[ERC] [MERC] Cyprus Rally 2014 (19-21.09.2014)

[makinen_fan]

First details of the route have been published yesterday. After years not able to attend my home rally, this year all plans are sorted I am definitely going!

The route revisits some of the stages from the 2009 rally (Asinou, Xerarkaka) and Lythrodontas was not used since 10 years ago maybe. Overall the stages are less fast than the IRC (or last years') version of the rally, although some stages are still considered (relatively) fast.

Here is the itinerary:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14818594/Qualifying.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14818594/Saturday.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14818594/Sunday.jpg

[Mirek]

Is it still mixed surface? I can not see those pictures at work.

[miniwintz]

Yes, tarmac 36% gravel 64% of all SS km

[makinen_fan]

Is it still mixed surface? I can not see those pictures at work.

Maybe because I have them in my Dropbox. Try this link
http://www.cyauto.com/?intid=577

[Mirek]

Thanks. Yes, file sharing sites are blocked at my work as well as some social media.

[RS]

Any of the main men due to go here?

[Jarek Z]

Any of the main men due to go here?

I don't know if he can be considered a main man, but here is what Kajto says:
"Already in two weeks we are flying to Cyprus. Change of environment, temperatures, surface are the next challenges that European Champiopnship serves us".

[RS]

I don't know if he can be considered a main man, but here is what Kajto says:
"Already in two weeks we are flying to Cyprus. Change of environment, temperatures, surface are the next challenges that European Champiopnship serves us".

Yes, he counts :) Thanks.

[WUff1]

Looks like the weakest entry list of the year besides Jänner, probably even weaker.

[RS]

Peugeot are not going. I presume Skoda won't go either.

[Leon]

Peugeot are not going.

Source?

[RS]

Source?

Well, it wasn't in their schedule at the beginning of the year.

I believe both Abbring and Breen are doing Valais and Corsica though, presume Skoda will do the same.

[WRC1]

Looks like the weakest entry list of the year besides Jänner, probably even weaker.

would you please describe what exactly was "weak" on this years jänner rallye entries??.....compared to estonia, ireland...

[hari]

would you please describe what exactly was "weak" on this years jänner rallye entries??.....compared to estonia, ireland...

Some statistics 2014:
Event - Total entries / R5,S2000,RRC cars
Jänner Rallye: 79 / 13
Rally Liepaja 74 / 9
Acropolis Rally 29 / 16
Circuit of Ireland 31 / 6
Acores Rally 58 / 7
Ypres Rallye 97 / 23
Estonia 61 / 16
Barum Rallye 105 / 24

So Jänner Rallye entry was quite nice.

[RICARDO75]

Some statistics 2014:
Event - Total entries / R5,S2000,RRC cars
Jänner Rallye: 79 / 13
Rally Liepaja 74 / 9
Acropolis Rally 29 / 16
Circuit of Ireland 31 / 6
Acores Rally 58 / 7
Ypres Rallye 97 / 23
Estonia 61 / 16
Barum Rallye 105 / 24

So Jänner Rallye entry was quite nice.


The RC2 entries on Liepaja, Ireland and Azores are not correct
Event - Total entries / R5,S2000,RRC cars
Rally Liepaja 74 / (9) 17
Circuit of Ireland 31 / (6) 9
Acores Rally 58 / (7) 15

[Mirek]

Listening autosport.cz MP3 interviews from finish of Barum rally. Kajto, Orsák and Tlusťák confirmed their starts on Cyprus.

[Leon]

Looks like the weakest entry list of the year besides Jänner, probably even weaker.

Also the event is a round of the middle east championship so Al-Attiyah and the rest are expected to take part.

[pantealex]

The RC2 entries on Liepaja, Ireland and Azores are not correct
Event - Total entries / R5,S2000,RRC cars
Rally Liepaja 74 / (9) 17
Circuit of Ireland 31 / (6) 9
Acores Rally 58 / (7) 15

N and R4 are also RC2, is that the difference.

[pucky54]

I expect about 10 - 15 R5 & S2000 cars and around 40 - 45 entries...

[WUff1]

would you please describe what exactly was "weak" on this years jänner rallye entries??.....compared to estonia, ireland...

I didn´t mean the number, but the quality of entries. Besides Cyprus the only ERC run without the works teams (Kubica and M-sport was an one off).

[WRC1]

I didn´t mean the number, but the quality of entries. Besides Cyprus the only ERC run without the works teams (Kubica and M-sport was an one off).

i see...so only a works entry makes the quality of a rally for you.... :) that means that @ barum rally it was also a weak, because after stage 4 there was only 1 works car left .....cool :)

[Leon]

AUTOSPORT mag has learned that Peugeot will send a 208 T16 to the Cyprus Rally for him.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115686

[pucky54]

AUTOSPORT mag has learned that Peugeot will send a 208 T16 to the Cyprus Rally for him.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115686

Was already confirmed by Sainteloc on Barum Rally last week!

[nafpaktos]

AUTOSPORT mag has learned that Peugeot will send a 208 T16 to the Cyprus Rally for him.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115686
Since the car is not reliable and they have not tested the car enough before the homologation,i think they should go to cyprus with two cars in order to find likely problems(i am sure they will find).since they make the big expense(participate to the rally) i find nonsense not to bring the second car to the island.

[harriswrc]

Finally, a nice entrylist! 12 S2000/RRC/R5 cars, 2 208 T16, 5 Fiesta, 2 Fabia, 2 207, 1 DS3, not bad :-)

[WUff1]

Very nice entry list. Will be interesting to see the fight of ERC vs. MERC regulars.

[mousti]

Sadly it's Breen probably with some Keltech money at the start and not Abbring..

[RS]

Where can we see the entry list?

[Jeppe]

http://www.cyprusrally.com.cy/2014/list-of-entries/

[Leon]

http://www.cyprusrally.com.cy/2014/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/LIST-OF-ENTRIES.pdf

[vino_93]

Interesting to see a lot of drivers from Northern Cyprus.

[makinen_fan]

Also the SS1 will run through the occupied region of Nicosia, north of the buffer zone.
SS1 will be broadcast live by local channel (last year it was possible to stream it from abroad as well)
http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/09/04/cyprus-rally-to-run-through-north-nicosia/

[RS]

Thanks guys, good to see a few ERC regulars there even if this is hardly a "proper round"

[Tom206wrc]

Sadly it's Breen probably with some Keltech money at the start and not Abbring..


Abbring will run Rallye de France WRC instead ;)

[vino_93]

official drive or private entry in France ?

[mousti]

For Breen u can think both ways, Abbring it will be official drive, he has some money from some sponsors but for sure not the amount to do a WRC rally.

[RICARDO75]

Al Qassimi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNOoRmuNZaQ&feature=em-uploademail

[harriswrc]

Seeded entry list
http://www.cyprusrally.com.cy/2014/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/CYR2014-FINAL-LIST-OF-ENTRIES-IN-SEEDED-ORDER.pdf
The priority drivers who are doing qualification:
Nasser Al-Attiyah (Ford Fiesta RRC)
Craig Breen (Peugeot 208T16)
Khalid Al-Qassimi (Citroën DS3 RRC)
Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Ford Fiesta R5)
Yazeed Al-Rajhi (Ford Fiesta RRC)
Robert Consani (Peugeot 207 S2000)
Jaroslav Orsák (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)
Antonín Tlusťák (ŠKODA Fabia S2000)
Bruno Magalhães (Peugeot 208T16)
Vitaliy Pushkar (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X)
Martin Hudec (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX)

[nafpaktos]

Nasser,Craig(if the car wants),and yazeed i think will be the most strong nominees for the victory.of course craig has not others huge experience in cyprus.

[harriswrc]

Only Nasser :-)

[nafpaktos]

Nice video!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=728431680539848

[makinen_fan]

Nice video!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=728431680539848

I was there on Tuesday, it was a great show, fast tarmac sections with gravel suspension/tyres is always 100% spectacular

On Monday I watched Khalid (mixed gravel/tarmac stage) and Kajetanowicz (mostly gravel).
On Tuesday, Graig tested mainly gravel and did very few tarmac runs. I am impressed by his speed, I hope the 208 will last longer than recent events. Also Consani and Magalhaes tested on a gravel and then a tarmac stage, very conservative and not showing anything special.
Today after the end of recce, Nasser tested gravel (he was hugely spectacular and committed everywhere) and Yazzed on tarmac.
I hope to upload some images tomorrow morning before shakedown.

[Leon]

some photos from testing

http://www.cyauto.com/?intid=636

[manthey]

Nice video!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=728431680539848

lc2race engineering is peugeot's official partner for the development of the t16?

[makinen_fan]

Some of my photos are online:
Khalid: https://www.flickr.com/photos/yiannis_chris/sets/72157647679295526/

Kajetanowicz: https://www.flickr.com/photos/yiannis_chris/sets/72157647742043255/

[makinen_fan]

lc2race engineering is peugeot's official partner for the development of the t16?

The teams truck and tools were labelled as Saintloc racing. Is this the same for other rallies were both 208 were entered?

[nafpaktos]

Another one!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wYNYuRIIxaQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[RICARDO75]

Q.S.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm1woNsXzkk/VBrvWHrPQVI/AAAAAAAAtyE/uu5T6mCyw8g/s1600/qs.jpg

[nafpaktos]

Rain and problems made that strange qs results.

[Jarek Z]

Rain and problems made that strange qs results.

What's so strange about it? Kajto is first and everything is all right! :)

[nafpaktos]

http://s29.postimg.org/80yw39qvr/10575448_856060074418772_5214702241981340757_o.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/8qhofmrf7/full/)
screenshot software (http://postimage.org/app.php)

[marcosg]

The teams truck and tools were labelled as Saintloc racing. Is this the same for other rallies were both 208 were entered?

yeap

[Jarek Z]

Kajto's first video from Cyprus (1 min 30s):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbSUs5yNCkI

[manthey]

yeap

so can we say that sainteloc racing gives assistance&technical support to peugeot on the race fields + a third part overview is given by lc2 race engineering?

abbring is sainteloc's official driver from their website
http://www.sainteloc.com/pilotes.html

[EightGear]

Yes, Sainteloc runs the Peugeot Rally Academy cars. They have done so for some years I believe.

[PLuto]

Rain and problems made that strange qs results.

It was "heavy rain" in local conditions. For people from mainland it was only few drops (on qualify stage, on highway during return back to Nicosia it was bigger shower (for about 5 mins).

[makinen_fan]

It was "heavy rain" in local conditions. For people from mainland it was only few drops (on qualify stage, on highway during return back to Nicosia it was bigger shower (for about 5 mins).

Actually I wouldn't even consider it as a drizzle, the roads were as dusty as always

There is small chance of rain for tonights stage as well, it will make conditions trickier

[nafpaktos]

@manthey
I see craig breen not abbring to their list.

[Mirek]

From ERC website

[SS1] CNP Asfalistiki SSS
Nasser AL-ATTIYAH (FORD)
There is some damage on the driver's door, no door mirror "140 the temperature (water), we lose a lot of power... We hit one thing but it is okay..."

Tlusťák and Hudec also hit something... strange start. And now Orsák without wheel. Kajetanowicz also hit something and broke steering.

[manthey]

@manthey
I see craig breen not abbring to their list.

yes my fault sorry, I was thinking to the fact that kevin was excluded from the sainteloc's list and I wrote Abbring..

[Tom206wrc]

Strange results SS1 with the ERC drivers behind some MERC drivers(best of ERC being Consani) :mark:

[mousti]

Very strange start, AlQassimi third, :-/

[Jarek Z]

What a strange stage. Almost everybody had problems. Kajto lost 30 seconds after hitting something with the wheel, but continues. Al Attiyah with technical problems, but continues. Orsak completely lost a wheel:

https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/p480x480/10404488_10152706824360050_3734315512043975131_n.j pg?oh=818c672a254a2db60994db666a1bbd3c&oe=54828910

Let's hope tomorrow will be normal.

[marcosg]

http://youtu.be/k9AORzFmJAo

consani onboard ss1

interesting stage and very easy to make mistakes

[Jarek Z]

What it looked like on the first stage :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=890HxLZLH6M#t=11

[nafpaktos]

AMAZING STAGE.Really tricky and difficult.congratulations to the organisers.our brothers in cyprus are brilliant.

[makinen_fan]

Nasser hitting the bales that caused the damage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WETkXoA30w&feature=youtu.be

[WUff1]

Orsak retired before SS 2.

[Tom206wrc]

SS2 should have started by now ;)

[dimviii]

Nasser AL-ATTIYAH (FORD)
Retired on the road section to the first stage, but will be competing tomorrow.

Jaroslav ORSÁK (SKODA)
News from the service park, Jaroslav Orsak will not be starting today, too much suspension damage after the super special stage last night.

[dimviii]

He continued: “You basically have no turbo so it’s like an R2 car. You have no boost so it opens the valve and all the air comes out and you loose all the turbo boost. You can change it but you’ve only got a choice of two [from an official FIA supplier as part of the R5 regulations]. We’ve tried them both and they’re both doing the same thing pretty much. We’re trying to play around with the map to reduce the target boost so it doesn’t open the pop-off valve but that means you’re decreasing the power of the car. We’re winding it back and winding it back. The guys are doing the best they can but it’s down to the ambient temperature and it looks like we’re going to lose a lot of power.”

http://www.fiaerc.com/news

[wwbroe]

So, no results yet for SS3, should be running or am i wrong?

[dimviii]

yeap

[wwbroe]

But, on the other hand, it is stage of 21 kms, so maybe little bit early for stagetimes yet;)

[wwbroe]

Kajto fastest one sofar, having a good time he says...

[wwbroe]

Breen sounds vey disappointed, not knowing what is going on, it is just not working at all....

[wwbroe]

Breen might be disappointed by his car, but is loosing only about 5 sec to stagewinner Kajto, he cannot believe it;)

[RS]

He continued: “You basically have no turbo so it’s like an R2 car. You have no boost so it opens the valve and all the air comes out and you loose all the turbo boost. You can change it but you’ve only got a choice of two [from an official FIA supplier as part of the R5 regulations]. We’ve tried them both and they’re both doing the same thing pretty much. We’re trying to play around with the map to reduce the target boost so it doesn’t open the pop-off valve but that means you’re decreasing the power of the car. We’re winding it back and winding it back. The guys are doing the best they can but it’s down to the ambient temperature and it looks like we’re going to lose a lot of power.”

http://www.fiaerc.com/news

Are Ford suffering the same problems with the pop off valve?

[Tom206wrc]

News SS5 :confused:

[wwbroe]

News SS5 :confused:

Yes, first cars coming in now

[wwbroe]

I think they started late on this SS? I don't know the reason tough.

[wwbroe]

Puncture for Kajto, he hit some stone on the driving line.

[wwbroe]

Apparently no Breen at finishline?

[wwbroe]

Consani is saying he didn't see Breen on start, maybe he took some time on roadsection?

[wwbroe]

Breen in finish now:), and not loosing much on stage, second best time. I guess he took a lot of roadpenalty tough

[wwbroe]

Looks like Breen will be facing a 1.20 min penalty

[wwbroe]

Great time by Antoniu in his Mitsu, third time in this stage:eek:

[wwbroe]

Also Demosthenous is almost matching Antoniu's time on thi stage, but he is far in front of him in overall classification.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

If it wasn't for bad luck Breen would have no luck at all :(

With his errors, the 208's issues and punctures he has had a nightmare season..

[Jarek Z]

Hmmm... after seeing the first results of Cyprus Rally, I have doubts if the level of competition in ERC is really higher than in WRC2. Look at this - Kajto and Orsak make errors already on the first stage, Breen doesn't know what is going on with his driving, Consani and Magalhaes cannot even keep up with some some rich bonzos from Saudi Arabia and Tlustak is down in the 14th position even though he drives the best car in the championship. I have to say I'm disappointed with this.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

'Craig Breen is back on the pace on the CNP Asfalistiki Cyprus Rally, completing stage five of the FIA European Rally Championship event 1.2s slower than stage winner Kajetan Kajetanowicz. However, the Acropolis Rally-winning Irishman is set to receive a time penalty after he started the 11.42-kilometre stage out of order in his Peugeot 208T16.

Breen, who currently holds fifth in the overall classification, was reluctant to explain the delay, telling ERC Rally Radio’s Julian Porter: “We completed so we’re still here and still fighting. There have been a few problems. I’m a 24-year-old kid with a factory drive so I’m very lucky to be here but I’ve just been very unfortunate.”'


Dont know what's going on - is it him or the car again ... ?! :confused:



EDIT - Sounds a bit better now though... :)

The Peugeot Rally Academy ace explained why he and co-driver Scott Martin were delayed starting stage five: “It was a problem with the battery cable going on to the alternator. That broke and we lost all the charge. We had to try to repair it on the road section and it took much longer than we thought so we had eight minutes of road penalty going into the last stage.

“We’ve had a problem with the temperature in the car as well so we’ve had to run in road mode with no anti-lag system so literally no power, which isn’t very good. The last stage I drove 70 per cent in road mode and we dropped just a second to Kajto [Kajetanowicz]. My hands are tied with the car. If I drive in stage mode it just won’t last but I’m not one bit angry or upset. If it wasn’t for Peugeot Sport I wouldn’t be here because they have given me this great opportunity.

“The plan is to come back all-guns blazing this afternoon. We’re two minutes off the lead but anything can happen because it’s such a tough, tough rally and the heat just makes it more challenging on the cars and the crews.”

He also confirmed that the pop-off valve that affected his Peugeot 208T16 through the Nicosia street stage on Friday evening had been rectified. '

[Jarek Z]

Yes, I read that Breen's comment too and I have no idea what he means...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bx-GiEqCcAASOjA.jpg:large

[Jarek Z]

“It was a problem with the battery cable going on to the alternator. That broke and we lost all the charge.

I really don't get it. How difficult is it to design a battery cable that doesn't brake?!


“The plan is to come back all-guns blazing this afternoon.

I like his attitude. Good luck Craig!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_aQgmFXRYI

[Jarek Z]

Kajto wins SS6. Breen is 4th despite driving with technical problems again.

[Jarek Z]

Very nice video of Kajto's driving. It's a mix of onboard, in-car and outside camera, good quality:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lFM68LM5Gk&list=PLkw5cEy9y-snWz_TpOnndJx4cEyhSpYAx&index=2

[wwbroe]

That Peugeot is really crab, everything breaking down, is there any part that doesn't go down? Very nice driving by Kajto.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

[SS6] Kotsiatis 2
Craig BREEN (PEUGEOT)
"Unfortunately it is not much different, we still have a problem with temperature. I am driving the majority of the stage in road mode and you lose so much power. I have got no traction as well..."

[SS7] Lythrodontas 2 - ANCO
Craig BREEN (PEUGEOT)
"No power steering for, I dropped 20 seconds, I drove in road mode and no power steering for 20 kilometres, I just cannot believe how much has gone wrong in this rally.."

Neither can I Craig, neither can I ... :crazy:

[stefanvv]

That Peugeot is really crab, everything breaking down, is there any part that doesn't go down? Very nice driving by Kajto.

Yeah, crab/crap, all the same, not going forward:D Kajetanowicz is going really well indeed

[wwbroe]

Yeah, crab/crap, all the same, not going forward:D Kajetanowicz is going really well indeed

Yeah, a crab is also very slow:D My mistake, but English is not my language.

[WUff1]

Yes, very good rally of Kajto so far.

[RS]

Hmmm... after seeing the first results of Cyprus Rally, I have doubts if the level of competition in ERC is really higher than in WRC2. Look at this - Kajto and Orsak make errors already on the first stage, Breen doesn't know what is going on with his driving, Consani and Magalhaes cannot even keep up with some some rich bonzos from Saudi Arabia and Tlustak is down in the 14th position even though he drives the best car in the championship. I have to say I'm disappointed with this.

I notice the 'rich Saudi bonzos' are driving RRC cars, which seem to be more reliable than the R5s, especially on these types of road.

The 208 is just a disaster at the moment, it seems Breen and Magalhaes complain of traction problems too.

Frankly, Consani and Tlustak I don't count as the cream of the ERC crop.

[wwbroe]

Kajto is taking the lead of the rally at very last stage of the day, some really nice driving from him.;)

[stefanvv]

[SS9] Klavdia 2 - Geo Pavlides and Araouzos Ltd
Craig BREEN (PEUGEOT)
"The last stage ran fine, the first stage all day that the car ran relatively clean. I am quite happy to come to the end of the day, it has been a hard day. We are here, it has been a tough day." - Pool of oil on the ground from underneath the car as he leaves the stage end...

Oh dear. Now the oil is leaking. Tough day of survival for Breen.

[Jarek Z]

Considering all those problems it's amazing that Breen and his "crappy crab" managed to complete the first leg.

On a more positive side - well done Kajto! :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Craig Breen was second fastest, 5.6s down on Kajetanowicz:
“The stage ran fine but there was dust and bad sun in my eyes. I’m happy to come to the end after a fair amount of trouble today. We ran in full stage mode but we have to be careful with the temperature and we’re having to run the heater all the time. It’s been a very tough day but we’ve made it back.”

Amazing that a factory car should still have so many issues after so many events. Shocking.

[RS]

I'm more amazed that both 208 are still running at all, its a tough event..

[stefanvv]

his "crappy crab"

Good one:D

[wwbroe]

Good one:D

Absolutely:D

[wwbroe]

If you have a look at average speed, the last stage must be a crazy fast one, with an average of 105 km/h. Compared to the other stages it is very high average speed.

[makinen_fan]

Back home from day 1, watched 4 stages, SS2,5,6 and 9. Really disappointed with the level of driving by almost everyone.
Generally the level of driving was a bit low. Only Yazeed, Al-Kuwari and Breen seem to push. Kajito looked really tidy and not pushing but he was fastest everywhere. Khalid spectacular but almost always off line and sideways. Mangalhaes is really disappointing, I was expecting something more.
The drivers of day was Demosthenous and Antoniou (note that is the co-driver Chips jnr who is driving), everywhere that I watched they were really on the limit. Their times in Klavdia stage is unbelievable, this is a stage they frequently run in national rallies (at least once a year), and really smooth and fast

[Leon]

The last stage of the day Klavdia is next to Demosthenous house and garage....as we say he can complete this stage with his eyes closed :).

I watched six stages today and last night SSS and I have to agree with Giannis that the level was bit low. On the SSS me and my small son were very lucky, because we were at the place Orsak demolished his wheel and small parts from the wheel and the cement were flying everywhere.....In the first SS of the morning at a very fast right Consani lost it, went off the road, made half spin and fortunately came back on the road. Khalid drove his car as a MKII escort losing time everywhere. We also enjoyed the sound of the 208 as much as we disliked the sound of the R5 Fiesta....
Al Rajhi and Kajetanowicz were fast but I was expecting better stage times from Al-Kuwari considering his experience from last year's WRC2 results. I don't have a lot to say about Breen, I’ m sure he would be more competitive if he drove his father’s fiesta... Also Consani looked way faster than Magalhães until his retirement. Big shame that Nasser retired. He would be the reference and also starting first on the road he would push like crazy…. Let’s hope he starts tomorrow.

[makinen_fan]

On the SSS me and my small son were very lucky, because we were at the place Orsak demolished his wheel and small parts from the wheel and the cement were flying everywhere.....

I was there too, 20 meters down the straight


Let’s hope he starts tomorrow.

He wont, the car is parked in service park, not park-ferme.

[Leon]

I was there too, 20 meters down the straight



He wont, the car is parked in service park, not park-ferme.

θα ερθεις στο Τσέρι αύριο?

[makinen_fan]

θα ερθεις στο Τσέρι αύριο?

send pm

[PLuto]

Hmmm... after seeing the first results of Cyprus Rally, I have doubts if the level of competition in ERC is really higher than in WRC2. Look at this - Kajto and Orsak make errors already on the first stage, Breen doesn't know what is going on with his driving, Consani and Magalhaes cannot even keep up with some some rich bonzos from Saudi Arabia and Tlustak is down in the 14th position even though he drives the best car in the championship. I have to say I'm disappointed with this.

I must say that I was disappointed by the speed of Arab drivers. With their experience (not only from WRC2, but especially with local conditions and stages, which they know very well) and their RRC cars they should be on the top, but Kajto and Breen (in stages where his car is working at least from 80%) are on same speed or faster. Pity that Al-Attiyah retired, he should be different level and show, how fast "local" diver can be.

It is also good to notice, that most of ERC regulars had big respect from this very rough rally and they decided to use calm mode to finish the rally and score points (except Al Rajhi other Arab drivers are going only MERC, so they dont take points to ERC drivers).

And also one important notice - ERC drivers has limited number of tyres, MERC drivers can use how many they want...

[Fiat-131-Abarth]

I don't understand why Andreucci's 208 works quite well and Breen's and Abbring's 208s break down every rally.

[RS]

Did Peugeot not do any testing in hot conditions at all then?

Having to run most of the rally in road mode is a joke.

[wwbroe]

Breen running in road mode again on the stages, what a farce this Peugeot is?

[Mirek]

(10 - Pushkar Vitaliy / Mishyn Ivan): Very bad stage. No classic rally, this is rally raid. Good for KAMAZ.

[RS]

Now Kajto has engine problems :(

[wwbroe]

Now Kajto has engine problems :(

Yes, engine is overheating, alarms on dashboard. Great time by Yazeed tough, saying his tyres work very well on gravel.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Magalhaes after SS12: "The stage is too hard for the car... and for the driver"

And of course Breen is just having the usual 208 recurring nightmare... :( Why did they come to Cyprus when the car car is so fragile ...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ByCgcI5CAAEoE6K.png

[Jarek Z]

Magalhaes after SS12: "The stage is too hard for the car... and for the driver"


Vitaliy Pushkar: Very bad stage. No classic rally, this is rally raid. Good for KAMAZ.

Those quotations shoud be dedicated to all the people who said it was a good idea to include Cyprus Rally in the ERC. I really don't understand what sense it makes to buy a car worth over 200 000 Euro and waste in on rocks and stones.

[Jarek Z]

Now Kajto has engine problems :(

Yes and he said he doesn't know if they can do anything about it. I don't know if he manages to finish this rally. 3 stages to go is a lot...

[EightGear]

That 208 doesn't stop surprising

[manthey]

The drivers of day was Demosthenous and Antoniou (note that is the co-driver Chips jnr who is driving), everywhere that I watched they were really on the limit. Their times in Klavdia stage is unbelievable, this is a stage they frequently run in national rallies (at least once a year), and really smooth and fast

I didn't understand.....according to Erc's site Chips jr. is the codriver in the entry list....are you saying stavros antoniou is not the driver in this race?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

[SS13] Tseri 2
Craig BREEN (PEUGEOT)
"A lot more rough than I expected. Again more alarms so all I can do is manage it. I went through the whole stage in stage mode, I had to adjust the rpm's"

Sounds like it's now just an extended test session, no chance of setting any good times, just surviving...

http://d3jw5gs1mh13h6.cloudfront.net/uploads/photobank/seasons/2014/events/23_Cyprus/day2/big2/big2_BREEN_209.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen's 360° spin yesterday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07zyW7K-ebY#t=85

[dominik_r]

What's up with Kajto time on SS13?

[dimviii]

http://d3jw5gs1mh13h6.cloudfront.net/uploads/photobank/seasons/2014/events/23_Cyprus/day2/big2/big2_BREEN_297.jpg

[Francis44]

I don't understand why Andreucci's 208 works quite well and Breen's and Abbring's 208s break down every rally.

Interesting indeed, but I guess the official cars are just way more punished and much more on the limit. If you think Magalhães car was in the hands of Abbring, not being able to finish a race, and now it has finished Madeira, Barum and it's on it's way to finish Cyprus in the hands of Bruno.

[RS]

Magalhaes said yesterday 'the gap between the 207 and 208 is bigger on gravel'.. he didn't say which was better.

Breen said he had to be careful what he said.

Do we have a clear answer on how many jokers are allowed, what can be changed and when?

On one hand I feel it is right Peugeot are punished for their poor preparation, on the other I really want them to improve so next year's ERC is better.

[stefanvv]

Why did they come to Cyprus when the car car is so fragile ...

I have only one answer - to test the car can last a Rally in road mode

[Mirek]

Interesting indeed, but I guess the official cars are just way more punished and much more on the limit. If you think Magalhães car was in the hands of Abbring, not being able to finish a race, and now it has finished Madeira, Barum and it's on it's way to finish Cyprus in the hands of Bruno.

Ucci was hit by technical problems today as well. Also yesterday Jakeš retired for technical problems in CZ with DS3 R5 (not clear yet what was that).

[Fiat-131-Abarth]

Ucci was hit by technical problems today as well. Also yesterday Jakeš retired for technical problems in CZ with DS3 R5 (not clear yet what was that).

But Ucci won already three rallies this year and even Targa Florio where it is normally quite hot.

[Mirek]

It may be just a good luck or the customer cars may be set different way (less power for example?)...

[Francis44]

Ucci was hit by technical problems today as well. Also yesterday Jakeš retired for technical problems in CZ with DS3 R5 (not clear yet what was that).

Even stranger it is then since we cannot find a pattern. I'd be surprised to find out Brunos's car has better maintenance than the work cars, seeing as it is more reliable.

EDIT: Or just like you said Mirek, perhaps there is quite a difference in performance.

[RS]

Breen stoppped in the final stage.

[focus206]

Unbelievable season for Breen :(

[Eli]

Unbelievable season for Breen :(

unbelievable reliability from the 208T16, what a disappointment from Peugeot, they can't replace Citroen in the WRC if they have such poor reliability...

[stefanvv]

Breen stoppped in the final stage.

I'm in serious shock.

I begin to doubt something can be done to improve this car

[nafpaktos]

Request to french guys.can you please translate the moments after the save?i suppose the driver yielling to the codriver because of a mistake?


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pWVnkM35QNc

[nafpaktos]

Breen's 360° spin yesterday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07zyW7K-ebY#t=85
The car starts to slide like it is in slow motion.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

'Despair for Craig Breen after an electrical problem delayed the Irishman on the closing stage of the CNP Asfalistiki Cyprus Rally..

The Peugeot Rally Academy driver was in sixth overall starting the final run but stopped midway through the 21.05-kilometre test. Heroic repairs by the Irishman and his British co-driver Scott Martin enabled them to reach the finish of the stage, albeit more than 16 minutes slower than stage winner Al-Rajhi. As a result Breen slips out of the top 10, losing out on vital ERC points in the process.'


So cruel, he needs this season to end and so do Peugeot - in their case for good.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Says it all ...

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

[nafpaktos]

307 wrc now 208 t16.peugeot starts to build a good tradition!

[Mirek]

307 WRC wasn't a bad car. The main issue besides the unsuccessful experiment with 4-speed gearbox was switching to Pirelli tyres.

[Jarek Z]

307 wrc now 208 t16.peugeot starts to build a good tradition!

But on the other hand their 207 Super 2000 was a great success. It was one of the best cars in its category, won many championships including ERC and IRC.

[Jarek Z]

I don't understand why Andreucci's 208 works quite well and Breen's and Abbring's 208s break down every rally.

We were already discussing that (I think it was in the Barum thread).
But you are right. It is strange indeed. Andreucci had many problems as well, but they didn't stop him from finishing (and winning) rallies. I don't know if you have ever seen the stages in Italy. I think they are much smoother and not as bumpy as the roads in Ireland, Czech Republic or Cyprus. Maybe on those better roads 208 T16 doesn't break?

[Mirek]

Also the national rallies are much shorter, not only the overall distance but usually also the stages.

[Jarek Z]

Kajto has become the gravel master of the ERC. He scored a total of 191 points from three of the four gravel rounds of the ERC. Craig Breen finished second (160 points) and Ott Tänak third (127 points).
Points are awarded on a 10-6-4-2-1 scale to the fastest five ERC drivers on each stage.

It's surprising. I would think that Lappi should win the gravel master competition, but he is down in the 11th position.

[PLuto]

Another notices to my post from the morning concerning the speed on Cyprus Rally. Like I wrote in the morning, there are differences in regulations (for example MERC has no limit for tyres). Today I was surprised that lot of local drivers is using fuel in version from previous year, which is not allowed now in FIA events (it has different consistency). I was also surprised, that all local drivers with Mitsubishi were going fast with ALS, but both Hudec and Pushkar were going without it as their cars were overheating.

And one notice regarding the Arab drivers - on some stages they were (not all of them) cutting the road. Cutting the road is not the best word - they were doing new different road through the field between spectators...

[dimviii]

I was also surprised, that all local drivers with Mitsubishi were going fast with ALS, but both Hudec and Pushkar were going without it as their cars were overheating.

Probably they have find the als mapping they have to use for their hot climate.Hudec and Pushkar are from countries with much colder climates.Even in Greece at Acropolis with some 36-39 celsious there is no problem with antilag,even at stages with very low average speed.

[makinen_fan]

And one notice regarding the Arab drivers - on some stages they were (not all of them) cutting the road. Cutting the road is not the best word - they were doing new different road through the field between spectators...

Are there any photos/videos of these? It was in Tseri, right? This is an issue in local events as well with disputes between drivers sometimes what is allow and what is not.

[makinen_fan]

https://scontent-a-fra.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/p480x480/10660166_356405001181688_8212219703425616096_n.jpg ?oh=8babc43238c27971f203c3cd909f11d1&oe=54825C19

[Jarek Z]

Kajto moves up to 3rd position in the ERC and gets Colin McRae Trophy.

http://www.autoklub.pl/media/201409/76161-kajtocolin.jpg

[tommeke_B]

Also the national rallies are much shorter, not only the overall distance but usually also the stages.

Exactly. Rally Adriatico (CIR-Italy) had 124km SS, 315km RS, and not more than 35km SS between services (of 30mins each). On average Italian (CIR) events are around 150km SS. That and the extra service breaks give much more opportunities to solve any small problems and of course there's less time/chance for problems to develop.

[liposh]

Exactly. Rally Adriatico (CIR-Italy) had 124km SS, 315km RS, and not more than 35km SS between services (of 30mins each). On average Italian (CIR) events are around 150km SS. That and the extra service breaks give much more opportunities to solve any small problems and of course there's less time/chance for problems to develop.

On other hand ERC events are quite short (especially distance between services) in comparison with WRC events, so for WRC events this car is 100% useless.

[tommeke_B]

On other hand ERC events are quite short (especially distance between services) in comparison with WRC events, so for WRC events this car is 100% useless.
Yes. Also it's quite interesting that both PSA R5's (Chardonnet-DS3 and Kruuda-208) managed to finish without technical failure in Sardinia, and both got penalized for the dimensions of radiator not being according to homologations.

[Jarek Z]

I don't understand why Andreucci's 208 works quite well and Breen's and Abbring's 208s break down every rally.

Last minute info for those who think that Andreucci's 208 T16 works quite well ;)
Yesterday in Rally Adriatico after transmission breakdown Ucci lost 4 minutes and finished the rally in 12th position. Umberto Scandola and his Skoda Fabia S2000 won the rally and lead Italian championship :)

[Fiat-131-Abarth]

Last minute info for those who think that Andreucci's 208 T16 works quite well ;)
Yesterday in Rally Adriatico after transmission breakdown Ucci lost 4 minutes and finished the rally in 12th position. Umberto Scandola and his Skoda Fabia S2000 won the rally and lead Italian championship :)

I saw an onboard of an off by Ucci. Could the damage maybe be caused due this off. On rallylink.it I read that Ucci suffered a semiaxis damage.

[makinen_fan]

A bit delayed, some of my photos from the rally

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/cyprus_rally_2014/ych_1-2.jpg

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/cyprus_rally_2014/ych_3-6.jpg

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/cyprus_rally_2014/ych_5-15.jpg

Full gallery here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100237821018795.1073741831.222403010&type=1&l=c0e1c9e29f
or
http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=13882&fotograf=301