Loeb closes in on title, two spectators injured

STRASBOURG, France (AFP) –

France’s rally driver Sebastien Loeb and his co-driver Monaco’s Daniel Elena steer their Citroen DS3 WRC. Barring major mishap Loeb will claim his record ninth world drivers title on Sunday after the Citroen ace’s grip on the Rally of France tightened further on Saturday.

Barring major mishap Sebastian Loeb will claim his record ninth world drivers title on Sunday after the Citroen ace’s grip on the Rally of France tightened further on Saturday.

The Frenchman was quickest in four of the day’s special stages to extend his lead on Jari-Matti Latvala in a Ford Focus to 29sec on a day when two spectators were injured after a crash.

And crucially Loeb’s cushion over teammate Mikko Hirvonen, placed second in the title standings and the only rival who can prolong the title battle beyond this weekend, is 54sec behind.

Loeb will be crowned the 2012 champion if either he finishes in front of Hirvonen on Sunday or if he finishes one place behind the Finn as long as Hirvonen does not win the rally and the Power Stage, or if Hirvonen fails to finish in the top eight.

Latvala’s cause was not helped when his car skidded in the wet and went into a ditch during stage 10.

The spectators were injured after the Citroen driven by Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah went off the road during the same stage.

“The injured pair are suffering from fractures – one to an arm, the other a leg. They were brought to hospital by ambulance,” press spokeswoman Francoise Despierre told AFP.

The remainder of the 10th stage was cancelled and organisers also cancelled the 12th stage due to too many spectators vying to gain the best vantage points.