[ERC] Circuit of Ireland 2014

[Jarek Z]

As RS is on his phone and being lazy I will create this thread for him :D

Circuit of Ireland is the 4th round of European Championship 2014. The event will take place on April 17-19 and will be the first fully asphalt rally in this year's ERC.

Confirmed entries:
Robert Barrable - Ford Fiesta R5 (pictured below, what a great livery! :) )
Esapekka Lappi - Skoda Fabia S2000
Sepp Wiegand - Skoda Fabia S2000

Entries close on April 1.

Winners in the last 10 years:
2003 Derek McGarrity/Chris Patterson - Subaru Impreza WRC
2004 Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman - Subaru Impreza WRC
2005 Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman - Subaru Impreza WRC
2006 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely - Toyota Corolla WRC
2007 Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy - Subaru Impreza S11 WRC
2008 Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey - Subaru Impreza S12B WRC
2009 Eugene Donnelly/Paddy Toner - Skoda Fabia WRC
2010 Derek McGarrity/James McKee - Subaru Impreza S12B WRC
2011 Derek McGarrity/James McKee - Subaru Impreza S11 WRC
2012 Juho Hanninen/Mikko Markkula - Skoda Fabia S2000
2013 No Rally - Snow heavy as hell!

official website:
http://www.circuitofireland.net/

http://www.circuitofireland.net/uploads/4/6/5/9/465983/9575352.jpg?1394133972

[EightGear]

Is it just me, or is there no itinerary yet? Can't find it.

[Tom206wrc]

No pre-entrylist available apparently :(

[br21]

Abbring and Breen also confirmed.

[Tom206wrc]

In interview after Acropolis Bouffier told medias he wants to run Ireland in order to beat Breen at his own home ;)

[WUff1]

Lappi and Wiegand.
Gryazin probably too.

Think also Barrable was mentioned some time ago?

Kajto said either Ireland or Azores are his next rally.

[Mirek]

Jan Černý shall be there too, with 208 R2 for junior championship.

[mousti]

Lappi and Wiegand.
Gryazin probably too.

Think also Barrable was mentioned some time ago?

Kajto said either Ireland or Azores are his next rally.
Barrable has already entered, Gryazin said he wanted to do all events if possible, Ireland was not sure then he said because there's some other event he want to do.

[RS]

In interview after Acropolis Bouffier told medias he wants to run Ireland in order to beat Breen at his own home ;)

He had better get on the phone to chicken-man then...

[Jarek Z]

He had better get on the phone to chicken-man then...

LOL! :D It's important to know how many chicken are eaten in Ireland these days. Let's hope Ireland doesn't go vegetarian style!

[Mintexmemory]

LOL! :D It's important to know how many chicken are eaten in Ireland these days. Let's hope Ireland doesn't go vegetarian style!

The pig is the slaughtered animal of choice in the Emerald Isle ;) In fact the famous 'Irish Breakfast' is an exercise in how many different ways you can find to put pork products on the same plate! Sausage, bacon, black pudding, white pudding and a chop is the usual list. As for Bouffier beating Breen 'at his home', I will just remind people that Circuit of Ireland is in Ulster and not the Republic of Ireland (which is Craig's country). As I see it Craig's only opposition is Kevin A. Should be an interesting event

[Mirek]

Last time the event was run in IRC it was not going well for Craig. He was badly beaten by all three Škoda crews and after a penalty he finished even behind his teammate Arzeno and Darren Gass (with Impreza WRC S10). For Hänninen (1st), Kopecký (3rd) and Arzeno (4th IRC, 5th overall) it was also their first time on CoI. I'm not sure about Mikkelsen (2nd).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I dont think Breen has any advantage on the Circuit. Last time (2012) he had major car set-up problems which weren't sorted until the last couple of stages, when he was then competitive.

He also had a fuel pump issue and a time penalty plus was running in the mud thrown onto the road by the leading cars cutting.

Given no problems he will be top 3 IMO.

[Tom206wrc]

By the way Breen is running Circuit of Killeny this coming week-end as a test for Circuit of Ireland ;)




Actually 'Circuit of Kerry' - Tom is getting confused with Kilkenny - not where CB is having the pre CoI run ;) - MM

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Short video's with Craig Breen PEUGEOT 208 T16 - IRISH TARMAC TEST


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

https://www.facebook.com/LaTulaSport.es/posts/10151946350155404

And at local Peugeot dealer:

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

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Close interest in the 208T16's 205 ancester...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkcknkkIQAA4ds4.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkcoKFGIAAEMy-X.jpg

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

[Jarek Z]

Kajto said on Polish TV, that he will not come to Ireland. His next ERC rally will be Acores.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Test went well...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkkJ695IQAAKMYU.jpg

Until SS5...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bki0YwcIYAECFz7.jpg

[Tom206wrc]

When entrylist Circuit of Ireland published :confused:

[noel157]

When entrylist Circuit of Ireland published :confused:

Due for release today Tom but nothing yet.

[noel157]

Entry waiting for approval from Paris I think so likely tomorrow.

[RS]

Entry waiting for approval from Paris I think so likely tomorrow.

Mr Meeke, in what car?

[EightGear]

Mr Meeke, in what car?

FIA approval of the list I think, not Meeke. :)

[EightGear]

List is out:

http://www.circuitofireland.net/uploads/4/6/5/9/465983/int_seeded_entry_list_final.pdf

No Bouffier.

[mousti]

Let's hope he finds budget for Azores or atleast Ypres. I expected a bit better list. Ingram VS Cerny for Junior ERC victory :)

[giù tutto!]

Hmm...interesting car for Lappi on entry list...

[Mirek]

Hmm...interesting car for Lappi on entry list...

Hehe, good catch :D Funny that the list was approved by FIA...

[PLuto]

Hehe, good catch :D Funny that the list was approved by FIA...

FIA dont understand it...

[Jarek Z]

What a disappointment! Just 37 crews? Why are there no locals in top cars? I expected good Irish drivers to be there...

[mousti]

There will be, there is another rally going on then too, where WRC cars and other cars are allowed.

[RS]

That entry would be a disaster were it not for Skoda and Peugeot works teams. I expect Azores to be much better, but why did nobody want to come to Ireland?

What is the story behind Lappi's car? Simple inputting error unless they quickly homologated that test car hehe :)

[Mirek]

What a disappointment! Just 37 crews? Why are there no locals in top cars? I expected good Irish drivers to be there...

It's Northern Ireland so literally Irish crews are foreign ones.

[noel157]

What a disappointment! Just 37 crews? Why are there no locals in top cars? I expected good Irish drivers to be there...

Not too exciting, but......

Very few cars in Ireland that would qualify for entry. S2000/R5 never really took off which is a shame, people seem to like sticking to WRC and national type machinery.

Another 80 odd entries in the national rally/historic:

http://www.circuitofireland.net/uploads/4/6/5/9/465983/nat_seeded_entry_list_final.pdf

[Fast Eddie WRC]

National Entry has all the local guys in WRCs, Evo IXs and Historics for the Irish tarmac Championship:

http://www.circuitofireland.net/uploads/4/6/5/9/465983/nat_seeded_entry_list_final.pdf

[Jarek Z]

Thanks for your replies guys, but... whoever invented this bizarre "two rallies in one" must have been an idiot!

[Mirek]

Thanks for your replies guys, but... whoever invented this bizarre "two rallies in one" must have been an idiot!

How do You want to do that in practical way? Seriously. Many countries don't follow international rules and once they they have their own rules they have only to options - either to hold two events in one or only the international one. For organizers it is economical suicide not to try to implement national cars somehow. There is nothing idiotic about that.

[mousti]

That entry would be a disaster were it not for Skoda and Peugeot works teams. I expect Azores to be much better, but why did nobody want to come to Ireland?

What is the story behind Lappi's car? Simple inputting error unless they quickly homologated that test car hehe :)
Maybe inputting error. Chris Ingram his car is the Twingo Evo R2 and not a 208 R2

[EightGear]

And Abbring's sponsors are actually Van Deijne's sponsors. They picked the wrong Kevin. :D

[Jarek Z]

How do You want to do that in practical way? Seriously.

Easily. Exactly in the same way as it was done for 50 years, before some idiot invented two rallies in one.


There is nothing idiotic about that.

Are you serious? I can't believe you support it.

[Mintexmemory]

Easily. Exactly in the same way as it was done for 50 years, before some idiot invented two rallies in one.



Are you serious? I can't believe you support it.

Given the reluctance of certain competitors to venture out of their comfort zones the approach of the organisers is wholly vindicated. The fans (and sponsors) get the ERC field, then some top tarmac WRC / N4/R4 action and the Historics. Result everyone happy except those who see the opposition gain an advantage in the championship

[Mirek]

Easily. Exactly in the same way as it was done for 50 years, before some idiot invented two rallies in one.

There is no use in talking about what was nice fifty years a go. The grass was greener in those times. Everybody knows...


Are you serious? I can't believe you support it.

It doesn't help to dream about some wonderland where everything works nice. You need to cope with existing consequences. I do support the idea when there is no better choice which is this case.

What exactly You want to do in case of CoI? I don't ask about Your dreams but about real action You would take as an organizer. Be specific please.

[andre93]

National Entry has all the local guys in WRCs, Evo IXs and Historics for the Irish tarmac Championship:

http://www.circuitofireland.net/uploads/4/6/5/9/465983/nat_seeded_entry_list_final.pdf

Information about Laird's punto??is a real Abarth Punto S2000??thanks

[Munkvy]

Easily. Exactly in the same way as it was done for 50 years, before some idiot invented two rallies in one.



Are you serious? I can't believe you support it.

Well ever since you have had to run a recent homologated car (ie for a very long time now) there has been a large number of competitors who would love to drive the same roads as the big budget guys, but have an older car/lack homologated gear and therefore are excluded from entering the international event.

This caters to both groups. This is how I did the WRC round here in NZ each year for the last few years, in an old Legacy and then an old WRX. I was able to run to regional rules which meant no need to have homologated parts on the car or some of the higher tier safety gear (ie HANS), therefore I could spend more money on doing events, rather than spending all my money on building/buying a car that was suited to an international event that happens once a year.

From a competitor perspective it makes perfect sense! And from an organiser perspective, they still get good support. So win-win really.

[Jarek Z]

There is no use in talking about what was nice fifty years a go.

I can't believe what I read. Are you really serious? I thought that wise people (and I consider you a wise person) draw conclusions from the past not to repeat the same mistakes in future?


It doesn't help to dream about some wonderland where everything works nice.

Really? Do you really think it is better to stagnate than to improve things?


What exactly You want to do in case of CoI? I don't ask about Your dreams but about real action You would take as an organizer. Be specific please.

I'll try to be as specific as I can. What sense does it make to organize a sporting event in a country where competitors do not want to compete? I think that ERC organizers should choose the localizations of ERC rounds more carefully. One of the main factors of attractiveness of a rally event is the entry list. In Ireland this entry list is very poor, because local drivers do not want to compete. In order to avoid such situations in future this round should be given to another country. As far as I remember more than 20 countries were interested to host an ERC event. Why not choose a country where everybody competes in the same type of cars? Is it not more exciting to see the fight of top ERC drivers against local heroes?

[Mirek]

I can't believe what I read. Are you really serious? I thought that wise people (and I consider you a wise person) draw conclusions from the past not to repeat the same mistakes in future?

Neither you nor me have a power to change worldwide rules. For me it's pointless to complain about how beautiful it would be if everything was completely different. I wanted to point out that it's better to discuss real possibilities rather than dreams.


I'll try to be as specific as I can. What sense does it make to organize a sporting event in a country where competitors do not want to compete? I think that ERC organizers should choose the localizations of ERC rounds more carefully. One of the main factors of attractiveness of a rally event is the entry list. In Ireland this entry list is very poor, because local drivers do not want to compete. In order to avoid such situations in future this round should be given to another country. As far as I remember more than 20 countries were interested to host an ERC event. Why not choose a country where everybody competes in the same type of cars? Is it not more exciting to see the fight of top ERC drivers against local heroes?

That's all true but it's about different thing than the original topic You started. Your complains were about the existence of the 2-in-1 event.

[Tom206wrc]

Pitty the absence of Stéphane Lefèbvre in Junior ERC :(
Maybe he chose to oriente his career in JWRC where he won in Portugal :confused:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Interesting discussion guys..

Re the CoI getting ERC status, I guess the ERC are trying to spread the brand as widely as possible and go to countries with a large rally fanbase.

[Tom206wrc]

...Ingram VS Cerny for Junior ERC victory :)


Not if Ingram is in the Twingo ;)

[mousti]

Pitty the absence of Stéphane Lefèbvre in Junior ERC :(
Maybe he chose to oriente his career in JWRC where he won in Portugal :confused:

Azores is his next rally. Ireland was not included.

Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk 2

[Jarek Z]

Interesting discussion guys..

Thanks, but I'm afraid we should finish it now. I will never understand why Mirek doesn't understand me :) and we should stop at this point, because it's becoming too negative for the forum.

[Wim_Impreza]

How do You want to do that in practical way? Seriously. Many countries don't follow international rules and once they they have their own rules they have only to options - either to hold two events in one or only the international one. For organizers it is economical suicide not to try to implement national cars somehow. There is nothing idiotic about that.

As you probably know, ERC Ypres counts each year again also for the Belgian Rally Championship, despite there can't start WRC cars, GT's, BMW's and other cars. Why is it so difficult in other countries to have only the ERC Rally and no other rally? Just as Jarek Z said, the ERC entry lists should be a lot better than... I really understand Jarek Z.

[Jarek Z]

As you probably know, ERC Ypres counts each year again also for the Belgian Rally Championship, despite there can't start WRC cars, GT's, BMW's and other cars. Why is it so difficult in other countries to have only the ERC Rally and no other rally? Just as Jarek Z said, the ERC entry lists should be a lot better than... I really understand Jarek Z.

Thanks for your support Wim! It's good to see that I'm not alone :)
Yes, Ypres Rally is a good example, I completely forgot about it.

[Mirek]

As you probably know, ERC Ypres counts each year again also for the Belgian Rally Championship, despite there can't start WRC cars, GT's, BMW's and other cars. Why is it so difficult in other countries to have only the ERC Rally and no other rally? Just as Jarek Z said, the ERC entry lists should be a lot better than... I really understand Jarek Z.

Yes, I know. In fact Barum was a very same example (in 2005 and 2006) but frankly that solution is far from being ideal too. Yes, it looks good for ERC but it's completely wrong for the national championship to have one rally with different rules than the others. It's same like if one ERC event was run with WRC cars. When You look at it from this point You can see that it's stupid. It's stupid also vice versa. In fact it's only a misuse of national championship drivers for having a nice entry list of the bigger ERC event. You can't deny that many crews do the ERC event only because it is part of national championship and not because they would be interested in driving the ERC rally. I know a lot of those who don't give a sh*t about ERC classification and drive Barum only because it is part of national championship. As a result they help to make the very nice ERC list de facto against their own will.

So to sum it...

If You separate national and ERC field You have two worse events in the same time but You clearly see real interest of crews in ERC. You keep unchanged rules for both championships all year long. For spectators on place it almost doesn't matter.

If You force national championship drivers to drive under different rules once per year You get one better event for the price of being largely fake in terms of real ERC competition and some damage to Your national championship (for example many crews can not afford to take part in twice longer event under different rules than the rest of the championship).

[vino_93]

Ok for Ypres guys drives S2000 or R5. But look at belgian championship : how many top guys do it ? Not a lot ... And GT cars started in the back of the field last years :) And the guys who have BMW doesn't the rally at all ... the guys we find on entry list are more or less these who have ERC homologated cars.
And it's for sure easier to rent a S2000 in Ypres than in Ireland. You have more travel cost to go in Ireland, and the first is simply to take the boat, whereas in Belgium you can find closer S2000 to rent.

[mousti]

Ok for Ypres guys drives S2000 or R5. But look at belgian championship : how many top guys do it ? Not a lot ... And GT cars started in the back of the field last years :) And the guys who have BMW doesn't the rally at all ... the guys we find on entry list are more or less these who have ERC homologated cars.
And it's for sure easier to rent a S2000 in Ypres than in Ireland. You have more travel cost to go in Ireland, and the first is simply to take the boat, whereas in Belgium you can find closer S2000 to rent.
Very possible that Van Parijs start in the ERC field with his new 997, they build them up for getting that FIA passport. The 997 is a bit different then the BMA Porsche 997.

[Wim_Impreza]

Ok for Ypres... the guys we find on entry list are more or less these who have ERC homologated cars.
And it's for sure easier to rent a S2000 in Ypres than in Ireland. You have more travel cost to go in Ireland, and the first is simply to take the boat, whereas in Belgium you can find closer S2000 to rent.

Don't be so sure about this. It is very difficult to find a good S2000 car here, as there is almost no tuner in Belgium where you can rent S2000 cars. The inscription for Ypres is very expensive.

[vino_93]

yes of course, but you can find cars in Netherlands, France, Italy, ... (didn't Cracco rent S2000 in Belgium ?)
Irish can find the cars exactly as the same place, because there is none of them there or in UK ... but their is ship cost, which give it more expansive. Contacts are more difficult with the teams on the continent, and want these teams travel up to Ireland ? That's a long travel ...

[mousti]

You can only rent WRC's from First in Belgium. Floral (?), J-Motorsport, Symtech, GoDrive, Kronos (?) are all teams where u could rent a R5 or S2000. About the questionmarks is that I don't know if it's still like that in 2014.

[Jarek Z]

Irish can find the cars exactly as the same place, because there is none of them there or in UK ... but their is ship cost, which give it more expansive. Contacts are more difficult with the teams on the continent, and want these teams travel up to Ireland ? That's a long travel ...

So... No cars, high ship costs, difficult contacts, high travel costs, long time travel, reluctance of the local drivers, bad entry list, 2 rallies in one - sorry to be brutal, but does it make sense to include such rally in ERC?

[PLuto]

There is one different problem - drivers in Belgium are interested in international competition, to fight with good foreign drivers, to go abroad. Thats why they are able to rent the cars for ERC event. Most of the drivers in UK prefers to start only at home, dont want to comparison with foreign drivers. They have their own field, with local cars and they are not interested in start with S2000 or R5. Despite some of the local cars costs more than renting proper car for ERC...

[mousti]

Breen last week in Kerry

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

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Another Breen clip...

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

[Mintexmemory]

@ Jarek -Yes it does, if you believe in inclusiveness. Britons are criticised for not wanting to be 'good europeans'. Not including CoI in the ERC would prove what many suspect, British membership of european institutions is a one way street. The key problem you fail to mention is it was too easy for continent-based competitors to opt out of entering CoI. All events counting for the total points would make some (maybe not enough) difference.
As for Pluto's point about Belgian drivers going abroad - this usually means a max 500km drive and no ferry trip, or else they'd go to Ireland (which was abroad from Belgium last time I looked;))

[RS]

I am not blaming the organisers, because it is certainly a matter of budget, but I expect Azores to have a better entry that this and Azores is at least as bad logistically...

But they have live tv and they fund the boat for the mainland competitors to make it over.

[PLuto]

I am not blaming the organisers, because it is certainly a matter of budget, but I expect Azores to have a better entry that this and Azores is at least as bad logistically...

But they have live tv and they fund the boat for the mainland competitors to make it over.

Acores is better logistically because they are helping the crews a lot. Ok, it takes much more time (for team from Czech it means to be three weeks out of home), but organisers are helping with costs for ferry and plane a lot.

[PLuto]

All events counting for the total points would make some (maybe not enough) difference.

I dont think so. Most of the teams has no budget to do all events. As you can see, most of the drivers will do maximum eight events. And also manufacturer drivers was/are/will not do all events...

[EightGear]

Peugeot testing some time ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF848kzKudk

[dimviii]

http://www.picturesofireland.ie/COI_pre-testing_2014/album/slides/COI_pre-testing_2014%20(33).jpg
http://www.picturesofireland.ie/COI_pre-testing_2014/album/slides/COI_pre-testing_2014%20(37).jpg
http://www.picturesofireland.ie/COI_pre-testing_2014/album/slides/COI_pre-testing_2014%20(19).jpg
http://www.picturesofireland.ie/COI_pre-testing_2014/album/index.html

[RS]

Have I missed something? Why is Ketomaa testing here?

[Jarek Z]

Guys, thank you very much for all your comments. I'd like to make it clear that I'm not against Circuit of Ireland in ERC, but I'm strongly against the stupid idea of "2 rallies in one". Anyway, I wish you all a great rally! :)

[RS]

Looking forward to the weekend's action. It will be intriguing to see how the 208 performs on a different kind of rally.

Last time this event was run (in IRC) Skoda won every stage and finished 1-2-3. Doubt that's gonna happen this time!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Have I missed something? Why is Ketomaa testing here?

Tyre test for DMack...

Pity he's not doing the rally in the Fiesta R5.

[RS]

Tyre test for DMack...

Pity he's not doing the rally in the Fiesta R5.

Yes it is.. let's see if Wilson is true to his word and willing to come and challenge the 208 at some point :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ah, so here's why they have a Qualifying Stage for a tarmac rally...

Some serious cutting by the Skoda's on their test leads to this in the road... :eek:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlNCY7yIgAIjf1r.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Preview on local (Irish) TV news: RTE1 http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/734/608993/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Came across this when looking at the CoI on YouTube: 1985 Circuit of Ireland... :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBY7ABDCG2Y

Those were the days ! 3 RWD Opel Manta's see off the mightly Audi Quattros... no wonder I bought one !! :D

[Mirek]

Ah, so here's why they have a Qualifying Stage for a tarmac rally...

That was FIA (and possibly Eurosport) decision. Quite a lot of drivers and organizers were against it actually...


Some serious cutting by the Skoda's on their test leads to this in the road... :eek:

That's why some organizers are forced to place anti-cutting obstacles in every second corner...

[WUff1]

Ah, so here's why they have a Qualifying Stage for a tarmac rally...

Some serious cutting by the Skoda's on their test leads to this in the road... :eek:



That´s really severe cutting. punctures to be expected.

[bluuford]

Can anyone please copy later all links to entry list, results etc here. I am in South Africa for filedworks and I have not very fast internet here. So, it would be great if I can find all information from here.. thaks!
And sorry, I have no time to look weather:-(

[Mirek]

Entry list ERC: http://www.circuitofireland.net/uploads/4/6/5/9/465983/final_erc_entry_list_06_04_2104_approved_by_fia.pd f
National: http://www.circuitofireland.net/uploads/4/6/5/9/465983/final_national_seeded_entry_list_with_sponsors.pdf

Timetable: http://www.autosport.cz/zavody/soubor.php?f=15732
Live results: http://www.rally-base.com or on http://www.fiaerc.com (so far no direct link created in either one, for slow connection probably best to use mobile version m.rally-base.com)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Weather forecast looks dry.. :)

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/mobile/regional-forecast/ni

[driveace]

Seeded at 152 Dessie McCartney Thats interesting and good too .How old is Dessie now ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

THURS - 13.38 (UK) Qualifying Stage for Priority Drivers; 18.00 Start order selection.

[bluuford]

Thank you guys!

[PLuto]

First pictures from service - http://www.autosport.cz/fotogalerie.php?souzav=84|1192&autor=ALL

[dimviii]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxx3upFrA_k

[Eli]

any live stages?

[noel157]

Seeded at 152 Dessie McCartney Thats interesting and good too .How old is Dessie now ?

Think he's 70 this year. His late brother Ronnie won the the event 50 yrs ago this year, in 1964.

[dimviii]

Julian Porter ‏@The_Rally_Guru 6 λεπτά
Just to add some spice to the QS stage it's started to rain, think most drivers are on a hard tyre!

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlbGLDRCYAApOs1.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

QS, Wiegand (2:27.6): « Really very difficult stage, very slippery and very easy to make a mistake. Try to stay on the road.

QS, Abbring (2:27.4): " Any grip, so slippery, car can slide every time… but very exciting! Any idea where is the grip."

QS, Lappi (2:28.2): « quite slippy! hard tyres. Some shiny black tops, trying my best

QS, Breen (2:26.220): « Gard slicks, easy to make a mistake »

[noel157]

Cars flagged away for practice and Q stage, short video: https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/7128D7F4D11068555261238988800_2a83dac3e8f.0.1.7357 204412895934253.mp4?versionId=FLBlh4xOxodLMKR8sKFC 6wZ6rggJdcxH

Courtesy of Ditchslapped @ Twitter

[noel157]

So far class after 5 cars in QS: Barrable (2:22.3), Breen +3.8, Abbring +5.1, Wiegand +5.3, Lappi +5.9

[Tom206wrc]

Interesting QS for Robert Consani :)

[noel157]

Interesting QS for Robert Consani :)

Bit of an unusual time with rain and tyres.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cars back after QS...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blbl10vCUAAB_-i.jpg

Great time for Barrable in the Fiesta !

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlbE6tdCQAA9eRo.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I think Breen will be happy considering...

Craig BREEN (PEUGEOT) Qualifying -
"That was interesting, we are on a hard slick. We made a complete mess of the first hairpin and spun the car. It was a survival stage, just get through. Not exactly first on the road, but somewhere close."

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Barrable promises to “push hard” for a top result against Europe’s best on Circuit of Ireland ...

Robert Barrable has promised he is “going to push hard – we won’t be driving just for a finish” when he contests his home round of the FIA European Rally Championship, the Circuit of Ireland (April 17-19), in his unmistakeable Tunnock’s World Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5.

The 26-year old Dublin driver was the first to place an entry to secure a place in the starting line up, which sees Europe’s top rally teams and drivers compete against the Irish elite.

A recent Tarmac test outing on the West Cork Rally didn’t go to plan, with a misfire and early retirement, but Robert will head to Belfast next week match fit, having just finished the gruelling Rally Portugal. The Tunnock’s Fiesta R5 left Faro immediately after the finish on Sunday and arrived back at CA1 Sport in Carlisle on Tuesday night, where it was converted from gravel to Tarmac specification in preparation for a pre-event test in Ireland next Monday.

The Circuit of Ireland was the second rally Robert ever did in his career, contesting the 2009 event in a Fiesta ST. He returned the following year in a Citroën C2 R2, but it wasn’t until his third attempt in 2012 that he recorded his first finish – coming home 6th in the IRC (8th overall) in a ŠKODA Fabia S2000.

Robert: “This year’s Circuit of Ireland is going to be fantastic – a challenging event with a lot of tough ERC and Irish competition, and it will be very interesting to see how the new Peugeot 208T16 compares to the Fiesta R5 and Fabia S2000s. And for those reasons, it’s hard to predict what our pace is going to be like until we get to the Qualifying Stage. But one thing’s for sure, it’s going to be a very tough rally.

“Even though they’re relatively close to home, I don’t know the stages so well. I might have done one or two of them back in 2009; Hamilton’s Folly stands out and I’ve definitely done the stage near Banbridge and the Lisburn spectator stage. I’m sure Bobby Willis [event director] has picked some really good and very challenging stages. There are some very nice rally roads in that area – not so narrow and bumpy, but fast and flowing.

“I’m really excited to be doing such a high-class ERC event an hour and a half drive away from where I live in Swords, and I hope the fans come out in force to support us and enjoy the event. We’re going to push hard – we won’t be driving just for a finish, we’ll be aiming for a good result.”

[mousti]

Bit of an unusual time with rain and tyres.
Maybe also soft tyre like Barrable?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No holding back in qualifying... :crazy:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blb1rtxCIAESIpk.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great SD pics here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thegingerdaddy/sets/72157644038035536/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Skoda QS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W58zYHAFErU

[PLuto]

Dont forget to make a pickems, deadline is today midnight - MAKE YOUR PICKEMS (http://www.motorsportforums.com/listpickem.php?series=erc&round=4)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Simpson making a mess of the 1st hairpin !

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=734375286585593

Meeke joining in at the press conference

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlcHC9OCIAAOQSw.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Start order for Leg 1 : J. Moffett, S. Moffett, Consani, Breen, Barrable, Abbring, Wiegand, Lappi, Simpson

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlcJnTaCMAE-YTU.jpg:large

[PLuto]

Start order
1. Josh Moffett (Mitsubishi)
2. Sam Moffett (Ford)
3. Robert Consani (Peugeot)
4. Craig Breen (Peugeot)
5. Robert Barrable (Ford)
6. Kevin Abbring (Peugeot)
7. Sepp Wiegand (Skoda)
8. Esapekka Lappi (Skoda)
9. Neil Simpson (Skoda)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

QS video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNe1dugEpDU

[PLuto]

Complete start list to the first leg - http://rally-base.com/2014/circuit-of-ireland-2014/start-list/?startTimeTypeId=433

[SubaruNorway]

Anyone getting the iRally app radio to work? Or is there any other places i can tune in?

fiaerc.com radio won't work either

[Mirek]

Good morning guys! Let's have a good rally :)

[PLuto]

Good morning ;)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Morning all.. SS1 is live !

[mousti]

Abbring is awake :D

This rally definately fits the Fabia!

Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk 2

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good solid start by Breen should help him to relax as he has all the pressure and local expectations.

[Mirek]

Lappi :eek:

Well, that's what I call a surprise...

[Eli]

Morning all.. SS1 is live !

where?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So far class after 9 cars in SS1: Lappi (3:54.0), Abbring +2 , Breen +3.0, Wiegand +4.0, Barrable +6, S. Moffet +8, Consani +12

[PLuto]

So far class after 9 cars in SS1: Lappi (3:54.0), Abbring +2 , Breen +3.0, Wiegand +4.0, Barrable +6, S. Moffet +8, Consani +12

Quite wrong times, better version is here: http://rally-base.com/2014/circuit-of-ireland-2014

[Mirek]

where?

http://www.circuitofireland.net/results.html
http://www.fiaerc.com/events/live/id/18
http://rally-base.com/2014/circuit-of-ireland-2014/?ssId=2277

Choose what You like :) If You meant live on TV... it's not :(


Great start for Černý! Let's see other juniors :)

[Eli]

http://www.circuitofireland.net/results.html
http://www.fiaerc.com/events/live/id/18
http://rally-base.com/2014/circuit-of-ireland-2014/?ssId=2277

Choose what You like :) If You meant live on TV... it's not :(


Great start for Černý! Let's see other juniors :)

they really should have made it live!!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nice view on SS3 and big jump awaits in the background...

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

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Still no times for SS2 ?? Frustrating.

[PLuto]

Still no times for SS2 ?? Frustrating.

If I remember Circuit of Ireland in IRC, they had also problems with timing in time...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen 0.2s faster than Abbring on SS2...

Lappi 2.8 ahead of Breen !

[RS]

Sounds like the guys are enjoying SS3!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This is why the ERC comes to Ireland and why more drivers should come... :crazy:

SS3: " Hah, this was very crazy with the jumps. Like Ouninpohja on tarmac and narrower, WAU! "

SS3, Lappi, 0.2 faster than Abbring: " We made a huge jump, we were flying! "

SS3, Wiegand: " This stage was so impressive for me! Very crazy. I have not word to describe this SS! "

This SS3 is "The best stage in the world" said Craig Breen. " It’s amazing, incredible! It’s the most fun road I can drive."

SS3 Abbring: Massive, it is the best stage of my life... 50% of the time I was in the air! Crazy. I really like this one, it is how rally should be."

[Mirek]

I'm really looking forward to onboard footage!

[JHvP]

When I heard these comments, I remembered on one old game, RC2000. There was an excelent stage called Hamiltons Folly. Then I looked on the name of this SS3...

[Jarek Z]

wow! Lappi wins SS1, 2 and 3! Way to go Esapekka! That's bad for my pickems, but good for the championship! :)

[Mirek]

wow! Lappi wins SS1, 2 and 3! Way to go Esapekka! That's bad for my pickems, but good for the championship! :)

Hehe, when I posted my pickems I realized they are same with Yours up to 7th place. We are on the same boat :D

[Jarek Z]

We are on the same boat :D

It's good to know that I'm not sinking alone :D

[RS]

I wonder if the Skodas are handling the bumpy asphalt a little better vs. the Peugeots. Tarmac was very smooth in Greece.

[Mirek]

The Škodas were born on rough bumpy asphalt full of holes ;) Anyway Peugeots today are muuuch faster than last time in CoI compared to Škodas but on the other hand there is no Hänninen, no Mikkelsen and no Kopecký in them...

[Fly]

Interesting to compare National and International times. It gives credit to Lappi and co even though Nationals have to deal with all the cuts in the corners after the ERC's.
We'll see after the second pass...

http://www.circuitofireland.net/results.html

[RS]

Yes.. Lappi seems to be pretty good on asphalt already but I doubt he is quite up to the three you mention yet.

[mousti]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blf7wFHIAAEibZM.jpg

[Mirek]

Interesting to compare National and International times. It gives credit to Lappi and co even though Nationals have to deal with all the cuts in the corners after the ERC's.
We'll see after the second pass...

http://www.circuitofireland.net/results.html

Out of curiosity...

In 2012 IRC event when it was largely wet the fastest national driver was Darren Gass with Impreza WRC S10 and he finished 3:37 behind Hänninen. Donnelly (Corolla WRC) lost 5:07, McGarrity (Mini WRC) lost 8:08. They would be 4th, 7th and 10th if counted among IRC drivers.

[PLuto]

Interesting to compare National and International times. It gives credit to Lappi and co even though Nationals have to deal with all the cuts in the corners after the ERC's.
We'll see after the second pass...



Maybe thats the reason why local drivers dont want go in ERC field - they are slower in WRC cars, how much slower they should be with less powerful car?

[giù tutto!]

Well, on the other hand would it be quite embarrassing for the new Peugeot if there can't be seen any progress to the old one.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Skoda has massive experience with this car set-up, even in Ireland, and this matters so much more than pure power here. 208T16 has just a few tests not years of rallies.

EDIT - Lappi just said the same...

[Fly]

Out of curiosity...

In 2012 IRC event when it was largely wet the fastest national driver was Darren Gass with Impreza WRC S10 and he finished 3:37 behind Hänninen. Donnelly (Corolla WRC) lost 5:07, McGarrity (Mini WRC) lost 8:08. They would be 4th, 7th and 10th if counted among IRC drivers.

I remember and agree with you but I thought Jennings would set at least the same times than Lappi or Breen as the guy is faster than Gass. And the conditions suit the WRCars better than in 2012.
Are you going to Ypres?
Sorry guys, back to topic ;)

[Mirek]

I remember and agree with you but I thought Jennings would set at least the same times than Lappi or Breen as the guy is faster than Gass. And the conditions suit the WRCars better than in 2012.
Are you going to Ypres?
Sorry guys, back to topic ;)

Yes, definitely dry conditions help local WRC drivers especially because international ones are used cut a lot and bring dirt and mud on the road.

I will come to Ypres, that's the plan. It will be my 4th time there :)

Anyway Lappi again... but it's very close on top!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen has cut his left hand: "Not so bad, I was trying to fix it [rear screen] at the start of the stage and I caught it. It's OK"

[Jarek Z]

Maybe thats the reason why local drivers dont want go in ERC field - they are slower in WRC cars, how much slower they should be with less powerful car?

I was the one complaining about the lack of local drivers on the entry list, but now I know why they are hiding. I had no idea they were so slow.

[Juha_Koo]

I really hope Skoda guys could upload SS3 Lappi/Ferm onboard to Youtube...! :) Just like they did with a very nice 15 minute onboard of Kopecky/Dresler from APRC few days ago.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I was the one complaining about the lack of local drivers on the entry list, but now I know why they are hiding. I had no idea they were so slow.

In their defence, half of the WRC cars are driven by old guys (Donnelly, Mcgarrity, McKinstry) and the others, well, Ireland is struggling economically for many years so the cars may not be the newest or best prepared, or tested...

[Mirek]

Lappi won 5 of 5 in the first loop. Impressive! I didn't expect him to be so fast here.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS5, Abbring (5:05.2), +0.8 behind Breen " I’m not sure if we have the perfect set-up..."

Another fastest time for Lappi (5.03.5) !

[WUff1]

Lappi won 5 of 5 in the first loop. Impressive! I didn't expect him to be so fast here.

+1

So Skoda/Lappi striking back. Good for ERC-fight.

[PLuto]

In their defence, half of the WRC cars are driven by old guys (Donnelly, Mcgarrity, McKinstry) and the others, well, Ireland is struggling economically for many years so the cars may not be the newest or best prepared, or tested...

I dont know how is the actual situation, but usually there is no problem with money, but with will. WRC cars are not cheaper (for buying/renting and also for running) than S2000 or some smaller cars (R2, R3). And some historic escorts are more expensive for costs...

[Mirek]

There isn't many S2000 cars on the Islands to rent though.

[mousti]

Nice to see how Ingram show's his talent with the Twingo beating a difficult combination Cerny/208.

[Mirek]

Nice to see how Ingram show's his talent with the Twingo beating a difficult combination Cerny/208.

Černý is kinda strange driver. He is sometimes very fast, sometimes very slow. He has hardly any consistency. For example this year he was very fast in Jänner and Latvia which are both his favorite events but than he was completely off the pace in Portugal. He blamed himself for writing bad pacenotes. Here he was very positive after pre-event testing saying how good setup they have but this morning he was complaining about completely wrong setup and that he must go back to the one from Barum. From the events where I saw him live I think that when he loses time it's often because of pushing too much, braking too late for ideal line etc. He himself described interesting situation from Latvia where during pre-event testing he set the best time in originally planned last run without any pushing. He decided to the stage again and again with less pushing and he kept beating his times from previous runs. I think that it's the key for him, not trying too much...

[Mirek]

Almost everybody going off somewhere. Lappi doubles his lead!

[mousti]

Flat tyre of Kristiansen because of the bumper laying on the stage of Breen..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Any thoughts on Lappi's pace ?
Whats he been like before on tarmac ?

Do the high speeds and jumps favour him here as he's a Finn ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The rear bumper is missing after what Breen called the biggest moment of his life in SS6... :eek:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blg82hDIYAAWMo4.jpg

Abbring stopped after the finish of the stage and they were putting water into the radiator - return of the problem from Greece ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rear screen gone again for Breen on SS7 - car cant take the compressions and no screen is affecting the aero ...

The lad in the painter's overalls leanin' off a tree in this pic :D
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blg7nIMCMAEod2r.jpg:large

[mousti]

No Abbring, he was doing lots of water in the car after the previous stage. Hope it's not the same again, otherwise it's getting a big issue..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Abbring late in - problem, says maybe going to retire ??

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blg9XaFCUAEMbZ2.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS7 - Breen only lost 1.3s to Lappi despite his issues...

[Mirek]

Seems like there is still a lot of work on Peugeots 208 T16. So far it has been like 1/2 of starts doomed by overheating...

I'm glad to see Černý pushing on Ingram now :)


Any thoughts on Lappi's pace ?
Whats he been like before on tarmac ?

Do the high speeds and jumps favour him here as he's a Finn ?

He didn't do that much asphalt events but he was Finnish karting champion I think. I think he did Rally Deutschland with R2 two years back, than two national sprintrally events here in CZ with Fabia S2000 (2nd, 1st), later in 2013 did Barum, Sanremo and Valais in ERC (crash, 2nd, 1st).

[mousti]

Abbring is out :(

[nafpaktos]

SS3 have been uploaded!really interesting and fluent stage.

[EightGear]

Well.. No luck for Abbring again... What a shame.

[nafpaktos]

At least we took an idea of his pace.

[HarriK]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vELS23QE4I8&feature=youtu.be

In the end:
"Wow, it jumped!"

[Mirek]

Well.. No luck for Abbring again... What a shame.

I was hoping he can fight for the title but with this retirements he would have it very difficult. Only 4 results count from each half of the season...

[Juha_Koo]

SS3 have been uploaded!really interesting and fluent stage.

Must be very difficult to get the notes right, so many crests and long flat minus corners with zero room for error...

Incredible notes with Lappi, just for example 0:45 --> 0:55: "immediate crest with jump 30, crest short easy right jumps, immediate small flat crest 30, small flat crest and double crest flat jumps 30, small crest and left".

That's seven crests in ten seconds! :D :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS8 so far after 9 cars: Breen (5:35.0), Lappi +0.1, Barrable +7.0, Wiegand 8.2, Moffett +14.4, Simpson +22.8, Consani +24.8

Breen finally ends Lappi's winning streak.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

OFFICIAL from Peugeotsport Rally Academy: K. Abbring has retired with a broken radiator. The team is not sure if he will restart tomorrow. :(

Broke radiator on a jump so not the same problem as in Greece...

[noel157]

Shame about Abbring.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS9: Breen 4 sec faster than Lappi this time ... great battle.

[PLuto]

I was hoping he can fight for the title but with this retirements he would have it very difficult. Only 4 results count from each half of the season...

And only 4 starts remaining...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Second time today rear screen broken on Breen's car and spoiler also attached so aero affected. Need to solve this before tomorrow...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Blha9SAIAAAFcXC.jpg

[Mintexmemory]

Maybee the few kgs lighter has helped Craig - almost 2 seconds more pulled back on EL on the shortest stage of the day. Should be a great battle tomorrow.

[Jarek Z]

Rear screen gone again for Breen on SS7 - car cant take the compressions and no screen is affecting the aero ...

The lad in the painter's overalls leanin' off a tree in this pic :D

Thanks for posting this photo Eddie! I love it! I'm sure the painter in the background is checking if the rear screen is still on Breen's car :D

[br21]

OFFICIAL from Peugeotsport Rally Academy: K. Abbring has retired with a broken radiator. The team is not sure if he will restart tomorrow. :(

Broke radiator on a jump so not the same problem as in Greece...

Abbring didn't hit anything. It's same problem like in Acropolis. From what I know Peugeot Sport knows where the problem is, but they can't change it now due to homologation restrictions.

Rear window breaks due to spoiler mounts hitting it during landing after huge jumps.

[EightGear]

It looks like Abbring can start again tomorrow.

How are the rules of homologation? When can they fix the known problem?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Abbring didn't hit anything. It's same problem like in Acropolis.


Several sources including ‏@Official_iRally state 'Abbring said to have broken radiator over jump'.

Belgian rally site says: 'A hard landing after a jump ended his rally because of radiator problems'.

Dont think this was the cause of the radiator problem in Acropolis was it ?

[tolis]

No, but I think Peugeot Sport doesn't want to admit the original problem! :D

[EightGear]

No restart for Abbring tomorrow...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great crowds on SS10 show the popularity of rallying in this part of the world:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BliDamrIMAEs5Qb.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No restart for Abbring tomorrow...

Sad sight :(

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BliFYX8IEAEr6zI.jpg

[RS]

Abbring didn't hit anything. It's same problem like in Acropolis. From what I know Peugeot Sport knows where the problem is, but they can't change it now due to homologation restrictions.

Rear window breaks due to spoiler mounts hitting it during landing after huge jumps.

Insufficient testing on both counts?

[PLuto]

Start list for second leg (without Abbring) - http://rally-base.com/2014/circuit-of-ireland-2014/start-list/?startTimeTypeId=434

[PLuto]

Photogallery of Sven Kollus from the rally - http://www.autosport.cz/zavody/fotogalerie.php?id=84&id=1192&autor=104

[Mirek]

Several sources including ‏@Official_iRally state 'Abbring said to have broken radiator over jump'.

Belgian rally site says: 'A hard landing after a jump ended his rally because of radiator problems'.

Dont think this was the cause of the radiator problem in Acropolis was it ?

Admitting that it's all the time same issue would damage both their PR and business with private cars. They can't afford it now...

[Mirek]

Great crowds on SS10 show the popularity of rallying in this part of the world

I noticed that on TV leg 1 report. Great!

Onboards!

Lappi SS4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Z4eu7XWb8
Wiegand SS5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OGz1HF8xf4

[WUff1]

Not sure about Abbring and Peugeot. Breen was planned as the guy who should be pushed to ERC championship, but Abbring is very very fast too and could take some important points from Breen. So Abbring has to retire each rallye and/because (?) Breen get´s all attention from Peugeot.

It´s a sitation which we´ve seen in Formula One many times before - and it looks a bit smelly in my opinion.

EDIT: Is Abbring a declared No 2 driver at Peugeot??

[Mirek]

Has anyone seen the broken gearbox casing of Breen in the evening service? He was very lucky to continue in my opinion...

Nice corner, 0:30 Lappi just wow

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

[irish_tiger]

Any thoughts on Lappi's pace ?
Whats he been like before on tarmac ?

Do the high speeds and jumps favour him here as he's a Finn ?

From being out on the stages yesterday Lappi's car is just away more stable compared to Breens . You can see that the Skodas testing two years ago is showing the last time they were here - it just dosnt move on the road and he said that last night on the TV .Because he's a Finn means nothing it just he knows the car wont do something stupid when it lands and he has the confidence to drive it then .
As for Breen -either the car is at its Limit or he is , im not to sure which but the back of the car dosnt have the suspension travel like the Skoda and its lifting off the ground on the uneven surface all the time . I just cant see Craig closing the gap eventhough its only 12 seconds because he looks to be trying hard anyway and if he goes over that .... whats going to happen ??? . What has Lappi left - even if Craig does take a few seconds off him on the first stage i think he just has to up it on the next few . Maybe im wrong - punctures , etc who knows what can happen ..

[Mirek]

Water leak for Breen too... :(

[br21]

little bit of topic, but what was the official reason of Andreuccis retirement during San remo?

[Mirek]

little bit of topic, but what was the official reason of Andreuccis retirement during San remo?

Broken welds on radiator I think.

[br21]

so all the time same problem... they are just trying to hide the problem finding other "official reasons"
radiator that stopped Breen now was 3kms old, they replaced it during nights service...

[WUff1]

Water leak for Breen too... :(#

OK I´ll take my comment back ...

Seems to be big problem of 208 T16 ..

[PLuto]

In Acores will be new evolution of Peugeot ;)

[RS]

I know Peugeot had problems with the cooling of the 208 - was the radiator they now use maybe a late change to the spec and so they didn't have a chance to test it properly?

I'm sure this shouldn't be such a problem on smooth tarmac roads, but they need a fix quickly.

[Mirek]

Sam Moffet stopped, maybe mechanical or puncture :(

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gutted for Breen, he didnt deserve this and we are all robbed of an interesting battle :(

Turned out the radiator is a real problem, not heavy landings on jumps...

But I think Lappi would win today anyway the Skoda is so much more stable and well set-up. He admitted last night he could get away with driving 'crazy' and still nothing happened...

[Mirek]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vELS23QE4I8&feature=youtu.be

In the end:
"Wow, it jumped!"

From me also just wow :) Especially about the wicked angled jump.

[seb_sh]

Yea it's a shame about Breen, but Lappi looked like he was in control anyway so all he has to do now is not do anything stupid.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

RallyFM - SS12 Craig Breen reports it was a mechanical or electrical failure which left him with no power ???

Rallynews - Craig Breen confirms retirement is down to fuel pump failure.

RTE Ireland - Craig Breen forced to retire from Circuit of Ireland due to fuel pressure problem.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlkwH5wCMAAYQiM.jpg

[Allyc85]

Chris Ingram crashed out of the lead of the juniors, crew ok.

[PLuto]

Also fight in JERC is over...

[br21]

Peugeot is telling bullshit, Breen stopped on the stage, was putting water into cooling circuit and now they say fuel pump was the problem...:))))

[RICARDO75]

Chris Ingram crashed out of the lead of the juniors, crew ok.

https://scontent-b-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1978724_647786041936532_1520347602871207099_n.jpg

[RS]

Maybe Wiegand can catch Barrable and make it a Skoda 1-2.

[Nornbugger]

Not sure about Abbring and Peugeot. Breen was planned as the guy who should be pushed to ERC championship, but Abbring is very very fast too and could take some important points from Breen. So Abbring has to retire each rallye and/because (?) Breen get´s all attention from Peugeot.

It´s a sitation which we´ve seen in Formula One many times before - and it looks a bit smelly in my opinion.

EDIT: Is Abbring a declared No 2 driver at Peugeot??

Did Elvis tell you this too? He told me before the event when I met him out exercising his unicorn

[Nornbugger]

Shame for Breen and Abbring that their cars broke, but I think Lappi had the edge anyway, the car is well set up for sure but I felt Breen in particular was overdriving the car a little, good to watch but tenth are easier lost than won at this level.

[Mirek]

Unfortunately with both works Peueots and Ingram out the rally is set for quite boring finish... an it looked so great at the beginning!

At least there is a fight for second :)

[mousti]

Yep the reliability of the Peugeot's is quite bad. And for Ingram it was difficult to match the speed of Cerny when he began to drive solid with a good setup. Twingo against 208 with a good driver, difficult to beat :(

[nafpaktos]

In Acores will be new evolution of Peugeot ;)So they have to spend a joker so early?iam sure wilson is really happy with what's going on with peugeot.

[Mirek]

Here comes again what I said about Černý yesterday...

(14 - Černý Jan / Kohout Pavel): We went really carefully, but were six seconds faster. It is crazy.

[mousti]

Here comes again what I said about Černý yesterday...

(14 - Černý Jan / Kohout Pavel): We went really carefully, but were six seconds faster. It is crazy.
Yes you were totally right Mirek, that already showed after the first service yesterday, he changed his mindset maybe the setup also a bit. And from then Ingram got it difficult against Cerny.

[RS]

Barrable: "We'll use the head and cruise the rally home."

Bullshitting?

[Nornbugger]

Barrable: "We'll use the head and cruise the rally home."

Bullshitting?

Hopefully! Its a big ask now for him though

[Francis44]

One thing I found a bit curious seeing the highlights on Eurosport yesterday. Peugeot Sport mechanics were trying to fix Abbring's radiator with some kind of mix, wouldn't it be normal for a team that size to just replace it? Or is the budget that tight?!

[RS]

One thing I found a bit curious seeing the highlights on Eurosport yesterday. Peugeot Sport mechanics were trying to fix Abbring's radiator with some kind of mix, wouldn't it be normal for a team that size to just replace it? Or is the budget that tight?!

Maybe they used so many that there are none left :D

[RS]

Congratulations to Lappi for a great drive.

I bet this 1-2 for Skoda was really sweet for them, after Acropolis. They were faster and more reliable than the Peugeots here.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Very disappointing to lose both Peugeot's but it was good while it lasted and I'm sure they will learn a massive amount more in a rally than testing...

Better luck next time and well done to Lappi.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bll45MIIgAAxLgH.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Peugeot is telling bullshit, Breen stopped on the stage, was putting water into cooling circuit and now they say fuel pump was the problem...:))))

“We don’t actually know [what happened],” said Breen, “It’s something in the car has broken down and I just stopped. We’re not quite sure what it is. We just lost all power, we tried to restart but unfortunately she’s not agreeing with it.

“We really don’t know [if it’s an electrical problem] but it’s nothing related to the radiator at all..

[PLuto]

“We don’t actually know [what happened],” said Breen, “It’s something in the car has broken down and I just stopped. We’re not quite sure what it is. We just lost all power, we tried to restart but unfortunately she’s not agreeing with it.

“We really don’t know [if it’s an electrical problem] but it’s nothing related to the radiator at all..

Is it true or PR? :)

[MartijnS]

Maybe it was posted already, but Abbring didn't restart because Breen needed some parts of Kevin his car.

[Ucci]

Who would it thought position one and two for Skoda at this demanding rally?? Congrats to Czech team, indeed their huge experience and reliability with Fabia paid off. Of course congrats to Lappi as well !
Peugeot-something is very wrong with this R5 car.....now it is again Andreucci's turn to correct this ''bad taste'' of P208R5...

[Mirek]

“We don’t actually know [what happened],” said Breen, “It’s something in the car has broken down and I just stopped. We’re not quite sure what it is. We just lost all power, we tried to restart but unfortunately she’s not agreeing with it.

“We really don’t know [if it’s an electrical problem] but it’s nothing related to the radiator at all..

Imagine what happens if they say "we homologated a car with some stupid problem we can not fix." Who would buy such car? What would it do for their PR?

[br21]

After day one Peugeot had only one spare radiator and they decided to put it into Breens car, so there was no radiator left for Abbrings car. That's the reason why he didn't restart and maybe why they tried te repair his broken radiator... which is pretty stupid in car worth over 200k euros...
Newly fitted radiator broke after just 3kms in Breens car. Peugeot can't say officially that they all the time have same problem, not only in bumpy Ireland but also on quite smooth Acropolis or San remo, so they are saying some PR bullshit.

[Mirek]

I missed the end of the rally as I was out for some karting with friends...

I have to say I was hugely surprised by Lappi's performance. He was really on it from the start. It was the best possible answer to all criticism after Acropolis. No need to comment the Peugeots, everything was said already. Wiegand I would say did quite well, I didn't expect him being faster. His second place has a lot to do with Peugeots out but that's how it goes. Barrable was solid through the rally, in the end he tried to keep Wiegand behind but made a mistake. Still great result for him I think. Nice surprise for me was also Sam Moffet. Pity for him the car broke down. Černý did very well when he found the right setup and it looks like he is on the way to Junior ERC crown. Chris Ingram was doing incredible with the bouncy Twingo but he was probably pushing a little bit too hard. Pity that the battles for victory were affected by a lot of retirements.

Roll on Acores :)

[mousti]

Ingram got the Flat Out trophy :)

[Sulland]

Why are the radiator braking all the time on the T16, and is the same one homologated on the Ds3?

To bad with the brake issues for Petter Kristiansen in the Fabia R2 on the first day, if not he might be fighting for 2nd. Not bad with an old car, but with new pieces in the back axle!
Seems ERC Juniors is a good series to start the international training!

[RS]

Full SS4 onboard with Lappi, nice driving and the car looks superb, it handles the bumps as if it is smooth tarmac. I think they either lost the place in the notes or there was a lot of correction going on though?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Z4eu7XWb8

[Mirek]

To bad with the brake issues for Petter Kristiansen in the Fabia R2 on the first day, if not he might be fighting for 2nd. Not bad with an old car, but with new pieces in the back axle!
Seems ERC Juniors is a good series to start the international training!

The issues were caused by hitting a bumpers ripped off from Breen's car. It was not a technical malfunction.

[donlorean]

Full SS4 onboard with Lappi, nice driving and the car looks superb, it handles the bumps as if it is smooth tarmac. I think they either lost the place in the notes or there was a lot of correction going on though?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Z4eu7XWb8


There were corrections... A lot of them... Sand, rails, minus,don't etc...

[PLuto]

Another GREAT decision by stewards. They have given some notional times from SS 13 AFTER finish of the rally. So drivers are fighting for the seconds and after all changes they change results from the table. Great job...

[Mirek]

Why not to name those responsible for this stupidity?


2.5 Stewards of the Meeting
Chairman (appointed by the FIA) Uwe Schmidt (DEU)
FIA Steward Dietmar Hinterreger (AUT)
ASN Steward Mike Sones (GB)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I believe Breen. It doesn't add up to stop 3k into a stage with a water leak and not just top up and carry on.

A sudden stop and then cant restart is more likely fuel pump and a new car can have many problems.
Do they really need to blatantly lie in this situation. No.

[mousti]

If the radiator already leaking after 3 K in the first loop I don't think it makes sense to carry on.

[br21]

regarding suspension
I don't know if Skoda has it, but for sure they have lot of experience, so possible.
M-Sport for example was offering for S2000 ad WRC cars (not yet for R5) kit called "irish tarmac". There were modified gravel dampers with tarmac springs, mixed gravel/tarmac suspension parts and different spigots, shims, etc. and it was really improving driveability on rough bumpy tarmac a lot!!!

[A FONDO]

seems like the ERC was a total disgrace, as usual. but in the national champ. there were very good cars. where can I read more about it? the "British & Irish Rallying" section here is empty.

[EightGear]

Abbring's video of day 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYvysRXwaZQ&sns=fb

Especially interesting, he said: 'On the internet there was talk of a hard landing after a jump, but that is absolutely not true. It seems like we've had the same problem like in Greece.'

[Doon]

seems like the ERC was a total disgrace, as usual. but in the national champ. there were very good cars. where can I read more about it? the "British & Irish Rallying" section here is empty.

28 car entry.....how do these events even run?

I didnt read MN this week but I saw the cover with Meeke saying the rally should bid for WRC status. Really? Because it doesn't seem to be attractive to competitors, and imagine spectating when only 19 cars are left many of which are R2 cars.

[AndyRAC]

I think it's a problem for British & Irish rallying; the IRC in Scotland got poor entries, and the 2012 CoI was similar. There are very few S2000/ R5 cars in these Isles....
And it's expensive for overseas entries to get here. I'm not sure what the answer is.

[A FONDO]

I am talking about this: http://www.ewrc-results.com/final.php?e=16815

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

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/13916083111_34b208b9ba_b.jpg

[Mirek]

28 car entry.....how do these events even run?

I didnt read MN this week but I saw the cover with Meeke saying the rally should bid for WRC status. Really? Because it doesn't seem to be attractive to competitors, and imagine spectating when only 19 cars are left many of which are R2 cars.

There were 32 ERC entries and 84 national entries. All competitors did the same route so that spectators could watch them all. They were only counted into different classification (because the national event is not held under FIA rules). 19 ERC competitors and 47 national ones finished.

Now compare with Mexico for example. That's hugely popular event despite having only 25-30 cars every year.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I am talking about this: http://www.ewrc-results.com/final.php?e=16815

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



Good info here but otherwise very poor coverage of the national rally: http://www.rallynews.net/report_index.asp?rID=149

[Mirek]

Accident of Jukka Korhonen

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

[satnav]

Good info here but otherwise very poor coverage of the national rally: http://www.rallynews.net/report_index.asp?rID=149

Theres also some info here on the Irish Rally Forum ;
http://www.rallyforums.com/forum/showthread.php?45074-Circuit-of-Ireland-2014-National-Rally/page10

A lot of the Nat info was on Twitter feeds all weekend

[satnav]

Heres a pic of Garrys car after his roll ;

[Jarek Z]

28 car entry.....how do these events even run?

I didnt read MN this week but I saw the cover with Meeke saying the rally should bid for WRC status. Really? Because it doesn't seem to be attractive to competitors, and imagine spectating when only 19 cars are left many of which are R2 cars.

Exactly, that is a good question. I have absolutely no idea what sense it makes to run rallies for just 30 crews. Yet there are people on this forum who support this idiotic idea. Unbelievable!