Wales Rally GB 2010

[muscrae]

Petter is so keen to end up in a style...

[rage82]

Mikkelsen is missing?

[muscrae]

JML is flying at the final split...!

[Salist]

JML won the SS4.
Go Jarri-Matti Go!!!

[rage82]

It will be a close battle, first 3 guys in only 1.9 sec. after 4 stages. Nice!

[6789]

JML won the SS4.
Go Jarri-Matti Go!!!

Going to be close one I think. Latvala looking quickest through the loop, especially if you consider that slight water issue.

[hari]

Any news on Mikkelsen?

Edit: seems his time on SS3 is just missing, as he appeared on SS4 splits

[Viking]

Any news on Mikkelsen?

He is on stage 4 but has as yet not got a time on ss3??
Think i heard a time 3:1:s omething on the "other radio" but seemed to be running out of order?.

[turves]

More photos of that original Focus in the Ford service park please?!?!?!

That Focus (S9 FMC) is the car I was lucky enough to sit next to McRae in at testing before Rally GB in 1999...

[GigiGalliNo1]

That Focus (S9 FMC) is the car I was lucky enough to sit next to McRae in at testing before Rally GB in 1999...

:D Lucky man!

More photos! :p

[nr7wave]

Mikkelsen is fine. There was som gps problem on ss3, so his time did not register. Another quickest time on ss4 in S2000. He has an overall lead of 12.3 sec on Ketomaa.

[N.O.T]

very close rally so far...lets see who wants it more.

[HaCo]

Thank god Ford has one driver going fast..... have no idea what Hirvonen is up to but he so needs to speed up.

Indeed. If Latv has one real issue the game is over. Citroen has 3 cars ready to take his place. Henning and Matthew are already far behind.

[Hartusvuori]

On SWRC title, if Mikkelsen wins this, Ketomaa needs a balancing favour (!) from Brynildsen to be in front of Pons, otherwise Pons takes the title by 1 point if the rally continues as it have started, Sandell staying in 3rd. Right? For Ketomaa, it would be easiest (another "!") to win this straight and take the title.

SWRC before Wales
Pons 108
Prokop -4 points
Ketomaa -7 points
Sandell -9 points

If Mikkelsen wins Wales (25 points)
Ketomaa 2nd (18 points)
Sandell 3rd (15 points)
Brynildsen/Pons 4th/5th (12/10 points)

[Juha_Koo]

JML showing very nice pace! :up:

Hirvonen on the other hand... Well, yeah.

[bluuford]

who is going to visit the scenery first ? Raikonen or Block ?

You know, the story about some kind of tree disease was just BS (The reason why the shakedown was not held in Margam). They were afraid of two very powerful harvesters instead. One looks like Monster, the other reminds a Bull a little bit (rumors are telling that the color of this creature is red;-))

[ShiftingGears]

Hirvonen has been extremely mediocre this year.

[COD]

Hirvonen has been extremely mediocre this year.

I think that has been the story most of his career. Last year he was at his best, but that was also greatly helped by the fact that others sucked so much last year :)

[RICARDO75]

Bernardo Sousa should have caught the plane this morning to Portugal, because is entered in Algarve Rally, the last round of the Portuguese championship.

[N.O.T]

I think its clear that next year Hirvonen must be 2nd driver of the team nomatter how the season starts for him... Its a disgrace for him to show such performance this year.

Latvala leading and fighting with an inferior car shows his potential...and a championship is not far way if he keeps his consistency.

The battle is close and Solberg might have something extra to show in the folowing stages if he wants to win.

[Langdale Forest]

It seems very hard to belive that in Wales last year, Mikko Hirvonen was fighting for the championship, now he cannot even make it into the top 4.

[HaCo]

Why is Loeb not pushing really? :)

[Juha_Koo]

Why is Loeb not pushing really? :)

Just said in Hafren 2 stage end that terrible conditions, he can't push at all, ruts full of water, slippery and difficult.

JM and Ogier fighting in awesome style! 0,3 seconds difference in Hafren 2. :s mokin:

[Langdale Forest]

Solberg now 2nd but now gearbox problems? :confused:

[Juha_Koo]

Solberg now 2nd but now gearbox problems? :confused:

Yeah, reported that gears do not stay on and it drops to neutral all the time... He also mentioned something about starter motor problems.

Mikko losing 10 seconds to Ogier on Hafren 2. Mikko says he had a really good feeling, pushed like hell and still 10 seconds lost.

[nr7wave]

Solberg now 2nd but now gearbox problems? :confused:

He had gearbox problems before service aswell. He also have problems with the starter motor. :(

[Langdale Forest]

Why is there a wasp noise on WRR?

[rage82]

Loeb again icredible on sweet lamb :)

[GigiGalliNo1]

mmmmm..... Lamb.......

[Ghostwalker]

Loeb again icredible on sweet lamb :)

Yes impressive to gain 4 seconds from a 4km stage, really good fight in general with 4 cars within 6,6 seconds.

[jonas_mcrae]

You know, the story about some kind of tree disease was just BS (The reason why the shakedown was not held in Margam). They were afraid of two very powerful harvesters instead. One looks like Monster, the other reminds a Bull a little bit (rumors are telling that the color of this creature is red;-))

Well, Block started the harvest during testing LOL! he took a few trees in that off, I think the video of that crash is in page 8 of this thread

[Mintexmemory]

Yes impressive to gain 4 seconds from a 4km stage, really good fight in general with 4 cars within 6,6 seconds.

I suspect JML backed off to avoid drowning out in the water splash. Lets see what SS7 brings ;)

[N.O.T]

stage 7 is underway...

[blissard]

Latavla having problems? Losing a lot

[darkstar]

seems like latvala is loosing a lot of time...tactics?

edit: hmm, 17 seconds now, that might be a little too mutch for tactics!

[blissard]

Can't be tactics,+17.8 now

[jonkka]

Looks like problems... at split 4 +17secs

[N.O.T]

Latvala probably a spin or a small off... Solberg must take advantage of that and push Loeb to the maximum to make him abandon his chances and take risks...lets see....

[N.O.T]

Latvala losing time on 5th split as well....probably a puncture ?

[N.O.T]

disaster for latvala....pity....

[blissard]

Latvala probably a spin or a small off... Solberg must take advantage of that and push Loeb to the maximum to make him abandon his chances and take risks...lets see....

He is losing 10 secs at each split.. can't be a spin.

[darkstar]

really a pitty, he did verry well till yet...

[N.O.T]

1minute and 10 seconds lost...its over for Latvala....

[serial jeff]

Brutal :( he was so impressive today.

Though Petter and his 'gearbox problem' look like they'll slide into the perfect position for tomorrow.

[COD]

What was Latvalas problem? Don't have radio here...

[serial jeff]

Puncture, apparently

[Pinto]

its an absolute sickner to see J-M losing that time he was having a superb drive im gutted for him.

what a poor day for Mikko i afraid hes lost it hes no where near the pace

[jonas_mcrae]

what a shame for JML, now lets hope petter can take it from here

[Ghostwalker]

what are the weather forecasts for tomorrow?

[Pinto]

what a shame for JML, now lets hope petter can take it from here

Im a JML and a Ford man but i agree 100% with ya petter for the win and boy if any man deserves he does

[Langdale Forest]

The demise of JML means that Solberg has 1 less rival for the win, prehaps this could be his lucky rally. :cool:

[Juha_Koo]

Ohhh for ff...! Damnit! JML very unlucky. :(

Though... If he wants, he could now start an unimaginable attack because it's pretty much the same does he recover or crash. Knowing JML... ;)

[tolis]

Where is Dong guy? Pity for JML... :(

[Ondra WRC]

What happened Flodin?

[Hartusvuori]

Though... If he wants, he could now start an unimaginable attack because it's pretty much the same does he recover or crash. Knowing JML... ;)

GB 2007 all over again!!!

[GigiGalliNo1]

Petter Soooolllllberrrggggg

Petter Sooooollllllberrggggggggg

[N.O.T]

this dong guy...is he for real ??

[GigiGalliNo1]

Where is Dong guy? Pity for JML... :(

27minutes behind..... :|

eek

[Iskald]

Ohhh for ff...! Damnit! JML very unlucky. :(

Though... If he wants, he could now start an unimaginable attack because it's pretty much the same does he recover or crash. Knowing JML... ;)

Yes, pity about Latvala. It would have been nice to see that fourway battle continue.

Not a very good day for you finns, eh? Latvala off (and believe me I am not gloating about that), and your "new" star Ketomaa absolutely being trashed by 10 year younger Andreas Mikkelsen. 32 seconds now... Only consolation is that Brynildsen is now ahead of Pons, by quite a safe margin actually. If it stays like this Ketomaa will get the title even if Mikkelsen is miles ahead.

[Ghostwalker]

What happened Flodin?

they hit a small rock on ss7 which broke the steering (the tie rod).

http://www.patrikflodin.com/nyheter.htm

[GigiGalliNo1]

Who is this Paolo? Some funny guy on WRR? What is he driving?

[Iskald]

this dong guy...is he for real ??

No, he is for money...

[bluuford]

Paolo Nobre PWRC driver :-)

[Tom206wrc]

Mmmmh...interesting small gap between Seb, Petter and Seb Jr after day one :)

[tolis]

Yes, pity about Latvala. It would have been nice to see that fourway battle continue.

Not a very good day for you finns, eh? Latvala off (and believe me I am not gloating about that), and your "new" star Ketomaa absolutely being trashed by 10 year younger Andreas Mikkelsen. 32 seconds now... Only consolation is that Brynildsen is now ahead of Pons, by quite a safe margin actually. If it stays like this Ketomaa will get the title even if Mikkelsen is miles ahead.
Does Mikkelsen takes 25 points, if he wins the category?

[Iskald]

Does Mikkelsen takes 25 points, if he wins the category?

Good question, I don`t know really. Maybe someone else can enlighten us.

[HaCo]

Indeed. If Latv has one real issue the game is over. Citroen has 3 cars ready to take his place. Henning and Matthew are already far behind.

So, exactly what happend. This is the reason why I find this championship less interesting. It's a pitty for ford and JML, but ford is to blaim.

No fingers crossed for Solberg: last WRCar victory for a privat team would be awesome and this guy really deserves it!

[bluuford]

Weather for tomorrow: Rain showers overnight, wind still quite strong but much weaker than today, between 10-15 m/s. Temperature a bit lower (between 5..10 degrees in Celsius).

Morning: Some rain just before the start of the day, then some better weather
afternoon: looks pretty similar to today, only less wind and rain-showers frequency increases a bit later.

[N.O.T]

Are the times of the nationals being posted somewhere ?

[bluuford]

Good question, I don`t know really. Maybe someone else can enlighten us.

Yes, Mikkelsen collects 25 points. He is driving under Czech National Ford Team and it is their last nominated rally. Team can change driver as much as they like. remember, Andersson was also collecting points with one team and got excluded only when his team didnt appear to the start in Japan. Better story is that he is collecting points for Czech National Ford team with Skoda ;-) if he gets maximum points, then they still have a chance for title ;-)

[tolis]

Good question, I don`t know really. Maybe someone else can enlighten us.
According to harriswrc, Mikkelsen takes the points. His team, Czech Ford National Team gets also the points. So, if the results stay the same till Sunday, Pons wins the title.

[tolis]

So, the Dong guy lost only 5 minutes in the last SS and not 16 min that is written in the split times.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

What a shame for JML and for Ford on the last outing for the Focus WRC :(

Jari-Matti has been excellent this Season and that was the chance to end it and the Focus' career with a win ...

[bluuford]

So, the Dong guy lost only 5 minutes in the last SS and not 16 min that is written in the split times.

He got 10 minutes superally penalty for not reaching to the final service of the day. Then the team has more time to fix his car and time loss is smaller.

[tolis]

He got 10 minutes superally penalty for not reaching to the final service of the day. Then the team has more time to fix his car and time loss is smaller.
You are right, yes. They changed the time on wrc.com. Cheers to Estonia!!! :)

[Tom206wrc]

And once again, the Proton Satria S2000 is showing its level of reliability(see times loss by Tom Cave)... :rolleyes:

[bluuford]

I just noticed that Tänak was 2 sek faster than Loeb on the last split?!? Looks like Mitsubishi is working better when ALS system is not functioning :-P

So, hoping to see superb fightback by Latvala tomorrow.

[Sulland]

According to harriswrc, Mikkelsen takes the points. His team, Czech Ford National Team gets also the points. So, if the results stay the same till Sunday, Pons wins the title.

So he can take points for Ford in a Skoda, and is entered in SWRC. Thought they had to sign on for the whole series to take points there, and Henning did he take SWRC points ?

[tolis]

So he can take points for Ford in a Skoda, and is entered in SWRC. Thought they had to sign on for the whole series to take points there, and Henning did he take SWRC points ?
The team has to sign on for the whole sereies to take points, not the driver. Henning didn't take part for any SWRC registered team, so that's why he didn't get any points.

[darkstar]

So, hoping to see superb fightback by Latvala tomorrow.

me too, could be quite interesting! :)

[Sulland]

The team has to sign on for the whole sereies to take points, not the driver. Henning didn't take part for any SWRC registered team, so that's why he didn't get any points.

Happy. But if you as a driver do sign up, and misses rallies - you lose everything as PG ?

[bluuford]

So he can take points for Ford in a Skoda, and is entered in SWRC. Thought they had to sign on for the whole series to take points there, and Henning did he take SWRC points ?

No Henning didn't. Henning was not registered and neither the team he was driving. Practically there are three possibilities to collect points:
1. The team you are driving is registered (e.g. Czech Ford National team) and they have nominated you for their pre-season nominated rally.
2. You are registered driver and collecting points just for yourself.
3. As a Wild Card entry like Andersson was in Sweden

So, if your team does minimum required events but you are not, you still can keep your points. If you are registered just as a driver and miss one event then you are automatically excluded. So, basically one dealer team can do all nominated rallies with different drivers. PG was excluded, because his team missed one nominated rally. PG itself was not registered.

[GigiGalliNo1]

There are two other WRCars driven by Privateers... Hope we can see some pics?

Also hope someone has captured that Skoda Felicia car who runs last :) :) :)

[Sulland]

No Henning didn't. Henning was not registered and neither the team he was driving. Practically there are three possibilities to collect points:
1. The team you are driving is registered (e.g. Czech Ford National team) and they have nominated you for their pre-season nominated rally.
2. You are registered driver and collecting points just for yourself.
3. As a Wild Card entry like Andersson was in Sweden

So, if your team does minimum required events but you are not, you still can keep your points. If you are registered just as a driver and miss one event then you are automatically excluded. So, basically one dealer team can do all nominated rallies with different drivers. PG was excluded, because his team missed one nominated rally. PG itself was not registered.

OK, but still cool that Ford gets points from a Skoda ! :p :

[tolis]

At least Dong was faster than Peter Stephenson (till SS6), who probably drives an older spec Focus, but has more experience from this event!

[tolis]

Happy. But if you as a driver do sign up, and misses rallies - you lose everything as PG ?
If my team doesn't compete in all the rounds that it should, then yes, I lose everything! I hope to sign up next year. :p

[tolis]

Also hope someone has captured that Skoda Felicia car who runs last :) :) :)
http://s1.postimage.org/1iq7x4g78/20294.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/1iq7x4g78/)

[noel157]

Should a good battle tomorrow and yes, would be interesting to see Latvala go for it tomorrow and Sunday but as usual with the guy, no guarantee of a finish.

I see Wilson has lost over 1.5 sec per km today. Not good.

[noel157]

Ralio report of day 1 of the rally on at 8.25 tonight (UK time) and repeated 10 past midnight.

"20:25 Ralio+ - : Rali Cymru GB 888
The Ralio+ team will be at the heart of the excitement at the Wales Rally GB, the final round of the WRC. The Wales Rally is one of the best rallies in the world and as the competition begins Lowri Morgan and Emyr Penlan bring all the highlights of the first day. Howard Davies talks to the drivers out on the Hafren, Sweet Lamb and Myherin stages and Gwyndaf Evans gives his expert opinion on the first day's events.
Content options
Watch on Clic / Website"

http://www.s4c.co.uk/e_listings.shtml

[6789]

Ah.. Not the best news to wake up too at 5:30am

Hope Petter wins now.

[MJW]

Enjoyed day 1, - apart from the top Loeb, Petter, JML and Ogier - the ones that really impressed were Mikkelsen, Brynildsen and Ketoma - and beleive it or not that is without checking S2000's stage times.

[ste898]

What is Hirvoslows excuse for this totally useless performance?

Why does he still have a place in the Ford team I cant understand

At least JML was trying

[Wasted Talent]

At least Dong was faster than Peter Stephenson (till SS6), who probably drives an older spec Focus, but has more experience from this event!

Peter Stephenson is a "mature" businessman driver, rallies just for relaxation and fun. He is the Executive Chairman of Able UK, which is a ship dismantler on Teesside

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Able_UK

WT

[COD]

Ohhh for ff...! Damnit! JML very unlucky. :(

Though... If he wants, he could now start an unimaginable attack because it's pretty much the same does he recover or crash. Knowing JML... ;)

With current tyres, puncture rarely bad luck but error by driver. Like cutting too much

[COD]

Yes, pity about Latvala. It would have been nice to see that fourway battle continue.

Not a very good day for you finns, eh? Latvala off (and believe me I am not gloating about that), and your "new" star Ketomaa absolutely being trashed by 10 year younger Andreas Mikkelsen. 32 seconds now... Only consolation is that Brynildsen is now ahead of Pons, by quite a safe margin actually. If it stays like this Ketomaa will get the title even if Mikkelsen is miles ahead.


Yes, Mikkelsen has not a championship to be won or lost. So he can just try I impress one time. Let's talk when he is driving for a championship (other than Norwegian :) )

[Jafry]

http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2010/810/810_wales_rally_f7b04c57c9.jpg

http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2010/810/810_wales_rally_5b006ecd68.jpg

http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2010/810/810_wales_rally_95a656b02b.jpg

http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2010/810/810_wales_rally_b185f0e5c7.jpg

More photos from rainy first leg HERE (http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=810&fseason=2010) ;)

[tolis]

Peter Stephenson is a "mature" businessman driver, rallies just for relaxation and fun. He is the Executive Chairman of Able UK, which is a ship dismantler on Teesside

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Able_UK

WT
Thanks for the info WT!!! I remember him also in an MG S2000. ;)
Fantastic photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gard]

Yes, Mikkelsen has not a championship to be won or lost. So he can just try I impress one time. Let's talk when he is driving for a championship (other than Norwegian :) )

Basically Ketomaa has to win in Wales to win the championship. Unless Brynildsen help him out. so he has all to win and cannot settle for second

[GOODSPEED]

Amazing 1986 RAC Doc on Motors TV right now!!

[richy]

Good to see Craig Breen and Jaffa going well, considering the lost 2 minutes in Myherin with a puncture ;) , Mikkelsen is in a class of his own though.

Hope Petter wins, he deserves it, unless it could be the scene of a stunning fightback from Dong......

[Barreis]

Great photos..

[zajic]

Some photos from Sweet Lamb ;-)
http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=811&startpos=0&fseason=&fcat=&fauthor=&ftxt=

[MartijnS]

We enjoyed day 1 too! Went to Myherin, pretty good spots over there :)
Short photo impression online @ http://www.rallymedia.nl !

http://www.rallymedia.nl/images/stories/Wales/Dag1/Dag12.jpg

http://www.rallymedia.nl/images/stories/Wales/Dag1/Dag15.jpg

[GigiGalliNo1]

Ah.. Not the best news to wake up too at 5:30am

Hope Petter wins now.

As a dedicated rally fan you should go to sleep after the last stage is run! Even if you're tired and 3 hours ahead of me! :p

[GigiGalliNo1]

Think GB needs more mud. Thoughts?

[tmx]

Think GB needs more mud. Thoughts? The GB spectator are adventurous, they're probably disappointed if it doesn't rain atleast.

[6789]

As a dedicated rally fan you should go to sleep after the last stage is run! Even if you're tired and 3 hours ahead of me! :p

Yeah I would have, but had to work at 7am :( .

Stages start in a couple hours, hope the gearbox is fine and we can have a fight!

Oh and advertisement is useless on the sides of the cars in GB!

[GigiGalliNo1]

How long till stage start?

[bluuford]

Weather forecast has slightly changed!
From the latest weather maps it looks that today it should be even brighter than the initial forecast looked yesterday. There is even possibility to see the sun! From 4PM the rain possibility increases significantly. Tonight the temperatures are going to drop below zero for a few hours, but by the start of Sunday it will be heavy rain, rain, and rain and once more rain :-)


1 hour till the start

Edit: Looks like Araujo has got 20 seconds penalty for late out from service

[GigiGalliNo1]

boo

[rage82]

10:03 CET, don't know in Aus ;)

[GigiGalliNo1]

It's ok, they're driving to the start of stage anyways :)

[rage82]

Litlle off topic: Does anyone knows who is driving the safety crew cars for Citroen and Ford in tarmac rallies as they are forbidden in gravel rallies, aren't they? Simon Jan Joseph is driving for Peter I think.

[N.O.T]

12 minutes until stage starts...

[wwbroe]

It should be live in a minute :)

[wwbroe]

First splits coming in, Petter is fraction slower as Seb.

[darkstar]

solberg´s faster now, good response to loeb.

[wwbroe]

Go Petter, Go, but keep it on the road please. :bounce:

[6789]

Mikko to be asleep again?

[N.O.T]

solberg attacks !!! :) :) :) :)

[darkstar]

Mikko to be asleep again?

think so, worst time at the moment...

[wwbroe]

Petter taking the lead, alltough with very small margin. ;)

[6789]

solberg attacks !!! :) :) :) :)
Ogier issue

[darkstar]

will be a great fight, and ogier in problems as it seems?

[rage82]

Peter at the top

[HaCo]

Great Solberg, fingers crossed for him!!!

[6789]

Ogier stopped, Petter issue after stage?

[wwbroe]

Ogier went off :(

[HaCo]

Ogier missing?

[6789]

Latavala in the green relative to Loeb

[6789]

Ogier missing?

Put it off, 500m from finish.

Sordo - could see the roof of Ogier's car lol

[GigiGalliNo1]

YAY

[Sulland]

Ogier and co-driver ok.

[wwbroe]

Looks like Latvalla might take second place in championship, isn't he?

[darkstar]

latvala has a good chance to become 2nd in the championchip now!

[Rally Hokkaido]

YAY

Could you be more specific, Matt?

[N.O.T]

top 3 will be easy for Latvala now....

[darkstar]

solberg also couldt get 2nd in the championchip now...

[GigiGalliNo1]

Could you be more specific, Matt?

Ogier off, but good he's OK

Next - Loeb off

:)

[bretddog]

Wow.. what a drama!

If podium: Petter, Loeb, Latvala we will have:

Loeb ..
Petter 176
Latvala 171
Ogier 167

If podium Loeb, Petter, Latvala, we will get:

Loeb ..
Latvala 171
Petter 169
Ogier 167

[ridder]

Ogier 3 offs in last 3 rallies

at least 1 of them while only attacking Loeb

Remember Duval?

[GigiGalliNo1]

OK, i think it's bad that he has had an off, he's emotional about it and it surely sucks! Sorry to hear.

[Rallyper]

Colin´s reporting from the point off the off. Ogier very sad and said it was a stupid mistake. Rolled one time as well.
Car stuck.

Sad for him, but fresh for some other competitors.

[N.O.T]

Ogier 3 offs in last 3 rallies

at least 1 of them while only attacking Loeb

Remember Duval?

sure...how many wins does thatn belgian nobody has....and how many came after a fight....yes...thats right !!!

[wwbroe]

Mikkelsen again faster as Ketooma on first split.

[Rallyper]

Good time from Kimi! :)

[ridder]

sure...how many wins does thatn belgian nobody has....and how many came after a fight....yes...thats right !!!

Duval came to Citroen, only one faster then him was Loeb. So he wanted to challenge Loeb (actually on the very first RMC).. and started crashing.

Clearly Ogier's end of this year looks similar.

[darkstar]

at N.O.T: hehe, youre really a duvalhater as it seems...


but sure, there are paralles but the situation is different. ogier has more proven his talent now than duval ever could. i think he has full support from citroen, no problem.

anyways its a pitty for duval, if he just had been a little bit more patient...i think if he had stayed at ford he would be now in hirvonen/latvala position...

[N.O.T]

Duval came to Citroen, only one faster then him was Loeb. So he wanted to challenge Loeb (actually on the very first RMC).. and started crashing.

Clearly Ogier's end of this year looks similar.

nice world you are living in....can i join ?

[ridder]

nice world you are living in....can i join ?

No, stick to your world of debt and letter bombs.

[Gard]

Loeb is now in a position to practically give Petter second place in the championship. Ogier will loose the podium anyway, unless problem for Petter or Latvala

[N.O.T]

Ketomaas performance shows that he is nothing more than another manager trick..

i wish good luck to his sponsors paying for his career from now on...

[Sulland]

Wow.. what a drama!

If podium: Petter, Loeb, Latvala we will have:

Loeb ..
Petter 176
Latvala 171
Ogier 167

If podium Loeb, Petter, Latvala, we will get:

Loeb ..
Latvala 171
Petter 169
Ogier 167

Yes, a drama - but I think petter wants to win in GB more than 2nd overall !

[Brother John]

Ogier off, but good he's OK

Next - Loeb off

:)


Everyone thinks already for months that he will be the new champion 2011, but according to me we will see next year more accidents of him. :p

[Gard]

Ketomaas performance shows that he is nothing more than another manager trick..

i wish good luck to his sponsors paying for his career from now on...

I'm actually impressed of the speed of both Mikkelsen and Ketomaa. It's slipery so the s2000 probably is a bit closer than normal to WRC. But speed wise they are probably on par with Sordo and Hirvonen this weekend

[Rallyper]

Ketomaas performance shows that he is nothing more than another manager trick..

i wish good luck to his sponsors paying for his career from now on...


Can you develop your thoughts?

[Francis44]

Duval and Ogier are completely different cases. Ogier has been able to beat
Loeb this year in Portugal, Finland and Japan, plus in just a year Ogier has been able to win 2 rally's and Duval just own 1 in all those career years.
And Duval wasn't as fast as others drivers on gravel, Ogier started slow on Tarmac aswell but Im sure he will pick it up next year.

[N.O.T]

Can you develop your thoughts?

no.

[bretddog]

Yes, a drama - but I think petter wants to win in GB more than 2nd overall !

That's not a choice, as they go hand in hand..

Shame for Ogier.. But nothing but a temporary setback. He will be fighting for the win in about every rally next year.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Everyone thinks already for months that he will be the new champion 2011, but according to me we will see next year more accidents of him. :p

That is true. We have so many perspectives of what he will be like next year.

Will Loeb settle down? Will the Fiesta be dominant? Will the DS3 be not as good as the C4? Will Solberg win win win? Sordo? Ogier be dominant too?

[ridder]

Duval and Ogier are completely different cases. Ogier has been able to beat
Loeb this year in Portugal, Finland and Japan, plus in just a year Ogier has been able to win 2 rally's and Duval just own 1 in all those career years.
And Duval wasn't as fast as others drivers on gravel, Ogier started slow on Tarmac aswell but Im sure he will pick it up next year.

Yes they are different cases. But at some point both crashed (multiple times) while fighting with Loeb and being in same team. Was saying just that.

Don't remember Sordo crashing when fighting with Loeb for example. Either he was too far behind or he was told to let Loeb go after keeping with him for some time.

Btw. to point out how Ogier was faster than Loeb in Japan this year is making me :rotflmao:
Off course Loebs pace there had nothing to do with his position in championship and rally around his home coming next.

[N.O.T]

are you norwegian?

[richy]

Go Petter, must admit im relativley impressed by Raikonnen for his firs GB, if he keeps it on the road...

Today is the day that the once a year rally fns and also the foreign spectators get to witness the beast that is Andy Burton's 306 Coswroth. God I wish I didnt have to work, that'l sound glorious over the tarmac on Epynt!

The tarmac will also sort the men from the boys, I reckon atleast one of the top boys will go off on the tarmac section, possibly Burmah Road...

[Sulland]

That's not a choice, as they go hand in hand..

Shame for Ogier.. But nothing but a temporary setback. He will be fighting for the win in about every rally next year.

Yes in this case they do, but what I meant is that I think he cares more about getting a win than on the total championship.

[bretddog]

Yes in this case they do, but what I meant is that I think he cares more about getting a win than on the total championship.
Yea, I think so. If he push he can gain GB victory and runner up championship, and if he goes off can lose 3rd place championship. So he got something to lose, but I'm sure he will give it 110%.

[rage82]

WOW, can't believe what Peter has done after the second split, he's really pushing for the win

[Iskald]

are you norwegian?

Who are you asking? If it`s Rallyper, he quite clearly has a swedish flag on his profile. He might be living quite close to Norway, like an Albanian or a Turk living quite close to Greece..., but it doesn`t make him norwegian. End of geography lesson ;-)

I do however think, N.O.T, that your evaluation of Ketomaa is rather (!) unjust. He is of course a good driver, but in Wales Mikkelsen is for the moment better than him. It has surprised me though how some finnish forumers has hailed Ketomaa as the next big thing to come from the land of 1000 lakes. I can`t actually see him as a future world star, for one thing because he is already 31 years of age. Now he is being trashed by a 10 years younger Mikkelsen. If I was a team boss and had the choice between Ketomaa and Mikkelsen, I wouldn`t be in much doubt...

[Brother John]

Who are you asking? If it`s Rallyper, he quite clearly has a swedish flag on his profile. He might be living quite close to Norway, like an Albanian or a Turk living quite close to Greece..., but it doesn`t make him norwegian. End of geography lesson ;-)

I do however think, N.O.T, that your evaluation of Ketomaa is rather (!) unjust. He is of course a good driver, but in Wales Mikkelsen is for the moment better than him. It has surprised me though how some finnish forumers has hailed Ketomaa as the next big thing to come from the land of 1000 lakes. I can`t actually see him as a future world star, for one thing because he is already 31 years of age. Now he is being trashed by a 10 years younger Mikkelsen. If I was a team boss and had the choice between Ketomaa and Mikkelsen, I wouldn`t be in much doubt...

At the moment Latvala is the big thing from Finland. ;) :s mokin:

[wwbroe]

Agree, but not the "next" big thing. Ketooma has to think about the championship but he is quite a lot slower as Mikkelsen.

[wwbroe]

Rather bad time for JML on this stage, was it the one with the tarmac inside?

[Rallyper]

At the moment Latvala is the big thing from Finland. ;) :s mokin:

And the future from Finland is Hänninen.

[kolvas]

And the future from Finland is Hänninen.
I think that Latvala is going to be the "big thing" from Finland for so long time that Hänninen and Ketoma are going to be to old to be the "big thing"

[bretddog]

SS10 got 11km tarmac in first half. Guess Loeb will aim to take a chunk on this one.

[OldF]

Some historical moments at about 3:50. http://www.katsomo.fi/?progId=52091

Btw, www.katsomo.fi (http://www.katsomo.fi/) is free this weekend.

When JML is out for the win I hope Petter would win.

[rp]

Ketomaas performance shows that he is nothing more than another manager trick..

i wish good luck to his sponsors paying for his career from now on...


I'm actually impressed of the speed of both Mikkelsen and Ketomaa. It's slipery so the s2000 probably is a bit closer than normal to WRC. But speed wise they are probably on par with Sordo and Hirvonen this weekend

N.O.T. seems to have lost his faith to Ketomaa. Remember that he is driving for the title and in the rally like GB there is no sense to lost the game during the first day.

Mikkelsen´s speed has been great, but you can not say that Ketomaa is slow and jus like another manager trick. Hänninen was able to beat Mikkelsen in Scotland and in Finland Ketomaa was leading the SWRC and was faster than Hänninen and there is no doubt that Hänninen has been the fastest S2000 driver during this year. So if we are comparing drivers they are top class.

Hopefully Hänninen, Ketomaa and Mikkelsen are all able to climb to the WRC at least in 2012. I think that of the current drivers they are able to challenge Latvala, Loeb, Ogier and Solberg. Unfortunately this season has finally showed that Hirvonen and Sordo will only be good second drivers and only Meeke and Andersson are other possible candidates to the big league...

[6789]

Loeb catching up on the tarmac to Petter!

[tolis]

Petter loses a lot... :(

[Sulland]

Starting to take it back on gravel !

[wwbroe]

I guess Seb wants to put the point on the i. Petter is loosing some time on tarmac part but looks like he is making some time up on second part of the stage.

[6789]

****..

[Ondra WRC]

Brynildsen stopped in stage?

[Sulland]

Brynildsen stopped in stage?

Looks like it, too bad !
Not been his year, with all the RGRS mess and so on.

[Sulland]

Henning sounds like he is just doing the rally to get it over with. Completely different to listen to him driving the Focus compared to the S2000 Fiesta.

Hopefully he can get a Fiesta WRC for 2011 !

[Rallyper]

I think that Latvala is going to be the "big thing" from Finland for so long time that Hänninen and Ketoma are going to be to old to be the "big thing"

Yeah, of course JML too, but he is already top driver. The future from Finland beside JML will be Hänninen and also Ketomaa. 31 is not an age for a rallydriver. Just good to have gained experience.

[rp]

Yeah, of course JML too, but he is already top driver. The future from Finland beside JML will be Hänninen and also Ketomaa. 31 is not an age for a rallydriver. Just good to have gained experience.

Yes. Grönholm was 31 when he started his Peugeot career...

[Barreis]

Ogier is crashing too much if he wants to be a champ..

[skarderud]

Henning sounds like he is just doing the rally to get it over with. Completely different to listen to him driving the Focus compared to the S2000 Fiesta.

Hopefully he can get a Fiesta WRC for 2011 !


hennings speed in the fiesta vs the focus is telling everyone that the "deal" he got from ford/m-sport is JUST ****!

a gravel/snowdriver that everyone says is to slow and old to be there suddenly wins on tarmac? put him in petters c4, i can tell you that he would beat most of the field! the focus -09/10 is not that good, but the -08 (minus) is not good at all. and that leads us to wilsow, he probably have the same equipement as latvala/hirvonen, and is at the same speed as a subaru -06? use that space for another driver......

[kolvas]

Ogier is crashing too much if he wants to be a champ..

I don´t think it´s a problem, the only champ we ever had that didn´t crash in his early years is Loeb, I think it is more interesting to follow when they are pushing so hard that they crash

[blissard]

-5.9 on Petter now!

and then -4.5, -2.8.. bah..

[Sulland]

Love the humorous comments from Dale Moscatt from the radiostudio !
Aussie sense of humor !

[Barreis]

Seb.Loeb is still master for all of them except maybe Petter..

[ridder]

Loeb making mistakes (2 today) and posting crazy times/splits in between, while Solberg is keeping steady pace. Some change of roles.

[awake27]

Seems Loeb tried to do the same attack like last year but this time he went straight on a junction+stalled in SS9 and spun in the last stage. Lost a handful of seconds but still leading...

[Sulland]

So either Loeb have to slow down a bit or he will join Ogier on the Hotel !

Solberg Psyops is starting to come back. He was a specialist in theat game in 02-03 !! ;)

[Barreis]

It will be Solberg who'll be in hotel earlier if we look statistics..

[kolvas]

It will be Solberg who'll be in hotel earlier if we look statistics..

there is lie, ****ing lie and then statistics :p :

[darkstar]

ketomaa fights back...30 seconds, if he continues with this times he´ll be up on mikkelsen soon.

[noel157]

there is lie, ****ing lie and then statistics :p :

And statistics prove that 99% of statistics are unreliable.

[Barreis]

:D

[Pinto]

Ogier is crashing too much if he wants to be a champ..

at least hes trying,colin mcrae done a bit of crashing in his time.

[N.O.T]

everyone crashes when trying to win...

the only driver who was hell fast and didn't crash was Loeb thats why we are a bit spoiled with the upcoming drivers and want them to be perfect like Loeb...and thats the reason Loeb is the best rally driver in the WHOLE history of this sport.

when Loeb retires things are going to be back to normal with the fast champions crashing like makinen, mcrae, burns, gronholm ects...

[kolvas]

everyone crashes when trying to win...

the only driver who was hell fast and didn't crash was Loeb thats why we are a bit spoiled with the upcoming drivers and want them to be perfect like Loeb...and thats the reason Loeb is the best rally driver in the WHOLE history of this sport.

when Loeb retires things are going to be back to normal with the fast champions crashing like makinen, mcrae, burns, gronholm ects...
and it´s going to be more fun and more interesting to follow

[Rallyper]

everyone crashes when trying to win...

the only driver who was hell fast and didn't crash was Loeb thats why we are a bit spoiled with the upcoming drivers and want them to be perfect like Loeb...and thats the reason Loeb is the best rally driver in the WHOLE history of this sport.

when Loeb retires things are going to be back to normal with the fast champions crashing like makinen, mcrae, burns, gronholm ects...

N.O.T. when is realistic, he is amusing to read. Not when writing bull****.

[Iskald]

ketomaa fights back...30 seconds, if he continues with this times he´ll be up on mikkelsen soon.

In your dreams! That was a bad time from Mikkelsen, compared to the slower WRC`s and what he has done earlier in this rally. A spin perhaps. I am quite sure that Ketomaa won`t beat Mikkelsen on pace alone in this rally, but then again, you have to keep the car in one piece and stay on the road. Neither Mikkelsen nor Ketomaa can collect the win after 60% of the distance.

[Pinto]

everyone crashes when trying to win...

the only driver who was hell fast and didn't crash was Loeb thats why we are a bit spoiled with the upcoming drivers and want them to be perfect like Loeb...and thats the reason Loeb is the best rally driver in the WHOLE history of this sport.

when Loeb retires things are going to be back to normal with the fast champions crashing like makinen, mcrae, burns, gronholm ects...

something i would not normally say but i agree with N.O.T.

[blissard]

Did you guys see the press conference from thursday?

http://www.wrc.com/video/features/gb-2010-support-championship-news-day-one/?vid=1861

Funny stuff from Petter, playing mental games with Ogier, and look what happened!

[GigiGalliNo1]

Yes. Grönholm was 31 when he started his Peugeot career...

Very true, So you can be any age to be a champion or winner!

[Iskald]

Very true, So you can be any age to be a champion or winner!

Grønholm was a special case. Ketomaa is not in his league. But of course, Malcolm Wilson just managed to lose Mikkelsen (like he lost another norwegian in 2000...). Maybe Wilson goes for a ten year older finn, who knows?

[N.O.T]

wilson doesn't GO...ususally the nobodys get to him and give him money to salvage their pathetic careers....ketomaa is a good candidate and its a pity because i thought he might actually have something to show at top level...

[ShiftingGears]

Would be awesome if Petter could win the rally and take 2nd in the championship. I hope he pulls it off.

[N.O.T]

peter had a small off....good time by him...very nice battle.

[darkstar]

In your dreams! That was a bad time from Mikkelsen, compared to the slower WRC`s and what he has done earlier in this rally. A spin perhaps. I am quite sure that Ketomaa won`t beat Mikkelsen on pace alone in this rally, but then again, you have to keep the car in one piece and stay on the road. Neither Mikkelsen nor Ketomaa can collect the win after 60% of the distance.

after split 2 ketomaa is 5 seconds faster again...

[N.O.T]

and after 3rd 8 seconds...lets see...

[darkstar]

9.6 quicker, only 20 seconds know...oh man, ketomaa is sooo bad... :rolleyes:

[tolis]

Maybe Ketomaa has paid Mikkelsen to let him pass. :p : :p :p :

[N.O.T]

9.6 quicker, only 20 seconds know...oh man, ketomaa is sooo bad... :rolleyes:

being 20 seconds behind the public joke of the IRC series doesn't exactly make him good.

[wwbroe]

Great time by Ketoomaa, let's see if he can keep this pace up. Also let's see if Mikkelsen has the potential to react to improved pace by Ketoomaa. Interesting battle ahead. ;)

[rp]

Grønholm was a special case. Ketomaa is not in his league. But of course, Malcolm Wilson just managed to lose Mikkelsen (like he lost another norwegian in 2000...). Maybe Wilson goes for a ten year older finn, who knows?

Can not know yet. Ketomaa´s career is so far very similar to Grönholm. Manager Jouhki has not supported him and he has driven too many years in the Finnish series, but it has been his only chance to continue his rallying career.

The resources behind Mikkelsen has been totally different. He was driving World Rally Car, when he was 17 years old and his dad was paying his driving. But then they realized that money is not the only thing to the top and took some steps back. During the last couple of years Mikkelsen has collected experience from the lower classes and it has been totally right decision. Now the top of the rallying world is possible for him, but it is still long way to go...

That´s true. Malcolm may have lost one talent, but he is not able to do anything, because Ford´s strategy to take part to the WRC is only commercial basis and without M-Sport´s effort Ford could have stopped rallying already in the late 1990´s. It has been Wilson´s business, but Ford´s role to support it is so weak that no wonder that Citroen´s real works team is all the time ahead...

[rp]

wilson doesn't GO...ususally the nobodys get to him and give him money to salvage their pathetic careers....ketomaa is a good candidate and its a pity because i thought he might actually have something to show at top level...

Do not worry! Ketomaa has not that kind of money behind him and he has to show his skills by driving. I still believe him, but it is not easy nowadays when they are only one real works team...

[N.O.T]

Do not worry! Ketomaa has not that kind of money behind him and he has to show his skills by driving. I still believe him, but it is not easy nowadays when they are only one real works team...

then its game over for him....his driving is ok for IRC but not for WRC.

[pucky54]

then its game over for him....his driving is ok for IRC but not for WRC.

WRC drivers have better skills than IRC Drivers? Or what do you want to tell us?

[wwbroe]

Let's not start that same discussion again. Ketooma was never in IRC that i know off and now we are in Wales, so let's just see who will be the faster one in Rally Great Britain, shall we?

[serial jeff]

Great fight between the two world champs!

[HaCo]

Fingers crossed for Petter!

And Meeke is too good for IRC? :D :D

[pucky54]

Let's not start that same discussion again. Ketooma was never in IRC that i know off and now we are in Wales, so let's just see who will be the faster one in Rally Great Britain, shall we?

Yes, right. It does not matter in which series a driver is driving. In the same event the faster will be in front ;)

[N.O.T]

I think Loeb has some bad blood for peter in this event....he has memories of 2004 when his team ordered him to slow down...so he is trying so hard for some payback.

Also i am sure the official citroen team would like a win for the final event of this era with an official prepared car and not a private one...

[Langdale Forest]

Also i am sure the official citroen team would like a win for the final event of this era with an official prepared car and not a private one...

But that's no reason to give team orders to a driver IN A DIFFRENT TEAM, when the championship has already been decided. :mad:

[N.O.T]

But that's no reason to give team orders to a driver IN A DIFFRENT TEAM, when the championship has already been decided. :mad:

i wasn't implying that...

i was saying that the team is also motivating sebastien to win this...

[blissard]

SS14 is up, Petter lost a lot on the last pass, hoping for a better result on this one..

[N.O.T]

seems that the trend continues....

[darkstar]

being 20 seconds behind the public joke of the IRC series doesn't exactly make him good. actually i dont really care about that, im no fan of any of them. anyways ketomaa cant be sutch a bad driver as you try to tell us...

[Langdale Forest]

Solberg loosing lots of time...

[blissard]

Much better this time, but suddenly lost 4 secs..

Edit: Clawed back some seconds, after a spin, damn it!

[darkstar]

and now 2 seconds faster again than in the split before...he had a spin...

[bretddog]

Ai.. those 4 seconds lost may be crucial.. But great fight-back

[pucky54]

Much better this time, but suddenly lost 4 secs..
had a spin

[Salist]

What happend with Block?

[N.O.T]

he won the contest with kimi of who is going pick-nick in the woods first....

[Francis44]

Well the gap is 6.7 seconds, is still duable for Solberg but let's see what's for who tomorrow, If it dosen't rain tomorrow Loeb might be in disadvantage.

[Salist]

he won the contest with kimi of who is going pick-nick in the woods first....

:-) :-) :-)

[blissard]

Petter attacking! Taking 1.2 sec each split.

[Fide]

Luck should help Petter... At least 1 time pls.!!!!!

[Glee]

Would it be an advantage for Petter to e 2nd on the road tomorrow?

[Fide]

If road gets Dry, I guess Petter will have advantage to start on 2nd position

[Pinto]

What happend with Block?

broke driveshaft

[pucky54]

If road gets Dry, I guess Petter will have advantage to start on 2nd position

Dry road in Wales? How should that happen? ;)

[bretddog]

Important 2.1 seconds he took back there, also psychologically.. Setting up for a thrilling battle tomorrow. 80km to go.. Hope they fight it down to the last stage.

[blissard]

There's still the 1.7 km super special tonight, could see +/- 1 sec there.

[HaCo]

How many ppl wrote of Petter 2 years ago? This man is GREAT! Awesome performance against an almost unbeatable Loeb. Would Loeb make a mistake for once? Is it possible? Will Solberg take first, let's hope so.
As a Ford fan I find it a real pitty that Petter is not driving a Ford, what a strategical mistake of M-Sport!

[OldF]

IMO this also proves how big the difference is between the Xsara and C4 when looking what he has achieved with Xsara compared with the C4.