UPDATE 1-Rallying-Loeb takes control in Corsica, Sordo out

(Updates at end of first day, changes slug)

PARIS, Oct 10 (Reuters) - World champion Sebastien Loeb captured the lead in the Tour of Corsica rally with a clean sweep of the opening day's timed stages on Friday.

Frenchman Loeb, who stands an outside chance of sealing a record fifth consecutive world title this weekend, was fastest in all of the day's six stretches on narrow, winding asphalt roads on the Mediterranean island.

Citroen could also wrap up the manufacturers' title but their hopes suffered a blow when Loeb's team mate, Spain's Dani Sordo, crashed out of the third timed stage, clipping a wall and breaking his car's suspension.

Sordo, who finished second to Loeb in the Spanish rally last weekend, did not immediately know whether he would be able restart the race on Saturday.

"It's been a perfect day again," Loeb told the world rallying championship's official website (www.wrc.com).

"I've been pushing very hard but I've had no problems. Now we have a good lead but I feel so comfortable in the car I prefer to keep this same speed tomorrow (Saturday) rather than slow down and maybe lose concentration."

Loeb, who feels at ease on any terrain but is particularly dangerous on asphalt, led Ford's Mikko Hirvonen of Finland, his biggest rival for the world title, by a comfortable 32.3 seconds.

"I did try but he's too fast," said Hirvonen, who will at least delay Loeb's title celebrations if he manages to stay among the front-runners until the French round of the world championship ends on Sunday.