Loeb wants to continue on a winning streak

After three wins in a row Sébastien Loeb and his co-pilot Daniel Elena will want to continue this winning streak at this weekend’s Rally of New Zealand. In the region of the Antipodes the Citröen reigning world champion will try to extend his lead in the drivers’ standings as well as scoring some more points for Citröen.

In the WRC calendar since 1977 the Rally of New Zealand is considered to be one of the most beautiful venues of the Rally Championship. It is one of the classic rallies and its quick gravel roads are loved by both drivers and photographers. The Whaanga Coast stage on a cliff bordering the Tasmanian Sea is considered as the most beautiful locations of the season.

In 2008, Sébastien Loeb and Dani Sordo left New Zealand with first and runner-up spot and they will come to New Zealand as defending champions. Last year this rally didn’t take place because of the rotation policy between the rallies Australia and New Zealand adopted by FIA.

Since his second place in Sweden, Loeb then won the next three rallies in Mexico, Jordan and Turkey so he will start as clear favorite for a win in New Zealand. Thanks to these wins he is leading the Drivers’ World Championship while the Citroën Total World Rally Team is in front in the Manufacturers’ one. His advantage of 40 points over his closest follower guarantees he will leave Auckland in first position.

“Everything’s gone well for us in the early part of the season,” said the Citroën driver. “The fact that our main rivals have shared the runner-up spots has helped us to open up a gap in the overall classification. Even if we’ve won the New Zealand Rally on two occasions I’m still being a bit cautious, as our rivals are usually very strong on this type of surface. Whatever the case, I’m really looking forward to racing in this event. The stages are magnificent and fairly easy on the car; it’s one of the rallies where you get the most pleasure out of driving.”