[WRC] 80. Rally Poland 2024

[er88]

Great time Kalle. Mikkelsen losing time to sesks on splits

[denkimi]

I think we can start to make the conclusion that either seks is some incredible talent like loeb or ogier, or the hybrid is actually useless or even slowing the cars down.

[Tauri_J]

Mikkelsen back to his old self when road position advantage is gone

[TypeR]

That's embarrassing.. :D

Rovanperä 14s faster than Mikkelsen and takes the lead

[er88]

Amazing from Sesks regardless of the fact he will fall back a bit, he could still take Andreas without hybrid this afternoon

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Soft tyres are gonna be mashed by the last stage.

[Eli]

I think we can start to make the conclusion that either seks is some incredible talent like loeb or ogier, or the hybrid is actually useless or even slowing the cars down.

The hybrid isn’t working constantly don’t forget, but impressive times none the less from Sesks.

[er88]

The hybrid isn’t working constantly don’t forget, but impressive times none the less from Sesks.

Yep. Sesks is class on rallies like these, but I'm shocked he's on the pace as much. Hybrid isn't AS important on fast rallies, but he is still without question down on performance compared to all other rally1 cars. Brilliant effort

[RS]

On gravel rallies do the tyres have the grip to put down the power of the Rally1 cars? I noticed on the SSS last night Solberg was up against a Rally1 (i think Sesks?) and seemed quicker off the line.

[Mackie]

Mikkelsen back to his old self when road position advantage is gone

Is it raining? I seem to be missing somethin... :confused:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

On gravel rallies do the tyres have the grip to put down the power of the Rally1 cars? I noticed on the SSS last night Solberg was up against a Rally1 (i think Sesks?) and seemed quicker off the line.

I think Solberg was on the less rutted side of the start.

[Tauri_J]

Is it raining? I seem to be missing somethin... :confused:

You got me confused

[Mackie]

You got me confused

You too? :D I meant Mikkelsen, he is loosing time because his advantage is gone?

[er88]

Another stage binned ffs

[Mackie]

Is Mikkelsen out!?! :bigcry:

[Mackie]

Ah, it said "red flag" in comment part of EWRC...

[Mackie]

Another stage binned ffs

Spectators?

[Eli]

And again… such a shame, the rally is a joy to watch, didn’t they learn the lesson from this morning?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

FFS... Poland what are you doing ?

[Eli]

Is Mikkelsen out!?! :bigcry:

Nope, got the message(s) from the team that the stage is interrupted.

[Eli]

FFS... Poland what are you doing ?

Making sure they don’t come back to the WRC for another 7 years.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Pity for Sesks having to get ready again.

[er88]

Stage going to restart. Monitored closely. Hope sesks realises he now has cold tyres and brakes

Edit-3secs down in 2.8k. Unfortunate for him but sensible

[Tauri_J]

What a joke of an organiser

[Mackie]

How will they compensate Mikkelsen? Is he lucky or not...

[Sal yet again]

Long hot summer days with "fans" who have access to cheap booze and have been sat in a field probably from the night before what could possibly go wrong...

[er88]

Dunno what the threshold is, but one more stage interruption and that could be Poland done for good in the WRC. They aren't Monte Carlo where the promoter will bend over and turn a blind eye to fans

[jonkka]

How will they compensate Mikkelsen? Is he lucky or not...

They will look at his only split and likely award him the only comparable time which is that of Katsuta.

[mknight]

How will they compensate Mikkelsen? Is he lucky or not...

Depends on the time.

He was 1.3 faster than Rovanpera on the first split, taking back the lead, also 1.4 up on Evans.

Any notional time that makes him drop this is bad for him.

[mknight]

They will look at his only split and likely award him the only comparable time which is that of Katsuta.

That would make him gain even more on Rovanpera but lose those 1.4 to Evans. Not easy to pick reasonable time.

[Tauri_J]

I wonder if we get to see a video of that deer incident.

[focus206]

If Katsuta passes Neuville and nobody has problems, Thierry will be 2nd on the road tomorrow after Tanak (assuming he restarts). Big chance for Evans.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great to see lovely guy Kajto going so well on his home rally... and showing the Toksport Skoda's that the Fabia is still fast !

[J4MIE]

I wonder if we get to see a video of that deer incident.

They never published Katsuta hitting the zebra on Safari last year.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

A quietly impressive day by Fourmaux on his first visit to Rally Poland.

[er88]

Bye bye Poland, don't let the door hit you on the way out

[mknight]

It will start to rain on the interrupted stage soon.

[jonkka]

Meanwhile, Mikkelsen got notional time of 5m 49,7s on SS6 and is leading. Incidentally, that time is Katsuta's time plus 0,2secs.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Discussion for the delay:

Should the FIA mandate each of the manufacturers to run 1 or 2 non-hybrids for junior drivers for the next 2 years ? Looks like the young talents are quick enough.

[Backa]

Discussion for the delay:

Should the FIA mandate each of the manufacturers to run 1 or 2 non-hybrids for junior drivers for the next 2 years ? Looks like the young talents are quick enough.

Who will pay for that?

[Antonis9]

Spectators out of control!! This rally must be stopped and off the calendar!

[Tauri_J]

Stage 7 cancelled too? Wtf

[mknight]

Meanwhile, Mikkelsen got notional time of 5m 49,7s on SS6 and is leading. Incidentally, that time is Katsuta's time plus 0,2secs.

It is +0.4s on stage winner Neuville, exactly like on first split.
Means he gains more on Rovanpera but actually lost 0.2 to Evans even though he was up 1.4 on him on the split.

Anyway I believe starting order for tomorrow is set right now (SS doesn't change it). In which case Fourmaux crazy push was for nothing.

[Eli]

Stage 7 cancelled too? Wtf

Seems so.

[PLuto]

Yes, stage 7 is cancelled. Three of six today stages interrupted because of spectators...

[PLuto]

But dont worry, Poland is in WRC calendar only for this year. There were no plans for next year...

[mknight]

Checked the rules that starting order is set.
Bad for Seks since some of the timeloss on SS6 was likely due to cold tires.
Very good for Neuville since Katsuta (and Tanak) will start ahead of him.

["Username"]

If it continues like this, half of the stages cancelled then half of the points should be given at the end.

[J4MIE]

Shambles.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Who will pay for that?

Like whover is paying for Sesks and Pajari this year I guess, a combination of FIA & local sponsors.

A few young drivers on each rally would boost the number of Rally1 cars and give more interest to fans.

[Sulland]

Is the number of spectators so high here, compared to other rallies?
Does not look like it is is that crowded, or are they hard to control?

Is it the head of security in one of the 0 cars that makes the final advise to cancel a stage, or how is this done?

[Tauri_J]

Its the polish rally culture. You have to visit to understand

[rallyfiend]

Like whover is paying for Sesks and Pajari this year I guess, a combination of FIA & local sponsors.

A few young drivers on each rally would boost the number of Rally1 cars and give more interest to fans.

The FIA spending their own money?

Ha ha ha ha

[Backa]

Like whover is paying for Sesks and Pajari this year I guess, a combination of FIA & local sponsors.

I doubt FIA will want to pay and you can't "mandate" from local sponsors to fund extra crews.

New rule that every crew will be able to score manu points instead of only 3 nominated ones should help a little. Sesks, Pajari and Solberg should find seats soon anyway as many WRC drivers are getting quite old.

Speaking of Rally Poland, I was so excited to see my country back in calendar but it's total disaster. Must really suck for fans that go there and behave properly.

[AndersX]

Still it is how you organize - of course you can not put a policeman on every meter, but you can limit access roads, steer masses to exact spectatoir points, place red bands further away - be smart. I do not get how FIA accepted their security plan, not requiring significant upgrade. Watch video from SD yesterday - you can see massive level of craziness and lack of control on very fast and dangerous places. This was coming, you could see it.

Clearly organizer has not thought it all through. Very pity! Think from privateer positions - every km costs massive amount, you pay big entry fee, spend all the money for the race, but they can not think 3 steps ahead and secure safe event. Idiots are everywhere, but here i understand we have much bigger issues than just some drank fans. Just look how much of financial money thrown out the window for Sesks - 1km in that car for his sponsors cost a lot.

[MartijnS]

My brother and some friends are there, went to 4 stages and are saying there were lots of marshals, like at every 50 meters everywhere they went. So lack of marshals is not the case.

[NoBudgetWRT]

What's the rallytv excuse for just having onboards?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The FIA spending their own money?



It's the WRC Promoter that is helping Sesks.

They were saying they will do this in future in the statement that came out with the 2025-26 Rally1 Regs.

Young guys need a chance and WRC1 needs a boost in Rally1 cars and fresh faces, so it's a win-win.

[CeskyOndra]

When I just checked the skies and the radar (windy) showed the storms, I think tomorrow its gonna be total mud bath.. If it arrives :D

[WRCStan]

It's the WRC Promoter that is helping Sesks.

They were saying they will do this in future in the statement that came out with the 2025-26 Rally1 Regs.

Young guys need a chance and WRC1 needs a boost in Rally1 cars and fresh faces, so it's a win-win.

Cais as candidate for CER?

[CeskyOndra]

Cais as candidate for CER?

Cais needs to be more consistent and getting better results in Rally2 I think

[Corcaíoch]

Checked the rules that starting order is set.
Bad for Seks since some of the timeloss on SS6 was likely due to cold tires.
Very good for Neuville since Katsuta (and Tanak) will start ahead of him.

This was my understanding too (haven't checked the rules) but Fourmaux & Coria clearly thought on the coverage that they would be starting behind Sesks tomorrow?

[J4MIE]

Saturday starting list
https://app-cdn.sportity.com/e1414509-4d5e-4278-84a3-e949590d344c/59b432fa-c745-4e4e-bbf2-95f86ab689f6_Start%20List%20for%20Section%205.pdf

[focus206]

Good speed by Evans today. This weekend is his big chance to make up a lot of points.
Neuville 3rd on the road tomorrow, Munster should be easy pickings, but everyone else is 20-30 seconds ahead. Apart from mistakes and problems, not easy to make up that ground before the end of the day.

[stavrosGDB]

Watching Poland on Erc in past years,it was easy to predict this kind of behavior from the fans.

[Eli]

I know this is a bit off topic but when was the last time Mikkelsen led a rally? (guessing 2019, but when?)

[CeskyOndra]

Good speed by Evans today. This weekend is his big chance to make up a lot of points.
Neuville 3rd on the road tomorrow, Munster should be easy pickings, but everyone else is 20-30 seconds ahead. Apart from mistakes and problems, not easy to make up that ground before the end of the day.

focus, dont forget the weather. Right now, its really looking like a storm coming to play in a few hours and it won't dry until morning. Mikkelsen and Sesks quite unexperienced with Rally1 in wet conditions. If it really rains, it is gonna be great to watch how the drivers will adjust their set-ups for wet conditions!
Anyways, I think, that Kalle will take this one.

[Tauri_J]

Rains gonna pass in 3-4 hours and then its bone dry again. Probably a damp road in the morning.

[mknight]

I know this is a bit off topic but when was the last time Mikkelsen led a rally? (guessing 2019, but when?)

Turkey 2019 (second last rally), but that was a joint lead and only on SS.

Proper is Mexico 2019 until a puncture.

[mknight]

Watched onboards of the cancelled stages (only on phone).

I think the issues on SS3/6 were mostly in the last forest, definitely on the first pass. However I am not quite sure about the last stage, maybe the field section after start with 2-3 guys in the grass. Maybe easier to spot something on bigger screen.

[Sulland]

When was the last WRC round Mikkelsen led after day 1?

[CeskyOndra]

Rains gonna pass in 3-4 hours and then its bone dry again. Probably a damp road in the morning.

Why bone dry? Forest sections are already damp and if it rains a lot, it wont dry up until the afternoon

[EstWRC]

Tänak will restart tomorrow confirmed by Hyundai in Twitter

[mknight]

When was the last WRC round Mikkelsen led after day 1?
Australia 2017 and then just two rallies before Catalunya 2017.
Both with cleaning advantage, but that's standard for most Friday leads.

[TypeR]

Tanak is on Saturday's startlist.
If I think correct then.. if no rally1 retires on SS9, then it would be logical for him to retire after SS9.
(Sorry for many if's and retires :D )
If all rally1 cars complete SS9, then there is no way to get any car in front of him and no point to waste brand new engine.. but we'll see.

[Tauri_J]

Why bone dry? Forest sections are already damp and if it rains a lot, it wont dry up until the afternoon

Bone dry reference was about the weather, not road surface

[Tauri_J]

Tanak is on Saturday's startlist.
If I think correct then.. if no rally1 retires on SS9, then it would be logical for him to retire after SS9.
(Sorry for many if's and retires :D )
If all rally1 cars complete SS9, then there is no way to get any car in front of him and no point to waste brand new engine.. but we'll see.

Hows that gonna work?

[mknight]

Here are supposedly some highlighted locations.:

https://x.com/NiewinskiK/status/1806734721507811573

On SS7 you can see the police heli hovering over that spot at 4.6km in the live broadcast. Pernilla Solberg talked about that to Dirtfish.

[TypeR]

Hows that gonna work?
Today there were 7 stages, Tanak got +70min penalty.
Tomorrow there are also 7 stages and if someone retires on first stage, he would also get +70min penalty and then it depends on Tanak, if he gets less time loss than the one. Maybe it would help 1 place better starting pos on Sunday.
Okay, nvm.. too complicated story.

[Peperoma]

Cais needs to be more consistent and getting better results in Rally2 I think

Sadly, that's true
Czech fans will create amazing show to support our guy in R1 Machine, but Cais performance sadly isn't on level which could give him a R1 run

[CeskyOndra]

Here are supposedly some highlighted locations.:

https://x.com/NiewinskiK/status/1806734721507811573

On SS7 you can see the police heli hovering over that spot at 4.6km in the live broadcast. Pernilla Solberg talked about that to Dirtfish.

I will sound like an as**ole ofc, but IMO, these places on the inside of the corner aren't that dangerous. I have seen worse places on the outside. If u are standing on some (bang?) up the road, you know, its quite common thing especially in Finland, no one cares. I do think that it is a bit overreacted here compared to other rallies... You will disagree with me, but its my opinion.

[Backa]

I will sound like an as**ole ofc, but IMO, these places on the inside of the corner aren't that dangerous. I have seen worse places on the outside. If u are standing on some (bang?) up the road, you know, its quite common thing especially in Finland, no one cares. I do think that it is a bit overreacted here compared to other rallies... You will disagree with me, but its my opinion.

Aren't you on the rally? I hope those stages aren't cancelled because of you :rolleyes:

If Cais is not good enough for that "rally1 seat for young, local talent" then pretty much nearly no one is. Greece, Chile or Croatia don't dominate rally2 either.

[WRCStan]

I will sound like an as**ole ofc, but IMO, these places on the inside of the corner aren't that dangerous. I have seen worse places on the outside. If u are standing on some (bang?) up the road, you know, its quite common thing especially in Finland, no one cares. I do think that it is a bit overreacted here compared to other rallies... You will disagree with me, but its my opinion.

Do you see a bank higher than the road here, is that what you're saying? One that will stop a car going 100kph and will protect those people?

[CeskyOndra]

Aren't you on the rally? I hope those stages aren't cancelled because of you :rolleyes:

If Cais is not good enough for that "rally1 seat for young, local talent" then pretty much nearly no one is. Greece, Chile or Croatia don't dominate rally2 either.

I am, but standing safely. And I can see that it rallies like Finland or Sardegna it is way worse than that.

[CeskyOndra]

Do you see a bank higher than the road here, is that what you're saying? One that will stop a car going 100kph and will protect those people?

No, I don't, thats true. But the fact that on other rallies its quite the same and no one cares is also true.

[Oliverk]

Polish fans are the worst. Period.

[CeskyOndra]

Polish fans are the worst. Period.

Are you on the stages that you can say who is causing the problems?

[Tauri_J]

I will sound like an as**ole ofc, but IMO, these places on the inside of the corner aren't that dangerous. I have seen worse places on the outside. If u are standing on some (bang?) up the road, you know, its quite common thing especially in Finland, no one cares. I do think that it is a bit overreacted here compared to other rallies... You will disagree with me, but its my opinion.

Cars going at least 150kph on those kinks and you think those places arent that dangerous? One little mistake by driver, suspension failure, rock or tree stump inside of the corner etc could throw the car to the inside of the corner and you will be like that deer in front of Tänak's car.

[dimviii]

https://www.ewrc.cz/images/2024/photos/orlen-rally-poland_2024/vms_dsc_9772.jpg
https://www.ewrc.cz/images/2024/photos/orlen-rally-poland_2024/vms_dsc_6797.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Morning guys !

[mknight]

Interrupted

[bandit12]

What a joke.

[Eli]

Interrupted

Could we have one stage without….jesus.

[er88]

Stage interrupted AGAIN ffs

[Tauri_J]

ffs stop with this nonsene

[dimviii]

just imagine that you have travelled to Poland, and all stage you have attemped are interrupted.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ridiculous.

[er88]

Why don't these fucking idiots not realise they are ruining the rally, standing in stupid places. It's not worth it just to get a cool youtube clip

[Eli]

just imagine that you have travelled to Poland, and all stage you have attemped are interrupted.

I was *this* close going…glad I didn’t.
A message on Twitter from Hyundai: “Przestań stać w głupich miejscach.”

[Tauri_J]

feeling this will get canceled

[mknight]

Seeing people who travelled complain that next time they will only watch online and hearing online people complaining about people on site.

Is the future of (top) rallying stages where spectators are forbidden or only in fan zones?

[er88]

Problem is in the forest sections or non spectator areas, some idiots wait a bit back from the road when Mouton goes through and the 0cars. Then move forward too close

[Rallyper]

just imagine that you have travelled to Poland, and all stage you have attemped are interrupted.

Actually, long time ago we went to Rally Sweden, must have been early 00´, we went to three stages - all was cancelled. (The year there were a collision on Fredriksberg, etz)

We were not happy, but guess rest of weekend was ok...

[Sulland]

Rally TV should get a camera into one of the 0 cars, so we can get to see how bad it is.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Shame for the driver waiting on the line. All pumped up and then trying to get ready again.

[Eli]

Honestly, what were Hyundai thinking letting Mikkelsen drive Monte Carlo & Croatia, I really do hope they bring him as a 4th car in the next Gravel events if only for him to get more experience under his belt.

[er88]

Will the next stage be delayed?

[mknight]

Honestly, what were Hyundai thinking letting Mikkelsen drive Monte Carlo & Croatia, I really do hope they bring him as a 4th car in the next Gravel events if only for him to get more experience under his belt.

Suninen, Sordo and Lappi all had bad results on tarmac as well. So they tried someone else and he was pretty much same as those 3.

Anyway the commenter saying how Mikkelsen was only fast in VW is a bit old, after podiums in C3, previous i20 and three titles in Rally2 in the meantime.

[Tauri_J]

Rally TV should get a camera into one of the 0 cars, so we can get to see how bad it is.

https://i.postimg.cc/Jn3L7cwn/Polish-fans.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Eli]

Suninen, Sordo and Lappi all had bad results on tarmac as well. So they tried someone else and he was pretty much same as those 3.

Anyway the commenter saying how Mikkelsen was only fast in VW is a bit old, after podiums in C3, previous i20 and three titles in Rally2 in the meantime.

Lappi did finish on the podium in Croatia the previous year and while in Monte-Carlo all three of them are so-so, you still would have to agree that Mikkelsen should’ve had at least another gravel event before this one.

[erikli2]

SS10 delayed by 17 minutes acc. to Ewrc.

[EstWRC]

Virves doing really good so far. Over shot a junction yesterday and lost 13 seconds where most of the loss came for him

[Rallyper]

RallyTV: Five cars on SS10, then break... what is going on?????

[Eli]

RallyTV: Five cars on SS10, then break... what is going on?????

They said the coverage of stage 10 would move to TVR(?), don’t know…and then they wonder how this sport is half dead….

[dupanton]

They said the coverage of stage 10 would move to TVR(?), don’t know…and then they wonder how this sport is half dead….

They had to stop and go live on the TV stage 11 I think... It's because of the delay on SS10

[jonkka]

They had to stop and go live on the TV stage 11 I think... It's because of the delay on SS10

That's true for stage end reporters but what's stopping broadcasted live feed from cars to run still? SS11 wasn't scheduled to start until just now.

[satnav]

SS 11 is also delayed, now live

[COD]

Looks like one-off rally Poland. No return for years to come

[EstWRC]

Virves doing really good so far. Over shot a junction yesterday and lost 13 seconds where most of the loss came for him

And seems I cursed him cause he now suddenly lost 8 seconds to Pajari and also podium position.

[satnav]

And seems I cursed him cause he now suddenly lost 8 seconds to Pajari and also podium position.

It's a great battle in WRC 2, if they can get a clean run without the stages being interrupted

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Anyone else tired of Katsuta now ? He's made no progress at all and here when he's supposed to like the fast stuff he's useless.

[EstWRC]

Fourmaux is just super impressive this year. The only one who is fastest than Tänak at the moment

[EstWRC]

Ok now in the end they came faster than Tänak.

Mikkelsen is also impressing after the tarmac rounds

[Mackie]

Something happende to Kajetan?

[Corcaíoch]

Excellent response from Mikkelsen after losing 5s on the previous stage, I missed his interview at the end, did he give any reason for losing so much time on SS10?

[TypeR]

Something happende to Kajetan?
Ewrc says off road

[skarderud]

Happy for Mikkelsen/Eriksen, he said before this rally that this is his chance to show that he deserve a seat in a wrc1.
He struggle alot to understand the car on tarmac, and asked the team to do this rally to show what he is capable of.
Doing better than i expected, really good perfomance so far.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ewrc says off road

On his home rally, really gutted to hear this. :(

[doubled1978]

Happy for Mikkelsen/Eriksen, he said before this rally that this is his chance to show that he deserve a seat in a wrc1.
He struggle alot to understand the car on tarmac, and asked the team to do this rally to show what he is capable of.
Doing better than i expected, really good perfomance so far.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

I agree, sure he had the road position yesterday, but he used it and didn’t blow it. Now he is in the race with Kalle and Evans, his times are good for in his first gravel outing in the car.
Good job so far.

[denkimi]

Looking at the performance of sesks, we should get rid of katsuta and put some real talented kids in his cars. I'm willing to excuse munster because it's his fitst season in a rc1 car, but katsuta is on his 4th full season and is still slow.

[cali]

just imagine that you have travelled to Poland, and all stage you have attemped are interrupted.
I am and it is super frustrating. We saw yesterday one whole stage and few cars on 2 of the stages. It sucks big time

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kajto off

https://x.com/Obajt1/status/1806985752846238002

[CeskyOndra]

I have seen the reason of interrupting SS9. People were on the outside of the jump down the road, totally no brain, now Im not surprised at all

[jonkka]

Looking at the performance of sesks, we should get rid of katsuta and put some real talented kids in his cars. I'm willing to excuse munster because it's his fitst season in a rc1 car, but katsuta is on his 4th full season and is still slow.

While I agree that Katsuta should go, his seat is permanently secure due to national connection between him and Toyota.

[Tauri_J]

Looking at the performance of sesks, we should get rid of katsuta and put some real talented kids in his cars. I'm willing to excuse munster because it's his fitst season in a rc1 car, but katsuta is on his 4th full season and is still slow.
I mean this is true but can we cut some slack for Taka? We all know he isnt there for for his performance. Strictly business

[WRCStan]

Looking at the performance of sesks, we should get rid of katsuta and put some real talented kids in his cars.

OK I'll book the meeting room for Tuesday, and tell him to bring a union rep lol.

[Morte66]

Sesks is not entered for manufacturer points, so I think this WRC1-ish drive will not affect his WRC2 "Challenger" status. Do I understand this correctly?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I mean this is true but can we cut some slack for Taka? We all know he isnt there for for his performance. Strictly business

Its getting boring seeing him every rally now. Even the Japanese fans must realise he's just making up the numbers.

[Backa]

I have seen the reason of interrupting SS9. People were on the outside of the jump down the road, totally no brain, now Im not surprised at all

I watched onboards from Wieliczki and seems quite similar, vast majority of fans watched rally from responsible spots but there some idiots trusting drivers way too much in tricky, jumpy sections.

[Corcaíoch]

This is an extremely poor performance from Katsuta but overall I think you're being harsh on him here. Admittedly his pace is not the main reason for his seat but nonetheless he's had a couple of podiums and last year won 18 stages - Evans only had 6 more. The way some people talk about him you would think he's closer to Serderidis or somebody like Matthew Wilson who didn't get his seat based on pace either!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

eWRC
Tänak / Järveoja
Retired after service

He mentioned he had an engine issue at the end of the SSS. Possibly saving the car for Sunday now.

[TypeR]

eWRC
Tänak / Järveoja
Retired after service

He mentioned he had an engine issue at the end of the SSS. Possibly saving the car for Sunday now.
Makes sense as there is nothing to gain from today + they get much longer service time.

[rallyfiend]

eWRC
Tänak / Järveoja
Retired after service

He mentioned he had an engine issue at the end of the SSS. Possibly saving the car for Sunday now.

Lazy bastard just can't be bothered.

Between the part-time drivers, and this sort of attitude, the drivers need to cop some criticism for why the WRC faces challenges to fans....

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240629/e4b707bff992cc81f87620aeed07d986.jpg


He complained something about engine earlier today

[EstWRC]

Lazy bastard just can't be bothered.

Between the part-time drivers, and this sort of attitude, the drivers need to cop some criticism for why the WRC faces challenges to fans....

A bit overreacting?

He was complaining something about the engine today and it got a pretty heavy hit yesterday if you don’t remember

Sensible not to ruin it cause it’s brand new for Tänak and only 2 engines this year with the new rules

[mknight]

Katsuta got hurt a lot here by slow pace in a single stage on Friday, this led to a bad start position and now he is stuck.

Overall he is a decent driver, also for a 3rd spot in a manu team...in case we had 3-4 manu teams. Now with 2,5 teams it feels some drivers that often are faster than him have to sit at home. Since he gets to drive anyway, using him as 4th would be great, much better than selling 4th seat to Bertelli.

With regards to Katsutas future he might even get a rally win at some point, he certainly has the speed every now and then. Consistency (speed + staying on the road) does seem to be a problem, hurting him also as a point-scoring driver.

[CeskyOndra]

A bit overreacting?

He was complaining something about the engine today and it got a pretty heavy hit yesterday if you don’t remember

Sensible not to ruin it cause it’s brand new for Tänak and only 2 engines this year with the new rules

And when Tanak doesn't complain about something?

[Morte66]

Rally base has Rovanpera in WRC2

https://rally-base.com/2024/orlen-rally-poland-2024/?ssGroupId=1

Um, that isn't true, is it?

[Eli]

Rally base has Rovanpera in WRC2

https://rally-base.com/2024/orlen-rally-poland-2024/?ssGroupId=1

Um, that isn't true, is it?

Probably a typo(?)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tyre delaminated on Evans :(

[Eli]

Tyre delaminated on Evans :(

Not his year this year ey?

[WRCStan]

Not his year this year ey?

No.

But he dropped 8 seconds and his rivals are nowhere, not hugely significant.

[focus206]

Not his year this year ey?

He's 18 points off the championship leader and drives a better car... and there's a good chance the gap will be less than 18 after this weekend.

[CeskyOndra]

No.

But he dropped 8 seconds and his rivals are nowhere, not hugely significant.

It is not significant, but when your rivals are nowhere, you have to benefit as much as possible. He possibly lost 5 points today. But still 2 stages left.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No.

But he dropped 8 seconds and his rivals are nowhere, not hugely significant.

But he needs to take full (points) advantage while he can and if he was closer then Rovanpera might've let him through.

[jonkka]

It is not significant, but when your rivals are nowhere, you have to benefit as much as possible. He possibly lost 5 points today. But still 2 stages left.

You have to aim for maximum points haul all the time, not only when your rivals are nowhere.

[WRCStan]

What I mean is, we won't be talking about this come the end of the season.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

What I mean is, we won't be talking about this come the end of the season.

These fast rallies are his best chance of taking it to the Hyundai pair and it's not fully capitalising like this that could be the difference.

Plus with the Manufacturers being so close Toyota wont help him if he needs a favour from his team-mates.

Evans doesnt have much luck either so he has to make his own.

[er88]

Sesks!!!!

[jonkka]

He already was behind Neuville but clawed back enough time to remain 0,1s ahead... :D

[er88]

He already was behind Neuville but clawed back enough time to remain 0,1s ahead... :D

Thierry sliding wide in the last split cost the belgian. He won't be happy lol

[Eli]

What a time by Sesks, someone please give him a seat until the end of the season, very keen seeing what he can do with more experience (& hybrid) under his belt.

[EstWRC]

Sesks!!!!

Tänak has to buy a beer for him

Stole 2 points from Neuville.

[CeskyOndra]

So both Neuville and Evans lost probably 2 points this afternoon.

[CeskyOndra]

Championship before Super Sunday

Neuville 128
Evans 117
Tanak 104

Will Tanak and Evans take more points from Neuville?

[TypeR]

Tänak has to buy a beer for him

Stole 2 points from Neuville.

Isn't it that non-hybrid cars don't get wdc and manu points..?

[mknight]

Will Hyundai do some team orders? In similar situation in Sweden Lappi just cruised to finish. Then again it didn't mean any position change for him after the snowstorm gap.

[WRCStan]

Isn't it that non-hybrid cars don't get wdc and manu points..?

Any car can score Drivers and Co-drivers, that's why so many Rally2 crews have.

Can't however score manu points, that is correct.

["Username"]

Why does Solberg have to swear so much, so annoying..

[J4MIE]

Any car can score Drivers and Co-drivers, that's why so many Rally2 crews have.

Can't however score manu points, that is correct.

Non-priority crews can’t score WRC points.

[AndersX]

What a time by Sesks, someone please give him a seat until the end of the season, very keen seeing what he can do with more experience (& hybrid) under his belt.
The funny thing is that next week he will be back in R2 Toyota in ERC Rally Estonia and now, after this week, all, basically all the entry list will go bananas to show that they are faster than him. On the side note - seems that he gets the grip with this Puma faster than with his Yaris, after switching from Skoda.

[Eli]

Non-priority crews can’t score WRC points.

Then why do both wrc.com & dirtfish show him scoring 8 points for today? At least that's what I saw.

[Negaiss]

What a time by Sesks, someone please give him a seat until the end of the season, very keen seeing what he can do with more experience (& hybrid) under his belt.

And You will see it in WRC of Latvia, where he will drive proper hybrid rally1, will have expirience, will have best road position and knows stages almost by hearth. If he does not burn and crash out, there is is a realistic chance to win a stage in first loops I think.

[Sulland]

Why does Solberg have to swear so much, so annoying..

He is swedish. They swear even more than we do.
In Norway less than 30% say they believe in a god, so we speak accordingly I guess.

[J4MIE]

Then why do both wrc.com & dirtfish show him scoring 8 points for today? At least that's what I saw.

Sesks isn’t non-priority ;)
Sorry for confusing you, was just a point in general as I’m a student of the rules :)

[CeskyOndra]

Why Sesks won't win in Latvia? The speed is there, the knowledge also. Others don't know the stages basically. It is a hot take, but for me, he is favorite for atleast podium

[AndersX]

Why Sesks won't win in Latvia? The speed is there, the knowledge also. Others don't know the stages basically. It is a hot take, but for me, he is favorite for atleast podium
This would be very far far shot - pressure of being at home, etc, etc,, plus Tanak will go bananas, Ogier, Kalle... - Top5 would still be nice surprise.

[masa90]

Exciting rally, but man those safetyproblems are absolutely massive. Hard to see this rally in WRC for a long time. Hope the luck lasts till end of the rally and no one gets hurt, there are some extremely dangerous stunts pulled out there.

[WRCStan]

Sesks isn’t non-priority ;)
Sorry for confusing you, was just a point in general as I’m a student of the rules :)

Can I clarify this with you? Sure it's about priority rather than national cars (article 12.3)? I don't see anything about priority like this in the rules, and obviously a national car would make a crew non-priority, but a Rally2 or 3 can be non-priority too but well within the list of 12.4 which I consider as 'any car' - ie any FIA car.

12.3.1 Cars homologated or approved by the ASN of the organising country will be permitted to take part in WRC events if stipulated in the supplementary regulations, without eligibility to score Championship points.

[TypeR]

Nobody asked you, stfu. You couldn't even pass Sesks.

Tanak is World Champion and doesn't need just pointless mileage. AND what points did Hyundai lose bc of Tanak retiring this afternoon. Cry harder.
https://www.upload.ee/image/16810759/FB_IMG_1719694590858.jpg

[Backa]

Hard to see this rally in WRC for a long time.

Not only in WRC but ERC also. That could be last Rally Poland in this region, there were rumours of moving it to tarmac roads in Silesia. In ERC, there should be two another fast gravel rallies (Scandinavia and rotating Latvia/Estonia) so it could be easier to get calendar spot with tarmac round.

I wouldn't be surprised with Mikkelsen getting some extra gravel round this year, he was fast in Greece in rally2 and Lappi crashed in Chile last year

[Negaiss]

Win would be ridiculous. Podium - dreamy, but after Poland everybody will almost expect a podium which is kind of unreal. Stage win probably will come. I really hope it does not happen, but it is highly likely, that because of a big pressure from Latvian rally fans, Sesks will try to beat WRC regulars, will overcook things and will go off the road.

[Negaiss]

Information is circulating in Latvian ralllying comunitty, that Sesks's car will be upgraded with Hybrid unit for Sunday.

[focus206]

Nobody asked you, stfu. You couldn't even pass Sesks.

Tanak is World Champion and doesn't need just pointless mileage. AND what points did Hyundai lose bc of Tanak retiring this afternoon. Cry harder.


lol, calm down. I bet if they swapped places and Neuville retired like Tanak did today, half of the forum would be up in flames "he doesn't want to clean the road for Tanak, he's not a team player, Hyundai is team Neuville" and more tinfoil hat conspiracies.
Also, probably someone DID ask him, unless you think Neuville summoned a press conference just to say that?

[CeskyOndra]

lol, calm down. I bet if they swapped places and Neuville retired like Tanak did today, half of the forum would be up in flames "he doesn't want to clean the road for Tanak, he's not a team player, Hyundai is team Neuville" and more tinfoil hat conspiracies.
Also, probably someone DID ask him, unless you think Neuville summoned a press conference just to say that?

Lol, this is so true. You are stealing my words.

[CeskyOndra]

Nobody asked you, stfu. You couldn't even pass Sesks.

Tanak is World Champion and doesn't need just pointless mileage. AND what points did Hyundai lose bc of Tanak retiring this afternoon. Cry harder.
https://www.upload.ee/image/16810759/FB_IMG_1719694590858.jpg

Why you being so rude. Just anti-Neuville guy or Tanak supporter.

[Myrvold]

Information is circulating in Latvian ralllying comunitty, that Sesks's car will be upgraded with Hybrid unit for Sunday.

This sounds weird.

[WRCStan]

This sounds weird.

There's weird and then there's absolute horseshit.

[denkimi]

Information is circulating in Latvian ralllying comunitty, that Sesks's car will be upgraded with Hybrid unit for Sunday.
No it wont. It's just not possible.

But he has shown that hybrids add absolutely nothing but costs. Although everyone who wanted to know that already did.
They should get rid of them but retain the name. Those who care don't know the difference anyway.

[macebig]

That's impossible. You can't change car specifications mid-rally. Scrutineering ain't gonna allow it. Plus, I would think Sesks' Puma runs different engine maps to cover up the hybrid boost difference in a way. They aren't gonna re program the ECU or change it. It's a pure fantasy.

[AndersX]

That's impossible. You can't change car specifications mid-rally. Scrutineering ain't gonna allow it. Plus, I would think Sesks' Puma runs different engine maps to cover up the hybrid boost difference in a way. They aren't gonna re program the ECU or change it. It's a pure fantasy.

Exactly. Sounds like overiptimistic nonsense. But, i think Malcolm is already receiving calls from high-end private teams around the Europe. M-Sport business should boom now. However, we do not know the real difference of the hybrid vs non- on slower rallies, also tarmac. Acceleration difference you could see on SSS start. Every launch is about up to 1 sec, then every 1-3rd gear corner with good grip, another sec or so. In total it should be min a sec/km. Still, Martins has done massive promotion to WRC, M-Sport and R1- cars.

[J4MIE]

Can I clarify this with you? Sure it's about priority rather than national cars (article 12.3)? I don't see anything about priority like this in the rules, and obviously a national car would make a crew non-priority, but a Rally2 or 3 can be non-priority too but well within the list of 12.4 which I consider as 'any car' - ie any FIA car.

12.3.1 Cars homologated or approved by the ASN of the organising country will be permitted to take part in WRC events if stipulated in the supplementary regulations, without eligibility to score Championship points.

I would say:
9.1 CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY DRIVERS

FIRST PRIORITY DRIVERS (P1) Drivers of Rally1 cars complying with the 2024 Appendix J, Art. 262 when

- Entered by a Manufacturer or a WRC Team and nominated to score points or
- Endorsed by the FIA.

So i would say that as he is on the entry list as P1, it must have been agreed with the FIA, who i guess are also curious how the car would perform.

It doesn’t look like there were national cars allowed to enter the rally, so maybe they used the above as a bit of a fudge?

[J4MIE]

Exactly. Sounds like overiptimistic nonsense. But, i think Malcolm is already receiving calls from high-end private teams around the Europe. M-Sport business should boom now. However, we do not know the real difference of the hybrid vs non- on slower rallies, also tarmac. Acceleration difference you could see on SSS start. Every launch is about up to 1 sec, then every 1-3rd gear corner with good grip, another sec or so. In total it should be min a sec/km. Still, Martins has done massive promotion to WRC, M-Sport and R1- cars.

I guess it might depend how much the car costs without the hybrid? Surely still a lot. Even a set of bumpers for a WRC car cost tens of thousands of euros :crazy:

[saco0o]

But he has shown that hybrids add absolutely nothing but costs. Although everyone who wanted to know that already did. They should get rid of them but retain the name. Those who care don't know the difference anyway.

i cant stop thinking this watching this rally. a rookie running a car without the hybrid with + 100kg of ballast is doing this amazing job. shoot on the foot for the wrc haha the hybrids is literally useless.

[J4MIE]

i cant stop thinking this watching this rally. a rookie running a car without the hybrid with + 100kg of ballast is doing this amazing job. shoot on the foot for the wrc haha the hybrids is literally useless.

I assumed before the first event for them that the battery wouldn’t be used on stages, but would be enough to power them on all road sections. Not just enough for 10km or whatever it is.

[mknight]

The main reason for adding hybrid was because the manus (Ford and Hyundai) demanded it to stay in WRC. More precisely demanded that the cars will be hybrid without caring about the hybrid specs at all.

The main goal of the rule set then done by FIA was to keep the car behavior as similar as without it, to be able to use the same petrol engines and to keep the costs on same level as 2017 cars (looks like the last part failed).

So the hybrid was added as a autonomous automatic unit that the drivers can't directly control, with a small battery and even more importantly strictly limited levels of energy use (limiting the amount of regen as well).
The goal was never to make the car as fast as possible or to make the hybrid radically change the driving.

[Corcaíoch]

Such a shame we didn't get to see Tanak all weekened, could watch his onboards all day!

[bugwrx]

Crazy raw speed from Tanak

[spyros]

Amazing Ott

[jonkka]

When one got nothing to lose, it's easier to go extremely flat out.

[Mirek]

Puncture for Mikkelsen...

[bandit12]

When one got nothing to lose, it's easier to go extremely flat out.

Well... There is quite a lot sunday points on the table...

[Rallyper]

Mikkelsen puncture on rear RR

[jonkka]

Well... There is quite a lot sunday points on the table...

And a lot more saturday points to lose if one bins it.

[jonkka]

Mikkelsen drops to 4th, just 6,7s ahead of Neuville with safe margins for Hyundai to make a natural looking swap between them if they so want.

[spyros]

Its me or Thierry didnt perform well this weekend.

[trykmann]

Its me or Thierry didnt perform well this weekend.

I think the last years good results on high speed events were only because of lack of competition.

[Mirek]

McErlean crashed in the finish line :/

[mknight]

Mikkelsen drops to 4th, just 6,7s ahead of Neuville with safe margins for Hyundai to make a natural looking swap between them if they so want.

I wonder what ruleset you are following. Definitely not the current one.

[EstWRC]

Reason for the puncture https://x.com/ewrcresults/status/1807318709184184392?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

[mknight]

Reason for the puncture https://x.com/ewrcresults/status/1807318709184184392?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

Interesting how massive it looks front the outside compared to how innocent it looked on the onboard shown on the stream.

[Corcaíoch]

A real shame for McErlean, his pace has really improved this year, I wans't expecting it to be honest but great to see!

[jonkka]

I wonder what ruleset you are following. Definitely not the current one.

Old man with old brains and old thoughts. You got me... :snif:

[Rallyper]

Oh dear, what a sh***y ending of the PS...

Edit: Ott just confirmed my thoughts.

[WRCStan]

I would say:
9.1 CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY DRIVERS

FIRST PRIORITY DRIVERS (P1) Drivers of Rally1 cars complying with the 2024 Appendix J, Art. 262 when

- Entered by a Manufacturer or a WRC Team and nominated to score points or
- Endorsed by the FIA.

So i would say that as he is on the entry list as P1, it must have been agreed with the FIA, who i guess are also curious how the car would perform.

It doesn’t look like there were national cars allowed to enter the rally, so maybe they used the above as a bit of a fudge?

I didn't think either of us were on about Sesks. At first you said non-priority crews can't score points, that statement alone I didn't agree with.

But on Sesks: it isn't a bit of a fudge, it's in black and white.

[trykmann]

The uncomfortable silence after Tänaks comments on Rallytv was funny.

[mknight]

The uncomfortable silence after Tänaks comments on Rallytv was funny.

Missed the comment, what did he say?

[Rallyper]

Missed the comment, what did he say?

"Shame for the sport having such stages with shicane after shicane... and Poland did it again."

[Morte66]

The main reason for adding hybrid was because the manus (Ford and Hyundai) demanded it to stay in WRC. More precisely demanded that the cars will be hybrid without caring about the hybrid specs at all.

The main goal of the rule set then done by FIA was to keep the car behavior as similar as without it, to be able to use the same petrol engines and to keep the costs on same level as 2017 cars (looks like the last part failed).

So the hybrid was added as a autonomous automatic unit that the drivers can't directly control, with a small battery and even more importantly strictly limited levels of energy use (limiting the amount of regen as well).
The goal was never to make the car as fast as possible or to make the hybrid radically change the driving.

Yep. Now that I look back, I wonder whether it was all worth it, and I think "Maybe". On the one hand, it pushed costs up and didn't do a whole lot. On the other hand, we still have a 2.5-team championship instead of a 1.5 or 1.0-team championship. That's assuming Ford and Hyundai weren't bluffing, which I am willing to consider.

And would leaving the hybrids off bring in other teams? Skoda wasn't going to enter either way. Citroen was verging on leaving, not joining. As for local importers building cars on space frames and so forth, I think it would take a lot more than dropping hybrids to make that happen (maybe 2027...).

So I can't blame anyone who felt that "it seemed like a good idea at the time". Desperate times, desperate measures.

[Eli]

Yep. Now that I look back, I wonder whether it was all worth it, and I think "Maybe". On the one hand, it pushed costs up and didn't do a whole lot. On the other hand, we still have a 2.5-team championship instead of a 1.5 or 1.0-team championship. That's assuming Ford and Hyundai weren't bluffing, which I am willing to consider.

And would leaving the hybrids off bring in other teams? Skoda wasn't going to enter either way. Citroen was verging on leaving, not joining. As for local importers building cars on space frames and so forth, I think it would take a lot more than dropping hybrids to make that happen (maybe 2027...).

So I can't blame anyone who felt that "it seemed like a good idea at the time". Desperate times, desperate measures.

To make it short, like many people said here, that’s what happens when you have no clear vision for the sport, that’s how it looks, dragging their feet, not making decisions on time…etc.

[Bumbul]

Why Sesks won't win in Latvia? The speed is there, the knowledge also. Others don't know the stages basically. It is a hot take, but for me, he is favorite for atleast podium

Didn't study the WRC rally stages in detail, but Kalle surely should have some stage knowledge? He won the Latvian R2 class championship in 2015 and next year, in 2016 (when one year older Sesks won the Latvian junior championship) Kalle won the Latvian rally championship in main class (at the age of 16).

[Sulland]

The uncomfortable silence after Tänaks comments on Rallytv was funny.

what was the comments?

[WRCStan]

Didn't study the WRC rally stages in detail, but Kalle surely should have some stage knowledge? He won the Latvian R2 class championship in 2015 and next year, in 2016 (when one year older Sesks won the Latvian junior championship) Kalle won the Latvian rally championship in main class (at the age of 16).

Kalle has shown this weekend that recces, preparation, stage experience and local knowledge are overrated.

[Rallyper]

what was the comments?

Take a look at #468 ;)

[Tauri_J]

Ott looking pretty good so far vs Neuville

[mknight]

Close fight for 2nd in WRC2 still ongoing.

[cali]

Information is circulating in Latvian ralllying comunitty, that Sesks's car will be upgraded with Hybrid unit for Sunday.
Same thing happened in Estonia when forumers started to post hearsay and complete horse fecies out of their own excitement. I call it BS and rules don't allow this.

[EstWRC]

Such a shame we didn't get to see Tanak all weekened, could watch his onboards all day!

He would have won easily IMO

I don’t agree with the guys here who say testing and etc is overrated. Look how long it took for Kalle to get up to speed here and he still isn’t the up to 100% or the Kalle we used to know and he said the same in interviews.

Despite the puncture Mikkelsens performance has been amazing. I had written him off after the tarmac rounds but really nice to see he still has it.

Sesks has been equally impressive.


Neuville back to his usual form on fast gravel rallies

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Thanks to the new points system we have this treat of watching Tanak this morning. Amazing stuff.

[EstWRC]

Amazing to watch these Tänaks onboards today

On absolute limit but still in control over the car

[Mirek]

Fourmaux also pushing like crazy on the onboard.

[Corcaíoch]

Fourmaux's onboards are great to watch, heart in your mouth stuff, doesn't feel like the composure of Tanak or Rovanpera but really really quick nonetheless

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great run by Fourmaux !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Amazing by Kalle too considering he has the win and Saturday points at risk.

[J4MIE]

Extreme wide angle will always make the cars look like they’re going faster. It’s the same when you get the helmet cam videos during a test. It is not as fast as it is from the crew.

Usual embarrassing useless commentary.

[Mirek]

Virves lost 1,5 minute :(

[Eli]

Virves lost 1,5 minute :(

Puncture?

[denkimi]

What happened to mikkelsen?

[WRCStan]

I'm bored, so as things stand prior to PS.

Hyundai 269 + 23 + 10 + ? = 302
Toyota 256 + 31 + 10 + ? = 297
M-Sport 131 + 16 + 7 + ? = meh

[jonkka]

What happened to mikkelsen?

Got puncture on opening stage and punctured tyre destroyed right rear, causing bodywork damage and possibly altered handling so he's still bleeding time even after changing fresh tyre.

[sidrun]

Is there already starting order for powerstage available somewhere?

[Managarium]

https://i.postimg.cc/FzrZV5Hs/449384045-1073299637529449-8151165478793550023-n.jpg (https://postimg.cc/ftPmMPd6)

https://i.postimg.cc/cHMh34Zb/449463526-26088296804119641-5154481410555689712-n.jpg (https://postimg.cc/R6hw5mW7)

[Mirek]

Puncture?

Yes
https://www.ewrc-results.com/media/85532-orlen-rally-poland-2024/4362/

[Eli]

Why are they showing Pajari first of the WRC2 cars?

[Rallyper]

And Gus G... where did he go? No speed at all.

[Mirek]

Great performance from Pajari all weekend. Well done!

[WRCStan]

Think that was Kai there, reading about the Tanak fine.

[Backa]

From all stages used in rally, Power Stage is worst one.

[Rallyper]

From all stages used in rally, Power Stage is worst one.

+10

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Got puncture on opening stage and punctured tyre destroyed right rear, causing bodywork damage and possibly altered handling so he's still bleeding time even after changing fresh tyre.

No electric power either as cooling damaged.