Loeb, Hirvonen cede Rally New Zealand lead in tactical battle

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

HAMILTON, New Zealand (AFP) — World Rally Championship leader Sebastien Loeb of France and Finn Mikko Hirvonen fought a tactical battle in Rally New Zealand Saturday to avoid being first out of the blocks on the final day.

Instead Hirvonen's Ford teammate and fellow Finn Jari-Matti Latvala became the surprise leader on the second day of the rally dominated by an intriguing game of cat and mouse between the Frenchman and second-ranked Hirvonen.

Loeb led in the penultimate stage of the day but eased up near the finish line to avoid crossing before second-ranked Hirvonen, who had held a 28 second lead over Loeb after the first day of the rally Friday.

"I decided at the end to slow down, it's the only option with these road position rules, which changed last...