WRC Catalunya Costa Daurada 2014

[satnav]

its on ESPN today

[raybak]

Nasser got the final points over Protasov by 0.6 sec

[EightGear]

So, Seb the Second is world champion again. Congratulations to him.

[noel157]

Please someone give Petter Solberg a contract for next year Wrc!! please

Why?

[N.O.T]

Very nice win by Ogier, a well deserved title.

[EightGear]

Very nice result by Hirvonen as well.

[Mintexmemory]

Very nice result by Hirvonen as well.

Finally driving like a man without any stress. If WRGB is his swansong at least he'll be starting in good form

[Abarth]

Please someone give Petter Solberg a contract for next year Wrc!! please Maybe he is ths mystery late signing of Hyundai?

[JAM]

Yes, one round is compulsory, two is not. Panizzi got away with it but was warned not to do it again.

Is so stupid that a moment on WRC that is still remembered after more than a decade, is forbiden by the rules...

[rallyfiend]

Is so stupid that a moment on WRC that is still remembered after more than a decade, is forbiden by the rules...

Show me a rule where it is forbidden.

I think you're wrong

[JAM]

Show me a rule where it is forbidden.

I think you're wrong

Maybe. I don't know exactly the rules. I was answering to jonkka.

But if that rule exists, it would not surprise me. Some years ago FIA tried to forbid donuts on the European Rallycross Championship...

[MartijnS]

What about donuts in the Parc Ferme?
At least Sordo, Hirvonen and Ogier did that after the finish! :)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/p417x417/10445967_727166127371359_9039869825148370902_n.jpg ?oh=4745ef5704e23c292a42c571bd48139c&oe=54F4A250&__gda__=1425265334_693abfdef70fab09e8f2f5f1a04c076 c

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/p417x417/10600593_727165930704712_4001184787482487536_n.jpg ?oh=55bd466309834ae6aaffb16e54c65ee3&oe=54B04821&__gda__=1424809415_29e805cc680839403805c5f6cf2f7ea 2

https://scontent-b-mad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/p417x417/68145_727166150704690_4789983777136158978_n.jpg?oh =144260638b084edd3b6e06cf7d493799&oe=54E8CA3A

Good last day! 3 of the 4 stages seen, total of 11 and shakedown. Pretty decent edition for me :D
More at our Facebook Page!

[Jafry]

Photos from last day HERE: http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=1309

[nafpaktos]

Since the rally is over i am looking again the stage times for better conclusions.but i obviously understand something wrong.i see wrc2 drivers (stage 1)being very slow compared to the stage pacesseter.for example nasser is 14.3 down,maurin 17.3,lefebvre 20.6 ,how is that possible to such a small stage such as stage 1(3.2km),i miss something.

[Sch17]

Maybe he is ths mystery late signing of Hyundai?
That would be awesome , he could be a better option then Hayden Paddon

[N.O.T]

That would be awesome , he could be a better option then Hayden Paddon

why ?

[N.O.T]

So let me elaborate a bit more on Ogiers first worthy and clean title, since i know that everyone here values my opinion and considers me to be the next best thing that happened to humanity after Kim Yong il and toilet paper.

Overall i would say that Ogier was a rather comfortable champion he showed that he has the speed to control Latvala throughout the season on both surfaces and capitalise on Latvalas mistakes, his mistakes towards the end of the season definitely gave a fake feeling of true competition but to be honest everyone including myself do not consider Latvala someone that you can trust to be a menace to someone like Ogier. I really do not know if Latvala (stop calling him JML you mentally handicapped lizards) can improve his driving to maintain the speed and reduce the amount of mistakes, to be honest i really doubt it... so in the following 2-3 years i think the title battle will be the same as this year.... It would be nice to see Latvala crowned once just to see all the finish people go out of their caves like little slugs when the rain stops... because the beatings the french are giving them got a bit out of hand in the last years now that the sport is more driver skills focused than manager focused...

It would be interesting to see if Ogier can handle the pressure if he finds himself chasing Latvala with a good lead in the championship early... lets say if next year Ogier retires in the lottery of Monte Carlo and Latvala scores good points followed by a win in Sweden. but that is all hypothetical. Ogier is clear to me that Loebs numbers are the ones he is after and not the dogs that chase him, he still needs to catch Kankkunens and Makinens numbers though so plenty of work ahead.

As far as the cars go VW are clearly the leaders, Hyundai was a so so team this year... even if they work hard for the next year it would be difficult to cover the ground on both speed and reliability... the rest of the teams are there as moving advertisement banners which just give their drivers a hard time. i do not see that changing.

I will not bother about the rest of the drivers in detail because it is simply not fair to judge them when they drive cars that are no competition for VW so just quick quotes

- Meeke could be a challenger for wins if things go wrong for VW but not for the championship
- Neuville is overated
- Evans needs to improve massively on gravel which i have my doubts that he can, on tarmac he showed potential and his age helps to become a contender in the far future.
- Hirvonen should stay home with his family, he tried his best all these years and he will just be remembered as a never been, no need to bother anymore with WRC, go to Rx
- Paddon is a nice surprise i think he needs more chances hope he brings the money to support that
- Sordo is good market value and thats it
- Mikkelsen is the future, but he must wait his turn, a win or two quite possible next year if they let him.
- Ostberg reached his peak... bye bye
- Tourists with sun glasses and part time drivers never concerned me and nobody showed anything this year as well, so they can do whatever they want to keep their yes men dogs happy.

About the events the calendar is pretty good. I like it, apart from the organisers of rally Argentina and the gravel stages of Spain.

Some random thoughts now

The future of the WRC will not improve.
WRC+ will also not improve and probably go away soon.
Onboard Camera angles will also not improve.
Coverage will also not improve.

so your options are a) go away b) cry in a corner assuming the fetal position c) acceptance.... you can also complain in this forum and act like your opinion matters or somebody cares.

Oh and in about 15 days there is a rally that it is too expensive to spectate and not worth your time following even online now that everything is over.

I am God.

[Rallyper]

Hehe - in some way I can agree with you N.O.T. (and it´s not that you´re God- because there´s only one).

WRC future - agree. I think as fans we´ll have to accept times being. No hope of improvement. Visiting rallies will still be an adventure positively meant. Like Finland, Germany, Portugal maybe Sweden (but boring stages repeated every year makes it boring even for a Swede). And that is main thing.

Drivers - not agree. Having any kind of excitement we can´t get rid of the boys 3-7 and replace them with trainees. No way. So we´ll hopefully see Mikko, Mads, Kris, Robert next year as well. Don´t ask me who´s paying. Would like to see Lappi, Abbring, Tidemand and Lukuanyuk doing some events and surprise us with maybe podiums. That´s my wish.

[stefanvv]

:)
VW clearly has the best drivers for the moment, all 3 of them. Only 1 though is ready champion and he is taking what's his. From the rest probably Meeke is the one follows, but there is lot of work for him to take victories, sometimes have to give up the overdriving and concentrate on the results. No doubt Evans has great potential, there is lot of work on gravel, yes.
If Hyundai improve their car, next year there might be surprises. Of course the drivers must be "perfect" at the same time. The championship needs some new names, unfortunatelly as usual money "talks".

The calendar, well good enough I guess with nice variety of surfaces and conditions. With good organization every round deserves it's place, but more rounds is too much to ask. Let's see what the new (old) Portugal will bring. France-Alsase is not the same anymore with vineyards Germany "like". And I want to stay for the simple reason there is all days coverage, how legal, don't care. Well still Corsica is the better choice for "Rallye de France", but that is too much to ask.

[N.O.T]

Hehe - in some way I can agree with you N.O.T. (and it´s not that you´re God- because there´s only one).


Of course there is only one... i do not have a sidekick... i do not need it.

[Doon]

I can agree with most of that N.O.T, however Rally GB doesn't have to be expensive. £20 on the gate per day is not excessive. Or buy an OS map, park up and go for a walk. Expense is all relative anyway.

[noel157]

Meeke on Twitter earlier: http://instagram.com/p/upi-wMLN9e/
Think he's looking for consistency.

[turves]

Meeke on Twitter earlier: http://instagram.com/p/upi-wMLN9e/
Think he's looking for consistency.

He has a point...

[N.O.T]

I can agree with most of that N.O.T, however Rally GB doesn't have to be expensive. £20 on the gate per day is not excessive. Or buy an OS map, park up and go for a walk. Expense is all relative anyway.

for what is on offer the rally is not worth 5 pounds for the whole event...

[AndyRAC]

I’ve been a big critic of RallyGB - £20 per day is just about a fair price; that includes 2X WRC and Nationals. I still think the World Rally pass is well overpriced – and £25 for Sunday is too much.
They’re expecting far bigger crowds – yet there doesn’t appear to be more additional car parks. Why on earth aren’t the stages on Epynt used?

[N.O.T]

I’ve been a big critic of RallyGB - £20 per day is just about a fair price; that includes 2X WRC and Nationals. I still think the World Rally pass is well overpriced – and £25 for Sunday is too much.
They’re expecting far bigger crowds – yet there doesn’t appear to be more additional car parks. Why on earth aren’t the stages on Epynt used?

The price is not the problem... the price for what is on offer is the problem. Rally Gb is definitely top 3 when stages come but the limitations imposed by the organisers are just ridiculous...

I agree about the Epynt stages especially those at the military range... but they are way too far from where the rally is now plus they are tarmac.

[stefanvv]

He has a point...

Unfortunatelly for him his violation was way more obvious. Hirvonen also did the same cut as Latvala did btw

[AndyRAC]

The price is not the problem... the price for what is on offer is the problem. Rally Gb is definitely top 3 when stages come but the limitations imposed by the organisers are just ridiculous...

I agree about the Epynt stages especially those at the military range... but they are way too far from where the rally is now plus they are tarmac.

Halfway & Crychan are gravel. I find it depressing that Epynt is classed as ‘too far’. It’s the WRC – it’s meant to be a challenge; of all skills. Problem is they’re all used to a final stage starting late afternoon.

[bluuford]

Meeke cut was over the grass and a bit dangerous. However, it was penalized to heavily compared to Mikkelsens stupid cut in Poland. Latvalas cut was still on the road and some kind of parking space. It is allowed to dirve there even during the normal traffic (You just stop there for a moment or smth). But it is not allowed to cut the road from the field during regular traffic.

[Rallyper]

Unfortunatelly for him his violation was way more obvious. Hirvonen also did the same cut as Latvala did btw

Obvious or not. All four wheels left the route...

[tommeke_B]

In my opinion all cutting should be allowed, as long as organizers haven't put anything themselves to prevent cutting... It's a part of the sport, it's natural and it has always been there. What's next? Penalizing going too wide somewhere?..

[stefanvv]

Obvious or not. All four wheels left the route...

That's a fact, well someone might still argue what exactly route means.... anyway Latvala & Hirvonen cuts are part of the game, when You are too fast exiting previous corner, better take this cut and don't risk some ugly crash, while Meeke's & Mikkelsen's well that was 150% obvious intention to make a "short"cut...

[A FONDO]

Latvala must be penalised too. Rally follows roads and you had done the road twice to make notes. It is not offroad challenge to find spots on the gps in a desert.

[Mintexmemory]

I can agree with most of that N.O.T, however Rally GB doesn't have to be expensive. £20 on the gate per day is not excessive. Or buy an OS map, park up and go for a walk. Expense is all relative anyway.

Not even necessary to buy an OS map - Bing maps OS overlay CandP to Paint and voila, easy to handle A4 map. As for WRGB being irrelevant or whatever some people should remember this is a sport/ recreation / pastime and some of us just enjoy the aesthetics.

[KKS]

Nasser got the final points over Protasov by 0.6 sec
if not penalize for 1m early to SS15 - will be 59.4

[noel157]

Ref cuts, time FIA clarified exactly what is allowed and not allowed. Don't think it really matters what the area concerned is or is used for.

[Fly_Half]

plus they are tarmac.

No they're not. Crychan, Halfway, Route 60 and Gwibedog are the stages surrounding and crossing the ranges and all are 100% gravel.

[denkimi]

and what about the tyre cutting that vw did? why are they not disqualified when they clearly and deliberately breached the rules?

[N.O.T]

No they're not. Crychan, Halfway, Route 60 and Gwibedog are the stages surrounding and crossing the ranges and all are 100% gravel.

really? did not know that... nice... but when i hear Epynt my mind immediately goes to something like this

https://www.flickr.com/photos/51932399@N07/sets/72157632968279102/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51932399@N07/sets/72157646038943093/

[makinen_fan]

Yes, it's a pity that Halfway and Chrychan are not included, but they are indeed too far away from Deeside.
N.O.T. I think you have the wrong impression on the rally, worth visiting if you havent yet

[nafpaktos]

Since the rally is over i am looking again the stage times for better conclusions.but i obviously understand something wrong.i see wrc2 drivers (stage 1)being very slow compared to the stage pacesseter.for example nasser is 14.3 down,maurin 17.3,lefebvre 20.6 ,how is that possible to such a small stage such as stage 1(3.2km),i miss something.

No one?

[EightGear]

No one?
Nobody taking risk on the city stage?

[makinen_fan]

I think in such stages the time differences between drivers are exaggerated, maybe because of the very low average speed.
If you look at the SS1 results Ogier was losing 0.56s/km to Andreas, and Thierry 0.91!! While in the overall classification the difference from 1st to 7th was just 0.56s/km. Also compare average speeds, SS1 52.6km/h, whole rally 98.7km/h
http://www.ewrc-results.com/results.php?e=13902&s=64842&t=RallyRACC-Catalunya-Costa-Daurada-2014
http://www.ewrc-results.com/results.php?e=13902&s=72536&t=RallyRACC-Catalunya-Costa-Daurada-2014

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSjZL4kWJeY

[rage82]

I have just watched the day 2 highlights and can't really understand why some of you guys had been so harsh about Kubica. Yes he did make a mistake again but just look how many, much more experienced drivers made mistakes before him - Neuville, Mikkelsen, Meeke, Evans, Ostberg even Jari Matti hit a stone in the first stage and Ogier was off the road after the flying finish. I know it's annoying with all this mistakes but I think they are avoidable and Kubica will be much stronger next year, he just needs time to learn.

[MartijnS]

My photos are now all online!

http://www.rallymedia.nl/images/2014/rallycatalunya/96670013.jpg

http://www.rallymedia.nl/images/2014/rallycatalunya/04523113.jpg

http://www.rallymedia.nl/images/2014/rallycatalunya/15886687.jpg

http://www.rallymedia.nl/images/2014/rallycatalunya/13361909.jpg

http://www.rallymedia.nl/images/2014/rallycatalunya/32797787.jpg

More at Facebook (http://facebook.com/rallymedia) or our Website (http://www.rallymedia.nl/images/2014/rallycatalunya/rallycatalunya.html) !

Joost was not able to go, so no video this time!

[Priorat]

Some photos here also:

http://ralliaire.blogspot.com.es/

[A FONDO]

Best clip of the event I've watched so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCALfg5R7i8

[wwbroe]

Best clip of the event I've watched so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCALfg5R7i8
Vey nice and spectacular video indeed:)

[Atob WRC]

Here I post our video!! Hope you enjoy as us!

Best regards from Catalonia!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s6L2CO6rN8

[dimviii]

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2014/photos/rally_racc_rally_de_espa_241_a_2014/bel__62q9175.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=13902&fotograf=165

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=13902&fotograf=119

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=13902&fotograf=390

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=13902&fotograf=348

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=13902&fotograf=335

[makinen_fan]

Meeke and Thierry on dust problems
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116556

[manthey]

any video about Block's double donuts on the roundabout + ogier,sordo and hirvonen ones in parc fermé?