[ERC] Azores Rallye 2022

[Andre Oliveira]

SEVENTY COMPETITORS REGISTERED FOR THE AZORES RALLYE

https://www.azoresrallye.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/cartaz-azores-pequeno-724x1024.jpg

With the organization of the Grupo Desportivo e Comercial in the process of sorting the entries received, there are about seventy competitors who should be at the start of the 56th edition of the Azores Rallye, second race in the calendars of the FIA European Rally Championship and Portuguese Rally Championship, as well as the opening event of the Azores Rally Championship, Azores Land Rally Trophy and Toyota Gazoo Racing Iberian Cup.
The main drivers of this year’s FIA ERC as well as of the national and regional championships shall be on the entry list, to be revealed next Monday, March 14th, and they promise a fierce competition in São Miguel Island and in its excellent gravel stages. The list of teams interested in competing in what is also one of the Azores’ main promotional vehicles also guarantees excitement in the classes and other competitions in which the main championships are subdivided.
The quality of the cars enrolled is also guaranteed, as there will be more than twenty drivers at the wheel of cars from the Rally2 group, known as R5, with the most current models in the category, some Rally3, just under a dozen Rally4 and even the Rally5 of the Clio Trophy by Toksport WRT. Besides the first participation in the archipelago of models such as the Hyundai i20N Rally2, Renault Clio Rally4, Skoda Fabia Rally4 and Renault Cio Rally5, the Azores Rallye will be the stage for the absolute debut of the Toyota GR Yaris RZ in the mono-brand competition instituted by the Japanese company.

[Andre Oliveira]

Armstrong and Hoy there. Rally3

[pantealex]

Skoda Fabia Rally4 ;)

This is what happens when people use "old" names.

[Tom206wrc]

Will Opel enter the event with Laurent Pellier and Ekaterina Strateva(both in Corsa Rally 4) :confused:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Solans:
“We want to go to the Azores, we have the entry done, we have a good car and good team,” he said. “But at the moment we don’t have the budget and it’s in two weeks. I have no money to pay, I’m not rich so I need to find support or I will stay at home and watch on TV.”

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FN0xs73XsAUqWrf?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FN0xs73XIA0tE1f?format=jpg&name=large

[Tom K]

Entry lists for Portugal and Azores championships will be revealed later?

[Andre Oliveira]

Yes, don't expect much more.

Many crews saying will not be there.

[RS]

Worse than Fafe :(

Presumably they will let Solans join if he can get the budget together.. but when does the boat leave?

[Andre Oliveira]

Nil said that allready did the inscription.

[Jarek Z]

Worse than Fafe :(

What do you mean? They say entry list is amazing! ;)
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2022/march/amazing-azores-entry-breaks-cover/

[WRCStan]

Sportity: ERCAZORES22

[RS]

No Solans.

Shame, but he can afford to miss a round with the drop-score system.

Can't help but feel though that in the Eurosport days Mr Seajets would have stepped forward as he did several times when drivers were short of budget.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It's not really the point that Solans can just 'drop a score' by missing Azores. There's no guarantee he will make future rounds.

It's pretty poor that RFEDA wont support him. The ERC needs top drivers and even more so this year with no Lukyanuk & Mikkelsen.

DF on the subject...
https://dirtfish.com/rally/erc/erc-leader-solans-fails-to-make-the-azores/

[PLuto]

It's not really the point that Solans can just 'drop a score' by missing Azores. There's no guarantee he will make future rounds.

It's pretty poor that RFEDA wont support him. The ERC needs top drivers and even more so this year with no Lukyanuk & Mikkelsen.

DF on the subject...
https://dirtfish.com/rally/erc/erc-leader-solans-fails-to-make-the-azores/

Some notes to this topic. Closing date for entries to Azores was BEFORE Fafe. Solans didnt send entry form in time. Entry list to rally was published after win in Fafe. Until the entry list is published, everything can happen. Boat to Azores is leaving on Saturday and team ARVidal will be there with other cars.

I can say only one thing. If this situation will happen last year, I am sure Nil will not absent on entry list to Azores...

[Danny0405]

A little harsh for Solans but on the other hand, I can understand that Spanish federation doesn’t want to support him anymore; he will be 30-year old in one month, has 99 starts in rally according to Ewrc and had some backing from them for years. The only point may be why they help him to have a WRC drive last year in Catalunya.
For example, the French Federation doesn’t help anymore Loubet who is younger and has less rally starts (even if Loubet has some backing from elsewhere on the other hand).

+ some of the main competitors in ERC (at least for full-time basis) this year are Spanish already: Llarena and Pardo Sotia. Both are younger even if I don’t think they have high potential considering their high number of rally starts already.

But still, yes, the entry list are really low level in ERC this year. Except some rounds that will serve as preparation for WRC-2 campaigns (Fafe for Portugal, Latvia and maybe Poland for Estonia+Finland). + a lot of Nationals that will dominate their home rally (Basso in Roma, Kopecky in Czechia). Wouldn’t be surprise if we have a Ingram-style champion this year (no win but bunch of consistent results 3-5).
So having Solans as a contender would be better than nothing.

[Jarek Z]

A little harsh for Solans but on the other hand, I can understand that Spanish federation doesn’t want to support him anymore; he will be 30-year old in one month, has 99 starts in rally according to Ewrc and had some backing from them for years.

Fair point. RACC (Royal Automobile Club of Catalunya) was supporting Solans for years:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/402711/?entry=1748183
https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/427394/?entry=1926582
https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/394236/?entry=1703200
https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/322486/?entry=1272788
Maybe they finally decided it was enough?

[rallyfiend]

I can say only one thing. If this situation will happen last year, I am sure Nil will not absent on entry list to Azores...

I don't understand this line? What would have happened last year? The entry deadline extended?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I dont get this either. Solans knew he only had the money for Fafe and hoped a good result there would get him a sponsor for the future (Azores). But it didnt anyway.

[PLuto]

I don't understand this line? What would have happened last year? The entry deadline extended?

Everything is about way and style of communication. You can do nothing, sit on the chair and wait what will happen. Or you can try to act and do maximum to have more competitors...

[WRCStan]

Is ASN funding considered 'public/state money'?

[rallyfiend]

Everything is about way and style of communication. You can do nothing, sit on the chair and wait what will happen. Or you can try to act and do maximum to have more competitors...

This could not have been a less helpful post.

What is this, a cryptic puzzle forum that I've stumbled on to accidentally?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

RTP Azores is showing some live stages. They usually show them on YouTube too.

https://www.rtp.pt/acores/programacao/tv/26-03-2022

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Weather forecast is showing rain and showers before and during the rally...

[RS]

https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1506659738767003656?t=UOShFjO4N0ZIBVjW1teaag&s=19

I'm not sure 'championship leader not present' is something you want to promote.

[HKSjbg]

They forgot the ERC isn’t 50 rounds with varying coefficients anymore

[Fast Eddie WRC]

MRF promises to come back strongly...

https://revistascratch.com/erc/noticia/mrf-tyres-promete-volver-con-fuerza-en-el-rally-de-azores-64420

[AndyRAC]

https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1506659738767003656?t=UOShFjO4N0ZIBVjW1teaag&s=19

I'm not sure 'championship leader not present' is something you want to promote.

It's not great is it? And because he can't raise the sponsorship..... Coverage behind a paywall isn't going to help people at all.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

There's more to getting sponsorship than free coverage, especially when it could be coming from a national federation. Plus there are some free live stages here.

As for company sponsorship, they still get coverage when the cars are shown in fan videos, social media and the press.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Torn 2nd fastest in FP...
https://m.rally-base.com/2022/azores-rallye-2022/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

:D
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FOs2oiGWUAYvZdu?format=jpg&name=large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No live coverage, even radio, of the QS... :(

Times:
https://rally-base.com/2022/azores-rallye-2022/

[Got Mail]

Everything is about way and style of communication. You can do nothing, sit on the chair and wait what will happen. Or you can try to act and do maximum to have more competitors...

If you think that Iain Campbell is the type of guy to 'do nothing, sit on the chair and wait what will happen' then I suggest you have you have never actually met him.

[Jarek Z]

Highlights video from day 1 (for free):
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/video/player/?videoId=1306139

[dimviii]

Unfortunately SS1 will not run. A ditch, created by overnight water, was too deep for an ambulance to be able to cross safely if needed.

[br21]

If you think that Iain Campbell is the type of guy to 'do nothing, sit on the chair and wait what will happen' then I suggest you have you have never actually met him.

I met him many times, and actually now I have the feeling that nothing is properly done...
This years ERC is way worse than previous years

[Jarek Z]

Weather is rainy and foggy, road is full of mud. Battistoli says that it is important to survive today.
I'm afraid we will have a repeat of Fafe :(

[RS]

It's not great is it? And because he can't raise the sponsorship..... Coverage behind a paywall isn't going to help people at all.

Are there many countries who they have sold a highlights package to even? At least with the previous promoter it was available right across Europe on Eurosport, to those who had it.

If not, then put it on Youtube!

[rallyfiend]

I met him many times, and actually now I have the feeling that nothing is properly done...
This years ERC is way worse than previous years

One event in, how is it possible to have this opinion?

At least there is more coverage being created!

What is negative compared to Eurosport?

[dimviii]

Weather is rainy and foggy,

and a bit windy
https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1507681138193616903

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Are there many countries who they have sold a highlights package to even? At least with the previous promoter it was available right across Europe on Eurosport, to those who had it.

If not, then put it on Youtube!

Agreed.

Even the live stages covered on RTP Azores has been stopped from being shown online. :(

[drive]

impressive times from Sesks with Škoda Fabia Rally2-Kit

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Waiting for more action so driving my own version... ;)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FOx-aKaXEAY8ezY?format=jpg&name=medium

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FOx-h6oXwAUDuC8?format=jpg&name=medium

[RS]

One event in, how is it possible to have this opinion?

At least there is more coverage being created!

What is negative compared to Eurosport?

Paid coverage is better. FTA is worse, and so far entry lists have been poor.

[Jarek Z]

Simon Wagner wins two stages and moves up to the second position overall! Will he take the risk to attack the leader?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Decent day for Torn in the Fiesta, keeping in touch with the leaders.

Disappointed in Herczig who has has some good results in ERC over the years. Maybe the MRFs dont suit him...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS8 stage win for Torn and up to 3rd as Wagner drops to 4th. Nice podium battle.

https://www.fiaerc.com/?proxy=redaktion/ERC/2022-news/March/Azores-live-text/270322_Torn_SS8.JPG

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ken Torn's podium challenge fell apart when he spun on SS9 and dropped 21.5sec. :( The Estonian slid to fourth, promoting Simon Wagner back into the top three.

[RS]

Sound all discombobulated on power stage again. Good footage but when the pictures don't match up with the sound it's kinda awkward to watch.

[RS]

Great drive by Llarena, he looked super quick on the final stage.

[RallyFan13]

Big congrats to Efren and Sara.They got a big win with MRF.

[WRCStan]

Really good watching Llarena deliver, not happy to just accumulate points. Battistolli roll looked soft from inside view so maybe video from spectators will explain that level of damage.

[dimviii]

Really good watching Llarena deliver, not happy to just accumulate points. Battistolli roll looked soft from inside view so maybe video from spectators will explain that level of damage.

"In first gear - at a junction - I was incredibly stupid. I damaged the car probably beyond repair, so I am sorry to everyone."

[lmmjvss]

Wait, im confused. What is the ERC OPEN??

[WRCStan]

Wait, im confused. What is the ERC OPEN??

Join the club. Not even the right people here seem to know. It's not an FIA title but was arranged by ERC Promotor at the last minute for the cars that made up the old ERC2. Promotor is not shy to promote who is playing so it's not just a gentleman's challenge: https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2022/march/late-car-swap-saves-sesks-erc-open-bid/

In Fafe these guys were not included in ERC overall even though Sesks and Vinyes finished in top 15. Actually, the ERC championship table on fiaerc.com included them at first but was later updated without them. Now, Azores seem to think they are and have just published Sesks as an ERC point scorer. For some reason Cartier wasn't included in ERC eligibility in Azores. There is no reason (to me) why they shouldn't be.

Cartier and Sesks didn't enter ERC Open on either round according to published entry lists, unlike Vinyes and Monarri. Promotor and Sesks website seem to think he won in Fafe, and we're waiting on results of Azores. eWRC and rally-base have their version, we could check with an official championship table - but there isn't one.

Enjoy.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Excellent fan video, better than official short highlights...

https://youtu.be/cI7Vbwr_ZiA

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Another top quality Azores video - enjoy !

https://youtu.be/szF_g3SQJI8