I know the Belgian Wagemans went off after the FF (car with hamburger livery). Everyone was ok. Can you link the images?
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So is anyone surprised at how uncompetitive Lefebvre was? Yes I know he had a gearbox issue, but every stage he did complete he seemed to be a bit off the pace? And other WRC drivers who have competed in local events are generally consistently at least on the podium?
As I wrote in the thread about Lukyanuk - no, that's not true. I used our ERC/IRC Barum rally as an example because I know it best - but there alone Lappi, Neuville, Mikkelsen, Novikov, Tänak, Breen or Abbring have never achieved podium even though some started more than once there. You can take Ypres where for example Grönholm or Kankkunen failed etc. Every event requires some experience and being a very good driver isn't always enough to beat the lack of it.
Madeira is unique. Very rare see someone shining in first atempt
Neto was just looking for a new garden tent...no one got really hurt; mostly a scary moment for the officials.
In nowadays strict 2 pass recce it's harder to be immediately fast.
Btw, here's a nice clip using RTP Madeira footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF-IPFgqm5I
Belgian Joachim Wagemans did a very good job, leading R2 after 8 stages on his first attempt, but crashed after the flying finish on SS8... :(
Madeira highlights by TER video crews:
http://www.terseries.com/en/media/vi...ghlights-day-1
http://www.terseries.com/en/media/vi...ghlights-day-2
Quite nice entry list - so far - for the next round of this series, Rally Liezen
http://www.rallye-liezen.at/2017/nennliste.html
Baumschlager Polo Wrc
Neubauer Fiesta WRC
Basso i20 R5
Aigner, Dinkel, Mrlik and some other drivers with Fabia R5
Rossetti and Gassner jr with Toyota R3
Final entry list of Rallye Liezen:
http://www.rallye-liezen.at/2017/DOK/nennliste.pdf