Tag: Sebastien Loeb

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Citroen Motorsports Video

VIDEO: Sebastien Loeb tackles the Nordschleife

Sebastien Loeb, Citroen C-Elysee WTCC, Nurburgring

In case you missed it the WTCC crews have been to the Nordschleife and even better they will be holding a full on race meeting there as part of this weekend’s Nürburgring 24 Hour support program.

With thanks to Citroën here’s a full lap of the Grand Prix track and Nordschleife with motorsport icon Sebastien Loeb at the wheel. The low angle of the camera is awesome, even if it flattens out the dramatic elevation of the Nordschleife.

For what it’s worth Loeb’s Nordschleife time is a bit over seven minutes, while his best time during the official test day for the full 25+ kilometre lap, including GP track, was 8:40.517. That’s fast for a FWD racecar and within around 20 seconds of the fastest GT3 machines.

It’s also worth noting that Sabine Schmitz will be racing a Chevy Cruze in the two WTCC races this weekend as well.

[Thanks to Stu for the tip]

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Citroen WRC

Citroën launches 2015-spec DS3 WRC

2015 Citroen DS3 WRC

Citroën has unveiled its 2015-spec DS3 WRC which will be earning its money this weekend when Rallye Monte Carlo is underway.

The most successful rally pairing of all time, Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, will be making a one-off appearance for Citroën and they have been designated as one of the two crews who can score points for Citroën in the championship.

Kris Meeke is the other driver contributing to the manfacturers’ championship, while Mads Ostberg is probably secretly hoping he can beat both Loeb and Meeke and embarrass his bosses in a nice way.

All three of the DS3 WRCs will be racing in 2015-trim which have new upgrades to the engine, suspension, aerodynamics and gearbox.

“The DS 3 WRC is a very accomplished car, but we have worked hard to make it even more competitive,” Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, Citroën Racing’s Technical Director explained.

“For example, we have focused our efforts on the engine so that it delivers more power and torque, whilst also improving reliability. Taking advantage of the changes in the regulations, we have reintroduced steering wheel-mounted paddles for the gear changes.

“Other significant improvements have been made to the aerodynamics, with a new spoiler and a new front end that will be introduced shortly, as well as to the weight distribution with the use of lighter parts. Lastly, we have altered the kinematics of the rear suspension. Work is ongoing and, in the next few months, we will be presenting another aerodynamic upgrade.”

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Citroen WRC

Sebastien Loeb to make one-off Monte comeback

Sebastien Loeb, 2013 Rallye Monte-Carlo

Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena will be making a one-off return to the WRC by taking part in the 2015 Rallye Monte Carlo.

Under the guise of promotion for Citroën’s DS brand the seven-time winners of the event have been nominated, along with Kris Meeke, to score championship points for Citroën’s WRC manufacturer’s title campaign.

“I didn’t hesitate for a second when I was offered the chance to compete at the opening round of the 2015 World Rally Championship in the DS 3 WRC,” said Loeb. “I think Daniel and I would agree that Monte-Carlo is one of our favourite events. The beautiful roads, the fact of having to gamble when it comes to tyre choice and the party atmosphere that you get on the stages: we can’t wait to experience it all again!

“Obviously, it’s going to be a personal challenge for me, as I haven’t competed in a rally for over a year. A few days from now, I’m going to take part in the Rallye du Var and that will give me the chance to reacquaint myself with the car. We have also managed to find a few available slots in my schedule so I can take part in testing. I’m absolutely delighted about this opportunity to meet up with the big rallying family during the FIA WTCC off-season!”

Loeb and Elena last competed in Rallye Monte-Carlo in 2013. It was the start of their WRC swansong and they won the event for the seventh time.

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Citroen Ford Hyundai Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins 2014 Rally Portugal

2014 WRC Rally Portugal

Okay, so this update is bringing you news that’s a week old, but you get that from time to time with a blog that’s an unpaid labour of love rather than a full time gig.

You’ve seen already, too, that Sebastien Ogier won Rally Portugal. It’s Volkswagen’s fourth win from four rallies in 2014. Coupled with a string of four victories to close out last season they have equalled the best ever run of eight consecutive WRC victories alongside Citroën. That’s a fair effort for Volkswagen and the Polo R WRC, in just their second year of competition.

Ogier had to fight early in the rally to overcome Dani Sordo and Mikko Hirvonen, both men holding the rally lead before Ogier restored the rightful order. For Sordo he became the first Hyundai driver to lead a WRC event. He was unable to maintain his grip for long but was looking secure for a fourth placed finish until a broken driveshaft ended his event, although he impressed team bosses enough to earn himself an extra drive for the next rally.

Mikko Hirvonen proved there’s still life in him and the Ford Fiesta RS WRC by holding for second, ahead of Mads Ostberg who reminded us that Citroën is still capable of mixing it at the front as well.

Andreas Mikkelsen finished fourth for Volkswagen, managing to get himself ahead of privateer Henning Solberg late in the rally.

For the first time Hyundai ran three cars in a rally and Thierry Neuville and Juho Hanninen came home in seventh and eighth places respectively. They team is showing good pace but is still gaining valuable experience and you sense their challenge will begin in earnest in 2015.

You can’t have a WRC without some spectacular accidents and the honour, or should that be the shame, of the best crash was a fight between young M-Sport driver Elfyn Evans and Volkswagen’s Jarri-Matti Latvala. Both crews were unhurt and Latvala even managed to earn himself a couple of points in the power stage on the final day.

Oh, yes, of course, Robert Kubica crashed out again. In 11 days of racing this year he has crashed out in 10.

Volkswagen and Ogier are again establishing themselves at the top of their respective championship tables and both will be hoping they can set a new mark of nine rally wins on end when they tackle Rally Argentina next month.

Until then check out our 2014 Rally Portugal photo gallery and official team videos after the break.

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Motorsports News Peugeot

Preview: Race to the Clouds

Race to the Clouds

This is your friendly revhead public service announcement that Race to the Clouds, a documentary on the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, will be screening across Australia this weekend. Switch your TV to 7mate at 11am on Saturday to make sure you don’t miss out!

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Motorsports Peugeot

King of the Peak in pictures

Sebastien Loeb, Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak

You’ve seen the video, now here’s the photo gallery of Sebastien Loeb’s all-conquering assault on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Red Bull has fittingly labelled Loeb the King of the Peak after his record-breaking 8:13.878 climb. To honour Loeb’s mighty achievement we’ve assembled over 25 2000px super images for you to savour.

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Motorsports Peugeot Video

VIDEO: Sebastien Loeb annihilates Pikes Peak record

Sebastien Loeb, Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak

Sebastien Loeb has laser etched his name into the record books yet again by setting a time at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb that may never be bettered. According to computer simulations run by Peugeot Sport the 208 T16 Pikes Peak had a theoretical best time of 8m 15s. But that wasn’t fast enough for Loeb, he posted a time of 8m 13.878s.

That’s fast right? Consider this, the previous Pikes Peak world record was set last year by Rhys Millen. His time? A comparatively laughable 9m 46.164s.

Okay, the 20km course has lost some of its charm and intrinsic difficulties now that it has been fully paved to the summit. But there was no gravel in 2012 either. Sebastien Loeb, we bow down before you.

After the break you can watch unhindered onboard footage of Loeb’s ascent. No commentary, just man, machine and the noises generated by his 875hp purpose-built attack weapon.

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Citroen WRC

If we can’t beat them, rejoin us

Sebastien Loeb wins 2013 Rally Argentina

As it stands Sebastien Loeb has one more WRC rally left in his record-breaking career. That’s scheduled to be his home event, Rallye de France-Alsace, in early October. However, Citroën’s current parlous performance against the emerging dominance of Volkswagen has forced Citroën Racing boss, Yves Matton, to think twice about letting Loeb go so easily.

With half of the WRC season behind us Loeb has proven to be the only person capable of defeating Volkswagen, as his victories in Monte Carlo and Argentina prove. He finished second to The Other Sebastienâ„¢ in Sweden and we wouldn’t mind betting that Ogier holds that victory, his first for Volkswagen, in high regard because of Loeb’s participation.

“I haven’t spoken to him yet, but for sure at the half of the season I will speak again with Sebastien to see if he has the motivation to do maybe one or two rallies more,” said Matton.

“It depends a lot on what we [Citroen] will do in the future, if we will be involved in the touring cars or not. In the following days or weeks then we will have an answer and we will see with Seb what we can do.”

We now know that Citroën Racing has been confirmed as a starter in the 2014 World Touring Car Championship, with Sebastien Loeb in the role of poster boy and lead driver. That really only leaves this year for Loeb to mount any challenge against Volkswagen in the WRC.

And what of Mikko Hirvonen, the supposed number one for Citroën this year? He’d better pull his finger out, and fast.

[Source: wrc.com]

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Citroen WRC

Sebastien Loeb – World Rally Champion again in 2010!

Sebastien Loeb - 2010 WRC winner

A quick shout out to Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena who won their seventh consecutive World Rally Championship by claiming an outright win in the Rally of France on the weekend. It marks an amazing run of successes, which includes most titles, most successive titles, most wins, most wins in one season, most successive wins in one season, most consecutive wins on one event. That boy Loeb can drive!

For added emotion Loeb the event took in the town of Haguenau where Loeb was raised. Thousands of well-wishers surrounded the nearby liaison stages ensuring Loeb knew his success was being appreciated, “There were people everywhere on the road, and at the stage. It was rather moving,” he said.

There are still two rallies left on the 2010 calendar, but already the Citroën Racing team has given the all-conquering C4 WRC a fitting send off. Its replacement, the DS3 WRC, also made its public debut over the weekend at the latest world motor show, which is being held in Paris – where else!

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Citroen Motor Shows WRC

Paris 2010: Citroën DS3 WRC

Citroen DS3 WRC

Citroën has just fired back at MINI by releasing new images of its 2011 DS3 WRC. It looks pretty cool, too, but I think the MINI WRC is still a bit better. Of course, with eleventy-times champion Sebastien Loeb at the wheel, the DS3 WRC is sure to be the car to beat next year.

The full reveal of the DS3 WRC will take place very soon at the Paris Motor Show. More pics after the break.

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Motorsports News

2008 Race of Champions

Race of Champions 2008 - Sebastien Loeb and David Coulthard

The 2008 Race of Champions has been run and won. Sebastien Loeb was the winner, claiming his third ROC title. Loeb took the trophy after edging our retiring F1 stalwart David Coulthard in the third and deciding race.

For Australian viewers, Channel When are living up to their name by broadcasting highlights of the event at a date that is yet to be confirmed.

If you can’t be bothered waiting for that you can watch a few highlights below, courtesy of WorldCarFans and YouTube.

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