PERTH, Australia, 15 November 2004 — World champion Sebastien Loeb of France wrapped up his record-equaling sixth win of the year yesterday as he coasted to victory over a depleted Rally Australia field.
The Citroen driver finished the 25-stage rally in 3hrs 39mins 46.8secs to join compatriot Didier Auriol as only the second man to achieve the feat. “It’s always nice to win so to win and equal a record is better,” Loeb said. “We started the season with a victory and we finished with a victory.” Loeb, who finished 1:55.1 faster than Finland’s Harri Rovanpera in a Peugeot 307, and 3:40.2 ahead of Belgian Francois Duval in a Ford Focus, had already secured the world championship in Corsica last month.
But he was virtually gifted Rally Australia after most of the top drivers were forced out. Spain’s Carlos Sainz was injured during pre-race practice; Norway’s Petter Solberg damaged the steering on his Subaru during super stage four and early pacesetter Marcus Gronholm of Finland retired after his Peugeot slid off the course on Saturday.
Fourth place at Rally Australia, the 16th and final stop in the World Rally Championship, was taken by Finn Mikko Hirvonen in a Subaru Impreza. The results meant Loeb finished on top of the world drivers’ standings with 118 points, with Solberg second on 82 and Martin third on 79. Two-time world champion Sainz, who is retiring, ended his career in fourth position on 73 points while Gronholm was fifth with 62.
