JOINING THE CLUB; Sebastien Loeb wins his fourth WRC title, as Marcus Gronholm says goodbye.

Byline: ANTHONY PEACOCK

Citroen driver Sebastien Loeb finished third in the Rally Great Britain to win his fourth consecutive World Rally Championship title, tying the record set by legendary Finnish driver Tommi Makinen eight years ago. Finnish driver Juha Kankkunen also has four titles but not in consecutive years.

Loeb started the event six points ahead of Marcus Gronholm and had to finish fifth or better to secure the championship. Despite three days of thick fog and heavy rain, Loeb kept his composure through the forests of South Wales to finish just behind Gronholm.

"I think this has been the toughest title fight of my life,'' said Loeb, who trailed Gronholm by 13 points in the middle of the year. "There were many times that it could have been over. Marcus has been the biggest and best rival I have known.''

It was a fitting tribute to the 39-year-old Gronholm, who ended his career in Great Britain after seven years at the top of the sport. He retires after winning two world championships (2000 and 2002) and 30 events.

"It was a very tough decision to stop, but I wanted to go when I was still fully competitive,'' said the Ford driver. "To finish my career fighting for the championship is a fantastic way to retire. It's hard to ask for more.''

Gronholm's final outing for Ford will be in the Race of Champions at London's Wembley Stadium on Dec. 16. Loeb will cap his season by testing a Renault R27 Formula One car at the Paul Ricard circuit in France on Dec. 5.