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Sebastien Loeb to race Rallycrossrx at Loheac

Sebastien Loeb will contest the FIA European Rallycross Championship for the first time when he drives in the Rallycross of France at Loheac on August 31-September 1.

Loeb will drive a Citroen DS3 Supercar in the event which forms round seven of the nine-event championship. The 39-year-old, nine-time World Rally Champion has added the RallycrossRX outing to his calendar in a year in which he has embarked on a diverse range of events including rounds of the World Rally Championship, the FIA GT Championship and Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

The Frenchman has previously driven a rallycross car in competition only once; using a Citroen DS3 Supercar to win an X Games gold medal in Los Angeles last July.

"2013 is definitely a year full of challenges. I received an invitation from the [Rallycross Loheac] organiser Patrick Germain, and I decided to answer positively," said Loeb. "Apart from the X Games, I have no experience in Rallycross so I will probably have to fight hard against fast specialists in a very high level championship.

"I enjoyed my experience at the X Games last year and I expect something similar. Loheac is the temple of Rallycross. This is a well-known event with always a very big crowd. In a sportive side, this is also a very tough race.

"I couldn't let this opportunity to participate at least once in my career pass, especially because it is with a Citroën DS3. I am looking forward to go to Loheac, meet the fans and race there."

Rallycross Loheac, 30km south of Rennes in Brittany, is widely accepted as being the best attended rallycross event in world. Regularly attracting more than 30,000 spectators it has been a cornerstone of the French championship for many years and, this year, is included in the FIA European Rallycross Championship for the first time since 2001.

RallycrosRX, is part of IMG Motorsport, a division of IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company.