Citroen rounds out record year with Loeb's Welsh victory and autosport success

Loeb's performance, along with fellow Citroen driver, Dani Sordo, who placed third, guaranteed Citroen the 2008 Manufacturer's world title* - adding to the Company's 2003, 2004 and 2005 titles.

Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena, who had already picked up the Driver's title earlier in the season, put on a fantastic performance on the twisty tracks of the Rheola forest and the frozen terrain through Margam Park. Loeb's C4 WRC took a decisive victory in the year's very last stage, which allowed Sebastien to become the first Frenchman to win Britain's round of the WRC. With a total of 11 wins this year, Loeb and Elena have also set a new record for the highest number of world class wins in a single season.

"There couldn't be a better reward for this team and the fantastic season it has put in," beamed Sebastien Loeb. "The added bonus of winning this weekend's highly complex event is the icing on the cake. To have succeeded in steering clear of all the potential pitfalls to finally finish ahead of our rivals is tremendously satisfying."

Adding to Citroen Motorsport's success, at Sunday's 2008 Autosport Awards, Sebastien Loeb was crowned International Rally Driver of the Year and the mighty C4 WRC given the Rally Car of the Year title.

[B][U]Final leaderboard on 76th Wales Rally GB (15/15)[/B][/U]*

1. S. Loeb/D. Elena (Citron C4) 2 h 43 min 09.6 s

2. JM. Latvala/M. Anttila (Ford Focus) + 12.7 s

3. D. Sordo/M. Mart (Citron C4) + 1 min 20.6 s

4. P. Solberg/P. Mills (Subaru Impreza) + 1 min 59.6 s

5. PG. Andersson/J. Andersson (Suzuki X4) + 4 min 04.1 s

6. F. Duval/D. Giraudet (Ford Focus) + 5 min 07.8 s

[B][U]FIA World rally Championship's rankings 'Manufacturers' (round 15/15)[/B][/U]*

1. Citron-Total, 191 points - 2. Ford, 173 pts - 3. Subaru, 98 pts - 4. Stobart, 67 pts - 5. Suzuki, 34 pts, 6. Munchi's, 22 pts.

[B][U]FIA World rally Championship Driver Standings after round 15 of 15[/B][/U]*

1. S. Loeb, 122 points - 2. M. Hirvonen, 103 pts - 3. D. Sordo, 65 pts - 4. JM. Latvala, 58 pts - 5. C. Atkinson, 50 pts - 6. P. Solberg, 46 pts

*[I]All results subject to FIA confirmation.[/I]

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Credits: JRC