SS4: Citroen duo take charge

Mikko Hirvonen’s lead over his Citroen team-mate Sebastien Loeb was down to just 3.9 seconds after stage four of Brother Rally New Zealand.

A second straight stage win for Loeb on Te Akau North saw the world champion almost halve his team-mate’s advantage as the battle at the front became an all-Citroen affair.

The duo benefited from road conditions being wet enough to make their gamble of running early in the start order worthwhile. Jari-Matti Latvala and Ford preferred to go late, but so far this morning that has not worked out. Unhappy with his car’s handling, Latvala dropped to 16s off the lead by the end of the morning loop.

M-Sport Ford’s Evgeny Novikov and Ott Tanak are still fourth and fifth, as Qatar World Rally Team Citroen driver Thierry Neuville struggled with very worn tyres by the time stage four came around, and is now beginning to feel pressure from Petter Solberg (Ford) behind him.

Both PROTONS have now retired, so Hayden Paddon is a lonely Super 2000 World Rally Championship leader in 10th place overall.