Sebastien Loeb aims for win number 40 in Jordan

Defending World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb says that despite no prior experience of the Jordan Rally, he is aiming to win his 40th WRC rally there.

Loeb, who leads the 2008 drivers' contest by five points, says he expects to be disadvantaged by running as first car through the dusty stages, but hopes the experience of running in similar circumstances on Rally Mexico will help him.

"We don't know much about the Jordan Rally, so I will be on my guard a little bit," said Loeb. "It doesn't appear to be too tough on the cars, but running first on the road will be a handicap. I am told there are similarities with Mexico, and the C4 WRC was competitive there, so that's very encouraging. Our objective will be to win with a view to increasing our lead in the Drivers' championship and enabling Citroen to stay in the fight for top spot in the Manufacturers' standings. If Daniel and I can pull that off, it will be our 40th WRC win. That's not something I'm particularly obsessed about, but it would make a nice, round figure!"

Loeb’s team-mate Dani Sordo took part in the recce of the 2007 Jordan Rally. He finished third on the last round in Argentina, and is hoping that a bit of prior knowledge of the Jordan stages will help him to another podium result.

"I have rarely turned up for the start of a WRC round with more experience of the event than most of my rivals," said Sordo. "The stages tend to be fast and wide, with a surface that's as hard as concrete and shouldn't cut up too much after the first loop. I think the pace will be quick but we will have to watch out for the top coating of loose gravel which will produce changes in grip. It will be unwise to stray off the ideal line, while going off isn't an option because of the deep ditches! We will aim for a podium finish."