Rallying: Late drama sees Latvala grab New Zealand win

FORD'S Jari-Matti Latvala won Rally New Zealand on a drama-filled final day on the gravel roads of the Waikato.

The Finn, who began the day in third spot behind the two Citroen drivers Sebastien Ogier and Sebastien Loeb, snatched victory in the closing moments of the race to win by 2.4 seconds after Ogier spun his Citroen C4 three corners from the finish.

The win was Latvala's third World Rally Championship victory after success in last year's Rally of Italy and the Rally of Sweden in 2008.

Loeb, who had held a 40-point lead in the WRC drivers' standings heading into the race, ended third, 15.2s off the lead, after dropping 48.2 seconds when he slid off the road during the first run along the Whaanga Coast on stage 19.

That cost Loeb his third Rally NZ title and fourth consecutive win of 2010 and appeared to have handed Ogier his debut win in New Zealand, but his late spin allowed the consistent Latvala to sneak home.