2008 Rally Catalunya - official thread

[106 sport]

Hi. Yesterday the inscription was closed, anyone knows if there is some innovation respect to the not habitual ones of the WRC (private pilots of the style of the Dutches with WRC like Van Eldik and Erik Wevers and also Mads Ostberg Jones with theirs Subarus)???
Will it get Xevi Pons the fourth Subaru WRC???

Regards thanks.

[Wim_Impreza]

Yes, Mark van Eldik will be there. I don't know yet about Erik Wevers.

[Tom206wrc]

Will there be S2000s on entry ??? :confused:

[richy]

Only privateers i've heard of who are doing it so far are Gareth Jones & Eamon Boland in s12's and also William Stobart in a focus wrc.

Went last year and really enjoyed, cant wait for this year, rally in day time, look out salou in the evnings ;)

[feresc13]

On september the 12th entry list will be published.

It could be interesting to see some of the S2000 that are running the Spanish tarmac championship, but the most interesting it would be to see the Porsche 911 GT, but I'm sure that this won't happen

[Donney]

Which is a shame, because wide (excessively I'd say), smooth, asphalt roads sound great for the Porsche.

[Tom206wrc]

On september the 12th entry list will be published.

It could be interesting to see some of the S2000 that are running the Spanish tarmac championship, ...



They would have to switch from BFGoodrich to Pirelli :confused:

[Viking]

I think both Andreas Mikkelsen and Mads Østberg will be on the entry list.

[106 sport]

Thanks for replies, Is there any new about Mads Ostberg???

[Roy]

van merksteijn will be participated in Spain.

[richy]

van merksteijn will be participated in Spain.

are the 2 van merksteijn focus's out?

[Roy]

Yes, both. Also in rally GB

[pantealex]

Juho Hänninen with evo ix. He is also in Corsika with same car, rented from spain. S2000 cars are lot faster in tarmac and Juho knows that!

[Tomi]

Juho Hänninen with evo ix. He is also in Corsika with same car, rented from spain. S2000 cars are lot faster in tarmac and Juho knows that!

true and his aim is to get experience, with a s2000 he would propably get only for a few stages until it brakes down.

[pucky54]

He won Rally Russia in a Peugeot 207 S2000, so he already "knows" the car.

[WRC1]

true and his aim is to get experience, with a s2000 he would propably get only for a few stages until it brakes down.


and why should it break down??

in almost every national championship run a few s2000 cars and they dont break down more often than any other racecar, even grN mitsus break down sometimes...

in last irc race (barum rally) 21 s2000 where at the start, 14 ended the race (position´s 1-13...) 5 retired with technikal problems and 2 with accident in the same race 15 mitsus/imprezas retired due tech. problems....

so why do you think s2000 are so bad???

reg


wrc1

[dimviii]

and how many evo/scoobies started? :rolleyes:

[Mirek]

34 gr.N started, 15 retired due to technical problems, that is 44%.

22 S2000 started (including Fabia as zero car with same service as others) and 4 retired due to tech. problems. We should also mentioned that only one Peugeot from 13 retired. 3 retired were Fiats (2 gearbox, 1 engine). Grzyb didn't have technical problem, he only lost 6 minutes due to puncture and resigned to start to second leg. Only 18% of S2000 retired due technical problem.

Also in PWRC gr. N cars brake often. Only few cars reach finish without technical problems every rally.

[dimviii]

thats right but don t forget that grN cars are prepared (a lot) from local garages from low budget privateers.
there is no comparison with the works fresh s2000 cars and teams.

[Mirek]

Well, there were two official Ralliart Czech (Charouz Racing System) Lancers and two from K.I.T. Racing which is also top team. 3 of them retired for technical problems in 72 km long section over very rough stages. If the section was shorter they probably continue after changing gearboxes or differentials in service as they usualy do if there is need to push hard. Usualy these cars are realy very reliable having almost no retirements but as I said it is mostly because of changing everything very often.

[Tom206wrc]

Juho Hänninen with evo ix. He is also in Corsika with same car, rented from spain. S2000 cars are lot faster in tarmac and Juho knows that!


What ??? I didn't understand here :confused:

You mean S2000 cars are faster on tarmac BUT, therefore Hänninen chose a Lancer GrN...not really logical ???? :s

[Mirek]

Hanninen has only few experience on tarmac and S2000 is way more expensive...

[Tom206wrc]

Ok ;)

[pantealex]

What ??? I didn't understand here :confused:

You mean S2000 cars are faster on tarmac BUT, therefore Hänninen chose a Lancer GrN...not really logical ???? :s
I mean: Juho is not aiming for top spot in Catalonia!

[Eyvind]

Gorka Apalantza (Subaru WRC)
Joan Ollé (Subaru WRC)
Albert Orriols (Peugeot 206 WRC)
Sergio Perez (C2 S-1600 guest driver JWRC)
Yeray Lemes (Mitsubishi Evo IX)

[richy]

Gorka Apalantza (Subaru WRC)
Joan Ollé (Subaru WRC)
Albert Orriols (Peugeot 206 WRC)


Lots of wrc's then, so that makes the privateer ones:

van. Eldijk - Impreza S12
van. Merksteijn Snr - Focus 07
van. Merksteijn Jnr - Focus 06
Gareth Jones - Impreza S12
Eamon Boland - Impreza S12
William Stobart - Focus WRC
Andreas Mikkelsen - Focus WRC
Mads Ostberg - Impreza S12
Conrad Rautenbach -C4
Urmo Aava - C4
Gorka Apalantza - Impreza WRC
Joan Olle - Impreza WRC
Albert Orriols - 206 WRC

Plus the works cars! Really cant wait to see the entry list! :)

[pantealex]

On september the 12th entry list will be published.
Entrylist for WRC Tour de Corse (Korsika as we say in Finland) will also be published 12th september, so two WRC entrylist in same day!

[Tom206wrc]

Wow can't wait for tomorrow then :D

[Tom206wrc]

So ??? Entrylist of both Catalunya and Corsica ???? :confused:

[Roy]

So ??? Entrylist of both Catalunya and Corsica ???? :confused:

Cant you wait? can't you find it by your self?

An outstanding feature of the entry list is the variety of vehicles among the 79 entrants, with 27 World Rally Cars (14 manufacturer and 2 manufacturer-supported), 18 participants of the J-WRC (Super 1600 and R3), 16 4x4-Production, 11 Group N TWD, including participants of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy - which is the only single-make series within the World Championship-, and 7 Group A participants.

http://www.rallyracc.com/2008/ingles/noticia.asp?id=484

later more on the website.

[Tom206wrc]

Thanks Roy... ;)

[Viking]

And here is the entrylist

http://www.rallyracc.com/2008/descargas/inscritos2008.pdf

[MikeD]

Anybody knows who will run/prepare the car for Tim McNulty?

[c4]

Anybody knows who will run/prepare the car for Tim McNulty?

Dom Buckley Motorsport

[gazza_1388]

Awesome entry List, will be going to the rally, first time!! Any Stage times yet?

[MikeD]

Dom Buckley Motorsport

Thanks buddy :)

[Priorat]

Between the two runs of the stages, some historic rally cars will drive through.
This is the list:

Lancia Fulvia 1,6 HF 1972 4 Lancia Marlboro
Lancia Fulvia 1,6 HF 1972 4 Lancia Italia
Alfa Romeo GTV 1750 1973 2 Safari
Porsche 911 1974 4 Kühne & Nagel, Safari
Lancia Stratos 1975 4 Alitalia
Alfa Romeo 1975 2 San Remo, Jolly Club
Peugeot 104 ZS 1977 2 Tour de Corse
Ford Escort RS 1800 1977 4 Sanremo Rallye
Triumph TR7 V8 1978 4 Lampinen, RAC RallyeSchölderle Josef Opel Kadett GT/E 1978 2 Conrero, Sanremo Rallye
Fiat 131 Abarth 1978 4 Alitalia
Mercedes 450 SLC 1979 4 Safari
Triumph TR7 V8 1979 4 RAC
Mercedes 500 SLC 1980 2 Ivory Coast
Renault 5 Turbo 1980 4 Calberson
Talbot Sunbeam Lotus 1981 2 Tour de Corse
Renault 5 Turbo 1981 4 Rallye Monte Carlo
Audi Quattro 1982 4 RAC, Mouton
Nissan 240 RS 1983 B Salonen, RAC Rallye
Renault 5 Turbo 1983 B Renault
Porsche 911 SCRS 1984 B Bastos, Madeira Rallye
Lancia Rallye 037 1984 B Tabaton, Olio Fiat
Opel Manta 400 1984 B Opel Euro
Lancia Rally 037 1984 B Martini
Peugeot 205 T 16 E1 1984 B Bruno Saby
MG Metro 6R4 1986 B Clarion, 1000 Lakes Rallye, EklundMaynard Ford RS 200 1986 B Ford Motorsport
MG Metro 6R4 1986 Harri Toivonen
Ford RS 200 1986 B Carlos Sainz, Marlboro
MG Metro 6R4 1986 B Computervision
Lancia Integrale 1989 A Martini
Lancia Integrale 16V 1991 A Martini, Tour de Corse

[PLuto]

Kris Meeke will start in Catalunya - http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=7399

[Mirek]

Pluto, what do You think an article in Czech is good for to English speaking people?

[c4]

An English translation
http://rallybuzz.stagetimes.com/kris-meeke-rally-catalunya-renault-clio/

[PLuto]

Very fast reaction :p

[urabus-denoS2000]

]Pluto, what do You think an article in Czech is good for to English speaking people?

For some of us it is good (I can understand 70 percent of Czech,similar to Croatian) ;) ;) ;)

[PLuto]

For some of us it is good (I can understand 70 percent of Czech,similar to Croatian) ;) ;) ;)

Mirek is talking it still the same. I think most of people is able to understand what is written there without knowing czech language.

[OldF]

For some of us it is good (I can understand 70 percent of Czech,similar to Croatian) ;) ;) ;)


And with a little help from Google translate even more.

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autosport.cz%2Fclanek .php%3Fcl%3D7399&hl=fi&ie=UTF-8&sl=cs&tl=en

[urabus-denoS2000]

I think most of people is able to understand what is written there without knowing czech language.

Agree ;)

And just like OldF said,use the Google translator,it is very simple and free ;)

[Pinto]

i hear tim mcnulty may not be going

[lujanbio]

Gorka Apalantza with the Subaru WRC is not going to drive in catalunya.
Sorry. I know because he lives near my house.

[bluuford]

Weather forecast for Spain.

I must say that this one will be very boresome.

According to my maps:
Thursday = no rain
Friday = no rain
Saturday = no rain
Sunday = no rain

Ok, there is a very slim chance of rain showers on Friday afternoon on the sides of mountains, but it is as slim as the possiblity that Rautenbach will finish in top 5 in Spain :-)
Temperature will be from+10..13 degrees (nights) to 18.. 23 (days). Coldest days will be Friday and Saturday when the temperature might not rise above 18 degrees. So, there might be lack of hard compound tires before the end of rally :-)

[Buzz Lightyear]

Kris Meeke will start in Catalunya - http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=7399

It might be possible that Meeke can mix it with the S1600 drivers in the R3 Clio

I could see Daniel Sordo taking a madian win here, but only if Hirvonen goes out or has problems.

[Pinto]

the great meeke he's running fast out oppertunites wrecked another car last saturday,people are getting fed up of backing him and geting no results,fact he will never make it to a full or part time wrc drive,the late great colin mcrae didnt break as much cars as him,kris is in the last change saloon these days he only taking these half free drives to cobble together a few decent results so he can hop out the begging bowel for rally ireland

[cannyboy]

Care to suggest who is faster than him?

[Pinto]

its great been fast but if you wreck all round you you wont be wanted in todays present climate,in my oppinion rallyireland was his last chance and he blew it,i drove that bit of road afterwords and respect was needed where he put it off,he suffers from brain fade,guy wilks would be a better option and looks like he'll get his chance next year

[Buzz Lightyear]

its great been fast but if you wreck all round you you wont be wanted in todays present climate,in my oppinion rallyireland was his last chance and he blew it,i drove that bit of road afterwords and respect was needed where he put it off,he suffers from brain fade,guy wilks would be a better option and looks like he'll get his chance next year

Oh yes. The Holy Grail.. "Rally Ireland" That would have landed him a plum drive....

He showed spirit, and was cleaning everyone by 14 seconds after 2 stages, and never sit his ass in the car to the first stage, with a co-driver he had never sitting with, and wanted to win. Its hardly a write off is it?

http://www.reallymeansounds.com/reports/447/big/IMG_0060.jpg

Cut the guy some slack. He was only trying his best.

Some comments taken from the an Irish Forum

"The memory of meeke on stage 2 will stay with me forever, you would be forgiven for thinking it was Colin himself steering the car. He definately is the closest thing to Colin Mcrae that we have"

"Tell you what... after seeing Meeke in SS2 at the weekend, total full chat.. there is nothing else like it!! I don't believe there is anyone else can drive a Mk2 like that."

Im putting my neck on the line here... but id say Meeke is the fastest front wheel drive, and rear wheel rally driver anywhere. I think he can be one of the fastest 4WD given time in a car.

Tell you what...I rather see Meeke once a year.. than waste my weekends watching watching Wilson, Companc, Rautenback, Clark, Qassimi etc.

Did you slate Jimmy McRae for rolling the Porsche 5 times down a ravine?

Meeke has the x-factor that rallying in missing...

Go to his blog.. grab a beer.. chill out and watch some videos.

[Pinto]

well if hes that good why the hell did citroen let him go,after a test or two with subaru why did they not keep him in the fold.all these chances some thing has to been up!
he was good last weekend but he still managed to wrap each chassis legs around each other.you are mainly judged on results not dnf's,and comments from jim's and mickys on the ditchs with tents in their trousers wont get you a works drive

[Buzz Lightyear]

well if hes that good why the hell did citroen let him go,after a test or two with subaru why did they not keep him in the fold.all these chances some thing has to been up!

For the same reason Suzuki lets Wilks go. Now he is buying his drive. Anyone can do that.


jim's and mickys on the ditchs with tents in their trousers wont get you a works drive

Its Jim and Micky that suppose to be buying the cars, not Veria and Milred going for their purple rinse on a Saturday morning.

[Pinto]

if your good enough and the allround total package you will not be shown the door,its plain to be seen meeke has aproblem harnessing the speed into results.

[Buzz Lightyear]

if your good enough and the allround total package you will not be shown the door,its plain to be seen meeke has aproblem harnessing the speed into results.

Latvala should have been dropped 4 years ago.

[Pinto]

you must be a fully paid up member of the i love kris meeke club,can you not admit that meeke has certain flaws

[Buzz Lightyear]

you must be a fully paid up member of the i love kris meeke club,can you not admit that meeke has certain flaws

Unashamedly, and I've said it before. He has flaws, but so have other drivers. At least not being fast enough isn't one of them.

[Tomi]

Latvala should have been dropped 4 years ago.

and replaced by who??

[Pinto]

meeke

[Tomi]

meeke

Lol sure yes :)

[Buzz Lightyear]

Pinto was referring to Meekes backers, and I was using that example if applied to JML.

Tomi.. he would be a good replacement for Latvala on tarmac?!

[Tomi]

Tomi.. he would be a good replacement for Latvala on tarmac?!

Agree, but only in Irish village rallies.

[cut the b.s.]

well if hes that good why the hell did citroen let him go,after a test or two with subaru why did they not keep him in the fold.all these chances some thing has to been up!
he was good last weekend but he still managed to wrap each chassis legs around each other.you are mainly judged on results not dnf's,and comments from jim's and mickys on the ditchs with tents in their trousers wont get you a works drive


lots of attitude in your post, but you seem to have absolutely no understanding of rallying at the top level and how/why drivers get breaks over others

[cut the b.s.]

Agree, but only in Irish village rallies.

He would match Latvala anywhere on any surface given a equal car and seat time, and he would not crash anymore often, they are IMO very alike and the sport needs their type in it. I Have a huge amount of respect form Mr Loebs ability, but he will never excite the way JML and Meeke can

[Buzz Lightyear]

Agree, but only in Irish village rallies.

You know im right.

[Tomi]

He would match Latvala anywhere on any surface given a equal car and seat time, and he would not crash anymore often, they are IMO very alike and the sport needs their type in it. I Have a huge amount of respect form Mr Loebs ability, but he will never excite the way JML and Meeke can

That is only speculation until Meeke can arrange him self a car, Loeb is one of the greatest in the sport if not the greatest, what Latvala and Meeke becomes time will tell.

[Pinto]

cut the bs i have been around the sport long enough to know how things work,i do know that you cant turn up to wrc with just the shirt on your bank you need to have somthing to offer.but the point im trying to make is he's got how many chances and blew them and all because of one reason mentally in his head cant harness that speed and raw talent into somthing silky on the stages,he's been around the game long enough to have learned from his mistakes

[Buzz Lightyear]

Pinto. I hear you.

OK, now answer this..

What advice would you give to...

a) JML

b) Matt Wilson

[Pinto]

we'd they would have to sign a contract and money to change hands before i'd be abel to give advise.cant be giving all my wise words of wisdom away for free

[Buzz Lightyear]

we'd they would have to sign a contract and money to change hands before i'd be abel to give advise.cant be giving all my wise words of wisdom away for free

you have to admit.. it was a good question tho..

:)

You would tell one to slow down and the other to speed up. Loeb is the only one to get the mix right, so dont be so sore on the young lads trying to make their mark.

[Pinto]

well jm to just curb your speed abit and the other young fellow well in the past i have worked with the boss's son and well there a type of a fella in their own mind they are hot but no matter what you tell them they'll never be that great

[torsten]

Good morning.
Shadedown today? which time?
Thanx

[bluuford]

http://www.rallyracc.com/2008/ingles/online.html?pag=sk
shakedown underway :-)

[Salist]

Best times...

SORDO: 01:08.7
LOEB: 01:11.5
DUVAL: 01:11.9
ATKINSON: 01:12.6
AAVA: 01:12.9
P.SOLBERG: 01:13.1
LATVALA: 01:13.2
HIRVONEN: 01:13.3

[Salist]

Best times... 10:07

SORDO: 01:08.7
LOEB: 01:11.5
DUVAL: 01:11.9
ATKINSON: 01:12.1
P.SOLBERG: 01:12.7
AAVA: 01:12.9
LATVALA: 01:12.9
HIRVONEN: 01:13.3
WILSON: 01:13.5
MIKKELSEN: 01:13.7
AL QASSIMI: 01:14.0
GARDEMEISTER: 01:14.0
TIRABASSI: 01:14.4
H.SOLBERG: 01:15.0

[noel157]

More:

Sordo 01:08.7
Loeb 01:11.5
Duval 01:11.9
Atkinson 01:12.6
Aava 01:12.9
Solberg P. 01:13.1
Latvala 01:13.2
Hirvonen 01:13.3
Mikkelsen 01:13.7
Al Qassimi 01:14.0
Gardemeister 01:14.2
Tirabassi 01:14.4
Wilson 01:15.1
Solberg H. 01:15.7
Andersson 01:16.1
Villagra 01:16.9
Rautenbach 01:17.3
Ostberg 01:30.6

[Viking]

Sordo must have found a shortcut on his 2`nd run :)

[Buzz Lightyear]

Sordo must have found a shortcut on his 2`nd run :)

He done that in Germany also?

[Roy]

Hirvonen is not fast :(

Good time so far for Abbring in JWRC :bounce: 4th so far!

[Micke_VOC]

Shakedown times kl. 11.40
D. SORDO CITROËN C4
01:08.7
S. LOEB CITROËN C4
01:11.5
F. DUVAL FORD FOCUS RS WRC 07
01:11.9
P. SOLBERG SUBARU IMPREZA WRC 08
01:12.1
C. ATKINSON SUBARU IMPREZA WRC 08
01:12.1
J. LATVALA FORD FOCUS RS WRC 07
01:12.9
U. AAVA CITROËN C4
01:12.9
M. HIRVONEN FORD FOCUS RS WRC 07
01:13.3
M. WILSON FORD FOCUS RS WRC 07
01:13.2
T. GARDEMEISTER SUZUKI SX4
01:13.4
P. ANDERSSON SUZUKI SX4
01:13.7
A. MIKKELSEN FORD FOCUS WRC 07
01:13.7
H. SOLBERG FORD FOCUS RS WRC 07
01:14.0
K. AL QASSIMI FORD FOCUS RS WRC 07
01:14.0
B. TIRABASSI SUBARU IMPREZA WRC 08
01:14.1
M. OSTBERG SUBARU WRC S12B
01:15.1
F. VILLAGRA FORD FOCUS RS WRC 07
01:16.9
C. RAUTENBACH CITROËN C4
01:17.3

[Viking]

He done that in Germany also?

I am not sure what you mean? I know Sordo is fast on tarmac but almost 3sec faster than Loeb on 2.3 km? His other runs seems ok.

[Buzz Lightyear]

I am not sure what you mean? I know Sordo is fast on tarmac but almost 3sec faster than Loeb on 2.3 km? His other runs seems ok.

I think he went thro a chichane in germany to set a time 3 seconds quicker than anyone?

[Buzz Lightyear]

Meeke on the button. Almost matches Ogier, and within 0.3s of Rautenbach...... in a R3 Clio :bounce:

[kakus]

Loeb fastest :

Loeb 1:11.5
Mikkelsen 1:11.7
Sordo 1:11.9
Duval 1:11.9
P Solberg 1:12.1
Atkinson 1:12.1
Latvala 1:12.9
Aava 1:12.9
Wilson 1:13.2
Hirvonen 1:13.4
Gardemeister 1:13.4
Tirabassi 1:14.1
Al Qassimi 1:14.7
H Solberg 1:14.0
Ostberg 1:15.1
Andersson 1:16.0
Villagra 1:16.9
Rautenbach 1:17.3
Jones 1:18.0
Boland 1:21.5

[Buzz Lightyear]

i think sordo jump started, and wrc has mikkelson's time wrong. its 1m13 accoridng to official site. http://www.rallyracc.com/2008/ingles/online.html?pag=sk

[ST205GT4]

If shakedown times where worth anything this is how the rally would look on day 3 barring any accidents. And yes I know it's a pointless exercise, but I've done it for my own amusement. I'll be interested to see how close it is to what happens though.

1. Loeb
2. Sordo/Duval +12.41
3. Atkinson/Solberg +18.61
4. Latvala +43.43
5. Hirvonen +58.93

Realistically the finishing order will be more like:

1.Loeb
2. Sordo/Duval
3. Hirvonen
4. Atkinson/Solberg
5. Latvala

And the time gaps will be much bigger.

[VFTS]

i think sordo jump started, and wrc has mikkelson's time wrong. its 1m13 accoridng to official site. http://www.rallyracc.com/2008/ingles/online.html?pag=sk


1.11.7 is the correct time for Andreas Mikkelsen according to his team which I spoke with for some hours ago.

[Mirek]

Martin Prokop had a high speed spin in first run and said he wasn't able to catch the rhytm after that.

[A.F.F.]

I'm too lazy to check it out so at what time the 1st. stage is on? :)

[WRC1]

I'm too lazy to check it out so at what time the 1st. stage is on? :)

08.16 Uhr WP 1 La Mussara 1 (20.48 km)

10.04 Uhr WP 2 Querol 1 (21.26 km)

10.47 Uhr WP 3 El Montmell 1 (24.14 km)

12.27 Uhr Service in PortAventura

13.58 Uhr WP 4 La Mussara 2 (20.48 km)

15-46 Uhr WP 5 QUerol 2 (21.26 km)

16.24 Uhr WP 6 El Montmell 2 (24.14 km)

[WRC1]

in Finland it is + 1 hour!

so 9:16 ss1 for you!

reg

wrc1

[Buzz Lightyear]

1.11.7 is the correct time for Andreas Mikkelsen according to his team which I spoke with for some hours ago.

WRC seem to be having a hearia about Mikkelsons time.

watch the video... its 1m14

anyway...

[Krigen]

WRC seem to be having a hearia about Mikkelsons time.

watch the video... its 1m14

anyway...

Not so easy to see, actually Ola Fløene the co driver says its 1m13

anyway


We will see he`s speed in some hours..Go Andreas

[Leon]

2 min to start. anybody around

[garais22]

2 min to start. anybody around

Hi
Do you know, where we can see live results?
http://www.ewrc.cz and http://www.vysledky-rally.cz didn`t work :(

Go Miko...

[wwbroe]

Good morning everybody, first stage is live now. ;)

[wwbroe]

First splits, Loeb is going very well again, Miko loosing allready 4,5 seconds. ;)

[Leon]

Loeb fastest suprise suprise

[Viking]

Good morning rallyfans!

[wwbroe]

Hirvonen loosing seven seconds allready. :mad:

[Wim_Impreza]

Good morning to all.

Do you expect anything else, Walter? ;)

[wwbroe]

It is a real surprise that Subaru's are loosing a lot of time. :D

[Wim_Impreza]

Nice to see also the English translation again on eWRC-results.

[User]

To much Belgian guys here :D

Duval is third at the second split.

[MikeD]

Loeb kicking ass from the word go .... good!

Now I just need Duval and Sordo to complete the podium :)

Subaru sucks but they didn't expect to be fast here, so...

[Wim_Impreza]

To much Belgian guys here :D

Duval is third at the second split.

I am going to work now. ;) Have a good rally and please let Duval stay on the road.

[WRC1]

"Actually I am quite happy."

jesus henning.....he is 35 seconds slower on 20 km and he is happy about it...


unbelievable

[DonJippo]

Maybe he was expecting to be even more behind...

[jparker]

Garde on par with both Subaru, good to see, but of course too early to judge

[wwbroe]

Fifth time for Mikkelsen, not too bad i would say. ;)

[wwbroe]

Mads Ostberg is really slow on split times. :(

[Jaanus]

Urmo did a superb time. Only 5 drivers ahead of him :)

[wwbroe]

In JWRC it looks like Ogier is really flying compared to the other's. ;)

[Viking]

Good start from Mikkelsen :up:

Tirabassi is not helping Subaru a lot, slower than Henning :down:

[FST]

Looks like Meeke picked up a puncture

[wwbroe]

Irish champion Boland loosing 1'10" on this stage compared to Loeb, that give's you something to think about. :(

[Finni]

What car Meeke is driving? Obviously smaller than jwrc 1600?

[Viking]

What car Meeke is driving? Obviously smaller than jwrc 1600?

Well it is 2000ccm :) Clio R3, same car and team as Sandell

[Woodeye]

Hi guys!

Can someone post a working link to splits?

[Viking]

http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=409&season=2008&rally_id=E

[Brother John]

Hi guys!

Can someone post a working link to splits?

On wrc.com it´s working for me!
http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=409&season=2008&rally_id=E

[Mirek]

No, Sandell drives Clio S1600.

[A.F.F.]

Good morning guys. :) I spent most of the night following World Poker Tour so I slept a little longer than usual :D

[wwbroe]

Brynildsen fastest man in Gr.N sofar, in front of Van den Heuvel, Hanninen is allready loosing some time compared to the first two.

[Viking]

]No, Sandell drives Clio S1600.

Nope, new car this rally

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sl_xgWOeR6M/SOOUj62ApAI/AAAAAAAAAoY/QLnutypu4_E/s1600-h/image-upload-27-755614.jpg

[Mirek]

Thanks, Viking.

[pavlos_a]

Brynildsen fastest man in Gr.N sofar, in front of Van den Heuvel, Hanninen is allready loosing some time compared to the first two.

Strange that mitsu N4 are slower than N3 clio

[Mirek]

Where do You see N3 car in results? I can't see any.

[Viking]

Strange that mitsu N4 are slower than N3 clio

N3? If you mean the R3 cars, they are now almost as fast as S1600.

[pavlos_a]

N3? If you mean the R3 cars, they are now almost as fast as S1600.

I mean R3, but they should be slower than N4. In tarmac R3 is slower than S1600

[MikeD]

I am looking forward to follow young Van Merkstein Jr. again (Car no. 22). He did well on his first WRC event in Germany, and once again he's close to both Rautenbach and Al Qassimi in only his second WRC event.

Oh yeah, and in the juniors Ogier is kicking ass once again. Damn, I am looking forward to see him in a WRC car.

[wwbroe]

Second stage should be live now. ;)

[Viking]

I mean R3, but they should be slower than N4. In tarmac R3 is slower than S1600

Shakedown

K. MEEKE RENAULT CLIO R3 : 01:17.5

S. OGIER CITROËN C2 S1600: 01:17.1

J. HANNINEN MITSUBISHI EVO 9: 01:18.7

[Mirek]

Prokop had obviously some problem in SS1. He was on Ogier's pace on first two splits. But even worse for Meeke :(

[A.F.F.]

The script is pretty clear here in Spain. :mark: Loeb & Sordo steadily increase their double lead and the rest just try to keep up.

[wwbroe]

Miko is loosing another 7 sec compared to Sebastian, it will be the story of the weekend i guess.

[Viking]

Loeb will keep pushing until team-orders come, just a few stages more I guess :(

[RS]

Good start from Mikkelsen :up:

Tirabassi is not helping Subaru a lot, slower than Henning :down:

Tirabassi is actually quicker than I thought he would be, for a guy who was a long way off the pace in IRC.

[malscar]

Be interesting to see who is on what tyre. Loeb is on the hard compound, Petter is on the soft. Assuming that Sordo and Atkinson are on the same.

This could have a bearing on the time loss on SS1

[White Sauron]

Just the Focus is no match to the C4 on asphalt...

[RS]

Loeb will keep pushing until team-orders come, just a few stages more I guess :(

I would be very surprised to see Ford let Duval beat Hirvonen here too. I guess that's the way of the game late in the season.

[Leon]

The script is pretty clear here in Spain. :mark: Loeb & Sordo steadily increase their double lead and the rest just try to keep up.

I agree.

I´m desperately looking for a reason to continue following this event. Even the so called asphalt specialist is thinking of Corsica from the very first stage.

[wwbroe]

Latvalla is way off the pace, he is in the times of Atkinson, wich are very slow. :(

[Mirek]

I relay hope that JWRC will be more interesting to watch since Meeke and Prokop must push from the deep...

[wwbroe]

]I relay hope that JWRC will be more interesting to watch since Meeke and Prokop must push from the deep...

Yes Mirek, i hope so too, because WRC is really boring to follow. Anyhow i have to leave to work soon, but i guess i wont miss too much, will i?

[Mirek]

I'm leaving in half an hour too ;)

[Viking]

All work and no play..... :)

[A.F.F.]

I´m desperately looking for a reason to continue following this event. Even the so called asphalt specialist is thinking of Corsica from the very first stage.


Me too. I think I'll come back on sunday just to witness the leaderboard :mark:

Shame really, because I never thought I would say that.

[jonas_mcrae]

not a bad time for Petter on stage 2...

[N.O.T]

well nothing surprising so far... here are some quotes after ss02

LOEB S. / ELENA D."Really good stage. I pushed really hard. I was often on the limit."

HIRVONEN M. / LEHTINEN J "This stage was better, but I can't go faster. We will see what we can do."

SORDO D. / MARTÍ M. "I was not quite happy with the tyres."

[Brother John]

Me too. I think I'll come back on sunday just to witness the leaderboard :mark:

Shame really, because I never thought I would say that.

I will send you soon som Blues Jani, it help´s on rally´s like this. :p :

[A.F.F.]

I will send you soon som Blues Jani, it help´s on rally´s like this. :p :

Cheers BJ. Send it to me, I want everything :D

[Viking]

Good time again for Norwegian championship 2`nd place “winner” Andreas Mikkelsen, at least he is trashing Østberg here :)

[Koppomsbo]

andersson stopped?

[Mirek]

PG out?

[wwbroe]

Good time again for Norwegian championship 2`nd place “winner” Andreas Mikkelsen, at least he is trashing Østberg here :)

Maybe Ostberg is being celebrating his Norvegian crown a little bit too much, because he is really slow in Spain. :D

[bluuford]

Well.. hopefully we will have couple of nice fights:
1. Hopefully there will be fight between Duval, Hirvonen and Sordo for 2,3,4 place. Then another fight between Mikkelsen, Aava, Solberg and maybe later Latvala as well:-)

and most importantly.. fight between young Merksteijn and semi African boy ;-)

[Koppomsbo]

pg gone off, no damage to the car. they jusrst cant get the car on the road again

[KKS]

Mikko off?

[jure dvorsek]

Sordo very fast on third SS. Will see....

[wwbroe]

Miko sounding very pessimistic on finish of stage 3, sounds like he is giving up all hope allready.

[Viking]

Atkinson seems to be going backwards after Subaru wrc2008 come along :(

[wwbroe]

Solberg is really kicking Atkinson's ass over there. ;)

[wwbroe]

Duval 5 sec faster then Miko on final split, moving into third again?

[jonas_mcrae]

yeah Atko's time is terrible

[wwbroe]

Mikkelsen is loosing quite a lot of time on split times. :confused:

[Viking]

Petter moving up to 5`th place behind M1 Citroen and Fords.

[wwbroe]

And Ostberg is keeping up his (really bad) pace. :mad:

[Tom206wrc]

Really really nice expected pace of Citroën as in WRC that in Jwrc(with Ogier)for the start of the rally ;)

[Viking]

And Ostberg is keeping up his (really bad) pace. :mad:

Well there is a fight for best S12b :D

[jonas_mcrae]

hope they let Sordo to keep fighting all the way to Sunday

[Mauri A]

Duval 5 sec faster then Miko on final split, moving into third again?
Who´s Miko? Or have you got only one k on your PC.

[Livewireshock]

The barbecue is on with the steaks cooking, beer is in hand & for the first time in a long time I can sit back & relax listening to WRC radio.

What greater way to spend an evening!?!

Been an interesting start to the event. Ogier is in a total league of his own in the JWRC

[AlfaWRC]

I think we definitely should start discussing the different performances of Citroen & Ford...

In my opinion Citroen made a massive step forward during the season whereas there are no improvements at Ford...

[Tom206wrc]

I think we definitely should start discussing the different performances of Citroen & Ford...

In my opinion Citroen made a massive step forward during the season whereas there are no improvements at Ford...



Ste898 : "No, Citroën has simply cheated while Ford followed the FIA technical rules !!!"


:p :

[Viking]

Mikkelsen said after the Citroen test that he now could understand why Fords could not keep up on tarmac, he was impressed. Gravel car was more on level with Ford.

[A.F.F.]

hope they let Sordo to keep fighting all the way to Sunday

Aerosmith has made that epic rock song called; Dream on.

[Viking]

LOL

dream on, dream on, dream on,
dream yourself a dream come true
dream on, dream on, dream on,
and dream until your dream comes true

dream on [ x7 ]

[AndyRAC]

Interesting start to the Rally - oh no, sorry, business as usual. Maybe the other teams and F1A insisted that Loeb use the new hybrid C4Motion WRCar.

Anyway I'm off for a test drive, I don't expect any changes when I get back. Not Loeb's fault he's so good!!

[MikeD]

Not Loeb's fault he's so good!!

Yep, that's the problem. If Loeb wins his 5th title in a row he will join the very few motorsport stars who has won a title 5 times in a row.

Michael Schumaher - Ferrari - 2000-2004
Valentino Rossi - Honda/Yamaha - 2001-2005
Michael Doohan - Honda - 1994-1998

and then Giacomo Agostini who won the 500cc BikeGP (now MotoGP) title 7 times in a row from 1966-1972 (on his MV Agusta).

So all in all it's some pretty impressive company Mr. Loeb will be a part of.

[SchUMine]

Fiesta challange is more interesting than the others : ) 3 stages and 3 different best times! Burcu Cetinkaya, Koray Muratoglu and Emre Yurdakul... They all want to win the Fiesta Trophy!

But Renault N3 cars are faster than the Fiesta ones as usual on tarmac.

[Toivonen]

Duval will probably give some problems to Hirvonen, I think the finn won't be on the podium this weekend

[Tom206wrc]

Fiesta challange is more interesting than the others : ) 3 stages and 3 different best times! Burcu Cetinkaya, Koray Muratoglu and Emre Yurdakul... They all want to win the Fiesta Trophy!

But Renault N3 cars are faster than the Fiesta ones as usual on tarmac.



I hope the lady of the cup will win !!!! :)

[Wim_Impreza]

Again really boring in Catalunya, the roads are too wide and Citroën is simply unfortunately outstanding, that can you see on the performance from Aava too.

[cosmicpanda]

typical Catalunya so far by the looks of things. Still a long way to go yet, though.

[bluuford]

Again really boring in Catalunya, the roads are too wide and Citroën is simply unfortunately outstanding, that can you see on the performance from Aava too.

Agree.. Aava is in his second ever tarmac rally with WRcar and he is sixth.. faster than Latvala, Atkinson and Mikkelsen who has done so many rallies on tarmac (too many to count :-))

[N.O.T]

Again really boring in Catalunya, the roads are too wide and Citroën is simply unfortunately outstanding



yes, imagine what the car could do in the hands of a real driver and not that french playstation boy with the illegal extra power and all the other illegal stuff he uses... :rolleyes:

[Brother John]

yes, imagine what the car could do in the hands of a real driver and not that french playstation boy with the illegal extra power and all the other illegal stuff he uses... :rolleyes:

:rotflmao: I don´t say something. :s mokin:

[VFTS]

Maybe Ostberg is being celebrating his Norvegian crown a little bit too much, because he is really slow in Spain. :D


Mads Østberg have never driven a WRC-event on tarmac before, and only a couple of tarmac-events in Norway. He has no real tarmac experience.

[A.F.F.]

Another boring element is that this rally is JWRC.

You can't get any more boring than JWRC.

Well, maybe Tour de France or Italy.

[A.F.F.]

Hey, it just hit me. What if Loeb had to use bicycle??? Doesn't PSA have some sort of bicycles too ??

Then again... he would probably win with a bicycle too. So much for the great idea. :dozey:

[bluuford]

The results are actually quite interesting if you scroll down the results list so that you don't see first two :-) then there would be very hard fight for the win and then 4 drivers fighting for the third place (in 20 seconds). The solution is. Create webpage that eliminates cars nr 1 and 2 :-) That is all!
;-)

[John V]

Btw., here we have some shakedown pics :)

[jonas_mcrae]

where?

[N.O.T]

Hey, it just hit me. What if Loeb had to use bicycle??? Doesn't PSA have some sort of bicycles too ??

Then again... he would probably win with a bicycle too. So much for the great idea. :dozey:

if he had to use a bicycle he would use the illegal extra fast ones citroen has only for him...

his bicycle skills are questionable though since 2006

[John V]

where?
sorry, bit I'm tired :)
http://fotogalerie.autosport.cz/thumbnails.php?album=64

[jonkka]

Mikko?

[N.O.T]

no 2nd split for mikko....

[N.O.T]

mikko is ok...he is moving

[jonkka]

Nor 3rd

[N.O.T]

he is ok...he is moving normally through the stage...GPS failure

[Ghostwalker]

looks like a close fight between Miko and Duval.

[Mirek]

Martin Prokop lost power steering on SS1 and therefore lost contact with Ogier unfortunately. If there is someone to fight with 'Ogier, it was him. Now it will be a bit boring. Anyway Prokop had another small technical problems all day :(

[Kamikaze]

if he had to use a bicycle he would use the illegal extra fast ones citroen has only for him...

The same he uses in 2006 ? :D :D :D :D

[jonas_mcrae]

great fight for third I must say, suppose wilson will call it tomorrow not to risk the points...

[buffalo]

Atkinson seems to be going backwards after Subaru wrc2008 come along :(

I think if you look at the stage times - Atkinson must have had a tire or setup problem for the first three stages hence was beaten by Solberg - Then after service they must have done something right to the setup as he came out and beat Petter on the second lot of 3 stages and was posting top 5 stage times ! ... So far - 3 stages to Atko and 3 stages to Solberg - I'd put money on Atkinson being in front of Solberg come the end of the rally !

[AndyRAC]

Seeing as people are complaining about Catalunya - and how boring it is - What about making it a 'Mixed' surface event like it used to be? The excuses the teams use for not having it just don't wash as far as I'm concerned. Saying that - bring back a mixed San Remo!!

[MJW]

I dont know why people are knocking Catalunya as a rally - I'm not there this year but actually spectating at the stage side its quite a good rally. OK not there with NORF, Sweden etc. but I woul rate it more than Monte (thats only good at Turini and downtown Monaco Sunday night) Ireland and any other tarmac event. I admit though I am a snow and gravel rallyfan.

[Woodeye]

Not a chance that I will get up early tomorrow to follow this one. :( Seb is just too good at the moment.

The positive thing so far in this rally has been Urmo Aava. Great driving from him. :up:

[CEORacingLions]

Catalunya is amazing mates.

I would be there when Panizzi do the 360 ..... simply one of most magic moments in WRC.

All rally is wonderfull , the roads is very clean and pilots make a high high speeds on stages.

[N.O.T]

ss07 has started..

[wwbroe]

Yes, it should be live now, and also it is longest stage of the rally with 38.27 Kms. ;)

[KKS]

Sordo and Dudu faster then Loeb.... hmm

edit: second split - all things at right place )

[White Sauron]

I feel sorry for Structo. They won't get the same exposue with JML as they could have with Dudu...

[wwbroe]

At second split it is Loeb who is taking over. :)

[MikeD]

Why the f*ck are WRR playing music when the stage is live? They are not exately helping making this rally more exiting!

[jonkka]

Why the f*ck are WRR playing music when the stage is live?

And such ty music as well.. Oh, I forgot, they are brits...

[wwbroe]

Why the f*ck are WRR playing music when the stage is live? They are not exately helping making this rally more exiting!

Well, they finally woke up also, and are talking about rally at least now. :D

[wwbroe]

Not really big time differences at the splits, but still Citroen controlling the battle's.

[wwbroe]

Sebastian at finish, talking to Colin, stage was ok, didn't push too much.

[wwbroe]

Duval only 1.1 sec behind Loeb, and in front of Sordo at the penultimate split.

[MikeD]

And such ty music as well.. Oh, I forgot, they are brits...

Isn't the music Latvalas choice this weekend? :D ... no I agree, most of the music is rather crap and they play way to much music instead analysing different rally issues.

[jonkka]

test
server time is 8 mins wrong

[jonkka]

Isn't the music Latvalas choice this weekend? :D ...

If they insist playing punk, they should at least play proper punk.

[MikeD]

Hmmmm Duval faster than Sordo and looks to be much faster than Mikko. Will Ford implement team-orders?

[jonkka]

First time in this rally it's not 1-2 stage for Citroen

[wwbroe]

Top three in 2.4 sec, who said that this rally is boring? :D

[jonkka]

Will Ford implement team-orders?

For drivers' championship? No, they haven't done it before so why now?

[MikeD]

I think Ford's message to Duval is "either you push and beat one of the Citroëns or you will be ordered back to 4th". Doesn't that sound resonable?

[White Sauron]

Hmmmm Duval faster than Sordo and looks to be much faster than Mikko. Will Ford implement team-orders?

Not now, as at the moment Dudu's task is to take pressure on Sordo and possibly Loeb. Come to the end of the rally, if this strategy doesn;t work out, Duval will let Hirvonen go ahead. He must...

[jonkka]

I think Ford's message to Duval is "either you push and beat one of the Citroëns or you will be ordered back to 4th". Doesn't that sound resonable?

Yes, it would sound reasonable but the point is that Ford haven't favoured one driver for the title (Mikko's last year's win in Norway or JML's this year's win in Sweden being good examples).

[wwbroe]

Maybe the most interesting battle will be the one for fifth position, between Solberg, Aava, Latvalla and Atkinson. I think it will be Atkinson coming out as the "winner" ;)

[wwbroe]

Henning Solberg is keeping up his "misserable" speed from yesterday, in split times he is loosing very much time again. Really disappointing rally for him. :(

[malscar]

Maybe the most interesting battle will be the one for fifth position, between Solberg, Aava, Latvalla and Atkinson. I think it will be Atkinson coming out as the "winner" ;)

Once he changed his set up at the lunch service, he has been quicker than Petter. Not sure if he can catch him today, but it will be close.

[MikeD]

Yes, it would sound reasonable but the point is that Ford haven't favoured one driver for the title (Mikko's last year's win in Norway or JML's this year's win in Sweden being good examples).

But I think the difference is that Duval is only hired for these two rallies, whereas the two scenarios with Mikko in Norway and JML in Sweden was for their full year drivers.... and way earlier in the season.

[wwbroe]

In JWRC it is also Citroen at the top with Ogier still dominating the debats. ;)

[Brother John]

Top three in 2.4 sec, who said that this rally is boring? :D

I´l do. :s mokin: I saw last night, day one on Eurosport. real boring and wait till something going wrong. :dozey:

[ST205GT4]

Looks like another miserable weekend for Subaru. 2 mins + down after seven stages? Jesus...

[wwbroe]

I´l do. :s mokin: I saw last night, day one on Eurosport. real boring and wait till something going wrong. :dozey:

Hey Brother, i meant it a little sarcastic. ;)

[wwbroe]

Stage 8 is live now, short one, only 8,6 Kms. :p

[Viking]

Hey, another stage is running. Sure it will turn things around :)

[Wim_Impreza]

Good morning all.

Congratulations to Martin Prokop for his 26th birthday, hopefully he has more luck than yesterday.

[wwbroe]

Short stage, but Loeb is managing to go 3.5 sec faster then Duval, for me that looks like a lot on such short stage, isn't it?

Edit: Mikko loosing even 5.1 sec on 8,6 Kms, that says a lot.

[jonkka]

Yeah, it's Latvala's choice of music... Why does he have to choose british music?

[Viking]

Yeah, it's Latvala's choice of music... Why does he have to choose british music?

Maybe they dont have Nightwish and Arja Saijonmaa :)

[jonkka]

Maybe they dont have Nightwish and Arja Saijonmaa :)

Oom-pah!

[jonkka]

Forums are quite slow today, everyone thinks Catalunya is already done deal for Seb?

[N.O.T]

I don't think that with such a pace Latvala will learn anything.....