[WRC] News & Rumours 2021 [Archive] - Page 4

Francis44

10th February 2021, 14:57

But if we want do use your F1 analogy, power stage is "the 90 minute race". At the end you get the results and although the overall situation rarely changes, you get the excitement of the power stage points.

Precisely, and thats such a problem aswell since those 90 minutes do not represent at all the hard work all crews have putted in all weekend, specially when all cruise on PS when the gaps are more os less controlled.

This is nonsense. Basically you want to run only city stages?

Not exactly, what I think the sports needs is properly located outside cameras and good quality broadcasts, it is so lazy to fall always on onboard action.

AnttiL

10th February 2021, 15:04

Precisely, and thats such a problem aswell since those 90 minutes do not represent at all the hard work all crews have putted in all weekend, specially when all cruise on PS when the gaps are more os less controlled.

Think again, power stage gives points, you cannot just cruise. Besides, like Sardegna 2018 or Monte 2019 has proven, you can decide the winner on the power stage.

Not exactly, what I think the sports needs is properly located outside cameras and good quality broadcasts, it is so lazy to fall always on onboard action.

How are you going to solve this? By spend more money to put a cameraman in every corner of the rally? Or by driving over and over again the same short stages so you never fall out of camera sight? Besides, if you ever watch the TV stages, they mostly show external footage. And All Live has also the helicopter.

Francis44

10th February 2021, 15:33

Think again, power stage gives points, you cannot just cruise. Besides, like Sardegna 2018 or Monte 2019 has proven, you can decide the winner on the power stage.

C'mon dont be so naive, you now perfectly well only Ogier and maybe Tanak push close to limit to gather PS points while leading, the rest tend to cruise while in that position (very rarely unfortunately as we know).

How are you going to solve this? By spend more money to put a cameraman in every corner of the rally? Or by driving over and over again the same short stages so you never fall out of camera sight? Besides, if you ever watch the TV stages, they mostly show external footage. And All Live has also the helicopter.

Why not?! Wasn't this been done before? Less sometimes is more and I dont think we should sacrifice quality just to have every single stage live (and again, as we know, sometimes that promise is not delivered).
Does is cost more?! It does, but so do the hybrid cars. Cost is relative when the gain is clear

denkimi

10th February 2021, 18:38

You know why that is. We cannot have a 300 km special stage, there needs to be liaisons and services. But WRC doesn't take three days to complete 300 km, the rallies are usually over 1000 km long with the liaisons included. The 300 km of special stages take about three hours to run ;)

I've had long talks with rally organizers and looked at the itineraries in close detail, there isn't really many ways to pack more stages into rally days than there is now. At least not on the scale where it would make a difference. EDIT: also see the post below.
Weird to see how who have personally seen it happen in the past still claim that it would be impossible.

20 years ago they did a 400km monte carlo in 3 days. Nowadays they need 5 days for 300km's.
Even as far as 2013 we had a 470km long monte in 4 days.

So no, there is no reason why it can't done. Only excuses to obscure why they don't want it to be done.

How are you going to solve this? By spend more money to put a cameraman in every corner of the rally? Or by driving over and over again the same short stages so you never fall out of camera sight? Besides, if you ever watch the TV stages, they mostly show external footage. And All Live has also the helicopter.
Lets have some drones follow the cars.

wyler

10th February 2021, 20:07

Lets have some drones follow the cars.

the only drone that can do this is...an helicopter! ; )

sti123

11th February 2021, 04:46

Weird to see how who have personally seen it happen in the past still claim that it would be impossible.

20 years ago they did a 400km monte carlo in 3 days. Nowadays they need 5 days for 300km's.
Even as far as 2013 we had a 470km long monte in 4 days.

So no, there is no reason why it can't done. Only excuses to obscure why they don't want it to be done.

Lets have some drones follow the cars.

20 years ago they had remote service areas which allowed more stage kilometers. With central service setup WRC has now, it's not possible.

AnttiL

11th February 2021, 07:18

20 years ago they did a 400km monte carlo in 3 days. Nowadays they need 5 days for 300km's.
Even as far as 2013 we had a 470km long monte in 4 days. .

What is this 5 days rally? Without COVID we would have a four-day rally, which is essentially a three-day rally since Thursday and Sunday are not full rally days. And that format allowed rallies to be 400 km long just a few years ago. But as the rallies shortened from 400 to 300 km the formats remained the same, only the longest stages were exchanged for shorter ones. To me this is not a big difference.

AnttiL

11th February 2021, 07:19

20 years ago they had remote service areas which allowed more stage kilometers. With central service setup WRC has now, it's not possible.

But Monte 1998 had only 359 stage kilometres ;) People tend to think rallies were wwwwaaaaayyyy longer in the past, but really the difference is subtle.

EstWRC

11th February 2021, 07:23

wasn there a rule from FIA few years ago that the rally cant have more than 350 stage kilometres?

AnttiL

11th February 2021, 07:23

Why not?! Wasn't this been done before? Less sometimes is more and I dont think we should sacrifice quality just to have every single stage live (and again, as we know, sometimes that promise is not delivered).
Does is cost more?! It does, but so do the hybrid cars. Cost is relative when the gain is clear

I don't understand what you mean now. The All Live team has a fixed number of cameras and cameramen. They move from stage to stage so we get a bit of external footage from maybe every second stage. We cannot exchange this into something where we see one stage covered from beginning to the end because they would need 2-4 cameras per kilometre.

The cost of the cars is an investment of the teams (or car manufacturers). The cost of the fotoage is an investment of the WRC promoter. They are not exhangeable.

C'mon dont be so naive, you now perfectly well only Ogier and maybe Tanak push close to limit to gather PS points while leading, the rest tend to cruise while in that position (very rarely unfortunately as we know).

I would have to disagree. For example Rovanperä winning the power stage in Sweden 2020 was a big show. Also Sardegna had a very close podium in 2020. Power stages have been quite dramatic during the last four seasons. Maybe third drivers like Sordo sometimes get the order to just finish the rally, depending on the situation.

AnttiL

11th February 2021, 07:24

wasn there a rule from FIA few years ago that the rally cant have more than 350 stage kilometres?

Yes. Until 1996 it was 500 km, then in 1997 to 400 km and now to 350 km.

mknight

11th February 2021, 08:01

I would have to disagree. For example Rovanperä winning the power stage in Sweden 2020 was a big show. Also Sardegna had a very close podium in 2020. Power stages have been quite dramatic during the last four seasons. Maybe third drivers like Sordo sometimes get the order to just finish the rally, depending on the situation.

Manu points introduced for PS this year are meant to further improve the already pretty good situation.

denkimi

11th February 2021, 12:36

20 years ago they had remote service areas which allowed more stage kilometers. With central service setup WRC has now, it's not possible.
That's why i mentioned 2013. They could do it then, so service is no acceptable excuse.

What is this 5 days rally? Without COVID we would have a four-day rally, which is essentially a three-day rally since Thursday and Sunday are not full rally days. And that format allowed rallies to be 400 km long just a few years ago. But as the rallies shortened from 400 to 300 km the formats remained the same, only the longest stages were exchanged for shorter ones. To me this is not a big difference.
It is in fact a 2 day rally, streched out much longer for some reason.

Basically 1 day of local rallying and 3 days of short rallysprints. For a world class event thats pretty ridiculous.
A short day on sunday before the power stage i can understand, but all other days should have at least 100km's of stages.

AnttiL

11th February 2021, 12:47

It is in fact a 2 day rally, streched out much longer for some reason.

Basically 1 day of local rallying and 3 days of short rallysprints. For a world class event thats pretty ridiculous.
A short day on sunday before the power stage i can understand, but all other days should have at least 100km's of stages

I would say a typical rally has 140 km on Friday and Saturday, and 40 km on Sunday. That makes 320 km.

You must remember that in the COVID-19 era, with the tight budgets and with spectators limited or prohibited, they are running shorter itineraries for the time being where Friday is only a short day.

You keep saying that it's stupid to stretch a short itinerary for four days, but at the same time keep raving at Monte 2013. Look closer at the itinerary. The rally ran from Wednesday to Saturday, but all the days were only half long. Wednesday to Friday they started at 9 and ended at 15 or 17, while Saturday was run from 15 to 21 (with a 23 hour break in between SS13 and SS14). And Friday was silly with only three stages and a long liaison.

https://www.rally-maps.com/Rallye-Monte-Carlo-2013

NickRally

11th February 2021, 20:26

But Monte 1998 had only 359 stage kilometres ;) People tend to think rallies were wwwwaaaaayyyy longer in the past, but really the difference is subtle.

Mid 1980's Monte not that far off 900 stage kilometres... Sorry Antti, couldn't help it, I know, very different world in those days.

AnttiL

12th February 2021, 06:19

Mid 1980's Monte not that far off 900 stage kilometres... Sorry Antti, couldn't help it, I know, very different world in those days.

Yeah, but it's only fair because the drivers only included 7-8 rallies in their championship programs, now they do 14 ;)

And if you go 35 years more back, you have 0 km of special stages :)

AnttiL

12th February 2021, 06:31

Kristian Sohlberg (former WRC driver, current rally coach) has started interviewing rally people on his twitch channel. This week he had Esapekka Lappi as a guest. The interview was very candid and informal with Esapekka lying comfortably on a couch, using even swear words in his talk, in a different way than speaking to media normally.

Some of the things he said:
- Skoda was not a nice team to be in. They were mad if someone had a crash and the bosses were very "hot-headed" always. He would never return to Skoda.
- Lappi liked Mäkinen as a team boss because he understands drivers, albeit his views based on his own driving days were sometimes outdated
- His all-time favourite teammate is JML
- His favourite foreign teammate is Ogier, very fair and open about everything.
- He didn't like Tänak as a teammate who was the opposite of Ogier, not fair and not sharing things
- Tänak also was the first to get new parts and updates in 2018 (just like Ogier was at M-Sport).
- He went to Citroen because he thought he would be their driver no1 instead of being driver no3 at Toyota. The offer was made in June 2018, he hesitated at first but then saw Östberg finish second in Finland and was convinced.
- He had problems with Citroen's front diff ramp which made the wheels lock under braking, causing understeer. However, this fit Ogier's style so the car was developed even further in this direction, forcing Lappi to adjust his driving style (and crash).
- In the summer of 2019 someone at Citroen "found" their first homologated front diff ramp from 2016, saying "no one ever got this working", but it fit perfectly Lappi's driving style, and the speed was back.
- He says he hasn't pushed as much ever in a rally as Finland 2019 or Sweden 2020. Compared to them, Finland 2017 which he won was just "pumping"
- He says that in "village teams" like Toyota and M-Sport you can just develop a new part and try it on, but in big factory teams like Citroen and Skoda, it takes months for the boards to agree on the plan before they can start making anything.
- He believes the C3 WRC with 2020 updates would have been a winner car in Rally Finland with the new aero and engine (which they didn't even get to test). In the autumn 2020 tests they were 0.5 s/km faster than the previous tests on the first run already.
- He liked Budar as a team boss because Budar understood the difficulties of drivers and always asked how they can help the driver improve.

However, my feeling is that he deliberately didn't speak anything bad about Toyota because he possibly aims to get a seat there one day...

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/908558664

EstWRC

12th February 2021, 06:38

djip

12th February 2021, 08:57

And if you go 35 years more back, you have 0 km of special stages :)

Yes ... but then it was 3000km flat out, as road sections were just "impossible". Tour de Corse was 24hours non stop, full speed.

I know, i know, different times and as David Richards, who knows what he is talking about and can be "credited" with the cloverleaf / repeat stages format, said "people like to live in the past, but we have to look to the future" (or something like that ...)

AnttiL

12th February 2021, 09:16

Yes ... but then it was 3000km flat out, as road sections were just "impossible". Tour de Corse was 24hours non stop, full speed.

Yeah but in the 50's there wasn't separate special stage and road section speed anyway and the cars were just road cars. It was just fast road sections all the way.

As for Tour de Corse, it's true that the road sections were crazy in the mid-70's and it's said the drivers made pace notes for the road sections as well! Acropolis is another rally where most drivers had road penalties because the target times were impossible. But that's a completely another topic. You can read more about TDC routes in my blog https://itgetsfasternow.com/2020/05/15/wrc-history-tour-de-corse-routes-1973-1995/ BTW the first ever WRC Tour de Corse had only 500 km of special stages. It was only in the early-to-mid-80's that they had over 1000 km.

cali

12th February 2021, 09:44

hmmm, Tänak part is very interesting....

what i mean is that in "Tänak The Movie - The series" they both say they get along really well, just watched that episode yesterday and they got along really well. Ott says that he gets best along with Ogier and Lappi in the series but okay that was back in 2018 and maybe later than everythig changed

There Lappi also says in the beginning that JML is his favourite, but later admitted that Tänak is on the same line or they even get along better as the season went on.

thanks for the interview! very good insightsHeh I had to listen to this podcast and EP said "I still like Tänak but he wasn't as fair as Ogier. I can't demand the he shares his stuff that's his business but in contrary Ogier was very open minded"

Anyway interesting podcast, really liked it bcs EP was really straightforward and relaxed.

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

12th February 2021, 09:57

- Skoda was not a nice team to be in. They were mad if someone had a crash and the bosses were very "hot-headed" always. He would never return to Skoda.

Charming, when they kind of gave him his break onto the world stage. There are always two sides to every story.. i seem to remember Mirek alluding to Lappi being quite difficult to work with or something along those lines?

- He says that in "village teams" like Toyota and M-Sport you can just develop a new part and try it on, but in big factory teams like Citroen and Skoda, it takes months for the boards to agree on the plan before they can start making anything.

That doesn’t sound likely? For new cars or new programmes maybe, but new parts? Don’t buy it.

Interesting to hear his thoughts nonetheless.

mknight

12th February 2021, 10:35

- Skoda was not a nice team to be in. They were mad if someone had a crash and the bosses were very "hot-headed" always. He would never return to Skoda.

First time I hear something like that. Note that during that time (2013-2014) Lappi actually did crash a lot.
Wonder how he would work with Adamo at Hyundai, specially if he would do something like 2019 first rounds of the season.

- He believes the C3 WRC with 2020 updates would have been a winner car in Rally Finland with the new aero and engine (which they didn't even get to test). In the autumn 2020 tests they were 0.5 s/km faster than the previous tests on the first run already.

Could be in Finland yes, but Ogier somehow wasn't convinced after the tarmac tests and went to Toyota instead. Guess aero and engine can only change so much if suspension/difs are a problem on tarmac.

cali

12th February 2021, 10:49

Charming, when they kind of gave him his break onto the world stage. There are always two sides to every story.. i seem to remember Mirek alluding to Lappi being quite difficult to work with or something along those lines?

That doesn’t sound likely? For new cars or new programmes maybe, but new parts? Don’t buy it.

Interesting to hear his thoughts nonetheless.Clearly they were not meant to each other.
Even Kristian Sohlberg remembered one meeting with Skoda which he describes "unconventional" and anything he'd ever seen in his life. It wasn't only EP.

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mknight

12th February 2021, 13:05

Well Veiby got kicked quite rapidly for that picture a few years ago, which is hardly surprising though.

Maybe Skoda-leadership is or was (all of this is 2-6 years back) a lot about drivers being "employed". On the other hand the interaction between engineers and drivers and the response to driver suggestions seems to work rather well there. I can barely remember any drivers complaining about any setup or handling issues.

All this is completely external speculation from me.

Eli

12th February 2021, 13:26

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-rival-visions-for-what-the-wrc-should-be/

An interesting article regarding the past of the WRC through the eyes of David Richards and Yves Matton.

12th February 2021, 13:33

AndyRAC

12th February 2021, 15:41

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-rival-visions-for-what-the-wrc-should-be/

An interesting article regarding the past of the WRC through the eyes of David Richards and Yves Matton.

No surprise DR changed his tune; it didn't turn out how he expected/ hoped - after what looked quite promising early on. And his 'deputy' at MSUK blames the DR inspired thinking for a lot of the problems in the sport.

Fast Eddie WRC

13th February 2021, 12:51

Lappi happy with test role with 2022 car for WRC return:

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/lappi-test-role-2022-return/5392814

Francis44

13th February 2021, 14:26

Mikkelsen seems to be pretty happy to keep going back there.

Hold on a minute, Mikkelsen car is not runned by Skoda anymore, but by Tocsport. AFAIK there is only 2 or 3 Skoda engineers there helping the team but maybe someone here knows more.

Mirek

13th February 2021, 14:51

Even Kristian Sohlberg remembered one meeting with Skoda which he describes "unconventional" and anything he'd ever seen in his life. It wasn't only EP.

Not saying it wasn't true but that was likely with the old Motorsport department which was completely disbanded in 2006 and hence it's not related to any stories from 2008 an onwards.

AnttiL

13th February 2021, 15:18

Not saying it wasn't true but that was likely with the old Motorsport department which was completely disbanded in 2006 and hence it's not related to any stories from 2008 an onwards.

No, a meeting with Greensmith in Spain 2017

masa90

13th February 2021, 15:57

I propably missed a bit when watched it so late at night. But what was said to been the topic of that discussion? Hasnt Greensmith driven his whole career with Ford?

AnttiL

13th February 2021, 16:14

I propably missed a bit when watched it so late at night. But what was said to been the topic of that discussion? Hasnt Greensmith driven his whole career with Ford?

Drivers and their managers often negotiate with teams but it doesn’t always lead in a deal

masa90

13th February 2021, 16:34

Drivers and their managers often negotiate with teams but it doesn’t always lead in a deal

Yeah ofcourse. I guess I will watch that part later for the 2nd time. It is my native so should get it lol.

Fast Eddie WRC

14th February 2021, 13:29

Chris Ingram has also expressed his disappointment with Škoda's attitude towards him after he won the 2019 ERC in a Fabia.

TheFlyingTuga

14th February 2021, 17:55

Chris Ingram has also expressed his disappointment with Škoda's attitude towards him after he won the 2019 ERC in a Fabia.

Yeah, Skoda must prefer fast drivers that won rallyes and stages!

AnttiL

15th February 2021, 08:23

Chris Ingram has also expressed his disappointment with Škoda's attitude towards him after he won the 2019 ERC in a Fabia.

Interestingly Lappi mentioned that Skoda wants their drivers always to finish the rallies without mistakes, and Ingram has proved he can do this successfully. But maybe Ingram didn't realize that Skoda ended all their direct factory support at the end of 2019.

Mirek

15th February 2021, 11:37

Chris Ingram has also expressed his disappointment with Škoda's attitude towards him after he won the 2019 ERC in a Fabia.

Do you suggest that they should have picked Ingram instead of Solberg to support in 2020?

Sulland

15th February 2021, 12:36

1
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom) Chris Ingram (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Ingram_(rally_driver))
315+6
218+11
412+8
Ret
68+4
315+11
218+9
412+6
153
141

This is Ingrams scorechart from 2019, not a single rallywin.
Often works teams look only for speed potential, that you can smash the opposition on a sigle stage, or a full rally that suites you.
The rest is teachable, but natural speed is not.

Brutal, but mostly true!

dimviii

15th February 2021, 12:39

se_rallyWRC
Flag of Finland
@se_rally

Markku Alen is going to realise his dream to drive by latest spec WRC-car. Both Toyota and Hyundai are possibilities. He has already talked about it with Andrea Adamo. It would be a test-drive. #WRC #MrMaximunAttack

AnttiL

15th February 2021, 12:47

Do you suggest that they should have picked Ingram instead of Solberg to support in 2020?

Of course I can only guess, but I don't believe Skoda paid all expenses of Solberg in 2020...maybe some reduced car rent/test session prices? Meanwhile, Ingram would have probably needed more support for his program.

And yeah, Solberg was (is?) pretty much the best choice as a media-loved person and a young talent for a team to support.

Mirek

15th February 2021, 12:56

Of course I can only guess, but I don't believe Skoda paid all expenses of Solberg in 2020...maybe some reduced car rent/test session prices? Meanwhile, Ingram would have probably needed more support for his program.

And yeah, Solberg was (is?) pretty much the best choice as a media-loved person and a young talent for a team to support.

I didn't say they paid all his bills but they clearly supported him. They didn't support anyone else on international scene.

dimviii

15th February 2021, 13:04

And yeah, Solberg was (is?) pretty much the best choice as a media-loved person and a young talent for a team to support.

not only that..

jacko

16th February 2021, 12:07

The Rally Germany will no longer take place in Saarland in the future. The ADAC Saarland, the responsible organizer of the international event for years, can no longer raise the budget. Officially, the World Cup run costs around two million euros. Most of the sum came from the ADAC headquarters in Munich. But the cost of organization has risen tremendously. Insider assumes a total of around 4- 5 million euros. Recently there was no agreement between Munich and Saarbrücken. The consequence: there will be no more WRC-round run with over 200,000 visitors annually between the Saar and Mosel. Also no more Panzerplatte...

dimviii

16th February 2021, 15:38

Mads Østberg
@MadsOstberg

I`m back behind the mic for @OfficialWRC @RallyFinland
I promise you will see me behind the wheel of a rallycar soon, but for now I`m really pleased to be a part of the Live crew!
Studio microphone

"You asked for it, Mads Østberg has delivered! Back by popular demand on http://wrc.com"

AnttiL

16th February 2021, 16:32

I didn't say they paid all his bills but they clearly supported him. They didn't support anyone else on international scene.

Maybe Tidemand through Toksport?

scn

17th February 2021, 11:03

Fast Eddie WRC

17th February 2021, 11:20

Yeah, Skoda must prefer fast drivers that won rallyes and stages!

Not wanting to get into an argument but Ingram won the ERC with massive financial pressure after his main sponsor pulled out on the eve of the 2019 Season. He was going into more and more debt to compete and any crash damage would've ended his season. He then lost out on €100k prize by 0.3s in Barum and was forced to crowd-fund.

To drive flat-out in this financial position was impossible. He had to protect the car at all costs and finish events.

After all that he won the title (in a Škoda) and they still wouldnt give him any help.

dimviii

17th February 2021, 11:36

here we go again...

Jarek Z

17th February 2021, 12:09

I have to ask this question. Where does all the hate towards British drivers come from? WRC is full of drivers that have never won anything and never will, but it's only British drivers who receive so much criticism. I am not a frequent visitor in the News & Rumours thread, but even I noticed this.

Some examples:
Elfyn Evans - "he doesn't deserve the WRC title!"
Gus Greensmith - "he doesn't belong in WRC!"
Kris Meeke - "he constantly crashes and has had his chances already so go out!"
Chris Ingram - "he is not fast enough and doesn't win rallies"

Where does all this criticism come from? Is this because they left the European Union? :D

Mirek

17th February 2021, 12:25

I don't think that Evans is a target of some special criticism. I think it's the opposite and he has in fact large support among the forum members.

Meeke is bashed for crashing just like Duval or Atkinson was. It's not British thing.

Greensmith is bashed just like Rautenbach or others were. Nothing extraordinary here again.

Ingram's case is just that people are tired with Eddie's constant rants.

Essaj

17th February 2021, 13:42

Meeke is bashed for crashing just like Duval or Atkinson was. It's not British thing.

You could easily add Latvala to this list

Ingram's case is just that people are tired with Eddie's constant rants.
100%

gps-monkey

17th February 2021, 14:08

Very sad news. The Mosel area is one of the most beautiful in central Europe. Will it move to another place in Germany?

Maybe Bayern area.

mknight

17th February 2021, 16:29

T16

17th February 2021, 17:02

I too haven't seen specific criticism of Evans as a driver. Sure if he makes a mistake he gets criticized, just like every other driver.

What is however often a topic is how he is treated by British journalists. Ex. the C. Clark Monza rating that gave him 10/10 when he crashed out and lost title:
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/colin-clarks-monza-rally-driver-ratings/

Anything that man says needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.

When you say how he's treated by other journalists, do you mean that they give him a hard time, or just that Clarke did on that occasion?

M3 Jambo

17th February 2021, 17:08

Prior to Monte Carlo & Sweden 2020, a lot of 'fans' questioned whether he had the speed and was the real deal. Attitudes have changed since then IMO.

AnttiL

17th February 2021, 17:13

Prior to Monte Carlo & Sweden 2020, a lot of 'fans' questioned whether he had the speed and was the real deal. Attitudes have changed since then IMO.

To me it seemed the opposite

https://twitter.com/anttil_wrc/status/1215202949862957057?s=21

T16

17th February 2021, 17:26

Prior to Monte Carlo & Sweden 2020, a lot of 'fans' questioned whether he had the speed and was the real deal. Attitudes have changed since then IMO.

Fans aren't journalists though. I was wondering if Mknight meant he'd been given a shitty run by any UK journalists, other than Clarke, who by the way is a complete fool for slating Evans like he did... it's a small fish pond and the last thing a British journo should do is piss off the only British driver, by giving him a completely unnecessary rating.. not a great move.

mknight

17th February 2021, 17:56

When you say how he's treated by other journalists, do you mean that they give him a hard time, or just that Clarke did on that occasion?

I think you misunderstood me.

IMO Evans is getting hyped a lot by British "rally journalists" - Clark, D. Evans, WRC promoter crew etc. Sometimes a bit out of place. It's also somewhat strange when both Clark and Evans were actually quite objective when talking about Meeke from mid 2017 onwards at least.

But I think I heard E. Evans is getting the opposite threatment by "mainstream" British sport journalists, so maybe they (rally journalists) feel a need to compensate.

T16

17th February 2021, 18:25

I think you misunderstood me.

IMO Evans is getting hyped a lot by British "rally journalists" - Clark, D. Evans, WRC promoter crew etc. Sometimes a bit out of place. It's also somewhat strange when both Clark and Evans were actually quite objective when talking about Meeke from mid 2017 onwards at least.

But I think I heard E. Evans is getting the opposite threatment by "mainstream" British sport journalists, so maybe they (rally journalists) feel a need to compensate.

Ah - ok... got you.

Steve Boyd

18th February 2021, 00:08

Fast Eddie WRC

18th February 2021, 10:00

Ingram's case is just that people are tired with Eddie's constant rants.

Did you not see I said I dont want an argument ? I am not ranting I am just defending and explaining to another Ingram critic.

cali

18th February 2021, 11:24

Did you not see I said I dont want an argument ? I am not ranting I am just defending and explaining to another Ingram critic.We're not critics but down to earth about his chances

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AndyRAC

18th February 2021, 12:18

Did you not see I said I don't want an argument ? I am not ranting I am just defending and explaining to another Ingram critic.

To be honest, I'm not sure you're ranting; unless people live in the UK, they have no idea how hard it is for even 'successful' drivers to raise any sponsorship/budget. He won the title by being consistent, and by being fast enough when needed. He didn't show absolute pace, but we know why.

Is he fast enough - I have no idea, but he's unlikely to get the chance to consistently show us.....

Steve Boyd

18th February 2021, 23:57

To be honest, I'm not sure you're ranting; unless people live in the UK, they have no idea how hard it is for even 'successful' drivers to raise any sponsorship/budget. He won the title by being consistent, and by being fast enough when needed. He didn't show absolute pace, but we know why.

Is he fast enough - I have no idea, but he's unlikely to get the chance to consistently show us.....

People said the same about Richard Burns (who was good enough) and Mark Lovel.

denkimi

19th February 2021, 06:29

I've seen the young ingram drive with his twingo and his adam, and i remember being impressed.
But now, looking back at the results, i feel like my impression was wrong.

I think he should be given a chance to show what he can for a full season without having to worry about about budget. But i'm not sure that would really make the difference.

If only he would have had a rich father.

rallyfiend

19th February 2021, 08:00

dimviii

19th February 2021, 13:42

People said the same about Richard Burns (who was good enough) and Mark Lovel.

also Allen hasnt got any championship,but cant see the similarity with Ingram

dimviii

19th February 2021, 13:46

'richer father'.

No one who reaches that level is poor....

Loeb and Ogier disagree with that.

AnttiL

19th February 2021, 14:38

Loeb and Ogier disagree with that.

I believe Tänak and Neuville don't come from a wealthy background either.

Steve Boyd

19th February 2021, 23:57

People said the same about Richard Burns (who was good enough) and Mark Lovel.

also Allen hasnt got any championship,but cant see the similarity with Ingram

I can't recall anyone criticising "Maximum Attack" for not driving quickly enough, but both Burns and Lovell were critcised for "playing the percentages" and settling for points instead of going for wins in British and Irish events. Lovell never got much of a chance at world level but Burns showed that he had the pace with his approach to win at world level. It looks like Chris Ingram's carreer may be like Lovell's and we'll never get the chance to see if has enough pace at world level.

AnttiL

20th February 2021, 07:55

http://planetemarcus.com/saison-wrc/wrc-rallye-safari-kenya-2021/

Safari 2021 route announced. Mostly the same as 2020, just some lengths adjusted.

Jarek Z

20th February 2021, 10:57

The Motorsport body driver assistance programme(s) seemed to have stopped short of financial backing instead focussing on other areas of development. The Junior team in the 80s seemed more proactive however nowhere near the support the FFSA have given Loeb and Ogier etc. The Irish are very active just now backing the likes of Callum Devine. Ive read on another forum that some British licence holders wouldnt want their paid fees going to subsidise young drivers rallying in the hope they make the big time so guess we get what we deserve!

And how about Italian federation who are going to support as many as 11 rally drivers this year?

In the Italian championship:
Fabio Andolfi, Luca Bottarelli, Tommaso Ciuffi, Andrea Crugnola, Damiano De Tommaso, Andrea Mazzocchi, Marco Pollara, Alessio Profeta e Alessandro Re

in Italian gravel championship:
Rachele Somaschini.

in European Rally Championship:
Alberto Battistolli

source:
https://www.rally.it/2021/02/aci-team-italia-in-supporto-di-11-giovani-piloti

focus206

20th February 2021, 12:03

And how about Italian federation who are going to support as many as 11 rally drivers this year?

In the Italian championship:
Fabio Andolfi, Luca Bottarelli, Tommaso Ciuffi, Andrea Crugnola, Damiano De Tommaso, Andrea Mazzocchi, Marco Pollara, Alessio Profeta e Alessandro Re

in Italian gravel championship:
Rachele Somaschini.

in European Rally Championship:
Alberto Battistolli

source:
https://www.rally.it/2021/02/aci-team-italia-in-supporto-di-11-giovani-piloti

"Support" is a very broad term, all those drivers have to bring out their own budget and then ACI will help them a bit. Better than nothing from the federation, but I like more the idea of properly supporting a couple of drivers rather than giving a dime each to 11 drivers...

scn

20th February 2021, 18:53

Loeb and Ogier disagree with that.

Not only Loeb, Ogier and Tanak. Of all WRC champions since 1977, you could say that Munari had a good financial background, Sainz was not poor and McRae had some background from his father. But no one else. The rest were middle class guys and some had below average financial resources. Auriol worked as an ambulance driver and the great Walter Rohrl worked as a bishop's driver.

FIA is trying hard to change this with the R regulations that are too expensive for the average young driver. No one can start these days with the budget Sainz needed for his Panda 45 or the budget Tanak needed for his Golf MkII. But, spectator's eyes and ears are more powerful than any wallet. You can tell who is at a top level and who is not.

RAS007

20th February 2021, 20:43

http://planetemarcus.com/saison-wrc/wrc-rallye-safari-kenya-2021/

Safari 2021 route announced. Mostly the same as 2020, just some lengths adjusted.

Longest stage is a whopping 32km. Who said endurance events were dead?

sindroms

20th February 2021, 21:40

http://planetemarcus.com/saison-wrc/wrc-rallye-safari-kenya-2021/

Safari 2021 route announced. Mostly the same as 2020, just some lengths adjusted.

This so far could be the most interesting question of this season... is it really going to happen...

the sniper

20th February 2021, 23:43

Ive read on another forum that some British licence holders wouldnt want their paid fees going to subsidise young drivers rallying in the hope they make the big time so guess we get what we deserve!

And they'll soon pay the price for the years of that attitude prevailing. An irrelevant sport of old boys playing with dirty old cars that has few friends or supporters in modern Britain, particularly amongst forestry environmentalist types and local politicians...

Rally Hokkaido

27th February 2021, 01:31

This probably deserves a separate thread: Hannu Mikkola died last night, aged 79. Rally in Peace

jonkka

27th February 2021, 06:13

This probably deserves a separate thread: Hannu Mikkola died last night, aged 79. Rally in Peace

Saddest of news. Besides Tommi Mäkinen, Hannu was single biggest rally driver I looked up to (and first one at that).

Portimao

27th February 2021, 06:47

Who dat

doubled1978

27th February 2021, 07:12

Saddest of news. Besides Tommi Mäkinen, Hannu was single biggest rally driver I looked up to (and first one at that).

Hannu was always my favourite driver, he showed me around his Quattro on the Scottish Rally once, and then some years later on the RAC rally when he was with Mazda, he recognised me at scrutineering and called me over for a chat. Absolute gentleman and very sad to hear of his passing.
RIP Hannu

cali

27th February 2021, 07:21

Hannu was always my favourite driver, he showed me around his Quattro on the Scottish Rally once, and then some years later on the RAC rally when he was with Mazda, he recognised me at scrutineering and called me over for a chat. Absolute gentleman and very sad to hear of his passing.
RIP HannuFor me he's the gentleman of rallying. Really likeable person. So saddened to hear the news.

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

sindroms

1st March 2021, 10:23

There is quite big chance to get offer to host WRC in Latvia:
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=lv&tl=en&u=https://www.go4speed.lv/lv/news/wrc/10533-strokss-ir-diezgan-liela-iespeja-ka-varetu-sanemt-piedavajumu-rikot-wrc-posmu-latvija/

Eli

1st March 2021, 10:59

I know the corona situation doesn't allow it, but it would've been really nice to see Rally Mexico this month, first I wonder how Rovanperä would've cope being first on the road, and second, it would make the gap a little less huge until the next rally. Again, I know it's not possible in the current climate, just pointing the fact that it's a shame we don't get to have a rally (for the first time since 1996 btw) during this time of year.

Tauri_J

1st March 2021, 12:58

AnttiL

1st March 2021, 13:25

Remember that Liepaja was almost on the calendar last year as well. It was only Hyundai who declined to go there.

It was also announced as one of the spare events of 2021.

It would be super fast indeed, and/or covered in chicanes. But in these exceptional times everything goes.

The article says Liepaja would replace Safari, in order to make Liepaja, Estonia and Finland all within two weeks of each other. Then there's also Ypres as fourth rally with two weeks gap. Would it be too much for the teams?

EstWRC

2nd March 2021, 13:19

if everything goes smoohtly and by the plan, then Rally Estonia is planning to host 50 000 spectators this year.

sti123

2nd March 2021, 15:24

if everything goes smoohtly and by the plan, then Rally Estonia is planning to host 50 000 spectators this year.

But all divided in to 1000 people groups and there will be only dedicated spectator area(s) for each group.

dimviii

2nd March 2021, 16:25

Citroen Racing UK/Ire
@CR_UK_Ireland
· 1 Mar
We love it when @MadsOstberg takes the #C3Rally2Family to victory - but we also love it when Mads commentates on #WRCLive.

Reckon he could do both....at the same time?

#citroenracing #C3R5

dimviii

2nd March 2021, 16:48

Craig Breen al Rally del Ciocco
https://www.rally.it/2021/03/craig-breen-al-rally-del-ciocco

spark13

2nd March 2021, 16:50

if everything goes smoohtly and by the plan, then Rally Estonia is planning to host 50 000 spectators this year.

Crossing fingers for opened borders. Estonia, Latvia and Finland one by one will be like dream come true. But chances to spectate all that not so good i guess....

AnttiL

2nd March 2021, 18:45

Suninen said on twitch that his initial program of 6 WRC car events will likely extend to 8-9 events

He also said that Toyota is delayed with hybrid system delivery, but M-Sport should be in time.

T16

2nd March 2021, 18:47

Suninen said on twitch that his initial program of 6 WRC car events will likely extend to 8-9 events

Apart from Greensmith, will they run another car, or just the one on some events?

mknight

2nd March 2021, 18:49

Suninen said on twitch that his initial program of 6 WRC car events will likely extend to 8-9 events

Don't think it's a good idea.

As also Dirtfish wrote now in Arctic Lappi got much more noticed than if he drove Fiesta WRC and ended 8th or so only beating Suninen.

For sure on slow gravel with road position to help he might get up during first day, but it's only 2-3 rallies like that this year.

AnttiL

2nd March 2021, 19:18

Suninen also said that in 2017 he was offered a seat at Skoda, but the condition was that he shall not beat Tidemand at any event. He declined.

mknight

2nd March 2021, 19:25

Suninen also said that in 2017 he was offered a seat at Skoda, but the condition was that he shall not beat Tidemand at any event. He declined.

I'd guess the reason wasn't that they love Tidemand so much, but it was to ensure title.

Co-driven

2nd March 2021, 21:01

Apart from Greensmith, will they run another car, or just the one on some events?

As a Manufacturer, they must start all events with at least two cars.

AnttiL

3rd March 2021, 06:12

The initial plan was that Greensmith on all events, Suninen on 6 and Fourmaux on 6 alternating, but I guess they might do three-car events if Suninen expands his program. He didn't know about Croatia yet.

Suninen was asked which event he would do if he could pick one and he said Portugal.

KiwiWRCfan

4th March 2021, 19:29

As a Manufacturer, they must start all events with at least two cars.

Are teams still required to have at least one driver who does all events ?

AnttiL

4th March 2021, 20:07

Are teams still required to have at least one driver who does all events ?

At least Citroen didn't have one in 2017 or 2018.

TypeR

4th March 2021, 20:47

I'm more than sure, that such requiry can't be a rule..
People get injured, sick or whatever and nobody can say 100% that he or she drives all the events..

If needed, teams can pull the cars aside after leaving the first service with ,,major issues/damage'' to the car and nothing could be done..

pantealex

4th March 2021, 21:01

It was a rule, medical reason was only exception (Loeb had injury, didn´t do all rallies)

AnttiL

5th March 2021, 05:36

Eli

5th March 2021, 08:47

https://twitter.com/belgakinen/status/1367705632296603649

According to a Belgian rally engineer, Hyundai are already developing the 2022 car contrary to what Adamo says in public. Of course just a rumor, but this twitter user has been usually very trustworthy.

Hopefully they got it right this time as well. I really hope that if we don't get another manufacturer next year, at least we get to keep all current 3.

Eli

5th March 2021, 10:03

Speaking of the devil: https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/adamo-optimistic-hyundai-will-stay-in-wrc-beyond-2021/5590448/

M3 Jambo

5th March 2021, 13:55

That's not a nice thing to call Mr Adamo - lol;)

Lancia Stratos

5th March 2021, 16:39

https://twitter.com/belgakinen/status/1367705632296603649

According to a Belgian rally engineer, Hyundai are already developing the 2022 car contrary to what Adamo says in public. Of course just a rumor, but this twitter user has been usually very trustworthy.

Of course they are. They were first off the block, ahead of Toyota and M-Sport.

Andre Oliveira

5th March 2021, 18:17

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvvPmciXEAMEjTL?format=jpg&name=small

https://www.fia.com/news/fia-announces-world-motor-sport-council-decisions-21

The principles of a Rally Sporting Pyramid, to be implemented for the FIA World Rally Championship with complementary details for the FIA European Rally Championship, have been approved. The ambition of this new structure is to align the championships names with the car categories names (e.g. Rally2 cars compete in WRC2), to identify a common theme of Open and Junior categories between the series, and to reinforce the positioning of the FIA European Rally Championship both as a feeder series for the WRC and a goal in itself by creating a clear pathway.

In application of these principles, the WRC2 classification, open to the Rally2 category, will feature an Open Championship and a Junior Championship for drivers under 30. The WRC3 classification, open to the Rally3 class, will also feature an Open Championship and a Junior Championship for drivers under 29.

Similarly, the ERC3 classification, open to the Rally3 category, will feature an Open Championship and a Junior Championship for drivers under 28, while the ERC4 classification, open to the Rally4 and Rally5 classes, will equally have an Open Championship and a Junior Championship for drivers under 27.

In addition to age limits, experience restrictions will be implemented in the Junior Championships. As a result, former champions will not be allowed to put their titles back into play.

For both the WRC and ERC classifications, awards for Rookies, with less than three participations before the start of the season, and Masters, for drivers over 40 years old not included on the FIA Regional Priority List, will be created.

As a next step, details will be defined to reflect these principles in the sporting regulations.

AnttiL

5th March 2021, 19:13

Good updates!

Now, where is Rally2 Kit? :D

5th March 2021, 19:28

Finally a bit more sense for the Rally2 category, and good to see a bit of coherence between ERC and WRC, afterall both are FIA championships.

Not sure of the need for the Junior sub-categories, 28/28 is pretty old these days when teenagers are jumping into Rally1 cars.

5th March 2021, 19:30

Now, where is Rally2 Kit? :D

Hopefully abolished.

Andre Oliveira

5th March 2021, 19:52

I guess Rally2-Kit as RC2 car will be in WRC2.

Andre Oliveira

5th March 2021, 21:42

I think will be more or less that...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvwUkDSWgAM1WoD?format=jpg&name=medium

7th March 2021, 05:00

Are junior categories a sub-trophy within their category as in ERC? Ie. will WRC2 Junior drivers compete for overall WRC2 title too?

Sulland

7th March 2021, 08:27

I think will be more or less that...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvwUkDSWgAM1WoD?format=jpg&name=medium

This would make sense, and is logical.
some of the FIA stuff, on the RC category and more is not logical to me.

What is the RC code used for, do we need it?

Mirek

7th March 2021, 11:02

RC is Rally Class and yes, you need it if you want to have more than one vehicle type in one class which is a common thing because homologations overlap each other in time.

dimviii

9th March 2021, 17:35

Andre Oliveira

9th March 2021, 18:17

https://mailchi.mp/fia/jja3q9igfw-6472580-p8on12pmcg-6486235

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EwD1rcVWYAo1KEK?format=jpg&name=medium

mknight

9th March 2021, 18:40

Gryazin won’t make step from WRC2 until he’s “unbeatable”

The WRC2 driver recently tested an M-Sport Fiesta WRC but isn't rushing his graduation

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/nikolay-gryazin-wont-make-wrc-step-until-hes-unbeatable-at-rally2/

Seemingly "big" plans.(or more likely Dirtfish trying to make a tiny "story" bigger).
After the disaster season in i20 R5 last year it seemed we won't hear much from him again, but the Polo starts this year certainly improved his standing a lot.

EstWRC

9th March 2021, 18:41

Gryazin won’t make step from WRC2 until he’s “unbeatable”

The WRC2 driver recently tested an M-Sport Fiesta WRC but isn't rushing his graduation

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/nikolay-gryazin-wont-make-wrc-step-until-hes-unbeatable-at-rally2/

i can see long analyzing post incoming from mknight...

E. oh, i was a little late with my post and surprisingly short post

rallyfiend

9th March 2021, 19:52

Seemingly "big" plans.(or more likely Dirtfish trying to make a tiny "story" bigger).
After the disaster season in i20 R5 last year it seemed we won't hear much from him again, but the Polo starts this year certainly improved his standing a lot.

Seems the Red Grey-run Hyundai's aren't so flash.... Guess that's why Oliver is being run by a different team for his R5 outings.... No one with knowledge wants to touch them.

Tarmop

9th March 2021, 20:07

Mm...you think that Adamo would let them represent HMSG colours if that was the case. Quick peek at the RMC entrylist does only show one HMSG R5...owned and maintained by a country nearby. Also the case with Huttunen.

denkimi

9th March 2021, 20:20

Gryazin won’t make step from WRC2 until he’s “unbeatable”

The WRC2 driver recently tested an M-Sport Fiesta WRC but isn't rushing his graduation

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/nikolay-gryazin-wont-make-wrc-step-until-hes-unbeatable-at-rally2/
He has 120 starts, including 84 rally's in an r5 car so far.

He is probably the most experienced young driver out there, he will never be ready for wrc.

EstWRC

10th March 2021, 06:45

WRC rally director confident of full 2021 campaign

This year’s campaign consists of 12 rounds, with Matton “confident” that number can be fulfilled.

While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Matton says the global COVID-19 vaccination roll-out and the “tireless work and commitment of the entire FIA rally family”, can help to minimise possible disruptions.

The 2020 WRC season was stopped during Rally Mexico because of the speed at which the respiratory disease was sweeping around the planet, with several rallies called off between March and September, resulting in the WRC only able to put on a seven-round campaign.

The WRC’s resumption led to a raft of new measures being adopted as part of the FIA’s Appendix S International Sporting Code – a framework initially drawn up for Formula 1 to stop the spread of COVID-19. These included social distancing, swab tests, wearing face masks and regular hand washing.

“Of course, we still face an extremely challenging period, especially when we consider the ongoing national restrictions that rightly remain in place to control the spread of COVID-19,” Matton said.

“But the rollout of the vaccine provides hope and it is clear the appetite from drivers and teams to go rallying – and for organisers to put events on – remains strong.

“Although we have to adapt what we do on a case-by-case basis, country by country, Appendix S provides a very good base to work closely with the governments – and the local ministries – to allow events to be run.

“I am confident we will have a 12-event calendar in the World Rally Championship this year because we organised the calendar in the way that we have some spare events – and arrangements – in place to be able to achieve a full calendar.

“It will not be easy but I think the vaccine will allow, step by step, fans to watch live. But the vaccine is in addition to what we’ve already put in place with Appendix S.”

Matton, who left his post as Citroen Racing’s team principal in January 2018 to join the FIA, believes a successful 2021 campaign is the perfect way to build-up to next year when Rally1 cars enter service for the first time.

M-Sport Ford and Toyota Gazoo Racing continue to work intensively on their projects, with Hyundai Motorsport doing likewise despite the company’s board still undecided about its future participation in the WRC.

The FIA World Motor Sport Council finally signed off the regulations at a virtual meeting held last Friday.

“This was the final point because the main steps have already been done thanks to the great work that the engineers from the FIA and the manufacturers have done together to finalise the regulations,” said Matton.

“The next big step will be to see these Rally1 cars in action for the first time. Soon we will see the initial testing phase begin, which is a significant moment in the history of our sport.”

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-rally-director-confident-of-full-2021-campaign/5657030/

mknight

11th March 2021, 05:02

Lappi says he probably should do some other rally than fast gravel/snow next and mentions Portugal.

That indeed sounds like a good idea, though I'd also add tarmac.

Since he also mentions Mikkelsen I'd say historically Lappi is faster than him om fast gravel/snow, about the same on slower gravel and slower on tarmac.
History is one thing, current and future form is something else.

AnttiL

11th March 2021, 10:02

Rallies like Portugal and Sardegna are too often decided for WRC2 cars on punctures, let's see how the Pirellis manage on gravel. Veiby had three punctures with Pirellis in Sardegna last year.

16th March 2021, 04:59

Feature on past present and future Skoda rally cars:

https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/motorsport/racing-legends-on-snow-and-ice/

Interesting to see them using the Kreisel electric Fabia in official promotional material, a sign?

Also first time a Skoda works car on Pirelli.

EstWRC

16th March 2021, 16:54

Loeb and Elena split after 23 years https://twitter.com/sebastienloeb/status/1371875722357268481?s=21

dimviii

16th March 2021, 17:33

Loeb and Elena split after 23 years https://twitter.com/sebastienloeb/status/1371875722357268481?s=21
more about it...
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/loeb-and-elena-split-after-23-years-together/

TypeR

16th March 2021, 18:35

Loeb and Elena split after 23 years https://twitter.com/sebastienloeb/status/1371875722357268481?s=21

more about it...
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/loeb-and-elena-split-after-23-years-together/
Wtf... really.
Loeb is such a legend and should have sent Prodrive to **&%* with such thing and opinion..
Could have been dealt better by Loeb/Prodrive side.. but it is how it is..

EstWRC

16th March 2021, 19:00

i wonder if Neuville has Elenas number...

the sniper

16th March 2021, 19:13

Sad decision, great character, but I do love his video. I feel like it's the Frenchist thing I've ever seen. Take a drink every time he goes for a gallic shrug! :D

https://twitter.com/DanosElena/status/1371873789663969281

I appreciate he's Monegasque, but...

drive

16th March 2021, 20:15

What the heck... stupid stupid Prodrive... taking away Elena its like separating Tom and Jerry...

rallyfiend

17th March 2021, 07:51

When was the last time Prodrive conducted a really successful motorsport programme?

- BRX: not so far...
- GCK WRX: nope, it got taken off them...
Mini WRC: nope. DR was made to leave it...
FPV in Australia: they burned through a lot of Ford's money and patience...

Quite right that Elena points back to Petter in 2003. That's a long time ago....

Tom K

17th March 2021, 08:04

They succeeded with Aston Martin in WEC and Le Mans.

AndyRAC

17th March 2021, 08:39

They succeeded with Aston Martin in WEC and Le Mans.

Yes and no; they've been successful in the GTE classes, however the dreadful AMR-One LMP1 was a disaster.......

SubaruNorway

17th March 2021, 09:41

Doesn't come as a massive surprise, Elena hasn't seemed very motivated the last years

T16

17th March 2021, 10:33

It’s probably a weight saving tactic.

AnttiL

17th March 2021, 10:41

I find these news overly dramatic, when Loeb's career is close to being over, especially in WRC.

dupanton

17th March 2021, 10:56

Maybe Prodrive has a point? I don't think Loeb would agree with this if he thinks Prodrive is completely wrong. Maybe he realises he has little change to win Dakar with Elena.
I guess they will still compete together in some (fun) rallies. He thinks about competing with his 306 Maxi in some rallies in France

Kenneth

17th March 2021, 11:02

Yeah, maybe Loeb agree with this move.

dimviii

17th March 2021, 16:20

Planetemarcus
@planetemarcus
·
10h
Last month @nicolasgilsoul
learned some experience with Michel Perin (old @MikkoWRC
codriver for Dakar) ... NG targets to be in #Dakar 2022 ... Why not him with Loeb ?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EwqZqCiWEAAPJA3?format=jpg&name=medium

TypeR

17th March 2021, 17:45

Nicolas Gilsoul will not be Seb Loeb's new raid teammate: "It was my plan A, but it's too early. I had contact with Seb, but unfortunately it won't be me. The timing is not good. I'm a challenge guy and I know exactly what I want to do, but I don't have any raid experience yet. "

https://www.dhnet.be/sports/moteurs/wrc/nicolas-gilsoul-ne-sera-pas-le-nouvel-equipier-de-seb-loeb-en-raid-c-etait-mon-plan-a-mais-c-est-trop-tot-605108059978e2410facaa77?outputType=amp

Co-driven

17th March 2021, 18:45

denkimi

18th March 2021, 03:26

TypeR

18th March 2021, 10:28

Elena:
“If Seb has the balls and he can hear me, we take up the challenge. You say goodbye to the roast beef, we’re going back ”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/cceverybody.com/if-you-have-c-elena-calls-loeb-to-leave-prodrive-who-has-just-dismissed-her/amp/

dupanton

18th March 2021, 10:35

He usually drives those rally's with his wife.

He hasn't got a wife anymore.
He has done a few with his new girlfriend though ;)

cali

18th March 2021, 10:54

He hasn't got a wife anymore.
He has done a few with his new girlfriend though ;)Elena or Loeb?

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

Fast Eddie WRC

18th March 2021, 11:19

Not sure Elena had looked too comfortable on the recent Dakar's anyway, with the heat, doing car repairs and digging out the car. His fitness hasnt looked the best for a while now.

dimviii

18th March 2021, 11:45

Elena or Loeb?

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

Loeb

dimviii

18th March 2021, 16:55

Mads Østberg
@MadsOstberg
·
33m
Good news! We'll be starting our season next weekend on tarmac with Rally Brasov. It will serve as a warm-up for upcoming events
freezy conditions and potential for snow! Could be interesting

Thanks to @CitroenRacing
#CitroenHungary & #TRT for making it happen

TypeR

19th March 2021, 05:03

denkimi

19th March 2021, 05:39

He hasn't got a wife anymore.
He has done a few with his new girlfriend though ;)
That's the first time i hear about that.

sti123

19th March 2021, 08:55

That's the first time i hear about that.

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/news-archive/wrc/loeb-ends-2019-with-win/#:~:text=S%C3%A9bastien%20Loeb%20signed%20off%20on ,Gryazin%20by%201min%2002.2sec.

Arnold Triyudho Wardono

19th March 2021, 09:21

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/news-archive/wrc/loeb-ends-2019-with-win/#:~:text=S%C3%A9bastien%20Loeb%20signed%20off%20on ,Gryazin%20by%201min%2002.2sec.Since when Seb divorce from Severine..?? I thought they still together due to lack of news compared to the Solbergs..

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spyros

19th March 2021, 09:30

corona virus victims like a lot of couples.

dimviii

19th March 2021, 09:57

Since when Seb divorce from Severine..?? I thought they still together due to lack of news compared to the Solbergs..

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must be 2-3 years ago

Jarek Z

19th March 2021, 09:59

This article (in Polish) says that Loeb divorced with Severine and his new girlfriend is Laurene... and it comes from November 2019. I don't know if it is a reliable source though:
https://wrc.net.pl/sebastien-loeb-ma-nowa-dziewczyne-wygranej-juz-nie-swietuje-z-zona-i-corka

P.S. On a side note - what surprised me is that the article says that as many as 45% of marriages in France end with a divorce.

Mirek

19th March 2021, 10:22

That's not wrc news & rumor in my book.

kirungi okwogera

19th March 2021, 16:11

I like when Elena is off the chain. I don't care if every bloodless corporate thing DR said is true and everything Elena said is lies, I'm on his side here.

rallyfiend

19th March 2021, 18:45

Prodrive have a LOT of Bahrain money tied up in the project.

It wasn't overwhelmingly successful.

There would always have to be sacrificial lambs to justify the lack of performance. It seems Elena was one.

This is 'Client Management 101'.

the sniper

20th March 2021, 08:49

That's not wrc news & rumor in my book.

NOT will be cursing us from whatever institution he is being held in!

AndyRAC

20th March 2021, 10:01

NOT will be cursing us from whatever institution he is being held in!

And he'd be right - personal/private life 'issues' aren't really for discussing on here.

Arnold Triyudho Wardono

22nd March 2021, 15:29

brand new last gen Fiesta (chassis #14) for Barry McKenna, starting the ARA series in the US.
Due to regulations, it has 2.0l engine and older gen? no paddle-shift gearbox.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/ara/mckenna-brings-latest-fiesta-wrc-to-ara/

Anybody knows more about the mods? What engine..?I'm just asking about that, and someone said that the Fiesta has Open Class specs..

Now I wonder if Fiesta Rally 2 running gears can be installed into the WRC bodyshell.. (for the lulz)

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Fast Eddie WRC

23rd March 2021, 11:20

Acropolis Rally is returning in 2022 acc to this...

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMuu_3xDdUU/?igshid=1s4txwdz44zyy

Antonis9

23rd March 2021, 11:32

I think Acropolis rally replace chile 🇨🇱 this year !!!

Sulland

23rd March 2021, 11:43

Oliver was meant to drive WRC2 in Croatia, but now he suddenly is not.

But still a lot to happen this year, but no details yet.

https://worldrally.se/oliver-solberg-andrar-sina-planer/?fbclid=IwAR3RVNzyxfVb4RkzoKUOy_BWsmHxlYRF_P0S2_lY TIDV2Kr1z-HLX86WinM

Co-driven

23rd March 2021, 12:33

I think Acropolis rally replace chile �� this year !!!

I've heard something similar also...

AnttiL

24th March 2021, 09:43

https://twitter.com/msportltd/status/1374663072984539139?s=21

Chris Patterson will co-drive for Greensmith from now on

T16

24th March 2021, 10:08

https://twitter.com/msportltd/status/1374663072984539139?s=21

Chris Patterson will co-drive for Greensmith from now on

They'll probably do better if Chris drives the car.

Fast Eddie WRC

24th March 2021, 10:40

EstWRC

24th March 2021, 12:17

so rumours floating around in twitter that Tänak and Neuville will do San Remo to prepare for Croatia and Breen, Solberg Loubet also but with R5 machines.

Gregor-y

24th March 2021, 12:56

brand new last gen Fiesta (chassis #14) for Barry McKenna, starting the ARA series in the US.
Due to regulations, it has 2.0l engine and older gen? no paddle-shift gearbox.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/ara/mckenna-brings-latest-fiesta-wrc-to-ara/

Anybody knows more about the mods? What engine..?

No idea about the engine but a puncture kept the car from winning and someone filed a complaint over the aerodynamics.
https://www.wrcwings.tech/2021/03/23/subaru-wrx-sti-and-wrc-derived-cars-in-the-2021-ara-championship/?fbclid=IwAR05t3JpPt2fnJNHAyCuwls7j0SQwBZoA1xthkfm Uw6s3PIzW3Ls5_g03Bw
I've been going to this rally since 2006 but it's really not good to be traveling, yet.

AnttiL

24th March 2021, 13:42

4th permanent co-driver change of the season already must be a record.

Hope this one works out by combining youth with huge experience.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/greensmith-bring-in-ex-solberg-meeke-co-driver-patterson/

I would say Greensmith getting Patterson is a "normal" co-driver change to get more experience in the car, whereas Neuville, Sordo, Loeb splitting with their experienced co-drivers seems more awkward. As for Lehtinen, he just got a new job at TGR which suited his life better.

wyler

24th March 2021, 14:38

so rumours floating around in twitter that Tänak and Neuville will do San Remo to prepare for Croatia and Breen, Solberg Loubet also but with R5 machines.

Confirmed in a special wrc class. (also rumoured some 2c wrc -maybe loubet not in r5-)
also possible the addition of french drivers testing for Croatia due to the postponing of toquet rally.

pantealex

25th March 2021, 07:40

I would say Greensmith getting Patterson is a "normal" co-driver change to get more experience in the car, whereas Neuville, Sordo, Loeb splitting with their experienced co-drivers seems more awkward. As for Lehtinen, he just got a new job at TGR which suited his life better.

True!

I´m not counting Loeb as WRC driver anymore, he is more like Petter Solberg who does what he wants and nobody is saying that Petter changed co-driver. (in fact Petter is younger than Loeb)

Suninen is not full time WRC driver and Lehtinen needed full time job.

TypeR

26th March 2021, 08:36

Good news! M-Sport will use new engine in Croatia:
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/m-sport-to-debut-new-engine-in-croatia/

AnttiL

26th March 2021, 11:25

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc/wrc-adds-acropolis-rally-greece-to-2021-calendar/

Acropolis replaces Chile this year already!

Lancia Stratos

26th March 2021, 11:26

Acropolis is back!

https://twitter.com/OfficialWRC/status/1375417468827602948

Eli

26th March 2021, 12:20

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc/wrc-adds-acropolis-rally-greece-to-2021-calendar/

Acropolis replaces Chile this year already!

Shame about Chile (although going there this year would be quite risky), glad we got the Acropolis back after 8 (too) long years! Will also be a nice send off for current regulation cars to see how they fair against the 'old' Polo, DS3 and Fiesta. Also will be interesting to see Hyundai there for the very first time (& hopefully not last).

dimviii

26th March 2021, 17:48

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExbHNkfWUAEu2J7?format=jpg&name=large

abcrally

27th March 2021, 10:24

Interesting that Solberg entered to Sanremo with Seb Marshall.

Rallyper

28th March 2021, 18:38

Interesting that Solberg entered to Sanremo with Seb Marshall.

Maybe as mentor. More important first time.

dimviii

28th March 2021, 19:02

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExlenzoW8AMPRvF?format=jpg&name=medium

https://twitter.com/RallyingUK/status/1376244422732562433

the sniper

28th March 2021, 21:08

Three months of non stop testing until the Safari, a bit like the good old days...? :D

jacko

28th March 2021, 21:08

Think it must be a picture from last year? Michelin & (sponsor) Microsoft are not in the game anymore..

EstWRC

29th March 2021, 05:57

yeah old livery

AnttiL

29th March 2021, 06:20

Maybe the car has just been in the container for months?

EDIT: weird in any case. I've heard though that the teams are allowed to test in Kenya, although normally testing must happen only in Europe.

AnttiL

29th March 2021, 12:55

https://www.rallit.fi/toyotan-wrc-autosta-julkaistu-kuva-hammensi-juho-hanniselta-hulvaton-kuitti-jari-matti-latvalalta-tarkempi-selitys/

It's a demo car, not an actual rally car.

Fast Eddie WRC

29th March 2021, 13:16

From Wales Rally GB:

Who wants a WRC round in the UK next year?

Interested in attending a future WRC event in Northern Ireland? You can share your views with the organisers through this short survey.

It only takes a couple of minutes: http://surveylegend.com/s/35gw

pantealex

29th March 2021, 13:45

Think it must be a picture from last year? Michelin & (sponsor) Microsoft are not in the game anymore..

Picture was taken yesterday but as said it´s demo car not real WRC.

(container wia sea to Africa takes months, that´s why it still has old stickers)

AnttiL

29th March 2021, 14:08

Picture was taken yesterday but as said it´s demo car not real WRC.

(container wia sea to Africa takes months, that´s why it still has old stickers)

And they don't usually put rally cars into sea containers, they fly them in and out.

Lancia Stratos

29th March 2021, 17:33

Fiesta Rally3 in Croatia.

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc3/fiesta-rally3-set-for-croatia-wrc-debut/

denkimi

30th March 2021, 05:08

Picture was taken yesterday but as said it´s demo car not real WRC.

(container wia sea to Africa takes months, that´s why it still has old stickers)
With the whole suez problem they said it takes about 9 days to go around afrika.

So shipping to kenya should be about 2 to 3 weeks i suppose.

Fast Eddie WRC

30th March 2021, 17:37

Kris Meeke backing his homeland Rally Northern Ireland for WRC...

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNDJMr-HecL/?igshid=1m80gs54slh10

Steve Boyd

30th March 2021, 23:48

With the whole suez problem they said it takes about 9 days to go around afrika.

In a racing boat maybe - more like 3 or 4 weeks in a ship.

Mirek

31st March 2021, 00:09

With the whole suez problem they said it takes about 9 days to go around afrika.

In a racing boat maybe - more like 3 or 4 weeks in a ship.

From Socotra to Gibraltar around Africa it's over 17000 km which shall be around 18-20 days with an average container ship.

EstWRC

31st March 2021, 07:11

Our team will embrace a new technical challenge in 2022, as we develop a car fit for the hybrid era of the FIA World Rally Championship based on the i20 N road car.

https://motorsport.hyundai.com/full-charge-for-wrc-2022/

Hyundai, Toyota and M-Sport commit to WRC hybrid rules

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/hyundai-toyota-m-sport-hybrid/6004350/

AnttiL

1st April 2021, 05:53

:eek:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex06I6jWQAADk2C?format=jpg&name=large

flykas

1st April 2021, 06:33

Finally, tarmac Finland! Thats what everybody was asking for so long!

bomber21

1st April 2021, 07:50

Haha!!!! Good one!!!

EstWRC

1st April 2021, 08:00

:eek: https://twitter.com/rockollector/status/1377523975870410752?s=20

HKSjbg

1st April 2021, 09:30

:eek:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex06I6jWQAADk2C?format=jpg&name=large

I heard Rally Finland will become a mixed-surface event, but not with one leg on gravel and one leg on tarmac. Not even stages which switch surfaces part way through - one leg with gravel tyres on the left-hand side of the car and tarmac tyres on the right, then switch them over for the next leg as the roads will be tarmacced on the other side. This pic confirms it

wyler

1st April 2021, 09:47

Rumors of italian Umberto Scandola with hyundai wrc in sardinia

EstWRC

1st April 2021, 11:31

not a good day for rumors....

cali

1st April 2021, 11:46

Rumors of italian Umberto Scandola with hyundai wrc in sardiniaTry again tomorrow

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wyler

1st April 2021, 12:17

Try again tomorrow

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sorry guys, seems to me people were posting fools from all over the places. i added one from Italy.
i guess humor is something reserved for northerners here...:rolleyes:

AnttiL

1st April 2021, 12:21

I think the difference is that Scandola on a Hyundai WRC could have been credible if posted on any other day. If it was, say, Massimo Biasion, it would have worked as a proper April fools :)

wyler

1st April 2021, 13:54

I think the difference is that Scandola on a Hyundai WRC could have been credible if posted on any other day. If it was, say, Massimo Biasion, it would have worked as a proper April fools :)

i just reported an article from Italy. i think is a fool, but maybe it is not...we'll see.
anyway, here in Italy a fool is more spicy when someone can actually be fooled and not immediately recognize it... :cool:

AnttiL

2nd April 2021, 13:56

https://www.rallit.fi/teemu-suninen-vahvisti-laajemman-mm-ohjelman-tiimi-on-jostain-loytanyt-lisaa-rahaa-tai-mita-lie/

Suninen says he likely has 9 rallies this year as opposed to the 6 originally planned. The program was expanded after his performance in Arctic Rally Finland. He doesn't say anything about Croatia yet.

TypeR

2nd April 2021, 18:47

Rise from 6 to 9 events can't be only because of rally Arctic.. (if he had won it, then yes ofc..)
Must have found some proper sponsor also.. 3 extra event aint cheap..

mknight

2nd April 2021, 19:04

Another explanation could be that after the Arctic "performance" no other driver was interested in paying to drive for MSport so Suninen got a discount.

TypeR

2nd April 2021, 19:36

Damn, wanted to edit the post, but on ,,full site,, mode it deleted(has happened before)..

Mknight, your point can be also true..

Francis44

6th April 2021, 11:08

Latvala: "Full EVs wont work for rally. If there is no sound, the cars are converted in nothing. I hope for alternative fuels."

https://www.rallit.fi/jari-matti-latvalalta-tiukka-linjaus-tarjosi-oman-ehdotuksensa-rallin-mm-sarjaan-olisi-mielestani-paras-ralliteille/

EstWRC

7th April 2021, 07:08

Teemu Suninen Racing

Happy to announce that I get to drive some extra rallies in 2021. We'll be in action again at the Rally Croatia piloting Ford Fiesta Rally2 in the WRC2. �� It’s an event that wasn’t on my calendar at the start of the year, but the more time we get behind the wheel the better! I’ve not driven one of those cars for a long time, but it will be a good experience. Looking forward to the challenge on April 22-25th

https://www.facebook.com/motorsportsuninen/posts/303400687812124

Kenneth

7th April 2021, 08:21

Ingram will start in 6 WRC3 rallies.

EstWRC

7th April 2021, 08:30

duuuude, you need to provide official links...the people here wont believe you

Chris Ingram
@ChrisIngramGB

And competing in our debut season of the @officialwrc FIA World Rally Championship!

A dream come true and the biggest opportunity of my life. Thank you so much to all of my partners and everyone who has made this reality ��

We begin our debut WRC campaign @croatia_rally

https://twitter.com/ChrisIngramGB/status/1379709142336733185?s=20

Fast Eddie WRC

7th April 2021, 08:34

Awesome news for Chris Ingram ! More confirmation and details...

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNW3550HPrh/?igshid=1pegxpoq7hblb

Dirtfish:
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/erc-champion-chris-ingram-to-tackle-full-wrc3-campaign/

rallyfiend

7th April 2021, 09:43

Fast Eddie WRC

7th April 2021, 10:38

You must be thumping yourself silly at this news....

It's been a long time coming but I knew he would never give up fighting. He certainly deserves his chance with all the effort he has put in and obstacles he's had to overcome.

Fast Eddie WRC

7th April 2021, 10:44

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyXTGzPWgAAcSR1?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyXTGzjWQAAiLCc?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyXTG0MWQAQnJT2?format=jpg&name=large

dupanton

7th April 2021, 11:00

Not starting in San Remo is not a good start, I hope it's not budget troubles...

AnttiL

7th April 2021, 11:26

I hope Ingram gets to start, I want to see his pace against WRC3 regulars.

Fast Eddie WRC

7th April 2021, 13:05

Not starting in San Remo is not a good start, I hope it's not budget troubles...

He's testing next week... probably more valuable after being out of an R5 car for 18 months.

dupanton

7th April 2021, 14:45

Yes correct, 2 days in France. Not a bad choice indeed

mknight

7th April 2021, 15:52

7th April 2021, 20:07

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyXTGzPWgAAcSR1?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyXTGzjWQAAiLCc?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyXTG0MWQAQnJT2?format=jpg&name=large

Great livery and also an intelligent one if you are the main sponsor - you can actually read their name clearly on the bonnet, side and rear of the car!

Lancia Stratos

8th April 2021, 12:46

New host town for Sweden;
https://twitter.com/OfficialWRC/status/1380128312681435143

BleAivano

8th April 2021, 14:44

New host town for Sweden;
https://twitter.com/OfficialWRC/status/1380128312681435143

Umeå is good choice IMO, relatively big city with good transportation connections (train, airplane and by road as well as a ferry to Vasa in Finland) and should be able to offer
a fairly good amount of hotel rooms. The area around Vännäs west of Umeå have hosted many successful rounds in the Swedish rally championship.
The disadvantage is the distance from South East Norway with the Oslo-Hamar region.

https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/varmland/svenska-rallyt-lamnar-varmland-flyttas-till-umea
https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/just-nu-svenska-rallyt-lamnar-varmland-en-epok-gar-i-graven

Two stages with Ekström from last year's SM-round in Umeå. Some of them will surely be used in next year's WRC round.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHmYBlAA8Ms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UPVtG00rrQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qBR1BDIlm8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXqLiInMWBI

Sulland

8th April 2021, 18:35

Looking forward to the new stages in Sweden.
If Corona is under control by then, maybe I will go to the new round in Mid-Sweden!

Rallyper

9th April 2021, 09:46

Hotelprices in Umeå went crazy for the expected dates of rally, just an hour after official.

SubaruNorway

9th April 2021, 11:17

If they start to take advantage of the event like they did in Estonia last year with insane prices I will miss it for sure, enough other events that will be easier and cheaper to travel to. Even I live in Norway total travel time to Jyväskylä for example is about 4 hours less than Umeå.

bomber21

9th April 2021, 14:12

Mikkelsen would like to drive for M-Sport in 2022
https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc/mikkelsen-eyes-top-flight-comeback-at-m-sport-ford/

DocMS

9th April 2021, 21:15

Hotelprices in Umeå went crazy for the expected dates of rally, just an hour after official.Absolute joke some of the prices. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210409/c56a6e718b784cbba1379f467524897c.jpg

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lmmjvss

9th April 2021, 21:56

Wait.. WHAT??? 19k euros?????????????????? Five nights????
Dude... in live in south america and our minimum wage (converting to euros) is 2.4k euros.

>> per year!!!!

I'd have to work for yeeeeears to spend 5 nights on that hotel hahaha
This is just crazy. Hope its just a late april's fool prank.

ictus

10th April 2021, 05:33

Absolute joke some of the prices. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210409/c56a6e718b784cbba1379f467524897c.jpg

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I take it you found the most expensive one... Scandinavian prices were allways higher than most other european countries. And You do know the shown price is for 8 adults? I am also guessing breakfast and dinner are included, so for a fancy 4 star hotel....

cali

10th April 2021, 05:54

I take it you found the most expensive one... Scandinavian prices were allways higher than most other european countries. And You do know the shown price is for 8 adults? I am also guessing breakfast and dinner are included, so for a fancy 4 star hotel....Well it's 2430 €/person making it 486 €/night which still is a quite expensive

Fortunately there will be cheaper ways as was in Rally Estonia when all the expensive offers got the coverage but there was a lot of affordable or cheaper ways.

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DocMS

10th April 2021, 06:44

I take it you found the most expensive one... Scandinavian prices were allways higher than most other european countries. And You do know the shown price is for 8 adults? I am also guessing breakfast and dinner are included, so for a fancy 4 star hotel....This may be one of the more expensive ones yes and it's only for bed & breakfast. It's 8 Adults as that is how many in my group. The same hotel is €14,000 cheaper for 5 nights outside of Rally week so my point is they are trying to be extortionate

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Franky

10th April 2021, 11:11

This may be one of the more expensive ones yes and it's only for bed & breakfast. It's 8 Adults as that is how many in my group. The same hotel is €14,000 cheaper for 5 nights outside of Rally week so my point is they are trying to be extortionate

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Does Booking use algorithms to adjust the prices, when the demand goes up/spikes?

wyler

12th April 2021, 09:10

news from Adamo at rally San Remo:

hiunday to start testing hybrid rally1 with the veloster (probably based on veloster n etcr)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9_P04VbHUQ

ita source:
https://www.rallyeslalom.com/wrc-la-rally1-di-hyundai-nascera-dalla-veloster/

also reported: engineer claims the new car will be slower but more spectacular to watch

Fast Eddie WRC

12th April 2021, 12:49

Sounds good if true. And better to use and promote a sporty car than an SUV.

HKSjbg

12th April 2021, 13:29

I think the Veloster ETCR is just the choice of test mule. They’ve already confirmed the Rally1 car will be based on the i20N - but still, it’s not an awful SUV!

AnttiL

12th April 2021, 14:13

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc/my-perfect-rally-antti-loponen/

They asked me to participate in this Perfect Rally series :)

HKSjbg

12th April 2021, 16:31

I just found some onboards of Pengonpohja... wow, what a stage!

mknight

12th April 2021, 23:23

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/how-croatia-could-define-breens-wrc-career/

Like I often do I mostly agree with Barry.

In Croatia he seemingly has basically just about all advantages he will ever get to do well on tarmac and he has to do well to move on from "fast gravel only" picks.

Only two small things:

All in all, Breen has never been able to compete on a more even keel before and fight for the top places in a car that he loves and can win rallies.

Is that true on tarmac? He only ever drove one Belgian rally against R5s in it and I haven't heard any comments from there.

Breen has all the minerals to succeed as a top-line driver for a factory team in the WRC. Those that know have known that for a long while now.

This partly contradicts the whole article..... cause Breen has no good WRC result on tarmac and not really on slower gravel either. Which is why Croatia is very important.

Realistically a good result would be if he is faster than at least one of the other 5 (Neuville, Tanak, Evans, Ogier, Rovanpera) and not far behind the others. Being just behind all these would still be kind of ok, anything worse is game over for future tarmac starts as long as Sordo is driving.