Loeb wins Catalunya Rally, closed gap on Hirvonen

Published 11:29 am Sunday, October 4, 2009

SALOU, Spain — Sebastien Loeb won his fifth straight Catalunya Rally, and trails World Rally leader Mikko Hirvonen by one point with one race remaining.

For much of the all-asphalt race, France’s Loeb trailed Citroen teammate Dani Sordo of Spain, who finished 12 seconds behind as runner-up.

This was the sixth victory of the season and the 53rd of his career for Loeb, who is pushing for his sixth World Rally title.

Hirvonen of Ford finished third — 54.1 seconds behind Loeb. He leads Loeb 84-83 in points, setting up the finale at the Rally of Great Britain Oct. 23-25.

Sunday at Salou, Spain (18 stages)

1. Sebastien Loeb, France, Citroen, 3 hours, 22 minutes, 14.7 seconds.

2. Dani Sordo, Spain, Citroen, 12.0 seconds behind.

3. Mikko Hirvonen, Finland, Ford, 54.1.

4. Petter Solberg, Norway, Citroen, 1:12.4.

5. Sebastien Ogier, Citroen, 1:41.6.

6. Jari-Matti Latvala, Finland, Ford, 2:49.8.

7. Matthew Wilson, Britain, Ford, 7:15.5.

8. Federico Villagra, Argentina, Ford, 8:28.1.<

Overall Standings (After 11 of 12 races)

1. Mikko Hirvonen, Finland, Ford, 84 points.

2. Sebastien Loeb, France, Citroen, 83.

3. Dani Sordo, Spain, Citroen, 58.

4. Jari-Matti Latvala, Finland, Ford, 39.

5. Petter Solberg, Norway, Citroen, 30.