Sebastien Loeb is to rallying what Michael Schumacher is to F1. The guy keeps breaking records faster than you can keep track of them. Wikipedia attests to this as well:
In 2004, Loeb dominated the WRC-scene in a similar way to the Michael Schumacher domination of Formula One from 2000 to 2004, by winning six events and earning many podium finishes in other events to securely give him the driver’s title. He was also responsible for Citroën’s second manufacturer’s title in a row…
In 2005, with victory in the 9th round (Argentinian Rally), Loeb became the first to win six consecutive rallies, and the first to win seven in a season, having already won the opening Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo . He was in a position to clinch the title while leading Wales Rally Great Britain, but after it was announced that the last two stages of the rally would be abandoned due to the death of Michael Park in an accident on stage 15, Loeb deliberately incurred a two minute penalty to drop him to third place and avoid retaining his title in such circumstances.
Now, Loeb has added another prestigious record to his kitty. With his latest rally victory, he has equalled the record of the recently retired Carlos Sainz with 26 career wins. With 81 points, he leads this year’s championship as well by 33 points over second placed Marcus Gronholm. Another championship will be added soon then.
The best thing about rallying is the variability for me. A bit more on this from wikipedia:
Rally is also unique in its choice of where and when to race. Rallies take place on all surfaces and in all conditions: asphalt (tarmac), gravel, or snow and ice, sometimes more than one in a single rally, depending on the course and event. Rallies are also run every month of the year, in every climate, bitter cold to monsoon rain. This contributes to the notion of top rally drivers as some of the best car control experts in the world. As a result of the drivers not knowing exactly what lies ahead, the lower traction available on dirt roads, and the driving characteristics of small cars, the drivers are much less visibly smooth than circuit racers, regularly sending the car literally flying over bumps, and sliding the cars out of corners.
I love dynamism in sport. For, it is always interesting to see how some one fairs in the different ways in which a sport challenges. It means that a sports person has to adapt to various conditions and circumstances to eventually become a champion as well.
The adaptability has to come not only courtesy the skill you possess but also by using the head. The mind, after all, is a key ingredient for success at top level sport. So, a Michael Schumacher and his Ferrari team has to know exactly when to cahnge tyres and what to do if it rains during lap x, keeping in mind the position of Michael Schumacher and the other drivers.
Challenges come. You over come them. You become a champion.
