2008 Rally Italia Sardegna - official thread

[Rallye_106]

This is rallying. Go Latvala!

[N.O.T]

Amazing day performance by Latvala....Loeb has to push tommorow to be safe he cannot cruise.

[Sulland]

Gardemeister stopped in stage? It was almost too good to be true for Suzuki!


But their reliability is improving !

And to finish first, you first have to finish as we all have heard before !

[Rallye_106]

Prokop takes the lead in JWRC. :bounce:

[teufel]

Seb pushing also hard

[dimviii]

DRichards says that there is not damper problems for Solbergs car :eek:
http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=101&id=1218&desc=Subaru%20team%20explains%20Solberg’s%20lack%2 0of%20speed

[ste898]

Its about times these spilt times from a helicopter/plane were banned there is no need for them.....a silly gimmick of modern WRC

[teufel]

Seb -27 sec comparing this morning, wow!

[jonkka]

Its about times these spilt times from a helicopter/plane were banned there is no need for them.....a silly gimmick of modern WRC

Silly comment

[Helstar]

Loeb fights back ! No more cruising for him today

[ste898]

Silly comment


How is a silly comment..why are they needed?

[dimviii]

lets guess...
if Latvala stop the clock at 12,18 or faster? is going to be extreme fast!! :p

[jonkka]

How is a silly comment..why are they needed?

That isn't the point. Split times might be unnecessary but how do you propose to police such ban? Unenforceable rules are the silliest ones.

[jonkka]

Mikko and JML on equal time! :eek:

[White Sauron]

Mikko and JML on equal time! :eek:

Tomorrow they will play with Loeb the same thing they did with Sord in Jordan. Hopefully :D

[ste898]

That isn't the point. Split times might be unnecessary but how do you propose to police such ban? Unenforceable rules are the silliest ones.


Its simple..removed the software from the cars i.e ban them

[grugsticles]

DRichards says that there is not damper problems for Solbergs car :eek:
http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=101&id=1218&desc=Subaru%20team%20explains%20Solberg’s%20lack%2 0of%20speed

Does anyone else think thats this is just some techno gobble excuse for bad driving?
Cars run a control tyre so everyone has the same issues, do they not?

[dimviii]

''only''18 secs faster than morning for Latvala
seems that Loeb now start to ''pedal to the metal'' as he sees that Latvala is not going to make a mistake,he was waiting

[jonkka]

Its simple..removed the software from the cars i.e ban them

Whaaat? That's like ending wars by banning weapons.

Do you think that teams can't measure splits themselves and find ways to let crews know those? Splits-to-cars technology pre-dates the modern version we and drivers enjoy currently.

[dimviii]

tomorrow we have 77km of stages.
what do you think guys,are they enough for Latvala(and Hirvo?) for passing Loeb,as he is going to clean the road too?

ps.maybe the ''slow'' time for Latvala have a ''reason''at stage 12.
by splits he could control to be 3rd at the roads tomorrow(better/cleaner road than second after Loeb)

[SubaruNorway]

DRichards says that there is not damper problems for Solbergs car :eek:
http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=101&id=1218&desc=Subaru%20team%20explains%20Solberg’s%20lack%2 0of%20speed


There WAS damper problems....

[Brother John]

''only''18 secs faster than morning for Latvala
seems that Loeb now start to ''pedal to the metal'' as he sees that Latvala is not going to make a mistake,he was waiting

Soooo, Loeb is the best because he waits for the mistake of someone else!!!
OK, then he falls much deeper on my list. :s mokin:

[jonkka]

tomorrow we have 77km of stages.
what do you think guys,are they enough for Latvala(and Hirvo?) for passing Loeb,as he is going to clean the road too?

Well, Latvala cut the deficit from 90seconds to 30 seconds over today's 134 kilometers, making him 0.5 seconds faster per kilometer. Tomorrow there are 78 kilometers and if he can keep that pace up, it's 39 seconds worth. Which would make him winner by less than ten seconds.

However, he was 7th on the road today and will be 2nd tomorrow so it'll be so-and-so, especially as I think that Seb has reserves. It'll be close but I do not believe in JML's chances, unfortunately.


ps.maybe the ''slow'' time for Latvala have a ''reason''at stage 12.
by splits he could control to be 3rd at the roads tomorrow(better/cleaner road than second after Loeb)

Tie breaker puts Latvala 2nd as he was faster on SS1. Mikko will start 3rd tomorrow.

[dimviii]

thats right jonkka :D thanks!

[alleskids]

Preventing the car from "eating" the tyres is a hard task, but it should be possible to get heat in the cars by having a more agressive driving style. Right ? Or is it between the ears of Solberg which prevents him from doing top 3 times ?

[pino]

What a great drive by Latvala today...I am impressed but not surprised ;)

[A.F.F.]

Nice drive by Latvala but more importantly, my pickems are looking good again :p :

[pino]

Nice drive by Latvala but more importantly, my pickems are looking good again :p :

I think I have Latvala as winner too :p :

[Helstar]

I always put Gigi as 1st but that's for good hope only :p








(and tomorrow the first three retire so he wins..... lol)

[Ramore]

If you look at the times of today only, Latvala is more than a minute faster than Loeb. I am wondering if that is only because of the road position or not.

[A.F.F.]

If you look at the times of today only, Latvala is more than a minute faster than Loeb. I am wondering if that is only because of the road position or not.

It's only because of the road position. Latvala gave 110% today. Loeb didn't need to.

[COD]

It's only because of the road position. Latvala gave 110% today. Loeb didn't need to.

Mikko seems to loose, whatever his road position is...

[A.F.F.]

Mikko seems to loose, whatever his road position is...

Considering my quote to Ramore's post had nothing to do with Mikko, one could think the purpose of your post was only to provoke. Am I right or am I right ?

[Fischer]

Latvala, wow.

[jonkka]

Mikko is trying, I see :eek:

[Mk2_Escort_RS]

SS13 has started Latvala taking time off Loeb so far... yay!

[jonkka]

Latvala only 5.2s faster, that's not going to be enough

[jonkka]

Whereas Mikko already cut one third out of Loeb's advantage...

[John V]

Latvala only 5.2s faster, that's not going to be enough
For JML maybe, but for Ford yes. Take look at Hirvonen's time

[jonkka]

Conrad Rautenbach? :eek:

[Langdale Forest]

Hirvonen taken 10 seconds out of Loeb on this stage

[jonkka]

Really? :eek:

[jonkka]

Loeb responds...

[jonkka]

Mikko losing out... this is decisive stage...

[GigiGalliNo1]

gooooo GiGi! :D :p

[John V]

Loeb responds...
Really nice fight and good response! One small mistake can decide everything.

[GigiGalliNo1]

hrmm... loeb not leading anymore? huh? bad stage then...

[Langdale Forest]

Loeb is faster than both the Fords.

[GigiGalliNo1]

ahh kay :)

[Langdale Forest]

Atkinson slow on 2nd split,

[jonkka]

That is it. Two down and three to go and gap only seven seconds smaller than in the morning. No can do...

[White Sauron]

That is it. Two down and three to go and gap only seven seconds smaller than in the morning. No can do...

anything can happen though. one spin, one puncture - and that's it.

[GigiGalliNo1]

very true

[jonkka]

anything can happen though. one spin, one puncture - and that's it.

Sure but I was referring to "winning by driving". Extraordinary circumstancies are a different case and I do not wish bad luck for anyone.

[John V]

Petter seems to be pretty piss.. off :confused:

[Brother John]

Petter seems to be pretty piss.. off :confused:

He did not say much at the finish of SS14. He can no longer complain concerning the car I think. :s mokin:

[dimviii]

it seems that the relation of Solberg to Richards is under crisis...

[A.F.F.]

Looks like Hirvonen & Latvala run out of milege. There's no way they catch Loeb if he don't face any problems.

[jonkka]

Even if Ford boys aren't chasing Loeb, they seem to have full fight between themselves... :eek:

[John V]

Even if Ford boys aren't chasing Loeb, they seem to have full fight between themselves... :eek:
Seems to be like this ;) Secondly, Giggi is still performing really good, as have to keep Dani behind

[MikeD]

2.8 sec between Mikko and JML after SS15. Will Malcon call for team orders?

[JCarlosPP]

Great fight between the Ford boys :D

[jonkka]

2.8 sec between Mikko and JML after SS15. Will Malcon call for team orders?

There aren't team orders at Ford. But rest assured that if either driver goes off now, he'll be in cold hell...

[J4MIE]

There aren't team orders at Ford. But rest assured that if either driver goes off now, he'll be in cold hell...

Yup and this contributed to Marcus losing the title last year... Malcolm Wilson should go back to his old ways as I think it will be better in the long run.

[jonkka]

Yup and this contributed to Marcus losing the title last year...

Gronholm lost the title more to his own mistakes than to team orders.

Mikko finished ahead of Marcus only twice, Norway and Deutschland. Marcus lost three points there but by going off in Deutschland, Japan and Ireland he lost 20 or so.

[GigiGalliNo1]

not much forum action this round hey...? :s

[jonkka]

No - and what little there is, the discussion is about 2007 season :eek:

[pino]

Seems to be like this ;) Secondly, Giggi is still performing really good, as have to keep Dani behind

Gigi knows those stages too well so Sordo has not a chance to catch him, unless...

[paddocknews]

LATVALA J.-M. / ANTTILA M. Reported hit bank

[jonkka]

Urgh

[jonkka]

At least he got split at 3

[jonkka]

That must have happened before split 1, eh?

[jonkka]

Or between 3 and 4

[John V]

That must have happened before split 1, eh?
At 3.6 km, just hardly hit bank and some damage on the front of car, but without any remarkable time lost.
Decision about second place on last stage? :)

[GigiGalliNo1]

but this is for 2008! haha

[Mk2_Escort_RS]

Mikko faster at 4th split....

[jonkka]

Decision about second place on last stage? :)

If Mikko is any faster than Latvala on this one, as it seems, then battle for 2nd is over too.

[GigiGalliNo1]

gigi 3RD?

is this the final stage?!

[jonkka]

Like so

[Mk2_Escort_RS]

!st, 2nd and 3rd places settled then... good rally for Ford...

[paddocknews]

LATVALA J.-M. / ANTTILA M. "We pushed on previous stage, now keeped bit back. Don't want to take much risk, Mikko is driving well. If I should went off, it will be bad thing."

HIRVONEN M. / LEHTINEN J. "Not enough to Sebastien, but Jari is close. We have to go flat out. I want to be second at least."

[jonkka]

!st, 2nd and 3rd places settled then... good rally for Ford...

Actually, with Sordo 5th both Ford and Citroen score 14 pts. Gap in manu champion remains small.

[Mk2_Escort_RS]

Actually, with Sordo 5th both Ford and Citroen score 14 pts. Gap in manu champion remains small.

True... forgot all about Sordo, I'm starting to think Loeb is a 1 man team.. LOL! :)

[JCarlosPP]

Great first split for Rautenbach, faster than Latvala :p :javascript:reCalc(14)

[jonkka]

Great first split for Rautenbach, faster than Latvala :p :javascript:reCalc(14)

It's at 47 seconds into the stage, could be just long straight? :)

[Mk2_Escort_RS]

It's at 47 seconds into the stage, could be just long straight? :)

Downhill too... :D

[dimviii]

lets wait for Prokop.

[Mk2_Escort_RS]

Problem for Prokop?

[WRC1]

Downhill too... :D

somebody noticed that rautenbach just overtake slowson???

so even if he make terrible mistakes (sometimes) at least he is not the slowest wrc driver out there ;0)

...and he is in his first year in top class car!!

reg

wrc1

[dimviii]

Prokop lost wheel :eek:

[Mk2_Escort_RS]

Will P-G get manu points for Suzuki?

[White Sauron]

Will P-G get manu points for Suzuki?

yes, for the moment it's 1 point

[tmx]

well it seem like the last stage is short one so no chance to overtake. too bad, if there were 2 more long stages it would have been a big fight.

[Helstar]

SS17 Liscia Ruja 2.69km

Seems a Superspecial Stage ? Anyway game over ye... pity I would have liked Gigi third :p

[John V]

SS17 Liscia Ruja 2.69km

Seems a Superspecial Stage ? Anyway game over ye... pity I would have liked Gigi third :p
No, regular stage, just very short.

[bt52b]

Loeb, 40 wins, well done :hot: :champion: :burnout:

[GigiGalliNo1]

hahahahha Gigi Galli!

"I'm stinky! i need a good shower and nice bowl of pasta"

[ZKT]

This is the best JWRC rally I ever seen!!

Awesome the fight Kosciuszko and Prokop keept around all the rally and stages! :eek:

Bad happens for Martin with this wheel lost... :(

[Mirek]

It looks like it wasn't Prokop's fault but technical problem with ignition. There was a small fire as well... Bad happens :(

[GigiGalliNo1]

wow no more discussion after the rally!

must of bean an unpopular one! lol

[gloomyDAY]

I'm happy for Loeb, but still concerned over the Ford's lack of pace.
The talent is obviously in place (especially JML)! I just don't know the problem.

Anyway, where the hell is everyone?

[A.F.F.]

Anyway, where the hell is everyone?


Maybe it has something to do with with WRC novadays ?

[Tomi]

congrats to loeb, it was a pity ford ordered JM to hold back.

[RS]

congrats to loeb, it was a pity ford ordered JM to hold back.

Is that confirmed?

I didn't really follow the rally today but I just checked out the stage times and it sure looks like that, given that he was quicker than Mikko pretty much whole rally. It's a shame, he probably could have won this one. A bit early in the season for team orders I think.

[Tomi]

Is that confirmed?

I didn't really follow the rally today but I just checked out the stage times and it sure looks like that, given that he was quicker than Mikko pretty much whole rally. It's a shame, he probably could have won this one. A bit early in the season for team orders I think.

Yes its confirmed

[dumb]

Yes.

Vytautas Baranauskas won Fiesta ST first rally in Sardinia.

And Latvala is really talented.He really could beat Seb but Friday problems was his fault.And Mikko as always showed nice performance.Pitty that Chris finished so low place and ofcourse pitty that Gigi didn't won the rally :) Sorry Italians.Maybe next year :) And Urmo Aava is another rising star from Estonia.He is fast and he knows the edge quite good.I think that Sordo can be good rough gravel rallies but not good enough to beat Fords.Let see what he can do in Greece.Again very pitty for Petter.Something is very very wrong.I hope this is just a car problems.And he will be very fast with new Impreza.

[Mirek]

So, finaly, it was defected fuel injector in last real stage for Prokop...

[COD]

Is Petter's career over. Him not giving interviews... he has really given up.

Why can Atkinson drive the car??? And why does Petter allways drop on day 2? Mental?

[gloomyDAY]

Yes its confirmedLink?


Maybe it has something to do with with WRC novadays ?
I hope not! Rallies aren't as fun to watch anymore, but have some faith.


Is Petter's career over. Him not giving interviews... he has really given up.

Why can Atkinson drive the car??? And why does Petter allways drop on day 2? Mental?Petter's career is in the dumps. Did you see the look of despair when the damn hood popped up and slammed into the windshield? Then he slows down to allow Mikko and Chris to go by because he was severely off pace.

I am a fan of Petter but I'm getting fed up with this crap.
Just stick a fork in him now if this is how the rest of the season is going to wind up.

[Tomi]

Link?

http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/ralli/2008/05/647389

[tmx]

if you watched the coverage you don't need source, latvala said it himself to slow down and be careful. i'm sure he is atleasted advised to slow down a bit, otherwize he would have gone to win all the stage for day 3 as well.

[gloomyDAY]

http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/ralli/2008/05/647389I translated that from Finnish into English, then my face did this >>>> :dozey: .

[Helstar]

It sounds incoherent to me. In Sweden they didn't ask JML to let his teammate takes the win (with a sure 1st - 2nd place), and now they forbid (or at least, the possibility to do so) him to beat Hirvonen/Loeb ?
I don't believe it. I don't want to.

[jonkka]

It sounds incoherent to me. In Sweden they didn't ask JML to let his teammate takes the win (with a sure 1st - 2nd place), and now they forbid (or at least, the possibility to do so) him to beat Hirvonen/Loeb ?

Freezing the current situation is entirely different from ordering the driver in front to let the one in behind to pass him. Former is mere sensibility, to make sure both cars finish while latter is favouritism of one driver which Ford doesn't do. Or rather, Malcolm doesn't do.

Besides it seems that both had free rein on two first stages of the Sunday and since Mikko was faster, he got the nod. Latvala's face and voice in an interview before final stage told a lot but I don't see any wrongs here.

[Tomi]

Offcourse Ford did the right thing, but it would have been nice to see a good attack.

[Helstar]

Freezing the current situation is entirely different from ordering the driver in front to let the one in behind to pass him. Former is mere sensibility, to make sure both cars finish while latter is favouritism of one driver which Ford doesn't do. Or rather, Malcolm doesn't do.
Besides it seems that both had free rein on two first stages of the Sunday and since Mikko was faster, he got the nod. Latvala's face and voice in an interview before final stage told a lot but I don't see any wrongs here.
But on Sweden it was 100% sure 1st-2nd ... while here in Sardinia JML could have passed Loeb for a 1st-3rd ... a victory is always a victory, don't see only the 4 points of difference in manufacturer standing.

[jonas_mcrae]

Any good pics? besides the marvelous ewrc.cz of course

[jonkka]

while here in Sardinia JML could have passed Loeb for a 1st-3rd

No, JML tried but was not able to pass Loeb.

[Helstar]

No, JML tried but was not able to pass Loeb.
It's what I meant :p I think there were no orders, and he tried.

I didn't believe about this 'order' at first place.

[DonJippo]

It's what I meant :p I think there were no orders, and he tried.

I didn't believe about this 'order' at first place.

You better believe it because it was there, JML said himself there was an order or are you saying he is lying?

[bluuford]

Lets stop that topic about JML and orders.

There was one thing that really positively surprised me in this rally..

for introduction I just copied one message compiled before the rally:



Eek What will Rautencrash do this time?...... - 14th May 08, 11:14
1/1 Be slow
2/1 Crash on a stage
6/1 Hit another car
20/1 Retire on the start ramp, after rolling off the edge onto Dani Sordo's parked Citroen.
100/1 Finish the Rally
1000/1 Set a top 5 fastest stage time
1,000,000/1 Win the event

Place your bets now............

Well, he was slow at the start 1/1 (party due to a handbrake problem). He finished the rally without superally 100/1. and he almost set the top 5 stage time in stage nr 14 (6th fastest).
(1000/1). Yes, he had a superb road position. but I think that it was his best performance :-)

If he continues like that then he will be world champion in 2018 :-)

[Helstar]

You better believe it because it was there, JML said himself there was an order or are you saying he is lying?
So did he try or not ? It seems you are saying "he tried, but he had orders". It doesn't work :p

[A.F.F.]

He had an order not to pass Mikko. It's pretty hard to try and pass Loeb then.

[jbanbury]

I've uploaded a few photos from Sardinia if anyone fancies a look ...

http://www.rally-shots.com

[Tomi]

I've uploaded a few photos from Sardinia if anyone fancies a look ...

http://www.rally-shots.com

Nice pics

[jbanbury]

Nice pics

Thanks Tomi

[edacurf]

http://www.rallyefreunde.at.tf -- galleries a few photos (upside the rally)

[WRC1]

I've uploaded a few photos from Sardinia if anyone fancies a look ...

http://www.rally-shots.com

wow!! absolutly fantastic pics!! the best i have seen so far from sardinia ´08

reg

wrc1

[jbanbury]

wow!! absolutly fantastic pics!! the best i have seen so far from sardinia ´08

reg

wrc1

Thank you very much ... thats very kind of you.

[M+Race]

Some photos on http://www.mpiurace.it

[Helstar]

Some photos on http://www.mpiurace.it
One of the best photo ever ! Bravo ! http://www.mpiurace.it/2008/Sardegna/pages/029%2060%20metri%20per%20volare.htm

[GigiGalliNo1]

One of the best photo ever ! Bravo ! http://www.mpiurace.it/2008/Sardegna/pages/029%2060%20metri%20per%20volare.htm

Thats Galli!! :d :D

[Whinlatter]

A small selection of my photos from Rally D'Italia here http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/49590411

Had a great time, stages were brilliant and Gallura is a fantastic place for a holiday.

[Whinlatter]

Photos online from the incomparable Massimo Bettiol. :)

http://www.rallylinkserver.com/bettiol/2008/13_italia/

This one in particular grabbed my attention....

http://www.rallylinkserver.com/bettiol/2008/13_italia/imageFull20.htm

great work Galli and good try for other competitors

[Daniel]

great work Galli and good try for other competitors
Are you able to post more than one sentence at a time?

[Salist]

Fotos from Shakedown

http://www.ursu.hu/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=thumbnails&album=82

[Salist]

SS2

http://www.ursu.hu/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=thumbnails&album=83