NASCAR Cup Series

Loeb takes early lead at Wales Rally GB

Published Nov. 10, 2011 2:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

Sebastien Loeb took the overall lead Thursday on the first day of the Wales Rally GB as the Frenchman closes in on an eighth straight world title at the season-ending race.

After three stages of the 13th round, the Citroen driver leads by 0.7 seconds over Finnish title rival Mikko Hirvonen, who is eight points behind in the championship.

Loeb, Hirvonen and Jari Matti Latvala of Finland each won a stage.

Loeb says on the WRC website that ''it was very slippery. There was a lot of mud and the grip was changing at every corner.''