/Marti, Citroen C4, 3.42.11.5.
Overall - Drivers: 1, Loeb 112 points; 2, Hirvonen 102; 3, Sordo 59; 4, Latvala 50; 5, Atkinson 50; 6, P Solberg 41.
Manufacturers: 1, Citroen Total 175 points; 2, BP Ford Abu Dhabi 164; 3, Subaru 93; 4, Stobart VK M-Sport Ford 64; 5, Suzuki 28; 6, Munchi’s Ford 22.
