Azores Rallye 2021

[Reis Eduardo]

Regulations Azores Rally 2021

https://portal.fpak.pt/pub/doc/963/134341

[Tom K]

FP and QS in Remedios. I could bet all my money on this :D

[Reis Eduardo]

FP and QS in Remedios. I could bet all my money on this :D

Yes, it is the same place as in previous years.

[Tom K]

Anyway fingers crossed. Absolutely amazing rally and island.

[Tom K]

Still 3 weeks, but it seems that on fifth attempt 55 edition of the rally will go ahead :bounce:

https://www.azoresrallye.com/noticias/health-authority-gives-azores-rallye-the-green-light/

[Reis Eduardo]

ERC AZORES RALLYE 2021 (SAFETY AND INFO)
https://www.facebook.com/azoresrallye/videos/566296054412736

[Reis Eduardo]

Today was the presentation of the Azores Rally. During the presentation the Chairman of the Organization Committee announced some names:
Alexey Lukyanuk
Andreas Mikkelsen
Erik Cais
Efrén Llarena
Miko Marczyk
Nobert Herczig
Umberto Scandola
Yoan Bonato
Nil Solans
Simone Tempestini
Joan Vinyes
Javier Pardo
Dmitry Fefanov
Victor Cartier
Pep Bassas
Franceschi Jean-Baptiste
and the local drivers
Luís Miguel Rego
Pedro Antunes
Rafael Botelho
Ricardo Moura
Ruben Rodrigues
Bruno Amaral
these all in Rally2/R5

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-rX9yGX0AAz8rw?format=jpg&name=900x900

[mknight]

From the article on dirtfish it seems he will drive the old car?
(might have something to do with transport to Azores I guess)

Well the tire seems to be competetive on gravel now (see Italy and Finland), guess it depends on the weather whether the car will be.

[PLuto]

From the article on dirtfish it seems he will drive the old car?
(might have something to do with transport to Azores I guess)

Well the tire seems to be competetive on gravel now (see Italy and Finland), guess it depends on the weather whether the car will be.

Yes, he will drive the old car.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-sf99-WUAI_z5L?format=jpg&name=large

https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/68539-azores-rallye-2021/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So Mikkelsen here with a new co-driver, Elliott Edmondson. It could be a smart choice as he was on the Azores Rallye in 2017 with Chris Ingram.

[Jarek Z]

Are all top Portuguese drivers missing?

[RICARDO75]

Are all top Portuguese drivers missing?

Not part of portuguese championship this year

[Jarek Z]

So it's just 29 crews and that's all? It looks so sad:
https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/static.fiaerc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Azores-Rallye-2021-entry-list.pdf

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No Callum Devine making the trip either. :(

[pantealex]

So it's just 29 crews and that's all? It looks so sad:
https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/static.fiaerc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Azores-Rallye-2021-entry-list.pdf

44 Totally , 29 for ERC
https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/68539-azores-rallye-2021/

[RS]

So it's just 29 crews and that's all? It looks so sad:
https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/static.fiaerc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Azores-Rallye-2021-entry-list.pdf

Two WRC winners plus most normal ERC crews looks pretty decent to me.

[Lead]

Would be cool if Lukyanuk could win this weekend and spice things up in the championship standings. One more mistake/misfortune from him and it will be really tough to stop safely driving Mikkelsen.

[mknight]

With Monza now being scheduled on same weekend as Canarias (unlike Japan that was week before), Mikkelsen likely won't run in Canarias. So he will have one less start.
Only 7 out of 8 results are counted in ERC, but still it's anything but decided.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Azores Rally TV will be live from this afternoon and during the whole rally. :)

https://youtube.com/c/Azoresrallyelive

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Explanation why Callum Devine is missing Azores (from Rally Insight) :

"The County Derry driver had no time to dwell on finishing seventh on Barum Rally two weeks ago, his best result in the European Rally Championship this year. His Ford Fiesta Rally2’s engine was recalled for a rebuild by M-Sport and it was all systems go to make Azores work.

In the end, the rebuild time coupled with the logistics of getting to the remote North Atlantic islands meant Devine had to make the tough call to miss ERC’s next round."

[Lead]

Shakedown already stopped because stage blocked (#14 Chwietczuk had an accident).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lukyanuk chose 21st place on the road - the others followed after him and then directly before him.

[Jarek Z]

Shakedown already stopped because stage blocked (#14 Chwietczuk had an accident).

There is already a video of this crash:
https://rallypl.com/video/video-wypadek-zalogi-chwietczuk-baran-na-odcinku-testowym-przed-rajdem-azorow-2021/?fbclid=IwAR24AnVH4vL40cHyhcSO99gIIc8Zt9nb6R6JcBvR LGbFnhi9MNES2x_StuE

Result - broken suspension:
https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1438504841899245568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1438504841899245568%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpl.motorsport.com%2Ferc%2Fne ws%2Flukjaniuk-rozpoczal-najlepiej-przygoda-chwietczuka%2F6668709%2F

[Jarek Z]

A bunch of links to watch the rally online:
https://www.fiaerc.com/fans-meet-their-erc-heroes-in-the-azores/

[Lead]

Its foggy and wet at ss1

EDIT: and raining heavily

[focus206]

3rd ERC round in a row that Ola Jr Nore "doesn't start", weird...

EDIT: on ewrc-results, it now says "codriver ill"... they're having a very unlucky season then.

[Jarek Z]

Solans out already on the first stage.

[Lead]

Lukyanuk puncture, lost almost 2min :(

[Lead]

Mikkelsen also with problems, whipers not working, lost a lot in ss2

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lukyanuk showing his class on SS2.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

And then Luky shows his other side on SS3, damaging the car.

And Bonato rolled.

Stage now cancelled.

[Lead]

Sordo's Hyundai still has Irish flag on roof vent :)

[Sulland]

3rd ERC round in a row that Ola Jr Nore "doesn't start", weird...

EDIT: on ewrc-results, it now says "codriver ill"... they're having a very unlucky season then.

Incident in hotel this morning, Ola says on his facebook page. Not sure what kind of incident, but his new swedish co-driver is not fit to work.

[ouvreur]

Sordo's Hyundai still has Irish flag on roof vent :)

That would be the national flag of India, sir ;)

[Lead]

That would be the national flag of India, sir ;)

Ok, my bad, sorry.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Scandola's answer to a misting windscreen ! :D

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E_f02uTWYAw9bZ7?format=jpg&name=900x900

[RS]

Llarena doing a good job so far.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Sordo impressing too (especially being on the MRF's).

[Jarek Z]

Bonato's car is written off:
https://www.fiaerc.com/bonato-explains-erc-azores-crash/

[Iraquiano]

Lukyanuk and Moura lost time on SS6 due to dust from the car on the other lane. They had to slow down considerably in one particular section of the track. (They both started on the same side on different heats)

Still everything open for tomorrow

[RS]

Luky crash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7YxjLShhBE

Bonato crash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMpryKlo1gM

Mikkelsen SS1, such a ‘busy’ rally for driver and co-driver! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O5zaj6LY4c

[Fast Eddie WRC]

He was very 'Luky' to get away with that !

[RS]

He was very 'Luky' to get away with that !

He was, but it wasn’t a big mistake. Shows how easy it is to come unstuck here.

[RS]

The combination of heli footage and stageside footage from the local tv worked well on the live broadcast today. Impressive the local broadcaster could do that.

[Lead]

Mikkelsen SS1, such a ‘busy’ rally for driver and co-driver! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O5zaj6LY4c

Really demanding stage!
Small moment at 6:18
15:54 Solans crash place

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Top 10 run in reverse order today

[TWRC]

Lukyanuk with 2 punctures, so they're "going for a beer, game over"

[RS]

Lukyanuk with 2 punctures, so they're "going for a beer, game over"

What a shame. Bad luck or Pirelli less resistant to punctures than Michelin or MRF?

At least we have a battle for the lead between Mikkelsen and Sordo.

[TWRC]

Herczig also retires with suspension damage after hitting a wall.
https://scontent-vie1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/242174266_4639816659375277_4875197897767605264_n.j pg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=LIS64XSgJWwAX82AOw6&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.xx&oh=0c4fe79fd1f4b5db8e1364b37cd49545&oe=616A904F

[Jarek Z]

Herczig also retires with suspension damage after hitting a wall.

He retired twice from the same rally - after crashing on the first stage of the first leg and today on the first stage of the second leg.

[TWRC]

Yes, didnt exactly turn out to be a good event for him.

[Jarek Z]

Lukyanuk says that he took only one spare tyre, because his plan was to go fast and try to be as fast as possible. Now he is out of the rally:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-champion-lukyanuk-out-of-55th-azores-rallye/

Will it cost him the championship?

[Jarek Z]

Bonato crash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMpryKlo1gM

Bonato's car blocking Marczyk:
https://scontent.fktw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/242197064_1003717387094792_692228326131111760_n.jp g?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=BaJoiLFDMQ0AX9I0lB6&_nc_ht=scontent.fktw1-1.fna&oh=5997e2fbeaf6d79fc9ee7f2c476e1326&oe=614A3BC8

[TWRC]

Lukyanuk says that he took only one spare tyre, because his plan was to go fast and try to be as fast as possible. Now he is out of the rally:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-champion-lukyanuk-out-of-55th-azores-rallye/

Will it cost him the championship?

I think the Barum test crash & DNS will cost him the title more than this rally, obviously it doesn't help him that he couldn't score good points here.

[Lead]

This Sete Cidades stage has to be one of the most iconic/spectacular stages in the world

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Cais stopped :(

[Danny0405]

If no issue for him, Mikkelsen will secure the title in Hungary (no need to go in Canarias in that case so he could go to Monza) because Marczyk and Llarena are consistent but too average to beat him on this basis (especially with the 7 out of 8 rules)
Finally, his new approach since his crashes may allow him to win both WRC-2 and ERC titles. But not sure it will be enough to give him a WRC spot (even part-time) in terms of absolute performance. Even if I think a M-Sport deal (part-time WRC + full 7-rounds WRC-2 season) would be a good deal for both if M-Sport wants to improve its Rally2 car (like Citroen did with Ostberg). But it needs M-Sport to make some investment with Mikkelsen

[Fast Eddie WRC]

0.1s gap now !!

[Lead]

Mikkelsen and Sordo going at it

[Danny0405]

Really interesting fight between Mikkelsen and Sordo, let’s see what happen. I would bet on Sordo because I don’t think Mikkelsen will take the same level of risks because of the championship (he can do it in 3-4 stages like in Greece but not on a full rally if he wants to avoid a crash like in Sardinia and it would be a pity to spoil such a good situation). But the tyres could also make the difference

[Jarek Z]

If no issue for him, Mikkelsen will secure the title in Hungary (no need to go in Canarias in that case so he could go to Monza) because Marczyk and Llarena are consistent but too average to beat him on this basis (especially with the 7 out of 8 rules)

Yes, Lukyanuk was the only serious competitor for Mikkelsen in this year's ERC. He had a very good start of the season, beating Mikkelsen twice, but then he screwed it all up...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Two disasterous events in a row for Lukyanuk. If Mikkelsen doesnt win the ERC Title now it will take some massive mistakes. But I think he has finally learned the way to win is consistency.

[RS]

Lukyanuk says that he took only one spare tyre, because his plan was to go fast and try to be as fast as possible. Now he is out of the rally:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-champion-lukyanuk-out-of-55th-azores-rallye/

Will it cost him the championship?

I don't think he much cares about championship titles but rather individual performances against other good drivers like he managed in Estonia this year.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

He' s spoken a lot about 'enjoying' rallies during this season... but he surely cant do that if he doesnt start or finish them.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Another costly mistake for Cais...

https://www.fiaerc.com/heavy-landing-hits-cais-hard-in-erc/

[Lead]

#1
flag
Mikkelsen Andreas - Edmondson Elliott
"It's been a good morning, we are in the fight, so looking forward for the afternoon. We will give everything."
Before last 3 stages Mikkelsen says no backing off

[Danny0405]

Two disasterous events in a row for Lukyanuk. If Mikkelsen doesnt win the ERC Title now it will take some massive mistakes. But I think he has finally learned the way to win is consistency.

The issue for Mikkelsen is that he targets a job in Rally1. And considering his experience, people think it is almost normal if he wins WRC-2 and ERC championships (against Lukyanuk, Llarena, Marczyk, Bulacia and Ostberg)
So he must show other than just consistency at one moment (especially now which is the decisive period of silly season) even if it is important for him to win championships. It may explain what he has just said after the last stage and I think it is why he took risks at the beginning of the season.

Even if I’m not a fan, I must recognize his position is not simple between just winning championships (with some consistency Ingram-style) and showing speed (to attract Hyundai or M-Sport or, less probably, Toyota).
In this Rallye, he has shown good speed if we remember his wipers’ issues in SS2.

[Danny0405]

Almost done for Mikkelsen, seems like Sordo’s tyres will not allow him to be in the fight.
"It's OK, I already have no new tyres, but I'm happy."

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The issue for Mikkelsen is that he targets a job in Rally1. And considering his experience, people think it is almost normal if he wins WRC-2 and ERC championships (against Lukyanuk, Llarena, Marczyk, Bulacia and Ostberg)
So he must show other than just consistency at one moment (especially now which is the decisive period of silly season) even if it is important for him to win championships. It may explain what he has just said after the last stage and I think it is why he took risks at the beginning of the season.

Even if I’m not a fan, I must recognize his position is not simple between just winning championships (with some consistency Ingram-style) and showing speed (to attract Hyundai or M-Sport or, less probably, Toyota).
In this Rallye, he has shown good speed if we remember his wipers’ issues in SS2.

Indeed.

Although there is no real real doubt about his speed (he is a former WRC rally winner), but he has been seen as inconsistent over the years, probably hence why he fell out of the WRC when VW quit.

Teams are looking for both speed and consistency and he can show the latter best now by ensuring a couple of Titles.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

BTW, great live coverage by Azores Rally TV again today, with both stage side and helicopter coverage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5nDE0TGHy8

[Lead]

Hats off to local Azores Rallye TV all weekend - superb coverage, no issues (all stages, heli shots, interviews from service etc). And all free on youtube, great stuff.

[RS]

I'd imagine the heli stuff is from Eurosport and in return ERC Youtube/Facebook uses Azores TV stage side footage on their coverage. It would be a good model to persue going forward, if Eurosport were staying.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Mikkelsen takes another 6.7s out of Sordo. His lead is 14.3s with one stage to go.

[TWRC]

Well done to Mikkelsen and Edmondson, they managed the day perfectly, and their calculations were absolutely spot on. Also good job by Sordo and Carrera, they also did very well with new tyres and not the best R5. Llarena and Sara finishes 3rd in the end after Moura's roll, also well done to both teams! :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Sad end for Moura after a great drive by the Azorean after two years away from rallying.

[Lead]

Stupid mistake (his words) from Moura at the last stage, lost a podium :(

[Tom K]

Sete Cidades was visible so anybody first time in Azores Rally can ticked the event :) Any rumors about future? Would be really sad to lost this event, but if Fafe is gonna to be in ERC then... Plus somebody from WRC Promoter saying bulshit that ERC should be on continent.

[Sulland]

Top drive from Mikkelsen on this one.
Correct tempo to be close to the top, at the same time not to run out of tyres for the last loop.

[dimviii]

Moura
https://twitter.com/MundoRallyes/status/1439279830156075013

[Lead]

Moura
https://twitter.com/MundoRallyes/status/1439279830156075013

What a way to loose a 3rd place by 3sec... no wonder he looked completely devastated at the finish line.

[Jarek Z]

Any rumors about future? Would be really sad to lost this event, but if Fafe is gonna to be in ERC then... Plus somebody from WRC Promoter saying bulshit that ERC should be on continent.

Is it really bullshit? It's the most expensive and difficult (logistics-wise) rally in the championship.

[Tom K]

Is it really bullshit? It's the most expensive and difficult (logistics-wise) rally in the championship.

This topic was raised some time ago here (with Cyprus in the background), and Azores Rallye was on similar level with Canarias. Ferry is mostly paid by organizers, you can also get few tickets (per team) Portugal <-> Azores and discounted hotels. Logistics? Of course you are not in team-base next day, but still this is not Japan or Kenya. Canarias? Similar situation, but you need to go to Cadiz instead of Setubal.

Both island events are more expensive than Barum or Hungary, of course. But it's European Championship, not Central European Championship.

[Jarek Z]

I like this rally and I understand your arguments, but does it really make much sense to have only 2 ERC3 drivers competing, with only 1 at the finish line? Even the Portuguese drivers don't want to compete there.

[TheFlyingTuga]

I like this rally and I understand your arguments, but does it really make much sense to have only 2 ERC3 drivers competing, with only 1 at the finish line? Even the Portuguese drivers don't want to compete there.

Due to some... Issues with the organizers and the Portuguese Federation Azores was taken out of the Portuguese Championship. As you'd might imagine with Fafe in two weeks most of the teams stood in Portugal for this rally as its way expensive just for a one off in the ERC

[RS]

Just caught up with the live coverage of the final stage, great footage and a good idea to have Sete Cidades as final stage of the rally!

Onboard of Mikkelsen from that stage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6UUayDIN-M

[bomber21]

Cete Sidades is so amazing!!!

[Jarek Z]

Hats off to local Azores Rallye TV all weekend - superb coverage, no issues (all stages, heli shots, interviews from service etc). And all free on youtube, great stuff.


I'd imagine the heli stuff is from Eurosport and in return ERC Youtube/Facebook uses Azores TV stage side footage on their coverage. It would be a good model to persue going forward, if Eurosport were staying.


BTW, great live coverage by Azores Rally TV again today, with both stage side and helicopter coverage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5nDE0TGHy8

That's right. It was great to see the cooperation between Eurosport and Azores Rally TV. Eurosport usually use too much helicopter footage, so it was good to see more stage side shots this time.

[PLuto]

Is it really bullshit? It's the most expensive and difficult (logistics-wise) rally in the championship.

Where did you found it is more expensive? In terms of budget for the team from Central Europe, it is not so big difference between Azores or Fafe for example...

[Danny0405]

Where did you found it is more expensive? In terms of budget for the team from Central Europe, it is not so big difference between Azores or Fafe for example...

WRC teams regularly said Sardinia and Corsica are quite expensive because of their island situation and it is one of the reason of Corsica regularly being threatened (and finally disappeared).
If we include that ERC have both Canarias and Azores currently and that it is way further from the continent than Sardinia and Corsica, I would think it is really expensive (but no figure about it).

I agree that Fafe is not cheap for a Central Europe team but I think Azores is still more expensive (the same for Canarias).
I’m not talking about the quality of the rally, just on the cost

[PLuto]

WRC teams regularly said Sardinia and Corsica are quite expensive because of their island situation and it is one of the reason of Corsica regularly being threatened (and finally disappeared).
If we include that ERC have both Canarias and Azores currently and that it is way further from the continent than Sardinia and Corsica, I would think it is really expensive (but no figure about it).

I agree that Fafe is not cheap for a Central Europe team but I think Azores is still more expensive (the same for Canarias).
I’m not talking about the quality of the rally, just on the cost

I am also talking in terms of the costs, believe me. "Problem" in this calculation is that organisers of Azores are helping the competitors to cover some costs. So despite in total costs island event is more expensive for sure, teams dont need to spend all of that money.