Gronholm crash reinstates Loeb as title favourite

Ford's Marcus Gronholm crashed out of Rally Ireland yesterday, handing Citroen's Sebastien Loeb a huge boost in his bid to win a fourth successive world championship.

Gronholm, four points ahead of France's triple champion at the start of the penultimate rally of the season, had led overnight after a short super-special stage in Belfast.

However the Finn, who hangs up his helmet after the season-ending British round next month, lost control on the fourth Lough Gill stage and careered off into a stone wall.

The impact ripped the driver's side wheels off the car and forced officials to halt the stage while the crew received medical attention.

The official rally website said Gronholm and co-driver Timo Rautiainen were taken to hospital for precautionary checks.