Motorsport: Loeb has brush with the law

Sebastien Loeb competing in Rally NZ in 2010. Photo / Supplied

Reigning world rally champion Sebastien Loeb has been ticked off about his driving after an incident near Auckland today.

Brother Rally of New Zealand officials were told that the Frenchman passed a car with less than 100m visibility and failed to remain in his lane on State Highway 16 at Woodhill on the way to the Inland Road start line near Helensville.

A Rally of New Zealand spokesman said the source of the report was not known, and could not confirm whether it was a race official.

He said police were not involved and no further action would be taken.

Drivers are expected to follow road rules when travelling on public roads to and from special stages.

Loeb, who is comfortably leading the FIA drivers' championship, qualified fourth fastest in the rally, which starts officially in Auckland tomorrow (Fri) and featuring eight stages around Raglan.

Loeb, chasing his third Rally of New Zealand title, said after qualifying: "I had a good drive; it is tricky but the grip is not the same everywhere and there is less grip than we expected. There is more water on the gravel and it is a little bit muddy in some places but I didn't make any mistakes so I tried to push, it's not so bad."