Rally of Scotland 2011

[RS]

i think Bouffier fixed his brakes...

[focus206]

Not bad Bouffier, I thought he was going to be more in trouble in Scotland.

[N.O.T]

Puncture for mikkelsen...but should be enough.

[RS]

Andreas should be safe for the win now unless he does a JML and sticks it in a wall around Scone Palace.

[Barreis]

Garde slower then Neuville.

[RS]

Garde slower then Neuville.

Is that a surprise?

[Barreis]

No but I don't like this. Follow him from ibiza kit car win in Monte Carlo.

[AndyRAC]

No but I don't like this. Follow him from ibiza kit car win in Monte Carlo.

Hmm, 1999 I think, in an Astra Racing run version. Then later that season a 3rd in NZ in the Seat Cordoba WRC.
Was out at the Cambrian Rally yesterday, so SKY+ all the coverage. Some good drives, Mikkelsen seems to the pace & consistency. Neuville needs more experience of gravel - he's quick but is making mistakes. Kopecky has been disappointing in my view.

Let's hope this event runs next year - fantastic stages, scenery and a good entry this year.

[MJW]

Let's hope this event runs next year - fantastic stages, scenery and a good entry this year.
Is there a doubt that the rally runs in 2012? I thought it was whether it was February or March?

[AndyRAC]

Is there a doubt that the rally runs in 2012? I thought it was whether it was February or March?

I presume it's running, as you say, it's whether it runs in February, and clashes with Rally Sweden. They can't run after March because of the capercaillie breeding, or so I read. Hope it doesn't clash with Sweden - and hope the BRC somehow include it, though I won't hold my breath.

[bluuford]

Julien was wrong.. if it ends like this then Skoda will be IRC Champion 2011 today!

[dimviii]

How will be the drivers points if they finished as they are now with the x 1,5 rule?

[tolis]

37.5, 27, 22,5...

[Hartusvuori]

Congratulations to Mikkelsen! Well deserved victory and like it has been pointed - at last!

It must be said that they don't run international rallies in Scotland like they do nowadays elsewhere. Imagine a WRC event ending at Sunday evening after the darkness had fallen. Must've been long days for fans on stages.

[dimviii]

37.5, 27, 22,5...

I mean the total points for drivers Tolis.


υγ μην βαριεσαι λολ

Congrats to Andreas for a win was waiting for long time.Fast and controlling the rally with Juho is not something easy
Also congrats to Neuville.Fast learner even at gravel.
Wilks would like to forget the whole year.When he was fast ,he had exits.When no exits breakdowns.
Kopecky not at all good for a champion.With such a pace from Jan i think that Juho MUST go to Cyprus...

[oph]

Congratz Andreas! :) Beautiful!!

[Hartusvuori]

Guy Wilks stopped on final stage for engine problems. He is having the most unbelievable bad luck I've seen in a long time. Hope he would get another chance for 2012 because he for sure is fast driver.

[bluuford]

So, points
Skoda: 316.5 points
Peugeot: 241.5 points
Ford: 107 points
Subaru: 79 points
Mitsu: 73 points
Proton: 41 points
Honda: 34 points
Abarth 15 points

It is not mathematically possible for Pug to catch Skoda anymore. Difference is only 75 points, but you have to make -27 for Peugeot beacuse it is their seventh best score so far.

Drivers should be:
1. Kopecky 131 points
2. Hänninen 125 points
3. Neuville 115 points
4. Mikkelsen 111.5 points
5. Bouffier 110.5 points
6. Loix 103 points

[RS]

Guy Wilks stopped on final stage for engine problems. He is having the most unbelievable bad luck I've seen in a long time. Hope he would get another chance for 2012 because he for sure is fast driver.

So in the end his crash didn't make much difference :(

I agree. Wilks has some speed in him but he made some errors this year and also many unusual problems with the car. Peugeot UK bring a lot to IRC and I hope they continue.

Great drive by Andreas. He is really good on UK soil, he dominated sWRC in Wales last year too. Maybe VW will pick him and Juho for WRC Wales this year, but it will probably be some strange choice instead.

It seems Andreas has closed right in on Juho now on all surfaces, and maybe even ahead. Cyprus could be interesting!

Another good IRC drive by Breen. It would be great to see him with a full programme next year.

Interesting rally, nice stages. Hope it runs again, if it's in the spring and the entry is good again I might go.

[RS]

So, points
Skoda: 316.5 points
Peugeot: 241.5 points
Ford: 107 points

It is not mathematically possible for Pug to catch Skoda anymore. Difference is only 75 points, but you have to make -27 for Peugeot beacuse it is their seventh best score so far.

Drivers should be:
1. Kopecky 131 points
2. Hänninen 125 points
3. Neuville 115 points
4. Mikkelsen 111.5 points
5. Bouffier 110.5 points
6. Loix 103 points

That's great. That means any of the top 6 can still take the title!

[Viking]

Finally Andreas! Perfectly done :champion:

[focus206]

Congratulations to Mikkelsen! Finally a win! He deserved it. :)
Great performance also by Bouffier and Neuville, a bit unlucky... instead I'm not happy at all about Kopecky.
Now, if I'm right, the winner of Cyprus will gain 50 points, so who can still win the title mathematically?

[dimviii]

Drivers should be:
1. Kopecky 131 points
2. Hänninen 125 points
3. Neuville 115 points
4. Mikkelsen 111.5 points
5. Bouffier 110.5 points
6. Loix 103 points

Thanks for calculation bluuford.

So Skoda must shoot their head to lose the drivers.I really dont think that Neuville or Bouffier can win in Cyprus.

[hari]

According to Rallyradio Wilks lost a wheel in the last stage, no engine failure.

[bluuford]

So, Mathematically are those:
Drivers should be:
1. Kopecky 131 points (15)
2. Hänninen 125 points (0)
3. Neuville 115 points (8)
4. Mikkelsen 111.5 points (8)
5. Bouffier 110.5 points (6)
6. Loix 103 points (0)

I also added minus points in the brackets (when they have 7 scores already then they have to better their worst score to increase their points haul)
Last round points will be:
1. 50
2. 36
3. 30
4. 24
5. 20
6. 16
7. 12
8. 8
9. 4
10. 2
It will be open fight

IRC 2WD cup title fight should be between five drivers:
1. Albertini 83 points
2. Raoux 70 points
3. Kangur 53.5 points
4. Puskadi 47.5
5. Guglielmi 40 points

So, 5 drivers there. Kangur wont be there as far as I know

and Production cup, four drivers:

1. Gonon 70 points
2. Arai 61.5 points
3. Cavigioli 37 points
4. Nutahara 32.5 points

[NoFear85]

Bluuford yes, you are right, but if i count right is Hanninen the only one who doesn't 7 score counted. I think Loix is out, because of surface. Battle is open between Hanninen and Mikkelsen, maybee Neuville. Really good season, all is open before last rally

[Hartusvuori]

^ So if Mikkelsen wins Cyprus, Hänninen must be third or second to take the title? If Mikkelsen is second and someone other than Hänninen wins, Hänninen must be sixth or higher to take the title? Mikkelsen points will be position minus 8 points, if I understand right. For Hänninen's title chances, first he needs to get to the island.

[AndyRAC]

Congratulations to Mikkelsen! Well deserved victory and like it has been pointed - at last!

It must be said that they don't run international rallies in Scotland like they do nowadays elsewhere. Imagine a WRC event ending at Sunday evening after the darkness had fallen. Must've been long days for fans on stages.

Which is why the IRC is such a good series - events are all different!! Long may that continue..

Yeah, well done to Andreas, finally putting speed & consistency together!! A well deserved win!!

As for the Championship - well, will Skoda send Juho?? They should, but will they? They seem to want Jan to win it, but his performances recently have been pretty poor. Andreas can still win it - the next few days will tell us.

[RS]

I am sure they will send Juho. I don't think it's a case of wanting Kopecky to win it, just that they want a Skoda driver to win and to do it in the cheapest way! They will send Juho because they don't want to risk a Peugeot driver winning.

[Hartusvuori]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/lupatarkastaja/Pre-CyprusIRC2011-1-1.jpg

I did some calculating - in which I'm not good at - and tried to lay out all the options for points after Cyprus. It is presented in a picture and the service provider downscales it quite a lot, it's blurred, but if you click to see the image, it should be readable. If you see mistakes, please point out.

[Hartusvuori]

According to Rallyradio Wilks lost a wheel in the last stage, no engine failure.

Peugeot Sport tweets:
https://twitter.com/#%21/peugeotsport




Last stage : Wilks retired (engine)

[Mirek]

I think that now it is virtually impossible for Jan Kopecký to win the title because I don't believe he can be so fast on Cyprus. Therefore I'm sure Juho will be there. But even with him there is one interesting point - neither him, nor Jan were there last year. Andreas Mikkelsen and Bryan Bouffier are the only top runners who were there. And I think that on Cyprus even Nasser can play some role in the title gamble...

[hari]

Peugeot Sport tweets:
https://twitter.com/#%21/peugeotsport

IRC Intercontinental Rally Challenge (http://www.ircseries.com/html/readnews.asp?id=3208) reports:

..Wilks was heading to ninth but stopped on the very last stage when he took a wheel off his 207 S2000...

Dont know what is the right version.

[hari]

I think that now it is virtually impossible for Jan Kopecký to win the title because I don't believe he can be so fast on Cyprus. Therefore I'm sure Juho will be there. But even with him there is one interesting point - neither him, nor Jan were there last year. Andreas Mikkelsen and Bryan Bouffier are the only top runners who were there. And I think that on Cyprus even Nasser can play some role in the title gamble...

In comparison to last year there are only some kilometers of stages the same and those are driven in opposite direction. So it should be new to all.

[Mirek]

I don't agree because the experience of driving Cyprian tarmac stages on gravel tyres is quite unique.

[hari]

I don't agree because the experience of driving Cyprian tarmac stages on gravel tyres is quite unique.

Ok. thats a point!

[wwbroe]

Some friends of mine were at last stage and Wilks definetely ripped a wheel off, as it happened right in front of them. So no engine problems but just a second off, i think he will have a difficult time finding another drive next year.

[focus206]

I think that now it is virtually impossible for Jan Kopecký to win the title because I don't believe he can be so fast on Cyprus. Therefore I'm sure Juho will be there. But even with him there is one interesting point - neither him, nor Jan were there last year. Andreas Mikkelsen and Bryan Bouffier are the only top runners who were there. And I think that on Cyprus even Nasser can play some role in the title gamble...

I wouldn't count Kopecky out... I think that in Cyprus he will do the same as in Scotland, he will "waits"... and since Cyprus has very "hard" and difficult roads, they may be many retirements and problems, so this tactic could pay, but obviously it's always difficult make predictions.

[J4MIE]

It was announced at the podium this evening that the rally will continue for at least another three years :up: Hopefully some of you think about coming to visit ;)

[PLuto]

It was announced at the podium this evening that the rally will continue for at least another three years :up: Hopefully some of you think about coming to visit ;)

I would like to come to Scotland, but I dont like this cold, rainy and muddy weather...

[focus206]

It was announced at the podium this evening that the rally will continue for at least another three years :up: Hopefully some of you think about coming to visit ;)

To me the roads of Rally Scotland are wonderful, also Scotland has one of the most beautiful landscape of the world, so I'd like to come over there :)

[AndyRAC]

It was announced at the podium this evening that the rally will continue for at least another three years :up: Hopefully some of you think about coming to visit ;)

Great news!! I went in 2009, I very much hope I'll be there next year. Hope it doesn't clash with anything.

[Leon]

In comparison to last year there are only some kilometers of stages the same and those are driven in opposite direction. So it should be new to all.

Also consider that last year we did not have any rain in Cyprus until mid December so the stages were very hard, dry and dusty. This year, especially in the area of the rally there was and still is a lot of raining. If the weather continuous like that it may end up as the 2002 WRC event.

[Wim_Impreza]

I would like to come to Scotland, but I dont like this cold, rainy and muddy weather...

Next year, when the rally is supposed to be in February, it will be much warmer in Scotland than in the Czech Republic at that time... And it wasn't cold in Scotland last weekend, as it was nearly 20 degrees.

It is good to see that there is an IRC rally on gravel without dust.

[Hartusvuori]

Here's a link (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m1Xsl7HBFb8/TpKdIvdy7PI/AAAAAAAAAAs/yQ3eQds5SaU/s1280/Pre-Cyprus%252520IRC%2525202011-1.jpg) to a bigger and more readable version of the points score table I made yesterday.

[I am evil Homer]

I mean the total points for drivers Tolis.


υγ μην βαριεσαι λολ

Congrats to Andreas for a win was waiting for long time.Fast and controlling the rally with Juho is not something easy
Also congrats to Neuville.Fast learner even at gravel.
Wilks would like to forget the whole year.When he was fast ,he had exits.When no exits breakdowns.
Kopecky not at all good for a champion.With such a pace from Jan i think that Juho MUST go to Cyprus...

Agree with all of this. Andreas was very good....Neuville impressed with his learning even after some mistakes. Bouffier too.

Wilks, Gardemeister...both too slow and in Guy's case so careless that I think next year he will struggle to find a seat if Peugeot UK decide to pull the funding.

Kopecky...just a bad day at the office I guess? Never seemed like he was on it in Scotland.

[Hartusvuori]

I wouldn't count Kopecky out... I think that in Cyprus he will do the same as in Scotland, he will "waits"... and since Cyprus has very "hard" and difficult roads, they may be many retirements and problems, so this tactic could pay, but obviously it's always difficult make predictions.

Waiting for others' mistakes won't be an option for Jan in Cyprus. He practically must finish first to win the title. Hänninen has the upper hand, I think, but better not to think about whole the time while waiting for the rally to start and finish.

Jarkko Nikara was handed the Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy. He so deserved it. In his website it says that he had a puncture right before he went wide and got stranded in a ditch.

[RS]

Jarkko Nikara was handed the Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy. He so deserved it. In his website it says that he had a puncture right before he went wide and got stranded in a ditch.

I was actually going to post the opposite! He did some good stages but he wasn't that much quicker than Bogie I thought and also didn't finish the rally. Andreas definitely would have had it, but I guess they don't like to give it to the same person twice in one year?

[RS]

Kopecky...just a bad day at the office I guess? Never seemed like he was on it in Scotland.

I feel the same way about Kopecky as I do about Mikko Hirvonen. Capable but always a bit too cautious.

I can imagine him being a bit better in Cyprus if the conditions aren't too tricky - he was much closer to the pace on Azores than he was here.

[Francis44]

I think since his crash in Ypres shakedown he started taking it a bit too easy.

[Wim_Impreza]

I was actually going to post the opposite! He did some good stages but he wasn't that much quicker than Bogie I thought and also didn't finish the rally. Andreas definitely would have had it, but I guess they don't like to give it to the same person twice in one year?

Neuville had the Colin McRae Flat Out Trophy already three times this year. I really don't understand why Mikkelsen didn't receive it as he did a very good rally.

Loix had the Trophy in Sanremo and now in Scotland they gave it again to a driver who retired from the rally...

[I am evil Homer]

RS - I can see the comparisons.

Totally forgot Breen who I thought showed great promise again...now if only he could get some funding he may just have a rally career.

[Francis44]

Loix had the Trophy in Sanremo and now in Scotland they gave it again to a driver who retired from the rally...

So....Whats wrong with that?! After all this trophy has Colin Mcrae written on it :D .

[Barreis]

This is a second ligue of rally sport but very good.

[Gregor-y]

Other than the cars I'd say the events have been much better than anything the WRC has done for a few years. And that's before you look at live coverage for events like Monte Carlo. It's positively puts the WRC to shame.

[J4MIE]

Some more pics from my event:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/311315_10150862250855612_529115611_21298076_171648 8954_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310106_10150862251780612_529115611_21298088_191985 8302_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/320960_10150862252095612_529115611_21298093_696495 993_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/312714_10150862253475612_529115611_21298108_125919 3658_n.jpg

[J4MIE]

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300349_10150862253575612_529115611_21298109_176253 4768_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/293918_10150862255055612_529115611_21298118_145180 7850_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/311860_10150862268535612_529115611_21298176_239270 915_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/316805_10150862272405612_529115611_21298205_141134 6592_n.jpg

[J4MIE]

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/309826_10150862273675612_529115611_21298222_880641 958_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297552_10150862274180612_529115611_21298230_472512 280_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/309306_10150862296925612_529115611_21298490_622892 711_n.jpg

For those of you who weren't sure how rough it was.............
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/294376_10150862297840612_529115611_21298497_107737 9525_n.jpg
(PS Before any of you moan, I didn't have time to move the rock before the car arrived, I moved it afterwards)

[J4MIE]

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/294824_10150862298875612_529115611_21298506_125074 7414_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300815_10150862299165612_529115611_21298512_788246 282_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300462_10150862299750612_529115611_21298524_153304 3854_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/315563_10150862300020612_529115611_21298529_782306 668_n.jpg

[pettersolberg29]

Great photos Jamie - do you have a high-def one of the one 3rd from bottom through the trees? That is begging to be on my desktop ;)

[Barreis]

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/309826_10150862273675612_529115611_21298222_880641 958_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297552_10150862274180612_529115611_21298230_472512 280_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/309306_10150862296925612_529115611_21298490_622892 711_n.jpg

For those of you who weren't sure how rough it was.............
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/294376_10150862297840612_529115611_21298497_107737 9525_n.jpg
(PS Before any of you moan, I didn't have time to move the rock before the car arrived, I moved it afterwards)

Nice zero legacy.

[dimviii]

nice photos from Lubos Kubele -ewrc.cz
eWRC.cz - Fotogalerie Rally of Scotland 2011 (http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=1228&fotograf=104&all=1)

[Mirek]

Photos of Miroslav Knedla: Autosport : IRC - RACMSA Rally of Scotland (IRC) (http://www.autosport.cz/zavody/fotogalerie.php?id=911&autor=62)