Portugal 2009

[Ghostwalker]

yeah Seb said that he didnt have had any problems

[Ghostwalker]

Mikko just 2,4 secs faster then Loeb according to wrr.

[Blitzerflitzer]

:vader: who is turn on the clock :s mokin:

[Helstar]

LOEB S. / ELENA D. "I was bit slower from beginning than Mikko. If he should give me 30 secs now, he could be 7 minutes in front."

??

[SubaruNorway]

How sad is this, we need wrong splits to get us exited :rolleyes:

[Ghostwalker]

Wilson has stopped on stage

[Brother John]

:vader: who is turn on the clock :s mokin:

I think http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/characters/character0242.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/freesmiley.php?smiley=characters/character0242.gif)they do that. http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/characters/character0182.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/freesmiley.php?smiley=characters/character0182.gif)

[dukof]

Loeb, more reliable than his splits. he he! You gotta see the fun side..

[Brother John]

Loeb, more reliable than his splits. he he! You gotta see the fun side..

Yes i see what you mean http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/characters/character0242.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/freesmiley.php?smiley=characters/character0242.gif), http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/evilgrin/evilgrin0039.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/freesmiley.php?smiley=evilgrin/evilgrin0039.gif)

[Blitzerflitzer]

LOEB S. / ELENA D. "If he should give me 30 secs now, he could be 7 minutes in front."

This is confidence...

[Psycho!]

LOEB S. / ELENA D. "If he should give me 30 secs now, he could be 7 minutes in front."

This is confidence...
I would call it arrogance!! :dozey:

[Xsara Fan]

Raut out.

[harriswrc]

Wilson and Rautenbach out at last split????

[Ghostwalker]

Wilson and Rautenbach out at last split????

yep. Ogier stopped aswell at the same place as Rautenbasch but it was just probaly Rautenbach's car that was in the way.

[Ghostwalker]

Wilson managed to get back the the stage finish.

[Blitzerflitzer]

I would call it arrogance!! :dozey:

Nonsense, just reality. ;)

If you look at his time, you see, that he knows, that there is something wrong in the splits.

[Xsara Fan]

Raut on fire!!!

[Mirek]

Yes,other crews stopping there and giving fire extinguishers to Rautenbach.

[John V]

Wilson managed to get back the the stage finish.

But on his own feet ...

[Mirek]

1,5 seconds between Brynildsen and Prokop. Fight for second place on Super Special stage!

[J4MIE]

Only superspecial to go now?

[tolis]

@J4MIE:
Yes, and don't forget the live coverage in about one hour!!!!!!!!!!!
http://tv.gforum.tv/canal/474/RTP_N

[John V]

]1,5 seconds between Brynildsen and Prokop. Fight for second place on Super Special stage!
Question if stewards will not give some notitional times after Rautenbach ...

[r199]

what is hppening over there??? no more times comming in

[J4MIE]

@J4MIE:
Yes, and don't forget the live coverage in about one hour!!!!!!!!!!!
http://tv.gforum.tv/canal/474/RTP_N

Great I didn't know about that, thanks!! :up:

[Mirek]

Question if stewards will not give some notitional times after Rautenbach ...

Yes, I know. From splits it looks like the rest of the stage is cancelled...

[J4MIE]

Well depends if they have put the fire out or not, usually the organisers would try to get a fire engine there asap to avoid fire spreading to the countryside around etc and causing more problems. I suspect Conrad's car won't be saved :(

[ste898]

I would call it arrogance!! :dozey:


Loeb = arrogant

But my bet is still on for him to win every round in 09!!!

[awake27]

I would call it arrogance!! :dozey:
There was an incorrect 1st split time showing Hirvonen 15 seconds faster and at the stage end Loeb said that he didn't do a single mistake and if that Mikko had really been that fast he’d be leading by seven minutes.

I would better call the split arrogant than Loeb here.

[Lousada]

What's the deal with Henning? He was slower than Wilson all rally.

[N.O.T]

i think that Loebs mistake is that he isn't arrogant enough....he beats those little kids like dogs without owners on every imaginable surface and keeps a low profile. The guy has ridiculed rally legends throughout his career and still his comments are full of respect for everyone.... i wouldn;t call that arrogance.

[J4MIE]

There was an incorrect 1st split time showing Hirvonen 15 seconds faster and at the stage end Loeb said that he didn't do a single mistake and if that Mikko had really been that fast he’d be leading by seven minutes.

I would better call the split arrogant than Loeb here.

Yep I wouldn't call it arrogance, more that he's stating the fact. Mikko hasn't been able to challenge him all event so how come he is so much faster in the last stage...

[tolis]

What happened with Kosciuszko...???

[J4MIE]

i think that Loebs mistake is that he isn't arrogant enough....he beats those little kids like dogs without owners on every imaginable surface and keeps a low profile. The guy has ridiculed rally legends throughout his career and still his comments are full of respect for everyone.... i wouldn;t call that arrogance.

Spot on NOT :up:

[JFL]

No Live tv?

[tolis]

it starts I think in 7 min...

[J4MIE]

No live tv from that link?

Results are coming through already :s

[SubaruNorway]

It's live now

[tolis]

Live coverage just started

[Ghostwalker]

No Live tv?

if it doesnt work in firefox try internet explorer

[Mirek]

René Kuipers was released from hospital. Erwin Berkhof is said to have no serious injury and will be released from hospital in few days according to my friend (I don't know where he found it).

[Mirek]

Brynildsen had differential problems, Prokop is second.

[J4MIE]

Just adverts on tv :confused:

[r199]

Mirec i think he fond it at the site if kuipers or www.vm-motorsport.nl (http://www.vm-motorsport.nl)

i am realy glad he is ok

[J4MIE]

Coverage on now, I guess the top guys are running last?

[J4MIE]

Nikara's car looks really nice :up:

[Rallyper]

It works now, just turned my modem off and on, amazing what wonders turning something off and on can do sometimes :p

It´s called "norweigan reset"! :D

[J4MIE]

Petter's car also looks much better with the white rather than silver :cool:

[Rallyper]

Nonsense, just reality. ;)

If you look at his time, you see, that he knows, that there is something wrong in the splits.

For the sport, if I would be Loeb I would be ssome more humble. What he´s saying if it´s true is not gaining the sport.

[Mirek]

Loeb : Hirvonen and Sordo : Solberg realy great show :)

[Psycho!]

A well deserved victory for Loeb,another second place for Mikko,a fantastic rally for Citroen,a disaster for Ford....Let's hope that the change of continent brings some kind of refreshment...
Also a big "thank you" to the Portuguese TV!They did an awesome job!

[JAM]

And another thing about the fact of not make dificult and unconfortable questions:

Anyone knows what happens when someone interviews Sebastien Loeb? The journalist and Loeb has a shadow very near. It seems that is trying to catch something that should not be told or writen. It's only an example, buts says very much about the attitude.

[Mirek]

The only PSD driver, who finished all stages is Jon Williams. By pure speed Nikara was fastest.

[GigiGalliNo1]

And another thing about the fact of not make dificult and unconfortable questions:

Anyone knows what happens when someone interviews Sebastien Loeb? The journalist and Loeb has a shadow very near. It seems that is trying to catch something that should not be told or writen. It's only an example, buts says very much about the attitude.

When I photographed Loeb in car at the end of a stage in Japan, he gave an interview.. there were no other team members present...

I only think there are people from his team to take him or speak with him straight after an interview in service park and else were....

[Xsara Fan]

Evgeny Novikov has problem with steering - the steering rack was broken and Novikov can`t drive... There was no any crash or smth. Just tecnical problem :(

[chryby]

a few pictures from portugal:
http://www.rally-mania.cz/med.php?g=502&au=0

[Woodeye]

After Marcus crashed, this rally was over for me. What a BORING day today - once again. Seb is just so superior compared to anyone else at the moment, that FIA just could call this season finished and give the trophy to him. If none can match him on gravel, how the hell anyone could challenge him in tarmac?

For the first time I'm going to say that the hell with the WRC cars, bring in the S2000. And hurry up. Please.

[JAM]

And another thing about the fact of not make dificult and unconfortable questions:

Anyone knows what happens when someone interviews Sebastien Loeb? The journalist and Loeb has a shadow very near. It seems that is trying to catch something that should not be told or writen. It's only an example, buts says very much about the attitude.

My apologies, this post is here be mistake. It should be in another thread.

About the subject of this thread, another win to Sebastien. The fourth and with no doubts.

[DonJippo]

For the first time I'm going to say that the hell with the WRC cars, bring in the S2000. And hurry up. Please.

So you say Loeb would loose his talent in S2000?

[Psycho!]

So you say Loeb would loose his talent in S2000?
Imagine what will happen if his Citroen will be the 207 S2000 with another body... :eek:

[JAM]

One interesting thing, the portuguese flag was very demanded by foreign people. Mikko Hirvonen catch the attention of portuguese spectators, he was nice, was available to the spectators and acrried the portuguese flag on the Thursday SS.

http://www.postimage.org/Pq19o9Xr.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq19o9Xr)

[Helstar]

Just copied Gigi in 2007 :p

[Englandsfahrer]

For the sport, if I would be Loeb I would be ssome more humble. What he´s saying if it´s true is not gaining the sport.

Even more humble? Oh come on. Do you want him to start blushing, and then run and hide everytim he gets asked a question? I't would be more fun if he stopped putting on the corporate act in intervievs etc.


And another thing about the fact of not make dificult and unconfortable questions:

Anyone knows what happens when someone interviews Sebastien Loeb? The journalist and Loeb has a shadow very near. It seems that is trying to catch something that should not be told or writen. It's only an example, buts says very much about the attitude.

Excactly. But he's seemed a bit more lively lately. Especially when trying to explain he was on the "wrong road" after he got lost in his own dust on friday.


An another note: Norwegian media reports that Petter's been ill with legionella since Cyprus..... :eek: That just makes his 4th. place this weekend even more impressing. Apparently he's on his way to hospital in Monaco for more tests, after the Citroen tems doctor administrated antibiotics after shakedown on thursday.

[Woodeye]

So you say Loeb would loose his talent in S2000?

Nope. But at least he would lose his C4. And there would someone else than the Ford fellas to challenge him anyway.

[JAM]

Nope. But at least he would lose his C4.

A lot of people tought the same when he changed from Xsara to C4, and we see what he lost.

[Mirek]

Conrad's C4 or what it used to be...
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2009/portugal/rautenbach3.jpg

[tolis]

Any more photos from our Portuguese guys?
Thanks!!!!!

[JFL]

]Conrad's C4 or what it used to be...
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2009/portugal/rautenbach3.jpg
Even more diffucult to get a seat in the best car....

[urabus-denoS2000]

If someone could recap the crashes from this rally for me and post a little pic (seems to be a lot of crashes) because I was in Scotland for the last 5 days?

Thanks

[Mirek]

Tarabus shakedown: http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1488/raliportugal2236.jpg

Sandell: http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/6618/sandell.jpg

Bonato: http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t208/Sardalense/IMG_6138-1.jpg

Kuipers (road section): http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/690/pq13wbcifaac569602fb760.jpg

Latvala: http://www.youtube.com/v/DlARG0vTxeM

Gronholm+Ogier: http://www.youtube.com/v/LXsKoYiQvrg

Sousa shakedown: http://www.youtube.com/v/BZitvJY8ftc

And also many others...

[urabus-denoS2000]

Thanks Mirek!

What did Conrad do this car?

[Mirek]

He rolled few metters from Mathew (also rolled) and a grass caught fire from the exhaust.

[bluuford]

So, Conrad and Jari-Matti are trying to make sure that there wont be WRCars avaliable next year and there will be only S2000.. Thank you Conrad, thank you Jari-Matti!

[jbanbury]

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

http://www.rally-shots.com

[Ghostwalker]

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

http://www.rally-shots.com

nice :) some really good ones.

[gloomyDAY]

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

http://www.rally-shots.comNice ass shot of that girl in the stadium!

[Mirek]

Tarabus's roll on shakedown in photo sequention:
http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php?id=10905&title=havarie-jaromira-tarabuse-v-portugalsku

[Niels H]

Got some pics on my website:

http://www.rally-photo.net/Latvala-1.JPG

[giangino]

Photos Rally de Portugal 2009 online http://www.avetowrc.com/

[gloomyDAY]

Great photos everyone. Thank you!


]Tarabus's roll on shakedown in photo sequention:
http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php?id=10905&title=havarie-jaromira-tarabuse-v-portugalsku :eek:

[Karukera]

Nice ass shot of that girl in the stadium!

And in picture img 2003, nice bunch'o Ford hotties...

Latinas calientes ! :hot:

:s tare:

[rallyemotions]

Sorted through the Day 1 (or Day zero, with Super Special)
www.rallyemotions.net/portugal_09_1 (http://www.rallyemotions.net/portugal_09_1)
Enjoy!
The rest is coming soon...

[fastboy]

Have to say we had a great time in Portugal,plenty of action and the stages are just fantastic for the drivers and spectators.I have been to all the mediteranean rounds and this is the best one.I was even surprised by how many people was out watching, it was Finland like.
I hope Portugal can get on the 2010 calendar as it is something different.

Can any off the locals tell me if the police always marshall the stages as aggresively as that all the time.It was the only problem we had,they just would not let you walk on the stages at all,so you had to walk around them in the undergrowth to get too good viewing spots.

How has the rally been recognised in Portugal?

[feresc13]

Hello!

A friend of mine was in last Portugal rally and afterwards saw this picture from this painter in action.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/3422656928_68bf5c8f78.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/3422656928_68bf5c8f78.jpg?v=0)

He would like to know how to contact with this painter in the way to get o work from him. Can you help me?

Kindest regards

[rallyemotions]

The rest of photos from Portugal:
Friday: www.rallyemotions.net/portugal_09_2/ (http://www.rallyemotions.net/portugal_09_2/)
Saturday and Sunday: www.rallyemotions.net/portugal_09_3/ (http://www.rallyemotions.net/portugal_09_3/)
Happy Easter! :)

[bunnings]

Best of Rally Portugal 2009. Filmed and edited by sempreafondo.
4NEx1Jf2kwI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NEx1Jf2kwI

[M.S.]

Some more photos from Portugal,...including Sandell on the road.

http://www.supermotores.net/sm/fotos.asp?id=122

http://www.supermotores.net/sm/fotos.asp?id=123

[quimrally]

After the Portuguese Rally the Abu Dhabi Ford Team made a co-drive for some VIP'S, winners of a contest and jornalist:

JARI-MATTI LATVALA was the driver in the Focus used by Al Qassimi

YOUTUBE CLIP OF DAY ONE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcoSAkD0aXU

[Micke_VOC]

Video of Rautenbach crash and fire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uLGFedM3es

Mathew Wilson rolls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZAyqt2dsOA

[Helstar]

omg Conrad... this guy must be stopped before he kills the codriver, himself and probably other people who have the bad luck of finding themselves around his car... it's a complete disaster what he does, from the beginning to the end !

[xspeedy]

omg Conrad... this guy must be stopped before he kills the codriver, himself and probably other people who have the bad luck of finding themselves around his car... it's a complete disaster what he does, from the beginning to the end !

http://www.maxattack.net/2009/02/is-rautenbachs-citroen-drive-financed-by-money-from-white-peoples-corruption-and-war-in-africa/

[gloomyDAY]

Video of Rautenbach crash and fire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uLGFedM3es

Mathew Wilson rolls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZAyqt2dsOALOL!

Was that the same turn? Sorry if this has already been answered but I'd love to know.

[quimrally]

Yes it was on the same turn, only hallf mile to the end of the last road stage (was only missing the special stage on Estadio Algarve).

Another movie foram Ralis a Sul editde by Nuno Fontainhas
Day 2 of the Co-Drive of Jari-Matti Latvala:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPcHR9V_SDU

[giangino]

New video Rally Portugal by AvetoWrc.com http://www.youtube.com/avetowrc?gl=IT&hl=it

[slamc]

Some of my pictures from rally.

http://profile.imageshack.us/user/jernejk/

I have been to a few events before but i must say this was probably the best one. The stages are very nice to spectate, but like fastboy said there were some problems with marshalls, you had to be very early to be able to walk on the stages.
Prior to rally we also visited Porto and Lisbon and obviously a few places on the coast and we really had a very good time.

[MJW]

FORD FOCUS RS WRC PASSES SEVERE CRASH TEST


COLOGNE, Germany, 8 May, 2009 – Continued measures to improve safety by further strengthening the Ford Focus RS World Rally Car enabled Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila to escape injury during their violent crash on last month's Rally of Portugal, accident investigators have revealed in a comprehensive internal report.

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team's report into the incident on the first day of the rally highlights how the car’s cutting edge design features saved the driver and co-driver from serious injury. Such is the strength of the Focus RS WRC that despite plunging around 200 metres down a hillside, many areas of the car's bodyshell can be rebuilt and used in further rallies later in the year.

Latvala’s accident on the fourth round of the FIA World Rally Championship was one of the most dramatic in the sport's history. Footage of the crash has been watched more than 450,000 times on the YouTube video sharing website.

The report was prepared by Latvala's engineer, Tim Jackson, who works for British-based M-Sport, Ford's long-term WRC partner. He said:"As horrific as this incident appears from the video recordings, the safety structure of the car performed excellently and precisely as designed in protecting the driver and co-driver. The use of relatively ductile materials such as T45 Steel for the roll-cage meant that the steady – but limited – deformation of the roll cage structure not only absorbed sufficient energy to protect the occupants, but also that the many undamaged areas of the body shell can be rebuilt and used again.

"The introduction of increased safety measures – both by regulation and design choice – have proved to be beneficial in the incident, meaning that the driver and co-driver were both able to walk away uninjured," added Jackson.

Data showed that the accident, 9.1km after the start of the fourth speed test, began when 24-year-old Latvala began to brake on a crest which hid a left-hand corner. "As the car left the crest it started to become 'light', meaning that both the braking and steering actions were not as effective due to the reduced loading on the tyres," explained Jackson.

First the rear and then the front of the Focus RS WRC hit the bank on the inside of the corner, flinging the car over a roadside barrier and down the hillside, gathering momentum as it barrel-rolled. The bonnet and tailgate became detached while Latvala's door opened and was crushed during the rolls.

"However, the door hinges and locking mechanism are still in good condition. Both these are, by regulation, standard production car items," wrote Jackson.

The car stopped rolling when it hit a tree, without which it is expected the accident would have continued for a further 50 metres. The incident lasted 19.8 seconds with the car completing 12 full rolls. Despite the violence of the crash, the report reveals that the shape of the cockpit area was 'maintained excellently'.

"Basic measurements show that there was no deformation into the cockpit of the main roll hoop joint. The A-pillar and door bar roll cage structures remained virtually undamaged on both sides of the car with only very small deformations evident. The main hoop tube, located close to the B-pillar buckled slightly on the driver' side whilst the C-pillar body panel structure, unsupported by roll cage tubes, flattened to a shallower angle. However, none of these was sufficient to pose a danger to the crew," said Jackson.

Both Latvala and Anttila were using the FIA safety seat, introduced into the Focus RS WRC in October 2008 and mounted into the car using M-Sport designed aluminium brackets which exceed minimum safety requirements. "Following the incident the seats and mounting brackets on both driver and co-driver sides are in visibly in 'like new' condition showing that these extra safety measurements were beneficial," said the report.

In addition to its immensely strong roll cage, the Focus RS WRC is equipped with a raft of safety features including built-in fire extinguishers and rupture proof fuel tanks. More recent safety enhancements include the use of door-mounted safety foam to add protection in side impacts.

Each Focus RS WRC is now tracked with GPS, allowing emergency services precisely to pin-point crash locations and respond faster. Both driver and co-driver wear flame retardant overalls, gloves and hoods. F1-style Head And Neck Safety (HANS) devices are now also mandatory, reducing the risk of whiplash injury.

"We are constantly striving to find ways to make the sport safer and we have made significant progress in recent years," said BP Ford Abu Dhabi technical director Christian Loriaux. "One area in particular we have concentrated on is side impact protection. We've moved the driver and co-driver's seats closer to the centre of the car, away from the doors, and we've added an extra crash beam inside both sills. There is no doubt that this has made a huge difference to occupant safety."

Ford's Focus RS WRC made its world championship debut on the 1999 Monte Carlo Rally and claimed a maiden win on the legendary Safari Rally that same year. Since then, the Focus has won a further 35 world rallies and scored points on a record-breaking 112 consecutive WRC events. The car claimed back-to-back manufacturers' world titles for Ford in 2006 and 2007.

On the road, Ford's new Focus RS performance model takes its design cues from the world rally car and like all models in the Focus range, is equipped with cutting edge passive and active safety systems.

Each production Focus features Ford's Intelligent Protection System, with no fewer than six airbags. Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with traction control is available, as are ABS and Emergency Brake Assist.

The structure of the Focus road car provides one of the most advanced passenger safety systems in its class, putting its rigidity to work with carefully constructed crush zones to route energy away from the occupants in the event of a crash and protect them from objects intruding into the survival area. Focus is constructed from variable-gauge laser-welded panels of dual plasma and high strength steel. Both the occupant cell and surrounding envelope of energy absorbing crush zones have been rigorously tested in virtual and physical form.

Focus achieves a five-star EuroNCAP rating for passenger safety and customers can specify a wide range of optional features that further contribute to the standard safety package, including a halogen-based AFS headlamp system, Ford's Quickclear heated front screen, and High Intensity Discharge xenon headlights which deliver almost twice the light intensity of conventional headlamps.

Also, when Ford's Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) or HID Bi-Xenon headlights are specified, new Focus is fitted with bright and distinctive LED rear lights. In addition, Focus features an available tyre pressure Deflation Detection System (DDS) and all models come fitted with an automatic hazard warning light activation system which warns following drivers of emergency braking manoeuvres.

Ford of Europe motorsport director Mark Deans says: "The Focus RS WRC is a tremendously strong and robust vehicle and these qualities are reflected across the entire Focus family. Motorsport is all about pushing boundaries and the World Rally Championship is the ultimate proving ground for safety technology. The learning that comes from these vehicles and the feedback our engineers get from the cars is invaluable when developing the next generation of Fords for our customers."