Rally Japan 2010

[Ondra WRC]

Entry list of Rally Japan 2010: http://www.rallyjapan.jp/j/pdf/2010RJ_entrylist.pdf

[Barreis]

Nice entry list..

[RICARDO75]

Curious is #53 - Roman Pesek with TOYOTA AURIS S2000, instead of PG Andersson with the Skoda

[ProRally]

Also #76 Fumio Nutahara with Fiesta , is it 'the' Fumio Nutahara ex PWRC ?
Or just same name ?
Will have to go check in service park before the start :D
Arriving in Sapporo Thursday 9 September

Going for KFC with Rally Hokkaido.... :D :D :D

[Tomi]

Also #76 Fumio Nutahara with Fiesta , is it 'the' Fumio Nutahara ex PWRC ?
Or just same name ?
Will have to go check in service park before the start :D
Arriving in Sapporo Thursday 9 September

Going for KFC with Rally Hokkaido.... :D :D :D

you better cancel the trip, there is bears :)

[ProRally]

you better cancel the trip, there is bears :)

Yes, very funny, in 2004 (1st WRC Japan) the spectators where taken by 50 busses to the spectator point.
With the well known Japanese way they all walked from the bus to the open area which the spectator point was. They all got comfortable for the passing of the first cars when a bear came out of the woods.... (must have smelled the food :D )
Light panic from the spectators , what to do ? They have to stay inside the marked spectator zone.... but the bear must have thought to much noise and people and he turned around and walked back into the forrest...
But that was when the event was in Obihiro, now it is near Sapporo but still near the stages plenty of bears....

[pantealex]

Curious is #53 - Roman Pesek with TOYOTA AURIS S2000, instead of PG Andersson with the Skoda

If I remember right RUFA Sport team must do 1 extra rally, because of late entry to serie. (PG was in Sweden, but RUFA Sport team wasn´t)

http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/wrc/2010/Pages/s2000_entry.asp (http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/wrc/2010/Pages/s2000_entry.aspx)

22 Barwa Rally Team Martin Prokop (not Nasser Al-Attiyah this time)

[alleskids]

So Prokop can score for Barwa team but not for himself?

[pantealex]

So Prokop can score for Barwa team but not for himself?

Maybe, maybe not...
If he skips France or Wales he can score in Japan, but somebody must drive for Czech Ford National Team in France or Wales...

[Mirek]

He will skip Wales.

[Tomi]

Yes, very funny, in 2004 (1st WRC Japan) the spectators where taken by 50 busses to the spectator point.
With the well known Japanese way they all walked from the bus to the open area which the spectator point was. They all got comfortable for the passing of the first cars when a bear came out of the woods.... (must have smelled the food :D )
Light panic from the spectators , what to do ? They have to stay inside the marked spectator zone.... but the bear must have thought to much noise and people and he turned around and walked back into the forrest...
But that was when the event was in Obihiro, now it is near Sapporo but still near the stages plenty of bears....

Maybe they should include bearings in the rally japan rally package, just throw the bear with bearings it helps.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Haha bears!

When I went to Rally Japan with WRCfan I asked if there were Panda's to be careful of! HAH

[WRCfan]

Matt you tool! Haha!
But there is magical unicorns hiding in the forests.

[jbmarcus21]

Program, Entrylist, Mobile Live Results and Google Earth Map : http://planetemarcus.free.fr/japon10.htm

[ProRally]

Also #76 Fumio Nutahara with Fiesta , is it 'the' Fumio Nutahara ex PWRC ?
Or just same name ?


Saw Fumio in WRC Germany, it is him who will drive the Fiesta.
He was in Trier to have meetings and he will do IRC Barum next week with Evo9

[bluuford]

Saw Fumio in WRC Germany, it is him who will drive the Fiesta.
He was in Trier to have meetings and he will do IRC Barum next week with Evo9
He drives 2wd fiesta, because in WRC it is allowed to use only Pirelli tries for 4WD cars. So, by driving 2wd non priority car he is able to use whatever tires he likes.

[harriswrc]

He drives 2wd fiesta, because in WRC it is allowed to use only Pirelli tries for 4WD cars. So, by driving 2wd non priority car he is able to use whatever tires he likes.So maybe Yokohama tries to enter WRC next year?

[6789]

If anyone finds shakedown times can they post it here please. Thanks :)

[6789]

Latvala fastest
Wilson 5th fastest

Thanks too StobartWRC on Twitter

http://twitter.com/StobartWRC/status/23976178438

Shakedown times – Rally Japan
Latvala, Ford 2.33,1
Loeb, Citroën 2.33,5
Sordo, Citroën 2.33,7
Ogier, Citroën 2.34,0
Wilson, Ford 2.34,7
Petter, Citroën 2.34,8
Hirvonen, Ford 2.35,1
Raikkonen, Citroën 2.35,1
Henning, Ford 2.35,2

http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/2010/09/09/shakedown-rally-japan/

[pantealex]

http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/ralli/2010/09/1183726

Räikkönen crashes in shakedown. He says that somebody moved "concretebarrior" and his front wheel hit it, so broken suspension!

[jonkka]

Yeah, concrete barriers do tend to get moved so easily... :eek:

[bluuford]

Complete list of shakedown times:
http://www.rallyjapan.jp/e/media/2010/Shakedown_Time_Order.pdf

[WRC1]

Yeah, concrete barriers do tend to get moved so easily... :eek:

no problem for THE bear ;)

[Leon]

from the fia conference:

Note: Petter Solberg was unable to attend the press conference due to illness.

any more on that?

[bluuford]

Maybe the same thing he got last year?

anyway, first stage in 10 minutes

[ProRally]

Just arrived in Sapporo.... pfffff long trip and hot and humid here

[Viking]

from the fia conference:

Note: Petter Solberg was unable to attend the press conference due to illness.

any more on that?

Just a flue ore something, a couple of stagewins will cure it :)

[bluuford]

Yeah, long night ahead. First stage tomorrow quite late.

[Leon]

sss already on

[pantealex]

Ogier leads after SS2 2.0s to Hirvonen.
He was fastest in both SS1 and SS2

[pantealex]

Yeah, long night ahead. First stage tomorrow quite late.
This time tomorrow they have drived SS10 already, so quite late is wrong term!

[bluuford]

Well, according to Japan time they start tomorrow and Saturday approximately at 10:30. On Sunday they will start at 07:30!

Yes, 04:30 is quite early for us :-P

[pettersolberg29]

from the fia conference:

Note: Petter Solberg was unable to attend the press conference due to illness.

any more on that?

From autosport:

A feverish Petter Solberg is 5.7s off the lead in ninth and struggling with illness.

"I've been in bed the whole afternoon sweating and I'm not in very good form," he admitted. "But that's how it is. This is part of the game and I hope I'll be better for tomorrow. But today has been a very bad day."

Typical - his best chance of a win for years and he goes and gets ill...! Hope he's back on top form tomorrow.

[6789]

From autosport:

A feverish Petter Solberg is 5.7s off the lead in ninth and struggling with illness.

"I've been in bed the whole afternoon sweating and I'm not in very good form," he admitted. "But that's how it is. This is part of the game and I hope I'll be better for tomorrow. But today has been a very bad day."

Typical - his best chance of a win for years and he goes and gets ill...! Hope he's back on top form tomorrow.

yeah must admit I'm devo for him, hope he feels better tomorrow..

But thats Petter's luck, always happens it seems.

Ogier is flying

[Barreis]

He is the only one who beat Seb.Loeb in direct fight for title.. So it's not always the same..

[René]

European Timing GMT +2

Thursday 9 september 2010

ES 1 (01,57 km) : 18h40. GMT +2 : 11h40.
ES 2 (01,57 km) : 18h52. GMT +2 : 11h52.

Friday 10 september 2010

ES 3 (26,92 km) : 10h23. GMT +2 : 03h23.
ES 4 (27,76 km) : 11h27. GMT +2 : 04h27.
ES 5 (03,55 km) : 12h15. GMT +2 : 05h15.

ES 6 (26,92 km) : 15h03. GMT +2 : 08h03.
ES 7 (27,76 km) : 16h07. GMT +2 : 09h07.
ES 8 (03,55 km) : 16h55. GMT +2 : 09h55.

ES 9 (01,57 km) : 18h34. GMT +2 : 11h34.
ES 10 (01,57 km) : 18h46. GMT +2 : 11h46.

Saturday 11 september 2010

ES 11 (17,68 km) : 10h28. GMT +2 : 03h28.
ES 12 (33,76 km) : 11h26. GMT +2 : 04h26.
ES 13 (09,55 km) : 12h22. GMT +2 : 05h22.

ES 14 (17,68 km) : 15h09. GMT +2 : 08h09.
ES 15 (33,76 km) : 16h07. GMT +2 : 09h07.
ES 16 (09,55 km) : 17h03. GMT +2 : 10h03.

ES 17 (01,57 km) : 18h33. GMT +2 : 11h33.
ES 18 (01,57 km) : 18h45. GMT +2 : 11h45.

Sunday 12 september 2010

ES 19 (04,71 km) : 07h31. GMT +2 : 00h31.
ES 20 (17,86 km) : 08h13. GMT +2 : 01h13.
ES 21 (03,70 km) : 09h37. GMT +2 : 02h37.
ES 22 (04,71 km) : 10h12. GMT +2 : 03h12.
ES 23 (17,86 km) : 10h54. GMT +2 : 03h54.

ES 24 (03,70 km) : 11h58. GMT +2 : 04h58.

ES 25 (01,57 km) : 14h00. GMT +2 : 07h00.
ES 26 (01,57 km) : 14h12. GMT +2 : 07h12.

[tolis]

Photos from SD and the SSS: http://2010japd0.rallybel.be/#568.0

[jonkka]

la-la - to wake up in the middle of the night for the rally... :)

[N.O.T]

Ogier really flying !!!!!

[6789]

Ogier is fast!!


Solberg even quicker!!! Yay

[N.O.T]

i had a good early sleep aand now i am fully charged.....hope the rally doesn't dissapoint me.

[jonkka]

Loeb wrapping up title here is next to impossible and even so he'd like to do at his home event so he's not gunning for out-and-out win...

[N.O.T]

yeah.... no reason for him to push in tricky events anymore.

[bluuford]

Seems like Loeb is doing the same I am doing right now.. snorrr....

[jonkka]

That gives opportunity for others so there might be a battle for a change... :)

[N.O.T]

Wow...Loeb is losing to eveyone...Solberg is fastest so far and hirvonen on acharge as well.

[N.O.T]

Ogier 21 seconds faster....thats almost 1 sec/km....hmmm

[6789]

Ogier 21 seconds faster....thats almost 1 sec/km....hmmm
Either Loeb is foxing or he has a setup problem? Going to be a great day

[N.O.T]

No rythm by Loeb...according to him.

[N.O.T]

Al quassimy Rolled....

[jonkka]

1st one out

[N.O.T]

This ogiers 1st rally Japan....Wow !!!!

[jonkka]

Rather large gaps...

[N.O.T]

Hmmm the second pass is going to be inteesting....drivers already report big rutts ....

[jonkka]

This ogiers 1st rally Japan....Wow !!!!

Same for Roundy-Round-Champ and he's slowest of the lot... Gives one some perspective...

[6789]

SS4 going live now, this will give an indication of who is on the pace this weekend i think. 27km stage

[N.O.T]

it still is the first loop of stages so think the differences will be around the same...quite likely Loebs will improve but not by much.

The second loop shows the pace in an event i think where things are on equal basis as far as knowledge of the road at rally pace goes.

[N.O.T]

As expected Mr Loeb is back on form...

[6789]

As expected Mr Loeb is back on form...
Latvala and Solberg picking the pace up now, good fight

[N.O.T]

Ogier probably took it a bit easy here....

[Rallyper]

Ogier probably took it a bit easy here....

So, why should he suddenly do that....?

[N.O.T]

Solberg takes the overal lead ....Ogier reports that cleaning is heavy so Loeb might have a good day tommorow NZ style :)

[N.O.T]

So, why should he suddenly do that....?

not risk too much maybe since the rally is long ? and since he cleans the road he might want a better starting position tommorow

[N.O.T]

Lets see if the cart guy can be faster than the s2000s

[Rallyper]

not risk too much maybe since the rally is long ? and since he cleans the road he might want a better starting position tommorow

Yeah, that might be the big plan from the top Citroen drivers. Sad the surface should play that big role in the competition.

However I hope the french doesn´t think in those terms yet.... :(

[N.O.T]

Yeah, that might be the big plan from the top Citroen drivers. Sad the surface should play that big role in the competition.

However I hope the french doesn´t think in those terms yet.... :(

your future champ is also doing good....he manages to be faster than ketomaa so far....how many years before he is crowned ???

[N.O.T]

Solberg reports a puncture for the last 3kms...yet he still posted the fastest time...

[Rallyper]

your future champ is also doing good....he manages to be faster than ketomaa so far....how many years before he is crowned ???

two. :) :s mokin:

[6789]

If it rains that'll ruin all tactics, being out in front will be the way to go

[N.O.T]

thats quite realistic approach....

60 seconds lost in a 27 kms stage from Ogier who is also tackling the event for the first time....

what are the Initials for the Finnish unemployment office ???

[6789]

Petter quickest through SS5 :D

[wwbroe]

Who was saying again that Ketoma isn't really that fast? He is again clearly the fastest guy around in SWRC. :)

[pettersolberg29]

Who was saying again that Ketoma isn't really that fast? He is again clearly the fastest guy around in SWRC. :)

(ashamedly) That was me.

I'm still unsure as to his pace because its only him v. Prokop really. By the end of the rally, if he's still leading and hasn't retired and is still crushing Prokop then I MAY change my mind ;)

[Marre]

hello everybody, vas looking for a forum to talk to others about wrc and find this, is a little bit tired after been upp all night, soon the fight continues :)

[bluuford]

The stage should be live already?

[jonkka]

The stage should be live already?

Yeah, I suppose so...

[6789]

hello everybody, vas looking for a forum to talk to others about wrc and find this, is a little bit tired after been upp all night, soon the fight continues :)
Welcome :)

Perfect timezone here in Aus

Stage delayed for 30 mins i think, not sure why

[pettersolberg29]

Stage delayed due to an accident in first pass of stage. Now running.

Welcome Marre.

[jonkka]

Petter is missing a split

[Viking]

Loeb is really slow, too old, get him out of factory seat !... ;)

[6789]

Khalid Al Qassimi's car.. Ford panel beater will be busy again lol

http://twitpic.com/2my36s

[jonkka]

Since he's major breadwinner in the team, he's entitled to do that... :)

[pettersolberg29]

The Fords have a great setup for the afternoon it seems.

[pettersolberg29]

What a split between 4-5 for Petter! From 1.5 behind JML to 2.4 ahead!

[6789]

What a split between 4-5 for Petter! From 1.5 behind JML to 2.4 ahead!


:D

Mikko looking quick too

[Mintexmemory]

Go JML, ideal position for Day 2 :) (Also excellent for my Pickem as I suspected a steady finish attempt from Big Frog)

[N.O.T]

Tactics once more...lets see what the weather will be like.

[6789]

Tactics once more...lets see what the weather will be like.


Checked online and its 20% of rain, hope it pours lol

[Rallyper]

Checked online and its 20% of rain, hope it pours lol
No rain on Saturday in sapporo. Checked the sight yr.no.

[blissard]

No rain on Saturday in sapporo. Checked the sight yr.no.

yr.no is not to be trusted. They even have problems reporting the current weather correctly.

[JFL]

lol... yr.no get their data from japaneese meterologists.. ;)

[WRCfan]

Will be sunny turning to cloud tomorrow, Sunday has the stages turning from cloudy to sun. Yahoo Japan reports 0% chance of rain.

Will be interesting to see how accurate they are as when I check my weather for Tokyo where I live they have a very good accuracy rate.

[6789]

Will be sunny turning to cloud tomorrow, Sunday has the stages turning from cloudy to sun. Yahoo Japan reports 0% chance of rain.

Will be interesting to see how accurate they are as when I check my weather for Tokyo where I live they have a very good accuracy rate.

I just checked some website from a google search. Just want it to rain for Petter's sake. Hope he can stay in touch over the day

[Mirek]

I can understand Mickey Mouse stages included for crowds of spectators but why they hold 8 (!!!) such useless stages when there are almost no spectators on tribunes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5EKg5hXPiA&feature=player_embedded#

[dimviii]

]I can understand Mickey Mouse stages included for crowds of spectators but why they hold 8 (!!!) such useless stages when there are almost no spectators on tribunes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5EKg5hXPiA&feature=player_embedded#
+1

οrganizers must be more than spectators

[noel157]

]I can understand Mickey Mouse stages included for crowds of spectators but why they hold 8 (!!!) such useless stages when there are almost no spectators on tribunes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5EKg5hXPiA&feature=player_embedded#

I agree Mirek, 8 of them is a bit bit too much. I think they have no overall sponsor this year so I guess it's cheaper to run 8 Mr Mouse stages. The service park/area is in another dome/building that will be demolished as soon as the rally is over. Hard times.

[pettersolberg29]

Great video here - http://www.wrc.com/video/onboards/japan-2010-sick-solberg-leads-on-sikot-%28ss4%29/?vid=1731

Rarely hear Petter change the pace-notes during the stage on an onboard - amazing concentration all drivers have. Great stage too. Funny bit at the end too where Patterson asks Petter 'are you OK?' about 3 times, but Solberg doesn't here and gets angry and says 'WHAT!' 'cos he can't hear clearly. One of the best things about rallying in my opinion - the in-car banter.

[Barreis]

Where's T.Arai?

[Mirek]

He had a big crash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjx9SKMwRLU&feature=player_embedded

[Hipo1990]

Leg 1 Photos:
http://a.imagehost.org/t/0642/Rajd_Japonii_2010_Dzie_1_45.jpg (http://a.imagehost.org/view/0642/Rajd_Japonii_2010_Dzie_1_45)http://a.imagehost.org/t/0985/610x.jpg (http://a.imagehost.org/view/0985/610x)http://a.imagehost.org/t/0882/l.jpg (http://a.imagehost.org/view/0882/l)
http://www.daylife.com/search/photos/1/grid?q=Rally+Japan+2010
http://a.imagehost.org/view/0642/Rajd_Japonii_2010_Dzie_1_45

[Rallyper]

Why can´t WRR just give the local time in GMT+X??? That´s a big miss!

[Mirek]

Here You have timetable in CET: http://www.vysledky-rally.cz/

[Marre]

already awake, 2 hours to go... will there be stragedy when this day comes to an end, what do you guys think?

[6789]

already awake, 2 hours to go... will there be stragedy when this day comes to an end, what do you guys think?

Hope road cleaning isn't too bad

[N.O.T]

Hope road cleaning isn't too bad

Yes, and Loebs pace justifies just that.....

[N.O.T]

Around 15 minutes until the stage starts.

[Marre]

SS12 will be intresting, quite long... think hirvonen takes the lead on that stage.

[N.O.T]

Solberg on stage

[N.O.T]

Go Peter !!!!!

[jonkka]

What's up with Mikko?

[N.O.T]

Hirvonen did something and damaged his bumper

[Fide]

Petter : Am with you !!!!!! Hope this rally will be yours

[Fide]

Hirvonen spun this was the problem

[bt52b]

Wilson spun and stuck about one km from end of SS11

[jonkka]

As usual...

[6789]

Go Peter !!!!!

Awesome.

[jonkka]

JML taking it at full speed

[N.O.T]

Ooooops no split for peter....

[jonkka]

Yeh - likely a GPS glitch but we'll see...

[N.O.T]

Gps problem

[jonkka]

Yup, just a glitch...

[Fide]

Petter is losing much time....

[N.O.T]

the way the gaps are going we have a fight once more for the win.

[jonkka]

JML missing split too...

EDIT: Nope, computer glitch...

[jonkka]

And again...

[N.O.T]

Its been some time when we had a 4 way battle for the win and Loeb wasn't in it....

[jonkka]

It's been some time since we had a fight... no less than a 4 way...

[xavier]

It's been some time since we had a fight... no less than a 4 way...

New Zealand 2010 is not that far ago :)

[jonkka]

New Zealand 2010 is not that far ago :)

Touché

[6789]

Big push from Petter this afternoon, this is getting close!!

[Boudica]

Petter has gotten a 10 sec penalty for a jump start. :(

[6789]

Petter has gotten a 10 sec penalty for a jump start. :(
Yeah they said it was a jump of 0.1 sec..

Ken Rees said he will review the footage with the marshalls or something, so not sure what will happen. More than likely remian I would imagine.

[Boudica]

More than likely remian I would imagine.

Yep, a jump start is a jump start even if it is just 0.1 seconds.

[pavlos_a]

We will see tactics for sure... With so small differences none would like to be first or second
Third with 3-5 seconds difference from the lead is ideal!! Sordo can decide, and fight for his first win, and in gravel!

[jonkka]

We will see tactics for sure... With so small differences none would like to be first or second
Third with 3-5 seconds difference from the lead is ideal!! Sordo can decide, and fight for his first win, and in gravel!

Well, tomorrow is only 25 km's of stages to sweep so...

[6789]

Yep, a jump start is a jump start even if it is just 0.1 seconds.


Thats it, rules are rules.

Stage starting again now

[John V]

No way to discuss about anything if there is a jump start. Car starting line is 40 cm before photocell. Sorry for Petter, but his fault.

[ridder]

What's Loeb's pace about? Team has decided he has to win the title in France? Lack of motivation?

[pavlos_a]

What's Loeb's pace about? Team has decided he has to win the title in France? Lack of motivation?

Sordo slowing down for loeb to pass???

[jonkka]

Decisive stage underway...

[6789]

No way to discuss about anything if there is a jump start. Car starting line is 40 cm before photocell. Sorry for Petter, but his fault.

Oh cool, didn't know that

SS15 live now

[jonkka]

Petter again missing a split

[jonkka]

And again it's a GPS glitch

[jonkka]

Tactics? Or mistake?

[pettersolberg29]

Broken driveshaft for JML.

[6789]

Tactics? Or mistake?
Ogier playing tactics

Latvala breaking a driveshaft!

[pettersolberg29]

I can't stand this ;) - Petter is going to be first on the road isn't he? Meaning he'll come third (at best) unless it rains. Maybe Petter will be cunning, lose 10s then tempt Ogier or Mikko to not play tactics? Hopeful thinking...

[Mintexmemory]

Where did JML break his d/s? That's a great time if there was a mech problem with the car. Only 3 short stages left, hope he can limp on to service as the championship would retain a bit more interest imho if he wins. Certain not to be first on the road tomorrow. the 17km stage will be crucial tomorrow

From wrc.com about Wilson' retirement :
"I remember when Richard [Burns] retired on the way into service on the Safari Rally [in 2002] - I’ve got an insight into how he must have felt at that time."
He is not comparing himself to the right person, Richard was a top class driver going for the championship who retired in a silly way and was extremely disapointed.
Wilslon jr. is finishing every rally at about 5 to 10 minutes behind the leader and should compare himself to Al Qassimi or perhaps Villagra or Block and not even H Solberg; that is more in his ballpark.
Good thing that according to him, Japan is one of the places where he has always gone well......??? Really? In terms of position, yes because no one goes there but not in stage times.
Ridiculous.

[jonkka]

JML was both fortunate and unfortunate with his drive shaft. It happened at good time but he lost a tad too much for comfort...

[ridder]

now what about giving Ogier a penalty for bringing the sport to disrespect no?

[Karukera]

He's a rookie only imitating adults of the likes of Loeb, Hirvonen and co...

[noel157]

now what about giving Ogier a penalty for bringing the sport to disrespect no?

Disrespectful? In what way? Haven't been listening to RR.

[bennizw]

Gaaah, I hate the fact that they don´t reverse the top 10 for the next day. Petter has no chance for tomorrow, unless it rains..

[pino]

Petter deserves this win so let's hope for some heavy rain :D

[bluuford]

Well, seeing him first on the road, it looks like there is not too much disadvantage. Loeb was just awfully slow during the first day. Today he had superb roadposition and he could not win a single stage. Lets face it that he is not the man to beat right now in Japan. He just takes it easy to make one step closer to his next tile. It was not possible that driver nr 2 is so much faster like Ogier was yesterday.

[blissard]

It all depends on the conditions on SS20/23 Naekawa. Petter won SS11/14 Nikara today, so it's definitely possible.

[ridder]

FIA stressed the possible sanctions for bringing the sport to disrespect after the Jordan mess. Since then the tactics were still there, but not as visible. Running a bit slower all day, or loosing some time in one stage sometime during the middle of the day.

Now with Ogier loosing 10 seconds in last section of last SS, it's back to easily visible tactics. FIA should penalize him to make sure those don't come back.

But who's going to protest? Ford, when Hirvonen can easily be accused of the same move? Don't think so. Solberg when his fate for next year is basically in Citroen's hands? Doesn't leave anyone else.

[blissard]

Now with Ogier loosing 10 seconds in last section of last SS, it's back to easily visible tactics. FIA should penalize him to make sure those don't come back.

Oh come on, it's not his fault, it's the stupid rules.

[Francis44]

C'mon dont be naive, it's obvious Ogier is being commanded by the Citroen team, he is running as an official car and he is basically a muppet able do recieve orders, but he has do do it in order to keep Citroen bosses happy.

Plus reversed order was much better, faster guys had the road clean and the slower ones had it dirty, that is how it should have stayed.

[ridder]

he is basically a muppet able do recieve orders, but he has do do it in order to keep Citroen bosses happy.


Yes, that's why there should be a sanction that will keep the bosses from issuing these kinds of orders. Whether it should be a time penalty for Ogier or Citroen not getting any points, that's another story.

But there won't be any penalty because of the reasons I wrote above and because FIA wants to keep Sunday exciting, just like last year with Citroen sanction in Australia.

[ProRally]

Just back from service, managed to see the cars 5 times today !!! Stages where very soft....
Tomorrow reports stages to be harder surface and lets hope it stays dry.

[Tomi]

Just back from service, managed to see the cars 5 times today !!! Stages where very soft....
Tomorrow reports stages to be harder surface and lets hope it stays dry.

Has anyone impressed?

[Viking]

Sebastien Ogier were missing the officiale press conference, he were needed in an official matter!? (from Petters blog)

[Sulland]

Petter deserves it, but I think Loeb has more control than I hope for.

He is developing tactical skills as another frenchman nicked "The Professor"
I hope Petter will be able to beat them and prove that tactics stinks and that flat out is best !

[noel157]

Petter deserves it, but I think Loeb has more control than I hope for.

He is developing tactical skills as another frenchman nicked "The Professor"
I hope Petter will be able to beat them and prove that tactics stinks and that flat out is best !


I agree, flat out, maximum attack, first on the road or not.

[N.O.T]

I hope Solberg or Ogier wins i will be happy for both these guys....but maybe they both hit problems and we have the kid wins since according to fords official site has his mojo back.

[bluuford]

Well, I will put my money on Latvala :-) Solberg is also good, then we have 5 different winners in WRC in 2010. That is something that has not happened very long time. Last time we had 4 different winners was already 5 years ago, in 2005

[pettersolberg29]

Any other Solberg fans out there feeling a little bit ill? If he wins then this board will go into meltdown I'm sure, and my neighbourhood will be woken up at 3am with a weirdo screaming through the streets!

However - unfortunately all I see happening is a crash as he pushes too hard. Pray I'm wrong...

[I am evil Homer]

C'mon dont be naive, it's obvious Ogier is being commanded by the Citroen team, he is running as an official car and he is basically a muppet able do recieve orders, but he has do do it in order to keep Citroen bosses happy.

Plus reversed order was much better, faster guys had the road clean and the slower ones had it dirty, that is how it should have stayed.

I disagree if the rules were different we wouldn't see this sort of thing. FIA can't do anything because it shows them up as having inadequate rules in the first place.

We have seen Ford and Citroën clearly use tactics. Yes it stinks but they're using the rules to their maximum advantage to win.

[bassist]

Any other Solberg fans out there feeling a little bit ill? If he wins then this board will go into meltdown I'm sure, and my neighbourhood will be woken up at 3am with a weirdo screaming through the streets!

However - unfortunately all I see happening is a crash as he pushes too hard. Pray I'm wrong...

I said to Julian Porter (WRC On Line) to wish Petter good luck before he left for Japan for this weekends event! I hope and pray that it will be Petter on the top step of the Podium tomorrow.If anyof the current crop of drivers deserves this win then he does. Go for it my son, but for gods sake `dont tip it`. I will be waking the neighbours too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marre]

does enybody know the weather over there right now? Has it been raining?

[6789]

Needless to say I'm hoping for a Petter victory!! So close, I know he can do it

[6789]

does enybody know the weather over there right now? Has it been raining?

iRally iPhone app is reporting that there is low cloud cover but now rain. Temps up to 26 degrees C

[MikeD]

I hope for a Petter or Ogier win - I think Loeb is too far behind.

[Gard]

Wonder if Patterson is getting any sleep tonight?

[blissard]

I just can't have my hopes too high with Petter. He really really deserves to win, but first on the road is gonna be very difficult :( If he was the one on 3rd place, 5 sec behind 1st, I would be a little more at ease.

Everything is possible, he can lose a lot of time, he can gain some, he can push too hard and crash, puncture... but so can the others! It's gonna be nerve wrecking.

Edit: I just realised they start in a few minutes! Oh man..

[Fide]

ONE minute to go. Go GO Go Petter !!!!!!!!!

[pettersolberg29]

Mikko slower than Petter by 0.7s!

[pettersolberg29]

Ogier very quick. Game on. Not looking forward to the next 17km stage now (as a Solberg fan).

[MikeD]

Damn irritating that splits aren't working :(

[blissard]

The stage is too short for splits.

[blissard]

Loeb fastest.

[jonkka]

The stage is too short for splits.

Huh? Working splits should at least show final time...

[N.O.T]

Lets see how high can Loeb finish...

[pettersolberg29]

Ogier's decision to lose 10s and drop behind Mikko as well as Petter looks to be a good one. Both Petter and Mikko the two slowest through so far - maybe the effect of sweeping hits the top 2, with Ogier in 3rd getting an easier time of it.

[MikeD]

Kimi is off - now that's a surprise :D

[blissard]

Huh? Working splits should at least show final time...

Are you sure? Doesn't show on the other short stages here.

[MR666]

I would like the split times to be workinf on wrc site.

There was another site that some one put a link to a few rallys ago that shows the times. But I cant find the link can some one re-post it plz.

[MR666]

Are you sure? Doesn't show on the other short stages here.

mmm you might be right.

[jonkka]

Are you sure? Doesn't show on the other short stages here.

In the past it has - I think. Maybe that's changed then...

[N.O.T]

It doesn't look very good for peter though....

[MR666]

Do the drivers even like all the short stages, to me its a bit of a joke.

[Marre]

Mikko had problems whit gearchanges according to WRC Radio, but he said he think he can fix it.

[N.O.T]

I think kimi focuses more on cheeseburgers than driving fast these days.....

[pettersolberg29]

Petter, in my view, needs to be within 7s of the lead after the next two stages to stand a chance of a win. With no disadvantage being 1st on the road second time through, Petter could easily win the last 3 stages I think.

[N.O.T]

the WRC.com and the radio look more like the official ford website and radio....they are so pathetic they even provide excuses before ford does...good for them.

[xavier]

Lets see how high can Loeb finish...

Not higher than 5th. I sure hope Citroen wont ask Sordo to drop behind him.

If Seb pass JML Citroen it would mathematically ensure the driver Championship to one of the Sebs. Also , they sould just need to score as many points than Ford in France to clinch the manufacturer Championship.

[Sulland]

Ridiculously stupid stages for a last day. Its like a mini rally, not WRC !

2x17 km the rest are sub 5 km - how has this been approved ?

[pettersolberg29]

Ridiculously stupid stages for a last day. Its like a mini rally, not WRC !

2x17 km the rest are sub 5 km - how has this been approved ?

And 2 of them are SSS which have already been run 6 times!

[MikeD]

the WRC.com and the radio look more like the official ford website and radio....they are so pathetic they even provide excuses before ford does...good for them.

Agree, Becks is always about to strip naked when she's interviewing Hirvonen. Collin does seem neutral though....

Would be nice in Becks and Simon the Pot head would be replaced with some proper commentators.

[pettersolberg29]

Hypothetically, if Loeb won this next stage by 15/20s then could he win the rally? Anybody else and I'd say no chance, but this is Loeb. Sorry - just rambling...

[AndyRAC]

Ridiculously stupid stages for a last day. Its like a mini rally, not WRC !

2x17 km the rest are sub 5 km - how has this been approved ?

I did wonder that. It would be better having a 2 day Rally like Finland. Oh, and 8 runs of the SuperSpecial...... :confused: Rally Japan need a sponsor, and quick, or hope a Japanese Manufacturer joins the WRC.

[blissard]

Stage is live, come ooooon now Petter!

[Josti]

I also think it's a weak rally, not competition wise of course, that's pretty exciting so far. But no wonder it got canned for next year.

[jonkka]

Seems it's Ogi vs Petter, Mikko can't keep up...

[pettersolberg29]

Big gap in the splits - 5 mins without a split could be interesting.

[Josti]

Bye Hirvonen...

[pettersolberg29]

Mikko out of it. +15s to Petter. Ogier flying.

[MR666]

Bugger me can the Ford guys get any luck

[jonkka]

uh-oh...

[MR666]

Short stages and no service... this rally is a joke.

[pettersolberg29]

Ogier surely into the lead.

[jonkka]

Ogi is about to take the lead

[Rallyper]

If Loeb would be as unlucky as the Ford guys he wouldn´t have been WDC nor this year or last.

Now it´s the technical, not the lads.

[N.O.T]

Tech problems for mikko....

[ProRally]

Short stages and no service... this rally is a joke.

Today yes, yesterday was at end of 33km stage and drivers where sweating :D :D :D

[Rallyper]

Why should they even drive in Japan when public´s not aloud in the forest....?? :confused: :mad: :mad:

[jonkka]

And marshals wear crash helmets... :D

[N.O.T]

rallyper please contact your future 2 year plan cheeseburger boy he needs to be on the stages to gain the experience he needs to be champ.

Ogier goes for Win No2.

[blissard]

Strange splits from Loeb and Sordo.

[Rallyper]

Ketomaa and Prokop doing nice times at first split - they don´t even know themselves (the organizer) that it´s one minute now.... :p

[blissard]

Henning must have had problems.

[MikeD]

Hmmm could we end up with a 1-2-3 Citroën without Loeb being one of them? - That would be a rare one.

[bluuford]

Well, Loeb has been really disappointing in this rally. Same to Mikko. At the same time Petter, Ogier and Latvala.. great!

[ProRally]

Loeb wants to celebrate his 7th title at home in Rally France :D :D :D

[Josti]

Well, Loeb has been really disappointing in this rally. Same to Mikko. At the same time Petter, Ogier and Latvala.. great!

Loeb ain't driving on full potential, there's no need. He knows he's going to be champion in either France or Spain. Mikko did ok actually, but it's over now.

[blissard]

Petter losing only 5.5 secs on this one, it could have been way worse, well done!

Villagra in trouble too it seems.

[ARF]

I'd say Loeb's exceptional! The master of tactics.

[N.O.T]

I'd say Loeb's exceptional! The master of tactics.

explain please....

[Rallyper]

I'd say Loeb's exceptional! The master of tactics.

Yes, but sad for the sport in one way,and good at the time, when others are permitted to win... :dozey:

[MikeD]

Henning must have had problems.

Doesn't he always?

[awake27]

Strange splits from Loeb and Sordo.
We don't have any quotes from the drivers at the end of the stage but I suspect maybe the road got destroyed at the narrow part? Or maybe they slowed down to protect the tyres. Or just lack of confidence.

[MikeD]

Referring to the discussion at WRR:

Is it correct that the last privateer winning a WRC rally was in 1981? Wasn't there a Ford privateer who won a rally in the beginning of the 90'ies? (Seem to remember a green Ford in a tarmac event)

[N.O.T]

Vatanen was a privateer as much as Loeb was a privateer with the kronos team

[MikeD]

Vatanen was a privateer as much as Loeb was a privateer with the kronos team

I looked it up and Franco Cunico won San Remo in 1993 and he wasn't with the factory Ford team.

[AndyRAC]

Referring to the discussion at WRR:

Is it correct that the last privateer winning a WRC rally was in 1981? Wasn't there a Ford privateer who won a rally in the beginning of the 90'ies? (Seem to remember a green Ford in a tarmac event)

Think your remembering the Monte 1996, when it wasn't a full WRC event, F2 only - and a Escort RS Cosworth won, Bernardini I think.

[ARF]

explain please....
He didn't have to win in Finland nor Japan. He wins where he wants, where it suits. Where it's best for him and Citroen. He's just so much better than the other drivers out there. Clever guy and a smart team behind him.
By the way, by reading your posts... go have a ****.

[Josti]

F2 events aren't counted as far as I remember, so it's indeed Franco Cunico in '93.

[pettersolberg29]

Where's Petter? :s

edit: there - slower time than Loeb's first run though.

[Fide]

wrc radio is playing music and no splits...

[pettersolberg29]

WRR is a shambles sometimes!

[pettersolberg29]

Ogier faster :(

[jonkka]

WRR service as usual... :eek:

[xavier]

where's Sordo?

and again WRR is just not even noticing!

Edit: ok, they see a time for Sordo that we don'd on the web...

[N.O.T]

He didn't have to win in Finland nor Japan. He wins where he wants, where it suits. Where it's best for him and Citroen. He's just so much better than the other drivers out there. Clever guy and a smart team behind him.
By the way, by reading your posts... go have a ****.

yes but that isn't tactics....

its just normal behaviour of someone who has the championship in the bag....

cheeseburger kid fan ?

[bt52b]

there are some stage end info texts, click info tab
http://www.vysledky-rally.cz/vysledky/?id=22

[N.O.T]

lets see if this stage is the decisive one...

[bretddog]

Damn! Petter said at end of SS21 in Norwegian he had a technical problem, but "will try to get through"..

[WRCfan]

Hope Petter storms through this stage. Petter deserves the win for sure.

It's been a close weekend and insanely hard fought.

@ARF: You put your foot in it now mate, N.O.T won't let you get away easily, should have kept it zipped haha.