Rally Liepaja 2021

[Jarek Z]

Rally Liepaja is going to be the second round of 2021 European Rally Championship. This gravel event is going to be held between July 1 and July 3 in Latvia.

Official website:
http://2021.lvrally.com/eng

Publication of the entry list:
Tuesday, 22 June 2021, 21:00

Recent winners:
2020: Oliver Solberg/Aaron Johnston (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5)
2019: Oliver Solberg/Aaron Johnston (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5)
2018: Nikolay Gryazin/Yaroslav Fedorov (Škoda Fabia R5)
2017: Nikolay Gryazin/Yaroslav Fedorov (Škoda Fabia R5)
2016: Ralfs Sirmacis/Arturs Šimins (Škoda Fabia R5)

[Jarek Z]

Updated list of entries can be found below (there are already over 20 R5 cars):
http://autorally.lv/?s=2021&r=198&m=21&l=2

[pantealex]

Updated list of entries can be found below (there are already over 20 R5 cars):
http://autorally.lv/?s=2021&r=198&m=21&l=2

eWRC also has more than 20 crews for RC2...

[SubaruNorway]

Veiby's ban has been lifted i guess, or was it just for wrc?

[Sulland]

I dont think They took his licence, so guessing it only was WRC.

[mknight]

It says he is entered by Printsport but with i20. Does that mean that paying for "factory" redgrey team is over and he just picks Hyundai cause he knows the car best or only that redgrey is not available?

[Jarek Z]

Rally Liepāja is open to spectators, but only the ones that have a valid Covid certificate:
http://2021.lvrally.com/eng/news/259

[pantealex]

It says he is entered by Printsport but with i20. Does that mean that paying for "factory" redgrey team is over and he just picks Hyundai cause he knows the car best or only that redgrey is not available?

They have "own" i20 in Norway.
https://www.ewrc-results.com/carinfo/60-hyundai-i20-r5/?car=4474
Chassis #83
Printsport knows the car because they have worked with Huttunen´s set-up this and last year.
Also Veiby is old Printsport driver

RedGrey hard to say, maybe Veiby isn´t welcomed anymore ?
and (rented) Skoda for him is still out of question.

[PLuto]

Updated list of entries can be found below (there are already over 20 R5 cars):
http://autorally.lv/?s=2021&r=198&m=21&l=2

Dont worry, there will be more competitors and more R5 cars. This list is not final one.

[Jarek Z]

This list is not final one.

Shouldn't the final entry list have been published on Tuesday, 22 June 2021? Where is it? :)

[PLuto]

Shouldn't the final entry list have been published on Tuesday, 22 June 2021? Where is it? :)

Closing date for entries was delayed. So also publication of entry list was delayed.

[Jarek Z]

Closing date for entries was delayed. So also publication of entry list was delayed.

Thanks for the information. The updated entry list looks better and better. Oscar Solberg and Sami Pajari were added yesterday.
http://autorally.lv/?s=2021&r=198&m=21&l=2

[PLuto]

Thanks for the information. The updated entry list looks better and better. Oscar Solberg and Sami Pajari were added yesterday.
http://autorally.lv/?s=2021&r=198&m=21&l=2

There is over 60 crews. As far as I know, entry list is now on approval on FIA.

[mknight]

Starting to get kind of weird without full entry list less than a week before. Wonder if Østberg or maybe someone else like Oliver Solberg show up to test before Estonia.

Maybe the delay is due to FIA having issues with Veiby on the start list?

[Co-driven]

Maybe the delay is due to FIA having issues with Veiby on the start list?

I don't think so, because that Stewards Decision is clear stating that his suspension is on World Rally Championship events.

[Tom K]

62 crews on the "live" updated entry list, but I do not know if it is final. 31 Rally2 cars.

[mknight]

Lukyanuk is there now, so it might be "final".

Still kinda disappointing there is nobody else "testing" for Estonia (like Østberg, Fourmaux, Huttunen,Solberg ).

[dimviii]

Gryazin must have a unique record.He had crashed at same stage same corner on both directions.

https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-qa-nikolay-gryazin/

[sindroms]

Gryazin must have a unique record.He had crashed at same stage same corner on both directions.

https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-qa-nikolay-gryazin/

2016 - https://youtu.be/55SvoE0xbl8
2020 - https://youtu.be/8Zazn67f05U

[Andre Oliveira]

62 crews on the "live" updated entry list, but I do not know if it is final. 31 Rally2 cars.

Final one have 61: https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/68542-rally-liepaja-2021/

Igor Bulantsev is the dissapeared one.

[Jarek Z]

Good entry list.
But... only 5 Estonians out of 61 crews. A little sad.

[drive]

Two days to go and still no stage maps...

[pantealex]

Good entry list.
But... only 5 Estonians out of 61 crews. A little sad.

it´s sad that there is only 2 local (Latvia) entries.


WRC Estonia has only 10 Estonian crews.

so 5 in foreign ERC is good amount. (and 2,5x more than local entries)

[KKSF]

FIA ERC Rally Liepaja 2021 Official Tests video:
https://youtu.be/7s9tm32PNpU

[RS]

Looking forward to the rally but I don’t expect a particularly close battle. Imagine Gryazin will be well clear, then Luky then Mikelssen. Hopefully Breen can get in the mix.

[Jarek Z]

it´s sad that there is only 2 local (Latvia) entries

Yes, you are right. Thank you for correcting me. I was thinking about local drivers, but because Rally Estonia is so close I counted Estonians instead of Latvians. It's been too hot lately :)

So what I really wanted to say is that it is sad that there are only 2 Latvian drivers in a Latvian rally.

Apologies to all Estonians! ;)

[Jarek Z]

Looking forward to the rally but I don’t expect a particularly close battle. Imagine Gryazin will be well clear, then Luky then Mikelssen. Hopefully Breen can get in the mix.

Llarena doesn't even try to fight with them:
https://www.fiaerc.com/llarena-not-focused-on-out-of-this-world-lukyanuk-and-mikkelsen-in-erc/

[mknight]

What I wonder about is if someone will try some "special" approach to qualifying. Seeing how big advantage Gryazin had in Poland on first runs.

Gryazin should be fast, he has been driving this rally every year for a long time and won twice already. Unlike i20 last year the Polo is seemingly also very good on this kind of rally (see also Solberg last year). The big question is whether he will make it to the finish.

[RS]

Another test video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKjo7OnM2IQ

[Mirek]

You, who have instagram, can watch onboard of Cais from the test: https://www.instagram.com/erikcaisrally/?hl=cs

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lukyanuk was very happy after his test, saying the car feels awesome and they made changes to the set-up which should take seconds off their times.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Mikkelsen interview:
http://2021.lvrally.com/eng/news/263

[sindroms]

Free practice is on:
GPS tracking - http://gps.autorally.lv/
Live results - http://lrc.lv/?m=41&l=2

[RS]

Nice time by Marczyk in FP2, although i think he may have benefited from a cleaner road doing his run later.

[Lead]

Some tactics already from Breen? 10sec off fastest time.

[RS]

Some tactics already from Breen? 10sec off fastest time.

Seems so, but is that really useful for MRF if they can't compare like-for-like?

[mknight]

It's actually rainshowers there it seems, looks like it rained just an hour ago, then it should be clear 17-18 and after it should rain again. (looking on radar)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Marczyk looks fastest from Gryazin - could be a 4-way battle here. Not sure about Breen and the MRFs.

[mknight]

Lol sorry, though qualifying started first 17 CET....anyway, rainshowers were there.

[mknight]

If anything it looks like Breen was playing tactics to get late road position.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Linnamäe & Kreim gone welll but the road is much cleaner now.

[mknight]

Yes from MRF racing Twitter it seems they did that on purpose with Breen. After Poland I was wondering if someone would do that on purpose here.

It's not without risk though, easy to get stuck behind someone with issues on stage or get a bad notional time.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Any news on what happened to Munster ?

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5OsMChWUAAf4GM?format=jpg&name=large

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5PJtCUX0AIiszB?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5PK8ZIXoAUDh4d?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5PKt0IWQAIeBcA?format=jpg&name=large

[RS]

Footage from qualy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9pA4gWiptA

[Tom K]

Quite strange. Seems like they put more detailed attention to roll cage, maybe after Rai crash in Kenya. Polonski wrote on his Facebook that it's rather Abarth's fault.

[mknight]

How can they re-weld the cages in less then 3 hours?

[dimviii]

How can they re-weld the cages in less then 3 hours?

must be just a part of cage probably

[wwbroe]

Apparently Munster got green light to start the rally, they fixed the issue while others were doing qualifying.

[wwbroe]

He will start 32 on road, be it behind a slow Fiesta R3 from Zoltan

[Lead]

Interesting day ahead of us, it will be a close battles. Can Gryazin show his superb speed and keep it on the road this time? Will Breen tactics pay off? Can Marczyk use his starting position and set a good stage times? Mikkelsen vs Lukyanuk mini-battle etc.

[RS]

SS1 live in 5 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zqkSyc_Pmo

[Jarek Z]

Marczyk looks fastest from Gryazin - could be a 4-way battle here. Not sure about Breen and the MRFs.

Marczyk is quite good, but I don't think he is on the same level. Perhaps he can match Gryazin's speed on very short stages only?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Seeing some chicanes - dont remember them here before ?

[RS]

Great time by Solans compared to others who have completed the stage.

[Jarek Z]

Very bad stage times from Bonato and Scandola. It's not good to clean the road on this rally.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good stage by Mikkelsen 9s up on Luky !

[Lead]

Gryazin fastest, but only by little. Good run by Mikkelsen. Now lets wait what Breen is up to.

[RS]

Marczyk is quite good, but I don't think he is on the same level. Perhaps he can match Gryazin's speed on very short stages only?

Good job on SS1. probably helps that his car is run by SRT who know how to set up a car for these roads.

[Sulland]

Using facebook live, that is a good platform, and does not cost to use - why cant the erc radio/video crew hold on for a bit longer, to give a bit of publisity for the up and coming in Rally3/4/5. they need it to get more sponsors!

[Lead]

Using facebook live, that is a good platform, and does not cost to use - why cant the erc radio/video crew hold on for a bit longer, to give a bit of publisity for the up and coming in Rally3/4/5. they need it to get more sponsors!

They are eaten alive by huge Latvian flies it seems... :D

[RS]

Great times by Breen and especially Llarena coming through later on SS1.

[Lead]

Interesting what is that "special" tyre strategy Gryazin is using and talking about for Estonia?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Munster's bad luck continues with a puncture on SS1. :(

[dimviii]

Larena 2nd overall after ss 2!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Oscar Solberg 35s off Ken Torn after 2 stages in the Fiesta Rally3's.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Larena 2nd overall after ss 2!

Must be the clean road for him.

Mikkelsen & Lukyanuk wont be happy being 'beaten' by such guys.

[RS]

Afternoon is NOT a repeat of the morning loop so swept road advantage will remain for the later crews, today at least.

[Sulland]

Oscar Solberg 35s off Ken Torn after 2 stages in the Fiesta Rally3's.

I think that is really good actually.
Solberg has not done man ss km last 2-3 years, so he has a lot of "steering-rust" to get rid of, at the same time as learning a new car. Torn has done a few km in the Rally3! ;-)

If Oscar can get to the finish, and get km in his system, and closing in on Torn speed per km SS, he should be happy with his weekend.

[Tom K]

Penalty for Mikkelsen - one minute.

[Lead]

Penalty for Mikkelsen - one minute.

Ouch.

[Sulland]

Penalty for Mikkelsen - one minute.

Is this the reason?

Mikkelsen Andreas - Fløene Ola (https://www.ewrc-results.com/entryinfo/68542-rally-liepaja-2021/3068026/)

"We started one minute late because we didn't have the time on card. So I didn't have the right rhytm in this one."

[RS]

Great split screen footage of heli and onboards from SS5.

Strong words from Lukyanuk.. Breen and Llarena are 'cheating' with the running order shennanigans.

[Jarek Z]

Strong words from Lukyanuk.. Breen and Llarena are 'cheating' with the running order shennanigans.

Didn't he do the same in previous rallies?

[Tom K]

I do not remember anything similar from Luky. Never backed off on the quali if I am correct.

[Jarek Z]

Refresh your memory:
https://dirtfish.com/rally/erc/lukyanuk-34th-in-erc-qualifying-a-strategy-ploy/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_VaR-mNY6o&t=142s

[Tom K]

Heh. My mistake. Was rather searching through gravel events :D And the best strategy for Canarias was spying locals :)

[mknight]

Is this the reason?

Mikkelsen Andreas - Fløene Ola (https://www.ewrc-results.com/entryinfo/68542-rally-liepaja-2021/3068026/)

"We started one minute late because we didn't have the time on card. So I didn't have the right rhytm in this one."

Well this it deserves some explanation at some point. Who should decide the startime? I thought it's always the "starter" at start of the stage that confirms it (if there are delays or hold ups). Did the starters do nothing and expect the crews to start by themselves?
Also who should write the start time on the card? I thought it was the "starters" that do this?

[Lead]

Some confusion about Mikkelsen's penaly. ERC radio is saying organizers likely will take it back?

[Co-driven]

Well this it deserves some explanation at some point. Who should decide the startime? I thought it's always the "starter" at start of the stage that confirms it (if there are delays or hold ups). Did the starters do nothing and expect the crews to start by themselves?
Also who should write the start time on the card? I thought it was the "starters" that do this?

Because of Covid, time control procedures have changed, so the timecard isn't handed anymore for the TC controllers. I don't know what happened to Mikkelsen/Floene, neither I am there, but since last year the starter doesn't write the start time anymore, they just inform it to the co-driver.

[mknight]

Because of Covid, time control procedures have changed, so the timecard isn't handed anymore for the TC controllers. I don't know what happened to Mikkelsen/Floene, neither I am there, but since last year the starter doesn't write the start time anymore, they just inform it to the co-driver.

This is what I have seen in WRC yes.

But since it obviously didn't work did Floene "forgot to ask" and then couldn't find it in the card (his mistake), or did the starter not tell them or said "look on the card? (starters mistake). Can be either of those.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I dont blame Lukyanuk for being angry. Breen should definitely have done a top 15 time in qually.

[mknight]

I dont blame Lukyanuk for being angry. Breen should definitely have done a top 15 time in qually.

Since Gryazin in Poland has inadvertently shown how big advantage this can be it was only a matter of time before someone would exploit it on purpose.

[RS]

Breen and Llarena will be on a more level playing field tomorrow so it shouldn't effect the final result for Lukyanuk, although i guess they do take leg points for this.

They are not breaking any rules, but this is clearly an issue ERC need to fix.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

They are not breaking any rules, but this is clearly an issue ERC need to fix.

Tricky one to solve.

Maybe the slowest 10 Rally2 cars should run first, then have the Top 15 qualifiers in reverse ?

Or, if a driver in the Top 15 places in the Ch'ship does a time outside the top 15 in qualifying they should have to open the road ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gryazin:
“I am happy we are holding this position, even with some difficulties with the grip,” said the Russian. “I am hoping tomorrow will be easier and hopefully the guys at the back will be at the front and we can see the real speed of them.”

[lmmjvss]

"Im angry because Im the only one who can play strategies here"

[mknight]

This is what I have seen in WRC yes.

But since it obviously didn't work did Floene "forgot to ask" and then couldn't find it in the card (his mistake), or did the starter not tell them or said "look on the card? (starters mistake). Can be either of those.

Mikkelsen says the starter didn't tell them the time even though they asked several times until it was passed.

[Lead]

I dont think they will remove the penalty. I dont know exact starting protocol in this rally, and who said what (maybe just misunderstanding), but he started 1min late and thats a fact.

[RS]

If Mikelssen gets his minute back the top three are nicely poised for a battle tomorrow, Marczyk not far behind.

[mknight]

With the pre-covid way of writing it in the card there is a proof of what is right.

When (if) it's based on what the starter says it becomes one word against the other, they can watch the onboard but I doubt you can hear whether the marshall said anything. Though they should be able to hear what co-driver and driver say to each other.

If you don't get anything from that either it becomes quite special. Sure it is undeniable he started late, but if you punish for that what is the signal for similar situations? If you don't get confirmation from marshal drive into the stage on your own anyway without permission? (The reason why you need confirmation and not just use starting order is in case something happens and stage is stopped)

[Sulland]

Mikkelsen says the starter didn't tell them the time even though they asked several times until it was passed.

If that is confirmed, he should get a minute deducted.

[mknight]

They just decided to give him starting position as if he got no penalty, but will not decide on the penaly without hearing with the marshall, which won't happen before tomorrow.

[dimviii]

Alexey Lukyanuk
@AlexeyLukyanuk
·
47m
As it was expected, our not optimal starting position affected the pace, so we lost a little in speed, there were also minor mistakes in the notes. Once, in the dust, I began to slow down late and missed the intersection, we lost 6-7 seconds.
In general, everything is going well!

[RS]

Nice full onboard of Breen from SS5:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGdxyo6DBEg

He may have an advantage with his start position but it looks like he’s pushing pretty hard too.

[Lead]

No doubt Breen was pushing, its was the main purpose behind his qualifying stage tactics to use his starting position to gain maximum time in day 1.
According to stage end interviews, he wasnt satisfied enough, as he didnt gain enough as he hoped for. I dont think he will hold on to his position today. Breen is fast driver no doubt, but these fast stages doesnt suit Hyundai. Day 1 was his best chance to "run away" a little bit, same as Llarena.

On onboard you can see as stage is finished, Nagle immediately tells him Mikkelsen's time.

[RS]

Breen still quick on SS7 with no 'cheating'

[Lead]

Breen still quick on SS7 with no 'cheating'

Yea, just fingers crossed his car survives. Veiby already having some technical problems.

[Lead]

Lukyanuk on the mission today.

[dimviii]

Lukyanuk on the mission today.

not good time at ss 9

[Lead]

not good time at ss 9

Possible oil leak?

[Sulland]

Hopefully Luky can fix his oil issue, and get the C3 to service.

Very good time from Solberg on SS8.

[Jarek Z]

Gryazin, who won 6 out of 7 stages so far, says after SS9:
Not pushing at all, just trying to save the tyres, anyway I think we did a good job. Still we have a good pace, but no rush, no risk.

[Jarek Z]

No doubt Breen was pushing, its was the main purpose behind his qualifying stage tactics to use his starting position to gain maximum time in day 1.
According to stage end interviews, he wasnt satisfied enough, as he didnt gain enough as he hoped for. I dont think he will hold on to his position today. Breen is fast driver no doubt, but these fast stages doesnt suit Hyundai. Day 1 was his best chance to "run away" a little bit, same as Llarena.

Yes. Breen's disadvantage are not only tyres, but also the car. I think Hyundai has never won any rally in ERC.

[Jarek Z]

Swedish driver Lars Stugemo (who is 22nd overall) after SS8 :)
This stage is flatout, the guys on the front are crazy, I don't know how to do this.

[Sulland]

It is just like hearing Henning again, listening to Oscar.
:D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lukyanuk:
Somewhere it doesn’t work, but this is a rally. The fact that Craig Breen and Efren Llarena are now in the TOP-5 is a little bit disappointing. They leave for the special stages in the second or third ten, due to the fact that they didn’t try to set a good time in qualifications. They start on clean trajectories and due to this they take a lot of seconds and actually take points from us for the first leg.

[Kenneth]

I think that for gravel rallies, all ERC1 drivers should pick starting position, not only top 20.

[RS]

Luky: https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1411257692820213761?s=19

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lukyanuk moving to SS10 on the tracker.

Hopefully they got serviced and all now ok with the car.

[Lead]

When Lukyanuk says he is pushing, you know - he is really ON IT. The first thought what comes in mind simultaneously - will Citroen endure? :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Luky hit an anti-cut post and damaged the rad and had a water leak. All now repaired, safely thru SS10.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Safari vibes ;)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5Xgu2IXoAkKbFx?format=jpg&name=medium

[Jarek Z]

Gryazin after winning SS10:
It's good, but it's so slippery, I don't know why. We are going in safe mode. :)

[Lead]

In safe mode setting fastest stage times, not bad :D

[Lead]

I think next stage ss11 will bring some surprises with a lot of guys pushing, its run only once, is not long, but its very tricky. If I remember correctly second part of the stage runs on very narrow forest road where you need very precise pacenotes to fully commit. You can get caught out very easily.

[Lead]

Gryazin will have an enlightenment after this rally that he doesnt need to always push and still set the fastest stage times and win the rally... :D

[RS]

If Mikelssen gets his minute back he could finish second. Other top positions look fairly settled.

[RS]

Great footage streaming live from the final stage.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Rather disappointing rally in terms of battles due to the road position tactics. At least the clear fastest driver won - excellent job by Gryazin.

[Sulland]

If Mikelssen gets his minute back he could finish second. Other top positions look fairly settled.

And when will we know the result of that issue. They have had all day to figure it out.
Will we know before the prize seremony?

[Lead]

Happy for Gryazin, he was no doubt fastest driver in this rally and deserved the win. I bet Gryazin and Mikkelsen will be main contenders in Estonia for win in WRC2 class.

[RS]

And when will we know the result of that issue. They have had all day to figure it out.
Will we know before the prize seremony?

I agree, it's not nice to leave these things hanging.

Mature drive by Gryazin this weekend. He was clearly fastest.

Mikelssen actually better than i expected this time, seems he's getting on top of the car/setup now.

Kudos to Breen/MRF.. yes, they benefited from the running order trick, but they were still fast when on a more level playing field too.

[mknight]

Good job from Gryazin. If it takes going in "safe mode" to finish the rally then that's the speed he should go, not flat out and have a moment every second stage (Poland, Croatia). But I praised him already after Portugal and he went back to his previous style in Poland.

Good rally from Mikkelsen, 2nd fastest and clearly beating Lukyanuk from one position behind him on the road on Saturday as well as catching Breen today. It's obvious there was some confusion at start of SS2 and he certainly didn't gain any sporting advantage from it. Whether or not they keep the penalty is then a political decision that will decide who leads ERC. Good call on letting him keep road position for today at least, else the rally would be basically over and it wouldn't matter how they decide on penalty.


With regards to qualifying and road position, it was clear already after half of first day in Poland that this will be an issue that people will try to exploit. FIA should have reacted at once, not wait until after this rally (and no gravel rally soon). Kinda reminds me of WRC powerstage issues. Ogier did it in Sweden but FIA didn't react until after Mexico when Neuville and Tanak did it.

[sindroms]

I think next stage ss11 will bring some surprises with a lot of guys pushing, its run only once, is not long, but its very tricky. If I remember correctly second part of the stage runs on very narrow forest road where you need very precise pacenotes to fully commit. You can get caught out very easily.

Very good observation👍 I am still in SS11 in this forest part which this year is the first part. Very spectacular driving from all crews but very professional still. Pietarainen was on the limit there enjoyed us by small close call.

[Lead]

More the time passes, more it seems they wont call off 1min penalty to Mikkelsen. Its just makes no sense to delay decision for so long.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5YXo2mXEAEdUMo?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5YXo2pXIAkBYh2?format=jpg&name=medium

[Lead]

This season for Veiby has been brutal so far...

[tommeke_B]

This season for Veiby has been brutal so far...

Veiby's been quite brutal too in the past... :D You could doubt if the penalty would have been similar for another crew, I'm not so sure.

[Tom K]

The Hyundai and their rear-wing saga continuos :cool:

[Sulland]

If A driver rents a car from a team to participate in an international series, and The car does not pass tech check after the race.
Is it then correct to disqualify the crew is punished for a tech issue that the team is 100% responsible for?

If someone is to be punished it should be the car owner. Driver and codriver has no possibility to check everything on a car, before they start.

Or am I missing something?

[tommeke_B]

Or am I missing something?

Following your logic you can rent a car from a team, agree they're going to cheat in your favor (let's say for example they fiddle with the pop-off valve or restrictor) and you'll pay the fines they get as a team. And you cannot be disqualified as you rented the car. That would be something...

[Mirek]

If someone is to be punished it should be the car owner.

No, because if the car owner isn't a competitor, he can not be penalised in the event. You can't be penalised if you don't compete. Simple as that.

Plus... It would be very unfair to the rest of the competitors if a clearly illegal car would be kept in the results without a penalty.


Driver and codriver has no possibility to check everything on a car, before they start

That's the risk of renting a car.


It's actually very simple. If a company renting cars causes troubles to its customers, it won't profit. That is a self-regulation of a free market.

[mknight]

They just decided to keep Mikkelsens penalty.

Decision n25. It basically says that Toksport/Mikkelsen have to prove that something was done wrong.

As a witness that they were shown a starttime correctly they use Paul Nagle (totally no conflict of interest, also he was starting 10 cars later, was he at the startline then, why? ) and as a proof they list that Floene "raised his arm" on onboard. So it is also possible that when they showed him the time he didn't notice it and was lifting something in the car.
They also say that when Floene asked again with 15s to go they gave him new time one min later...why not just say "go now in 5-10"? When then they said new time one min later why penalty?

Well I wasn't there so it's entirely possible that Floene was shown the time, acknowledged it and forgot it. But it highlights a clear issue with the covid-way of doing things. It becomes a statement against statement. In that case I find it a bit problematic that they place penalties for essentially misunderstandings.

At the same time they just refused appeal of another crew (n49 Franceschi) who say they showed a marshall 7 fingers to say they are checking in at 47 (when it was 46:50) and he marked it as early check in cause he saw only timecard behind window. Reasoning was again that it was statement vs statement and then they trust the marshall..."cause he has many years of experience".

[dupanton]

The stewards are very busy!
Franceschi appealed his 1'10 penalty, but it got rejected.

But now Martin Sesks is DQ'ed because of a not homologated intercooler on his car.

So Franceschi wins anyway! First win for the Clio Rally 4 in ERC!

[Tom K]

The document about Mikkelsen was removed? I cannot see Decision no 25.

[mknight]

The document about Mikkelsen was removed? I cannot see Decision no 25.

So far it's only in the Sportity app. The website version of the noticeboard is not updated very often.

[Lead]

Well despite penalty Mikkelsen got better road position on day2 and he was fastest driver on leg2 (collecting bonus points?). But he will be frustrated, no doubt.
Organizers should do everything to minimize these kind of misunderstandings in future and also they should sort out that qualification stage nonsense.

[mknight]

FIA should review the COVID timecard system.


With the "normal" writing system there was written evidence and therefore strict timepenalties.
As shown by both penalties here when there is a misunderstanding it's word against word with no evidence on either side. Either the penalties can't be strict or the system needs to be changed so that there is hard evidence and clear signals that can't be misunderstood

[dupanton]

FIA should review the COVID timecard system.


With the "normal" writing system there was written evidence and therefore strict timepenalties.
As shown by both penalties here when there is a misunderstanding it's word against word with no evidence on either side. Either the penalties can't be strict or the system needs to be changed so that there is hard evidence and clear signals that can't be misunderstood

In Mikkelsen case, they watch his onboard camera as evidence and decided on that base not to accept the appeal.
In Franceschi his case it was word against word.

That can happen when you write it down as well.
If you give your time card and it's 15 for you, but the guy says it's 16 and writes down 16, it's also word against word...

[mknight]

On the board they can't see what is happening outside and they say Floene "lifted his arm" for confirmation (of something they can't see).

The other strange thing is the second part, they agree that the crew asked for starttime/confirmation when it was 15s to go (to the time marshalls said they gave) and that they were then given time one min later. Which matches what Mikkelsen says. Why couldn't they just tell them/confirm the time that starts in 10s or so? If they don't confirm it and instead give them new time one min later then why penalty?

[Lead]

That episode about Mikkelsen's penalty sounds really confusing from both parties. Maybe in his vlog he will explain more details what happened (at least from his point of view).

On side note, I really liked Chris Rawes stage end interviews this weekend. Very professional, with humor (in the right places) and he knows when to back off. WRC could use a guy like him.

[RS]

Very nice hybrid onboard/heli with Lukyanuk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvR_-xVmYIM

Citroen seems quite short geared, only tops out at around 175.

[KKSF]

KKSF HD video from FIA ERC Rally Liepaja 2021 with jumps, mistakes and off: https://youtu.be/9J4u6pimM0o

[tommeke_B]

Nice video, but my ears are bleeding after hearing the Subaru with BMW engine (after 2min33).

[Jarek Z]

This season for Veiby has been brutal so far...

This rally has verified Veiby's real speed, hasn't it? 5 years in WRC and he can't even get into top 6 in ERC. I can't uderstand why Hyundai chose him to drive their WRC car over Huttunen or Gryazin...

[mknight]

Well Veiby isn't om the level of the top 4 here. But he had pop-off issues whole rally.

Hyundai "choose" to let him drive for same reason MSport chooses Greensmith...money.

[the sniper]

This rally has verified Veiby's real speed, hasn't it? 5 years in WRC and he can't even get into top 6 in ERC. I can't uderstand why Hyundai chose him to drive their WRC car over Huttunen or Gryazin...

Money talks, surely?

[pantealex]

If A driver rents a car from a team to participate in an international series, and The car does not pass tech check after the race.
Is it then correct to disqualify the crew is punished for a tech issue that the team is 100% responsible for?

If someone is to be punished it should be the car owner. Driver and codriver has no possibility to check everything on a car, before they start.

Or am I missing something?

Veiby was using "his own" i20
https://www.ewrc-results.com/carinfo/60-hyundai-i20-r5/?spz=108455&a=1#start
50% of service crew was his and 50% from Printsport (including Jari Huttunen)

[faateris]

Rally Liepāja 2021' in pictures - http://janisasaris.com/en/home

JA

[RS]

Another good video including crash of Scandola:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqRs5yPutTM

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Mikkelsen video of his event:
https://youtu.be/JgrrcYh_wIo

[RS]

Mikkelsen video of his event:
https://youtu.be/JgrrcYh_wIo

Interesting thoughts on qualy and his penalty. Clear he finally found a good setup for the car too, generally seemed to be second quickest only to Gryazin which is nothing to be ashamed of in Latvia.