Corona Rally Mexico : SS 17 - Super Special
In front of ecstatic spectators, the final stage of the 2006 Rally Mexico ended this afternoon. Just like on day 1, Manfred Stohl clinched the stage victory on the Nextel Super Special, securing his third place in the race standings, his first podium so far this year.
By finishing third behind Solberg in this last timed event, Sebastien Loeb took the victory, his first win of 2006. This victory is also the first ever WRC win for Kronos. Loeb also takes the lead in the drivers` championship, five points ahead of Marcus Gronholm.

Petter Solberg had ups and downs during the race but the Norwegian can be encouraged by the pace of the Impreza. By finishing second, Solberg scores his first points of the season.

Dani Sordo drove well to finish the race in fourth place, nearly seven minutes ahead of Henning Solberg in fifth position. Gareth Machale scores his first points of the season with a fine sixth place, followed by Chris Atkinson (seventh) and Marcus Gronholm (eighth).

After retiring in 2004 and finishing fourth last year, Sebastien Loeb finally wins in Mexico. The Frenchman will be pleased to climb on the top of the podium for the 21st time of his WRC career and for the first since the 2005 Rally Catalunya.

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