Marcus Gronholm saw his lead in the 2007 FIA World Rally drivers' championship cut further following the event in Corsica two weeks ago. With Sebastien Loeb taking the victory in France and Gronholm 'only' finishing second, the Finn's cushion was reduced from 6 points to 4.

Mikko Hirvonen meanwhile remained third in the standings, while Daniel Sordo consolidated fourth spot further increasing the gap between himself and Petter Solberg.

In the Manufacturers' championship there was no change at the top - although the BP Ford WRT did see its massive lead over Citroen reduced again from 39 points to 32.

As for the Junior Rally Championship, Per-Gunnar Andersson took the title, 5 points ahead of Urmo Aava, who was level on points going into Tour de Corse, but who failed to score after crashing out on day 2.

Since that event it has been relatively quiet, although the entry list for Rally Ireland has been confirmed. 90 crews will start the inaugural Rally Ireland next month with over a third set to compete in World Rally Cars, including in addition to the usual 'works' drivers, Guy Wilks, Kris Meeke and multiple Irish tarmac champion, Eugene Donnelly.


News from the Manufacturers' teams:

Citroen Total WRT:

[Sebastien Loeb, car #1 and Daniel Sordo, car #2]

Loeb: Slightest error could be critical.

Sebastien Loeb has said that he has no choice but to go for the win this weekend. Loeb, who is going for his fourth drivers' title on the trot, has won the last two events in succession to cut the gap to Marcus Gronholm at the top of the drivers' championship to just four points.

With only three events left though, the Frenchman is aware that if either he or Gronholm makes a mistake, then it could prove to be decisive.

"I was delighted to have won the back-to-back rounds in Spain and Corsica. That wasn't a foregone conclusion. Everyone said we were favourites, but neither event was easy. We needed to go out and win them,” he stated.

“Before Spain, I needed to win the five remaining rallies. After Corsica, I still need to win three.

“We're getting there, but the challenge is as tough as ever. Neither of us can afford to make the slightest mistake.”

Loeb has never been a big fan of the Rally Japan though and while he won the event last year after a very close battle with Gronholm, to notch up what was then a record 27th WRC win, he still isn't overly fond of it.

"After the finish of last year's event, all the talk was about the fact that it was our 27th WRC win. Daniel [Elena – my co-driver] and I prefer to recall the way we won it. The fight rarely gets that close, especially on the final day, and I rate it as one of my finest victories,” he continued.