[ERC] Sata Rallye Açores 2014 (15.-17.05. 2014)

[sete]

Abbring is stopping on SS10,and again continue

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Now Abbring running in road-mode .. joke.

[HaCo]

Abbring troubled as well.

[sete]

no powersteering for Abbring

[dimviii]

Abbring had problem at all the rallies he has compete with Peugeot,am i remember right?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It was broken power-steering for Abbring but he leads with Breen out.

[Mirek]

Figures are misleading as the CoI was 2 events in one, British and Irish was 18 entries I think? Given the overall health of the sport on the British Isles right now thats not bad, and it had a great entry in the National to back it all up

That's exactly the point of discussion with Jarek during CoI - the second event run in the same time on the same stages. It showed there is more than enough national drivers able to drive ERC event as both were same in length but far majority of locals didn't want. That's why Jarek said CoI shall not be part of ERC when local drivers are not interested.


Abbring had problem at all the rallies he has compete with Peugeot,am i remember right?

Yes

[Tom206wrc]

That official ERC 208 T16 in reliability is catastrophic :mad:

[RS]

Peugeot this isnt acceptable, new car or not.

It's shocking how many problems they have had with this car, and that is with several extra months testing which wasn't originally scheduled. I can't imagine anyone will want to buy a 208 R5 at the moment. Maybe for sprint rallies lol.

[HaCo]

Abbring great guy, still joking.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cerrny rolled ... :(

[Mirek]

Černý rolled :(

SS9 neutralized due to blocked road.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I cant believe it. I had to work today but tried to follow the rally and my man Breen as best I could...

So I charged home through the traffic to get home to watch the live stage on Eurosport at 6pm. I switch on and the first thing I see is Breen with the 208's bonnet up and the commentator says he cant re-start the car ... then... he's out.

Great. :bigcry:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BnxbAAIIgAApZb7.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BnxZ4gSIMAAG0hN.jpg:large

[RS]

I hope Abbring can fight back tomorrow. Sousa wouldn't be winner material without the mechanical problems of R5 cars.

[Mirek]

Sousa had bad luck yesterday on QS which caused him sweeping yesterday. He was good today. He also won the first run through Sete Cidades against Peugeots.

[Mirek]

From PLuto (he is in service):

Magalhaes (overheating), Abbring (power-steering), Consani (broken wheel) and Costenaro (puncture and no spare left) all reached service.

[EightGear]

Abbring had problem at all the rallies he has compete with Peugeot,am i remember right?

It's the fist time he has reached the end of leg 1.

[Nornbugger]

That's exactly the point of discussion with Jarek during CoI - the second event run in the same time on the same stages. It showed there is more than enough national drivers able to drive ERC event as both were same in length but far majority of locals didn't want. That's why Jarek said CoI shall not be part of ERC when local drivers are not interested.



they entered the national because their cars were not eligible, not because they didnt want to be part of it, 2 Mini WRCs could have spent money to convert their car to be slower and eligible and weaked their Irish championship chances, others could have spent ££££££ to hire slower R5 or S2000 cars leaving their quicker WRCs at home.
Do people who expect this from privateers often running at and beyond their means really believe their own drivel? The event (CoI) was a huge success at a local level, I've mates who didnt go to a rally in 15 plus years that went and loved it, the community as a whole fully supported it(an acceivement in its self over here) I'm sure the profile and exposure the event had can only help people trying to get deals together locally.
There is a bigger picture to every event than the keyboard jockeys see.


Back to Azores, gutted for Breen and Abbring too, the 208 T16 has been an uncharacteristically sloppy effort from Peugeot, I was delighted to see it on the stages at Easter but had Peugeot held back and sorted the car rather than rushing it out when it wasn't right Breen and Abbring would have still been able to take solid points with 207s and been most likely at this stage of the season in a stronger championship position.

[Mirek]

they entered the national because their cars were not eligible, not because they didnt want to be part of it, 2 Mini WRCs could have spent money to convert their car to be slower and eligible and weaked their Irish championship chances, others could have spent ££££££ to hire slower R5 or S2000 cars leaving their quicker WRCs at home.
Do people who expect this from privateers often running at and beyond their means really believe their own drivel? The event (CoI) was a huge success at a local level, I've mates who didnt go to a rally in 15 plus years that went and loved it, the community as a whole fully supported it(an acceivement in its self over here) I'm sure the profile and exposure the event had can only help people trying to get deals together locally.

You still speak about top class drivers but that's not the point. The rally isn't only top guys. How about all those cheap FWD, old gr.N cars etc.? Look at it from ERC promoter view. Why shall it hold an event somewhere where the locals don't take part? Hell, even in Acores which are tiny islands somewhere in the middle of nowhere there were 23 Portuguese crews on start of the ERC event (there is also national rally along which I don't count). Portugal is small and clearly isn't rich country but their drivers still start.


There is a bigger picture to every event than the keyboard jockeys see.

I do speak about bigger picture. As I said before why the promoter shall hold an ERC event in a country where local crews don't take part in THAT ERC event? For sake of tradition and great stages? Maybe yes but it's very sad to say the least. The same about Acropolis. I believe You that the rally was success among public but it needs more or at least it shall bring more. There is 68 million of people living on The Islands which are among the richest countries in the world. Why 10 million tiny countries like Belgium or Czech republic can have 3x more starters, not even speaking about 5 millions of Finns?

[WRC1]

You still speak about top class drivers but that's not the point. The rally isn't only top guys. How about all those cheap FWD, old gr.N cars etc.? Look at it from ERC promoter view. Why shall it hold an event somewhere where the locals don't take part? Hell, even in Acores which are tiny islands somewhere in the middle of nowhere there were 23 Portuguese crews on start of the ERC event (there is also national rally along which I don't count). Portugal is small and clearly isn't rich country but their drivers still start.



I do speak about bigger picture. As I said before why the promoter shall hold an ERC event in a country where local crews don't take part in THAT ERC event? For sake of tradition and great stages? Maybe yes but it's very sad to say the least. The same about Acropolis. I believe You that the rally was success among public but it needs more or at least it shall bring more. There is 68 million of people living on The Islands which are among the richest countries in the world. Why 10 million tiny countries like Belgium or Czech republic can have 3x more starters, not even speaking about 5 millions of Finns?

+ 10 !!!! very well said Mirek!!!

[rallyfun]

I do speak about bigger picture. As I said before why the promoter shall hold an ERC event in a country where local crews don't take part in THAT ERC event? For sake of tradition and great stages? Maybe yes but it's very sad to say the least. The same about Acropolis. I believe You that the rally was success among public but it needs more or at least it shall bring more. There is 68 million of people living on The Islands which are among the richest countries in the world. Why 10 million tiny countries like Belgium or Czech republic can have 3x more starters, not even speaking about 5 millions of Finns?

As for The Islands they have got 3 drivers in F1 and some teams based in UK. Why should they bother to follow rallies? Just have a look at Autosport and sometimes there is no single news from rally world and 80% F1 content, the rest other circuit racing.

[Nornbugger]

Mirek;993372]You still speak about top class drivers but that's not the point. The rally isn't only top guys. How about all those cheap FWD, old gr.N cars etc.? Look at it from ERC promoter view. Why shall it hold an event somewhere where the locals don't take part? Hell, even in Acores which are tiny islands somewhere in the middle of nowhere there were 23 Portuguese crews on start of the ERC event (there is also national rally along which I don't count). Portugal is small and clearly isn't rich country but their drivers still start.


Homologated older stuff of which you speak isnt that common here unfortunately. Rallying has shrunk so far in the eyes of the general public it really is hard to accept. It used to be huge and the Circuit of Ireland was the biggest motorsport event in Ireland by far. 25 odd years of being stuck in a trap between the Irish and British championships brought the event down, it almost disappeared in the late 00's, to have seen what Bobby Willis and his team achieved this year was inspiring.
I honestly think given a chance in the ERC the Circuit can be a great event for them and they together can help the sport on this island at least.
I'm glad it was the Circuit of Ireland that Bobby decided to get behind I think the decline of the event in the past years and the emergence on an Irish level of Killarney(couple of weeks later) would certainly have hurt the event in terms of entries. Also a Rally Ireland was well supported particularly in 07, I know a lot of drivers further back in the order didnt feel they got much back from it.







I do speak about bigger picture. As I said before why the promoter shall hold an ERC event in a country where local crews don't take part in THAT ERC event? For sake of tradition and great stages? Maybe yes but it's very sad to say the least. The same about Acropolis. I believe You that the rally was success among public but it needs more or at least it shall bring more. There is 68 million of people living on The Islands which are among the richest countries in the world. Why 10 million tiny countries like Belgium or Czech republic can have 3x more starters, not even speaking about 5 millions of Finns?



Small picture here, a bloke running on a shoe string at the back of the ERC field, what does the ERC give back to him?

[mousti]

PSA has much work to do.. With This Malcolm could get the First 100 orders fast..

Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk 2

[Rally Power]

Comedy gold. Some crews are back in ERC field :D

47 crews started in ERC. What is important is that Salvi, Meireles and Lopez are running ERC event. Good addition to the competition.

Actually someone (international stewards?) has create confusion over the ‘national event’ issue, because there was no need to make separate classifications, as it was seen in last Portugal Rally.

All local crews (apart the last 5 ones, separately listed over nº70) drive cars under FIA regs and were entitled to enter the entire rally, even if the Portuguese and Azorean championships retain only the 1st leg results.

After today local crews with smaller budgets will leave the rally, others will try to get the final podium but won’t get any championship points advantage.

Overall, 28 national crews under the 54 ERC field started the rally and 17 local crews are between the 32 first leg finishers. The leaders are Portugal (winning) made material and between the top 5 we’ve 3 Portuguese crews (6 over the top 10). Not bad for a local representation!

[Mirek]

Small picture here, a bloke running on a shoe string at the back of the ERC field, what does the ERC give back to him?

Really good question. Why some rallies never lack dozens of these "nobodies"? Why ordinary drivers dream about taking part in some and don't even think about others? In my opinion this is what makes the best events what they are. Seriously if the drivers don't want to take part themselves something is wrong - either in the championship, country or whatever.

Imagine what would happen if people could drive same race as Vettel or Rossi, to fight with their idols on the same road? That's what also differs rallying from other forms of motorsport and why it has always been a kind of motorsport for masses. Those masses are smaller and smaller every year while there is more and more people and cars in the world. That shows our sport in serious trouble. Thinking that only those big boys create the big picture of rallying is one of main reasons why we are where we are.

[Sulland]

Gutted for Breen.

Peugeot this isnt acceptable, new car or not.

Now we have reached the time when PSA need to get a top team together to sort out the R5s. The WTCC car is working, these are not! Focus - Fix!!

[mousti]

Many people here complain that rallying is not really accepted here. But in Many countries soccer and cycling are more important. In our TAC rally we reached the limit of 150 entrants. In Ypres it will be probably the Same but it will be fifty with foreign and national crews. One of the strongest entries of the season. We cant complain in Belgium IMO.

Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk 2

[Tom206wrc]

From PLuto (he is in service):

Magalhaes (overheating), Abbring (power-steering), Consani (broken wheel) and Costenaro (puncture and no spare left) all reached service.


I hope Magalhaes will continue today saturday and preserve his 5th place :confused:

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BnyG3wZIgAEAIcS.jpg

[Nornbugger]

Really good question. Why some rallies never lack dozens of these "nobodies"? Why ordinary drivers dream about taking part in some and don't even think about others? In my opinion this is what makes the best events what they are. Seriously if the drivers don't want to take part themselves something is wrong - either in the championship, country or whatever.

Imagine what would happen if people could drive same race as Vettel or Rossi, to fight with their idols on the same road? That's what also differs rallying from other forms of motorsport and why it has always been a kind of motorsport for masses. Those masses are smaller and smaller every year while there is more and more people and cars in the world. That shows our sport in serious trouble. Thinking that only those big boys create the big picture of rallying is one of main reasons why we are where we are.

In Ireland we have events that get huge support form the 'nobodies' Donegal and Killarney in particular, guys want to drive these events and given that they both have had consistent event bases and stages they have an appeal that others cant match YET! Molls Gap and Knockalla are just 2 stages that guys who watched Fisher,McHale, Meagher, McRae(s) etc drive can now drive themselves and the stages are still largely similar now, this is a huge lure. The Circuit this year returned to some stages where history is strong, Hamiltons Folly has stature as a stage to pull people in, the drivers love it and now it once again has an event around it to do it justice. Legends arent built overnight, and just as the ERC is trying to get reestablished as a prestigious championship, so too is the Circuit of Ireland. Both have history, both have had years of decline but are on their way back.
You speak of competiting again Vettels and Rossis, the ERC is in real terms a young championship with young guys trying to go places, I would expect at least one of the drivers who competed in the event at easter to make an impact at WRC level over the next few years, but really I think for the ERC to try to sell itself as a place where you can race your idol or whatever just cant work, rallying doesnt have that profile over here any more(does it anywhere?)


Anyone, why do the drivers who would normally enter small national 1day events/rallysprints/single venues etc step up to compete at the tail end of ERC events in other countries? Genuinely interested to know this.

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BnxpJ5QIgAAzFZE.jpg

[Jafry]

Photos from DAY including vulcano stage HERE: http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=1258

[Mirek]

https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/10329081_883150671701019_6240946170276967908_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/t1.0-9/10342453_883150655034354_4843247971869117102_n.jpg

Somebody was bloody lucky...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Peugeot-Sport Official - reason Craig Breen retired before SS10 was a wiring loom problem.

[br21]

If I heard correctly Breen will not restart today. Strange they were not able to solve wiring loom issue...
And already some problems for Orsak even before first stage of today.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So no points for Breen as he didnt complete Leg 1 either... :( Skoda & Lappi must be laughing.

Peugeot can only hope hope Kevin can Ab-bring home the win... ;)

[br21]

Problems for 208 R5 again...

[Andre Oliveira]

Problems to Bruno Magalhães :(

[EightGear]

Again, engine trouble for Abbring...

[KiwiWRCfan]

is their anywhere i can see the live TV stage webstreamed ?

[Jarek Z]

There was a discussion about that in CoI dedicated thread. Jarek was right in his points - there was very little interest from local drivers to take part in ERC event and the overall number of ERC entrant was very low (again because of absence of local drivers). Those are valid points. The event and the stages are great but when locals are not interested to take part in ERC event than why to have it there?

Thanks for clarifying this Mirek. I was very busy at work yesterday and couldn't follow the discussion. I thought you were actually supporting the double events, what u surprise! :)

[KiwiWRCfan]

live stage webstream here http://cricfree.tv/live/watch/european_rally_cars_azores/38886

[Andre Oliveira]

What a fantastic country we have:

One of the best rallies of WRC for many years on South and mainly on North.
One of the best tarmac rallies of IRC/ERC for many years at Madeira.
One of the most beautifull gravel rallies of ERC at Azores.

Portugal is a rally country, shame of federations are too bad.

[Jarek Z]

Why is it stupid? It's one of the most beautiful places in the world and the stages are very nice and completely different from anything else in the calendar. Some drivers crashed, so what? Last weekend in Argentina plenty of world best drivers crashed on first proper stage too and the Earth didn't stop rotating ;)

Well, I was looking at it from Kajto's perspective. How is he going to persuade his sponsor to give him money for a rally 5000 km away from Poland, where he hits a basketball-sized rock lying in the middle of the road before the rally even begun? What do you think - after such disgrace, where will Lotos want to spend their money now? On another unknown rally 5000 km away from Poland or on something more positive and watched by millions of viewers, like football:

http://ocdn.eu/images/pulscms/MzM7MDQsMCw2LDEwMDMsOTAxOzA2LDMyMCwxYzI_/3b2ba5aa6bd3e1bec42da525a6ac49f8.jpg

Volleyball:

http://www.sport.trefl.com/assets/Uploads/Siatkowka-M/Galerie/_resampled/croppedimage800533-feef5ebf0f943596ba62f06c3ee8670b_20140405pod032.jp g

or basketball?

http://sport.trefl.com/assets/Uploads/Koszykowka-M/Galerie/_resampled/croppedimage900600-54b2b3c7471e490050cf7b58da95c8af_20131214fig025.jp g

[Andre Oliveira]

wOw Abbring

[dimviii]

Sousa comments are laughable.

208 with misfiring today....

[Jarek Z]

Why some rallies never lack dozens of these "nobodies"? Why ordinary drivers dream about taking part in some and don't even think about others? In my opinion this is what makes the best events what they are. Seriously if the drivers don't want to take part themselves something is wrong - either in the championship, country or whatever.

Imagine what would happen if people could drive same race as Vettel or Rossi, to fight with their idols on the same road? That's what also differs rallying from other forms of motorsport and why it has always been a kind of motorsport for masses. Those masses are smaller and smaller every year while there is more and more people and cars in the world. That shows our sport in serious trouble. Thinking that only those big boys create the big picture of rallying is one of main reasons why we are where we are.

Wow! That must be the wisest comment in the whole discussion. It's so great to see that you share the same opinion as me. Thanks Mirek! :)

[Mirek]

Thanks for clarifying this Mirek. I was very busy at work yesterday and couldn't follow the discussion. I thought you were actually supporting the double events, what u surprise! :)

Actually I did. I'm well aware of both negative and positive side of the issue and I'm not against double events per se because they bring spectators and organizers a lot of crews which would normally not start. On the other hand it's sad when almost all locals choose to drive national event and not the international one. That's where I agree with You.

[Rally Power]

208 with misfiring today....

...not in SS13. Abbring was pushing hard, lost concentration after first mistake and was very lucky on the second one!

Nice to see Sousa keeping the pressure without excesses. Go Sousa!!!

[dimviii]

...not in SS13. !

read Sousa comments about ss13 at fiaerc.com

[EightGear]

So, just about 20 seconds seperating Sousa and Abbring with 3 stages (54 km's) to go. Can Abbring do it?

[RS]

So no points for Breen as he didnt complete Leg 1 either... :( Skoda & Lappi must be laughing.


On one hand Breen has missed a big opportunity to grab a win and the points which go with it, on the other hand I think Lappi could have probably taken a comfortable win here so maybe they are regretting not entering now.

[RS]

So, just about 20 seconds seperating Sousa and Abbring with 3 stages (54 km's) to go. Can Abbring do it?

I believe Abbring and the 208 are the faster package but let's see if he will try for the win and/or if the car will break again.

[Andre Oliveira]

Sorry, but even Lappi was there, "IF" Moura don't retire he wons. Race at home, even if the car is new and only few km of tests.

[Mirek]

Sorry, but even Lappi was there, "IF" Moura don't retire he wons. Race at home, even if the car is new and only few km of tests.

Moura is not unbeatable. See last year when Kopecký and Breen were faster than him. Lappi is probably quite reasonably faster than Kopecký on gravel.

[dimviii]

without problems Abbring will win imho.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bn1eH_oIAAAz_Ju.jpg:large

[HaCo]

Fingers crossed for Abbring!

[dimviii]

Abbring has cut Sousa lead to 9.3

[dimviii]

On one hand Breen has missed a big opportunity to grab a win and the points which go with it, on the other hand I think Lappi could have probably taken a comfortable win here so maybe they are regretting not entering now.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BnyNxAbIAAEVKVQ.jpg:thumb

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Just in and catching up with TV Stage 13 from earlier - wow, Abbring was lucky, especially through the watersplash !! :disturb:

And he said to Breen he wasn't taking any risks... I wouldn't like to see him if he was taking risks... :laugh:

[focus206]

Abbring would really deserve a win after the problems he had with the 208 in previous 2 rallies, I really like him as a driver

[HaCo]

Abbring would really deserve a win after the problems he had with the 208 in previous 2 rallies, I really like him as a driver
+1

[dimviii]

Abbring is the surprise of erc imho. He was immediately fast at any surface,even if he hadn t visit again the rally.
Plenty of potential this guy.

[mousti]

No surprise for me, his adaptability is outstanding.

Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk 2

[Jarek Z]

Abbring is the surprise of erc imho. He was immediately fast at any surface,even if he hadn t visit again the rally.
Plenty of potential this guy.

He has always been good, hasn't he?

[HaCo]

Exactly: no surprise at all!

He and Weijs deserve a good ride!

[dimviii]

guys being ''good'' we ve seen plenty of drivers,but there is a difference from partcipating at erc and being fast with a new car at erc rallies you haven t ever see, is not the same.
Except that this year due to retires he haven t do enough kms.Against all these he is brilliant.

[dimviii]

Abbring about Gryazin

Abbring "He's OK, last corner which tightens to more or less a 90% - I think he got stuck"

[dimviii]

Sousa 15:19.8 will try to win last stage: "I hope to win it again...I will try, we will see"

[Jarek Z]

Exactly: no surprise at all!

He and Weijs deserve a good ride!

Yes, Hans Weijs! I forgot about him. Where is he now?

[focus206]

Indeed, both those 2 Dutch drivers looked promising since their JWRC times. Hans is in the South African championship with Volkswagen, I believe?
Also, will last stage be TV live?

[Jarek Z]

This rally seems like some survival event. Look at the crazy number of retirements:
1 Breen Craig - fire before SS10
3 Kajetanowicz Kajetan - broken suspension in SS 4
5 Moura Ricardo - accident in SS 4
6 Magalhães Bruno - technical problem in SS 12
8 Orsák Jaroslav - broken wheel in SS 6
14 Meireles Pedro - retired after first leg
15 Barros Joăo - retired in SS 6
16 Salvi Diogo - technical problem after SS 9
17 Pushkar Vitaliy - accident in SS10
19 Lopes Adruzilo - retired after first leg
26 Iglesias Juan Pablo - technical problem in SS 3
30 Trindade Herlander - damaged wheel after SS 7
31 Černý Jan - accident in SS 9
33 Parpottas Alex - accident in SS 1
38 Crugnola Andrea - - clutch after SS 6
2 Griazin Vasili - got stuck in a ditch in SS 16

... and it's not everything yet.

[Andre Oliveira]

Adruzilo Lopes and Pedro Meireles only did national champ part. Did not true retire. Only first 11ss

[Jarek Z]

They are both listed as retired at http://rally-base.com/2014/sata-rallye-acores-2014/retired/

Latest news: Griazin managed to get out of the ditch, but lost 22 minutes and is out of points.

[Mirek]

This rally seems like some survival event. Look at the crazy number of retirements:
1 Breen Craig - fire before SS10
3 Kajetanowicz Kajetan - broken suspension in SS 4
5 Moura Ricardo - accident in SS 4
6 Magalhães Bruno - technical problem in SS 12
8 Orsák Jaroslav - broken wheel in SS 6
14 Meireles Pedro - retired after first leg
15 Barros Joăo - retired in SS 6
16 Salvi Diogo - technical problem after SS 9
17 Pushkar Vitaliy - accident in SS10
19 Lopes Adruzilo - retired after first leg
26 Iglesias Juan Pablo - technical problem in SS 3
30 Trindade Herlander - damaged wheel after SS 7
31 Černý Jan - accident in SS 9
33 Parpottas Alex - accident in SS 1
38 Crugnola Andrea - - clutch after SS 6
2 Griazin Vasili - got stuck in a ditch in SS 16

... and it's not everything yet.

Those stages are very narrow and an accident is very easy there. Remember that Hänninen managed to crash twice in his first appearance there? :D Černý and Orsák both started twice and crashed in both. Even almost never crashing Kopecký crashed there few years back ;)

[dimviii]

live
http://www.stream2watch.me/live-tv/eurosport-live-stream

[HaCo]

Following the stage on Eurosport HD. Awesome!
Wondering if the splits are reliable?

[RAS007]

Following the stage on Eurosport HD. Awesome!
Wondering if the splits are reliable?

I really really wish Eurosport would get the WRC coverage back.

[dimviii]

Event timing split puts Abbring 1.4 up on Sousa

[HaCo]

English pacenotes for the Dutchman! Come on, push, push, push!

[Andre Oliveira]

Sousa!

[HaCo]

Great drive by Sousa, pitty for abbring. Peugeots fault. Great coverage, who needs a last ss to decide the rally if you have ERC :-)

[Jarek Z]

Those stages are very narrow and an accident is very easy there. Remember that Hänninen managed to crash twice in his first appearance there? :D Černý and Orsák both started twice and crashed in both. Even almost never crashing Kopecký crashed there few years back ;)

Yes, some of the stages look almost like a bobsleigh track. Maybe they should move this rally to winter, right after Janner? :D

[dimviii]

congrats to Sousa and Abbring.

[Mirek]

The rally was a bit crazy and the final results are very unexpected. Congratulations to Sousa and AT Rally Team! Good that Abbring finally finished but there is still a lot of work for Peugeot. With this reliability they can not win the championship.

[EightGear]

Congrats to Sousa. It's a shame Abbring made that stupid mistake this morning after the watersplash (and the power steering problem + 10 seconds penalty). I hope Peugeot will at least keep him for next year.

[Rally Power]

Great stuff! Epic duel till the last meter!

Congrats to Bernardo and Hugo! Let's hope this'll be the right push for their career!

Nice fight from Abbring...the Pug boys will have a lot of chances to shine again this year!

[RS]

Great finish to the event and live on TV! I haven't watched WRC live stages since Sweden so I don't know if they have improved but this was much more polished (but not perfect of course) Like HaCo said, who needs a 'power stage' when you have a close finish like that?!

Congratulations to Sousa. I have never really rated him before but his onboards did look very good this weekend.

[Tom206wrc]

Congratulations to Bernardo Sousa and Kevin Abbring for their final fight :cool:
Fantastic result for "gentleman driver" Jean-Michel Raoux :D

[vino_93]

It's only the second podium of the whole "career" of Jean Michel Raoux. His previous was last year, during Rallye de Venasque : http://ewrc-results.com/final.php?e=10120&t=Rallye-National-de-Venasque-2013

[dimviii]

emotional photo of Sousa
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bn3Q8PMCUAAuV-s.jpg

[WRC1]

congratulations...what a fantastic event with so many winners...first of course sousa for the win, but also abbring can be called winner...the people at home on the tv screens and behind the pc are also winners, eurosport and the erc is a winner, (mr. capito, i hope you have seen how rallysport CAN work also in TV...) levebre! what a perfect race for him, very good performance!

...and last but not least maybe the biggest winner of the weekend: skoda motorsport and lappi ;)

[nafpaktos]

Can somebody sums up Abbrings problems and mistakes in the Azores rally.thanks!

[EightGear]

Can somebody sums up Abbrings problems and mistakes in the Azores rally.thanks!

On day 1 he didn't have the right setup but was still close to Breen. Day 2 he had power steering problems and incurred a 10 second penalty for being late because he was fixing the power steering. Then today he had engine trouble on SS13 made a mistake on SS14.

[nafpaktos]

Thank you very much!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Watching live football final so recorded the last stage.. what a great fight to the end and either guy would deserve the win.

Pleased for local man Sousa, it meant a lot to him and with no mistaked he deserved it.

Abbring should have won even with his steering problem but made a few too many small errors.

Great event and ES did a superb job with the coverage and showed what CAN be done with rallying on tv.

[Luis Pacheco]

Watching a couple of 'my' old cars so far - Pug309 GTI and R5 GT Turbo ! :D

The Renault was not a GT Turbo but a Super 5!

[Luis Pacheco]

According to Abbring: "There were huge rocks on the road and I believe Kajetanowicz hit it. This is not rallying."

Some sections of same stages are very narrow and flanked by barriers with rocks. Just a slight slip and there goes a stone to the path.

[Luis Pacheco]

About stones on the stage. I remember last year someone tried to sabotage Moura's rally in the Azores regional championship, which in itself is pretty strange considering he is from the Islands. If I remember correctly there was even a police investigation. I do hope those idiots with the ambition to ruin Moura's races have the decency to remember that this is a internanional rally.

Guess what?! Moura retired after hitting "big rocks".

Anyone following the Azorean rallies know exactly who is behind the attempts to "sabotage" the drivers of Team Alem Mar. The same person was involved in similar cases in the past. In this case the onboard images is visible that Moura cut the corner where you can not cut and Kaloj cut even further. That section inside the military wood is very narrow with prominent stones.

[Luis Pacheco]

It showed there is more than enough national drivers able to drive ERC event as both were same in length but far majority of locals didn't want.

Only the first leg account for the Portuguese and the Azorean championships. Some of the teams decided not to align on Saturday.

[Andre Oliveira]

Watching live football final so recorded the last stage.. what a great fight to the end and either guy would deserve the win.

Pleased for local man Sousa, it meant a lot to him and with no mistaked he deserved it.

Abbring should have won even with his steering problem but made a few too many small errors.

Great event and ES did a superb job with the coverage and showed what CAN be done with rallying on tv.

Only one thing, Bernardo is portuguese but not local ;) He is from Madeira island.

[Mirek]

Only the first leg account for the Portuguese and the Azorean championships. Some of the teams decided not to align on Saturday.

That my sentence was about CoI.

[Luis Pacheco]

Only one thing, Bernardo is portuguese but not local ;) He is from Madeira island.

And Moura is half Madeiran half Azorean. :)

[Ucci]

Congrats to Sousa ! Finally some luck also for him, he deserves it! Specially after the humiliation with Lotus project..

[Luis Pacheco]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLE7Ab1BSME

The Eurosport commentators comparing the territorial status of the Azores with Portugal and the status of the Falkland (not Falklands like they said) with the UK. They say is the same. No words....

Not to mention the total lack of knowledge about the event, the portuguese pilots. Bernardo Sousa is Azorean they say....

[bluuford]

Well, I was looking at it from Kajto's perspective. How is he going to persuade his sponsor to give him money for a rally 5000 km away from Poland, where he hits a basketball-sized rock lying in the middle of the road before the rally even begun? What do you think - after such disgrace, where will Lotos want to spend their money now? On another unknown rally 5000 km away from Poland or on something more positive and watched by millions of viewers, like football:


Volleyball:


or basketball?


One thing is to sponsor football and basketball.. the other point is to reach to your audience.
Last time I watched football was 2 years ago, last time I watched other previously mentioned balls.. I dont remember.. It was too long ago.
Big company needs to think abut different audiences they need to reach. Ok, there are many followers in different ball games but often many of them are kids, very young people and often people who do not have much money to spend? Do they buy fuel from LOTOS station in Poland? Probably no, they take the cheapest option, which is not LOTOS.
People who have more financial resources are usually busier, if they follow some sports then maybe one-or two sports that they like the most. And rally is one of these that helps busy people to switch them off for the whole weekend and spend time in the forests/fields/mountains. Often these people are also decision makers who decide from which company their company employers are buying fuel (sometimes thousands of people) and when these decision makers meet in the forrest while waiting the stage to go live.. then it is often the place where some big things (deals) can start (my own experience).
This is the reason why we still have sponsors and why sponosrs are interested in the sport.

[RICARDO75]

Some sections of same stages are very narrow and flanked by barriers with rocks. Just a slight slip and there goes a stone to the path.

I think that part of Batalha stage will no longer used in the rally. Next year there will be new variant.
I had already told to organization members that part of the stage doesn't make sense

[mousti]

Classy

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bn7qxQSCAAAsHcz.jpg

[Luis Pacheco]

Being Azorean I am embarrassed seeing this photos...

[Mirek]

Just out of curiosity... whose onboard is that?

Luis, don't worry, idiocy has no nationality...

[PLuto]

Adruzilo Lopes and Pedro Meireles only did national champ part. Did not true retire. Only first 11ss

Yes, they have retired. They have retired from Sata Rallye Acores, after SS 11...

[mousti]

Just out of curiosity... whose onboard is that?

Luis, don't worry, idiocy has no nationality...

Ingram's onboard.

[Jarek Z]

Yes, they have retired. They have retired from Sata Rallye Acores, after SS 11...

Andre, you must have been following some other event ;)

[Jarek Z]

Last time I watched football was 2 years ago...

Sometimes football and rallying go hand in hand ;)

http://d3jw5gs1mh13h6.cloudfront.net/uploads/photobank/seasons/2014/news/small/small_sousa_601.jpg

[Andre Oliveira]

Andre, you must have been following some other event ;)

No i'm not :) withdraw is one reason of retire. I only said that is not true retire like our collegue said. Accident or mechanical for example.

[Mirek]

No i'm not :) withdraw is one reason of retire. I only said that is not true retire like our collegue said. Accident or mechanical for example.

In Czech there is no difference between withdraw and retire so for Pluto it is the same ;)

[Andre Oliveira]

http://ewrc-results.com/foto.php?e=13877&t=SATA-Rallye-Acores-2014

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_003.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_006.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_010.jpg

[Andre Oliveira]

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_011.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_012.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_020.jpg

[Andre Oliveira]

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_037.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_038.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_045.jpg

[Andre Oliveira]

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_048.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_051.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_058.jpg

[Andre Oliveira]

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_089.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_094.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/sno_095.jpg

[Andre Oliveira]

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/pes_2014-05-16_0173-2.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/pes_2014-05-15_0465.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/sata_rallye_aores_2014/pes_2014-05-17_0238.jpg

[WUff1]

Thank you for those really great pics!

[Mirek]

Beautiful photos from André Lavadinho: http://www.autosport.cz/zavody/fotogalerie.php?id=84&id=1193&autor=83

http://www.autosport.cz/img/fotografie/427ad956cba61010740d8071395ecf4d.jpg
http://www.autosport.cz/img/fotografie/053f8df572b1a302dd57152935921379.jpg
http://www.autosport.cz/img/fotografie/f820661ec9a8a4ed9144b652c126a782.jpg

[Luis Pacheco]

Some damages during the trip back to Lisbon. Some cars damaged even the helis.

http://www.rtp.pt/acores/?article=36404&visual=3&layout=10&tm=9

[Luis Pacheco]

https://scontent-b-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1.0-9/10320499_10202779431625391_5297823960180739715_n.j pg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10402602_10202779434265457_3016030955250427626_n.j pg

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202779431625391&set=pcb.10202779438665567&type=1&theater

[RS]

What happened? Rough seas?

[Jarek Z]

What happened? Rough seas?

This is very sad. I hope the equipment was good insured.