Hirvonen wins Australia after Citroen penalty

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One of the most competitive World Rally Championship events of the year came to a dramatic end today when the Citroen teams were found to be using a front anti-roll bar that did not match homologation. In light of the ruling Sebastien Loeb, Dani Sordo and Citroen Junior Sebastien Ogier driver were all docked a one minute penalty, shaking up the final order of Rally Australia. Instead of Loeb winning and only being a point behind Mikko Hirvonen he will have to settle for second place. Sordo stays in third while Ogier loses fourth to Jari-Matti Latvala.

Aussies throws rocks and close stages of Rally Australia

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Five-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb has defended Rally Australia in the face of increasingly hostile environmental protests against the event.

"The people are not so happy to see us," Loeb said. "They don't have to be angry at the drivers. We are just doing our jobs. Sometimes, people don't like us in front of their houses, but I didn't ask to come here. I can understand why some people don't like the rally, but I have to do my job."

Stages six and 11 were canceled today after rocks were thrown at the course-opening car and the stage was blocked when protesters against the event pulled a fence across the road. Championship leader Mikko Hirvonen was first on the scene in SS6, but the Finn drove straight through the fence. The stage was stopped by marshals at the next radio communication point. Stage 11, a repeat of that test, was canceled to allow the police investigation to get underway.
Hirvonen also spoke of being blocked on the road sections