2018 news and results

[Jarek Z]

Ingram is back in action ! :)

Triple header of events:
Rally Casantino 6/7 July
(...)


It will not be easy to win. Entry list:
https://www.scuderiaetruria.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Elenco-Iscritti-2017_pubblicazione.pdf

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It will not be easy to win. Entry list:
https://www.scuderiaetruria.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Elenco-Iscritti-2017_pubblicazione.pdf

Thanks.. I was looking for this the other day.

Ingram will just be using the event for tarmac practice after missing the miles on Canarias and then being out of the car with the illness.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rhys Yates:
As our next FIA ERC outing in Rome draws closer, we have decided to head to Italy a little early and get bedded in, contesting Rally del Casentino this weekend.

Will be good to get some solid miles under our belts after our Ypres Rally! 💪👊 https://t.co/u9MEIOvUaL

[mousti]

Dude has some nice backing.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G935F met Tapatalk

[Jarek Z]

And good luck to him! It's good to see more British drivers competing in European Championship in the recent years. Maybe one of them will win it one day, as the first British driver ever to win ERC :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Dude has some nice backing.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G935F met Tapatalk

Sounds like from his father, John (Brettex team owner/manager).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gryazin fastest on first proper stage in Casentino.

Other ERC guys 11, 12, 13th.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Leader Rossetti retired on the last stage in Casentino.

Gryazin therefore finished 2nd and won 4 stages, Ingram was 8th, Avcioglu 9th, Yates 14th.

[Jarek Z]

Giandomenico Basso to drive Rally di Roma Capitale:
https://www.fiaerc.com/ultimate-sacrifice-melegari-gesture-gives-former-erc-champion-basso-rally-di-roma-capitale-chance/

[RS]

Great news about Basso. Will Italian crews run in the ERC field this year?

[PLuto]

Great news about Basso. Will Italian crews run in the ERC field this year?

According to last info yes.

[pucky54]

According to last info yes.

According to regs also ;)

[Ucci]

According to last info yes.

Awesome !! Andreucci vs.ERC field! This is gona be a challenge.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Chris Ingram at Goodwood today getting more seat time before Rally di Roma. I think he set 2nd fastest time on the afternoon run...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dh_rWb5WAAIT4qg.jpg:large

Bit of damage, maybe pushing too hard...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dh_ni4rXUAE_O8Q.jpg

[PLuto]

Bit of damage, maybe pushing too hard...

I dont know if it is damage. If it is not official event, it should be easier to run without rear bumper to prevent the damage. For example on tests on gravel it is nothing special.

[the sniper]

I think they said on the (equivalent of) rally radio that it fell off at the start of the morning session near the beginning of the stage where they're essentially just bouncing over a field between hay bale walls rather than down a proper track. I know it was back on during the mid afternoon service as I took a picture, but when the afternoon session started they mentioned on the radio/tannoy that it had fallen off again in the same place and had been recovered by the marshals.

EDIT: Just checked my picture, he'd definitely run with it on, as there's a fair amount of chalk dust on it that that stage produces.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The 208 T16 was often seen testing without the rear bumper but not seen a Fabia have it removed.

Ingram was out again this morning without it.

[Mirek]

I saw many Fabias testing without the rear bumper. More of Peugeots though, that's true.

[cosmin_sb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD_0ZFq0LDQ

Dan Gartofan crash during the Harghita Rally. Both drivers are all right

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Inspirational story of Fredrik Ahlin:

https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/people/fredrik-ahlin-never-forget-to-have-fun/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq-vVsZ11ug&list=PLreVGEqNhkW92K964SQpY1HmWQpqutA8V

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Chris Ingram interviewed states that he is definitely doing the last 3 ERC events.

He is also confident of doing well in U28 as Barum is a favourite event, and says his main rival Fabian Kreim is not so strong on the gravel events (Poland & Leipaja).

On best/dropped scores they are currently level with 1 win and 1 2nd place.

[Jarek Z]

According to http://rajdy.autoklub.pl/news/rzeszowski-testem-przed-barum,86915 Italian/Romanian driver Simone Temestini is going to drive the 3 remaining ERC rounds - Barum, Poland and Liepaja.

But his first rally with a new car will be Rzeszowski Rally in Poland on the coming weekend.

Entry list for Rzeszowski Rally:
http://rajdy.autoklub.pl/event/list/id/4978

http://www.autoklub.pl/news/foto/201808/news20180808_86915h.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Fascinating interview of Chris Ingram by Colin Clark:

https://youtu.be/vxbi14H_XKA

[the sniper]

Fascinating interview of Chris Ingram by Colin Clark:

https://youtu.be/vxbi14H_XKA

I must also recommend this, almost raises more intrigue then answers! I hope he writes a book some day, sounds like he and his family have had an interesting ride. Also allows you to appreciate how ill he was. ERC wise, seems like there's some shenanigans going on with the prize drive? Says ideally next year he'd do ERC and WRC2, but is obviously reliant on budget.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I must also recommend this, almost raises more intrigue then answers! I hope he writes a book some day, sounds like he and his family have had an interesting ride. Also allows you to appreciate how ill he was. ERC wise, seems like there's some shenanigans going on with the prize drive? Says ideally next year he'd do ERC and WRC2, but is obviously reliant on budget.

He is a bit like that... he likes to tease and keep people guessing.

But clearly a lot goes on behind the scenes and we cant have all the info I suppose.

Good to hear WRC Wales Rally GB confirmed and it sounded like Rally Turkey was happening for him too. :)

[Jarek Z]

Gregoire Munster (son of the famous Bernard Munster) is going to drive Opel Adam R2 in the 3 remaining ERC rounds: Barum Czech Rally Zlín, Rally Poland and Rally Liepāja.

Interesting... He says that too many drivers step too fast into the WRC and he doesn’t want to make the same mistake.

More details at https://www.fiaerc.com/munster-to-follow-famous-father-with-erc-adventure/

[dupanton]

He is only in his 2nd season but Barum will be his 31th rally...
https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/145687-gregoire-munster/

He is doing really good and keeps progressing. Obviously, competing a lot is the only way to learn it :)

[PLuto]

Gregoire Munster (son of the famous Bernard Munster) is going to drive Opel Adam R2 in the 3 remaining ERC rounds: Barum Czech Rally Zlín, Rally Poland and Rally Liepāja.

Interesting... He says that too many drivers step too fast into the WRC and he doesn’t want to make the same mistake.

More details at https://www.fiaerc.com/munster-to-follow-famous-father-with-erc-adventure/

It is nice to hear my words from someone else. At least he was listening what I was talking :-)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ingram in recent interview:

He states Gryazin is looking strong for the U28 Title but has to finish the last two events to make 4 for his season. Chris hopes to keep the pressure on him and force a mistake.

Kreim is his other challenger but isnt so strong on gravel so should be beatable.

Toksport have two Fabias for him, one for ERC & one for WRC2 (Turkey & GB).

He also said he hadnt had his U27 prize money yet !?

[Jarek Z]

Yet another driver switches to Skoda:
https://www.fiaerc.com/habaj-gets-new-car-for-erc-decider/

[Jarek Z]

End of the season for Bruno Magalhaes. Despite this disappointment he says that the last two years were the best of his career:
https://www.fiaerc.com/magalhaes-plots-2019-erc-return/

[RS]

End of the season for Bruno Magalhaes. Despite this disappointment he says that the last two years were the best of his career:
https://www.fiaerc.com/magalhaes-plots-2019-erc-return/

Perhaps stronger results in Rome and Zlín would have helped..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It's over for Magalhaes.. Lukyanuk will be 2018 ERC Champion.

https://www.autosport.com/erc/news/138778/erc-title-gifted-to-lukyanuk-as-rival-withdraws

[Rally Power]

Yep, huge congrats to Lukyanuk/Arnautov and their whole team!

Btw, nice words from Bruno:
"To be honest, he's a fair winner because he showed during the whole year that he's the fastest driver," (…) "He's a very nice person and I'm happy he can achieve the title because he deserves to be champion." said Magalhaes.

[RS]

Luky really matured this year I feel, definitely a worthy winner. I hope we still see him in Latvia too.

Now the title is secured, he doesn’t have to hold back in Poland this weekend :)

[Jarek Z]

Luky really matured this year I feel, definitely a worthy winner. I hope we still see him in Latvia too.

Now the title is secured, he doesn’t have to hold back in Poland this weekend :)

He already says he is going to drive flat out :)
https://www.fiaerc.com/lukyanuk-flat-out-approach-key-to-erc-poland-success/

[dimviii]

i would like to see Luky with very strong competition at Poland.

[Jarek Z]

Unfortunately Gryazin is the only worthy competitor for Lukyanuk in Poland.

[Essaj]

In Poland I would rank Gryazin over Luky. Rest can compete for the last podium place.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The main battle is for the U28 Title and Gryazin needs to finish to have another good result towards his score. I dont see him taking big risks just to fight with Lukyanuk...

[Sub_Skoda]

Why Kajto will not start Rally Poland?

[Jarek Z]

Why Kajto will not start Rally Poland?

Do you really not know it?

[Sub_Skoda]

Do you really not know it?

... :rolleyes:

Only because he is already compete WRC-2?

[Jarek Z]

Only because he is already compete WRC-2?

Because he has budget for 4 or 5 rallies only (with 3 rallies already driven) and he wants to use it in WRC2.
Kajto isn't a businessman-driver and he isn't a bored son of a reach father. Despite his numerous successes he has to fight for his budget each year.

[PLuto]

There were plans to start on Rajd Polski...

[Sub_Skoda]

Because he has budget for 4 or 5 rallies only (with 3 rallies already driven) and he wants to use it in WRC2.
Kajto isn't a businessman-driver and he isn't a bored son of a reach father. Despite his numerous successes he has to fight for his budget each year.

Keep cool... I was just asking.
Lotos is a big sponsor, by the way. And I read that he got some plans to start Rajd Polski and some WRC-2 events. That's why I was wondering why he don't start his home rally. That's it.

[Jarek Z]

Keep cool... I was just asking.
Lotos is a big sponsor, by the way. And I read that he got some plans to start Rajd Polski and some WRC-2 events. That's why I was wondering why he don't start his home rally. That's it.

Am I not cool? ;)

[RS]

I presume Huttunen’s appearance in Poland was part of Hyundai’s ongoing promo programme for the i20 R5 on key European rallies.. any chance to see him again in Latvia?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Huttunen certainly impressed in the i20 in Poland and did a great job against the mass ranks of Škoda's.

I hope he gets a chance of a full season for Hyundai somewhere next year.

[PLuto]

I presume Huttunen’s appearance in Poland was part of Hyundai’s ongoing promo programme for the i20 R5 on key European rallies.. any chance to see him again in Latvia?

If there are no changes, original plans for him were only for Poland.

[Jarek Z]

Pirelli wins ERC for the fourth time in a row :)
https://www.fiaerc.com/pirelli-celebrates-erc-title-quadruple/

[Antreas]

next year ERC need a driver with big name for better rallies like kopecky,Paddon,Bouffier..I think gryazin is the only driver that can beat Lukyanuk

[Essaj]

Luky is more likely to take part in WRC2 than any big name joining for a full season of ERC.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

next year ERC need a driver with big name for better rallies like kopecky,Paddon,Bouffier..I think gryazin is the only driver that can beat Lukyanuk

Kopecky has won ERC so wont come back; Paddon is already at WRC level; and Bouffier struggles for funding.

Are there any big names in national championships that could enter ?

If not, and Lukyanuk moves on, it might be Gryazin vs the Rest next year.

[RS]

I think Gryazin is capable of a Lukyanuk level performance given a whole season. Let’s not forget he beat Rovanpera on ERC Latvia last year and was mixing it with Kopecky, Luky and Sordo on Barum before easing off for U28 points.

Would like to see more of Filip Mares and Miko Marczyk next year too, maybe Griebel to return for a go at the full ERC title.

[the sniper]

Personally I think Sordo and Ostberg would be ideal for ERC.

[PLuto]

I think there is more drivers who can show more than this year - Kreim, Ingram, Brynildsen, Ahlin and against them more experienced Habaj, Grzyb, Magalhaes or Herczig.

[the sniper]

Kreim, Ingram and Ahlin, I agree. Brynildsen, hmm... I just don't see it. I don't think he's got much more to give on the kind of events that feature in the ERC. Honestly, I think Brynildsen would be far better suited to a British Rally Championship campaign, as he could probably achieve much more success at that level.

[RS]

Would like to see Kreim and Ingram more in ERC next year yes.. they’ve had a solid year although Gryazin is one level up on them, that is natural because he has more experience, particularly over Ingram.

[Jarek Z]

Brynildsen, hmm... I just don't see it. I don't think he's got much more to give on the kind of events that feature in the ERC.

Brynildsen is already present on the temporary entry list for Rally Liepaja:
http://2018.lvrally.com/eng/rally-liepaja/competitors/ec

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I think there is more drivers who can show more than this year - Kreim, Ingram, Brynildsen, Ahlin and against them more experienced Habaj, Grzyb, Magalhaes or Herczig.

The question was about 'big names'...
Are there any National champions who would be a great addition to the ERC ?

[Mirek]

lol, except Ingram all the names from Pluto ARE national champions. Some multiple or even in more than one country.

[m-ast]

Seen Liepaja list I see is Niki Mayr-Melnhof entered, is there any news about a one off or planing to do the championship next year, it’s another national champion to add to the list

[JUF]

Mayr-Melnhof is still evaluating his options for next year. A season in the ERC is an option, it depends pretty much on his performance in Latvia whether we will see him in more rounds or not.

[dimviii]

Lykys interview at ewrc.cz
https://www.ewrc.cz/clanek/32852-lukyanuk-doufam-ze-se-nam-povede-jit-do-ms/

[kure91]

that ewrc.cz interview is translated part of this even broader interview which was published oficial site of ERC http://media.fiaerc.com/press-release/strongqampa-alexey-lukyanuk-fia-erc-champion-2018strongbr/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

lol, except Ingram all the names from Pluto ARE national champions. Some multiple or even in more than one country.

But they arent considered 'big names'. Are there any current or former national champions that could/would be classed as such ?

Surely there are drivers from bigger countries like Spain, France, Italy, Belgium etc ?

[Mirek]

But they arent considered 'big names'. Are there any current or former national champions that could/would be classed as such ?

Surely there are drivers from bigger countries like Spain, France, Italy, Belgium etc ?

Someone being unbeatable at home doesn't mean he is that good anywhere else. In fact many times it proved otherwise. French champion Sylvain Michel appeared last year twice in ERC and was 8th and 5th. Spanish champion Ivan Ares appeared on this year's Canarias and while he was de facto at home he finished only 8th with not a single time in top 3. Italian champion Paolo Andreucci doesn't start abroad at all and same goes for Belgian champion Vincent Verschueren.

[WUff1]

Someone being unbeatable at home doesn't mean he is that good anywhere else. In fact many times it proved otherwise. French champion Sylvain Michel appeared last year twice in ERC and was 8th and 5th. Spanish champion Ivan Ares appeared on this year's Canarias and while he was de facto at home he finished only 8th with not a single time in top 3. Italian champion Paolo Andreucci doesn't start abroad at all and same goes for Belgian champion Vincent Verschueren.

Also Neubauer in ERC this year.

[Mirek]

I wrote only about those which Eddie asked for. I don't want to say they are not good. Most of them simply lack other experience on international scene. I just don't know who Eddie asks for. Who is those big names? Drivers who can come and can be immediately on top in ERC are mostly sitting in WRC cars. The others need time to get experience and their national titles mean very little even in ERC - which is best illustrated by the fact that far majority of 4WD competitors in ERC actually are national champions.

[Jarek Z]

Guys, do you like that music show "Name That Tune"? :D

https://www.fiaerc.com/former-erc-champion-kajto-to-show-his-musical-side/

https://www.facebook.com/KajetanKajetanowicz/posts/2248288085204447

[Jarek Z]

I don't know if it means anything, but I have just had a look at the list of all European Champions from this season and noticed something strange:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-champions-of-2018/

RUSSIA
HUNGARY
LATVIA
RUSSIA
LATVIA
SPAIN

6 champions and only one comes from western Europe...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Yep I realised this too, when they showed all the winners at the end of Rally Liepaja.

It must be sign of something... Maybe to put some money on Tanak winning the WRC ?! ;)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The WRC really dominates rallying in W.Europe and with the advent of WRC2 many of the top talent is moving straight into that rather than ERC.

Maybe the availability and ability of the Skoda R5 is also helping the rally boom in the East. Although having said that Kajto and Lukyanuk have both been Champion in the Ford Fiesta.

[PLuto]

But if we are talking about drivers from West Europe (not count scandinavians), in top 5 of WRC2 is only Greensmith (and if we count top 10, it is only Greensmith, Andolfi and 10th Lefebvre). Drivers from Western countries prefers to stay at home and be kings there. When they go abroad, they found it is not so easy to win. Which is a pity, I think there is a potential for them to show it - last year great examples was Sylvain Michel and Josh Moffett, who were able to set some good times and results on some rallies, but then went back home.
On the other side, some of fast drivers from national championship are going directly to WRC events. And they are usually lost there...

[tommeke_B]

In Belgium there are plenty of drivers who would like to go abroad, but you need the funds for it. It's quite simple, if you do the Belgian championship you have some return. There are quite a lot of spectators in comparison to ERC (and it seems to be rising almost every year). Also media coverage is better, if you do well you're sure to be shown on national tv, you may make it to a few newspapers and specialized magazines. ERC in comparison has no return at all in Belgium, while competing in it comes at a higher price... Especially since ERC isn't coming to Ypres anymore, nobody cares about here, it's the sad reality.

[PLuto]

In Belgium there are plenty of drivers who would like to go abroad, but you need the funds for it. It's quite simple, if you do the Belgian championship you have some return. There are quite a lot of spectators in comparison to ERC (and it seems to be rising almost every year). Also media coverage is better, if you do well you're sure to be shown on national tv, you may make it to a few newspapers and specialized magazines. ERC in comparison has no return at all in Belgium, while competing in it comes at a higher price... Especially since ERC isn't coming to Ypres anymore, nobody cares about here, it's the sad reality.

Maybe if there will be belgian driver fighting for high positions in ERC, it will have bigger impact to belgian media too. Also when Ypres was in ERC, there were not so many belgians going abroad. And only Loix was successful. Some of the drivers (Cherain, Casier, Molle, De Mevius, Bedoret, Bux, Dilley, Wagemans...) tried it, but failed...

[tommeke_B]

You forgot Neuville... :D For Casier, from the few ERC events he did, he made top 5 in Madeira and Barum, I think it's unfair to say he failed... For the others you mention, there's always a reason they failed with it, some of them will never be able to get something together, even on national level.

[PLuto]

You forgot Neuville... :D For Casier, from the few ERC events he did, he made top 5 in Madeira and Barum, I think it's unfair to say he failed... For the others you mention, there's always a reason they failed with it, some of them will never be able to get something together, even on national level.

Casier was quite successful, but it was in IRC :) Same for Neuville.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Chris Ingram: The 2018 European Rally Championship slipped through my fingers but I’ll be back next year.

https://www.carfinance247.co.uk/blogpost/425/chris-ingram--the-2018-european-rally-championship-slipped-through-my-fingers-but-i-ll-be-back-next-year

[Jarek Z]

I didn't notice that, but someone at Skoda did - 9 out of the first 10 cars in the final standings of the ERC are Skodas. Alexey Lukyanuk (in the first place) driving a Ford is actually the only exception:
https://www.skoda-motorsport.com/en/the-fabulous-8-fabia-r5s-dominate-rally-liepaja-2018/