[ERC] Rally di Roma Capitale 2023

[Andre Oliveira]

Portuguese Miguel Caires and João Miguel Sousa will participate with Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo of Delta Rally.

[RS]

Mathieu Franceschi with new Fabia in great livery!

https://youtu.be/FxZjjkxECXo

[Jarek Z]

Green wheels don't fit the livery! ;)

[Jarek Z]

After 3 gravel rallies, with Rally di Roma Capitale ERC returns to tarmac.

Event date:
July 28-29-30

Closing date for entries:
July 13

Publishing of entry List in seeded order:
July 20

Official website:
https://www.rallydiromacapitale.it/?lang=en

[Jarek Z]

After one rally with Ford Fiesta Rally2 Jon Armstrong returns to Rally3 in Italy:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2023/armstrong-keen-on-more-erc-rally2-action/

[Jarek Z]

Simon Wagner plans to be present in Italy:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2023/home-win-boosts-rome-bound-erc-ace-wagner/

[manthey]

entry list

https://www.rallydiromacapitale.it/download/elenco-iscritti-entry-list-2/?wpdmdl=3904&refresh=64b986f4106d11689880308

[Andre Oliveira]

Lukyanuk is back!!!

[PLuto]

And Ostberg out...

[atsiotras79]

That Rally3 category will be interesting…

[RS]

Great to see Lukyanuk back, but how has he justified this given his previous position? Is he now a Cypriot citizen?

Llarena back in a Fabia RS also notable.

What's the story with Ostberg? Just missing Rome or out for the season?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Another nice battle to look forward to !

Andreucci is preparing to bring his vast experience and pedigree to the ERC3 division in an MRF-equipped Renault Clio Rally3.

The 11-time Italian title winner will go up against ERC3 champion elect Jon Armstrong, who makes his Rally di Roma Capitale debut in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 run on Pirelli tyres.

[Jarek Z]

Here's Andreucci's new car:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2023/italian-legend-paolo-andreucci-back-in-erc-with-mrf-tyres-development-drive/

[Jarek Z]

What's the story with Ostberg? Just missing Rome or out for the season?

I don't know, but it seems that after Tidemand and Nucita he is another MRF dealerteam driver who drops out of the championship?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ostberg has been pretty unhappy with the C3 on gravel and I'm sure realises his hopes of the ERC title have already gone. Possibly he's having a re-think as to what to do instead, like Kristensson did.

[Jarek Z]

But there are only tarmac rallies left in the calendar and Bonato proved that C3 is very good on this surface.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

He knew he needed to start winning before the last rally and failed miserably.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/erc/ostberg-i-need-to-start-winning/

And even with a good tarmac car he'd be up against very tough competition in the coming events.

[erikli2]

So apparently, a "virtual chicane" will be used in this rally. Never seen anything like this before.

https://app-cdn.sportity.com/69e52ba1-f629-4095-b10e-052b8baabe89/10bf35e7-073e-494c-a411-5b05fb3b045a_Doc.%201.4%20Bulletin%2004%20-%20Chicane.pdf

[Sal yet again]

So apparently, a "virtual chicane" will be used in this rally. Never seen anything like this before.

https://app-cdn.sportity.com/69e52ba1-f629-4095-b10e-052b8baabe89/10bf35e7-073e-494c-a411-5b05fb3b045a_Doc.%201.4%20Bulletin%2004%20-%20Chicane.pdf

Been around for a while certainly since 2018. A lot of drivers like them as less damage caused than hitting a straw bail!

[Jarek Z]

Been around for a while certainly since 2018. A lot of drivers like them as less damage caused than hitting a straw bail!

I have never heard about virtual chicanes.

I think spectators prefer straw bales ;)
https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/788822/
https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/788855/
https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/788853/
https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/788824/
https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/788840/

[Sulland]

Ostberg has been pretty unhappy with the C3 on gravel and I'm sure realises his hopes of the ERC title have already gone. Possibly he's having a re-think as to what to do instead, like Kristensson did.

The C3 seems to be getting back to make drivers afraid on gravel, and is also passed by others on asphalt.

If Østberg is to fight on equal terms, he needs a VAG car!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Anyone heard anything about Østberg ?
Or from Lukyanuk ?

One hasn't entered the rally and the other has, both are surprising.

[RS]

Anyone heard anything about Østberg ?
Or from Lukyanuk ?

One hasn't entered the rally and the other has, both are surprising.

Luky with Ukranian co-driver: https://www.ewrc-results.com/coprofile/20136-yevgen-chervonenko/

And Ukranian livery: https://twitter.com/TOvcacek/status/1684560682723983361?t=6oPZn8MG7mdTryYzb8xn1g&s=19

[Jarek Z]

Drive for Ukraine! :)

http://www.rallylink.it/cms23/images/easyblog_articles/2699/b2ap3_large_004.JPG

[Jarek Z]

Photos from the service parc:
http://www.rallylink.it/cms23/index.php/blog/le-immagini-dai-parchi-assistenza-del-rally-di-rom-capitale

[Fast Eddie WRC]

PET video various drivers

https://youtu.be/FKC5k81MKrE

Lukyanuk !

https://youtu.be/u16cHxVo4JU

.

[Jarek Z]

And who is Yevhen Chervonenko, Lukyanuk's new co-driver?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yevhen_Chervonenko

[jcevc]

And who is Yevhen Chervonenko, Lukyanuk's new co-driver?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yevhen_Chervonenko

I remember him from our ex biggest rally, Rally Saturnus in 2013, he was codriver of Oleksandr Saliuk (Skoda Fabia S2000).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Free practice times

https://www.ewrc-results.com/shake/79922-rally-di-roma-capitale-2023/

[RS]

QS Live: https://www.youtube.com/live/ptblfYEli6E?feature=share

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Armstrong can make it five ERC3 wins from five starts on Rally di Roma Capitale this week but will face strong opposition from multiple Italian champion and ERC event winner Paolo Andreucci, who will drive a Renault Clio Rally3 on MRF Tyres.

But it’s a prospect Armstrong is relishing: “He’s a legend of the sport so it will be interesting and it’s nice for me to have good competition to go up against. I don’t really know what our pace will be compared to his but I’m sure as the weekend goes on we’ll get a good idea and try to do the best we can. If we need to improve we’ll try to figure that out. He’s done this rally before so it’s always going to be an uphill battle but it’s a good challenge.”

[Sal yet again]

With the temperatures that have been present in that part of the world recently it will be interesting to see how the drivers and the tyres stand up to the conditions. Really looking forward to seeing if the Skoda armada can be beaten this weekend.

[Jarek Z]

3 MRF drivers in top 4 on the qualifying stage:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2023/mabellini-produces-the-magic-to-win-erc-roma-qualifying-stage/

[Eli]

Saw Lukyanuk just now with the Cypriot flag, glad to see him back in the ERC, been too long! (understandably)

[dimviii]

Lets see how fast will be Luky after his absence


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2JMsQxWQAA-qEp?format=webp&name=900x900

[Jarek Z]

De Tommaso, who won this rally last year, crashes already on SS1:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/p800psNI-nk

[RS]

Love the bonnet cam on Campedelli's car. Wish the promoter would sort the clock-running-on at the stage finish problem tho!

[RS]

Sesks out, that's the championship as good as done then.

[Jarek Z]

Yes, I think we can congratulate Hayden Paddon already. He was the best driver throughout the whole season.

[dimviii]

Lukyanuk finishes the 1st loop of the day going just 1.8sec off the pace.



"It's way above our expectations, to be out of the car for 2 years, our pace notes are at about 80% so it takes a lot of effort from me to push the car. It's not easy but we try to enjoy."

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Big lead for Armstrong over Andreucci after the first loop in the Rally 3 battle. Maybe Andreucci will improve as he gets more used to the Clio.

https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/79922-rally-di-roma-capitale-2023/?s=428358&sct=564

[RS]

Lukyanuk finishes the 1st loop of the day going just 1.8sec off the pace.



"It's way above our expectations, to be out of the car for 2 years, our pace notes are at about 80% so it takes a lot of effort from me to push the car. It's not easy but we try to enjoy."

New car, new co-driver, 2 years out.. above my expectations too!

[RS]

Fabia RS crews seem to be struggling with brake temperature.. what is the ambient temperature in Italy at the moment?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

What a shame for Lukyanuk :(

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Fabia RS crews seem to be struggling with brake temperature.. what is the ambient temperature in Italy at the moment?

Around 32C.

[raffrantic]

29°C temperatures rising

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Free live coverage on ACI Sport

https://www.acisport.it/aci-sport-tv.asp

[dimviii]

Paddon touched with rear wheel something and bended

https://www.rallylink.it/cms23/images/2023_diretteweb/07_roma/paddonripara.jpg
https://www.rallylink.it/cms23/images/2023_diretteweb/07_roma/paddon_6.jpg

[dimviii]

ss 5

Punctures Lukyanuk in practice and stops. It starts again. Even Csomos arrives at the end of the test with a punctured tyre.
Many stones in the trajectory due to the passage of the previous cars. Several competitors have punctured or damaged rims.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lukyanuk finishes the 1st loop of the day going just 1.8sec off the pace.



"It's way above our expectations, to be out of the car for 2 years, our pace notes are at about 80% so it takes a lot of effort from me to push the car. It's not easy but we try to enjoy."

He was only 1.5s off the pace on the last stage of the day.

He's clearly lost none of his pace given the time away, new car, co-driver etc.

He would probably have won a couple more ERC titles if he'd been competing.

[dimviii]

ss9

First passage on the new special stage for everyone, being the novelty of the 2023 course: a very technical stage which includes a downhill stretch on concrete where, for safety reasons, the competitors are slowed down with a virtual chicane.
What is the virtual chicane: very simple to explain: the competitors will arrive at speed on a 220-metre stretch, marked by approach signs and on-board tracking. Within this stretch the competitors will have to slow down until they reach 50 km/h, at which time the on-board tracking will give them the ok and they will be able to accelerate again normally. On paper it's simple, it's just a hard brake until the onboard tracker tells them they've reached the correct speed. The important thing is to do all this within the 220m zone, otherwise you will pay a penalty.
We report Yoann Bonato's statement on the previous test which perfectly explains this new type of chicane (already in use for years in international rallies in various countries):
"Now I'm waiting for the virtual chicane. It will be the first time I brake in a special stage without going into a bend"

[Fast Eddie WRC]

What happened to Lukyanuk?

[RS]

What happened to Lukyanuk?

Normalish time on SS11 so i guess another puncture.

[dimviii]

yes another puncture

[RS]

Loads of punctures on ss12

[RS]

Live stream down?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS12: WINNERS AND LOSERS

So what ON EARTH just happened?

It seems between 16-18km in the stage was a black spot for several drivers, some of who sat in higher positions ahead of the stage.

- Bonato's stop to change a damaged wheel proved possibly the most costly, as the Frenchman dropped from a podium position in 3rd, all the way down to 6th.

- It was a similar story for MRF Italian duo Simone Campedelli and Andrea Mabellini, 5th and 6th respectively, but now lying in 13th and 12th respectively.

- Filip Mareš, who held 7th before the stage began, was also delayed with the same issue and dropped to 11th, whilst Lauri Joona, Simone Tempestini and Alberto Battistolli, all of whom held positions within 10th-15th, have dropped to 19th, 20th and 22nd respectively after they suffered issues in the same area of the stage

- Meanwhile, those that completed the stage have been propelled into the top half. Hayden Paddon finds himself securely on a podium spot from 4th to continue his successful run of ERC 2023 top-three finishes, whilst reigning ERC Champion Efren Llarena sits just behind him in 4th from 8th.

- Wagner will try to secure 5th place, having sat outside the TOP 10 this morning!

- Miklos Csomós and Mathieu Franceschi both claim Top 10 places as their own, although Franceschi has retired with mechanical failure.

Catch your breath guys, Power Stage coming up soon!

[RS]

Bigger gaps for last few guys? Nice to see more of them on the stage.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Glad for Crugnola to finally win the rally. He deserves it here and especially after a lot of bad luck in the past.

[Sal yet again]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atVXebKj2eg

Great video showing Sesks off in from outside the car at around 04:25

[RS]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atVXebKj2eg

Great video showing Sesks off in from outside the car at around 04:25

Great video, even the slower guys look fast!

[fiscorpun]

so rad to see Lukyanuk back!

[Tom206wrc]

The C3 seems to be getting back to make drivers afraid on gravel, and is also passed by others on asphalt.

If Østberg is to fight on equal terms, he needs a VAG car!

And now you see on tarmac a Citroën isn't afraid of any VAGs :rolleyes:

[ouvreur]

And now you see on tarmac a Citroën isn't afraid of any VAGs :rolleyes:

No thanks to all that development work done by those French asphalt drivers...

[mknight]

In 2021 in the hands of Østberg, Lukyanuk and Rossel (Greece) it seemed to be a match for Fabia on almost all gravel events (certainly the high grip ones).

This year it seems like back to the start, not so good on gravel but seemingly better on tarmac.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

And what about the Hyundai i20 ! ;)

It's never been the best on any surface and been unreliable at times and yet Hayden Paddon has collected wins and podiums and the ERC title in it. It just shows again how important the driver is - in skill and also in managing the car and his pace. All brilliantly done by the Kiwi.

[Mk2 RS2000]

And what about the Hyundai i20 ! ;)

It's never been the best on any surface and been unreliable at times and yet Hayden Paddon has collected wins and podiums and the ERC title in it. It just shows again how important the driver is - in skill and also in managing the car and his pace. All brilliantly done by the Kiwi.
Should be in the main game and given a free hand. Would probably sort out Hyundai WRC car issues reasonably quickly