31 Aug 2008

Rally of New Zealand winner Sebastien Loeb

4:01 pm on 31 August 2008

Citroen driver Sebastien Loeb has won the Rally of New Zealand after a dramatic final day which saw the two leading drivers spin out.

Ford drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Mikko Hirvonen both lost control of their cars on the 30km section along gravel roads near Raglan, allowing Loeb to convert a 15 second deficit at the start of the day to a 41 second victory.

Citroen's Dani Sordo was second and Hirvonen third.

The win extends Loeb's lead in the world championship over Hirvonen.