IRC Rally Scotland 2009

[Buzz Lightyear]

Every proved technical infringement should led to exclusion.

Saved to memory bank.

[Simmi]

I agree. Once upon a time if your car didn't conform at post-event scrutineering the Steward's decision would be disqualification. More importantly, all competitors knew this to be fact. Of course, there are sometimes special circumstances, then and now, which the Stewards take into account when making their judgement.
However, lately it seems to me that, armed with a room full of experts, teams can often convince the Stewards that it was an 'administrative error that gave no advantage' and receive a wide range of lesser penalties.
Unless present at the hearing we can't question the decision in this case or the other recent well-known ones. What concerns me more is the message these 'lesser penalty' judgements sends to other race/rally competitors at all
levels!

You are right about the need to set the precident that you cant cut corners and you have to abide by the rules.

The problem is though that administrative errors do happen. You order a part that is a strictly specified weight/measurement from your suppliers. Unless the team were to check every single one of the thousands of parts that they receive there is always a chance this could happen. But when you have paid good money for a batch of parts you would hope beyond hope that they are to the correct specification.

This was evident with the Ford rear-window case. I personally think to have DQ'd them for that would have been bad for the sport. It would have bordered on farcical. I also would not have wanted to see Citroen fully DQ'd for their incorrect anti rollbar links.

It is a difficult line to toe because on the one hand you want to set a strong precident but on the other sometimes you need to apply a bit of common sense and account for human error. Especially when there was clearly no performance advantage gained.

Something else worth thinking about. In NASCAR where teams often try to push the boat out a bit - they will allow a driver to keep a win but dock points from either the driver or the owners points (usually both). That way a marginal case still gets the win (less messy for the public/sporting image) but they take a hit in the points. That would save wins getting scrubbed off days later or after the podium ceremonies like we have now.

[J4MIE]

As previously reported, the Loeb issue that everyone seems to have a lot to moan about, it was not a technical issue, purely administrative, and therefore I think a 1 minute penalty was acceptable. Why can't people understand this? :s

[Mirek]

And windows also were only administrative issue? I can assure You that 0,4 mm of glass on a side window makes more than 150 grams (0,15 square meter of 0,4 mm thickness weights actualy 150 grams)...

[alterdaxter]

OK, so only WRC counts.
What about administrative errors concerning a almost 2min lead in PWRC. That is not important if the team isn't delivering the (IRC) champion?

I guess everyone knows how to check the FIA regulations (for sure the manufacters!!!), so no questions afterwards.

Regulations=regulations.

[Buzz Lightyear]

Just thinking. Why are the scruntineers as thorough with their checks before the event?

[Mirek]

There is not enough time and people to check all cars completely in pre-event scrutineering. It's mostly about safety equipment and weight. You can't dissasamble dozens of cars and check each of them. That's why only top cars in finish are checked further.

[Buzz Lightyear]

]There is not enough time and people to check all cars completely in pre-event scrutineering. It's mostly about safety equipment and weight. You can't dissasamble dozens of cars and check each of them. That's why only top cars in finish are checked further.

They could spot check one vechile prior to rally and strip it. Also, it would'nt take too long to check the teams spares truck prior to the rally. Only a sugestion.

[Cloverleaf]

They could spot check one vechile prior to rally and strip it. Also, it would'nt take too long to check the teams spares truck prior to the rally. Only a sugestion.
Nobody let you disassamble their engine of transmission just before the event.It requires precision in every detail when assembling engine or transmission.

[Buzz Lightyear]

Nobody let you disassamble their engine of transmission just before the event.It requires precision in every detail when assembling engine or transmission.

The mechanics would be fit to take a cross memeber of rear brake caliper off under instpection of a scruniteer.

[cut the b.s.]

The mechanics would be fit to take a cross memeber of rear brake caliper off under instpection of a scruniteer.

pre event scrut is for all competitors and is for safety, post event is for selected competitors and is for legality, its not hard to understand.


It is up to the entrant to compete in a legal car, I'm just glad that this was 'only' an event win decided this way and not the championship.

[karlzoro]

after my "rally of Scotland" video's the pictures are online now:

http://dmares.zenfolio.com/rallyofschotland09

I hope you enjoy them also?

best regards,
Kevin

[RS]

Quick reminder for UK people; Rally Scotland review is going to be on BBC2 Scotland (anyone with Sky can get this) tomorrow (Sunday) at 1:15pm.

Will be interesting to see if they have made a better go of the review programme than Eurosport themselves!

[noel157]

Hopefully most can access this. Irish programme on Meeke and Rally Scotland, good insight to what happens before rally start each morning etc. Even Papa Wilson has a word to say.

http://www.u.tv/UTVMediaPlayer/Default.aspx?vidid=127152

[Mirek]

Thanks Noel, very interesting ;)

[RS]

Hopefully most can access this. Irish programme on Meeke and Rally Scotland, good insight to what happens before rally start each morning etc. Even Papa Wilson has a word to say.

http://www.u.tv/UTVMediaPlayer/Default.aspx?vidid=127152

Very good programme, thanks.

Have that channel been showing other IRC coverage this year?

[wwbroe]

Very interesting video indeed, especially because the other approach of things. :D

[noel157]

Very good programme, thanks.

Have that channel been showing other IRC coverage this year?

RPM ( http://www.rpm-motorsport.com/ ) is the production company and mostly just make programmes on the Irish Tarmac Championship and a few other Irish things that are shown on this channel and also sold to SKY and Motors TV etc.
Since the emergence of Meeke this season there's been quite a few editions based around him. All good to see since they are quite a small company.

They covered his IRC season in 3 or 4 programmes although most of the rally footage was from Eurosport but did include footage not broadcast on the Eurosport editions and had separate interviews and bits and pieces of Meeke and Nagle training and being interviewed in Ireland.

The San Remo programme expires today http://www.u.tv/MediaPlayer/ProgrammeClips.aspx?viewtype=1&filter=103353

[MarekP]

Hi. A can´t find these sponsors. Have somebody some better photos, please?
Thank you very much.

And sorry :)

[SkodaSRT]

Hello,
I hope that help you a bit :)

http://photo.autonews.fr/skoda/skoda-fabia-super-2000-guy-wilks-au-rallye-d-ecosse/guy-wilks-et-son-copilote-phil-pugh-ont-termine-le-rallye-d-ecosse/899217-1-fre-FR/Guy-Wilks-et-son-copilote-Phil-Pugh-ont-termine-le-Rallye-d-Ecosse_header1600x800.jpg

And a Photo of the Roof with the TW Steel Logos

http://universalnews.photoshelter.com/image/I00007Hm225UTHsw

Regards