Thread: Please Mikko, something different this time!! (an open letter)

Thanks for the thread A.F.F. I think Barreis will stay on this thread for the rest of the season and not interfering with the discussions on other threads.

Originally Posted by Wim_Impreza

Hirvonen is the most overrating driver ever in my opinion. He even wasn't a national overall champion in his home country.

Neither has been Juha Kankkunen, Ari Vatanen or Timo Salonen...

Originally Posted by Karukera

Problem is that lazyness affecting him most of the time, plus he relies too much on consistency to climb in the classification.

I believe it has nothing to do with lazyness it seems to have more to do with the lack of self-confidence. In some rallyes Hirvonen can be as fast as anyone else but, I don't know why, a lot of times the speed is not there, although you can see that he is trying! The true is that if you are always competing against Loeb it is dificult to keep you self-confidence at the highest levels. And to be a champion you have to believe in yourself.

Originally Posted by jcatanho

...although you can see that he is trying!

yes thats true! he always looks very fast on videos. i guess he maybe overpaces the car, at last with the focus he did. i hope he can kick loeb´s a*s this year, altough i dont really believe it

At least Malcom has promise more power to the Fiesta.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89800

"We have got more coming on the engine side," he said. "We're working on the efficiency of the engine, mainly in the area of the direct injection. There will be refinements, but these will come in time for the homologation in May.”

If there’s no results after that its time to be worried.

Originally Posted by OldF

At least Malcom has promise more power to the Fiesta.

"We have got more coming on the engine side," he said. "We're working on the efficiency of the engine, mainly in the area of the direct injection. There will be refinements, but these will come in time for the homologation in May.”

If there’s no results after that its time to be worried.

You should be worried any way, because what says the other Fiesta-men get the updates? Then were back on square one meaning there will be two categores of cars: the factory ones and the others...

Originally Posted by Rallyper

You should be worried any way, because what says the other Fiesta-men get the updates? Then were back on square one meaning there will be two categores of cars: the factory ones and the others...

Yes, but those updates have to be homologated which means every Fiesta has to have those updates.

Originally Posted by OldF

Thanks for the thread A.F.F. I think Barreis will stay on this thread for the rest of the season and not interfering with the discussions on other threads.

You read me like an open book

You're welcome.

Originally Posted by jcatanho

I believe it has nothing to do with lazyness it seems to have more to do with the lack of self-confidence. In some rallyes Hirvonen can be as fast as anyone else but, I don't know why, a lot of times the speed is not there, although you can see that he is trying! The true is that if you are always competing against Loeb it is dificult to keep you self-confidence at the highest levels. And to be a champion you have to believe in yourself.

I believe this is true, Mikko can be his own worst enemy at times.
But throughout his entire career, he's done nothing but improve his championship position, up to the point when he almost ended Loebs reign in 2009. 2010 was just a minor glitch in his career, best forgotten about

That’s one point to consider .Do he wants to be fast or do he want to be a champion. I think these two approaches needs different strategy.

Originally Posted by OldF

That’s one point to consider .Do he wants to be fast or do he want to be a champion. I think these two approaches needs different strategy.

Fingers crossed he will be both by the seasons end:-)

Originally Posted by OldF

Yes, but those updates have to be homologated which means every Fiesta has to have those updates.

I dont think they are obligaged to use those updates just because they are homolagated. The old parts are still available so nothing says they have to be for everyone driving Fiestas. It will be like old times when manus having better parts than privateers.

Originally Posted by Rallyper

I dont think they are obligaged to use those updates just because they are homolagated. The old parts are still available so nothing says they have to be for everyone driving Fiestas. It will be like old times when manus having better parts than privateers.

That’s why!

26. BEFORE THE START
26.1.4 The crew must show the car's complete certified homologation form.

64. MECHANICAL COMPONENTS – MANUFACTURERS AND WRC TEAMS

64.4 RESTRICTION OF ENGINE PARTS DEVELOPMENT
As development of the engine is controlled, a box of the parts listed below will be sealed by the FIA
together with the registered Manufacturer or WRC Team and placed in a location acceptable to both
parties. This will be carried out at the latest before the 1/05/2011.
- Valves.
- Pistons.
- Valve springs.
- Camshafts (with profile).
- Cylinder head ready to race.
- Homologated cylinder block
- High pressure fuel pump
- Exhaust and intake manifolds
- All other engine parts already homologated.
- Compression ratio details with tolerance.
The parts registered do not necessarily have to be new, but they must be representative, in every respect,
of the parts to be used in the rallies throughout the season.

I was talking to a friend about this yesterday. In my view, Hirvonen will not win the championship as long as long as Loeb is there. Latvala and Ogier and proving themselves very quick drivers that, if only for some more consistency, would be better challengers for the top step of the podium. Hirvonen definitely has experience and consistency over these two guys but that's not enough to beat Loeb. Loeb is consistent too. As well as this, if Hirvonen does not step up to the challenge this year, 2011 brings with it a more experienced Ogier, Latvala and Ostberg. Hell, don't count out Petter either, under the right circumstances! In this scenario, even with Loeb out, Hirvonen will still face tough competition.

I regret to say this but I honestly don't believe Hirvonen will ever be champion. His best shot at it is if Ford come up with something special when the new parts arrive. They need to display an advantage over Citroen in some major aspect e.g. engine power, grip etc. Hirvonen alone, will not beat Loeb. And pretty soon, he might not even beat Ogier.

I do wish him all the best in his campaign this year and hope he can gain some more confidence and take the fight to the wire. That is wishful thinking though.

While the Citroen is probably the better car, I don't think this is even important in the scheme of things as I think Citroen have the 3 quickest drivers in the Championship. Loeb, Ogier and Solberg are all capable of winning every event on every surface. No-one else can say that and I think even if Mikko and JML had equal machinery they would not be quicker. Maybe better over a season as Solberg and Ogier enjoy a few retirements but definately not quicker drivers.

+1

Therefore lets hope that the organisers of ROC in the end of the year will give to Hirvonen and JML two DS3 and to Loeb and Ogier two Fiestas in order to see which combination is faster.

and i am sure the the sss of the show will tell the difference....

let´s wait until Rally GB oder maybe a little bit earlier, when Mikko is becoming reigning champion of 2011 ;-)

he will do it !