Rally Poland 2009 - official thread

[N.O.T]

splits are off....

[Josti]

Final stage of the day underway... Next up is tomorrow and we'll see what sort of recovery Loeb will accomplish...

I doubt Loeb can do anything tommorow, if he restarts. A 20 minute gap is quite big and the top 10 is still only within 2 minutes. Monte Carlo 2006 was a great fight back from Loeb, but this is an unfamilair rally to him let alone be it on gravel, so it's unlikely we'll see such a stint again in my opinion.

[John V]

Splits freeze?
Not only splits ...

[jonkka]

I doubt Loeb can do anything tommorow, if he restarts. A 20 minute gap is quite big and the top 10 is still only within 2 minutes. Monte Carlo 2006 was a great fight back from Loeb, but this is an unfamilair rally to him let alone be it on gravel, so it's unlikely we'll see such a stint again in my opinion.

I agree but it'll still be interesting...

[jonkka]

Not only splits ...

What else?

[Josti]

I agree but it'll still be interesting...

True :)

[jonkka]

Splits are back...

[Tom206wrc]

What else?




Something happened to Oleksowicz ???? :(



Edit: no he's here :p :

[Tom206wrc]

Mads Ostberg on SS7 :s

[wwbroe]

Mads Ostberg on SS7 :s

He is reported to have stopped on the stage, no reason why yet. :(

[wwbroe]

Mads Ostberg on SS7 :s

He has made it to the finish, engine overheating problems tough. :(

[Pinto]

hes got going overheating and f'ing at the car at the finish there giving out about him on wrc radio and his lanuage

[matSLO]

Mikkelsen in trouble...he is lossing a lot on SS7...I hope he will be back tomorrow.

[jparker]

What's wrong with Mikkelsen?

[Tom206wrc]

Andreas Mikkelsen :(
But I quite expected the Skoda Fabia WRC wouldn't last :rolleyes:

[wwbroe]

Nice performance by the brothers Bebenek, they are now in 11th place overall in their Mitsubishi Gr.N ;)

[Tom206wrc]

Nice performance by the brothers Bebenek, they are now in 11th place overall in their Mitsubishi Gr.N ;)



Far in front of Oleksowicz in the S2000 :mark:

[serial jeff]

Tough on Loeb. However, I don't support the idea that Loeb is 'losing his touch'- he's still a great rally driver, but anyone can make a mistake.

It's definitely a big setback for Loeb, but I think he'll still get this year's title. If Mikko wins this weekend he'll only be ahead by 3 points, and we know Spain is probably a shoe-in victory for Seb with Dani in second.

[Rallyper]

What's wrong with Mikkelsen?

According to another forum his engine broke down. It´s a pity because he was doing very well. :(

[Mirek]

Far in front of Oleksowicz in the S2000 :mark:

Bebenek is far better driver than Oleksowicz.

[playmo]

Now this is interesting, Loeb in all his greatness decided (conscious desicion) to make this championship interesting (since there is no real competition, or pressure), i can't think of anything else more factible.

Now seriously, mikko is getting on the next step of a drivers skill (not quite where Marcus went, and not even near Loeb of course) but these mistakes on Loebs behalf only show that he's getting distracted due to the lack of real challenge (i think), we've all seen how he's coped with REAL pressure before, and due to this i tip him too for finland victory (and the forthcoming rallies too for that matter). Sordo now has the chance to open his victory account here, the fight tomorrow will be really good; lets see what JM can do with that great road position and how Mikko will respond.
Cheers

[ZequeArgentina]

Great times by Abbring today, he is leading since the start with a Clio R3 vs S1600.
I guess stages were very fast and gear relations couls have not been the best to suit S1600.

[Mirek]

Clio R3 has only two final ratios with either 165 or 180 km/h.

[gloomyDAY]

Any footage Loeb's crash?

The one in Greece was brutal.

[KKS]

Any footage Loeb's crash?

The one in Greece was brutal.

at wrc.com they post "Loeb crash" but no video for this time. Second video about Novikov crash - working

[Rallyper]

at wrc.com they post "Loeb crash" but no video for this time. Second video about Novikov crash - working

Now- is there a conspiration here, not showing Loeb´s crash?? :dozey:

[AGA]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_O4G_J3WWU

[awake27]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_O4G_J3WWU
Well that wasn't exactly a cut, wasn't even a corner... Unlucky for him he was 1st tackling the stage. Maybe with the Greece's susp would have survived.

[Juha]

]Bebenek is far better driver than Oleksowicz.He looked spectacular today.

My pictures of today are online on my website.

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1403/p10ilh.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/3055/p11wet.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/9479/p19e.jpg

[Fischer]

Where did Loeb roll?

[Rallyper]

Now- is there a conspiration here, not showing Loeb´s crash?? :dozey:

Here´s the crash (and no roll as was said earlier):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_O4G_J3WWU

Edit: sorry wasn´t updated, because of sweden U21 semifinal against England is on Tele...

[wwbroe]

So, no roll at all, just hit the three stump, and i guess that broke suspension. The car doesn't look like beeing too much damaged, so he might restart under superrally. Let's wait and see tomorrow. ;)

[Fide]

Anybody know if tomorrow SSs are more twisty than today ? Am asking this because Solberg says he hasn't enough speed to fight for a better position.

[Psycho!]

Guys,the rally is really fast...Just like Finland!!Listen Novikov's onboard.C4 sounds brilliant...!!

[ZequeArgentina]

]Clio R3 has only two final ratios with either 165 or 180 km/h.


So I was mistaken with my thoughts, I knew S1600 have something like that, but guessed R3 had higher final ratios, evidently I wa swrong. Thanks Mirek.

[Mirek]

You were partly right because Honda has. Civic has three final drives with top speed 160, 180 and 195 km/h :)

[A.F.F.]

Nice pictures Juha :up:

I can see you have had plenty of everything to shoot for.

[Mirek]

Why "official" threads are not in list of last active threads below? It's not very comfortable to browse in "world championship section"...

[OldF]

Just watched the coverage from Eurosport and Mikko had the three stump, which Seb hit, in his pace notes. Is Seb getting careless or too relaxed?

[MartijnS]

Very nice footage of the rally. Awesome stages, really similar to Finland :)

[DonJippo]

Very nice footage of the rally. Awesome stages, really similar to Finland :)

Indeed, I will certainly be there next time this event is in WRC calendar!

[koko0703]

Loeb hitting trouble three rallies in a row..... This remains me of Petter in 2004 or 2005 when he was fast but no luck at all.

[peterpz]

Could you give me a link to live splik times or stage times?

[wwbroe]

Could you give me a link to live splik times or stage times?

Have a look at wrc.com, here you will find split times of the stages and also stage times. :D

[peterpz]

Have a look at wrc.com, here you will find split times of the stages and also stage times. :D
Yes, I know but is is not real live times as it was a few years ago in some page which adress began with zone.ee :)

[A.F.F.]

Polish scenery and road are indeed very much like in Finland. I watched the footage from yesterday and for a moment I thought it was footage from last year's NORF :eek:

[A.F.F.]

What's the weather like in Poland right now?

[DonJippo]

Yes, I know but is is not real live times as it was a few years ago in some page which adress began with zone.ee :)

From where you think zone.ee got their data...

[jonkka]

What's happening, Sordo is faster than Mikko and that's unusual...

[jonkka]

A lot faster...

[jonkka]

Mikko is responding... pheeww...

[A.F.F.]

Henning also in a good pace...

[jonkka]

Let's see now...

[A.F.F.]

Mikko got his ass kicked in this stage.....

[jonkka]

There's gotta be a reason for that...

[A.F.F.]

There's gotta be a reason for that...

Extra cautious? Sweeping?

[jonkka]

Ogier on the rise...

[jonkka]

Extra cautious? Sweeping?

There is not much, especially that much, sweeping on Polish roads... Also punctures aren't a threat in these roads so I was fearing technical problem...

[J.Lindstroem]

From where you think zone.ee got their data...

Zone.ee was always a little better when wrc splits was lagging as it does time after time :P

[jonkka]

Mikko is intent on taking lost time back...

[pettersolberg29]

Latvala slow-ish...

[jonkka]

Aye...

[jonkka]

And it seems that Henning will get past Petter (though Ogier will take 'em both)...

[pettersolberg29]

Oh, Petter...so slow

[jonkka]

Interesting times...

[Barreis]

Go Sordo.. Just not ford boys to win..

[Langdale Forest]

Will Malcolm Wilson give team orders?

[jonkka]

Unless Sordo is further away, there's no margin for any team orders

[Langdale Forest]

P Solberg seems to always be 4th this year.

[Rallyper]

Go Sordo.. Just not ford boys to win..

Have Citroen litterally increased the turbo pressure on their remaining cars? :eek:

This differnce is not what you´d expected anyway... :(

[Rallyper]

Guys - I must ask - Why was Loeb "only" 19:53 after Hirvonen on todays first stage? Shouldn´t it be just a little bit over 20 minutes according to his 20 minutes Super rally penalty ?? :confused:

[pettersolberg29]

Loeb loses 5 mins to the fastest driver on each stage - this wasn't Mikko every time.

[awake27]

Guys - I must ask - Why was Loeb "only" 19:53 after Hirvonen on todays first stage? Shouldn´t it be just a little bit over 20 minutes according to his 20 minutes Super rally penalty ?? :confused:
You are getting 5 minutes penalty from each stage from the fastest driver of each stage not the rally leader!

Edit: Petter above beat me to it! :)

[jonkka]

Guys - I must ask - Why was Loeb "only" 19:53 after Hirvonen on todays first stage? Shouldn´t it be just a little bit over 20 minutes according to his 20 minutes Super rally penalty ?? :confused:

If you look at classification after each stage, you'll note that it's correct. Seb's 20 mins is not added to his difference to Mikko but instead it's five mins to each stage winner's time and if Mikko didn't win a stage, Loeb's difference on that stage to Mikko does not increase by exactly five minutes.

[pettersolberg29]

Edit: Petter above beat me to it! :)

Petter has to win something ;)

[jonkka]

Three answers to one question... :)

[awake27]

Back to the topic, I'm surprised from Sordo's challenge today... Maybe there is some road cleaning on the 2 long stages.

[Rallyper]

Loeb loses 5 mins to the fastest driver on each stage - this wasn't Mikko every time.

Yeah, yeah, silly of me. :o

Hirvonen wasn´t that fast he set all the best times yesterday... ;)

[jonkka]

Back to the topic, I'm surprised from Sordo's challenge today... Maybe there is some road cleaning on the 2 long stages.

I am surprised too but I don't buy sweeping effect explanation.

[Wim_Impreza]

What is the reason of Mikkelsen's retirement?

[John V]

What is the reason of Mikkelsen's retirement?

Engine related probs reported.

[Wim_Impreza]

Thank you.

[Mirek]

Chmielewski had a big crash at the end of SS9 and is said to be taken to hospital for further investigation. He felt pain from his vertebrae and had some troubles with breathing. Co-driver is ok.

Oleksowicz retired because his engine caught fire.

[Langdale Forest]

SS11 started

[N.O.T]

ss11 has started

[wwbroe]

Looks like good pace for Hirvonen, beating Latvalla by 7 sec, and Sordo loosing some time compared to him.

[A.F.F.]

Hirvonen has to keep on good pace on those two last long stages. they didn't go too well on the first loop :mark:

[Rallyper]

Hirvonen has to keep on good pace on those two last long stages. they didn't go too well on the first loop :mark:

As malcolm said they had to be absolute 100% sure of the pace notes on the first round, so now they can push, and just are at the moment (look at stage time on SS11)

But wondering how Citroen is gonna handle the Manu points for Seb now when Conrad and Novikov are ahead... :mad:

[jonkka]

Sordo again faster...

[wwbroe]

Sordo again faster...

Not anymore now, Hirvonen faster now. :D

[awake27]

Sordo again faster...
Well not, he faded away in this 2nd loop.

[J.Lindstroem]

Look at Loeb. He's putting in a stunning time! :D

[wwbroe]

Look at Loeb. He's putting in a stunning time! :D

He sure is, but he has advantage of being later on the stage and also has not so much to loose either. :D

[pettersolberg29]

Battle for 4th looking good, although does anyone else think its a little sad that Henning is getting excited about beating Petter despite being in a far superior car in a manufacturer team?

[awake27]

Battle for 4th looking good, although does anyone else think its a little sad that Henning is getting excited about beating Petter despite being in a far superior car in a manufacturer team?
Agree... Actually all the stobart drivers you can't rate them high.

[ZequeArgentina]

JWRC fight is also very interesting, Abbring is trying to return to the lead.

As far as I remember is the irst time I see R3 giving real fight all rally long to S1600 , with similar dirvers in R3 and S1600 (I rate Prokop quite hiugh, Kosc. is local)

[J.Lindstroem]

Agree... Actually all the stobart drivers you can't rate them high.

Its not the first time this is said on the forum. Give Petter a full spec Focus and lets see which of them that is the fastest.

[Mirek]

JWRC fight is also very interesting, Abbring is trying to return to the lead.

As far as I remember is the irst time I see R3 giving real fight all rally long to S1600 , with similar dirvers in R3 and S1600 (I rate Prokop quite hiugh, Kosc. is local)

Last year in NORF Wilks in Civic R3 was more than a minute faster than JWRC winner Prokop. But the question is how much of that time was caused by driver :)

[ZequeArgentina]

yeah Mirek, that was my point, who was he fighting for, anyway I was not remembering Wilks performance. My memory is a little assleep lately......

[Rallyper]

Its not the first time this is said on the forum. Give Petter a full spec Focus and lets see which of them that is the fastest.

But why has there to be a comparation? Henning is payed by his sponsors and Petter by his. It´s only academic knowing who´s the best of the two, I think. ;)

[A.F.F.]

At this very point, Loeb is bringing 1 manu point to Citroen. Let's see how it'll turn out tomorrow.

[Mirek]

http://rallyonline.pl:84/g.php?1&pg_%5bdesc%5d=+DESC&modex=pokaz&T%5bid%5d=4131

Watch photos in the bottom... it looks closer to Dakar...

[alexlake]

At this very point, Loeb is bringing 1 manu point to Citroen. Let's see how it'll turn out tomorrow.

anyone think loeb will get any championship points? he is flying at the mo!

[A.F.F.]

anyone think loeb will get any championship points? he is flying at the mo!

Four stages left and he still is 15 minutes behind from pos. 8th. Unless five drivers retire in front of him, the task is impossible, even for Loeb.

[alexlake]

Four stages left and he still is 15 minutes behind from pos. 8th. Unless five drivers retire in front of him, the task is impossible, even for Loeb.

fair enough! ;)

[ste898]

Look at Loeb. He's putting in a stunning time! :D

Hopefully he will make another 'mistake'!!!

[Sulland]

Battle for 4th looking good, although does anyone else think its a little sad that Henning is getting excited about beating Petter despite being in a far superior car in a manufacturer team?

Are you sure ? Henning has been working most of the first day on many rallies to get the car as he wants it. He have usually the same setup as Hirvonen and Latvala, but have a different style. Much easier for Petter in a small team that does what he wants at once, and knows exactly what he means when he tell them something !

Maybe PS WRT will turn into S WRT for next year !

[Cloverleaf]

]http://rallyonline.pl:84/g.php?1&pg_%5bdesc%5d=+DESC&modex=pokaz&T%5bid%5d=4131

Watch photos in the bottom... it looks closer to Dakar...
Sand seems to be liquid!

[Lalo]

Sand seems to be liquid!

Definitly!

Today I had the chance of watching yesterday's coverage and I gotta say, it looks just like Japan on Richard Burns Rally! It's full of grass and forrest areas, it's fast and narrow. Just amazing!

What a great rally!

[Lalo]

Take a look at this: http://rallyonline.pl:84/ft.php?idg=4131&pg_[go]=68

Andreas seems to be drawning in sand here!

[Mirek]

At least he has 4WD and strong engine. Driving C2 R2 or even gr.N Fiesta must be a hard work in such conditions :)

[Barreis]

Nice photos! :)

[Juha]

Pics from today are online at http://www.rallyfoto.be

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/1849/p31p.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/186/p40n.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9813/p42.jpg

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/573/p36j.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/7233/p39e.jpg

[Barreis]

This above 500 000 gbp + fat (each)..

[Sonner]

Does anyone know what happened to FSTI driver Emre Yurdakul?

[Camelopard]

Sordo drops 18 seconds on ss 14, anyone know the reason?

[Xsara Fan]

Mads out...

[wwbroe]

Best time for Ogier on stage 14 :eek: Sordo made mistake in one hairpin and is loosing some 20 sec, looks good for the Ford boys.

[wwbroe]

Am i the only one that is awake and trying to follow this rally? :D :D :D

[animrallye]

I'm with you ;)

[SubaruNorway]

Anyone heard what happend to Østberg?

[John V]

Anyone heard what happend to Østberg?
No, I asked Polish guys in Mikolajki and they heard nothing as well. Mads finished stage in 43 min total time.

[wwbroe]

Anyone heard what happend to Østberg?

They just marked stopped on stage, that is all. :(

Edit: i was too slow.

[muscrae]

Does anyone know what happened to FSTI driver Emre Yurdakul?

There must be some problem in his Fiesta, because he was late for three stages...

77 Emre YURDAKUL (TR) TC 9 10 M LATE AT TC 9 1:40

77 Emre YURDAKUL (TR) TC 10 6 M LATE AT TC 10 1:00

77 Emre YURDAKUL (TR) TC 10C 2 M LATE AT TC 10C 20

[Kamikaze]

Loeb 0n 12, i wonder if Novikov and Rautenbach get some "Problems" in the last Stages.....

[animrallye]

Oil leak on Petter's Xsara at the end of SS15

[awake27]

Wilslow on course to lose 7th place from the local guy. He had 43 secs gap from him at the end of Leg 1 and now it is just 10 secs. Probably he switched to the even slower mode to keep sure some guys down the order.

[Filip]

Anyone noticed Kosciuszko's time on ss15? He was 1 min faster than other jwrc runners, and almost as fast as WRCs. :confused:

[Xsara Fan]

Anyone noticed Kosciuszko's time on ss15? He was 1 min faster than other jwrc runners, and almost as fast as WRCs. :confused:

It`s a mistake. Take a look at the result at ewrc-results.com or wrc.com

[Robert Niestroj]

Some photo galleries from the stages:

SS9 & SS13

http://rallynews.pl/lang.en/no/galeria/120

http://rallynews.pl/lang.en/no/galeria/121

http://rallynews.pl/lang.en/no/galeria/122

http://rallynews.pl/lang.en/no/galeria/123

Fresh from SS15:

http://rallynews.pl/lang.en/no/galeria/124

And in a few moments available:

http://rallynews.pl/lang.en/no/galeria/125

[Salist]

SS16 has started.

[jonkka]

No splits for Mikko or JML?

[Salist]

Juha and Robert
Thanks for yours nice pictures...

[jonkka]

No splits for Mikko or JML?

Seems to be a glitch... :eek:

[Salist]

SS16 2nd time controll point:
Mikko: 3:10,6
JML + 5,3s
Dani +3,9s

Source: http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=409&season=2009&rally_id=PL&stage=16

[Salist]

Mikko finished the SS16.
He's time: 14:02,6

[Salist]

JML: +7,0sec

[Xsara Fan]

Ogier out!!! Stop at 1.9 km

[jonkka]

Ogier out!!! Stop at 1.9 km

A-ha... Citroen's games?

[Salist]

A-ha... Citroen's games?

May be... :(

[DonJippo]

A-ha... Citroen's games?

Ogier not driving for manu points so don't think it is. He got engine problem.

[Xsara Fan]

Engine probs for Ogier

[Mirek]

Kosciuszko stopped!

[Salist]

]Kosciuszko stopped!

ohh, no...

[Salist]

...but continue.

[jonkka]

Ogier not driving for manu points so don't think it is. He got engine problem.

Loeb is up to 10th now... But honestly, I don't think it's any game either...

[Mauri A]

Loeb is up to 10th now... But honestly, I don't think it's any game either...
Wait for Novikov´s and Rautenbach´s problems!

[Salist]

Wait for Novikov´s and Rautenbach´s problems!

Hmmm... :)

[Xsara Fan]

Novikov gave some points to Loeb :)

[jonkka]

Wait for Novikov´s and Rautenbach´s problems!

Yes sir! And it seems to... be... coming... true... Loeb 9th...

[Salist]

After the next stage he will the 8th position.

[DonJippo]

Yes sir! And it seems to... be... coming... true... Loeb 9th...

Novikov was ordered to stop before finish of stage to let Loeb past him, Conrad will have a loooong wait as he is almost 13 min ahead of Seb.

[tolis]

Novikov was ordered to stop before finish of stage to let Loeb past him, Conrad will have a loooong wait as he is almost 13 min ahead of Seb.
He will stop to eat, drink and relax... :s mokin: :D

[Wim_Impreza]

Novikov was ordered to stop before finish of stage to let Loeb past him, Conrad will have a loooong wait as he is almost 13 min ahead of Seb.

Who said here that Citroën played it fair? MikeD, Barreis or Tom206wrc? Yeah right.

[Salist]

Novikov sad the finish line: "We have instructions to slow down and let Seb go ahead.

Source: http://www.ewrc-results.com/results_main.php?event=395&stage=6613&category=&group=&section=

[Brother John]

Who said here that Citroën played it fair? MikeD, Barreis or Tom206wrc? Yeah right.

Not me. :p :

[awake27]

Unfortunately Citroen Juniors and Stobart Fords are just pawns... No surprise here.

[DonJippo]

Not me. :p :

You got that one right :up:

[Mirek]

Kosciuszko's troubles are called crash...

[John V]

Conrad have to just checke earlier at TC, don't need to wait ;)
Pity for Kosciuszko, but he battled for 1st place, so honour or nothing ...

[animrallye]

Who said here that Citroën played it fair? MikeD, Barreis or Tom206wrc? Yeah right.
Olivier Quesnel :rolleyes:

[animrallye]

Some news about Bonato in JWRC :confused:

[awake27]

Until last year's New Zealand. Afterwards they copied Ford tactics and created a satelite team like stobart.

[Mirek]

Some news about Bonato in JWRC :confused:

He finished stage but there is still no time...

[Salist]

SS17 has started...

[John V]

]He finished stage but there is still no time...
16:22.9 correct time for Bonato

[Xsara Fan]

When will Ford`s win without Seb`s problems?

[Salist]

Mikko in the finish: 7:49,5

[Salist]

When will Ford`s win without Seb`s problems?

Then once sometime... :)

[DonJippo]

When will Ford`s win without Seb`s problems?

By the look of things it may take a long time as Seb seems to have problems all the time... :dozey:

[Salist]

Mikko sad in the finish: "It is really really good, but still one to go. I think Seb will take one point

[Josti]

Mikko sad in the finish: "It is really really good, but still one to go. I think Seb will take one point

Would be ridiculous if no frontrunner of Loeb hits problems.

[John V]

Btw. I think very good performance by Dani Sordo definitelly. He must felt responsibility for team, but anyway was able to set pretty fast times ...

[Brother John]

By the look of things it may take a long time as Seb seems to have problems all the time... :dozey:

Yes the Citroën is to good and not many technical problems.

[DonJippo]

Btw. I think very good performance by Dani Sordo definitelly. He must felt responsibility for team, but anyway was able to set pretty fast times ...

Indeed really good pace especially yesterday :up:

[Barreis]

Olivier Quesnel :rolleyes:

I'm for San Remo in WRC calendar again! :)

[awake27]

On just two stages yesterday guys, that was pretty short-lived from Sordo.

[jonkka]

Btw. I think very good performance by Dani Sordo definitelly. He must felt responsibility for team, but anyway was able to set pretty fast times ...

Yes, definitely mature drive. I also think he was motivated by the possibility of a first WRC win...

[jonkka]

Rautenbach clocked late into the stage...

[Mirek]

You can't get 13 minutes of penalty by being late. The only way is to be there too soon.

By the way he is stopped in stage :D

[John V]

time for cigar for Conrad... :mad:

[Pinto]

Rautenbach stoped in the stage for leob how sad he has hang around for a long amount of time i hope citroen are looking after him after all he pays his way

[awake27]

time for cigar for Conrad... :mad:
And coffee...

[Salist]

Novikov in the finish? Where is Conrad?

[Pinto]

stoped in the stage reading the paper so seb can get ahead

[jonkka]

Novikov in the finish? Where is Conrad?

Pondering about cruelty of the world...

[Salist]

Where here the fair play?

[awake27]

Fair play disappeared long time ago.

[Roy]

Oh! Citroen used Junior team. How dear.
Novikov and Rautenbach slowed down so Citroen Total can score better points. It most be forbidden.






Ironic post

[Xsara Fan]

Where here the fair play?

Ask Malcolm. I try to ask him some times ago but...

[Josti]

Just shows the lack of character of Conrad Rautenbach, but in all honesty there's not much he can do about it.

[Barreis]

Yeah, and children are hungry in Africa..

[mjh]

Surely it's occurred to Citroen how ridiculous it looks to make one of their cars sit for a quarter of an hour to let their 'star' gain another point after f'ing his own chances up on the first day?
Then again I guess Rautencrash still owes Seb one after Jordan last year.....

[John V]

Where here the fair play?
Fair play left when money comes ... :rolleyes:

[Miika]

The cheapest shot so far but hey, that´s why they are ze champions. If the rules and the series of two manufacturers make this possible, why not do it.

[Salist]

Hi into the realy world this only business too. :(

[J.Lindstroem]

I whould'nt be suprised if Conrad did this up. He seems to fail everything.

[awake27]

Someone wake up Conrad, I think the time passed lol

[Brother John]

Just shows the lack of character of Conrad Rautenbach, but in all honesty there's not much he can do about it.

He can rent another car maybe? :s mokin:

[Salist]

Yeah, and children are hungary in Africa..

Hungary??? not hungry??

[jonkka]

Then again I guess Rautencrash still owes Seb one after Jordan last year.....

He-heee... True enough...

[awake27]

Just 3 seconds behind...

[Roy]

:bounce: Go Abbring No mistakes anymore on SSS. First win for H :cool: lland. GO! ;)

[Salist]

Conrad finished: +12:19,2...

[Josti]

:bounce: Go Abbring No mistakes anymore on SSS. First win for H :cool: lland. GO! ;)

Great result for Abbring for sure, only a shame he couldn't fight it out with Kosciuszko until the last stage.

[DonJippo]

Ask Malcolm. I try to ask him some times ago but...

Yeah right let's us all blame Ford also for the tactics Citroen is using... :rolleyes:

[awake27]

Yeah right let's us all blame Ford also for the tactics Citroen is using... :rolleyes:
I blame the crappy WRC. They are just two manufacturers covering all the point-places.

[Barreis]

What if Hirvonen now retires as he did once in Subaru (when he was paying driver in works team also - hate that) on SSS.. That should be a surprise of a lifetime (for some and I don't like Latvala jr. at all).. :)

[John V]

Maybe bit silly question, but ... Can we be sure that team informed Loeb in advance about slowing down Jevgenij and Conrad, because he spoke about one point for manu all the time? :confused:

[Kamikaze]

Where is N.O.T ????
Greek, can you hear me ? :

Citroen-Kids are sick Dogs !!

:D

[Pinto]

such a demoralising thing to take a hit of nearly 13 mins all your work over the whole weekend a total waste the cost of it he'd be as well off at home id be looking for the costs of this event covered and somthing towards the next event

[r199]

The WRC is totaly f....d up think the teams should got a big pannalty for this
the way it is going now is not good and it is going to loos fans i think.
the only reasen it has to follow now is crazy Kev A he is realy going fast pffff

[Brother John]

This is only possible in a French team with much money and with the aid of the F.I.A which have their office in France. I have one word for this,
"DISGRACE". :( :confused: :eek: :down:

[r199]

and if conrad is paying for his seat at jr citroen team he realy is a fool, or he is paying to be seb's private slave

[Pinto]

sure arent the fia and citroen all the one the french allways ill look after their own this stoping and bolloxing about on stages ill have to stop and quick drive the rally as it is when i started rallying i taught the aim was to go as fast as you could

[amilk]

It's not french/citroen speciality the team orders

- Latvala was not allowed to attack Hirvonen on this rally (we will see this still in this year)
- the italians at Lancia made the same with Kankunnen at end 80's
- Subaru said to Colin in Spain to let Sainz win

do I need to continue?.......

I'm sorry for the junior Citroen guys but after the pore performance beginning of the year they have something to give back Citoren that still they are in the car (even they are paying )

[DonJippo]

and if conrad is paying for his seat at jr citroen team he realy is a fool, or he is paying to be seb's private slave

I bet Conrad don't have to pay that much after this one or he is promised better parts for the next event...

[Mirek]

This is only possible in a French team with much money and with the aid of the F.I.A which have their office in France. I have one word for this,
"DISGRACE". :( :confused: :eek: :down:

Forgot Tour de Corse 08? :s mokin:

Unfortunately they are all the same. The only way out is to have more manufacturers and possibly no team nominations...

[Pinto]

I bet Conrad don't have to pay that much after this one or he is promised better parts for the next event...

you'd want a free rally and testing for taking his pants down and geting rode by the works team

[Xsara Fan]

I bet Conrad don't have to pay that much after this one or he is promised better parts for the next event...

After Novikov`s 'problems' in Acropolis (when he let Sordo get more points) he get a FREE Neste Oil Rally... :)

[animrallye]

This is only possible in a French team with much money and with the aid of the F.I.A which have their office in France. I have one word for this,
"DISGRACE". :( :confused: :eek: :down:
No comments about your post :rolleyes:

[mjh]

It's not french/citroen speciality the team orders

- Latvala was not allowed to attack Hirvonen on this rally (we will see this still in this year)
- the italians at Lancia made the same with Kankunnen at end 80's
- Subaru said to Colin in Spain to let Sainz win


In my opinion there is a big difference between trying to stop both your drivers fighting each other for the win at the risk having one (or both) make an error and stuff the teams chances up, and making a driver who has had a good rally park by the side of the road and loose a HUGE amount of time to recover a little 'glory' for one who stuffed up on the first stage.

[Antti_K]

Citroen's move is totally acceptable from my side. You have to remember these tactics have been always part of the game, it's a team sport. Championships have been won with the help of team orders. I can't think of any past top WRC-team that hasn't used them. Of course in this case it looks a bit blatant when a guy waits quarter of an hour by the side of the road, but it had to be done. They drive for the championship no matter what it takes.

[Mauri A]

What if Hirvonen now retires as he did once in Subaru (when he was paying driver in works team also - hate that) on SSS.. That should be a surprise of a lifetime (for some and I don't like Latvala jr. at all).. :)
You really think that somebody is interested if you like Latvala or not?

[Barreis]

I don't like paying drivers in works teams.. Latvala will now cry for You!!! :)

[Brother John]

It's not french/citroen speciality the team orders

- Latvala was not allowed to attack Hirvonen on this rally (we will see this still in this year)
- the italians at Lancia made the same with Kankunnen at end 80's
- Subaru said to Colin in Spain to let Sainz win

do I need to continue?.......

I'm sorry for the junior Citroen guys but after the pore performance beginning of the year they have something to give back Citoren that still they are in the car (even they are paying )

You don´t need to continue, I know team orders exist but i know also the Frenche mentality and this is not the correct place to talk about that.
I cannot stop to let hear it sometimes. :p :

[amilk]

In my opinion there is a big difference between trying to stop both your drivers fighting each other for the win at the risk having one (or both) make an error and stuff the teams chances up, and making a driver who has had a good rally park by the side of the road and loose a HUGE amount of time to recover a little 'glory' for one who stuffed up on the first stage.

For sure I agree with MW about his decision on this rally to not let fight the two finn guy. What I want to say that it's not citroen who is doing team orders only
It was always part of the game

[Glee]

It's not french/citroen speciality the team orders

- Latvala was not allowed to attack Hirvonen on this rally (we will see this still in this year)
- the italians at Lancia made the same with Kankunnen at end 80's
- Subaru said to Colin in Spain to let Sainz win

do I need to continue?.......

I'm sorry for the junior Citroen guys but after the pore performance beginning of the year they have something to give back Citoren that still they are in the car (even they are paying )

It is a great difference of not attack, and taing a nap...

[Pinto]

so petter wount bother going to finland if he cant get a faster car

[Salist]

Live on SSS2: http://www.justin.tv/publicsportjtv

[Salist]

Ohh, noooooo...JML

[Mirek]

Oh no... JML... How stupid is to crash on final SSS?

[Salist]

JML broke the left front suspension...

[J4MIE]

Just catching the coverage, did it just happen and he have to stop??

[awake27]

Holy s***, Latvala did it again! He is down to 7th place now?

[Salist]

Holy s***, Latvala did it again! He is down to 7th place now?

I think no he's out of race with 0 point. :(

[Psycho!]

He must finish to take points.If he retired ZERO!!!

[Mirek]

There is no superally during final day.

[iJones]

Congrats Mikko!
J-M... :angryfire

[tolis]

In the coverage, they showed him 4th , but maybe it's a mistake...

[Barreis]

Where's Latvala?

[mjh]

Well, according to WRR it sounds like he's just given up trying to push his car round the super special.....

[bluuford]

]There is no superally during final day.
I am happy that there wont be superally in the future. It is stupid thing. One driver makes mistake on final SSS and gets 0 driver and 0 manu points. Other driver drives only half of the rally and gets 2 drivers points and four Manu points. And Superally on final day, we all remember how Sandell became Junior champion:-)

[jonkka]

]Oh no... JML... How stupid is to crash on final SSS?

Mikko did it too some years ago - though not final stage...

[awake27]

Another very low moment for JML... If I was in his place I would catch the plane and go straight to Finland rather than facing Malcolm...

[jonkka]

And Superally on final day, we all remember how Sandell became Junior champion:-)

Actually, all of us don't.

[Mihai]

You don´t need to continue, I know team orders exist but i know also the Frenche mentality and this is not the correct place to talk about that.
I cannot stop to let hear it sometimes. :p :

Wasn't it Ford who robbed the poor Janne Tuohino of a 5th place finish in Sweden 2002 ? Touhino had a privateer Focus and he was odered by Malcolm Wilson to enter a checkpoint in advance to allow Colin McRae to climb to 6th. Alister McRae (Mitsubishi) also benefitted, inheriting 5th place from Tuohino, who scored no points for 7th in that season.

[Salist]

Congratulation Mikko and Jarmo!!!

[amilk]

JML - can not believe it

Will be intersting to see if he will be in manu team or not in Finnland

[Barreis]

Congratulations to Krzysztof HOLOWCZYC.. :)