BANBURY'S Subaru World Rally Team driver Petter Solberg finished second in the Rally Australia, just over half a minute behind Finnish Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen.

But the World Rally Championship title was won by Sebastien Loeb, despite not taking part in the Australian round.

The Frenchman missed his second event in a row because of a broken arm suffered when he fell from his mountain bike.

But the Kronos Total Citroen team member retained the title after nearest rival, Ford driver Marcus Gronholm, failed to finish in the top four in Australia.

The Ford driver had crashed on the first day and could only finish the event in fifth and so is too far behind Loeb in the points standing with two rallies remaining.