[WRC] Rally Portugal 2023

[EstWRC]

Loubet falling through today

[meh]

and Rovanperä's solo it is, like I expected yesterday

[EstWRC]

Lol snooze fest

Let’s see tomorrow on PS stage

[wwbroe]

Lappi with besttime sofar: it was feeling like i lost 20 sec:D

[EstWRC]

Tänak has had very good middle part of the stage where it is faster, the other don’t gain on him there as much or not at all

[meh]

Lappi with besttime sofar: it was feeling like i lost 20 sec:D

It may be not that far from the truth when Rovenperä arrives

[Katvala]

Rovanperä's pace compared to the rest

Sent from my M2012K11G using Tapatalk

[meh]

it's insane how much road is cleaning, Rally2 cars are similar times in 1st split like Taka and Tänak

[wwbroe]

It may be not that far from the truth when Rovenperä arrives
12,8 in the end

[Kras]

Rovanpera pushing like crazy while the rest of the field feel like they have too much to lose.

This is gonna be a boring day of rallying

[EstWRC]

it's insane how much road is cleaning, Rally2 cars are similar times in 1st split like Taka and Tänak

And then people here are wondering why Kalle comes so fast.

[seb_sh]

I like the Kalle one liners :D

[Tauri_J]

Lol snooze fest

Let’s see tomorrow on PS stage

I bet there Will be drama today

[EstWRC]

I bet there Will be drama today

Maybe but the stages are much smoother today

Don’t remember anything special also from last years Saturday. Friday is the roughest and most dramatic

[meh]

It's only Saturday morning, but... Rovanperä is moving away from Hyundais and Hyundais are moving away from Fords.

Without any dramas they have 2-3-4. At the moment Neuville is 4th. I think we can see now, how much they will bet on Neuville for drivers title - do they lift Neuville up 2nd even from 4th place.

[EstWRC]

It's only Saturday morning, but... Rovanperä is moving away from Hyundais and Hyundais are moving away from Fords.

Without any dramas they have 2-3-4. At the moment Neuville is 4th. I think we can see now, how much they will bet on Neuville for drivers title - do they lift Neuville up 2nd even from 4th place.

Of course they will promote Thierry, he is still in the title fight

[meh]

So, it will be:
1. Rovanperä
2. Neuville
3. Sordo
4. Lappi
5. Tänak
6. Loubet

enjoy your free day :)

[EstWRC]

Tänaks just likes Amarante stage it seems

Another great time and even last year when startin first here he had a second time

[meh]

... and Loubet is done again.

[dimviii]

do we know what problem Rossel has?
yesterday i read at French forum that after he changed a tyre,wheel was blocking.

[EstWRC]

Please don’t stop the stage

Ott gained a lot on others on this

[Sulland]

... and Loubet is done again.

Speed is up, but endurance is not. Still too many mistakes.

[TypeR]

Just move the car more on the side of the road ffs..

[meh]

Speed is up, but endurance is not. Still too many mistakes.

I think it is a bit "friday hero syndrom" - on friday you can show awesame time from good road position and you may feel like a proper hero. On saturday, when road position is equal with others you start losing time, reality hits, you start pushing more, overdrive and mistakes comes.

[Rallyper]

Spectators could easily move the car, but no...
No finnish spectators in sight?

[meh]

Spectators could easily move the car, but no...
No finnish spectators in sight?

In finland the car could be carried to finish by spectators from this point :D

[Kenneth]

From the onboard it seemed to me that it wasn't some big impact. The suspension broke down too easy.

[EstWRC]

From the onboard it seemed to me that it wasn't some big impact. The suspension broke down too easy.

Agreed. I was surprised it happened

[EstWRC]

Now after Loubet retired

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230513/3ffd3f27409d051374986804722e16d6.jpg

[Kras]

From the onboard it seemed to me that it wasn't some big impact. The suspension broke down too easy.

It's difficult to see from the angle if he hit just the root, or if he clipped a tree with his wheel turned all the way to the left. I suspect it's the latter

[Rallyper]

Feel sorry for Loubet.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

lets see how long the Fords last today, my bet is they fall apart after 37km Amarante

Tanak's car is still going strong and setting good pace (& Loubet caused his Ford to stop).

[dimviii]

https://livecenterimagesnorth.azureedge.net/lc-images-2021/lcimg-6a62f21a-7ed9-4b2d-a910-ba61abab5250.jpeg

[dimviii]

Rossel Yohan - Dunand Arnaud
"I think dampers are dead."

[meh]

Probably it was massive time from Tänak on this stage from 2nd on the road. That f*cking puncture yesterday...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fv_ay5OWYAEHaXv?format=jpg&name=large

[Kras]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fv_ay5OWYAEHaXv?format=jpg&name=large
Sick

[EstWRC]

Stage is 8.8km and they put one split on 6.8km

[Rallyper]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fv_ay5OWYAEHaXv?format=jpg&name=large

Is that pic for real or Photoshopped?

[EstWRC]

the Puma doesnt seem to work at all if its more slippery, same like in Croatia

[focus206]

Kalle season has started... from here to the next 4 rallies, it will be tough for anybody to keep up.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Is that pic for real or Photoshopped?

Posted on Tanak's socials.

[denkimi]

Kalle season has started... from here to the next 4 rallies, it will be tough for anybody to keep up.
I hope not, but i fear it might be so. except ogier, none of his teammates are even near his level and both the hyundai and the ford can't keep up with that toyota.

perhaps opening the road in sardegna can level it out at bit.

[meh]

Not that dramatic. Yet...
* We don't know how Tänak could match with Rovanperä at the moment from equal road position.
* Sometimes Hyundai seems to struggle (usually 1st pass)
* Sometimes Toyota seems to struggle (usually 2nd pass)

But as it stands, it's quite a big step away from others in the standings.

[seb_sh]

Not that dramatic. Yet...
* We don't know how Tänak could match with Rovanperä at the moment from equal road position.
* Sometimes Hyundai seems to struggle (usually 1st pass)
* Sometimes Toyota seems to struggle (usually 2nd pass)

But as it stands, it's quite a big step away from others in the standings.

The current points difference is not the main issue, same as last year there is no crew/car combo that can keep up with Rovanpera over the whole season.

[EstWRC]

Not that dramatic. Yet...
* We don't know how Tänak could match with Rovanperä at the moment from equal road position.
* Sometimes Hyundai seems to struggle (usually 1st pass)
* Sometimes Toyota seems to struggle (usually 2nd pass)

But as it stands, it's quite a big step away from others in the standings.

People tend to over dramatize things. Go look in the Monte thread now as how doomed everyone thought the season already is and handing trophies to Kalle and Toyota. It’s quite a fun read :D

[meh]

The current points difference is not the main issue, same as last year there is no crew/car combo that can keep up with Rovanpera over the whole season.

Because Hyundai was a bit fckd up in the beginning (which makes your statement kind of valid), but in my opinion the statement does not contain the trend, that Tänak was in a better shape in the second part of the season and this year, Toyota is not that dominant compared to others.

I don't say that Rovenperä is not the main title-contender, he is, but there are a bit more tones between black and white. Once they even made movie related to those tones.

[focus206]

People tend to over dramatize things. Go look in the Monte thread now as how doomed everyone thought the season already is and handing trophies to Kalle and Toyota. It’s quite a fun read :D

I stand by my prediction that Kalle will dominate the standings, there's plenty of rallies left to create a big gap between him and everybody else. I really hope not, because I want a close season, but who can challenge him? Evans and Neuville are not consistent enough. Tanak drives a Puma. Ogier is part-time.
The only way is if Kalle starts making mistakes by himself.

[bandit12]

Once they even made movie related to those tones.

You mean Emir Kusturica's "Black cat, White cat"?

[Danny0405]

Well, Loubet’s bad start of season so far is not a big surprise.
As already evoked, he was clearly overrated IMO last season for two reasons:
- he knows very well WRC rounds as he began his career directly in WRC rounds for a while + had some RC1 experience
- his teammates were very bad, which created a relative difference that faked a bit the evaluation
- also, his relative road position this season is a little worst than in 2022; indeed, as they is less car this season, he is 8th or 9th on the road where he was 10th or 11th; sounds nothing at first glance but he can make a relative difference of 2 positions with drivers he could compete before.

Issue is he has only two real windows of opportunities this season to deliver a good result: Portugal-Sardinia and Greece-Chile (thanks to the road position and his knowledge of the roads or not too much gap of knowledge for Chile). And he already spoiled the first rallye of the first window.
On other rallies, I don’t really see how he can do something significant (except a 2022 Ypres-Solberg result style).

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fv8SrkGWIAI3msN?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

[Lead]

So promising (especially in WRC2) entry lists and basically rally is over already on Friday.

[Kras]

WRC needs tyre competition like ERC

[EstWRC]

Tänak 14 secs quicker in spl1 than in the morning

E: never mind. Seems to be a glitch

[Fast Eddie WRC]

These are the kind of roads they should all be like for this rally.

[TypeR]

seems like Tanak again fkd.. or massive split glitch

[meh]

seems like Tanak again fkd.. or massive split glitch

Seems that split2 time is displayed to split1

[Katvala]

Is it just me or has the frame rate of the footage improved? The stream is still in same quality as before, but the footage seems a lot smoother this rally

Sent from my M2012K11G using Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanak probably settled for his position. He cant really catch the Hyundai's with that gap so no point risking a push.

[TypeR]

Tanak probably settled for his position. He cant really catch the Hyundai's with that gap so no point risking a push.
Obviously not. something is wrong again and just out of service..

[EstWRC]

Tänak can forget the title

7 gravel rallies in a row and the car is so bad on gravel.

[Kras]

Is it just me or has the frame rate of the footage improved? The stream is still in same quality as before, but the footage seems a lot smoother this rally

Sent from my M2012K11G using Tapatalk

It looks like they increased the bitrate. Same resolution and framerate, but less artefacts and ghosting

[EstWRC]

Obviously not. something is wrong again and just out of service..

I don’t think there is nothing wrong at the moment that He said during the service again that the window where the car works is very small and also that the car is like wooden horse when the stage is rutted.

And now when the stages are more rutted the car just doesn’t have performance

[Kras]

Tänak can forget the title

7 gravel rallies in a row and the car is so bad on gravel.

Thats a bit dramatic

[meh]

My assumption is that Tänak was experimenting/testing with setup and it did not work out.

[EstWRC]

The biggest surprise for me is the struggling Neuville. He seems kinda lost at this rally

[jonkka]

The biggest surprise for me is the struggling Neuville. He seems kinda lost at this rally

Either he is counting on team orders and refuses to take risks for a position he'll get anyway. Or car/setup/both aren't up to his liking and he just can't go faster (if so, how come his teammates can?).

[Kras]

My assumption is that Tänak was experimenting/testing with setup and it did not work out.

This i my guess aswell

[Eli]

Tänak can forget the title

7 gravel rallies in a row and the car is so bad on gravel.

Last year it all looked hopeless with Hyundai but they made it work, I’m aware M-sport doesn’t have the same resources as Hyundai but I do hope they manage to pull it out of the bag.
Also, was that a mistake with the first split of the stage or did perhaps he had a spin or lose hybrid and kept it to himself?

[EstWRC]

Last year it all looked hopeless with Hyundai but they made it work, I’m aware M-sport doesn’t have the same resources as Hyundai but I do hope they manage to pull it out of the bag.
Also, was that a mistake with the first split of the stage or did perhaps he had a spin or lose hybrid and kept it to himself?

It was some kind of mistake yeah

I also really hope they get the car working once they have done the homologations but I don’t know. Somehow I’m still not optimistic

They only talk about the updates but nothing doesn’t seem to happen. I mean they have talked about the engine update almost for a year now and still hasn’t happened

[Eli]

It was some kind of mistake yeah

I also really hope they get the car working once they have done the homologations but I don’t know. Somehow I’m still not optimistic

They only talk about the updates but nothing doesn’t seem to happen. I mean they have talked about the engine update almost for a year now and still hasn’t happened

And they (still) have the reliability issues, I hope they also get those sorted before we'll get to Kenya, 'cause I don't think Ott will be willing to tolerate it for much longer. I just hope, that in case he doesn't win the title this year, he won't retire and put his helmet down.

[1988senna]

Did last year Rovanperä wake up??why his performance is so poor in Mexico? if ogier is there can he beat Rovanperä

[EstWRC]

And they (still) have the reliability issues, I hope they also get those sorted before we'll get to Kenya, 'cause I don't think Ott will be willing to tolerate it for much longer. I just hope, that in case he doesn't win the title this year, he won't retire and put his helmet down.

It’s either retirement or Toyota I think. I wished Toyota already for this year but didn’t happen, as I understood from betsafe interview he was offered the part time at Toyota , not 100% sure but one sentence sounds like that in that interview

Evans contract should end this year I think?

[Danny0405]

It’s either retirement or Toyota I think. I wished Toyota already for this year but didn’t happen, as I understood from betsafe interview he was offered the part time at Toyota , not 100% sure but one sentence sounds like that in that interview

Evans contract should end this year I think?

Not heard about Toyota offering him a part-time drive.
What I understood is more about the balance of the team and especially the fact that the last team that mix the big young gun and the old fella, it ends quite bad (Citroen with Ogier/Loeb).

Anyway, if Rovanpera finds again his last year form, there is no debate: best solution for Toyota is to renew the Rovanpera/Evans duo in the 2 first cars.
Evans is the best number 2 driver available, quite close from number 1 but not a big match so no big risk of fight with Rovanpera.

Only solution to counter this would be Hyundai reuniting the Neuville/Tanak duo but it sounds unlikely. Or Hyundai (or M-Sport) hiring Evans but I don’t see the point for Evans of leaving Toyota.
Considering the difference of age, the time clearly spends in favor of Rovanpera.

Well, I agree, retirement sounds the most likely option for Tanak IMO considering how it happens so far.

[Eli]

It’s either retirement or Toyota I think. I wished Toyota already for this year but didn’t happen, as I understood from betsafe interview he was offered the part time at Toyota , not 100% sure but one sentence sounds like that in that interview

Evans contract should end this year I think?

Yes if I recall correctly they signed him back in 2021 for a multi-year deal, I think it was mentioned until the end of 2023, you also have Katsuta which no offense to him is showing his true pace/form this year, so I'd say the Toyota line-up is pretty open for 2024.

[Eli]

Not heard about Toyota offering him a part-time drive.
What I understood is more about the balance of the team and especially the fact that the last team that mix the big young gun and the old fella, it ends quite bad (Citroen with Ogier/Loeb).

Anyway, if Rovanperä finds again his last year form, there is no debate: best solution for Toyota is to renew the Rovanperä/Evans duo in the 2 first cars.
Evans is the best number 2 driver available, quite close from number 1 but not a big match so no big risk of fight with Rovanperä.

Only solution to counter this would be Hyundai reuniting the Neuville/Tänak duo but it sounds unlikely. Or Hyundai (or M-Sport) hiring Evans but I don’t see the point for Evans of leaving Toyota.
Considering the difference of age, the time clearly spends in favor of Rovanperä.

Well, I agree, retirement sounds the most likely option for Tänak IMO considering how it happens so far.

If Neuville would get the boot (which obviously he won't) then I'd say swap him at M-Sport and bring back Tänak to Hyundai but after 10 years in the team I don't see Cyril doing it or the higher management in South Korea doing so.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tänak can forget the title

7 gravel rallies in a row and the car is so bad on gravel.

Without the puncture Tanak would be right in the podium battle here. And that's with Sordo and Lappi having road position advantage...

[denkimi]

Not heard about Toyota offering him a part-time drive.
What I understood is more about the balance of the team and especially the fact that the last team that mix the big young gun and the old fella, it ends quite bad (Citroen with Ogier/Loeb).

Anyway, if Rovanpera finds again his last year form, there is no debate: best solution for Toyota is to renew the Rovanpera/Evans duo in the 2 first cars.
Evans is the best number 2 driver available, quite close from number 1 but not a big match so no big risk of fight with Rovanpera.

Only solution to counter this would be Hyundai reuniting the Neuville/Tanak duo but it sounds unlikely. Or Hyundai (or M-Sport) hiring Evans but I don’t see the point for Evans of leaving Toyota.
Considering the difference of age, the time clearly spends in favor of Rovanpera.

Well, I agree, retirement sounds the most likely option for Tanak IMO considering how it happens so far.

i would like to see rovanpera, neuville and tanak all in the same car. preferably ogier also.

[meh]

Tänak slower than Taka ...

windscreen "a bit" broken

[EstWRC]

Without the puncture Tanak would be right in the podium battle here. And that's with Sordo and Lappi having road position advantage...

But he isn’t and performance wise it’s not good

Again very slow now on Amarante

[TypeR]

M-Sport doesn't need updates, they should first try to keep car running without problems for a day or two..
Can't be he changed something so radically, that he can't beat Taka without mistakes..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

But he isn’t and performance wise it’s not good

Again very slow now on Amarante

But is he flat-out as there's no position to fight for ? Even if he was fully-happy with the car it wouldn't make sense to push and risk a mistake or it breaking.

[Kras]

Imagine how tragic Msport would look now if they kept their driver lineup from last year.

If Tanak finishes this season in front of Neuville and Evans, they should both retire

[meh]

Seems that Neuville went for push. It may give 2nd place after this stage already (edit: Sordo picked up nice pace, and was faster than Neuville at the end), or it may give some other frequent result.

Based on Taka's interview - end of the stage is brutally rough - a lot of stones.

[CeskyOndra]

Where the damage on windscreen came from? Some meteorit, or?

[EstWRC]

Painful to watch Tänak crawl like that though the stage

[TypeR]

that rock came from up the bank?
https://www.upload.ee/image/15227790/stone.jpg

[meh]

Really strong last 2 splits from Sordo

[seb_sh]

This thread is now an Estonian therapy session :P

[Co-FIN]

Did last year Rovanperä wake up??why his performance is so poor in Mexico? if ogier is there can he beat Rovanperä

Road position. Mexico is one of worst events to clean. You see similar effect now with Tänäk even its not so bad event. On Sardinia Kalle will struggle again if its dry and he’s first. Same applies to whoever is first.

[EstWRC]

Bulacias puncture was first one in rally2 class today?

[Jarek Z]

Imagine how tragic Msport would look now if they kept their driver lineup from last year.

Yes. It was probably the worst lineup ever in the history of M-Sport/Ford.

[Jarek Z]

Bulacias puncture was first one in rally2 class today?

Probably. It seems that SS13 was the first stage with tyre problems in WRC2 today:
https://www.motorsportforums.com/showthread.php?42965-WRC2-news-amp-rumors-2023&p=1325646&viewfull=1#post1325646

[jonkka]

Yes. It was probably the worst lineup ever in the history of M-Sport/Ford.

I'd say that Ford's 2005 lineup of Gardemeister - Kresta would be very close too.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanak back on the pace on the last proper stage of the day.

Who knows what's happening... following him and the Puma is like "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma."

[RS]

Rally1 boys cruising, or is Solberg's SS14 time mega?

[EstWRC]

handbrake failure on super special for Tänak, seemed like he is getting really fed up with the problems

[meh]

Rally 2 - stagewinners:
4 Fourmaux SS2, SS9, SS10, SS12
4 Mikkelsen SS3, SS6, SS7, SS13
3 Solberg SS4, SS5, SS14
1 Suninen SS1
1 Greensmith SS8
1 Grazin SS11
1 Bulacia SS15*

* SS15 still ongoing

[EstWRC]

so the only interesting thing for tomorrow is the Hyundai situation

are Neuville and Lappi allowed to fight and when will Sordo take 20-30 sec penalty to let them both past

[PLuto]

so the only interesting thing for tomorrow is the Hyundai situation

are Neuville and Lappi allowed to fight and when will Sordo take 20-30 sec penalty to let them both past

For sure Neuville will finish second.

[denkimi]

so the only interesting thing for tomorrow is the Hyundai situation

are Neuville and Lappi allowed to fight and when will Sordo take 20-30 sec penalty to let them both past
Before todays last stage would have given neuville the best position for tomorrow.

[EstWRC]

Tänaks confirming to Delfi what I wrote here earlier, the wooden horse effect.

It’s down to the suspension and the rougher the stages are the worse it is, first passes are okay but second ones not and they are getting slower than faster.

Says there is nothing to do cause the suspension is locked (he means linked between the events I guess)

The reporter asks is there a opportunity to find a faster setup or car for tomorrow and Tänaks answers the fastest way is to airport at the moment

[TypeR]

Tänaks confirming to Delfi what I wrote here earlier, the wooden horse effect.

It’s down to the suspension and the rougher the stages are the worse it is, first passes are okay but second ones not and they are getting slower than faster.

Says there is nothing to do cause the suspension is locked (he means linked between the events I guess)

The reporter asks is there a opportunity to find a faster setup or car for tomorrow and Tänaks answers the fastest way is to airport at the moment
what still frustrates me is that they had proper PET's, good speed on SD, was fastest on stage, lead the rally.. and now somehow fked the settings up so much that they can't fight Taka anymore..
But okay, last stage end interviews were okay, as he didn't start a monomogue about what is wrong still/again..

[J4MIE]

Sorry but for me Tanak has always been miserable. There are lots of people that would kill to be driving the car he has. I know he’s frustrated but it’s boring. If he’s fed up then he can go and sit at home with his feet up having been world champion and earned a huge amount of cash.

[TypeR]

Sorry but for me Tanak has always been miserable. There are lots of people that would kill to be driving the car he has. I know he’s frustrated but it’s boring. If he’s fed up then he can go and sit at home with his feet up having been world champion and earned a huge amount of cash.

Lol.. Loubet is driving the same car as Tanak has and said that he has nothing to learn from Tanak + he feels the car is all good..

Well, at Loubet' pace ofcourse the car is comfortable.. let him first get the pace up to Tanak's and then talk again.

And maybe don't be so bitter/butthurt about one driver's money/titles.

[J4MIE]

Lol.. Loubet is driving the same car as Tanak has and said that he has nothing to learn from Tanak + he feels the car is all good..

Well, at Loubet' pace ofcourse the car is comfortable.. let him first get the pace up to Tanak's and then talk again.

And maybe don't be so bitter/butthurt about one driver's money/titles.

LOL LOL nice one. I’m not bitter, why would I be? Tanak has had a successful career so don’t understand your point.
But there are plenty of hungry drivers out there who won’t constantly complain about how terrible the car is. What did he expect when he went there?

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwCTcNoXgAgEJE8?format=jpg&name=medium

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanak:

Honestly, it’s mentally tough just to drive through, knowing that if I’m pushing to the limit, then we are losing 15sec and if I go like I am at the moment, then 25sec. It’s challenging for sure, but we can improve and I know that the team is working hard, so it needs to come at some point.

[flat_right]

When they were showing Tänak's onboard after the finish of SD, the first thing he said was "drives like a wooden horse", which suggests that he had already sensed the problem at that point. Not sure about PET, why they didn't get this feeling from there. But I'm sure they will find a solution to this for the coming rallies.

[becher]

what still frustrates me is that they had proper PET's, good speed on SD, was fastest on stage, lead the rally.. and now somehow fked the settings up so much that they can't fight Taka anymore..
But okay, last stage end interviews were okay, as he didn't start a monomogue about what is wrong still/again..
This doesn't sound like a pure setup problem, more like geometry etc..that can only be changed with jokers/homologation.

[1988senna]

Tänaks confirming to Delfi what I wrote here earlier, the wooden horse effect.

It’s down to the suspension and the rougher the stages are the worse it is, first passes are okay but second ones not and they are getting slower than faster.

Says there is nothing to do cause the suspension is locked (he means linked between the events I guess)

The reporter asks is there a opportunity to find a faster setup or car for tomorrow and Tänaks answers the fastest way is to airport at the moment

what's the PET means and how to understand the wooden horse effect

[J4MIE]

Solberg given a minute penalty for his donut

https://app-cdn.sportity.com/e46a8882-a9e0-4589-a237-52372a676ed9/73cad9fd-e49e-48bf-9696-c32476d0b282_Stewards%20Decision%20No.%2016.pdf

[RS]

Solberg given a minute penalty for his donut

https://app-cdn.sportity.com/e46a8882-a9e0-4589-a237-52372a676ed9/73cad9fd-e49e-48bf-9696-c32476d0b282_Stewards%20Decision%20No.%2016.pdf

Fabulous. Maybe this year's WRC2 title will be.decided in the stewards room.

At least it should make today exciting, Oliver will need around 0.5s/km on Gus today to get the first place back.

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230514/32755a4d57029cc3fa85ab900b89149a.jpg

[EstWRC]

Tänaks hybrid not working and Thierry has no power or some gearbox problems

[Tauri_J]

I’d take Ott’s problems over Thierry’s in a heartbeat.

[meh]

Now comes 2 the most boring stages in Rally1 field - I think Hyundai going to freeze the situation and it's cruising to PowerStage where Rovanperä takes 5 points...

[Rallyper]

Solberg given a minute penalty for his donut

https://app-cdn.sportity.com/e46a8882-a9e0-4589-a237-52372a676ed9/73cad9fd-e49e-48bf-9696-c32476d0b282_Stewards%20Decision%20No.%2016.pdf

This rally is a joke in many ways, right now.

[meh]

and stagewin for Taka

[EstWRC]

Now that Thierry dropped to 5th

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230514/989e7304264fbec8ce13ab58b4a24e51.jpg

[meh]

This rally is a joke in many ways, right now.

(Context 1min time-penalty for Solberg because of donuts)
In a way it's idiotic. The same way it's idiotic to do this if it's written to the regulation.

[Rallyper]

In a way it's idiotic. The same way it's idiotic to do this if it's written to the regulation.

I wrote "in many ways"...

However they had some three or more SSS for the show, so.. and there seems to be margins for the punishment, so one minute instead of five gives you a slight idea how rules are handled...

Besides that, the whole WRC-circus should reconsider how rules should be on Sunday stages. My advice is 3-2-1 points on every stage on Sunday.

[Kras]

This is one of the most boring rallyes I've watched

[Kras]

I wrote "in many ways"...

However they had some three or more SSS for the show, so.. and there seems to be margins for the punishment, so one minute instead of five gives you a slight idea how rules are handled...

Besides that, the whole WRC-circus should reconsider how rules should be on Sunday stages. My advice is 3-2-1 points on every stage on Sunday.

I think that they should make every loop a competition by awarding additional points for drivers fastest over the loop. Maybe excluding the first day

[Tauri_J]

Points for every stage

[masa90]

As fun as power stage is sometimes, surely it ruins some sundays. This rally started as really exciting, but Surely turnee out bit boring. Even as a Kalle fan, I hope others catch up a bit and that he would not just dominate.

[CeskyOndra]

It is difficult, when he is driving Toyota..

[RS]

As fun as power stage is sometimes, surely it ruins some sundays. This rally started as really exciting, but Surely turnee out bit boring. Even as a Kalle fan, I hope others catch up a bit and that he would not just dominate.

Once again, i don't understand why they don't give fresh tyres for PS?

[Katvala]

Kalle...https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230514/496205c38aae3f6640706ce27eec661b.jpg

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[EstWRC]

Hybrid still not working for Tänak

Can they touch it later in the regroup area?

[Kras]

No turbo Neuville doing his best Jourdan impression

[meh]

On the reliability topic - if everyone blame _only_ M-Sport/Ford for reliability issues, then make notes - others, Toyota (Takamoto) and Hyundai (Neuville) have them as well.

[Rallyper]

Oliver should´ve had a fine.

[jonkka]

On the reliability topic - if everyone blame _only_ M-Sport/Ford for reliability issues, then make notes - others, Toyota (Takamoto) and Hyundai (Neuville) have them as well.

Most certainly, but M-Sport seems to encounter reliability issues more frequently (just my gut feeling, I have no data).

[meh]

Most certainly, but M-Sport seems to encounter reliability issues more frequently (just my gut feeling, I have no data).

I remember one phrase "the quality is amazing" on the Hyundai direction.

I don't say that M-Sport has good reliability, but sometimes feels in this forum, that only M-Sport has issues and others not, so I just pointed it out :)

[EstWRC]

Virves crashed on ss16

Not the best season so far I have to say. Speed also jumping up and down

[seb_sh]

I remember one phrase "the quality is amazing" on the Hyundai direction.

I don't say that M-Sport has good reliability, but sometimes feels in this forum, that only M-Sport has issues and others not, so I just pointed it out :)

The difference is that the other cars are sometimes reliable, MSport have problems every day.

[Kras]

The fact that hybrid not working seems to have so little effect on stage times is embarassing for FIA.

I think that cars would gain more from weight reduction if they took it out of the car than from hybrid boost itself

[EstWRC]

I don’t get why Tänak is going that fast in this stage

[Kras]

I don’t get why Tänak is going that fast in this stage

Maybe hes hoping for Lappi or Sordo getting a puncture, which coupled with him pushing could get him up a position

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The fact that hybrid not working seems to have so little effect on stage times is embarassing for FIA.

I think that cars would gain more from weight reduction if they took it out of the car than from hybrid boost itself

And you cant blame M-Sport for this 'reliability' issue.

[Dontcut]

I don’t get why Tänak is going that fast in this stage
He is not getting big points because of sleeping hybrid. Worn tyres are least of his problems.

[EstWRC]

He is not getting big points because of sleeping hybrid. Worn tyres are least of his problems.

Disagree.

I think he can even get 4 points without the hybrid on PS stage. Sordo doesnt need the points, so he has to battle only Taka and Lappi for the second place on PS stage

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I don’t get why Tänak is going that fast in this stage

In case Neuville's issue went away.

[seb_sh]

Sordo very disappointed that Neuville has problems and now they can't do the tactics to give his place away and he is forced to take 2nd place. :P

[RS]

Why are we not seeing WRC2 crews on this stage? PS is two hours away..

[CeskyOndra]

Neuville was already loosing 2 minutes to Tanak before this stage, so no reason to push for Ott

[Rallyper]

Now when only competition is WRC2, they just let it go. Man!! :( :(

[Kras]

Again the Pirelli guy with "a lotova loose stona"

[Jakem]

Sordo very disappointed that Neuville has problems and now they can't do the tactics to give his place away and he is forced to take 2nd place. :P

Team “Neuville” has failed 10 years…;)

[RS]

Oliver now 8.7 behind Gus, should be pretty close at the end!

[Lead]

Solberg with the monster time and now just 8sec away from Greensmith! You know its been tough rally when a guy who changed puncture on stage is 3rd overall in WRC2.

[RS]

I wonder if Gus' problem is actually real or he is just controlling it and saving tyres for PS? Seems a strange power steering problem that only slows you down a little bit.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I wonder if Gus' problem is actually real or he is just controlling it and saving tyres for PS? Seems a strange power steering problem that only slows you down a little bit.

It can be intermittent.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Oliver now 8.7 behind Gus, should be pretty close at the end!

At least we'll get full All Live coverage of the battle on the PS.

[meh]

I don’t get why Tänak is going that fast in this stage

He answered: "It's just faster way to the end" and "Seems that no one else is driving"

[meh]

Compared to usual powerstage: no Evans, Ogier, Neuville fighting for PS points and Tänak with hybrid issues. So it's basically 4 places won for others.

[wwbroe]

Neuville is starting first on PS, before a bunch of Rally 2 cars, that is a little strange isn't it?

[Katvala]

Neuville is starting first on PS, before a bunch of Rally 2 cars, that is a little strange isn't it?That's strange yes, but probably because of his problems this is done to avoid having a big time gap to let Neuville crawl through the stage

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[wwbroe]

That's strange yes, but probably because of his problems this is done to avoid having a big time gap to let Neuville crawl through the stage

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I suppose that could be the reason

[wwbroe]

They don't even show him?

[Katvala]

They don't even show him?They are now

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[Fast Eddie WRC]

Neuville is kind of lucky that all the WRC2 cars had issues or punctures or he'd be out of the points altogether.

[seb_sh]

Might we have a WRC2 car getting overall WRC points? I'm only watching to see if Solberg can get back into 1st in WRC2 to be honest. This is a beautiful rally but this year it was very dissappointing. Especially in Rally2 it seems like a waste of a great entry list.

[jonkka]

Might we have a WRC2 car getting overall WRC points? I'm only watching to see if Solberg can get back into 1st in WRC2 to be honest. This is a beautiful rally but this year it was very dissappointing. Especially in Rally2 it seems like a waste of a great entry list.

For sure, it happens quite regularly these days with thin Rally1 entry lists.

[wwbroe]

Nice words from Thierry for organisers and spectators

[Katvala]

Might we have a WRC2 car getting overall WRC points? I'm only watching to see if Solberg can get back into 1st in WRC2 to be honest. This is a beautiful rally but this year it was very dissappointing. Especially in Rally2 it seems like a waste of a great entry list.Yes, 5 cars. Only 5 R1 are finishing this rally in top 10

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[seb_sh]

sorry I meant on the power stage, WRC2 car getting overall power stage points :P

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Some footage of Evans getting out of the car and the fire (1.00 minute in)

https://twitter.com/i/status/1657706447566667779

[jonkka]

sorry I meant on the power stage, WRC2 car getting overall power stage points :P

That's not very likely, even if Neuville is slow. There are enough Rally1 cars to fill up the top five stage times (six without counting Neuville).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Solberg really desperate for the win !

[TypeR]

Massive attack from Solberg

[seb_sh]

Nice drive from Solberg, whatever happens it was a good rally for him, silly mistake with the donuts but otherwise nice controlled drive and now a good pushat the end.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gus wins !!

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

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanak's hybrid working again right on time for the PS.

[jonkka]

Tanak's hybrid has made miraculous comeback?!

[TypeR]

Turned it off in the morning to save it for PS :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nice words from Dani Sordo. #ForCraig

[Rallyper]

Brilliant drive from Kalle. Big congrats! To the new Master.

[EstWRC]

Wunderkid isn’t unbeatable at all

[Tauri_J]

Ott has the pace and knows when is the time to push. Totally opposite to Neuville. Cant even remember when was the last time he had a proper crash.

Most consistent and reliable driver out there.

[doubled1978]

Congrats to Kalle, great drive this weekend.
Interesting that he alluded to a personal issue he has been struggling with, I wouldn’t want to speculate, but let’s hope he has it under control or is coping ok whatever the issue.
A bit torn on the WRC2 class as Solberg drove great, but you have to say that he was actually pretty lucky they didn’t impose the mandated 5 minute penalty in the rule book.

[Doon]

When half of the top 10 is filled by the support catagory on a popular event like Portugal, it’s time to call it a day for WRC1. 3 head to head races at the super special last night….3. That’s not very exciting even for hardcore fans. All the casual rally fans I know have switched off completely now. It doesn’t matter how fast the top cars are when the variety in competition is so poor.

[cali]

When half of the top 10 is filled by the support catagory on a popular event like Portugal, it’s time to call it a day for WRC1. 3 head to head races at the super special last night….3. That’s not very exciting even for hardcore fans. All the casual rally fans I know have switched off completely now. It doesn’t matter how fast the top cars are when the variety in competition is so poor.I watched only 3 stages throughout the whole rally, lost interest on Saturday and didn't bother even with PS

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[skarderud]

When half of the top 10 is filled by the support catagory on a popular event like Portugal, it’s time to call it a day for WRC1. 3 head to head races at the super special last night….3. That’s not very exciting even for hardcore fans. All the casual rally fans I know have switched off completely now. It doesn’t matter how fast the top cars are when the variety in competition is so poor.Yes, it is really bad craftsmansship from the promoter. What on earth are they doing? Nothing.

Cut the manufacturer-rule, open up for private tuners, it will take like 1 week before 3-4 energy-poison-drink-team are ready to set up a team.
Several good tuners will also give it a go if the rules is good.
Yes, Hyundai will probably leave, but Toyota and M-sport will keep up, if 3 more teams coming it is much better than today.
If pirelli also can make good tires, we know they can, this kind of rallies will be exiting.

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[Rallyper]

Well, PS is always exciting. Even today as it was head to head in both categories. If you don´t like to see that, what would you actually like to watch?

[Eli]

When half of the top 10 is filled by the support category on a popular event like Portugal, it’s time to call it a day for WRC1. 3 head to head races at the super special last night….3. That’s not very exciting even for hardcore fans. All the casual rally fans I know have switched off completely now. It doesn’t matter how fast the top cars are when the variety in competition is so poor.

Just watching the MotoGP in Le-Mans on tv, wayyyyy more interesting, as much as I love rallying, there's a need of a serious shakeup from the promoter & the FIA, or else I don't think we'll have a championship beyond 2029 and I'm being kind by saying 2029.

[becher]

Well, PS is always exciting. Even today as it was head to head in both categories. If you don´t like to see that, what would you actually like to watch?
Agree, the whining from the hardcore fans is sometimes unbearable. Every rally it is "the most boring rally ever". Nobody watches it for the driving brilliance anymore?

[EstWRC]

Agree, the whining from the hardcore fans is sometimes unbearable. Every rally it is "the most boring rally ever". Nobody watches it for the driving brilliance anymore?

+1

For me the biggest problem is Sundays, something has to be done with those, IMO there is two options - to loose it after all and lets end saturday with PS stage (i remember there were some kind of talks about this couple of years ago) or make just 2-3 shorter (11-13km) stages on Sundays and give also points on those for TOP3. PS stage is brilliant IMO, todays stage was again very exciting and proved it.

For Portugal it would be better to switch the days, Saturday and Friday, so we dont have all the action on Day1 and then nothing after that like it was this year and also last year.

[Eli]

Agree, the whining from the hardcore fans is sometimes unbearable. Every rally it is "the most boring rally ever". Nobody watches it for the driving brilliance anymore?

The powerstage was pretty good, it's just a shame Toyota's competitors were hampered by reliability issues, 'cause I'm sure if M-Sport can sort their car out we'll have a very interesting fight between Tänak & Rovanperä.

[Eli]

+1

For me the biggest problem is Sundays, something has to be done with those, IMO there is two options - to loose it after all and lets end Saturday with PS stage (i remember there were some kind of talks about this couple of years ago) or make just 2-3 shorter (11-13km) stages on Sundays and give also points on those for TOP3. PS stage is brilliant IMO, today's stage was again very exciting and proved it.

For Portugal it would be better to switch the days, Saturday and Friday, so we don't have all the action on Day1 and then nothing after that like it was this year and also last year.

They already said they've signed a contract for being included in the calendar in 2024 with an option for 2025 so let's hope they'll listen & swap Friday & Saturday's stages.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So Rovanpera has been struggling all season with personal problems. Its ominous for the others that he now leads the Championship after only just overcoming them.

And Tanak is now second despite his ongoing issues with the Puma. Again ominous for the rest when he gets the car how he likes.

Neuville was unfortunate here but this also showed that the Hyundai and Toyota cars have unreliability too. Lappi's turbo looked to have failed at the end and Katsutas Yaris also broke its alternator early on.

Evans cant afford any more mistakes to have any hope of challenging Rovanpera this year and maybe to keep his future seat in the Toyota.

[cali]

Well, PS is always exciting. Even today as it was head to head in both categories. If you don´t like to see that, what would you actually like to watch?Like I said, I lost interest on Saturday. For me the rally has to have a complete package which fell short when Evans crashed and 3 Hyundais had their own rally within the rally. We had then 5 cars and then also Loubet retired which was the last straw.

Just couldn't get hooked anymore after that. I do confess that I had some duties with kids as well but usually I try to sneak a stage here and there but this time around I just lost the will.

Take it as a whining if you like and I'm also shocked that the interest just fell off but this the way it is.



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[Fast Eddie WRC]

A bad mistake if true...

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/neuville-suspects-human-error-led-to-turbo-failure/

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230514/b528a3281032b3027b076e11b171e7ab.jpg

[1988senna]

Well, Can anybody tell me when the manufacturers score rule become to the driver out of top 10 can also score for manufacturer,Like today Katsuta's six position

[skarderud]

Like I said, I lost interest on Saturday. For me the rally has to have a complete package which fell short when Evans crashed and 3 Hyundais had their own rally within the rally. We had then 5 cars and then also Loubet retired which was the last straw.

Just couldn't get hooked anymore after that. I do confess that I had some duties with kids as well but usually I try to sneak a stage here and there but this time around I just lost the will.

Take it as a whining if you like and I'm also shocked that the interest just fell off but this the way it is.



Sent from my DN2103 using TapatalkJust 450 inputs in this tread tells everything.
Sorry to say, but the coolest motorsport around is not in its best shape.

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[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230514/b528a3281032b3027b076e11b171e7ab.jpg

Greensmith outscored Loubet from WRC2 :roll:

[Tom K]

Well, Can anybody tell me when the manufacturers score rule become to the driver out of top 10 can also score for manufacturer,Like today Katsuta's six position

Ages ago :)

[1988senna]

Ages ago :)
well it's my mistake, is WRC the only motor race that has this kind of manufacturers score rule ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Just 450 inputs in this thread tells everything.

Sorry to say, but the coolest motorsport around is not in its best shape.



Half as many as the Rally Portugal 2022 thread.

Have things changed that much in a year ? 2023 was supposed to be the best WRC season, with elite drivers in each of the Teams...

[mknight]

Too few Rally1 cars with lots of retitrments.
Great Rally2 entry was ruined by almost everyone having a puncture on Friday. Quite boring after that bare the WRC2 Solberg catchup today.

[Eli]

Half as many as the Rally Portugal 2022 thread.

Have things changed that much in a year ? 2023 was supposed to be the best WRC season, with elite drivers in each of the Teams...

I think it's due to the fact most of us have become jaded to the WRC's situation and B) I'm thinking we all expected Tänak to do some sort of Ogier, 2017-2018 style, if they get the car right (& in time) we might still get that this year.

[Rallyper]

Like I said, I lost interest on Saturday. For me the rally has to have a complete package which fell short when Evans crashed and 3 Hyundais had their own rally within the rally. We had then 5 cars and then also Loubet retired which was the last straw.

Just couldn't get hooked anymore after that. I do confess that I had some duties with kids as well but usually I try to sneak a stage here and there but this time around I just lost the will.

Take it as a whining if you like and I'm also shocked that the interest just fell off but this the way it is.



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It wasn´t me saying you were whining. But I stated that you were wrong about the PS today. It was very exciting moments. But you didn´t see them... still you had statement of PS...

[Katvala]

Just 450 inputs in this tread tells everything.
Sorry to say, but the coolest motorsport around is not in its best shape.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via TapatalkI remember well. I've been following this forum for years despite not being so active here. 1000-2000 replies was usual

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[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gus Greensmith showing how reliability is an issue for many makes of car:

Victory at Rally De Portugal after 3 days & 325km of … a puncture, a water leak, a mechanical issue and a power steering issue all whilst fighting an in-form @OliverSolberg01 with everything I had.

[Eli]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShGSsMzPaCU
Dirtfish's summary, the most interesting part (imho) was the murmurs they said they heard in Hyundai this weekend, I'm guessing regarding the third's car driver from Estonia onward.

[cali]

It wasn´t me saying you were whining. But I stated that you were wrong about the PS today. It was very exciting moments. But you didn´t see them... still you had statement of PS...The only statement I had for PS was that I wasn't even bothered to watch it. That means I didn't even plan to be close to the TV. I haven't seen it and by the looks of it was fun

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[EstWRC]

Lol https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsO6zoHIVSO/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[AndersX]

I also diled down my time spent on WRC+ this weekend - as soon as all the mess with tyre lottery started, i lost my interest. I rememmber that during Swe event i was trying to catch every second; but 8 WRC1 cars at the start and dropping out like milk teeth to kids is killing it. Sundays are parrody; immediate actions by FIA would be required.

[Eli]

Vodafone Rally de Portugal Post-Event Press Conference:
https://www.fia.com/news/wrc-vodafone-rally-de-portugal-post-event-press-conference

[doubled1978]

I also diled down my time spent on WRC+ this weekend - as soon as all the mess with tyre lottery started, i lost my interest. I rememmber that during Swe event i was trying to catch every second; but 8 WRC1 cars at the start and dropping out like milk teeth to kids is killing it. Sundays are parrody; immediate actions by FIA would be required.

8 WRC1 cars at the start is laughable.
For me, just make WRC2 the top class, all 3 manufactures in WRC1 have cars, or will have, and then we have Citroen and Skoda as well. Factory teams, private teams, everybody running the same kit. I bet we would have 20+ competitive cars every event. EMI tyres.
Not too many Km’s on Sundays, waste of time. That 20km stage today was a waste of everybody’s time, should have spread those Km’s over the other days.

WRC needs to wake up and smell what it’s stepping in

[drive]

8 WRC1 cars at the start is laughable.
For me, just make WRC2 the top class, all 3 manufactures in WRC1 have cars, or will have, and then we have Citroen and Skoda as well. Factory teams, private teams, everybody running the same kit. I bet we would have 20+ competitive cars every event. EMI tyres.
Not too many Km’s on Sundays, waste of time. That 20km stage today was a waste of everybody’s time, should have spread those Km’s over the other days.

WRC needs to wake up and smell what it’s stepping in

have you seen WRC event in real at any time? as you your talk sounds like TV expert opinion... In REAL world wrc1 car you can not even compare with wrc2 car, last year I've seen 7 wrc events and trust me - after wrc1 cars even best wrc2 drivers looks/sounds so boooooring... you need quantity or quality? pure TV sofa experts....

[Jarek Z]

In REAL world wrc1 car you can not even compare with wrc2 car, last year I've seen 7 wrc events and trust me - after wrc1 cars even best wrc2 drivers looks/sounds so boooooring...

If WRC1 cars are so great, why isn't anbody interested in them? Why are there only 8 in the whole world? Why is the interest in WRC dropping?

[skarderud]

I agree that if you first see wrc1, then wrc2, the last can be less spectacular, but if you see only wrc2's driven in anger , that is quite a spectacle. Its not like grN subarus and evo's...

A Rally2 based championship will get 30-40 cars, and 10 of them challenge for the top spots.
That, and some free to air stuff, is the thing WRC need.

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[mousti]

10000 Euro fine for Neuville because no time card has been handed out at the stop control of SS17.

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[J4MIE]

I agree that if you first see wrc1, then wrc2, the last can be less spectacular, but if you see only wrc2's driven in anger , that is quite a spectacle. Its not like grN subarus and evo's...

A Rally2 based championship will get 30-40 cars, and 10 of them challenge for the top spots.
That, and some free to air stuff, is the thing WRC need.

You forget a couple of things:

1) Free to air tv isn’t interested in showing the WRC.
2) Even if it was just Rally2 cars, the manufacturer teams wouldn’t allow any privateers to beat them.

[doubled1978]

have you seen WRC event in real at any time? as you your talk sounds like TV expert opinion... In REAL world wrc1 car you can not even compare with wrc2 car, last year I've seen 7 wrc events and trust me - after wrc1 cars even best wrc2 drivers looks/sounds so boooooring... you need quantity or quality? pure TV sofa experts....

Sofa expert? WRC2 boring? Wow, you sound about 10 years old….
I’ve been watching rallying live for nearly 50 years mate. Everyone thought when we went from Group B to Group A it would be the end of rallying, and guess what….it was fantastic. If everyone is in WRC2 cars, they won’t seem slow because you won’t be comparing them to anything faster..it’s not complicated.
It’s pointless having amazing cars if there are only 8 of them and half of them don’t finish. What the hell is the point of walking miles into the countryside to watch 4/5 cars driving at top speed as for the power stage today?
That sort of value for money will kill the sport dead.

[J4MIE]

My thoughts on current WRC

I’m not interested in these cars. I can’t explain what it is but they’re just not interesting to watch. The 2017 WRCs I thought were incredible, and I presumed the hybrids would be just those cars but allow them to do all road sections in EV de. They didn’t need the extra boost during a stage as they were fast enough, and the road section green credentials would be fairly impressive. At the moment it’s almost a complete waste of time.

I used to be a massive WRC fan and would go and watch several rounds a year even going to Australia. But I’ve not been since Finland 2017 and wouldn’t have any great enthusiasm to go to another event, maybe one day if I was on holiday in the area, but rallying wouldn’t be the focus of the trip.

I was keen to watch Mexico so signed up for WRC+, then continued for another month to see the Breen stuff in Croatia, but I watched half a stage in Portugal and don’t feel I missed anything.
Safari is slightly different as i compete there, but I’ve been doing that for several years before the WRC went back there, and would probably be visiting anyway.

[mknight]

You forget a couple of things:

1) Free to air tv isn’t interested in showing the WRC.


Just a technical note for those born in the previous millennium:
Nobody needs TV channels as platform for showing or watching free broadcasts.

[seb_sh]

Lack of competition killed the interest to follow the rally and the thread. Few Rally1 cars plus attrition means there was no story of this rally. And WRC2 puncture lottery was the joke of the year.

People talk about formats and gimmicks to get attention to WRC, i think it's the lack of competition. If there is nothing to play for why should someone follow? The cars are cool but i can watch some good fan videos tomorrow in my lunch break.

[becher]

Does anybody know more about the Rovanperä personal issues? Was anything in the finnish media about this?

[TypeR]

- Neuville got 10000 euros fine for not handing in timecard after SS17, usually it would be retirement/time penalty but well, stewards twisted the rules a bit.

- Sordo got 1000 euros fine for wearing RedBull cap instead of Pirelli's on podium.

- B. Bulacia got 2min penalty for using 27 tyres instead of allowed 26. (didn't change overall result too much tho)


- and yet Solberg got 1min time penalty straight away for donuts :) :)

[tommeke_B]

The timecard thing should result in disqualification indeed. However it's a bit similar like that time with Ogier in Sardinia (2017 I think), where they let it go that way, to not ruin the championship I guess... The matter about Solberg could be questioned indeed. Sometimes you have the exact same infraction in different events, with completely different penalties/fines. I guess it depends on what's on the menu of the day, for FIA stewards...

[mknight]

For Solberg the rule article says that he should get a minimum 5 min penalty. So they actually broke the rules themselves by only giving 1 min.

That the rule is stupid is something else. Once it is there it is equally stupid to break it.

[becher]

People understandably get upset because of the Solberg penalty, but between the finish and the TC you don't want drivers doing any funky stuff on normal stages and without a exception for SSS it is what it is.

[Rallyper]

Organizer are short of money.
The sport is on distress.

[AndyRAC]

The timecard thing should result in disqualification indeed. However it's a bit similar like that time with Ogier in Sardinia (2017 I think), where they let it go that way, to not ruin the championship I guess... The matter about Solberg could be questioned indeed. Sometimes you have the exact same infraction in different events, with completely different penalties/fines. I guess it depends on what's on the menu of the day, for FIA stewards...

I thought the FIM stewards in MotoGP were inept; but these are just as bad.....The timecard is the record of your event, it's been part of the sport almost from the start. He should be annulled from the results.....The championship fight should have no bearing on penalties....

[AnttiL]

The timecard thing should result in disqualification indeed. However it's a bit similar like that time with Ogier in Sardinia (2017 I think), where they let it go that way, to not ruin the championship I guess... The matter about Solberg could be questioned indeed. Sometimes you have the exact same infraction in different events, with completely different penalties/fines. I guess it depends on what's on the menu of the day, for FIA stewards...

In Sardinia 2018(?) Ogier/Ingrassia forgot the time card to TC but Ott brought it to them to the next TC. Is it a rule breach? Reversing to the TC would have been.

[PLuto]

That's strange yes, but probably because of his problems this is done to avoid having a big time gap to let Neuville crawl through the stage

As he was starting first, there was more time to show his suffering through the stage for a longer time...

[PLuto]

Just a technical note for those born in the previous millennium:
Nobody needs TV channels as platform for showing or watching free broadcasts.

Maybe you will be surprised, but it is not completely true...

[JAM]

During the weekend there were a lot of talks about the lack of show of WRC and the lack of visibility of the WRC, more than any other event.
The driver that gives show on a super-special and that receives the loudest aplause from the 10.000 fans present in the circuit receives a time penalty for that and loses the rally because of the penalty.
Were you questioning why the WRC is going down? There is one of the answers.

The ones that say that the Solberg manouver was dangerous, are obvious talking about something that they have no ideia what it is.

10.000 spectatores said "Thank you Oliver", and 3 stewards said "you're wrong and we will give you one minute penalty".

This is... i prefer no write it.

[djip]

Everyone thought when we went from Group B to Group A it would be the end of rallying, and guess what….it was fantastic. If everyone is in WRC2 cars, they won’t seem slow because you won’t be comparing them to anything faster..it’s not complicated.
It’s pointless having amazing cars if there are only 8 of them and half of them don’t finish.

Spot-on. Everyone remembers the wonderful GrB cars, but look at the results : It is often 4-5 Gr.B cars and then GrpA cars 1/2h if not more in arrears ... Sound familiar ? Neuville had to cruise on sunday yet salvaged his 5th place finish by miles, so far were the WRC2 cars behind.

A full WRC2 championship would result in 20+ cars at the forefront, same as the 90's GpA "golden age". Of course manu teams would always be atop, with better drivers and better prep, but there would'nt be an ocean between the 10 manu cars and the rest of the field. Every error would be paid cash - you're out of the top 10. Not to mention that once in a while some youngster/privateer could work some heroics ...(e.g .Gianfranco Cunico-like)

I would myself be way more interested. Been also a massive rally fan since the early 70s , yet I struggle to keep my attention these days with the short events and results decided by mid-saturday ...

[Jarek Z]

10.000 spectatores said "Thank you Oliver", and 3 stewards said "you're wrong and we will give you one minute penalty".

Who, when and why banned donuts? Does anybody remember?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD0bee9Tl0Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVfIASueE1g

[ictus]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ElzFGkBlY7Q
Didnt't Ogier recive a financial penalty for that last year?

[doubled1978]

Spot-on. Everyone remembers the wonderful GrB cars, but look at the results : It is often 4-5 Gr.B cars and then GrpA cars 1/2h if not more in arrears ... Sound familiar ? Neuville had to cruise on sunday yet salvaged his 5th place finish by miles, so far were the WRC2 cars behind.

A full WRC2 championship would result in 20+ cars at the forefront, same as the 90's GpA "golden age". Of course manu teams would always be atop, with better drivers and better prep, but there would'nt be an ocean between the 10 manu cars and the rest of the field. Every error would be paid cash - you're out of the top 10. Not to mention that once in a while some youngster/privateer could work some heroics ...(e.g .Gianfranco Cunico-like)

I would myself be way more interested. Been also a massive rally fan since the early 70s , yet I struggle to keep my attention these days with the short events and results decided by mid-saturday ...

Exactly, you see it. That’s a championship I would much rather watch.
You’re right that the manufacture teams would win mostly but there is always the opportunity for a well driven privateer to do something special.
From the manufacture side there is a business case as are all set up for customer activities already and they just run much cheaper cars as a factory effort. The financial barrier to entry is much lower for new manufactures looking to come in. There could of course be a championship within for privateers that would essentially be what WRC2 is today, but using the same cars as the factory teams so special results possible.
Lack of Hybrid might be a negative for factories, but this message is not coming across at all in WRC, I think they would be better off shouting about the carbon neutral fuels that might keep performance IC engine cars on sale in the future.
I hope that the people in charge see sense and look at something along these lines as I fear that WRC is set for a very lean period if not.

[JAM]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ElzFGkBlY7Q
Didnt't Ogier recive a financial penalty for that last year?

Yes he did.

But FIA changed the rules this year, now organizers must include on the suplementary regulations this:

"Exhibition driving ("doughnuts“) is strictly forbidden everywhere due to lack of suitable place. All
infringements will be penalised with a minimum of a 5-minute time penalty, applied by the Stewards"

This year this sentence is in all the suplementary regulations, except Monte Carlo (released before the FIA Council) and Safari (Dont know why but i guess...)

[J4MIE]

Yes he did.

But FIA changed the rules this year, now organizers must include on the suplementary regulations this:

"Exhibition driving ("doughnuts“) is strictly forbidden everywhere due to lack of suitable place. All
infringements will be penalised with a minimum of a 5-minute time penalty, applied by the Stewards"

This year this sentence is in all the suplementary regulations, except Monte Carlo (released before the FIA Council) and Safari (Dont know why but i guess...)

You’re not seriously suggesting that the Safari organisers don’t know what they’re doing? :D
/sarcasm

[J4MIE]

During the weekend there were a lot of talks about the lack of show of WRC and the lack of visibility of the WRC, more than any other event.
The driver that gives show on a super-special and that receives the loudest aplause from the 10.000 fans present in the circuit receives a time penalty for that and loses the rally because of the penalty.
Were you questioning why the WRC is going down? There is one of the answers.

The ones that say that the Solberg manouver was dangerous, are obvious talking about something that they have no ideia what it is.

10.000 spectatores said "Thank you Oliver", and 3 stewards said "you're wrong and we will give you one minute penalty".

This is... i prefer no write it.

So why do you think the rule was introduced?

And why do you think they chose not to give him a 5 minute penalty?

Do you just watch WRC to see donuts on super specials?

[JAM]

You’re not seriously suggesting that the Safari organisers don’t know what they’re doing? :D
/sarcasm

No, i'm suggesting that they don't want to avoid some sliding on the roundabouts as they had in 2021 and 2022. Kenyans loved it.

[JAM]

So why do you think the rule was introduced?

And why do you think they chose not to give him a 5 minute penalty?

Do you just watch WRC to see donuts on super specials?

1. I have no idea, but probably they don't understand what people want to see.

2. Because they considered there was no danger on the manouvre. But the suplementary regulations says minimum 5 minute penalty, the stewards didn't follow the rules.

3. A useless question, there's no interest in what i like or what you like. We are two persons.
In Lousada track there were more than 10.000 persons, and they wanted that and they loved that, and they paid ticket to be there and have fun.
Solberg received the loudest applause on that afternoonm, and this is the only thing that matters.

[mknight]

Has anyone seen any kind of footage from Evans accident?

[CeskyOndra]

Noo, i cant find it :/

[the sniper]

Was there a spectator, marshal or other official nearly wiped out in the Evans off? Feels like another Ministry of Information censorship job by WRC Promoter...

[flat_right]

Has anyone seen any kind of footage from Evans accident?

It won't be published. Don't remember where I read it but someone from All Live told that he had seen the crash and it was very nasty. The same reason why they removed Ott's onboard from 2020 Monte (though they added it first and the whole world could see it), the same reason they won't publish Evans' crash.

[mknight]

If that's a policy I struggle to understand it.

Since nobody was hurt isn't it better PR to show it with "look how safe the cars are" comments?

Sounds more plausible that some people nearby were in danger and survived due to pure luck.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

There's not even any fan footage of Evans' crash so its unlikely there were any fans nearby at the time. There were not any around when Colin Clark did his video from the scene either.

This is the removal of the car from the trees....

https://youtu.be/gYM9P1MaPMw

[NielsH]

Maybe he hit one of these: https://rainforests.mongabay.com/biodiversity/en/portugal/EN.html /j

[ouvreur]

There's not even any fan footage of Evans' crash so its unlikely there were any fans nearby at the time. There were not any around when Colin Clark did his video from the scene either.

This is the removal of the car from the trees....

https://youtu.be/gYM9P1MaPMw

Look at the way the driver's window is missing... there's probably a reason the in-car isn't available...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I'm wondering if after the recent fatal accident of Craig Breen they are trying to keep this (nasty) accident quiet to stop more bad publicity for the WRC.