World Rally News

SS8 - Glenboy (22.25 km): Loeb fastest through SS8; Latvala second; Sordo third; Petter Solberg fourth; Hirvonen fifth; Henning Solberg went off the road and hit a tree - retired from the leg; Higgins heads the PWRC category; Loeb leads the overall event by 10.4 seconds.

BP Ford team leader, Marcus Gronholm has said that while his neck is a bit sore, he is otherwise 'OK' following his big crash this morning on the Rally Ireland.

BP Ford's Marcus Gronholm and his co-driver, Timo Rautiainen have both been released from hospital.

The 2008 Intercontinental Rally Challenge will be run over ten events on three continents, raised by one over the series' inaugural campaign, according to the calendar issued overnight.

Triple world rally champion, Sebastien Loeb will get behind the wheel of a Renault F1 car next month. The Frenchman, who is currently preparing for this weekend's Rally Ireland, will do a couple of demonstration runs at the Paul Ricard circuit in the South of France.

Following the result of the China Rally, the final round of the IRC, this weekend, Enrique Garcia Ojeda and his manufacturer, Peugeot have officially won the 2007 IRC championship titles, in the drivers and manufacturers' categories respectively.

by Geoff Mayes Top welsh rally driver Stuart Jones has confirmed that he will change cars for the final round of the 2007 Production World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB His home round of the year will mark his competition debut in the exciting new MG S2000 Sport.

The Rally Japan is improving every year, that's the verdict of BP Ford World Rally team director, Malcolm Wilson.

Former AMA Supercross/Motocross star Travis Pastrana wrapped up his second consecutive Rally America National Championship Series title at the weekend when he took a hard-fought victory in the series finale, Lake Superior Performance Rally.

Mitsubishi's Gabriel Pozzo secured the win in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship category on the Rally Japan on Sunday, the sixth round in the series.

Citroen's Sebastien Loeb has retired from the Rally Japan after he suffered mechanical problems in the penultimate stage of the event.

Sebastien Loeb's co-driver, Daniel Elena has conceded it was his fault they went out in SS13 of the Rally Japan.

Sebastien Loeb has confirmed that a pace note error was to blame for his off in SS13 of the Rally Japan on Saturday after his co-driver, Daniel Elena called out the wrong instructions.

The new IRC 'Supporter Event Scheme' was launched this weekend at the Rallye du Valais, the eighth round in the 2007 Intercontinental Rally Challenge. The scheme will allow rallies all over the world to sign up to become an official 'IRC Supporter Event'.

SS14 - Sipirkakim (22.43km): Petter Solberg fastest through SS14; Hirvonen second; Sordo third; Henning Solberg fourth; Companc fifth; Wilson sixth; Stohl had problems with his car; Pozzo heads the PWRC category; Hirvonen leads the overall event by 50.6secs.

SS11 - Rikubetsu 3 (2.73km): Loeb fastest through SS11; Hirvonen and Petter Solberg joint second; Latvala fourth; Henning Solberg fifth; Sordo sixth; Petter Solberg re-started under the SupeRally; Gronholm and Atkinson did not re-start; Nutahara heads the PWRC category; Hirvonen leads the

Sebastien Loeb could re-take the lead in the race for the 2007 drivers' title this weekend following the retirement of his chief championship rival, Marcus Gronholm on day 1 in Japan.

Petter Solberg has issued an apology to all of Subaru's fans, after the Subaru World Rally team endured a miserable start to its home event, the Rally Japan, on Friday.

BP Ford team leader Marcus Gronholm has retired from leg 1 of the Rally Japan in the fourth stage of the event.

BP Ford team boss, Malcolm Wilson has confirmed that the M-Sport-run operation won't be in a position to announce who will replace the retiring Marcus Gronholm until late November - or even December.

Subaru's Chris Atkinson was quickest in the shakedown for the Rally Japan on Thursday, ahead of the fourteenth round in the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship.

Britain's Mark Higgins may have to pull out of the Rally Japan this weekend after breaking his collar bone in an accident back in the UK.

Daniel Sordo has said that he will be happy with a top-five finish on the Rally Japan this weekend, as he still has a lot to learn about the event.

by Rob Wilkins TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH TONY MASON: CLICK HERE