Sebastian Loeb May Need to Leave the WRC

Has Loeb's dominance become too much?

Sebastien Loeb started out as a Citroen product after winning the Junior World Rally Championship, and then went on to win the WRC every year from 2004-2007.He might win the 2008 championship, too.

Earlier this year, Loeb, won his 40th WRC event. The next most successful WRC driver ever is Carlos Sainz, who has won 26 events.

In the past, the sport has been plagued by high costs and loss of classic events. Now, a driver has come along who is so utterly dominant that interest in the sport is waning with each victory.

While Mikko Hirvonen is currently leading the driver's championship, and Ford has a steady handle on the manufacturer's championship, the focus is still on Loeb, who can easily come back and claim the title, just as he has done the past two seasons, when his chief competitor was Marcus Gronholm.

Loeb has become so much of a dominant figure that he is expected to win every event. When Hirvonen or Jari-Matti Latvala, both Ford factory drivers, win an event, it's a surprise.

While the WRC is losing popularity, the IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge) is gaining ground. With manufacturers such as Ford, VW, Toyota, Peugeot, Citroen, and others having S2000 cars, it is possible that the IRC may very well replace the WRC.

Should Loeb go? Rumors already have Citroen withdrawing from the WRC for the IRC as early as next year. Will Loeb tag along?

WRC cars, Group A8 in particular, are far more domineering than S2000 cars on non-tarmac surfaces, but Loeb may not head in that direction.

Last year, he did  some testing for the Renault Formula 1 team and also participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. He very well could choose road racing or open-wheel racing, instead of continuing in the rally world which he has so dominated.

With Subaru making a comeback with their new Impreza WRC, the popularity of the sport may rise. Then again, it may not. If Loeb continues to win in dominant fashion, fans may abandon the sport and head elsewhere.

Should Loeb do the same for the sake of the sport?