[IRC] Targa Florio Rally

[RS]

Any news on entries?

Presume Mikkelsen will go, Skoda Motorsport with one car, Basso, Andreucci, Scandola?

[EightGear]

Vic Elford, Toine Hezemans, Nino Vaccarella?


Oh wait that was a different Targa Florio.

I'm curious too. With Ypres just one week later it is quite a risk to start on Sicily...

[focus206]

I read there are going to be only 4 SS (repeated) :\

[PLuto]

Vic Elford, Toine Hezemans, Nino Vaccarella?


Oh wait that was a different Targa Florio.

I'm curious too. With Ypres just one week later it is quite a risk to start on Sicily...

But if you want points, what is easier - Targa or Ypres?

[werner]

Be sure, if IRC find an Organizer with 200K ++, that Rally can be held on 24th of December, it will be inside of Calendar.

[Bartolbia84]

CSome players taking part:
Andreucci, Perico, Runfola, Gamba, Albertini (207 S2000)
Scandola, Sir, Mikkelsen, Kopecky (Skoda S2000)
Campedelli, Cogni (Citroen DS3 R3T)
Low, Riolo (RRC or Fiesta S2000)
Rendina (Lancer EVO X)
Nucita, Curial (C2 R2)
Sciessere (Clio S1600)
Ferrarotti (Megane RS)

[Tom206wrc]

Not more news with almost 2 weeks to go :confused:

[WRCKE]

no and there is also no entry list online,strange with only 2 weeks to go

[hari]

no and there is also no entry list online,strange with only 2 weeks to go

Closing date for Entries is on June 8th.

[RS]

It's Italy, if we're lucky the entry list will be released before the start.

[bluuford]

It's Italy, if we're lucky the entry list will be released before the start.

Yeah, last year we were lucky to see the list beofre the first car finished in San Remo. However, Martin Kangur will be there with his Honda as well:-)

[WRCKE]

Craig Breen (https://www.facebook.com/craig.breen1)
We're going to @IRCRally Targa Florio with HRT Motorsport and the Peugeot 207 S2000! Fantastic!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

http://www.hrtmotorsport.it/WebGFX/Vetture/Peugeot207/icona_big.jpg

Anyone know much about HRT ? Why would Breen move from Santeloc ?

[pino]

S2000
Andreucci- Andreussi Peugeot 207 Racing Lions
Basso- Dotta Ford Fiesta A-Style
Scandola- D' Amore Skoda Fabia Car Racing
Gamba- Inglesi Peugeot 207 Casarano Racing
Perico- Carrara Peugeot 207 P.A. Racing
Mikkelsen- Floene Skoda Fabia
Kopecky- Dresler Skoda Fabia
Hanninen- Markkula Skoda Fabia
Wiegand- Gottschlak Skoda Fabia
Gassner- Wicha Skoda Fabia
Runfola- Lo Neri Peugeot 207 Delta Rally
Riolo- xxx Peugeot 207 ???
Signor- Bernardi Skoda Fabia New Turbomark
Albertini- Scattolin Peugeot 207 Racing Lions ???
Al Ketbi- Khalid Skoda Fabia

R4
Tempestini- Pulpea Subaru Impreza

N4
Rendina- Pizzuti Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X Rally Project
Ferrarotti- Fenoli Renault Megane Best Racing Team
Sicilia- Cambria Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX Phoenix

S1600
Sciessere- Orian Renault Clio

R3T
Campedelli- Fappani Citroen DS3 Procar
Hunt- xxx Citroen DS3
Catania- xxx Citroen DS3 ???

R3C
Vara- Rappa Renault Clio
Kangur- xxx Honda Civic Type R JAS Motorsport

R2
Nucita- Princiotto Citroen C2 Phoenix
Cunial- Menegazzo Citroen C2 Motor Group
Andolfi- Rocca Renault Twingo Sprintweek
Tassone- Grimaldi Renault Twingo Zerosette
Carella- Riolfo Renault Twingo Power Car Team
Bosca- Aresca Renault Twingo Meteco Corse
Pajunen- Lindstrom Renault Twingo Meteco Corse
Arici- Doria Renault Twingo New Driver Racing
Arati- Ialungo Renault Twingo Black Lion Team

A5
Vella- Oliveri MG Rover 105 Team del Mago

source :rallylink.it

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://twitter.com/#%21/voiceofrally @Craig_Breen (https://twitter.com/#%21/Craig_Breen): "No change, just a one off with HRT. Back on @TeamSainteloc (https://twitter.com/#%21/TeamSainteloc) duties in Ypres!”

[RS]

Pretty surprised Skoda are sending Juho and Jan, after they didn't bother with both on Corsica. Pretty decent entry after all :up:

[Tom206wrc]

Craig Breen (https://www.facebook.com/craig.breen1)
We're going to @IRCRally Targa Florio with HRT Motorsport and the Peugeot 207 S2000! Fantastic!


Good news :bounce:
And nice livery :p :

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Craig Breen will compete in Sicily at IRC Targa Florio, driving a HRT Motorsport Peugeot 207 S2000.

The Irish driver has added the event to his planned IRC programme with Sainteloc, which runs alongside his SWRC campaign in WRC, where he's currently top of the table:

"It's a great opportunity for me to drive with HRT Motorsport in the IRC. I’m looking forward to driving the Peugeot 207 S2000 once again, and we will try very hard to put in a good result for the team and aim for a good points haul for our IRC campaign. This opportunity gives me some more time behind the wheel of the Peugeot 207 on tarmac.

"After Targa Florio I will return to Sainteloc Racing for IRC Ypres which comes up the following week, so busy but exciting times."


Also...

Peugeot 207 Super 2000 driver Craig Breen has revealed plans to contest Sibiu Rally Romania in July, the gravel event’s first appearance in the all-action Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
Breen had been due to contest the cancelled Canon Mecsek Rallye in Hungary but has instead added the Sibiu Rally to his schedule of events with the French Saintéloc Racing-Mister Auto operation, which currently totals four rounds.
“For now it’s going to be the last event we do but it will be an interesting rally because it’s new to the IRC so we’re all going to be starting at the same level,” said Irishman Breen.

[stepunk]

Pretty surprised Skoda are sending Juho and Jan, after they didn't bother with both on Corsica. Pretty decent entry after all :up:

It's just a list on a forum with no officiality, it's not sure if they'll both do Targa Florio!

[HRT motorsport]

Hi every one,
HRT motorsport Will be at rally of San Marino with Hayden Paddon and John Kennard on Peugeot 207 Super 2000.
more info on our rally news find on facebook or .:: HRT MOTORSPORT ::. (http://www.hrtmotorsport.it)
regards

[pucky54]

And on Targa with Breen?!?! ;)

[WRCKE]

It's just a list on a forum with no officiality, it's not sure if they'll both do Targa Florio!

they are both official at the entry list for Ypres rally

[stepunk]

they are both official at the entry list for Ypres rally

Ypres count also for European championship and, as far as i know, Hanninen's main goal this year is to win ERC.
Targa is only valid for IRC. I hope Juho will go, but unless it's official (and that list on the forum is very far from being official) we can't be sure!

[liposh]

Targa Florio news and talking about entry list: (so everybody can see who will be there and who most probably won´t): News 20120606 | 96ª Targa Florio (http://www.targa-florio.it/web/?page_id=483)

[Crocone]

It's saturday and we still don't have a entry list. What it's happening?

[Tom206wrc]

It's Italy, me guesses :p :

[pucky54]

It's saturday and we still don't have a entry list. What it's happening?

Entries just closed last night!

[Crocone]

Entries just closed last night!

Any link?

[Hartusvuori]

Entries just closed last night!

That happens...

[pucky54]

http://www.acisportitalia.it/public/2012/pdf/Informazioni/CIR/16-06-2012_Rally%20Targa%20Florio//16-06-2012_Rally%20Targa%20Florio_Campionato_Italiano_Ra lly_Elenco_iscritti.pdf

[mousti]

Redbull seems to have shutdown Gassner's program then.. No Targa, no Ypres it seems

[mousti]

Let us hope they continue program but with another driver, although can't think of a driver that they can choose, don't think they'll go for Beppo. Oh well we'll see, Targa will be nice!

[Fiat-131-Abarth]

Let us hope they continue program but with another driver, although can't think of a driver that they can choose, don't think they'll go for Beppo.


I don´t think that we will ever see Harrach in a BRR car, because the relation between Baumschlager and Harrach is not the best. If the would look for a german speeking driver Aigner would be the best choice for sure, but unfortunately Aigner will never be sponsored by Red Bull again

[dimviii]

Aigner would be the best choice for sure, but unfortunately Aigner will never be sponsored by Red Bull again

why?

[mousti]

Does their driver need to be German or Austrian? ;)
Breen has a big number by the way, they never heard of him yet?? :rolleyes:
If it doesn't need to be, then we can sum up a lot of drivers :D

[RS]

Meeke is a Red Bull backed driver :)

[werner]

Redbull seems to have shutdown Gassner's program then.. No Targa, no Ypres it seems

I think they changed their program and come back with Barum, San Remo and Cyprus. Maybe they did Croatia for Mescek, and Ypres to an "easier" race like Romania.

[PLuto]

Gassner never planned to start on Targa Florio. Instead of Mecsek he was starting on Rally Croatia.

[dimviii]

Craig Breen

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/521326_348808681852751_67911230_n.jpg

[Ucci]

Speaking of Targa Florio-what are your predictions on the winner? My favorite is clear: Paolo Andreucci. IMHO strongest opposition will be Mikkelsen, Kopecky and Basso. Behind them I expect fight between Scandola, Gamba and both local drivers Runfola and Riolo. A bit mystery are performances from young Craig Breen, as he has no experience whatsoever on this specific event.
In 2WD class there is already a winner before start: S.Cempedelli.

[werner]

My favorite is Mikkelsen. He is ready for his first tarmac victory. His main rival is Basso, Andreucci watching to CIR (against Scandola) and dont risk too much. Kopecky ... his first start at Sicilia? So I find him on place 3 or 4.

[Gard]

Would be surprised if Mikkelsen can beat the italians in this event. some of them know these roads very well. Mikkelsen has, if I got it right, never been on these tarmac roads.

[Mirek]

Neither Mikkelsen nor Kopecký has been there before. They know it will be tough and they don't speak about victory. They have big respect for Italians.

[bluuford]

Basso Vs Ucci...? ;) Mikkelsen can have another try for his first IRC-asphalt-victory one week later... :D

I think than noone has chanche against Basso.. if the car stays in one piece:-)

[Ucci]

Neither Mikkelsen nor Kopecký has been there before. They know it will be tough and they don't speak about victory. They have big respect for Italians.

Wrong, Mirek-Kopecky has some experience over specific Italian stages, nevertheless he drove one whole season in 2010 , he even won Salento Rally, which is also on south of Italy and has stages similar to those on Sicilia.
Here is the overall classification from 2010, you can see : http://www.rallylink.it/pdf/classifiche/2010/cir_conduttori.pdf

But anyway, all foregin drivers must have deep respect against top-Italian drivers champion:. We will see, how will this time perform RRC Fiesta.

[Mirek]

Wrong, Mirek-Kopecky has some experience over specific Italian stages, nevertheless he drove one whole season in 2010 , he even won Salento Rally, which is also on south of Italy and has stages similar to those on Sicilia.
Here is the overall classification from 2010, you can see : http://www.rallylink.it/pdf/classifiche/2010/cir_conduttori.pdf

But anyway, all foregin drivers must have deep respect against top-Italian drivers champion:. We will see, how will this time perform RRC Fiesta.

What exactly is wrong in my words? I wrote they have never been in Targa stages which is just true. Than I only wrote what they stated. Please, read carefully next time.

[werner]

I think they changed their program and come back with Barum, San Remo and Cyprus. Maybe they did Croatia for Mescek, and Ypres to an "easier" race like Romania.


EDIT: Gassner will do next WRC Rally Germany, and maybe WRC France. No Info about IRC ...

[PLuto]

WRC event in Germany was in previous plans...

[RS]

EDIT: Gassner will do next WRC Rally Germany, and maybe WRC France. No Info about IRC ...

IRC too tough?

[dimviii]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JvAsbmYts10/T9dMwzpXRNI/AAAAAAAAD_o/BP21FMBCmzk/s720/IMG_4632%2520copia.jpg


https://picasaweb.google.com/104130314881109218365/Prologo96TargaFlorio#







https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DyM9439CvCk/T9dM-g_le5I/AAAAAAAAEAg/qIF5jhW9xYo/s720/IMG_4970.JPG

[VFTS]

It was told from recce today that the italians are cheating... The italians drove the stages again and again....several times. The officials just stood there watching and didnt stop them. The foreign drivers was nearly "shocked"

[steffforno]

Basso will run with the Fiesta Super 2000 or RRC??

[dimviii]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/599546_10150897235608952_253724958_n.jpg

[dimviii]

Basso will run with the Fiesta Super 2000 or RRC??


rrc

[RS]

I preferred the white livery of Basso. Or do they have two cars?

[Ucci]

It was told from recce today that the italians are cheating... The italians drove the stages again and again....several times. The officials just stood there watching and didnt stop them. The foreign drivers was nearly "shocked"

It is Italy, guys.......

[dimviii]

Andreas Mikkelsen has set the fastest time in shakedown for Targa Florio-Rally Internazionale Di Sicilia.

1 Andreas Mikkelsen (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1m39.1s
2 Craig Breen (Peugeot 207 S2000) 1m39.8s
3 Giandomenico Basso (M-Sport Ford Fiesta RRC) 1m40.1s
4 Alessandro Perico (Peugeot 207 S2000) 1m40.6s
5 Jan Kopecký (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1m40.7s
6 Umberto Scandola (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1m41.5s
7 Sepp Wiegand (ŠKODA Fabia S2000) 1m42.5s
8 Paolo Andreucci (Peugeot 207 S2000) 1m42.7s



News - IRC Intercontinental Rally Challenge - Eurosport (http://www.ircseries.com/news)

[Mirek]

Kopecký did only two runs and in both he was fastest. Others got faster only with more runs.

Rally FICr (http://rally.ficr.it/tab_schedule.asp?p_Anno=2012&p_Codice=74&p_Manifestazione=11)

[PLuto]

Start list into today's SSS 1 - Targa Florio 2012 - Start order - section 1, leg 1 - Rally-Base (http://rally-base.com/2012/targa-florio-2012/start-list/?startTimeTypeId=213)

[Mirek]

Which ignorant seeded Breen behind Al Ketbi?

[steffforno]

I don't know ... Maybe... Because the A Style team have two Fiesta.... One rrc-Wrc And one Super 2000.. But in Italy ther's another Fiesta RRC-Wrc

[PLuto]

Which ignorant seeded Breen behind Al Ketbi?

Like Ucci told: "It is Italy, guys......."

[Adler]

Only 152 stage-kms and 4 different stages....are there no requirements like minimum stage kms or so if you want to arrange an IRC-event?

[werner]

Its just a Micky Mouse stage, but seems 1:0 for Kopecky ...

Rally FICr (http://rally.ficr.it/tab_stagetimes.asp?p_Anno=2012&p_Codice=74&p_Manifestazione=12&p_Gara=1)

[RS]

Wrong time for Al-Ketbi surely?

[noel157]

Only 152 stage-kms and 4 different stages....are there no requirements like minimum stage kms or so if you want to arrange an IRC-event?

It's Italy....

Actually with Ypres in a few days it's maybe a good thing.

[pettersolberg29]

Wrong time for Al-Ketbi surely?

Apparently he took the wrong line and his time is set to be adjusted.

[darkstar]

Only 152 stage-kms and 4 different stages....are there no requirements like minimum stage kms or so if you want to arrange an IRC-event?

reallye a quite strange event...

[dimviii]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/576597_10150900810973123_154193929_n.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150900810608123.418655.46529348122&type=1

[PLuto]

Time of Al Ketbi changed - Targa Florio 2012 - Results - Rally-Base (http://rally-base.com/2012/targa-florio-2012/)

[PLuto]

Start list for tomorrow - Targa Florio 2012 - Start order - section 2, leg 1 - Rally-Base (http://rally-base.com/2012/targa-florio-2012/start-list/?startTimeTypeId=214)

[werner]

Andreas Mikkelsen is one of very few drivers, who can set fastest times on new stages against local heroes. If he stay without mistakes, he can win. As I thought, Ucci do what he need to be first of CIR.

[A FONDO]

Andreas Mikkelsen is one of very few drivers, who can set fastest times on new stages against local heroes.
Yes, at the cost of later crash. :laugh: But this rally is sprint so with a little luck he can finish it scarless, something that hasnt happened since Madeira :dozey:

[nr7wave]

Breen slower than Wiegand. Not good! Mikkelsen is as allways in contention from the very frist stage. Impressed!

[RS]

Pirellis not working so well today? Basso and Andreucci are both a bit "slow" and I think Breen uses them too?

[nr7wave]

Breen on soft tires. Thats why he lost so much time.

[Sulland]

Pirellis not working so well today? Basso and Andreucci are both a bit "slow" and I think Breen uses them too?

In what circumstances are normally the Pirellis as fast as, or better than Michelin?
Type of asphalt, temperature and so on.

[Wim_Impreza]

In what circumstances are normally the Pirellis as fast as, or better than Michelin?
Type of asphalt, temperature and so on.

Cold and wet surface.

[Mirek]

But judging by results from second leg of Mille Miglia, Corsica or Croatia (Gassner) Pirelli must have made big step on dry and warm surface.

[Sulland]

Cold and wet surface.

So no change from the Petter/ Subaru period really?

[werner]

With that times of Ucci, will be hard to fight against Scandola. Umberto make a good job!

[Wim_Impreza]

So no change from the Petter/ Subaru period really?

Not that I know. Maybe PLuto or someone else can help you with more information. In World Superbikes and especially in the WTCC, the Pirelli tyres aren't good in warm and dry conditions.

Mirek: In Mille Miglia and Corsica are mountains, which can explain the better results. In Croatia, Gassner was clearly the second best driver behind Hänninen.

[dimviii]

Pirellis not working so well today? Basso and Andreucci are both a bit "slow" and I think Breen uses them too?

where did you see that Pirellis ''not working'' good?

[dimviii]

Breen on soft tires. Thats why he lost so much time.
Basso and Andreucci with wrong tyre choice too(rx7) i strugle to see a Pirelli disadvantage,all i see till now is that almost equal with Michelins even with wrong tyre.

[RS]

where did you see that Pirellis ''not working'' good?

I just expected Basso and Andreucci to be faster. Let's see how the rest of the rally goes.

[dimviii]

I just expected Basso and Andreucci to be faster. Let's see how the rest of the rally goes.

:up:
Basso lost alone at ss3 5,5sec.Total loss for Basso at 4 remaining stages 4,7 sec. Pirelli not so good at hot tarmac.....dont think so with 10 km test only before rally with a new car by a privateer against factory drivers+wrong tyre coice. ;)
lets wait and see

[Mirek]

Kopecký wins the stage making things a bit more interesting.

[Ucci]

With that times of Ucci, will be hard to fight against Scandola. Umberto make a good job!

Andreucci's stage time are today, speking mildly-catastrophic...if he will continue in this rythm, he will have close to one minute gap behind Mikkelsen at the end of first day. He is showing his age......sorry!

[werner]

Kopecký wins the stage making things a bit more interesting.

It would be no surprise for me, if Andreas looses on last stage today, 4,1 seconds to Jan ... :-) He made same tactics at Corte Ingles. The gap is not too high, so I think he prefer to go not as leader into last leg. But ... difficult.

[Mirek]

Kopecký is starting behind Mikkelsen so he can try to react. But it's difficult to play with so small time on these rather short stages where it's difficult to make a margin.

[bluuford]

Andreucci's stage time are today, speking mildly-catastrophic...if he will continue in this rythm, he will have close to one minute gap behind Mikkelsen at the end of first day. He is showing his age......sorry!

When you pass the stage for the third time then there is not much help of local knowledge. And Andreucci is 47 years old.. what can you expect from him compared to the 20 year old half crazy Norwegian?

[RS]

:up:
Basso lost alone at ss3 5,5sec.Total loss for Basso at 4 remaining stages 4,7 sec. Pirelli not so good at hot tarmac.....dont think so with 10 km test only before rally with a new car by a privateer against factory drivers+wrong tyre coice. ;)
lets wait and see

But Basso is not a driver who normally needs those kind of excuses. Indeed he has been pretty close the last few though... but then I would still expect Andreucci to do better.

[werner]

Kopecký is starting behind Mikkelsen so he can try to react. But it's difficult to play with so small time on these rather short stages where it's difficult to make a margin.

Yes, thats right, I think about after my post ... :-)

[RS]

Nice and close at the front with 68km still to go. Even Basso is not too far back to challenge.

[Sulland]

Maybe Mikkesen can break his IRC asphalt duck tomorrow!!

[tolis]

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/542558_386603298063772_1979982440_n.jpg

[PLuto]

Start list for tomorrow - Targa Florio 2012 - Start order - leg 2 - Rally-Base (http://rally-base.com/2012/targa-florio-2012/start-list/?startTimeTypeId=215)

[dimviii]

But Basso is not a driver who normally needs those kind of excuses. Indeed he has been pretty close the last few though... but then I would still expect Andreucci to do better.
excuses?!
is it a excuse that he is a privateer against the the twice irc champions?
is it a excuse that he had test 10 minutes before the rally?
is it a excuse that this is his 3rd rally with a new rrc fiesta,and his stage km are not more than 300 with this car?
is it a excuse that he was at first loop with medium rx7 type while skodas with hard?
is it a excuse that the factory crews are in front of him they are competing non stop last 3 years while Basso was searching for drive?
These are not excuses,are facts.

[bluuford]

is it a excuse that he was at first loop with medium rx7 type while skodas with hard?


I would add one more near fact. If I am not mistaken then the temperature during SS3 was over +25 degrees in Celsius, in shade.

[dimviii]

I would add one more near fact. If I am not mistaken then the temperature during SS3 was over +25 degrees in Celsius, in shade.

yes was the hotter stage with the medium rx7 tyres thats why he lost so much(5,1sec) due to overheated tyres.

some photos
http://www.rallylink.it/cms12/images/phocagallery/targa12/venerdi_1_tappa/thumbs/phoca_thumb_l_01_basso_-.jpg
Immagini della gara - Venerdì - 1.tappa (http://www.rallylink.it/cms12/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=77:venerdi-1tappa&Itemid=89)



edit and some more
Event Photos' Gallery - IRC Intercontinental Rally Challenge - Eurosport (http://www.ircseries.com/photogallery/list/id/39)

[RS]

excuses?!
is it a excuse that he is a privateer against the the twice irc champions?
is it a excuse that he had test 10 minutes before the rally?
is it a excuse that this is his 3rd rally with a new rrc fiesta,and his stage km are not more than 300 with this car?
is it a excuse that he was at first loop with medium rx7 type while skodas with hard?
is it a excuse that the factory crews are in front of him they are competing non stop last 3 years while Basso was searching for drive?
These are not excuses,are facts.

Absolutely all true, but what I am saying is that Basso doesn't normally need to give these reasons because he is at or near the front anyway. Remember Mille Miglia or Corsica, he was immediately at the front with this car already.

Anyhow, he is not far behind and I hope he can be part of the fight for victory today.

[Mirek]

Seen the Eurosport report in the night (crazy late again...). Must say even though the stages are short they are incredibly bumpy. It's not like what I know as bumpy from CZ but different with much bigger bumps on fast wide roads. Cameramen chose some really great stunningly fast places. By the way in the report it was also clear that while Andreucci is by far most spectacular his always sideways style must be the main reason why he can't be faster.

[Mirek]

Uaaaa, what a crazy times now!

[Jeppe]

...and I like to see Basso´s ´excuses´ for these crazy times ;) ;)

If he can keep this pace, it´ll be easy victory for him..

[Mirek]

Seems that Craig Breen crashed and the stage is stopped.

[darkstar]

any further info´s? stage still seems to be stopped and 2nd stage from today not started yet?

[steffforno]

The crash of Breen is very very dangerous

[irish_tiger]

The crash of Breen is very very dangerous

Are you on the stage ?

[Tom206wrc]

News about Breen and codriver's health ???? :(

[dimviii]

Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/PaulHembery) :(

rip

[Hartusvuori]

My condolences to family and friends.

This has been the worst beginning to summer.

[steffforno]

Are you on the stage ?
no man.. but I have friend in the service area... there's very bad news .. there is nothing but an officer is similar to crash Kubica ...

[rage82]

Really bad news. Can't believe it. RIP Gareth!

[ern]

no man.. but I have friend in the service area... there's very bad news .. there is nothing but an officer is similar to crash Kubica ...

Qui dicono che è in condizioni gravssime.
Targa Florio: le condizioni di Roberts sono gravissime! (http://www.omnicorse.it/magazine/18940/targa-florio-le-condizioni-di-roberts-sono-gravissime)

[RS]

Condolences.

We all know motorsport is dangerous and I don't think you can ever make rallying truly safe but when something like this happens it makes you wonder whether it is all really worth it :(

RIP.

[steffforno]

Now is Official... the co-driver of Breen is died... :( ((
Gareth Roberts, navigatore di Craig Breen, è morto in un'uscita di strada sulla PS8 del Targa Florio. R.I.P :(

[HaCo]

Condolences.

We all know motorsport is dangerous and I don't think you can ever make rallying truly safe but when something like this happens it makes you wonder whether it is all really worth it :(

RIP.

Certainly the last few weeks it doesn't seem to stop. :-(
RIP

Verstuurd van mijn MT15i met Tapatalk

[Tom206wrc]

My condolences to Gareth Roberts family and friends, R.I.P. ;(
Also courage to Craig Breen after such tragedy :(

[mm1]

RIP, very sad weeks for rallying...

[focus206]

...I can't believe it :(
R.I.P. Gareth Roberts

[Jeppe]

R.I.P. Gareth. What a nice bloke he was.. Strenght to Craig and his team.

[MK2 BDG]

Very sad,, No words can express !!!!!

[Luis Pacheco]

Many fatal accidents overshadowing rallyes in a short time.

[pino]

What a tragedy...RIP Gareth :(

[EightGear]

Horrible news, can't believe it.... Thoughts are with all involved. I don't know what to say right now... :(

[MK2 BDG]

Rally Targa Florio was prematurely terminated. After an accident in SS 8 is succumbed to his injuries Gareth Roberts, co-driver Craig Breen. The remaining stages were canceled, the validity of the results remain to be decided. Gareth Roberts came from Wales, his career in the rally began in 2004. After five seasons in the Championship of Great Britain, along with Craig Breen went to the World Cup, where in 2011 together reached for victory in the first year of the FIA ​​WRC Academy. In the last couple also visited the Czech Republic on the Barum Rally, where he presented the seventh place. In August, Gareth would have been twenty-five years. Honor his memory!


Taken from

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autosport.cz%2Fclanek.php%3Fcl% 3D13970ffghhgfh

[Red bull]

My heartfelt condolences to the family and the rally fraternity.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Greg Roslon was at the scene. He didn't snap anything. I'm trying to hear from him about how Craig is.

[smceneaneyirl]

Very Sad day for motorsport. RIP

[Allyc85]

So gutted for everyone, dont know what else to say right now :(

RIP

[aykutbilir]

Its hard to talk about. RIP Gareth.. :( very sad moment..

[noel157]

Tragic news. Thoughts and best wishes to Gareth's family and friends and to Graig.

Craig Breen's co-driver Gareth Roberts dies in Targa Florio crash - IRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100411)

[anto-t]

Craig has been checked out in Hospital and has been given the all clear.

RIP Jaffa

[atsiotras79]

R.I.P. Gareth. My deepest condolences to all family and friends...

[AP-Racing]

rest in peace

[J4MIE]

Terrible, terrible news :(

Don't know about anyone else but I have certainly been thinking if rallying is indeed worth it. Really not sure right now after all the bad things happening in recent weeks.

[dyfi1]

R.I.P

[Luis Pacheco]

I just saw a picture of the accident. The rail came through the front of the car.

[Francis44]

My condolences to all his family and friends.

Rest In Peace Gareth.

[Allyc85]

I just saw a picture of the accident. The rail came through the front of the car.

I hope nobody feels the need to post it on here, Let those who feel the need to see it find it themselves.

[Adler]

my condolences.... rest in peace Gareth Roberts!

[tolis]

R.I.P. Gareth... :( :( :(
Very sad news

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Missed this mornings action travelling home from holiday in Wales... Gareth's beautiful homeland...

Just read about Craig and Gareth's accident and am totally shocked and numb.

Deepest sympathy to Craig, he must be utterly devastated. Also to all of Gareth's family and friends, you are in our thoughts.

Makes you wonder if its worth the risk ... but he died doing what he loved.

RIP Gareth Roberts.

http://irc-results.com/temp/image_cache/825c2427adf64f4577e2492390b6477e_w180_h240_q90.jpg

[ShiftingGears]

RIP.

[Ebse]

I will never forgot Sardinia 2011. Rest in peace

[bassist]

Another RIP in the world of Rallying over the past weeks! Such a sad loss , Condolences to his family, freinds and the Rallying Community, especially Craig.

[Bartek]

RIP Gareth , very sad news

[Fast Eddie WRC]

British co-driver Gareth Roberts has been killed in an accident on the Targa Florio Rally, round five of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Roberts, sharing a Peugeot 207 S2000 with Irishman Craig Breen, died when their car impacted with a guardrail on the eighth stage of the all-asphalt event, near Palermo in Sicily. Breen was unhurt in the accident.


The accident took place just after the eighth kilometre of the Cefalu stage on a left-hand bend, striking the guardrail on the right hand side in an accident that the rally organisers described as being similar to that which Robert Kubica suffered in Italy last year.

At the time, Breen and Roberts were lying sixth overall. They were driving a Peugeot run by the Italian HRT squad in a one-off outing before being due to rejoin their regular Sainteloc team for the Ypres Rally next weekend.

The event was immediately abandoned, with Skoda's Jan Kopecky expected to be declared the winner.


Roberts, who was 24 and from Wales, trained as an electrician. He began competing in 2004 and achieved considerable success in the one-make Fiesta SportTrophy series. He formed his formidable partnership with Breen for the start of the 2009 season, which included the pair winning the inaugural FIA World Rally Championship Academy Cup in 2011.


This year, they were embarking on a partial IRC campaign, having finished fifth on the Circuit of Ireland and sixth on the Tour of Corsica, and also chasing the Super 2000 WRC title.


IRC manager Jean-Pierre Nicolas said: "It's a very sad accident that reminds us that motorsport is dangerous. Accidents can affect both driver and co-driver in rallying, and sadly, more often than not it is the co-driver who suffers - as we saw in 2005 on Rally Great Britain when Michael Park was killed. The death of a 24-year-old young man at the start of a fantastic career is always a tragedy. At this terrible time, I'm thinking very much of Gareth's family."



Speaking of Roberts following a recent event in Corsica, Breen said: "Gareth is a magician, he's incredible how he gets every note out so quickly. I couldn't do it without him..."

[werner]

My condolences to his family and friends. Nobody from us can feel the tragedy behind. Very sad weeks for our Sport.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gareth & Craig on SS7 ... last car of video:
http://www.ircseries.com/videogallery/detail/id_event/39/id/453

[Arwel Davies]

Not having a go or anything but I really dont think that last video should be posted anywhere.. dont think anyone wants to see scenes like that.

RIP Gareth bach.

[noel157]

IRC really needn't need to show the post (and before the ambulance arrived) accident footage. I thought it was going to be a tribute to Roberts. Very poor taste.

[A FONDO]

If someone have downloaded it, please send it to me by private message.

[Dug83]

R.I.P. Gareth. Very sad news, condolences to family and friends.

[pino]

Gareth & Craig on SS7 ... last car of video:
http://www.ircseries.com/videogallery/detail/id_event/39/id/453

Accident video link removed. Sorry but I was not confortable with that :(

[A FONDO]

If someone have downloaded it, please send it to me by private message.

Already saw it, absolutely nothing in this video else than the crashed car and some people waving around

[RS]

Already saw it, absolutely nothing in this video else than the crashed car and some people waving around

Yeah, nothing graphic there but I don't think they should have shown it really. I also hope the result of the rally is anulled. Nobody "wins" in these circumstances.

As usual, when there is an accident, rallying made the sports news on Radio2.

[Mirek]

Stewards decided to keep results after SS8. It must be strange feeling for Jan and Pavel when second time in a row they won an event where their fellow died...

[makinen_fan]

RIP Gareth, and really sorry for Graig. I am very sad when found out about this. when I have watched Graig last year in Wales, he was a real star, and both had definitely a bright future ahead of them. reall sorry

seen the picture of the crashed car. really similar to kubica. the manufacturers must do something about such crashes... they deemed kubicas crash as really unlucky, but second time happening exactly the same it is unacceptable. i cant remember similar crashes in the past, at least not so serious. probably it is something with the design of the current generation of rally cars? very short nose that does not allow for energy absorption during head on impact?

fia and manufacturers MUST act about this

[bluuford]

Yeah, nothing graphic there but I don't think they should have shown it really. I also hope the result of the rally is anulled. Nobody "wins" in these circumstances.

The results stay as they were after SS8. Fortunately Andreas was narrowly second. It is not good to get first tarmac win on such a rally:
IRC Targa Florio-Rally Internazionale Di Sicilia day two review: Event stopped after eight stages - News - IRC Intercontinental Rally Challenge - Eurosport (http://www.ircseries.com/news/detail/id/493)

Usually even the photographs of such a sad moments are not published. To publish such a video is wrong.

There was only one situation when a photo series of sad moment was published in daily news and I thought that it was right thing to do. It was couple of years ago in Rally Estonia when spectator with photo camera died when 206 WRC went off road and hit him. The person went to take some pictures at the outside of the corner just after the jump. He was repeatedly warned by other spectators and officials but he was acting very ignorantly. I think it was very educational to show that photo series of the accident in slow motion in TV. It was very bad to watch it but I think that it worked very preventatively and maybe brought some crazy spectators and amteur phothographers back to the ground and maybe saved some lives in the next few years.

However, RIP all the spectators, drivers and co-drivers who have lost their lives in rally. I hope there will be no more such news in 2012.

[noel157]

Already saw it, absolutely nothing in this video else than the crashed car and some people waving around

There's a lot more to it if you try and think for just a minute. Pretty insensitive saying that considering it was before the rescue people arrived.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Maybe they need to add flat end sections to the road barriers where they start and finish... so a car cant run into a sharp piece of metal which can spear straight though the front of the grille...

[MAX_THRUST]

Gareth was from Carmarthen not far from my home. Sad loss for his family and for the home town. Thoughts are with his family...

[werner]

Maybe they need to add flat end sections to the road barriers where they start and finish... so a car cant run into a sharp piece of metal which can spear straight though the front of the grille...

Right. A friend of mine told me - an italian - this is typical for his country. Here in Austria we have that solution, if you go straight to this road barriers, mybe you have a jump, but no fatal accident like this. Remember also the Mini Crash at Bulgaria Rally week ago.

[kolvas]

Maybe they need to add flat end sections to the road barriers where they start and finish... so a car cant run into a sharp piece of metal which can spear straight though the front of the grille...
In Sweden have they done that, there is a flat square about 50x50 cm.

[Mirek]

Maybe they need to add flat end sections to the road barriers where they start and finish... so a car cant run into a sharp piece of metal which can spear straight though the front of the grille...

I'm sure even in Italy they make new barriers with safer endings but You know there are thousands of kilometers of those old especially in the poorer south of the country. From the onboard of Kopecký of stage Targa I would say there were hundreds of such places along stages.


There's a lot more to it if you try and think for just a minute. Pretty insensitive saying that considering it was before the rescue people arrived.

Absolutely. They should have not come to the level of tabloid press.


seen the picture of the crashed car. really similar to kubica. the manufacturers must do something about such crashes... they deemed kubicas crash as really unlucky, but second time happening exactly the same it is unacceptable. i cant remember similar crashes in the past, at least not so serious. probably it is something with the design of the current generation of rally cars? very short nose that does not allow for energy absorption during head on impact?

fia and manufacturers MUST act about this

What do You want to do against that? To race in tanks? I tried to explain in another thread. Railbar if hit to the sharp straight end can go even through engine block (saw that with BMW X5). No car can resists such penetration. Such materials don't exist.

[noel157]

After 100s of complaints through FB etc IRC/Eurosport still haven't removed the video. Poor judgement by the people involved.

[ShiftingGears]

I'm sure even in Italy they make new barriers with safer endings but You know there are thousands of kilometers of those old especially in the poorer south of the country. From the onboard of Kopecký of stage Targa I would say there were hundreds of such places along stages.

Indeed.

The only realistic solution, if the IRC wants to stop guardrails skewering cars, is to not hold stages/rallies with guardrails with unprotected ends.

[N.O.T]

After 100s of complaints through FB etc IRC/Eurosport still haven't removed the video. Poor judgement by the people involved.

i never understood why people complain about images of fatal accidents... which of course do not have any graphic images on.

By burring your head in the sand does not offer anything... on the contrary it can cover things which might be used for useful conclusions and avoid future repeats.

[Juha_Koo]

:(

I've had quite a lot of rallying stuff going on lately and even more to come, so I decided not to follow Targa Florio very closely, mainly due to practical reasons, as I was hiking with my friends in a national park and really didn't have much internet access. Today when I arrived home and got up to date with everything I stopped. Right in the beginning I saw something utterly disturbing, as one of my friends had "RIP Gareth :( " in Facebook. Roberts immediatly came to my mind as I remembered the HRT deal for Targa Florio and I had just few days ago watched some onboard of theirs. I knew it was him but didn't want to believe it. It can't happen to guys on that level, right? But when I checked official news it was clear. I had this really very very bad feeling. I wondered by myself why rallying has to be so cruel...why the dark side of rallying has been showing itself so much lately... "What-if" thinking really didn't help: what if they wouldn't have won the Academy? What if the HRT deal would not have happened? But we can't change history, what has happened, has happened - just like ink dries on a paper.

Even though he was a real professional, Roberts was still a very young guy, just three years older than me - it got me thinking stuff and life in general. I'm sure that he, as a competitor, knew the risks involved and accepted them every time he tightened his helmet strap and safety harness, but still, the death is a terrible loss.

In the end, most likely we can't really decide how we leave from this world. Life is a risk as they say. As bad cliché as it sounds, Gareth Roberts died doing what he loved. If I would have the power to decide how I would leave this world, I would like it to happen amongst the things I love. Rallying is inherently dangerous and as long as we don't use children's pedal cars to compete with the fact won't change. Nevertheless, it's difficult to accept that Gareth Roberts is gone.

I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Gareth Roberts. I wish Graig Breen a lot of strength. RIP Gareth Roberts.

[Dume2b]

R.I.P Gareth. condolences to your family and to your friend Craig.

[urabus-denoS2000]

R.I.P. Gareth, my condolences to everyone involved

[MJW]

Please see here for book of condolences.
Craig Breen Rallying (http://www.craigbreen.com/)

[dimviii]

some photos from Targa Florio
eWRC.cz - Fotogalerie Rally Targa Florio 2012 Ivo Nesrovnal (http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=4094&fotograf=43)


eWRC.cz - Fotogalerie Rally Targa Florio 2012 Greg Roslon (http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=4094&fotograf=100)

[A FONDO]

lol

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2012/irc/targa/21.jpg

[Jr.]

I dont think this is the end of a barrier. Barriers are overlapping in the direction the car is traveling, so on the opposite side of the road the barriers have an opposite overlap. This would mean that if you hit a barrier on the wrong side of the road sliding along the barrier, the overlap will be peeled off and if the speed is high enough would drag the barrier out into the road, and into the car...

RIP Gareth

[Mirek]

The photo upon is different accident of Ferraroti. The accident of Breen happened in this corner: Google Maps (http://goo.gl/maps/0AGD) (street view). It really was an end of the barrier, not overlapping.

[bluuford]

The photo upon is different accident of Ferraroti. The accident of Breen happened in this corner: Google Maps (http://goo.gl/maps/0AGD) (street view). It really was an end of the barrier, not overlapping.
I do not understand the reason of using such a rail in this place... It can easily start after the small space a few tens of meters later. Sometimes road builders tend to overuse such a safety things..

[Mirek]

Yes, here the rails are absolutely useless even for normal road traffic.

[uranium]

The rail is horrible. It must be properly ended, somehow rounded, or digged into ground. It is very dangeous even for civil car, because it works like rapier.
I hope, for the future organisers and safety inspectors must pay attention to such places and make them safer somehow.

[MartijnS]

Unbelievable! Just came across a photo of inside the car.
Rail really got in there. Terrible accident :(

[RS]

I hope, for the future organisers and safety inspectors must pay attention to such places and make them safer somehow.

I agree. After the accidents of Kubica and now Breen, they must. They either have to not run on stages with these exposed ends or have hay bails placed there.

You can never make motorsport totally safe, and sadly especially rallying, but they must do what they can to minmise the risks of obvious dangers like this.

[Mirek]

Have a look on some onboard from Targa Florio. These endings are everywhere. On most of the places You can't put any hay bails from space reasons. I anyway doubt they can have any effect because if the rail can easily penetrate whole car some hay is like a butter for it. Here You would have not to run these stages at all if You want to avoid the risk.

[bluuford]

Have a look on some onboard from Targa Florio. These endings are everywhere. On most of the places You can't put any hay bails from space reasons. I anyway doubt they can have any effect because if the rail can easily penetrate whole car some hay is like a butter for it. Here You would have not to run these stages at all if You want to avoid the risk.

You are bit underestimating the effect of hay bails. They are very effective when you are trying to cut them from the wider side. It is nearly impossible (When I was young I tried to lift them using fork-lift and you cannot do it). But indeed, sometimes it is very difficult to place a hayball due to the limited space.

[Mirek]

You didn't go into them by the fork lift at 100 km/h, did You? ;) If You crash into the rails at 10 km/h they don't penetrate the car either.

[MJW]

The photo upon is different accident of Ferraroti. The accident of Breen happened in this corner: Google Maps (http://goo.gl/maps/0AGD) (street view). It really was an end of the barrier, not overlapping.
Sad thing there is no need for a barrier in that location.

[bluuford]

You didn't go into them by the fork lift at 100 km/h, did You? ;) If You crash into the rails at 10 km/h they don't penetrate the car either.

OK, you are right on that. I was a little bit slower indeed ;-) But I guess that one hay bail is still enough to bounce the car away or absorb enough energy to save a life in 99% of cases.

[makinen_fan]

http://www.motori.gr/newsarticle/762

an article with nice opinion on gareth's death and that FIA must look a bit more into similar incidents. i am not sure if google translate works well for greek though