Sibiu Rally

[cosmin_sb]

Hello everybody,
Homepage for Sibiu Rally , 7th round of ERC is: Sibiu Rally Romania FIA ERC - 25 - 27 iulie 2013 | (http://www.raliulsibiului.ro/)

[cosmin_sb]

the first entries for this rally are RAOUX Jean-Michel (Peugeot 207 S2000) and PUSHKAR Vitaliy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X)

[mihay]

Hello, you can watch Speed, a romanian tv program aired on Motors TV in english, here :

Round 1 - Romanian Rally Championship RD1 Tess Rally Brasov on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/64374655)

Round 2 - Romanian Rally Championship RD2 Timis Rally on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/65547874)

Round 3- Romanian Rally Championship RD3 Delta Rally 2013 on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/68477711)

Sibiu Rally is round 5 in Romanian National Rally Championship and Round 4 we`ll have it ready in english next week. Hope you like it :)

[noel157]

Presume Delecour will start?

[mihay]

most probably, yes, because it`s also a romanian round. All the info from Sibiu Rally you cand find it on their official website, also in english, here:

Sibiu Rally Romania FIA ERC - 25 - 27 iulie 2013 | (http://www.raliulsibiului.ro/en/)

There is a provisional start list already, very short though

[cosmin_sb]

Delecour will compete at Sibiu Rally and most of the top roumanian drivers will be here. Sibiu Rally is the only round which has coefficient 2 in the championship.

[mihay]

Here is the last round before Sibiu Rally , of course, in english :) Romanian Rally Championship RD4 Transilvania Rally on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/69834960)

[cosmin_sb]

Will Kopecky compete at the Sibiu Rally? Has anyone news about this rumor?

[PLuto]

Will Kopecky compete at the Sibiu Rally? Has anyone news about this rumor?

It is highly possible...

[mihay]

today it was confirmed that Kopecky will start in Sibiu Rally. Also Delecour.

[liposh]

I am a little bit surprised anybody from those gravel specialists didn´t choose Sibiu rally. I know it is "dakar-style" rally, but quality of event itself is high.

[mousti]

I saw on Tempestini's facebook that some machines did the stages to make the gravel less rough.

[PLuto]

I am a little bit surprised anybody from those gravel specialists didn´t choose Sibiu rally. I know it is "dakar-style" rally, but quality of event itself is high.

Which gravel specialists do you mean?

[PLuto]

I saw on Tempestini's facebook that some machines did the stages to make the gravel less rough.

Sibiu Rally bosses in stage repair mission - News - ERC European Rally Championship - Eurosport (http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/902)

[mihay]

Today it has been published the final entry list. Here you can find it Sibiu Rally Romania FIA ERC - 25 - 27 iulie 2013 | Entry List ERC (http://www.raliulsibiului.ro/en/lista-concurenti-erc/) apart from those competitors, there will be also this ones, from Romanian National Rally Championship Sibiu Rally Romania FIA ERC - 25 - 27 iulie 2013 | Entry List National Rally (http://www.raliulsibiului.ro/en/lista-concurenti-cnr/)

You have the press release from today here : Record number of entries at Sibiu Rally | Sibiu Rally Romania FIA ERC - 25 - 27 iulie 2013 (http://www.raliulsibiului.ro/en/numar-record-de-inscrisi-la-raliul-sibiului/)

[noel157]

Kinda hard to pick a winner................ :)

Seriously, not too bad an entry considering it's not one of the "big four" events in the ERC. Always enjoyed rallying held in Poland.

[Jarek Z]

Seriously, not too bad an entry considering it's not one of the "big four" events in the ERC. Always enjoyed rallying held in Poland.

What does Poland have to do with Sibiu?

[noel157]

What does Poland have to do with Sibiu?

Hmm, nothing.. :)
Was reading the WRC thread (and Juha_Koo's post about the great stages) about introducing Rally Poland into the championship before posting...My bad, my very bad.
Hey, at least my earlier post about Delecour entering indicated I knew it was Romania.....

BTW- is Sibiu pronounced SIB-I-YOU or SI-BY-YOU or...?

[Jarek Z]

Seriously, not too bad an entry considering it's not one of the "big four" events in the ERC.

I personally don't find this entry list very exciting. Just two top ERC drivers and 38 crews in total. We can only wonder how many stages Kopecky will win.

[Jarek Z]

Kinda hard to pick a winner................ :)

I'm waiting for you at the top of the Pickems table ;)

[WUff1]

I personally don't find this entry list very exciting. Just two top ERC drivers and 38 crews in total. We can only wonder how many stages Kopecky will win.

Yes, it´s even weaker than Jänner or Liepaja-Ventspils - rather dissapointing

[Fiat-131-Abarth]

Does anybody know why Aigner was replaced by Arai? Rallye Sibiu was originally on Aigner´s plan this year.

[PLuto]

Does anybody know why Aigner was replaced by Arai? Rallye Sibiu was originally on Aigner´s plan this year.

Aigner needs more starts in first half of the season, so after changes in calendar he was starting on Corse.

[Fiat-131-Abarth]

Aigner needs more starts in first half of the season, so after changes in calendar he was starting on Corse. In my opinion he didn´t need more starts in the first half of the season, becuase he did Tour de Corse instead of San Marino. This is the reason why it seems strange to me, that he he is not present on the entry list of Rally Sibiu.

[cosmin_sb]

Yes, it´s even weaker than Jänner or Liepaja-Ventspils - rather dissapointing

I agree that there are only 2 top drivers on this rally but what stopped other top driver to come? There are over 60 crews on the list. Obviously Kopecky is the big favorite. If he win the rally he will increase the gap in the standing and will be almost the new championship. More interesting is the fight for Production Cup. At least 4-5 drivers will fight for the victory.

[tommeke_B]

I agree that there are only 2 top drivers on this rally but what stopped other top driver to come? There are over 60 crews on the list. Obviously Kopecky is the big favorite. If he win the rally he will increase the gap in the standing and will be almost the new championship. More interesting is the fight for Production Cup. At least 4-5 drivers will fight for the victory.
- High transport costs
- Low return (far away and relatively low competition, so won't be mentioned much in international media)
- Gravel (most, like the Saintéloc team, will prefer tarmac events)
- Stages proved to be very fragile last year
- Possible issues with customs when crossing borders (not in Shengen area)
- Unknown organisation and event to most teams

I think this stops them from coming... ;)

[Jarek Z]

I think this stops them from coming... ;)

Exactly! I would also add another reason - too many events in the ERC calendar, which leads to drivers skipping rallies. I would consider Sibiu a victim of the overloaded calendar.

[pucky54]

- Gravel (most, like the Saintéloc team, will prefer tarmac events)

They have been there last year ;)

[cosmin_sb]

In this conditions I didn't consider the entry list rather disappointing. It is only the second international appearance. We can compare which other traditional races. Anyways it is a great opportunity to take many point for some drivers. I shall go on weekend to SS Santa to see how it is. I know that the organizer try to make the road much smooth.

[jimbo_ford]

Bryan Bouffier has just announced on his FB page that he is driving a Peugeot 207 S2000 with Team Delta Rally on the Sibiu Rally.

[Jarek Z]

Bryan Bouffier has just announced on his FB page that he is driving a Peugeot 207 S2000 with Team Delta Rally on the Sibiu Rally.

Ladies and gentlemen, please correct your Pickems! :D

http://us.cdn3.123rf.com/168nwm/abluecup/abluecup1209/abluecup120900197/15405701-a-3d-people-is-using-a-speaker.jpg

[pantealex]

Ladies and gentlemen, please correct your Pickems! :D

http://us.cdn3.123rf.com/168nwm/abluecup/abluecup1209/abluecup120900197/15405701-a-3d-people-is-using-a-speaker.jpg
How?
There is NO Bouffier´s name!

[Mihai]

BTW- is Sibiu pronounced SIB-I-YOU or SI-BY-YOU or...?

More like SI-BÍW :)

It took organizers more than a decade to realize the surface is too rough for privateers and other-than-works-drivers, but still the international entry list still remains weak this year. At least most Romanian rally fans worship this rally like a fetish. :D

[cosmin_sb]

I have seen an announce with the participation of Bouffier at the rally page on Facebook few minute ago.Itu, the organizer, said few day ago, even the entries is closed it is possible to appear new name.

[PLuto]

How?
There is NO Bouffier´s name!

There is Bouffier's name for few hours. On the bottom of the list...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Shame its such a poor entry... there should be better in such a major series as the ERC.

I hope there is a good fight for the win at least.

[PLuto]

Dont forget to make pickems for Sibiu Rally - http://www.motorsportforums.com/erc/159188-pickem-2013-sibiu-rally.html

[WRC3]

Long time ago, but that was Rally Romania 1995: romania1995_wmv576cbr4mb.wmv - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo-lR0gFLgQ)

[mihay]

2 minutes about the night stages from last year. what do you think? :)

Sibiu Rally 2012 Night Stage Fans - YouTube (http://youtu.be/vlUMjAopGBM)

[mihay]

Here is a live webcam from the service park.

Primaria Sibiu - Site-ul oficial (http://www.sibiu.ro/LiveOK/cam2.php)

[PLuto]

Results of qualifying stage - http://www.raliulsibiului.ro/dev/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/QS.pdf

Starting order will be the same...

[tolis]

Photos: Sibiu Rally Romania 2013 - ME - Mistrovstv Evropy (http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=1173)

[Mirek]

Results of qualifying stage - http://www.raliulsibiului.ro/dev/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/QS.pdf

Starting order will be the same...

Everybody is afraid of road conditions getting worse with more cars?

[cosmin_sb]

The roads are much better than last years. All roads were reconstructed to be more smooth for the car. I was on then last weekend (Santa and Gatu Berbecului). A big problem might l be the dust. The earth is very dry.

[Mirek]

Kopecký said he chose first starting position mainly because of possible dust problems on the night stage.

[tommeke_B]

Driving in dust is a disadvantage... Driving in dust with lightpods reflecting it, can be a huge problem. :) Anyone knows how long the dust stayed in the air on shakedown/QS?

[Kielder]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32g_1hGWodU

[cosmin_sb]

The road was sprinkled with water so there wasn’t problem with the dust. Last year at IRC they didn’t do this.The real problem is on the SS which are in the forest (for example at the begin at the end of SS Crint). There the dust rises more difficult without the wind. I am going now to see the ceremonial start.

[Mirek]

Online results: Rally Sibiu 2013 - Results - Rally-Base (http://rally-base.com/2013/rally-sibiu-2013/)

SS1 starts 13:01

[rage82]

Delecour fastest so far, interesting! Myabe has some advantage starting 3-rd

[liposh]

Is there any broadcast of that superspecial stages planned by some local TV or something like this. Or does anybody from the spectators there plan to broadcast it via ustream etc. ?

[leighton323]

Delecour fastest so far, interesting! Myabe has some advantage starting 3-rd

Don't think we can draw conclusions from that first stage. The stage was way to short. But it is a good sign nonetheless

[Mad cat jnr]

Is Molly Taylor doing the rally? She was seen in M-Sport this week

[Jarek Z]

Is Molly Taylor doing the rally? She was seen in M-Sport this week

I think she does. According to live results she is in the 27th position overal and 7th in 2WD after SS1.

[rage82]

[quote="Mad cat jnr"]Is Molly Taylor doing the rally? She was seen in M-Sport this weeк
Yes she is, 5.08.4 in 1-st stage

[Mirek]

Kopecký did 21 kms without power steering now.

[WUff1]

That´s why he is only Third now!

[Mirek]

Bouffier out and Delecour in problems. Both mechanical related :(

EDIT: Almost everybody in problems...

[RS]

ERC could be so much more interesting this year if Bouffier was in a better car :(

Roll on 2014..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

As if the entry wasn't poor enough, Bouffier already out and Delecour with problems...

Such a shame as they could both have fought for the win.

Wish Breen was here to give Kopecky some more competition.

[zajic]

http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2013/1173/1173_sibiu_rally_romania_2013_e082e01040.jpghttp://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2013/1173/1173_sibiu_rally_romania_2013_455b1dc0f1.jpghttp://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2013/1173/1173_sibiu_rally_romania_2013_8f5ecbc666.jpgMore photos HERE (http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=1173)

[faateris]

What is the problem with ERC, only 3 fast pilot's on s2000??!! It is format of ERC or crisis in Europe?

[Mirek]

I think that it's mostly in waiting for R5 cars. Originally even Škoda didn't plant o do ERC but since Kopecký was winning they changed plans.

[Jarek Z]

I think that it's mostly in waiting for R5 cars. Originally even Škoda didn't plant o do ERC but since Kopecký was winning they changed plans.

How many more "fantastic" theories are you going to make out to hide the fact that the ERC calendar is simply overloaded? Do you really think that such drivers as Basso, Rossetti, Breen, Aigner, Magalhaes, Ancian, Kubica or Kajetanowicz are sitting at home thinking "Hmmmm there is an ERC event in Romania, but I'm not going to compete, because I'm waiting for a R5 car" ?

In my opinion the answer is simple. Private drivers can't afford a 12-round ERC these days.

[Sulland]

Could be ok with 12-15 rallies to choose from around europe, but for the drivers only 7-8 should count.

All rallies count for the same, no coefficients or other BS!

[Mirek]

How many more "fantastic" theories are you going to make out to hide the fact that the ERC calendar is simply overloaded? Do you really think that such drivers as Basso, Rossetti, Breen, Aigner, Magalhaes, Ancian, Kubica or Kajetanowicz are sitting at home thinking "Hmmmm there is an ERC event in Romania, but I'm not going to compete, because I'm waiting for a R5 car" ?In my opinion the answer is simple. Private drivers can't afford a 12-round ERC these days.That's of course true but still the main reason why ERC is down compared to IRC few years back is absence of proper manufacturer competition - especially removal of support from local importer teams. That shall (hopefully) come back with R5 cars. In my opinion the main factor to blame is the ban for further S2000 homologations in 2010. Replacing S2000 by 2-3x more expensive option called RRC was devastating and since that time the IRC/ERC goes down.

[Jarek Z]

Could be ok with 12-15 rallies to choose from around europe, but for the drivers only 7-8 should count.


I said 12 rallies is too many, but you say 15 is ok? Didn't you notice that 15 > 12?

"Mathematics is the mother of all sciences"

[makinen_fan]

Why is SS13 cancelled?

[WUff1]

Breen and Ancian are not really private drivers by the way ;) But Rally Sibiu wasn´t on the list of Peugeot Motorsport at the start of their Engagement. I also think the second Skoda Driver is missing, would be more interesting if Lappi wouldn´t have been banned to Asia/Pacific.

[Mirek]

True but Peugeot is not doing many rounds. I heard they would not do Barum as well. At least Renault will be there... Regarding Lappi I don't think he is banned from driving ERC but there is simply no budget for that as ERC was not in Škoda pre-season plans.

[Mirek]

Why is SS13 cancelled?Too rough conditions. The reason for Bryan's retirement was two leaked dampers in one stage.

[RS]

Congratulations to Kopecky/Dresler on another win. I'm sure he would like to have some competition too, but you can't ask any more of them than to get the job done.

[Wim_Impreza]

Congratulations to the whole podium I would say. Kopecký/Dresler for another win, Delecour for a good second place despite his age and the 3rd place for Toshihiro Arai must be the first podium place in the ERC for a driver from Japan!

[zajic]

http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2013/1173/1173_sibiu_rally_romania_2013_44d434b0c8.jpghttp://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2013/1173/1173_sibiu_rally_romania_2013_9f11845b74.jpghttp://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2013/1173/1173_sibiu_rally_romania_2013_04e339fc5a.jpgLeg 2, more photos HERE (http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=1173)

[dupanton]

Could be ok with 12-15 rallies to choose from around europe, but for the drivers only 7-8 should count.



No it's not. If there are 15 rallies and 7 results count, then it is possible 2 title rivals never compete in the same rally...

[makinen_fan]

This is the main problem by having many events and just the half of them count towards the championship. It would be OK if you are allowed to skip 1 event out of 10, lets say, everyone would get the chance to compete against the main rivals at a usual basis.

[liposh]

I don´t think that reducing number of events down to 10 will solve this problem. It must be 12-15 events and let´s say 10-12 best results counts. ERC must be more than just second level of rallying. It must be something like SBK championship compared to MotoGp. Superbikes found their own place and they are very popular. ERC must find it´s place too. Philosophical question: F1 has 19 rounds and even teams like Marussia nad Caterham participate on all of them. Why? And don´t answer F1 is something different. The question was asked to think about it.

[Mirek]

The best would be to have 8 and count all.

[Mirek]

I don´t think that reducing number of events down to 10 will solve this problem. It must be 12-15 events and let´s say 10-12 best results counts. ERC must be more than just second level of rallying. It must be something like SBK championship compared to MotoGp. Superbikes found their own place and they are very popular. ERC must find it´s place too. Philosophical question: F1 has 19 rounds and even teams like Marussia nad Caterham participate on all of them. Why? And don´t answer F1 is something different. The question was asked to think about it.

It IS something different. With the budget of F1 teams the logistic expense plays lesser role than with private teams in rallying where the budgets are just a fraction of the poorest F1 team. It's totally different also in the audience numbers and the whole circus. That's why all the money in the sport are totally incomparable. What do You think Caterham can do with 30-50 thousand Euro?

You are completely wrong with Your assumptions. You can't start building something from the end. First You must make ERC being healthy series and after that You can start increasing number of events. I also don't agree that SBK is on par with MotoGP. In my opinion SBK is clear second league although having more entrants.

[Jarek Z]

It must be 12-15 events and let´s say 10-12 best results counts.

With all due respect, but... have you completely lost your mind?! Can you give me a name of a driver, who competed in 15 ERC events in the latest years? Maybe at least someone who competed in 12? Nobody has so much money to compete in so many events! Where have you been for the last 5 years? Are you living on another planet? Why don't you listen to the drivers and their teams? Nobody wants more than 10 events and it is their opinion that counts here, fortunately not yours.

[Jarek Z]

F1 has 19 rounds and even teams like Marussia nad Caterham participate on all of them. Why?

Because pay drivers such as Charles Pic and Vitali Petrov pay millions of dollars to be in Marussia and Caterham. Have you never heard that F1 is full of pay drivers? Then maybe you shoud read about it first:
Pastor Maldonado leads the F1 drivers who bring money to the cockpit | Sport | The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/mar/16/pastor-maldonado-f1-money-drivers)

Do you want ERC to be full of pay drivers from Saudi Arabia? It's your choice, but I'd like to warn you that they are even slower than ERC megastar Tlustak :)

[Jarek Z]

The best would be to have 8 and count all.

Amen! :)

[liposh]

Tlustak do. And now it would be very hard but true: When loser like Tlustak can do that and find budget, why others can´t? Money are in the air. Everywhere all around. Rajd Polski will be next year one of the WRC rounds, why doesn´t Lotos support some polish driver and stay with Rajd Polski in ERC? Something is wrong and it isn´t about lack of money. In my opinion people from Eurosport think like me but they are much more bigger idiots than me, they are eager and greedy and they don´t want good competition in ERC, they just want a lot of money from this project. I am eager and greedy BUT I also want good level of ERC :D

OK, let´s start with new topic: Let´s count with 8 round and all counts, so which ones? My vote (championship with high quality and variety of surfaces and low prices) : 1. Janner, 2. Gravel Portugal, but in continental Portugal (Fafe for example) , 3. Tour de Corse, 4. Ypres, 5. Estonia, 6.gravel Poland or Bosphorus in Turkey, 7. San Remo, 8. Valais. ...What about your favorites?

[WUff1]

Tlustak do. And now it would be very hard but true: When loser like Tlustak can do that and find budget, why others can´t? Money are in the air. Everywhere all around. Rajd Polski will be next year one of the WRC rounds, why doesn´t Lotos support some polish driver and stay with Rajd Polski in ERC? Something is wrong and it isn´t about lack of money. In my opinion people from Eurosport think like me but they are much more bigger idiots than me, they are eager and greedy and they don´t want good competition in ERC, they just want a lot of money from this project. I am eager and greedy BUT I also want good level of ERC :D

Lotos are already supporting 3 polish drivers - ok, one to a lesser extent (Kajto), but the other two spend some amount of money in rallying ;)

[Jarek Z]

OK, let´s start with new topic: Let´s count with 8 round and all counts, so which ones? My vote (championship with high quality and variety of surfaces and low prices) : 1. Janner, 2. Gravel Portugal, but in continental Portugal (Fafe for example) , 3. Tour de Corse, 4. Ypres, 5. Estonia, 6.gravel Poland or Bosphorus in Turkey, 7. San Remo, 8. Valais. ...What about your favorites?

It was discussed on this very forum millions of times. Do you really want to start it all over again?

[Jarek Z]

Tlustak do. And now it would be very hard but true: When loser like Tlustak can do that and find budget, why others can´t? Money are in the air. Everywhere all around. Rajd Polski will be next year one of the WRC rounds, why doesn´t Lotos support some polish driver and stay with Rajd Polski in ERC?

I said you live on another planet. Now I also know its name. This planet is called Utopia.

[RS]

Back to Sibiu, the Eurosport commentator pointed out the podium was made up of a Czech driver in a Czech car, a French driver in a French car and a Japanese driver in a Japanese car. Pretty rare event I would have thought?

[stefanvv]

I agree events in ERC are too much for the moment. But it is Eurosport's playground now and it is done in their ways (as liposh said - money earning). The flip side of that coin is that now there is transition period from S2K to R5. So I think when manufacturer teams enter ERC with R5, the situation will be quite different. Unfortunatelly that might happen in 2015 when Skoda finish their R5 project (I presume).

[Mirek]

In 2015 there shall be also Renault and Opel ready with the R5.

[ovisopa]

You can find more photos searching on google "poze sibiu rally erc 2012" (new users can't post links)

I also uploaded some nice aerial videos I made on my facebook page

www . facebook . com / www . sibiul .ro

3179

[cosmin_sb]

1o events is enough for this moment but to be possible the rotation of events (to keep permanent some traditional rallies and the other change)

[faateris]

I agree with Mirek, 8 events and count all. But every year rotate 4 of them.
Europe have much more good events then only 8....

[cosmin_sb]

Last weekend I saw 7 stage of Sibiu Rally (SS Dobarca both pass, SSS both pass, Paltinis night and Sadu boyh pass).Very fast the 3 top drivers. I could see Bouffier twice before abandon.Other fast pilots was Botka, Porcisteanu (second day), Keleti, Arai, Gartofan. Tempestini knew to avoid any great problem and got a good result. One of the pilot which impressive me very much was Lukas. Very fast. The second pass on Sadu was fantastic ( and he hasn't front right wing ;) )

[RS]

I agree with Mirek, 8 events and count all. But every year rotate 4 of them.
Europe have much more good events then only 8....

Good idea. Keep Tour de Corse, Ypres, Barum, Sanremo as the main 4.

[WRC1]

Good idea. Keep Tour de Corse, Ypres, Barum, Sanremo as the main 4.

this Events are classics, agree, but all of them are on tarmac, so the other 4 has to be gravel (or snow) Jänner, Poland, Sibiu, Acores, Latvia, 4 from this 5 Events has to be in the calendar, there must be a Balance between gravel and tarmac

[cosmin_sb]

Last Saturday I ran on around 7km on the SS Santa. The first 4km until the Santa camp was all right. After that the road started downhill hard but ..... I can’t believe how the road was. It was awful. I didn’t knew how the car compete there. I’m sorry because I didn’t have something to make photos to show you.

[Plhus]

My pictures:

ŠKODA rally club / Sibiu Rally 2013 (Sibiu, RO) (http://www.src.czechrallyeweb.net/pages/sibiu2013.htm)

[Mihai]

The 2014 Sibiu Rally is likely to be run outside the Romanian Rally Championship (CNR). If so, expect a slim entry list.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

? :stareup: