Citroen’s new battler backed by legend Loeb
The C3 WRC is the first rally car that Citroen has launched without Sebastien Loeb since the BX 4TC.
The Frenchman was the first man to win in all three of Citroen’s previous World Rally Cars and the only driver to win in all of them. For the first time since the Paris firm’s catastrophic interpretation of Group B regulations 31 years ago, Loeb won’t be around to give the latest set of chevrons its debut.
That hasn’t stopped the nine-time champion from taking a passing interest in the progress of his former employer though.
Looking on from Peugeot’s side of the PSA fence, Loeb tells Motorsport News: “It looks like they did a good job. You know they have a lot of experience of this sport and of the World Rally Championship. They made some good cars in the past and it looks like they have done it again.
“From what I can see they can be satisfied with the car and it’s good to have Citroen once more at the top of the world championship.”
But what about the man most likely to take them there? what about Kris Meeke?
The Dakar-bound Alsatian is equally complimentary about his Dungannon-sourced replacement.
“Kris did some good races last year and for sure he has improved for staying more on the road,” he says. “He showed again that he is very fast, but he is finding the way of staying [to the finish] with the consistency. I think he will win some rallies this year.”
For more than a few of the reds, embarking on world domination without the man who dominated this world for nine years will be strange. But the hunger for success remains entirely undimmed.
When: March 26 Where: Wimbledon Stadium Web: spedeworth.co.uk There will not be a dry eye at the final meeting at Wimbledon in March.
The Grand Old Lady of short oval racing has been a loyal servant, and she will be closing her doors for the final time after the National Hot Rod meeting on March 26. The stadium is not what it once was, with only a small section on the home straight still open for viewing. However, that keeps the crowd tightly bunched and really adds to the atmosphere.
It is the first time in several seasons that the south west London track has been included on the points- paying National Hot Rod calendar, and it will be the second meeting in the second part of the campaign to crown this year’s points champion. The event will also count towards points to get a place in the coveted World Final.
Those facts, added to it being a swansong for the venue before the operator Spedeworth has to clear out of the stadium on April 14, means that it will be a hugely popular meeting for fans and for competitors alike.
The event is an all-ticket meeting, and passes are selling out fast, so make sure you are there.