The final round of the 2008 World Rally Championship in Wales ended with Citroën claiming the 2008 Manufacturers’ world title*. This year’s crown comes after those previously notched up by the French firm in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and adds a further line to the make’s already illustrious record in motor sport. Today’s success comes shortly after the Driver’s title which was secured earlier in the season by Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena. By finishing this weekend’s Wales Rally GB in first and third places, the performances of Seb/Daniel and Dani Sordo/Marc Martí were amply sufficient to hand Citroën the championship double.

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Rheola Forest’s twisty tracks (SS16/18) and those that wind through Margam Park (SS17/19) were completely frozen following last night’s subzero temperatures in the Swansea region, and the 89.10km of competitive action that figured on Sunday’s programme provided the backdrop for what turned out to be a memorable scrap for outright victory. In the end, the clash saw Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena snatch outright victory on the final day to settle the championship chase in favour of Citroën!

With an overnight deficit of just 7.3 seconds to make up on the leaders, Seb and Daniel had no intention of giving up their bid to claim their first ever victory in Wales. And with the third-placed Citroën C4 WRC of Dani Sordo and Marc Martí providing rearguard action in the team’s quest for Manufacturers’ points, the five-time World Champions* were free to attack as they saw fit. The third leg’s opening stage saw them shave the gap down to 2.2s before reducing it by a further eight tenths on the following test, and they returned to the midmorning service break a mere 1.4s behind. The N°1 C4 WRC ended up taking the lead for good on the year’s very last stage which enabled Sébastien to become the first Frenchman to win Britain’s round of the WRC. And with a score of 11 wins to their name this year, Seb and Daniel have also set a new record for the highest number of world class wins in a single season.