Citroen's Sebastien Loeb has his sights set on his 40th World Rally victory as he bids to extend his lead at the top of the drivers' championship this weekend.

After powering to the top of the standings with victory in Argentina last month, Frenchman Loeb will be full of confidence heading into the first ever Jordan Rally.

The reigning four-time champion has won three races in 2008 and leads BP Ford's Mikko Hirvonen by five points as the series pitches camp beside the Dead Sea for the fifth round of the season.

"Our objective will be to win with a view to increasing our lead in the drivers' championship," said Loeb. "If Daniel [Elena, co-driver] and I can pull that off, it will be our 40th WRC win.

"That's not something I'm particularly obsessed about, but it would make a nice, round figure."

Leading the championship at a new event has its drawbacks, however, and Loeb concedes that being first on the road tomorrow morning will likely do little help his chances on the opening leg.

"We don't know much about the Jordan Rally, so I will be on my guard a little bit," he continued.

"It doesn't appear to be too tough on the cars, but running first on the road will be a handicap."

Loeb's team-mate, Dani Sordo, is one of just two drivers - Subaru's Petter Solberg is the other - who has experience of the new event's stages having driven a recce last year, and the Spaniard is hoping that will give him an advantage this weekend.

"I've rarely turned up for a WRC round with more experience of the event than most of my rivals," said Sordo. "The stages are fast and wide, with a surface that's as hard as concrete.

"We will have to watch out for the top coating of loose gravel which will produce changes in grip."

Ford team leader Hirvonen, meanwhile, will be desperate to keep Loeb within touching distance after his first-leg accident in Argentina that cost him a 50-second lead at the head of the field.

The Finn recovered to claim fifth at the finish, but it was not enough to prevent Loeb seizing the initiative in the title race.

But the 27-year-old is confident of a good result this weekend at an event he feels should suit his driving style.

"The roads look smooth and it seems as though the organisers have done a good job in preparing them," said Hirvonen.

"They look fast and flowing, like Finland but without the jumps, so if that's the ca they should be good for me."

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