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The 2013 Rallye de France Alsace will mark a very special occasion in WRC history as rallying legend Sebastien Loeb races his final competition with the Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team.
Loeb will make his final outing into the forest in the No.1 DS3 WRC with his co-driver Daniel Elena, as the pair aim for their 79th WRC win in front of a home crowd. And what a crowd it's expected to be; sources say that hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to line the stages in order to catch a glimpse of their home-grown hero.
"There's no pressure on me, no championship to go for and I've nothing to prove," said Loeb. "Obviously, my aim is to achieve the best possible result; but I'm here to enjoy myself, and thank all the people who have supported me for so long. I hope it'll be a great big party."
During his illustrious career at the WRC, the Rallye de France has seen Loeb secure two of his nine world titles with Elena. Whilst the duo has nothing to prove at the event, teammates Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen are eagerly hoping for their sixth podium finish in the No. 2 DS3 WRC.
"This rally isn't an easy one, and if it rains it can become even trickier," comments Hirvonen. "If we want to stay in the fight for the Manufacturer's title, we have to score heavily with both cars. My aim is to do at least as well as in Germany."
The success in Rallye Deutschland saw teammates Dani Sordo and Carlos del Barrio take the top of the podium, with high hopes of repeating the event in France this week.
Anything else?
Sebastien Loeb's success in the WRC puts him up there with some of the great names in rallying; joining the likes of Tommi Makkinen, the late Richard Burns and the late Colin McRae. Thankfully, his time away from motor racing will be short lived, as Loeb will be competing in the World Touring Car Championship in 2014 behind the wheel of a Citroen C-Elysee.
Those wanting to catch Loeb in his last WRC outing can do so from 3rd-6th October 2013.