Rally: Loeb leads the way in Wales

Sep 16 2005 icWales

Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb took charge at the top of the leaderboard after the first two stages of Wales Rally GB this morning.

Loeb, who can claim his second world crown this weekend, has a 0.8 seconds advantage over Subaru driver Petter Solberg with Mitsubishi’s Harri Rovanpera in third.

Peugeot’s Marcus Gronholm set the pace over the first test of the day as he beat Loeb by 4.6secs with Solberg third quickest.

Rovanpera was fastest over stage two, the Mitsubishi driver beating Loeb and Solberg by 3.0secs.

The second Subaru of Chris Atkinson is fourth overall followed by Loeb’s team-mate Francois Duval and Ford driver Toni Gardemeister.

The highest-ranked Briton is Kris Meeke in 12th place in his Subaru with former world champion Colin McRae, who is making a return to the world series following a two-year absence, 15th in the Skoda.

Stobart Ford driver Mark Higgins is 18th overall ahead of Gronholm, who suffered problems over stage two to slip down the order and concede his lead.

Cockermouth’s Matthew Wilson lies in 22nd place with reigning champion Niall McShea leading the production class although he is not eligible for championship points.