Loeb the Great

**A.F.F.** · 1st Apr 07, 20:59

Few years back it was clear Loeb was instantly fast on tarmac but didn't seem to be too big of a threat on gravel nor on snow. Since then Loeb has taken giant leaps towards the lead both on gravel and snow. Still last year I was pretty confident Marcus can take him on gravel, actually on ANY gravel rally. In Sweden and Finland Marcus is untouchable.

Today, after these two rallies, Mexico and Portugal, Loeb+Elena+C4 seem to be a package too hard to overtake in anywhere... except in Sweden and Finland.

After Marcus retires, who is there to prevent him anymore? Petter? Not likely. Sordo seem to be closest, but only on tarmac. Mikko? It'll take time if never.

Loeb taking 50+ rallywins is not a dream anymore. it can happen.

**Daniel** · 1st Apr 07, 21:13

I could have told you in 2002 that Loeb was destined for great things.

**J.Lindstroem** · 1st Apr 07, 21:25

Daniel, why do you have to be so arrogant all the time?

**Daniel** · 1st Apr 07, 21:27

I simply said that it was easily apparent back then from seeing his driving that he was destined for great things. Why must people always assume the worst?

I'm not saying AFF is an idiot or something. I'm saying that it was something I saw way back then.......

**Josti** · 1st Apr 07, 21:41

Originally Posted by Daniel

I'm saying that it was something I saw way back then.......

Well, who didn't. Already after his 2nd place in Sanremo 2001, he was destined to be one of the greats. Anyway, I'm not that keen on it. I can see 2004, 2005 and 2006 happen all over again...

**Daniel** · 1st Apr 07, 21:48

Originally Posted by Josti

Well, who didn't. Already after his 2nd place in Sanremo 2001, he was destined to be one of the greats. Anyway, I'm not that keen on it. I can see 2004, 2005 and 2006 happen all over again...

A lot of people still said he was just another guy who might win a few rallies. Everyone always expecting him to be good on tarmac but few expected his performance on gravel to be so good. I remember watching Seb in Australia in of the Xsara's first gravel outings and thinking "this guy has about 70% of his talent still left in reserve"

**A.F.F.** · 1st Apr 07, 21:52

Well, I honestly have to say I didn't expect Loeb being THIS good.

**ste898** · 1st Apr 07, 22:16

Loeb will be the death of WRC..he is destroying world rallying as more and more people switch off from watching the parade!!!!!!!

**Tom206wrc** · 1st Apr 07, 22:22

And why won't you rather say Ste898: "Ford is destroying the WRC by not making the fatal weapon car that can prevent Citroën and Seb to win" ???

**ste898** · 1st Apr 07, 22:30

So you dont agree? No of course you argue with everything I say!!!!!!

So I really am not interested in what you say now!!!

**MJW** · 1st Apr 07, 22:38

All I will say the Portugal thread goes to 53 pages, Sweden was 80 odd pages. The monotony of Loeb's undoubted talent and superb package from Citroen & BFG is starting to have a negative effect on the popularity. Its almost a foregone conclusion that Loeb/Citroen will win. That will have an effect on interest levels in tehsport and viewing figures.

**N.O.T** · 1st Apr 07, 22:39

I agree with Ste...shame on you Mr Loeb...you should start losing, after all thats the spirit of motorsport....

**Tomi** · 1st Apr 07, 22:49

I think it's ok that he wins, i hope FIA wont start to change any rules because of it, trying to make it more "interesting" for the media so to say.
Even if he wins all the time there is still many interesting things in WRC, like measuring windows for instance.

**Zico** · 1st Apr 07, 22:53

Its Fords Fault.. they build a decent car but cant develop it fast enough/keep a performance envelope in reserve to keep the winning momentum. The sames happened with pretty much all their Rally cars bar the old mk1/2 escorts.. incompetent I say!

Hmm.. wait but isnt that taking it away from Loeb? Yep.. The guy is a living legend simple as.. Put your dummy back in Steve.

**J4MIE** · 1st Apr 07, 23:02

The guy is brilliant, though let's not forget his car, and he's doing it for fun now. He's not got anything left to prove - except that win in Finland

**Tom206wrc** · 1st Apr 07, 23:06

Originally Posted by N.O.T

I agree with Ste...shame on you Mr Loeb...you should start losing, after all thats the spirit of motorsport....

**MJW** · 1st Apr 07, 23:17

In these days of data logging, constant tv feeds and in car can we find out why Loeb is so good? Where is Pentti or any driver analysts? They all lokk to be on teh same line, Seb drives neat - not sideways like the old style.

**m.lowe** · 1st Apr 07, 23:23

Originally Posted by ste898

Loeb will be the death of WRC..he is destroying world rallying as more and more people switch off from watching the parade!!!!!!!

The thing that is destroying rallying is the lack of Manufactures and the FIA bolloxing about.

Come on Ste, the guy is the best.
Its not his fault that Marcus the great is being beaten by him and Ford cannot make the car stay with the C4

Look at what Wilson said, "Hes the Schumacher of the WRC" and Wilson wanted him in his team before.
Waldegarrd and Vatanen even said the guy is something special and thats from ex Ford drivers from the past

It shows something when Ford have had that car a while now and the C4 comes in and can live with the focus.

Next we will have Citroen are cheating but its not them with lighter Glass

Loeb is the master and the rest are his servants

**FrankenSchwinn** · 1st Apr 07, 23:38

all the while he seems to be a really nice guy and there is one thing about the way he does competition: he respects everyone. rallying is much easier to be that way because you are not battling anyone on a "track" so there is much less personality clash, but in his editorials that he does for french rallyes magazine he always, always mention how tough and how great marcus is. the way he writes his stuff seems to be with the upmost admiration to the finn. maybe he just wants be as tall as him.....

**Addicted** · 1st Apr 07, 23:52

Loeb has one small thing that bothers me still. Hes been driving only with one manufacturer, other legends have shown their skills by driving in more than one team/ manufacturer cars.

Yes, I know that it would be stupid to go Subaru or Ford and start loosing, but this is just my opinion.