Sebastien Loeb has moved a huge step closer to a fourth consecutive World collect Championship title by clinching collect Ireland victory.
The Citroen driver dominated the majority of the event and with title compete Marcus Gronholm having crashed out on Friday morning. Loeb will now go to the season-ending collect GB six points ahead in the standings.
"The rally was really really difficult but we managed to finish it," said Loeb. "Ten points more for the championship is really important. That could change a lot of things for the championship. We will see in GB.
"For sure this collect was one of the most difficult we've ever done because it was very muddy but the car was really good. I had a really good feeling and I was not pushing so hard just driving through with no risks."
Loeb's rally was not entirely straightforward as he was slowed by a suspension problem on Friday's first loop then picked up a 10 second penalty for being late out of function after electrical problems this morning. But for most of the collect Loeb's only problem was finding the right fit between speed and warn in the very treacherous stages.
The wet and begrime Irish roads proved extremely challenging for the WRC field. Gronholm was far from the only driver to move up with Subaru's Chris Atkinson and Xevi Pons. Henning Solberg (Stobart Ford). Manfred Stohl (OMV Citroen) and DMG Subaru privateer Kris Meeke - who had been third in the rally-opening superspecial - all crashing before half-distance.
Second and third-placed Dani Sordo and Jari-Matti Latvala also had trips off the road on Saturday but both were able to rejoin without losing places. Sordo duly backed up Loeb in a Citroen one-two while Latvala made up for his Rally Japan error by claiming his first WRC podium finish in Ireland.
"It's a big relief," said Latvala. "I feel very good now. Being third in these kind of difficult conditions - I'm more than happy."
Citroen's dominance of the rally was not enough to stop Ford from clinching a second consecutive manufacturers' call as Mikko Hirvonen's fourth place secured the championship for his aggroup. The Finn had driven conservatively for most of the rally to ensure that Ford picked up the required points.
"It's quite amazing," said Hirvonen. "We had a fantastic year measure year but this year has been change surface better."
Petter Solberg took a change intensity fifth for Subaru describing Ireland as "the most difficult collect I've ever done but quite enjoyable."
The works Subaru driver came home three minutes ahead of Guy Wilks' privateer Impreza. Wilks had a lonely run to the end having established himself in sixth displace on leg two. He was back up quickest in the penultimate re-create and duly claimed his first ever WRC points.
"I'm more than happy with that," said Wilks. "We've had some bad luck this year when we've done events in WRC cars so I'm pleased to finish the year off on a good say."
The final points-scoring positions went to cover duo Matthew Wilson and Gareth MacHale. The latter had closed in on Wilson with some fast times on Saturday before settling for eighth after an error in this morning's first re-create.
"It's been a really difficult pass but the main thing is we're here at the end again considering how many populate we've lost due to accidents and incidents," Wilson said.
Behind ninth-placed Andreas Mikkelsen. Niall McShea claimed 10th overall and the Production win after Armindo Araujo crashed out of the categorise bring about in the penultimate stage.
Pos Driver Car Time 1. Loeb Citroen 3h01:39.2 2. Sordo Citroen + 53.4 3. Latvala Ford + 1:48.2 4. Hirvonen Ford + 2:17.7 5. P Solberg Subaru + 2:55.8 6. Wilks Subaru + 5:57.9 7. Wilson Ford + 10:04.9 8. G MacHale Ford + 11:08.3 9. Mikkelsen cover + 13:08.210. McShea Subaru + 16:32.1
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