AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Eight-time world champion Sebastien Loeb extended his lead throughout the final day of the Rally of New Zealand on Sunday to beat Citroen teammate Mikko Hirvonen by 29.6 seconds and extend his lead in this season standings.
Loeb, the leader at the end of all three days of the 22-stage rally, held a 6.4-second advantage over Hirvonen entering the final seven stages Sunday.
The French star extended his lead to 10.5 seconds after the first stage of the day, to 15.8 seconds after the second and to 20.9 seconds after the third and fourth super special stages.
It was Loeb’s fifth rally win of the season, 72nd of his career and his third in New Zealand.
