[ERC] Geko Ypres Rally (19. -21.06. 2014)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

yes broken tyre = broke the brake pipe.it happens.



Yes I realised the puncture lead to the broken brake pipe... But that is unlucky as every puncture does not normally do this as well.

So Breen not only lost the time from the flat tyre but then also for 3 more stages due to no brakes - all from one 'mistake' which may not have been Breen's error at all, just bad luck.


Puncture in Ypres is mostly own fault instead of bad luck..


But no-one actually knows the cause.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Every driver is taking big cuts so Breen wasnt doing anything different...

Abbring
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqmMp6ACMAAygVy.png

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Another pic of Tsjoen on fire !

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bqj80rlCcAA6VXk.jpg:large

[dimviii]

Yes I realised the puncture lead to the broken brake pipe... But that is unlucky as every puncture does not normally do this as well.

So Breen not only lost the time from the flat tyre but then also for 3 more stages due to no brakes - all from one 'mistake' which may not have been Breen's error at all, just bad luck.

One person says the puncture is due to a mistake but no-one actually knows.

Eddie usually this problem occurs when you decide to go some kms in the stage with the flat tyre.
If you choose to change it because the stage has plenty of kms more,you avoid more problems from the ''flat tyre''
if you have some ie 4-5 kms to the stage end, usually you continue with the flat tyre because you will loose less vs change it which cost about 2 minutes.
But when you decide to continue with flat tyre you take the risks.When tyre will explode to pieces its normal to destroy everything near that place.And thats not the only risk,they can be more damages with flat tyres, like differential problems (due to the shorter diameter from the wheel )with the flat tyre.

#ERCJunior #YpresRally Final Día1
1-Dilley
2-Crugnola +7.9
3-Zawada +28.1
4-Griebel +40.9
5-Lefevbre +1:01.8
6-Bux +1.21.8
7-Cerny +1:30.8

[dimviii]

Thiry retired?

[RS]

Heli footage including Casier's accident: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6riAmSOJM0A

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Eddie usually this problem occurs when you decide to go some kms in the stage with the flat tyre.
If you choose to change it because the stage has plenty of kms more,you avoid more problems from the ''flat tyre''
if you have some ie 4-5 kms to the stage end, usually you continue with the flat tyre because you will loose less vs change it which cost about 2 minutes.
But when you decide to continue with flat tyre you take the risks.When tyre will explode to pieces its normal to destroy everything near that place.And thats not the only risk,they can be more damages with flat tyres, like differential problems (due to the shorter diameter from the wheel )with the flat tyre.




Fair point, but I've seen many times drivers continue with a puncture and much of the corner of the car is destroyed... there appeared no damage to Breen's.

How far from the end was he when it happened ?

[HaCo]

Anyone followed my splits? On langemark I was at the finish and compared to the real results my splits were accurate, and almost real time.

Was a nice day on the stages, good weather, nice battle. Pitty Roxx made a mistake and I'm feeling very sorry for Casier. Good rally from Cherain and super rally from Abbring! Anyone knows what happened with Thiry, he didn't pass in the last stage.

[mousti]

Anyone followed my splits? On langemark I was at the finish and compared to the real results my splits were accurate, and almost real time.

Was a nice day on the stages, good weather, nice battle. Pitty Roxx made a mistake and I'm feeling very sorry for Casier. Good rally from Cherain and super rally from Abbring! Anyone knows what happened with Thiry, he didn't pass in the last stage.

It was a bit more difficult with the 2 minute gap

Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk 2

[Wim_Impreza]

I am just back after a nice day in Ypres. The most friendly drivers that I met were the Czech drivers, the Hungarian drivers, Esapekka Lappi, Bruno Thiry, Petter Kristiansen and Spencer Wilkinson. I had an old postcard (from 1981) and pressphotos of Ari Vatanen with me and Ari signed them, really happy about it. :)

In SS4 Langemark, #34 Philip Barbier went in a ditch in front of me. It was impossible to bring the car back on the road there.

It is also clear that the R5 cars, and especially the 208 T16 cars, are having a lot more torque after slow corners than the S2000 cars. The biggest surprise for me is Neil Simpson, who is much faster than I thought on this roads. Most spectacular drivers where Tibor Erdi jr., Esapekka Lappi, Luca Rossetti, András Hadik and Jaroslav Orsák.

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIE-3sIPlvY

[dimviii]

https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10380328_304712899692858_352986188244849593_n.jpg? oh=0fc1055b102fe56bee458bf98e5a4631&oe=54230E25
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10450531_777162032323442_5727541225835937600_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/10415644_777162112323434_8955047746150367927_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/10430488_777162105656768_4740452505462969792_n.jpg

[dimviii]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w3hauXvgc9Q/U6SxIQ3AkOI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/zdXbVGmnYYk/w702-h474-no/DSC_6377.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QuqDm7x_h20/U6SxJjioJAI/AAAAAAAAE6g/JKh8lFpVqLQ/w702-h474-no/DSC_6404.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kK3BjyoSGq8/U6SxNjPpgGI/AAAAAAAAE7A/oqoDEGAfB2Q/w702-h474-no/DSC_6502.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-g81rQ1LH2lA/U6SxOtWvw-I/AAAAAAAAE7I/PEZAE8KqaU4/w702-h474-no/DSC_6508.jpg

[dimviii]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Bc1McidEDaA/U6SxUYvvsRI/AAAAAAAAE74/OYi-9vhiwPA/w702-h474-no/DSC_6721.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5Vc70WQ9hdE/U6SxVUt1IfI/AAAAAAAAE8A/Zvrj5V_4DTo/w702-h474-no/DSC_6770.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9YQWf-7KlGo/U6SxSf_93wI/AAAAAAAAE7o/BhlLna631dc/w702-h474-no/DSC_6607.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z3IZ4ZN4kqg/U6SxQQ37bQI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/YcLWcNoGqq4/w702-h474-no/DSC_6575.jpg

[leighton323]

King Kevin at it again.

I guess you are the only one who consistently knows it seeing as you are from his country but I do not understand how Kevin Abbring does not get more praise on here. He is hugely impressive with his speed and if not for the mechanical woes of the Peugeot then things could have been a lot different.
He has been out doing Craig Breen on every single event this year before the mechanical issues have sunk in.
This man deserves to go further in the sport.

Is he as good on gravel as he is on tarmac?

[tommeke_B]

Is he as good on gravel as he is on tarmac?

Yes.

Had a good first day, seen 3 stages, 3 times very fast place. Very impressive driving from Abbring indeed! Also a very positive surprise has been Rossetti. On the 6th stage we've seen him have an off due to puncture. Then he replaced the wheel and continued. Both Rossetti and Consani's pace proved that Pirelli tyres can't be bad, by the way. Consani his car is visibly slower than those of the opposition. Freddy Loix driving consistently for second, there's no visible difference between his car, rossetti's car and the factory cars. Freddy said that he was impressed by Abbring's pace, but not surprised. :) From Belgian drivers Cherain is really quick. It's also clearly visible that he is the only Fiesta R5-driver who has a really proper set-up. From all other Fiesta's the car is completely diving and all weight comes to the front end, somehow Cherain doesn't have it, or at least not so much. Vanneste is driving very nice as well, but there is a visible difference in speed between his car and the cars of the people he's competing against now.

Did anyone notice that the 208 R5's had a broken rear window again? I think it may be because the rear wing is pushing on it, and with some vibrations and bumps it may crack easily.

We've seen the R2 cars as well. Kristiansen was very spectacular but crashed, unfortunately, but it was not a surprise. After seeing him on SS4 we were wondering when he would crash, not knowing he crashed only 5 corners after... Lefebvre fast as always. Demaerschalk is doing a great event again, I hope he can keep his place. Also Northern-French Heuninck is very nice to see with his 'old' C2. The Opel Adam's were nice to see also, both Thiry and Griebel. The chassis of the car is amazing, even compared to the 208 (which was claimed to have the best chassis of R2-cars) it is much more stable. Shame Bruno Thiry had to retire. Apparently he hit a big stone in the middle of the road. Some rumors say it would be some sabotage, but I doubt it...

[tommeke_B]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aKieQ5PsgI

[dimviii]

watch the broken rear window at Abbrings 208,also the bird at the front grill
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=304717933025688&id=155900921240724

Cherain
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/q72/s720x720/10456828_604119963018675_941031965452212960_n.jpg

[dimviii]

http://www.rallylovers.be/Pictures/2014/David%20Derdaele/GEKO%20Ypres%20Rally%20vrijdag/18.JPG
http://www.rallylovers.be/Pictures/2014/David%20Derdaele/GEKO%20Ypres%20Rally%20vrijdag/25.JPG

http://www.rallylovers.be/fd/511/GEKO-Ypres-Rally-vrijdag

http://www.rallylovers.be/Pictures/2014/Koen%20Demeyere/GEKO%20Ypres%20Rally%20vrijdag/34.JPG
http://www.rallylovers.be/Pictures/2014/Koen%20Demeyere/GEKO%20Ypres%20Rally%20vrijdag/19.JPG

http://www.rallylovers.be/fd/510/GEKO-Ypres-Rally-vrijdag

[Jafry]

More photos from DAY1 in Ypres HERE: http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=1272

[Fast Eddie WRC]

More damage to Abbring's car than Breen's, but he got away with it...

http://www.rallylovers.be/Pictures/2014/David%20Derdaele/GEKO%20Ypres%20Rally%20vrijdag/25.JPG

[HarriK]

Lappi off road?

[Jarek Z]

Something wrong with Abbring on SS9? Did he lose 5 minutes or is it a mistake?

[HarriK]

Lappi off road, Loix and Abbring had to stop !" Lappi rolled. Crew is ok!

"Because of the crash of Lappi there will be no provisional results of SS9 Vleteren-Krombeke 1"

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Better start today by Breen - 3rd on SS8, fastest on SS9 although still some brake problems...

But now lost 20s on SS10 having to reset the car in stage... :(


Breaking News - Lappi reported off the road, Abbring and Loix stopped... whats going on ??

[Jarek Z]

Breen stopped his car on SS10, but continues:

"We stopped for 20 second, the car stopped for 2-seconds, we don't know why and we had to do a full reset. It was at a junction."

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So Loix & Abbring held up on SS9 ? Will their times be corrected ?

EDIT - "Official: Stage Vleteren-Krombeke 1 has been neutralised" "Because of the crash of Lappi there will be no provisional results of SS9 Vleteren-Krombeke 1"

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen been stopped in SS11... more resets :(

[dimviii]

https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/p235x350/10329058_10152500522094507_8121409245545256780_n.j pg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/10488248_10152500493094507_1716355119774058581_n.j pg

[FUNKYXXXXX]

R5 problems with brakes
????????

[dimviii]

https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/p235x350/10492059_10152500602514507_5760802570422745672_n.j pg

[HarriK]

114

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqphtvBCIAA5Lg7.png:large

[dimviii]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/p320x320/10347234_10152500730639507_781820751237766192_n.jp g

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Scott Martin ‏@scottmartinat Tweets:
After the probs yesterday, first 2 stages today were great, fastest on SS9 then in SS10 & 11 disaster strikes again #whenwillourluckchange :(

[dimviii]

Scott Martin ‏@scottmartinat Tweets:
After the probs yesterday, first 2 stages today were great, fastest on SS9 then in SS10 & 11 disaster strikes again #whenwillourluckchange :(

fastest at stage 9 because Loix Abbring took same time due to accident.

[dimviii]

Lappi
http://www.ypresrally.com/sites/ypresrally.com/files/wim_4733.jpg

[dimviii]

http://www.ypresrally.com/sites/ypresrally.com/files/wim_4734.jpg
http://www.ypresrally.com/sites/ypresrally.com/files/wim_4735.jpg

[dimviii]

nice battle between Loix Abbring.Hope to last till the last km.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Surprised at Lappi going off - he needed a result here to give him 4 rallies in the first half of the season. But with Breen's problems it looks like 3 will be enough ...

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bqoq5fnIYAAZ_wL.png:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen SS13 "Problems with handbrake and no front-wheel drive"

Unbelievable rally for Breen, never seen so many problems with a car on one event ! :crazy:

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FGXZRcNFd6g

[dimviii]

Breen SS13 "Problems with handbrake and no front-wheel drive":

yesterday we talked about the risks about differential problems when continue with flat tyre.

[dimviii]

[SS13] Lille-Eurométropole
Kevin ABBRING (PEUGEOT)
"The stage went well, but I hear something (in the engine) I have to check what it is..."

[dimviii]

https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/q73/s720x720/10487259_1387058341540775_5220863180674826132_n.jp g

[papar007]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxjVDjM3_rw

[hari]

"FLASH: Kevin Abbring out of the race due to technical problems on the french stage (Rally Radio 107.4)"

[dimviii]

no luck at all this guy.Pitty ,all the year he is fast at any surface and with no mistakes.

[EightGear]

#!%&!

I don't know what to say... :(

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kevin ABBRING (PEUGEOT)
"We won 2 stages again already in the first loop was promising. I do not know what to say. We were so close for the victory and we cannot finish it. I think we have a mechanical failure. I contacted the team and together we decide to stop. I hope the people appreciate what I did this weekend, I think we deserved the victory."

208T16 seems to be jinxed... :(

[focus206]

"FLASH: Kevin Abbring out of the race due to technical problems on the french stage (Rally Radio 107.4)"

oh come on, no :( still waiting for the victory he deserves...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/q73/s720x720/10487259_1387058341540775_5220863180674826132_n.jp g

Esapekka Lappi 'All OK, went to hospital just in case to check that all ok. My mistake, bit gravel and line went wide'.

[br21]

unbelievably bad luck for Kevin this year... he is so fast and consistent and all the time something...

[RS]

I'm sorry for Abbring, he certainly deserves a victory.. although I am not sure he could beat Loix here without the top speed advantage of the 208.

Surely anyone in the market for an R5 car right now will buy a Fiesta, or wait for the Skoda :/

[HarriK]

and Breen stopped and also game over.
Also Wiegand problems?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen finally out this time.

What a nightmare event for him and Peugeot.

[dimviii]

Consani escape from fire.Very dangerous!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxjVDjM3_rw&feature=youtu.be

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Game over. :(

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqqRvKyCAAAxnI5.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tsjoen on-board fire also...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytn5YzoQzBc

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Simpson also off... but fans got him going again.

"It got me, Ypres bit me good and proper. We were going far too quick and we went far too wide and slide off. That's Belgium, we live to fight another day..."

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqqV1C8IQAA4JXe.jpg:large

[miniwintz]

Consani escape from fire.Very dangerous!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxjVDjM3_rw&feature=youtu.be

very very scary, what is going on with peugeots this week end??

[EightGear]

http://www.imgdumper.nl/uploads7/53a59df938088/53a59df930b76-abbring1.png

http://www.imgdumper.nl/uploads7/53a59e032d2c0/53a59e0329c14-abbring2.png

Sad sight...

[bluuford]

I belive it is this extreme Ypres cutting and damage to something that contains oil..

[nafpaktos]

Consani escape from fire.Very dangerous!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxjVDjM3_rw&feature=youtu.be
The car was full of smoke inside and he was still driving,the co-driver was intimidated and the driver was not stopping.i think the driver didn't act properly,actually i believe he acted irresponsible.

[bluuford]

The car was full of smoke inside and he was still driving,the co-driver was intimidated and the driver was not stopping.i think the driver didn't act properly,actually i believe he acted irresponsible.
Basically he wanted to save the car. If he would have stopped in the middle of the fields it would have been game over for the car. He reached to the people and fire extinguisher point and saved the car. The suits they wear should be ok for some fire but smoke is not very good indeed.

[nafpaktos]

Where the fire actually came from??????i saw it was not from the engine compartment.

[bluuford]

Where the fire actually came from??????i saw it was not from the engine compartment.
The rear of the car was burned.. probably oil from the transmission and burning plastic

[dimviii]

I belive it is this extreme Ypres cutting and damage to something that contains oil..

lets wait and see what was the reason.I cant believe that is from cutting,for a car with sumpguards at asphalt,except if something is not designed properly.
My guess is that engine has gone,and they just wanted to protect engine from a totally failure,oils at the road,bad publicity etc.
of course after all these problems,i will not believe Peugeot sports announcements.

[WUff1]

Surprised at Lappi going off - he needed a result here to give him 4 rallies in the first half of the season. But with Breen's problems it looks like 3 will be enough ...

Looks like Peugeot can write off ERC-championship this year - not good for the competition, too.

[bluuford]

lets wait and see what was the reason.I cant believe that is from cutting,for a car with sumpguards at asphalt,except if something is not designed properly.
My guess is that engine has gone,and they just wanted to protect engine from a totally failure,oils at the road,bad publicity etc.
of course after all these problems,i will not believe Peugeot sports announcements.
Yeah, we do not know. It just came to my mind. It is the rally with the most extreme cuts and fo tarmac rally they use much lighter sumpguards, so, I see some logic here. I remember when there were several retirements in WRC (Loeb etc.) when the sumpquard was not good enough and they retired because of damaged engine (oil on the tarmac). Was it Spain? or Corsica? Markko won then.

[nafpaktos]

Is it early to say the project(208) failed?

[bluuford]

Is it early to say the project(208) failed?
Not yet.. the car is fast.. but extremely unreliable. Remember that M-Sport also had a lot of mechanical failiures at the beginning and they had huge amount of cars testing everywhere in the world.

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqqhQl6IgAAX-VR.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqqiRNgCUAAkRfA.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bqqf0sYIAAAce48.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqqgWjGCMAAomW6.jpg:large

[br21]

Just for information - in WRC, S2000 and R5 cars most of the time you use thicker sumpguards for tarmac and thinner for gravel. Simply because 6mm plate is strong enough for gravel and is lighter than 8mm and gravel spec car is normally heavier, so you don't need extra weight from sump and diff guards.

Rear spoiler mounting design in 208 and DS3 is not done properly, always they have problems with it on bumpy tarmac...

[dimviii]

Simpson on the ditch.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/q73/s720x720/10463741_651929278219550_9149963625286557716_o.jpg

[dimviii]

Kevin Abbring facebook

A huge thanks to Sainteloc Racing, Peugeot Sport, Peugeot NL, my co Seb Marshall and everyone who came to support us @RallyYpres!! It was such a great feeling!! The car did a really good job aswell! This 50th anniversary should have been ours! Third time we retired from the lead this year, quite unlucky so far. We don't know yet what the problem is, enjoy the last couple of stages everyone! Again, thank u all, one of the greatest and fastest weekends of my life!

[bluuford]

Just for information - in WRC, S2000 and R5 cars most of the time you use thicker sumpguards for tarmac and thinner for gravel. Simply because 6mm plate is strong enough for gravel and is lighter than 8mm and gravel spec car is normally heavier, so you don't need extra weight from sump and diff guards.

Rear spoiler mounting design in 208 and DS3 is not done properly, always they have problems with it on bumpy tarmac...

Thank you for technical information! I didnt know that:-) So, basically that means it was stronger but not strong enough..

[nafpaktos]

@br21 i saw in the past sump-guards made from plastic-fiberglass or something like that.it is not used anymore?i think i saw this in a wrc car!and one more question i thought that a wrc has the same weight irrespective gravel or tarmac specs,and this is because of the regulations <Minimum weight is 1200 kg empty and 1350 kg with driver and co-driver >.so i suppose all cars are 1200 kg.

[dimviii]

@br21 i saw in the past sump-guards made from plastic-fiberglass or something like that.it is not used anymore?i think i saw this in a wrc car!and one more question i thought that a wrc has the same weight irrespective gravel or tarmac specs,and this is because of the regulations <Minimum weight is 1200 kg empty and 1350 kg with driver and co-driver >.so i suppose all cars are 1200 kg.

what br 21 wants to say is because wrc/s2000 cars are much lighter than 1200kg,they choose to put weight where is less disadvantage for the car.This is the lower points =sumpguards for diffs and engine.Thats why you can find thicker sumpguards at ashpalt.
Because an asphalt car is lighter than in gravel spec,they choose to install heavier sumpguards to be ok with the weight they have to be.
thats a trick well known from focus wrc 03.

[dimviii]

Peugeot completed the carnage.

Geko Ypres Rally @gekoypresrally · 1 λεπ.
Official: Pieter Tsjoen has retired on SS15 Reninge 2 #ypresrally

[br21]

dimviii explained it all. gravel spec car is heavier than tarmac spec as it has more protections - for suspension, for the floor, etc, etc. So you need less kgs from sump/diff guard. On the other hand basic car weights lets say 1230kgs (min. for S2k, R5, etc.) and then you need to have it 1390 with crew... if you have lighter crew you have to add some kgs, best way is to do it with sump/diff guard, etc, etc. In S2000 car for tarmac we had rear diff guard made from steel and with lead plates attached for better weight distribution and to achieve minimall mass, so that guard was over 80kgs...

[mousti]

Info about tsjoen seems to be wrong..

Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk 2

[Ucci]

I must say I'm very disappointed over Peugeot technical failures. I placed K.Abring on the first place, he was so confident whole weekend, car was perfect, he ''ran over'' Loix who is multiple winner on this event. What a shame....Breen's case is just a sad continuation....
On the other hand-Peugeot has a nightmare; Malcom is smiling....

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bqq4yvuCEAMkYQl.jpg:large


Τsjoen stage 17

http://instagram.com/p/pg8MN3uxyn/

[RS]

Aside from the reliability issues, I am not convinced the Peugeot is that well sorted yet and that it's advantage over S2000 cars is mainly/solely in it's torque and top speed. Watch these onboards, the 208 is very squirmy under braking, although maybe this is because they are braking from a higher speed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6d72Xklwlw

[dimviii]

[SS19] Kemmelberg 2
Peter Tsjoen - comes through with the engine off rolling down the hill into the stop. He restarted the engine, gave a thumbs up and then headed straight off...

[Eli]

too many problems for Peugeot, and they said all the time they wouldn't release the car until it was ready, apart from the Acropolis win, things don't look good for their T16 machine...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

[SS19] Kemmelberg 2
Peter Tsjoen - comes through with the engine off rolling down the hill into the stop. He restarted the engine, gave a thumbs up and then headed straight off...

They did well to get the car out of that ditch !

https://i.embed.ly/1/display/resize?key=1e6a1a1efdb011df84894040444cdc60&url=%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Fp%2Fpg8MN3uxyn%2Fmedia&width=490



And Peter Tsjoen finishes the rally - something the 'factory' 208T16 cars couldnt do ... :rolleyes:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So Loix wins no.9 in Ypres... a win for experience for sure.

[dimviii]

[SS20] Hollebeke 2
Jan CERNY (PEUGEOT)
Rolled half way into the stage, both crew fine.

[dimviii]

Stéphane Lefebvre started the final stage leading the ERC Junior category after overhauling Andrea Crugnola for top spot on the penultimate run. Despite completing the entire stage with the bonnet resting on the windscreen of his Peugeot after it flew open at the first corner, he finished tied on time with Crugnola and takes the win on countback by dint of winning the opening stage. Jan Černý rolled into retirement on the final stage while a broken driveshaft leaving the start ended Marijan Griebel’s hopes of a podium and allowed Chris Ingram to take third place behind Crugnola in a dramatic finish

[Wim_Impreza]

Congratulations to Freddy Loix/Johan Gitsels and Škoda for the 5th victory in a row in Ypres. For most people they were favourite and then again they win, great.

Cédric Cherain finally had some luck in a good car and finished in a well deserved 2th place. Wiegand isn't that slow as some people think. He showed this again this weekend.

Star of the rally for me is Luca Rossetti. We knew he is very fast, but with a private Škoda, only his second time in Ypres - he was winner in Ypres in 2007 - and his first rally of the season with this car, he impressed me a lot. He was the whole rally at the same pace as Loix, which says it all. What a pity of his mistake in SS6.

[giù tutto!]

Amazing battle in JERC and all in all the top drivers in R2 squad are outstanding!

Is Max Vatanen really the son of Ari?

[RS]

Star of the rally for me is Luca Rossetti. We knew he is very fast, but with a private Škoda, only his second time in Ypres - he was winner in Ypres in 2007 - and his first rally of the season with this car, he impressed me a lot. He was the whole rally at the same pace as Loix, which says it all. What a pity of his mistake in SS6.

Me too! I have always been a fan of Rossetti but I was a little surprised how fast he was now he is getting older and has been away from ERC/IRC for some time. Hope to see more of him this year.

[Wim_Impreza]

Amazing battle in JERC and all in all the top drivers in R2 squad are outstanding!

Is Max Vatanen really the son of Ari?

It is indeed incredible that 2 JERC drivers have exactly the same time at the finish of the rally.

Yes, he is.

[dimviii]

Geko Ypres Rally @gekoypresrally · 1 λεπ.
Colin Mcrae flat out throphee for @KevinAbbring Congratulations Kevin. #ypresrally

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bqrybk_CEAAF-FO.jpg:large

[Jarek Z]

Star of the rally for me is Luca Rossetti. We knew he is very fast, but with a private Škoda, only his second time in Ypres - he was winner in Ypres in 2007 - and his first rally of the season with this car, he impressed me a lot.

I'm a fan of Rossetti as well and was impressed by his stage times just like you, but it wasn't Rossetti's second time in Ypres for sure. He was there at least 4 times:
2014 - 5th place
2011 - 8th place
2008 - 3rd place
2007 - 1st place

[RS]

Not yet.. the car is fast.. but extremely unreliable. Remember that M-Sport also had a lot of mechanical failiures at the beginning and they had huge amount of cars testing everywhere in the world.

Did they? I don't recall seeing many videos, it seemed quite rushed out to me!

I guess MSport had the benefit of experience with the Fiesta WRC though which must have helped them at least a little.

[HaCo]

We were lucky so many cars survived day one (and stage 1), which is not always the case for Ypres. Unfortunately things changed in the first loop of the second day with Lappi, Pons and the 2 Peugeots. What a shame for Abbring, he deserved a win here. If you can put Loix behind in a such a fashion on Belgian (Ypres) stages you've showed true potential. I hope he gets a lot more opportunities in the future!
Last stage was also amazing, again, we saw Lefebre with the hood up, we saw Tsjoen pushing for stage win, we saw Cerny going into a field (not the roll), Kobus and Wiegand were still battling for third.

For the Belgian championship things are looking good as well. If Tsjoen can improve his pace (no doubt), Casier as well (no doubt) and maybe Verschueren as well we will have a fantastic field of RC2 cars and hopefully great battles will come with it.

[WUff1]

Unlucky heroes of Ypres: Abbring, Rosetti

Very dissapointing performance: Cerny

[HaCo]

Rossetti was a nice surprise, although he has the experience I never counted him to the favorites. But he had the same pace as Loix! Also Lappi did very well. Hope to see both drivers back next year.

[Jafry]

Photos from Ypres rally HERE: http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=1272

[dimviii]

ulian Porter @The_Rally_Guru · 10 ώρες
Amazing @SLefebvreRallye drove the final 27 kms of @gekoypresrally like this to win the junior category.

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



https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MVu-dgz3FHc

[gianni123]

Stéphane Lefebvre on the Limit - Geko Ypres Rally 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVu-dgz3FHc

[RS]

Stéphane Lefebvre on the Limit - Geko Ypres Rally 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVu-dgz3FHc

Would be good to see this guy in a 208T16 in next year's ERC :)

[Ucci]

I agree with WUff1: this rally had two true heroes : Rossetti and K.Abbring. What is even more surprising that Rossetti didn't drove any rally since Rally del Ciocco in March 2013...imagine him with no ''rust under belts'' and in a factory car; not a private car, which is miles away compared to Lappi's or even Loix Škoda...
Solid result for Wiegand.

[Jarek Z]

Many top drivers didn't finish Ypres Rally, so this event didn't change much in ERC standings:
1. Lappi 103,
2. Breen 70,
3. Wiegand 70,
4. Griazin 53,
5. Kajetanowicz 48,
6. Kubica 39,
7. Abbring 38,
8. Sousa 37,
Loix 37,
10. Consani 37

[gianni123]

Video Ypres Rally

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk-7cCW6-Rk

[mousti]

I agree with WUff1: this rally had two true heroes : Rossetti and K.Abbring. What is even more surprising that Rossetti didn't drove any rally since Rally del Ciocco in March 2013...imagine him with no ''rust under belts'' and in a factory car; not a private car, which is miles away compared to Lappi's or even Loix Škoda...
Solid result for Wiegand.

Totally agree. Ypres and Rox will always be a nice relationship, every year he tried to start, if that fails he came everytime to spectate. Great driver and one of my favorite ones :) was gutted that he made a mistake Friday because he was fighting for victory!

Bad rally for Cerny and maybe his last Junior ERC Rally besides Barum? He said that only because Peugeot CZ did a big investment he could start in Ypres.. If I understand well on autosport.cz

[mas-racing]

http://i1354.photobucket.com/albums/q695/freddyzonnebeke/ercypres2014_zps0ff68794.jpg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUx2IfN4RAY)

[JieM]

Video online -> http://youtu.be/z0Lql8moYNk

http://nsa34.casimages.com/img/2014/06/22/140622022208903631.jpg

[WUff1]

Totally agree. Ypres and Rox will always be a nice relationship, every year he tried to start, if that fails he came everytime to spectate. Great driver and one of my favorite ones :) was gutted that he made a mistake Friday because he was fighting for victory!

Bad rally for Cerny and maybe his last Junior ERC Rally besides Barum? He said that only because Peugeot CZ did a big investment he could start in Ypres.. If I understand well on autosport.cz

Doesn´t look too good for him now, with another crash following Azores - when reading the article on autosport.cz

As every year some more or less regular drivers seem to be dropping out of competition caused by lack of money or other reasons until mid-season, as this year already Neubauer, Tarabus (?), Kajto (?) and now maybe also Cerny - bad for ERC, as there are only a handful of regular drivers left besides the four work drivers

[Jarek Z]

As every year some more or less regular drivers seem to be dropping out of competition caused by lack of money or other reasons until mid-season, as this year already Neubauer, Tarabus (?), Kajto (?) and now maybe also Cerny - bad for ERC, as there are only a handful of regular drivers left besides the four work drivers

You can also add Bryan Bouffier to this list. But with a 12-event calendar with so many island events - what else did you expect? :(

[WUff1]

You can also add Bryan Bouffier to this list. But with a 12-event calendar with so many island events - what else did you expect? :(

Of course Bouffier, too.

[dupanton]

My pictures online on www.facebook.com/tacrally!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/p480x480/10446711_652403864838758_4383669111961208586_n.png

[HaCo]

Aren't there moving images of the crash of Lappi? I found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOhuq_IagxU

[mousti]

Doesn´t look too good for him now, with another crash following Azores - when reading the article on autosport.cz

As every year some more or less regular drivers seem to be dropping out of competition caused by lack of money or other reasons until mid-season, as this year already Neubauer, Tarabus (?), Kajto (?) and now maybe also Cerny - bad for ERC, as there are only a handful of regular drivers left besides the four work drivers
Tarabus personal reasons, I think. Kajto his program is 4-4, so he will be back in Barum.

[Wim_Impreza]

I'm a fan of Rossetti as well and was impressed by his stage times just like you, but it wasn't Rossetti's second time in Ypres for sure. He was there at least 4 times:
2014 - 5th place
2011 - 8th place
2008 - 3rd place
2007 - 1st place

That is true. My mistake, sorry mate.

[Wim_Impreza]

Rossetti was a nice surprise, although he has the experience I never counted him to the favorites. But he had the same pace as Loix! Also Lappi did very well. Hope to see both drivers back next year.

I spoke with Lappi and it is almost sure that he will be back in Ypres next year. Škoda wants that he will do again ERC next year. Of course plans can change, but at this point there is a real possibility that he will be again in Ypres in 2015. Lappi said also that he is hoping to drive in 2016 for a factory team in the WRC.

[Jarek Z]

One thing that I noticed on this rally is that... nobody wants to drive Mitsubishis and Subarus anymore. In a rally with as many as 90 crews there were only 2 Subarus and 8 Mitsubishis. It seems that the times when there were 20-30 group N 4WD cars on the entry list are long gone...

Andras Hadik and his Subaru Impreza - the dying species?

http://d3jw5gs1mh13h6.cloudfront.net/uploads/photobank/seasons/2014/events/20_Belgium/day3/big2/big2_HADIK_440.jpg

[tommeke_B]

http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/index.php - Photos from Ypres online.

I'll try to write some resume tomorrow, but I'm sure Mirek will write a better one. :)

[dimviii]

http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/index.php - Photos from Ypres online.


wow!!! best photos i saw from Ypres!!!

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PSp4UanQ28M

[dimviii]

a nice photo of Tsjoen
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10464111_728965447145807_5737966438312530785_n.jpg

[Mirek]

I agree with WUff1: this rally had two true heroes : Rossetti and K.Abbring. What is even more surprising that Rossetti didn't drove any rally since Rally del Ciocco in March 2013...imagine him with no ''rust under belts'' and in a factory car; not a private car, which is miles away compared to Lappi's or even Loix Škoda...

I don't think so. There was no visible difference between the cars even the sound was same for me. He even had long gearbox like factory cars and Loix. All four (Rossetti, Loix, Lappi, Wiegand shared service places next to each other so I think that Rossetti had some some kind of factory support too. You could very clearly see that cars of Consani or especially Vanneste were much slower and worse in suspension than all 7 Škodas but You could not see any difference Rossetti/Loix/Lappi/Wiegand. I don't say there was no difference, sure there was some but it wasn't "miles away" like You wrote. No way. Also I think the Pirelli might have worked actually better than Michelins (especially considering times of Consani compared to impression from stage). Anyway Luca was driving very different way than others, smoother, cleaner, very precise lines, no blocking of wheels when braking. A bit "Loebish".

[Mirek]

As every year some more or less regular drivers seem to be dropping out of competition caused by lack of money or other reasons until mid-season, as this year already Neubauer, Tarabus (?), Kajto (?) and now maybe also Cerny - bad for ERC, as there are only a handful of regular drivers left besides the four work drivers

Tarabus will be back. His co-driver (and sponsor) was too busy so they couldn't do Ypres (I think). Kresta Racing recently bought brand new Fabia for him (Kresta used it in Kopná as a test).

[Mirek]

http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/index.php - Photos from Ypres online.

I'll try to write some resume tomorrow, but I'm sure Mirek will write a better one. :)

I wrote one in Czech but I have no energy to translate it today. I will do it tomorrow evening :)

So far just big thanks to You for another fantastic edition of Ypres! We've seen a lot of stunning action!

[WUff1]

Tarabus will be back. His co-driver (and sponsor) was too busy so they couldn't do Ypres (I think). Kresta Racing recently bought brand new Fabia for him (Kresta used it in Kopná as a test).

That´s good news.

[Mirek]

One thing that I noticed on this rally is that... nobody wants to drive Mitsubishis and Subarus anymore. In a rally with as many as 90 crews there were only 2 Subarus and 8 Mitsubishis. It seems that the times when there were 20-30 group N 4WD cars on the entry list are long gone...

On the other hand the gr.N cars in Ypres were mostly boring to watch. Juniors with R2 were much more spectacular (at least in fast places).

[giù tutto!]

It is indeed incredible that 2 JERC drivers have exactly the same time at the finish of the rally.

Yes, he is.

I was just thinking the difference of the performance between the father and the son...

[Mirek]

Another nice video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0Lql8moYNk

[sete]

My photos from Ypres
http://mirousxl.rajce.idnes.cz/Geko_Rally_Ypres_2014

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EJ01zo3Zt4g

[dimviii]

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/geko_ypres_rally_2014/rba_57.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/geko_ypres_rally_2014/rba_27.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/geko_ypres_rally_2014/rba_8.jpg

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=13879&fotograf=69

[HaCo]

One thing that I noticed on this rally is that... nobody wants to drive Mitsubishis and Subarus anymore. In a rally with as many as 90 crews there were only 2 Subarus and 8 Mitsubishis. It seems that the times when there were 20-30 group N 4WD cars on the entry list are long gone...
Yes, and I was wondering if there was any car from the famous Guy Colsoul rallyteam this year? It was a lot different in the past. But if you look at the result of Lefevere in his Mitsubishi R4, you can still achieve a reasonable result, pitty the JRM Subaru R4 was missing.


I'll try to write some resume tomorrow, but I'm sure Mirek will write a better one. :)
Nice pictures tommeke, don't you have a picture of Rosseti on this spot:
http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/013.jpg
He hit the roadsign pole, but was able to continue without big loss of time.



I don't think so. There was no visible difference between the cars even the sound was same for me. He even had long gearbox like factory cars and Loix. All four (Rossetti, Loix, Lappi, Wiegand shared service places next to each other so I think that Rossetti had some some kind of factory support too. You could very clearly see that cars of Consani or especially Vanneste were much slower and worse in suspension than all 7 Škodas but You could not see any difference Rossetti/Loix/Lappi/Wiegand. I don't say there was no difference, sure there was some but it wasn't "miles away" like You wrote. No way. Also I think the Pirelli might have worked actually better than Michelins (especially considering times of Consani compared to impression from stage). Anyway Luca was driving very different way than others, smoother, cleaner, very precise lines, no blocking of wheels when braking. A bit "Loebish".
Rosetti did an awesome job, I tought his victory was lucky but he proved the oposite. I didn't know he was on Pirelli's, that would be the first time these tires worked better on dry tarmac then Michelins.


On the other hand the gr.N cars in Ypres were mostly boring to watch. Juniors with R2 were much more spectacular (at least in fast places).
I must disagree, although not fast, the Mitsus of Erdy, Hudec and Pushkar came through spectacular almost every pass, not to forget Lefevere! :-)
One proof ;-)
http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/037.jpg

[dupanton]

My + and - of this rally. This is just an impression from the side of the stages :)

++ Abbring and Lefebvre. Very fast and spectacular, Nobody could follow them on the stages, but both had problems... Peugeot has a bright future if they can keep both drivers :D
Cherain, what a performace to finish 2nd!, fast times al weekend!

+ Loix (solid as ever), Wiegand (not impressive, but very nice result), Rossetti (looked clean and fast), Lappi (before he went off), Kobus (not as aggresive as otherwise, but very fast), Consani (don't know about his stagetimes but it looked as he attacked), Orsak (looked quite fast, a bit of a surprise to me) Thiry, Ingram, De Maerschalk, Crugnola, Griebel etc. (the pace in R2 was very high!)

- Debackere, Verschueren (totally not at ease with his car), Cerny (expected him at the front off the R2 field, was never there)

-- Pons (so hesitant, never saw a driver that nervous in his driving style...), Casier (going off in the first corner, with so much experience, is not done!)

-------- the reliability of the PSA R5s...

[HaCo]

I spoke with Lappi and it is almost sure that he will be back in Ypres next year. Škoda wants that he will do again ERC next year. Of course plans can change, but at this point there is a real possibility that he will be again in Ypres in 2015. Lappi said also that he is hoping to drive in 2016 for a factory team in the WRC.
Looking forward to 2015! :-)

[mousti]

I heard the grip on the Pirelli's was very good. Tires are good for around 60 stage KM's.

Don't think Colsoul had a car there, but they will dissapear soon anyways.. Erdi used sometimes his handbrake to go very sideways :p, seems he didn't really care about his result.

[Mirek]

Nice pictures tommeke, don't you have a picture of Rosseti on this spot:
http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/013.jpg
He hit the roadsign pole, but was able to continue without big loss of time.

We were a bit late. We've seen Rossetti in the fast S-corners following this place while moving from car...

[dimviii]

. But if you look at the result of Lefevere in his Mitsubishi R4, you can still achieve a reasoable result

+1




Rosetti did an awesome job, I tought his victory was lucky but he proved the oposite. I didn't know he was on Pirelli's,.
Rosetti has very good relations with Pirelli.Before 10 years maybe plus, when nobody knew him,he was at Acropolis for recce from Pirelli.If you follow his comments at every stage at Ypres you will see what he says about his tyres.


that would be the first time these tires worked better on dry tarmac then Michelins.

that opinion i ve listen plenty of times here,and its totally wrong.Pirelli tyres are (and were) top always.

[HaCo]

that opinion i ve listen plenty of times here,and its totally wrong.Pirelli tyres are (and were) top always.
Good to know. To be honest I base my opinion on the days Fords and Subarus were running Pirelli on tarmac.

[RS]

Casier (going off in the first corner, with so much experience, is not done!)


Maybe his hero is Francois Duval?

[Mirek]

Rough translation of my text originally in Czech on autosport.cz forum ;) Writing this I'm drinking strong Maredsous Triple now by the way :p

My fourth Ypres, again with local specialist Tommeke. We did QS/SD, 10 stages, Friday night service and Saturday finish ramp.

This time we had a nice weather (it was really cold only during late shakedown), we had good places, crews were pushing hard (which resulted in traditionally big number of retirements). Regarding spectators I have a feeling that it's more free every year. Myself I think I have met a steward on our places only two times of ten stages and seen the tape just occasionally (in contrast with recent supersafe regulations in CZ). There was a looot of spectators, definitely more than last year. Altogether it was wonderful event.

QS/SD
Who invented QS shall be shot by spectators. So few action in such a long time (5 hours!), no wonder there were only few spectators at the first runs. Magalhaes retired already before start and that didn't really helped the good mood. For first two free runs we chose the traditional deep-cutting corners and for the QS we moved to the superfast left one just after. First wow effect came with Rossetti there. Before the event I didn't think he would be so fast (see my fucked up pickems) but since this moment it was clear that big things are coming - precise driving, perfect lines, no overdriving, locking wheels or useless cuts. He drove different way than others, it was a bit Loebish. Luca looked happy about everything and clearly enjoyed! Peugeot crews were very aggressive, maybe too much (Breen mainly). I think that Breen's brutal driving doesn't help the already bad reliability of the 208 T16. Loix like always very aggressive especially in braking but not moving from ditch to ditch like Breen. Anyway the craziest driver of the shakedown was Lefevbre and I think maybe the craziest driver of the whole rally too. I didn't see crash of Pospíšilík as I was in the next corner. At least it was fun to listen locals trying to pronounce his name (Pospeesheleek) and of course by this stunt he got on Eurosport which would be otherwise quite impossible :) The fire of Tsjoen's new Peugeot was an overture of coming events...

SS1 Dikkebus 1 http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/067.jpg
Quite well known S-corners at the cemetery which You could see also in ES coverage. It was traditionally nice. Only Orsák drove strange, like he scared himself with what the car did in the first cut. After him we had to hurry to another stage so no juniors this time...

SS4 Langemark http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/036.jpg
Series of fast S-corners approximately one kilometer before the finish of stage. First S is extremely fast "around a house" and than a difficult sharper one follows. Except another insane moment of Lefevbre I'd like to mention unusually risky driving Lappi and a totally crazy episode of "taming of the evil Fabia" by Kristiansen. No wonder he crashed just few corners after.

SS7 Mesen 2 http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/001.jpg
First new place for me and a really nice one. An S-bent at the bottom of a small valley with a wicked cut over a bank. Almost all cars went on two wheels for a moment. Rossetti came with a RR puncture and when he started braking into following corner his car spun and he went off. To spectators it took maybe one minute to pull him out and than he changed the tyre on the spot. What a pity! Another one with puncture was Orsák but he just passed (driving very fast for having only three working tyres). He must have changed the wheel later in stage and I was told he was very unlucky as the jack broke. Lefevbre came late due to a puncture, first mistake in his crazy run. Olsson's and Parpotas's Fiestas obviously rolled before. Thiry retired after hitting some stone. I was surprised he was able to restart as it looked like oil is going into the engine. Speaking about Thiry I have to say Opel Adams R2 impressed me quite a lot. Maybe the engine is not so good but their very stable suspension look definitely better than the one of Peugeot (not speaking about old C2).

SS8 Reninge 1
New stage (or better to say long time unused). Despite we did a recce this was the worst place we visited. There is not even a single photo in Tom's gallery. It was a sharp right corner around a house followed by a fast double left with two small cuts. Unfortunately the first corner was too slow and so everybody took the following on full throttle. For some strange reason we were given our own marshal here by the safety helicopter to guard us :)

SS11 Westouter 1 http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/060.jpg http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/045.jpg http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/024.jpg
This was a great place and it was already discussed in this thread. After a fast right a sharp left over a crest follows. The second corner is all covered by dirt from a field. I was told every time somebody goes off here. Many tried hard but somehow saved it (Rossetti, Duquesne, Simpson...) but Orsák went off completely. Fortunately there was no ditch or anything except high grass so he lost only few seconds.

To be continued...

[Mirek]

SS12 Kemmelberg 1 http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/052.jpg
My favorite place of the rally was fantastic as ever. The previously posted shot of Lefevbre from second run gives some impression about this place but live it's much more impressive. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVu-dgz3FHc I think that it's enough to say that with the top of both absolute and junior leaderboard You just keep smiling like idiot watching the action :D

SS14 Hollebeke 1 http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/040.jpg
This really isn't Pindula of Barum :) We took a rare forest place this time which looked pretty Czech. This stage is very difficult and this time it was also the longest one so it no wonder big things happened. Abbring didn't come at all, Breen late with bad sounds going from the car. Orsák, Lefevbre or Simpson were also late with damaged cars. Verschueren with broken rear window and loose wing.

SS15 Reninge 2 http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/030.jpg
Another superfast place - an S-bent with a bump inside. I think that most of the crews did it on fifth gear. While all Fabias came over without any notable body movement all Fiestas R5 except the one of Cherain were a bit nervous (Cherain had obviously better setup than others with Fiesta R5). Old 207 S2000 and gr.N cars were quite unstable here, Lefevere even didn't cut at all. Works Peugeots were out already but the pass of Tsjoen looked quite ok. The craziest things of the late stages were done by Kobus. His Fiesta S2000 with Kumho tyres gives You a bit of old gr.A feelings when drivers used to be all over the place. Tsjoen later crashed on a place we marked in a recce but didn't do it after all.

SS18 Westouter 2 http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/043.jpg
Great overview over a one kilometer of stage from a downhill to uphill section with a deep high speed cut. Just for information about speed on the photo I can say that just before Kobus was for one or two seconds in RPM limiter (165 km/h with his car) and before he turned he only slightly touched the brakes! Pity there were only few crews pushing in that time, namely Kobus, Wiegand, Lefevbre, Orsák or Thiry. Also Černý drove nice there. I had similar feeling about him like with all Czechs - looked uncomfortable at the start and got faster only with more and more stages. Pity it ended with another big crash. Hope it's not the end of season.

SS19 Kemmelberg 2 http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/images/065.jpg
For the end we chose the well known jump over a main road. It's quite nice place especially for photos but nothing really mindblowing. What is nice is that You can clearly see how cars behave on landings. Again there was a major difference between Cherain's and other Fiestas R5. From gr.N Érdi and Hudec had best landings. I have to say Hudec was driving really well at the end. He was the one I thought would crash first of Czechs but he surprised me. After that there was only the finish ramp with traditionally great atmosphere and some beers with friends in the town :)

At the end I can't help myself not to write something about PSA R5 cars. What a joke! Four cars on the start and all of them with major issues. The only reason why Tsjoen finished was a change of engine after QS. Comparing that to seven Škodas S2000 or five Fiestas R5 which all had not a single technical defect it's just a farce. Also the speed wasn't really superior. It was only Abbring who was faster than Loix and Rossetti and it's possible that the main reason was his skills. Now imagine they homologated this while there are only one or two jokers for three years long period! WTF...

[dimviii]

nice review Mirek! thanks!

[dimviii]

nice video,watch Abbrings pass at 7,15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNqFJ-vgJVI&feature=youtube_gdata


Mirek what about Abbrings style? impressed me a lot at Acropolis.

[dimviii]

Tsjoen in the ditch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd_4BJjyPfU

[Mirek]

Mirek what about Abbrings style? impressed me a lot at Acropolis.

Abbring was impressive, very fast and spectacular in the same time. He was not so crazy flamboyant like Breen but also not so smooth driving like Rossetti, a bit like Loix but still a bit more sideways (which might have something to do also with the car).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Thanks for your review Mirek.

Regarding Breen: 'Peugeot crews were very aggressive, maybe too much (Breen mainly). I think that Breen's brutal driving doesn't help the already bad reliability of the 208 T16. Loix like always very aggressive especially in braking but not moving from ditch to ditch like Breen.'

This is interesting, but rather than 'brutal driving', I think its more a case of him trying too hard and being frustrated at not being able to build on the Acropolis win. The 208's problems have cost him points on the last two events where he should have been going for wins and I think the frustration has built up so much he is overdriving the car and then doubting himself that he hasnt got the speed.

I'm sure he was expecting to have a much better ERC 2014 and now he needs to try to relax and not blame himself but just enjoy the rallies and the results will come. He has still got a chance of the title (208 permitting) and could be much worse off for points, like his team-mate Abbring.

[Mirek]

Breen used to drive same brutal way with 207 S2000 or Fiesta S2000 whenever I saw him live. In my opinion it is his way of driving. It's extremely spectacular but it has a downside too.

[RS]

At the end I can't help myself not to write something about PSA R5 cars. What a joke! Four cars on the start and all of them with major issues. The only reason why Tsjoen finished was a change of engine after QS. Comparing that to seven Škodas S2000 or five Fiestas R5 which all had not a single technical defect it's just a farce. Also the speed wasn't really superior. It was only Abbring who was faster than Loix and Rossetti and it's possible that the main reason was his skills. Now imagine they homologated this while there are only one or two jokers for three years long period! WTF...

The 208 looks 'weird' to me. It's not un-entertaining, but kind of raw in all respects. On the other hand the Fiesta R5 appears very much similar in behaviour to the RRC and WRC, and even the un-homologated Fabia test mule seems more polished.

Abbring is very promising, but I doubt he is a better driver on Ypres yet than Loix. I guess his main advantage on these stages came from the higher top speed?

[mousti]

Breen used to drive same brutal way with 207 S2000 or Fiesta S2000 whenever I saw him live. In my opinion it is his way of driving. It's extremely spectacular but it has a downside too.
Yep if I remember well that costed him the win too in Corsica, last year..

@RS: 24 seconds u don't gain on the first day only by the top speed. But it was indeed an advantage, on Reninge we heard all the cars on the limiter besides the 208 R5's and the Gr N's/R4 cars.

[Mirek]

IMO the biggest advantage of 208 R5 over S2000 was the acceleration from slow corners thanks to reasonably higher torque. Also on very high speeds the R5 seemed to accelerate better but it could have been just my feeling. On the other hand the 208 looked relatively unstable in heavy braking.

[HaCo]

During the rally Loix never commented on the radio about the 208 R5, but only about new upcoming talent. Wonder if he was honest or if it was more "commercial" strategic comment.

[Mirek]

According to Peugeot press release it was unspecified engine problem what stopped Abbring. Does anyone know more?

[dimviii]

According to Peugeot press release it was unspecified engine problem what stopped Abbring. Does anyone know more?

unspecified= we lost the engine,but we dont want to tell more open. http://www.4tforum.gr/phpBB3/images/smilies/iconcool5lw.gif

[WRC1]

my Ypres Pictures!

http://www.rallyepics.at/wp/?page_id=558&album=9&gallery=76

all in all it was a nice race, even if i am not used to stay away in slow corners soooo far...in the other hand, we where in extremly fast places, flat out - 6th gear also 10meters from the road...i dont understand the system, but ok, the rally itself, the stages, the people are nice!

my hero´s of the race where abbring, wiegand, chenin and for sure fast freddy

[Mirek]

Great video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1IrIMdyjdY

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I cant say I've ever noticed Breen's driving to be any more 'brutal' than anyone else and his flamboyant style has has served him well winning the WRC Academy championship in 2011 & WRC S2000 title in 2012...
Also I cant see Peugeot supporting him as they have if they had any doubts about his driving either in terms of raw speed or his 'mechanical sympathy'.

As for his Ypres performance, he was punished by the puncture (which could just have been bad luck not any mistake) and the car again having numerous technical problems. He was clearly extremely frustrated which may have led to some 'brutal' driving but the car may also have made it appear brutal with the fact that there were many issues with the brakes (and diff) making the rears lock up.

Also, as has been stated by others, the 208 does not flatter the driver and can appear quite crude and raw itself...

[dupanton]

all in all it was a nice race, even if i am not used to stay away in slow corners soooo far...in the other hand, we where in extremly fast places, flat out - 6th gear also 10meters from the road...i dont understand the system, but ok, the rally itself, the stages, the people are nice!



Don't try to understand it, nobody does ;)

[Mirek]

Hehe, good point. Me neither understand why the helicopter removes people from inside of a corner standing on a one meter high bank while they keep them on the outside in "tien meter" distance even if that's 160 km/h corner over a bump...

[Mirek]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWKcHkO558c

[EightGear]

Nice video about Abbring and Breen.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MbeL2aS7dMU&feature=youtu.be#

[Mirek]

Strange crash of Černý (and previous overshoot in the same stage): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uis5LihMEfk

[mousti]

Private video :(

[Mirek]

It was public till noon and than became private. No idea why...

[RS]

Forgive me if this is a repost:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KPkDBRLN4s

[uranium]

Can anybody share some links to video, maybe on torrent (privat). Can't find any video, but would like to see some review.

[PLuto]

http://www.fiaerc.com/videogallery/list/id/20

[Plhus]

My photos:

http://www.src.czechrallyeweb.net/pages/ypres2014.htm

[WALTRAV]

In my new collection of 1/43 scale, there is the winner of the Ypres 2013, Freddy Loix, on the Skoda Fabia and there will be the Peugeot that Meeke opened the race with.

[sete]

nice gallery Plhus

[mousti]

Pushkar and Pyck got penalised and fined for wrong fuel?

[PLuto]

Pushkar and Pyck got penalised and fined for wrong fuel?

Yes

[mousti]

Any details around that, Pluto? Or just non conform fuel?

[PLuto]

Any details around that, Pluto? Or just non conform fuel?

There are no more details needed, their fuel were not in conformity with regulations...