Latvala wins Wales Rally as Loeb celebrates title

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Latvala wins Wales Rally as Loeb celebrates title

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Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland cruised to victory in the Wales Rally GB.

14 November,2011 04:43 am

Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland took advantage of the retirement of newly crowned champion Sebastien Loeb to cruise to victory in the Wales Rally GB on Sunday, the Ford drivers first win of 2011.Loeb was looking to celebrate the clinching of his eighth straight title by winning the season-ending race for the fourth successive year, but the Frenchmans hopes perished when he was forced to withdraw early on the final day following a head-on collision with another car.Latvala, who started Sunday 6.1 seconds ahead of Loeb, just needed to keep his head to secure Fords third win of the season and he came home three minutes, 42 seconds ahead of teammate Mads Ostberg of Norway.Its a great feeling because its been very stressful and frustrating since my last win (in Finland last season), Latvala said.Its a great way to finish the 2011 season. We now need to push for the world title with Ford next year.Loeb, of Citroen, was already assured of winning the title following nearest challenger Mikko Hirvonens retirement with engine damage on Friday.He fell further behind Latvala following Sundays first test, the mixed-surface 14.93-kilometer Halfway Blast. As he departed to complete the stage, Loeb was involved in a collision with a car driven by a member of the public, damaging his radiator and ending his race. There were no injuries.