2007 Rally Japan - official thread

[Rally Hokkaido]

I'd like to start the thread on this season's third winter rally !(any cars drive on snow at Monte Carlo, this year?)
Yes, hopefully there won't be any stages blocked by snow, but there are already signs that there could be some affected by it.
On Friday night we had the first snowfall in the region when about 3cms fell on the higher parts of the leg 3 stages. Sipirikakim SS because of its altitude may also have received some snow.
Generally, temperatures are lower than normal at present, with Rikubetsu already down to -5 and Obihiro suburbs recording -1 last night.
Longrange forecast for next week is for generally fine and warmer temps than this week.
Weather forecasts for the area in English are available here: http://www.njwa.jp/eweather/

The route is largely unchanged from previous years with only half of one stage new and one more being run in reverse.

I expect (hope) Petter will surprise with some good times and a podium.
Tyre compounds are the key to Rally Japan's mix of long and short mostly soft stages. Though he won't have Pirelli's this year, he should benefit from being on the only team that sent a tyre engineer here last month to examine the stages before nominating their tyres for the event.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Are you telling me I will see snow again?!?!?

What should I bring to wear?! Eeek! Its sooo close I'll be there in less then 6days now! and less then 8 days in Hokkaido!

[WRCfan]

If only this rally had suitable amounts of hotels available for everyone would be great! Any hints on rally traffic around the stages? Does everyone do what they did at Moto GP, one person in each car making stupid traffic jams? haha
Matt get ready for it!!!!!

[GigiGalliNo1]

i'm "ready"

LoL!

[Rally Hokkaido]

Just replied to your PM, GigiGalli.
WRCFan, be extra careful if using the narrow, dusty liaison between SS2 & SS3 -
rally cars travelling in both directions and we've had some crashes involving rally cars in past years, there.
Everywhere else it's easy to get around, though there may be some traffic jams
in the town of Ashoro when coming back from Legs 1 & 2.

[Tom206wrc]

That would have been so interesting to see any S2000 cars among GrN on that gravel event...


Interesting, let's see what Emma Gilmour can do among the GrN male drivers

[GigiGalliNo1]

don't forget photos from Rally Japan 2007 will be here:

http://MattJelonek.com

[White Sauron]

don't forget photos from Rally Japan 2007 will be here:

http://MattJelonek.com

Could you also take some photos of 2007 russian rally champion Evgeny Vertunov? Thanks in advance!)))

[GigiGalliNo1]

Ahh yes, what car number is he?

[ZequeArgentina]

Rally Japan will be very important for the Championship race, a win by Marcus will make very dificult for Seb to gain some 6 points in 2 rallies (marcs have an excellent consistency this year). Hirvenen pace will be very important for the same matter.

Another interesting thing to watch is PWRC. Arai will most probably win the championship.
Only possible contender is Pozzo, who still have more rallies to do.
Anyway, Pozzo has lost some speed in the least 2 years, lack of competition, or most probable motivation, could be the reasons. He is still good,but does not have the dessire someone like Haninen has now. Araiis someone I do respect a lot.

So lets see.

Hey Rally Hokkaido, What can you tell me of Ikemachi? Can we expect him to fight for the lead?
I know Taguchi and Katsuta will probably lead or be right there, but they do not take points from PWRC drivers, and Ikemachi does.