Official Rally Mexico Thread

[A.F.F.]

rally radio report that he has broken driveshaft.

Ok, Cheers dyfi1

[A.F.F.]

According to Ilta-Sanomat, the fair bible of motorsport, Marcus had a heat sencor problem yesterday. That's why was so slow.

[AlfaWRC]

I can't stand following Andy Aigners times. He must be frustrated.... what a step backwards after showing great potential last year..... ooooohhhh :-(((

[White Sauron]

According to Ilta-Sanomat, the fair bible of motorsport, Marcus had a heat sencor problem yesterday. That's why was so slow.

Yeah, saw it on their site too...

[Tomi]

Seems that the latin American rallies get some kind of special treatment from the FIA... Argentina had far worse incident through the years and nothing happened as well.

yes, and monte too.

[bt52b]

According to Ilta-Sanomat, the fair bible of motorsport, Marcus had a heat sencor problem yesterday. That's why was so slow.

Stage Flash 10

Car 3. GRONHOLM/RAUTIANEN
“I am not any happier today. We had a small problem with the engine yesterday and there is no explanation why we were slow. It is getting better, but it will be the same for the cars behind.”

Stage flash 13

Car 3. GRONHOLM/RAUTIANEN
“Maybe I am going much faster now, but I have still wasted one day and that is a ****. Now I must concentrate on taking second place.”

[jparker]

According to Ilta-Sanomat, the fair bible of motorsport, Marcus had a heat sencor problem yesterday. That's why was so slow.
?!?!?!
I don't get it. Marcus didn't say enything about it? Are you saying he wasn't aware of it?

[White Sauron]

?!?!?!
I don't get it. Marcus didn't say enything about it? Are you saying he wasn't aware of it?

he got to know this only at the end of the day...

[A.F.F.]

According to Ilta-Sanomat, the mechanics found out the problem last night in the service after the stages.

[SubaruNorway]

He's not alowed to say anything about it

[Tomi]

He's not alowed to say anything about it

It's stupid too to tell your competitors what problems you have in your car if there is any.

[jparker]

It's stupid too to tell your competitors what problems you have in your car if there is any.

Why? They found he is slower. What else matters?

[Tomi]

Why? They found he is slower. What else matters?
because it can be of many different things and temporary too, tyres for instance.

[jparker]

because it can be of many different things and temporary too, tyres for instance.
OK, let me get that right. The car slowed down by itself becouse of the heat sencor?

[A.F.F.]

OK, let me get that right. The car slowed down by itself becouse of the heat sencor?


The malfunctioning heat sensor somehow made turbo pressure slower??? I'm not sure if it is affected by the fact they drive sometimes very high above sealevel.

[SubaruNorway]

OK, let me get that right. The car slowed down by itself becouse of the heat sencor?

Yes the engine wont run right, it might think it's 0 degrease instead of 30

[Tomi]

OK, let me get that right. The car slowed down by itself becouse of the heat sencor?

i belive the engine got too hot, or the sensor showed too high temp.

[DonJippo]

Engine got too much fuel because of the faulty sensor plus they had a little leak on turbo.

[bt52b]

According to Ilta-Sanomat, the mechanics found out the problem last night in the service after the stages.

Think I posted something like that 200 messages ago :D

[jparker]

Yes the engine wont run right, it might think it's 0 degrease instead of 30
Well, I have different understanding of what heat sencors are doing, but I guess it doesn't matter. It's Ford's own business.

[A.F.F.]

Think I posted something like that 200 messages ago :D

Surely it wasn't according to the bible of motor-sport, Ilta-Sanomat ?? :D

[bt52b]

Surely it wasn't according to the bible of motor-sport, Ilta-Sanomat ?? :D

Ilta-Sanomat what? Never heard of it. Sounds like a sandpaper brand :burnout:

Any Finnish magazines/papers with an english section?

[Finni]

In MC2007, Pipo didn't say the same thing about PSA and Ford engine.
For the "top speed", I remember many rallies where the Xsara was not faster than Sub, Ford or 307...

If I remember right Pipo said in Monte that Peugeot 307 - tuned by them - was the best engine they have ever had (this implicitly suggest that they were not able to do same with Ford). Citroen has always been very near to 307. If I remember right in Neste rally Finland PSA-cars have had always best top-speed. Last year Grönholm said that in some rallies they were loosing to Xsara 15km/h in top speed. Most clearly it's seen from virtual spectator. Every time I have seen those simultaneous accelerations there has been Peugeot marginally ahead of Citroen - then big gap to Ford and Subaru.

[Magnus]

Returning to the heat sensor: if you have a faulty heatsensor in a way that makes it register higher temperatures than the actual one, the engine CPU will act in one of the following ways to avoid knock
- Decrease the ignitiontiming
- reduce turbopressure
- Turn up the fuelflow
Whatever you choose you will be messing with IMEP, thus loosing a few hps and torque. The problem is that it takes very little to destroy the engines "balance". Not knowing exactly what was wrong with the sensor, I am alone on the field, but it doesn´t have to be faulty by many degrees in order to really start messing things up.

[ste898]

Yet another one horse race ........no wonder viewing figures for WRC are going down I for 1 would'nt sit and watch a Loeb victory yet again!!!

[Ranger]

Yet another one horse race ........no wonder viewing figures for WRC are going down I for 1 would'nt sit and watch a Loeb victory yet again!!!

Well, Sweden and particularly Norway were pretty damn good events as far as I'm concerned. Be happy that, if watching him win is so boring, that Loeb isn't leading the WDC standings.

[Grany]

If I remember right Pipo said in Monte that Peugeot 307 - tuned by them - was the best engine they have ever had (this implicitly suggest that they were not able to do same with Ford). Citroen has always been very near to 307. If I remember right in Neste rally Finland PSA-cars have had always best top-speed. Last year Grönholm said that in some rallies they were loosing to Xsara 15km/h in top speed. Most clearly it's seen from virtual spectator. Every time I have seen those simultaneous accelerations there has been Peugeot marginally ahead of Citroen - then big gap to Ford and Subaru.

We heard the same interview (Radio-Bleu)?
Because in this one, clearly he said that the 2007 Ford Focus's engine was much more powerful than older version and even it was its best engine preparation.

For the top speed, I remembered just the numerous "radar speed" take in Corsica, Catalunya and Germany...and the Xsara wasn't the fastest.
But I suppose that the difference with acceleration was the better exploitation of engine power band in the Xsara (and 307).

[White Sauron]

yeah, the difference is in acceleration I believe. Look at the superspecial, how Fords and Citroens start. Yesterday Sordo started like a rocket, while for Hirvonen it took some time to reach a high speed.

[Brother John]

You must once listen to the RPM of the engine from Citroën or Ford when they passes at full speed! Big difference according to me. Citroën has higher rpm.

[M5]

Will Henning be able to catch the 2.5 min Wilson Jr lead during day 3 ?

This to get the last drivers point.

[kakus]

The stone on the Loeb's car :

http://img45.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=62186_0702306_loeb_122_3lo.jpg

[Corny]

Will Henning be able to catch the 2.5 min Wilson Jr lead during day 3 ?

This to get the last drivers point.

No

[Finni]

We heard the same interview (Radio-Bleu)?
Because in this one, clearly he said that the 2007 Ford Focus's engine was much more powerful than older version and even it was its best engine preparation.

For the top speed, I remembered just the numerous "radar speed" take in Corsica, Catalunya and Germany...and the Xsara wasn't the fastest.
But I suppose that the difference with acceleration was the better exploitation of engine power band in the Xsara (and 307).

I just read short quote from that interview and it was told that Peugeot's engine was the best ever wrc-engine. Was that misunderstanding? Were they comparing the new Focus to older model (03-05) or to Pug?

Last year I saw twice simultaneous view from the cars and Citroen's acceleration was hugely better than Ford's (from Finland and Catalonia). Also Citroen's top-speed in Finland was much better than other teams - despite the fact that Ford had chose extra-long transmission for that event because before Finland they were 15-20 km/h behind Citroen (according to Grönholm's words).

[bennizw]

Well, depends if Wilson gets through without any mistakes...

[bennizw]

Shouldn't the days first SS be away about now?

[SubaruNorway]

Any one got the link to Ken Blocks blog

[N.O.T]

Anyone knows what caused Mikco baldacci to loose all that time yesterday?

[Brother John]

Yes first drivers on SS17.
http://www.zone.ee/wrcmasters/analyzer.php?rally=4&stage=17&results=1&jwrc=

[bennizw]

Saw it now, Companc came up 20 secs after I posted :p :

[Brother John]

Who will have place 3 on the podium? I hope Hirvonen!

[Brother John]

Realy bad rally for Henning this weekend!

[Brother John]

Now split times for Mikko!!!! damned!!!! :( :confused:

[jonkka]

Ford is running it in secret... :eek:

[Mauri A]

Sordo faster than Bosse. Unbelievable!

[Brother John]

Sordo faster than Bosse. Unbelievable!

Bosse need only to keep on the road to save place 2!!!!! ;)

[jonkka]

Good time from Mikko

[Brother John]

:up: Mikko, please stay on the road. I saw his moment from yesterday on EUROSport this morning......

[SubaruNorway]

That was a big one

[jonkka]

Longer is under way, that will be decisive.

[Magnus]

Regarding the engines of the 307: it is symphtomatic that the 307 rarely scored high in slow rallys, in them it could not take full advantage of the engines high output. sweden and finland are two typical rallies where high output is essential, and in these rallies the 307 also proved realatively competetive. Slow rallies=no good; the poor handling of the 307 in these meant there were no use in having a beautiful engine under the hood.

[Brother John]

Split times on SS17 close, now on SS18!!!! :down:

[Mauri A]

Split times on SS17 close, now on SS18!!!! :down:
Splits closed also there!

[SubaruNorway]

The pictures they were talking about don't see Colin tough http://nafmotorsport.org/

Some videos there aswell

[Mauri A]

Can´t they get the GPS and split system working? Who´s responsibility is it, do the teams have the same problems as we have?

[jparker]

Yet another one horse race ........no wonder viewing figures for WRC are going down I for 1 would'nt sit and watch a Loeb victory yet again!!!
And why Ford doesn't have the horses?

[Brother John]

I see the splits on SS18.
http://www.zone.ee/wrcmasters/analyzer.php?rally=4&stage=18&results=1

[SubaruNorway]

Can´t they get the GPS and split system working? Who´s responsibility is it, do the teams have the same problems as we have?


Do you have GPS, the splits are working on WRC+

[jonkka]

Now we see who's who.

[Brother John]

Sordo´s fight is on! Go Mikko Go...... :s pin: To look at to Loeb is boooring :s nole:

[N.O.T]

hmmm....no splits for mikko....GPS problem probably

[jparker]

Sordo´s fight is on! Go Mikko Go...... :s pin: To look at to Loeb is boooring :s nole:

Not boring for me, I enojoy it all the way :s mokin:

[Brother John]

Where is Mikko on the splits???????????

[Mauri A]

I see the splits on SS18.
http://www.zone.ee/wrcmasters/analyzer.php?rally=4&stage=18&results=1
Really, can you see Mikko´s splits?

[Tom206wrc]

hmmm....no splits for mikko....GPS problem probably



Unfortuneately yes :mark:

[SubaruNorway]

Hope it gets closer before the live SSS

[Tom206wrc]

Yet another one horse race ........no wonder viewing figures for WRC are going down I for 1 would'nt sit and watch a Loeb victory yet again!!!



And if Bosse or Hirvonen was alone ahead what would you do ?? :rolleyes:

[Brother John]

Really, can you see Mikko´s splits?

I saw only the 3 first and the final split from Mikko! :(

[Finni]

By the way, Jari-Matti Latvala has quietly improved his pace throughout event. He is setting now quite decent times. I believe that during the season he will come more or less near to Hirvonen. J-M did some top-times in Norway after settling to snow in Sweden. Not it seems that same process is going on gravel.

[Christina]

i am looking forward to seeing JM in Portugal. it should be interesting to see what happens there, where his lack of stage knowledge is not an issue.

[pentti]

i am looking forward to seeing JM in Portugal. it should be interesting to see what happens there, where his lack of stage knowledge is not an issue.Good point of more fair situation. Say hello from me.

[White Sauron]

By the way, Jari-Matti Latvala has quietly improved his pace throughout event. He is setting now quite decent times. I believe that during the season he will come more or less near to Hirvonen. J-M did some top-times in Norway after settling to snow in Sweden. Not it seems that same process is going on gravel.

If Latvala can be close to Hirvonen during the seasom, it will mean he will be close to Gronholm and Loeb too. Look what Hirvonen is doing! he's able to beat his partner second rally in a row. It's a tendency already. Hirvonen is rapidly becoming a big boy.

[L5->R5/CR]

Any one got the link to Ken Blocks blog




http://rally.subaru.com/event_2007_mexico_blog.html

[Magnus]

Hmm... remains to be seen White Sauron! Mikko is very good hough, and it is nice to see him posing a threat to Bosse and Loeb. hope Solberg will be up there again aswell!

[jonkka]

Why isn't Mikko on the stage yet? Marcus already is.

[White Sauron]

Hmm... remains to be seen White Sauron! Mikko is very good hough, and it is nice to see him posing a threat to Bosse and Loeb. hope Solberg will be up there again aswell!

That's for sure! If only the car allows... If it stays hot in Portugal, his starting position will again be an advantage. But if it's smth like was last year, I believe Gronholm, Loeb and maybe Hirvonen will stratche a great lead to those behind.

[SubaruNorway]

Were is Mikko?

[jonkka]

Pheew, there he is...

[White Sauron]

Why isn't Mikko on the stage yet? Marcus already is.

He is. delay between him and Gronholm was 4 minutes.

[White Sauron]

Why isn't Mikko on the stage yet? Marcus already is.

He is. delay between Sordo and Gronholm was 4 minutes.

[WRC1]

according to the radio he is on the stage, and fastest so far at split 1

regards

wrc1

[jonkka]

This result means that Citroen scores only one point more than Ford.

[SubaruNorway]

The SSS is live http://www.wrc.com/page/sub/WRC/LiveStream/0,,10111,00.html

[Christina]

Good point of more fair situation. Say hello from me.

I wont be there, i'll still be stuck here with my laptop and split times. If i'm lucky i'll get back to finland this year. so we can both say hello!

[bt52b]

Any one got the link to Ken Blocks blog

http://rally.subaru.com/event_2007_mexico_blog.html

[SubaruNorway]

The review of yesterday is on now this looks god http://www.wrc.com/page/sub/WRC/LiveStream/0,,10111,00.html

[Christina]

i'm not sure it's a good idea to be posting links like that on the forum.

[SubaruNorway]

Why not it's free isen't it havent tried it witout loging in

[L5->R5/CR]

Anyone have more details on the retirements and exclusions so far other than what is posted on WRC.com?

[SubaruNorway]

Haha Stohl went of even tough he wasen't supposed to

[bt52b]

Austin McHale rolled on ss18

keep add one to the number for more:
http://www.rallymexico.com/newsReader.asp?id=1335

Get the pages an hour before they appear on the site front page

[Kamikaze]

Great 3rd Place From Mikko Hirvonen, Congratulations !!! :bounce:

Sordo was to slow on the loose....
Mikko N.O.T :D :D :D

_

[bt52b]

ss19
http://www.rallymexico.com/newsReader.asp?id=1337

Car 3. GRONHOLM/RAUTIANEN
“It is okay second place and Seb (Loeb) gets only two points from me. I went from seventh to second which is not so bad. I am not happy with the weekend though, I lost it on the first day.”

Car 5. STOHL/MINOR
“It’s been okay for me today, maybe a bit slow but I am just cruising. I have nothing to win or nothing to lose now. The rally has been okay but the spectators throwing rocks have been a problem.”

Car 31. ARAI/SIRCOMBE
“In this stage, some of the spectators were stood in bad places.”

[bt52b]

Well done Miggins :beer: :burnout: :hot: :s mokin:

[Finni]

Look what Hirvonen is doing! he's able to beat his partner second rally in a row. It's a tendency already. Hirvonen is rapidly becoming a big boy.

Are we watching the same rally? When Marcus got right set-up he outpaced Mikko clearly (got half of minute away from ss 10to ss 14 - even not counting Mikko's time loss in spun). There was no question that Mikko was beating Marcus. There is no tendency - Norway was more like an exception.

[SubaruNorway]

It may have something to do with Mikko being more used to writing notes on new rallys and thats why he got the edge in Norway

[White Sauron]

Are we watching the same rally? When Marcus got right set-up he outpaced Mikko clearly (got half of minute away from ss 10to ss 14 - even not counting Mikko's time loss in spun). There was no question that Mikko was beating Marcus. There is no tendency - Norway was more like an exception.

DOn't agree with you. On Friday marcus and Mikko were in the same conditions, and Gro acknowledged that faulty sensor wasn't the cause of his slow pace.

[L5->R5/CR]

It may have something to do with Mikko being more used to writing notes on new rallys and thats why he got the edge in Norway

Or Marcus being used to such perfected and detailed notes that he wasn't able to note the stages with the same percision and perfection as he has developed for other rallies...

We will see if this holds true but, I think Seb and Marcus have such perfected notes for most rallies that when they run new rallies with virgin notes they are at a lack for information and other drivers are able to make up some of the performance differential.

[Finni]

DOn't agree with you. On Friday marcus and Mikko were in the same conditions, and Gro acknowledged that faulty sensor wasn't the cause of his slow pace.

In the friday afternoon the sensor was at least part of the reason for his slow pace. I really don't know where Marcus said that sensor problem was not effective? In the morning - when the sensor problem was not occuring yet - Hirvonen gained few second which means that in terms of performance he was still slower (he should have gained ten or fifteen seconds with similar pace to Marcus).

This is the main point: When Marcus had passed different set-up and technical problems he caught Mikko's 20 sec advantage by few stage and had pace similar to Loeb. There is no question who was the stronger.

[Finni]

It may have something to do with Mikko being more used to writing notes on new rallys and thats why he got the edge in Norway

There is hardly only one reason but your suggestion might be one part. Also in Sweden had new long stage but Mikko was not utterly fast in it.

[White Sauron]

In the friday afternoon the sensor was at least part of the reason for his slow pace. I really don't know where Marcus said that sensor problem was not effective? In the morning - when the sensor problem was not occuring yet - Hirvonen gained few second which means that in terms of performance he was still slower (he should have gained ten or fifteen seconds with similar pace to Marcus).

This is the main point: When Marcus had passed different set-up and technical problems he caught Mikko's 20 sec advantage by few stage and had pace similar to Loeb. There is no question who was the stronger.

Ha, sure, because yesterday's morning it was Mikko to have not the perfect set-up... No question who was stronger. cause they were equal.

[Finni]

Ha, sure, because yesterday's morning it was Mikko to have not the perfect set-up... No question who was stronger. cause they were equal.

From where you got that info? And is 20 secs time loss explained by imperfect set-up? Marcus didn't loose more even with sensor problem coupled with bad set-up..

In any case you can note that Mikko was also loosing in afternoon before his spun despite the fact that he was taking huge risks when he compelled his pace near to Marcus' level. There was only one point in the rally where Marcus performed weaker than Mikko and that was friday afternoon when the sensor problem occurred.

Btw, also autosport's article noted that in principle Grönholm and Solberg had winning pace - they didn't mention Mikko in that context.

[White Sauron]

Btw, also autosport's article noted that in principle Grönholm and Solberg had winning pace - they didn't mention Mikko in that context.

Maybe... But you took it out of context. They also mentioned Mikko completely outperform gronholm on friday. Hirvosen pitaa voittaa Portugalissa))

[Finni]

Maybe... But you took it out of context. They also mentioned Mikko completely outperform gronholm on friday. Hirvosen pitaa voittaa Portugalissa))

I have a feeling that you took Mikko's outpeforming out of its context... ;)

[White Sauron]

I have a feeling that you took Mikko's outpeforming out of its context... ;)

Maybe... we'll see on next rallies. Anyway, Mikko's getting very close to the top-2 guys.

[SubaruNorway]

Henning and Cato was supprised by a naked man on ss12 Henning said he was realy fat and his equipment has was hanging loose :bounce:
Cato coulden't read the pacenotes afterwards and had to realy get his act togheter to be able to continue reading
:rotflmao:
http://nrksport.no/motorsport/rally-vm/1.2020242

[A.F.F.]

Well... that's about it. Rally Mexico. :mark:

Congrats Sebastien and Daniel.

Mikko did good. Wonderboy did good. Young Atkinson did good. JM did good and Matthew did good :eek:

[tribefiend]

Concerning bad rally fan behavior...As me and my buddies were hiking to a spot to view a stage yesterday, we saw alot of big rocks unnaturally placed in the driving line around a corner. I didn't hesitate to kick them all off. Some of us fans do lookout. There wasn't alot of people where we were and it's not always possible to fix every idiots attempts.

I'll have a small gallery up soon.

[SubaruNorway]

For sure it's been a great weekend always feel alitle emty on sunday evenings, but hey not long until Rally Portugal 30 of March

[L5->R5/CR]

Well... that's about it. Rally Mexico. :mark:

Congrats Sebastien and Daniel.

Mikko did good. Wonderboy did good. Young Atkinson did good. JM did good and Matthew did good :eek:



You forgot, Pastrana had a solid debut as well!

[sxis]

He won't... PWRC drivers will overtake him...

HaHA

[bt52b]

Concerning bad rally fan behavior...As me and my buddies were hiking to a spot to view a stage yesterday, we saw alot of big rocks unnaturally placed in the driving line around a corner. I didn't hesitate to kick them all off. Some of us fans do lookout. There wasn't alot of people where we were and it's not always possible to fix every idiots attempts.

I'll have a small gallery up soon.

Fair play, gives the drivers a chance to go faster :cool:

[Tomi]

Concerning bad rally fan behavior...As me and my buddies were hiking to a spot to view a stage yesterday, we saw alot of big rocks unnaturally placed in the driving line around a corner. I didn't hesitate to kick them all off.

good everyone should do the same

[Karukera]

Huge amount of talent and reliability for a new milestone to remember, ever : 30th Win, Seb ! :up:

I'm overally pleased too by Dani's performance. Peanuts points for the Makes' though.

Good thing is Petter's pace & motivation but eventually spoilt again by the usual problems.

Was good to see Stars & Stripes on Scoobies, keep them Yanks coming in the sport !

Too bad a few jerks badly behaved. Amigos, vds deben de cambiar "algunas" cosas !

Now heading to Portugal, one i'm eagerly waiting for.

[bt52b]

Good thing is Petter's pace & motivation but eventually spoilt again by the usual problems.



Will take a few rallies to get the best out of the 12B and for Petter to get his head back together after the nightmare of the S12. Isn't he being coached by an ex-ski team coach.

[SubaruNorway]

Yes it's Kjetil Andre Åmots (downhill skier) dad who is a sort of mental trainer for Petter. Henning also use one, the same as biatlon skier Ole Einar Bjørndalen

[Corny]

Henning and Cato was supprised by a naked man on ss12 Henning said he was realy fat and his equipment has was hanging loose :bounce:
Cato coulden't read the pacenotes afterwards and had to realy get his act togheter to be able to continue reading
:rotflmao:
http://nrksport.no/motorsport/rally-vm/1.2020242

Haha :D I prefer to read that then read that they lay rocks on the road!:P

Has this moment been on eurosport?

[SubaruNorway]

No haven't seen it, it's a family show you know :D

[Roy]

Any pics available?

I search pics of the Munchi's team in special, other in general.

[Jaanus]

Has anyone seen a photo of Austin McHale Focus WRC from Mexico?

[PuddleJumper]

http://www.garethmachale.com/images/mexico07.html

[Jaanus]

Thanks PuddleJumper, but I see only photos of Gareth MacHale there. I am looking for photos of his father Austin's car, who drove a 2003 spec Focus WRC in Mexico.

[PuddleJumper]

Sorry, I didn't read your post properly.

There's a photo here (http://www.rallymexico.com/Gallery/Photos/Leg2%20(low%20res)/2007-03-10_0043.jpg) on the offical Rally Mexico website. :)

[charro_wrc]

a lot of pictures from Corona Rally México 2007 in.....

http://charrowrc.tripod.com/index.html

Enjoy them.

[Subaru WRX]

thanks a lot for the pics :D