My friend and Biser3a.com/Auto Liban Photographer Ephrem Chemaly was present at the last WRC event of this year at Catalonia as we featured before. Ephrem won a TOTAL event in Lebanon and was invited there as a total guest and brought some amazing pictures. Before traveling I asked Ephrem for a small favor; I wanted a signed Sebastian Loeb cap and a FORD WRC cap. Loeb and Ford and leaving and it will be a nice souvenir from their farewell rally. We got lucky and Loeb signed my cap and its a piece of treasure from a legends farewell. I hope next year on his single rally participations I would have the chance to watch him in action again. Ford too, although we will still see their cars battling for wins and podiums with M-Sport, we will miss them and hope for them to return.
I was never a Loeb fan, but a Loeb admirer. Loeb stormed into the rally scene with manner i still cant believe. I respected Loeb from the beginning when he sacrificed the chance to win his first driver’s title in 2003 opting play safe and guarantee the constructor’s title for Citroen, and helped Petter Solberg for the win. In addition to that Loeb went on to destroy all opposition and even the guys love Marcus Gronholm (Should have won 2007) couldn’t stop him even on an excellent Ford Focus WRC. In summary , Loeb was able to beat Gronholm, Sainz, McRae, Martin, Solberg and shut off new talents like Latvala and Hirvonen and politically exile his protege/nemesis Sebastien Ogier. He did it all, on the stages, in all conditions; Snow, gravel, tarmac, mud, ice… He played the politics right in the sport and within Citroen too. And the most important thing is: He left when he still is on top and has the ability to achieve. Last time I saw a driver of such caliber retire was back at the end of 2006 when Micheal Shumacher decided to retire. I never was a Shumy fan, but I always respected him the same way as Loeb. Shumy though retired while he was starting a downward slope in terms of form and results, being overwhelmed by the wit of Fernando Alonso and the speed of Kimi Raikonen. I had mixed feelings, but after his departure the F1 world saw new dynamics, better racing and more successful seasons.
Will the departure of Loeb ignite similar dynamics?
As for Ford, well its the darn world economy again. Ford are rally legends without any doubt. The one question I do ask myself and cant find an answer to, is that how come Ford didn’t manage to win a drivers’ championship after 1981, although they produced cars, like the Fiesta, the Focus and the Escort, with drivers, like Sainz, McRae, Solberg, Hirvonen, Gronholm, Martin, and many others.
Ford will stay there and we they return as a manufacturer when the economy eases up a bit. I will miss the Blue and White Ford magic. See you soon FORD!!!!