The first leg of Rally Mexico concluded with two super special stages late into the evening. Now two very happy Citroen drivers will get much needed sleep, content they are in a commanding lead of the rally. As the only North American event on the World Rally Championship calendar, the rally is centered around León, a city smack dab in the middle of Mexico. For nine years the WRC teams have faced the challenge of this dry, dusty test which is well above sea level. At 2737 meters above sea level cars make less power, and each small mistake can lead to a greater loss of time.

In these nine years Sebastien Loeb has taken the last five wins, and looks to make it an even half dozen in 2012. The only obstacles in the way of this goal would be the hundreds kilometers of desert awaiting the field and one new teammate, Mikko Hirvonen, who used to be a former rival from the Ford camp next door. After the first day the Finn is a mere 11.2 seconds behind. Yet it looks the battle for the lead will be left to these Citroen drivers, as their nearest threat is the Ford of Mads ØStberg, is a full minute behind.

More to follow…