[WRC] Tet Rally Latvia 2024

[Rallyper]

This! The forum with the eWRC stage end comments and little info about punctures/crashes is perfect to follow.

So, why no drivercomments anymore? Just a lot of rubbish comments from keyboards...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So, why no drivercomments anymore?

Driver comments were there on the Friday stages. Maybe someone wasnt available to input them today...

[jcevc]

No normal broadcast of SS13 and 15 due technical problems of aircraft...

[er88]

NotAllLive

[Rallyper]

However one single glimse from the stage, and what a spot!! Sideways jump over crest. I´m happy with that...

[er88]

Wild from Munster, could have a bit of damage over that chrest

[archie106]

RIP spectator camera

[Rallyper]

And Munster almost rolled... that was close call!

[Rallyper]

Now aircoverage by mobilephone from heli. That´s innovative.

[WRCStan]

Driver comments were there on the Friday stages. Maybe someone wasnt available to input them today...

I always thought they were data rips of the official site.

[Eli]

Now aircoverage by mobilephone from heli. That´s innovative.

Looks good, perhaps they should use it too.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nice run by Fourmaux. Good improvement.

Great by Sesks too, staying right on Ogiers tail.

[EstWRC]

Good answer Sesks. Tänak should concentrate on his pace now.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I always thought they were data rips of the official site.

Speaking about driver stage-end comments, couldn't they use some kind of better microphone that will pick up the voice and block the engine sound ?

[deephouse]

Speaking about driver stage-end comments, couldn't they use some kind of better microphone that will pick up the voice and block the engine sound ?

All that probably expensive gear and still fail almost every time. Like they were going backwards. They used drones in the past, wonder where they now. So at the end the phones will rescue everything.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wow Elfyn !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No Tanak now !!

[Rallyper]

What happened to Tanak???

[archie106]

Tanak off? Still no time through

[Rallyper]

Fourmaux going slow now. Stage stopped.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Off road ... red flag.

[archie106]

Stage stopped, hopefully crew OK

[Fast Eddie WRC]

WTF Tanak hit by the arch.

[EstWRC]

Wtf happened

[Morte66]

Confusion reigns.

[TypeR]

Impossible

[Rallyper]

Car is maybe not damaged at all but whole arch is on the hood and roof of the car standing in the middle of tha stageroad. They are changing rear right wheel...

[Eli]

Arch falling on Ott’s car, what the hell…

[CeskyOndra]

Wow this man has incredible unluck... Did it just fall?

[Rallyper]

Wow this man has incredible unluck... Did it just fall?

Maybe from Evans off damaging the ropes or smth.

[Eli]

Wow this man has incredible unluck... Did it just fall?

Seems like it.

[jonkka]

Possibly arch structure (anchoring ties and ropes) have been entangled around suspension and wheels. So no actual damage but impossible to continue until those have been taken out. Just speculation by the look of it.

[Dontcut]

They should give Ott notional time. Hope for god there isnt any human under the arch.

[deephouse]

I think that Evans hit that arch or just some part of it and then when Tanak got by it fell on car. I think it went under the car and stuck there.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanaks car moving again all ok

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ha ha great comments ! :D

[Rallyper]

Aaaahhh. Tanak raging over safety. The arch was visibly on the road but no red flag before Tanak came.

[jonkka]

Tanak somewhat smirking towards officials at the stop control...

[Tauri_J]

I’m done.

[EstWRC]

Right words Tänak.

This is unbelievable how it was allowed

[CeskyOndra]

What the hell just happened

[Dontcut]

Fkng disgrace from race org.

[SubaruNorway]

I mentioned this to someone in WRC TV in Poland, the arches are always in such bad places taking rear wings off and everything, and they are not there on the recce, and here we are again...

[COD]

You just gotta love Tänak: ”hope the wine was good” 😃

But he is right, why was he not warned?

[deephouse]

You just gotta love Tänak: ”hope the wine was good” ��

But he is right, why was he not warned?

Because they had wine to drink.

[CeskyOndra]

Maybe it fell just before he came like few seconds?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lucky Tanak came through that. He could've been put out of the rally.

[Dontcut]

They dont run 0 car before Ogier? Maybe there are some confused spectators on road?

[erikli2]

Looked like the arch was still standing after Elfyn went past it, it might've fallen down just before Ott came.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GS8BKNXW4AAd2ZW?format=jpg&name=medium

[ferrial]

Camera footage shows that Evans hit the arc ropes that came off. Immediate thought was why they did not red flag the stage for Tänak and then they made it even worse not showing what happened to Tänak, were they all ok or not.

[deephouse]

Maybe it fell just before he came like few seconds?

Still he could get a warning, marshalls do have phones and other communication methods. And by the time someone should at least wave with hands and the crew would lower their speed and be extra careful. Why did they do that then for Adrien and Taka? And literally everytime in all of every other events when something happens. This smells to me like the locals do now want to even try, hmm. We know why. Because he is not Sesks or Latvian.

[Dontcut]

The broadcast is like we are watching some village Mickey Mouse rally.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Why dont they show the incident now Tanak is ok ?

[jonkka]

The broadcast is like we are watching some village Mickey Mouse rally.

At least spectators are behaving better here than in Poland.

[EstWRC]

5.42.6 or something like that would be nominal time for Tänak

[CeskyOndra]

Still he could get a warning, marshalls do have phones and other communication methods. And by the time someone should at least wave with hands and the crew would lower their speed and be extra careful. Why did they do that then for Adrien and Taka? And literally everytime in all of every other events when something happens. This smells to me like the locals do now want to even try, hmm. We know why. Because he is not Sesks or Latvian.

And what If it just had fallen right before he came? What can you do then? We don't know, we have to wait for more info

[Tauri_J]

Nominal time, really?

I was ready to jump out of a window

[deephouse]

And what If it just had fallen right before he came? What can you do then? We don't know, we have to wait for more info

Tanak did comment like they just stood there and drink wine, like they don't bother at all. That's why I assume it fell way before and they didn't bother because he is not their local hero.

[EstWRC]

5.42.6 or something like that would be nominal time for Tänak

And they put 5.42.8. Okay but looking the progress then 42.6 at least should have been

[ferrial]

It was already seen from Evans tv footage that the ropes broke off from the arc and the arc itself got damaged. The reaction time by the stewards and the race control centre was just too slow. Glad that nobody was hurt.

[cosmin_sb]

How the nominal times given? We have 3 drivers with 3 different times

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/tanak-slams-race-control-after-promotional-arch-blocks-wrc-latvia-stage/10636695/

[er88]

Thankfully all ok. Awful bloody arches perched right on the edge of the road, make them wider if they need them for sponsors or keep them to straight sections/finishes.
For a split second I was fearing the worst when I saw images of Tanaks car draped in covers

[Fast Eddie WRC]

People online questioning if the rally is safe when its without all camera's available for the organisers ?

[AndersX]

Also all the lost audience figures without TV coverage....will Prompter pay back some damage to organizer?

[erikli2]

How the nominal times given? We have 3 drivers with 3 different times

Probably based on split times.

[deephouse]

I wonder if instead nominal time given to those affected by that kind of incidents should be cut of the last sector to the finish. And then use time for all drivers for the last normal achieved sector. That means if there is 4 sectors and incident happen in the last (4/4), the time would be apply from 3/4 sector. It would be fair for everybody.

[EstWRC]

On one hand it makes me laugh that these things all the time happen with Tänak. The deer in Poland and now this here.

But on the other hand I’m super mad. They had static camera there and saw exactly what happened and that the arch was laying there and you do nothin?

Imagine if he we had to retire because of this and lost all todays points.

Oh boy. Amateur hour

[AndersX]

On one hand it makes me laugh that these things all the time happen with Tänak. The deer in Poland and now this here.

But on the other hand I’m super mad. They had static camera there and saw exactly what happened and that the arch was laying there and you do nothin?

Imagine if he we had to retire because of this and lost all todays points.

Oh boy. Amateur hour

Organizer of Rally Latvia is more experienced than numbers of ERC and WRC taken together. This should be counted as unprecedented event, with human error on the reaction time. But there should have been cameras and rally center should have seen it to make actions.

[Dontcut]

On one hand it makes me laugh that these things all the time happen with Tänak. The deer in Poland and now this here.

But on the other hand I’m super mad. They had static camera there and saw exactly what happened and that the arch was laying there and you do nothin?

Imagine if he we had to retire because of this and lost all todays points.

Oh boy. Amateur hour

They said that due to broadcast errors Race control didn't have live cam pictures.

Atm I am wondering, did they switched tyres there? What if they had punctured 2 wheels? Shit happens?

[EstWRC]

They said that due to broadcast errors Race control didn't have live cam pictures.

Atm I am wondering, did they switched tyres there? What if they had punctured 2 wheels? Shit happens?

I think they took the tires off to cut the arch and stuff off from the car

[WRCStan]

Pretty sure if race control had vision than we would have vision too.

[Eli]

I’m glad we’re getting new events and a couple of the stages here are really nice but no offence to anyone, I’m glad it’s a one off. I would wish it would’ve been another snow rally but after 2015 I’m aware that won’t happen.

[jonkka]

WRC.com live updates are so funny. It's along the lines of "Driver X with fastest time so far...!" (note the exclamation mark, that's important here). So they get to whip the same line up again and again and again as if they didn't know that the next driver will more than likely post a better time.

[dnb]

This year at Rally Estonia (and it wasnt even WRC event) they had to clear 17 trees that fell on the road due to storm and stage delayed only 15min, Latvia cant even see whats happening under the cameras. Keep Estonia's spot and don't switch it with Latvia in future...

[Eli]

WRC.com live updates are so funny. It's along the lines of "Driver X with fastest time so far...!" (note the exclamation mark, that's important here). So they get to whip the same line up again and again and again as if they didn't know that the next driver will more than likely post a better time.

Probably a bot in charge of that lol.

[Eli]

I hope other rallies don’t get any ideas from the length of stages when they’ll run the sprint events next year.

[DrLill]

I think Estonia in general has more interesting stages as well, especially those that were around Peipsi region.

[Dontcut]

This year at Rally Estonia (and it wasnt even WRC event) they had to clear 17 trees that fell on the road due to storm and stage delayed only 15min, Latvia cant even see whats happening under the cameras. Keep Estonia's spot and don't switch it with Latvia in future...
Who is gonna fund the event every year?

[dnb]

They said that due to broadcast errors Race control didn't have live cam pictures.


Like 0 picture? Even though it's unlikely, that means the stages are not safe to drive.

[Mirek]

Far majority of rallies around the world run without any live coverage. That's why there are marshalls around the stage. The live coverage is an addition but rallies run safely without it.

[deephouse]

https://www.facebook.com/valts.jirgensons.9/videos/995127482306639/ a little video of Ott pick up that arch

[Oliverk]

Very crappy video of Tänak incident, prob better ones will follow.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/461768573419932

[Tauri_J]

Seems like they hit it, reversed and then tried to go again.

[Morte66]

It is like a video of a dog or cat stuck under the bed covers, trying to find its way out.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No accidents or punctures for the part-time or others meaning no position gains for Neuville on Saturday.

8th place points wont improve his view of the WRC rules as the leader of the Championship.

[er88]

Tanak you silly, silly boy

Edit, says something failed

[WRCStan]

The happy stick not working for Ott.

[deephouse]

So far the event didn't impress much. Although I like the fact that it's the event with mixed surface. The calendar lack that since Spain was out.

[EstWRC]

Tänak just can’t catch a break at all. lol

[er88]

So far the event didn't impress much. Although I like the fact that it's the event with mixed surface. The calendar lack that since Spain was out.

Still better than the farcical scenes at Poland

[EstWRC]

Ah shit I only now realized that Tänak can’t have the podium also now tomorrow.

What a day

[Dontcut]

Arch wires jammed wheels, propshaft/gearbox was damaged and now it failed. Could have ended catastrophically with wheel off.

[WRCStan]

Taka laughing as he says sorry to the guys behind.

[EstWRC]

Arch wires jammed wheels, propshaft/gearbox was damaged and now it failed. Could have ended catastrophically with wheel off.

Yeah I’m also guessing this. But yeah very lucky here that this was the last stage.

[er88]

Kalle still takes another stage win. Class

[Morte66]

Pajari is gaining on second place in WRC2, and I'm hoping he'll bag that today, but it's a long way to Solberg after that.

Maybe Evans could gain a place if Fourmaux stays off the boil.

So much for that. Nothing for me today.

The stages did seem better than yesterday, at least the ones we saw.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

At least Tanak didnt lose any positions despite today's trials. Things could've turned out a lot worse.

[focus206]

Very unlucky Tanak for what happened with the arch thing, very lucky Tanak for not losing any major time.

[dimviii]

https://www.ewrc.cz/images/2024/photos/tet-rally-latvia_2024/vms_dsc_3760.jpg
https://www.ewrc.cz/images/2024/photos/tet-rally-latvia_2024/vms_dsc_4074.jpg
https://www.ewrc.cz/images/2024/photos/tet-rally-latvia_2024/vms_dsc_3730.jpg
https://www.ewrc.cz/images/2024/photos/tet-rally-latvia_2024/vms_dsc_3748.jpg

["Username"]

2544

just two estonian dudes presenting the newest Toyota model

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanak wants FIA investigation:

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/tanak-urges-fia-investigation-into-arch-incident/

[dnb]

There were people present who had to check the arch's safety and communication was to clear it. Which they were doing but apparently didnt make it in time before Tanak's car.
Crazy that while safety is most important, big penalties for driving without seatbelt or speeding, stages cancelled for spectator safety etc. But this...

Was Tanak's problem in last stage connected to this incident? Basically lost overall podium to Sesks.

[Dontcut]

Yeah, that point is intresting, drivers get penalties for baclavas, seatbelts and doughnuts and now we have freaking arch on road after blind corner. FIA approved.

[flat_right]

Was Tanak's problem in last stage connected to this incident? Basically lost overall podium to Sesks.

Probably. Ott said to Estonian media that after the jump the driveshaft broke and he needed some other ways to stop the car. And why it broke was most probably connected to the incident.

[becher]

Yeah, that point is intresting, drivers get penalties for baclavas, seatbelts and doughnuts and now we have freaking arch on road after blind corner. FIA approved.
That is nothing out of the ordinary in sport, the "rule makers" can also make a mistake, but they can hardly give them self a 10 second time penalty.

[WRCStan]

Probably. Ott said to Estonian media that after the jump the driveshaft broke and he needed some other ways to stop the car. And why it broke was most probably connected to the incident.

This was said on TV too, I don't get why you need the driveshaft to stop the car. Turn, yes - but not braking. What am I missing?

[PLuto]

That is nothing out of the ordinary in sport, the "rule makers" can also make a mistake, but they can hardly give them self a 10 second time penalty.

Yes, but on next event they can give to each competitor 200 euro cheaper entry fee (and pay the difference to the organiser from their pocket) ;)

[J4MIE]

As usual with this type of bizarre situations, it is a series of situations, mostly just unlucky, that leads to the ‘major’ part of it. If HQ had had visibility of it, then I’m sure there is a red flag straight away, we see how quickly they do it if there’s people standing in dodgy positions.
I’ve not seen one of these banners close up recently, but surely there was someone there that could have set off down the road to stop the next car - they would’ve had a few minutes and probably have more of an idea that they couldn’t move it in time? The difficulty would be trying to stop the car flat out and not get hit, which is maybe why this didn’t happen?

[becher]

This was said on TV too, I don't get why you need the driveshaft to stop the car. Turn, yes - but not braking. What am I missing?
Engine braking, plus a car behaves different approaching a corner if it isn't under load.

[becher]

Yes, but on next event they can give to each competitor 200 euro cheaper entry fee (and pay the difference to the organiser from their pocket) ;)

Did this happen to you?

[Tauri_J]

I dont buy the fact that race control didnt see any live pictures. We saw Evans crash and driving through cables which left them freely hanging. They had 3 minutes after this to red flag it.

they failed

[NoBudgetWRT]

Still no plane. No onboards

[Tauri_J]

Would suck if we get no onboards on powerstage

[Dontcut]

We dont have live onboards? Cool

[Tauri_J]

Neuville on flatout mode

[CeskyOndra]

No onboards but we dont really need them on this stage, still nice coverage

[EstWRC]

Kalle and Ogier trolling with full time drivers with Sunday points.

[CeskyOndra]

Not a lot to do for full time drivers with their starting position.

[NoBudgetWRT]

Awesome coverage. wtf

[EstWRC]

Fail with coverage again

How much have we seen actually since yesterday afternoon?

[rallyfiend]

I guess if the plane is screwed there's only so much that can be done.

[jonkka]

What do you mean coverage fail, I do see stream, just not onboards?

[SubaruNorway]

Again, arches on the exit of corners, watch one of these get taken down now

[EstWRC]

Interesting that both Neuville and Tänak gave away 0.5-1 seconds with the rallycross track in the end

[Kras]

Whole weekend without onboards is a disgrace. They should just give a free month to all rallytv subscribers

[EstWRC]

Super Sunday after two stages

https://www.ewrc-results.com/leg/85533-tet-rally-latvia-2024/?leg=3

[CeskyOndra]

Tanak to secure 12 points, Evans something like 7 and Neuville max. 3 I would say..

[Dontcut]

Tanak to secure 12 points, Evans something like 7 and Neuville max. 3 I would say..
Neuville will have good PS, road is getting rutted and soft.

[J4MIE]

I dont buy the fact that race control didnt see any live pictures. We saw Evans crash and driving through cables which left them freely hanging. They had 3 minutes after this to red flag it.

they failed

When did you see it though? As it happened, or did it take longer to be transmitted over phone back to then be broadcast. I know Special Stage can be around a minute or so between it happening and the broadcast being “live”. And it’s not like the arch toppled over in the background as Evans passed it.
Just one of those things. Shit happens as they say.

[CeskyOndra]

Neuville will have good PS, road is getting rutted and soft.

Compared to Katsuta and Lappi it didnt seem to suit him so much

[Eli]

Again, I’m really glad a new rally gets an opportunity and it’s important to try out new events to see what’s what but I can’t stress this enough, I miss my summer Tarmac event…I hope that if Latvia makes a return, they’ll take different stages & learn from this weekend so it’ll be better, they deserve better (without those annoying chicanes) & us as fans deserve better.

[EstWRC]

They better solve the picture issue for power stage. I’m getting mad

[Kras]

Nice radio broadcast

[jonkka]

Fourmaux has some trouble, didn't talk to reporters?

[Eli]

Fourmaux has some trouble, didn't talk to reporters?

Yes, he looked worried at his dash.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

M-Sport's all having some issues today.

[Dontcut]

As a Tänak fan, I like to see Sesks on podium.

[EstWRC]

Tänak and Ogier tied for Sunday points

[CeskyOndra]

I wonder If Ogier would be really doing the rest of the championship. He could be a big danger for championship contenders with loosing only just 25 points or something like that after Latvia.

[Managarium]

Fourmaux has some trouble, didn't talk to reporters?


Yes, he looked worried at his dash.

You could hear his engine was making pulsing sound, like his RPM were jumping when he approached time control at the stage end.

[deephouse]

I wonder If Ogier would be really doing the rest of the championship. He could be a big danger for championship contenders with loosing only just 25 points or something like that after Latvia.

It would be great for the championship, but my opinion is, that he is coward. Doing this when Kalle isn't doing the whole just prove it. He could step up next year, but we all know and he also, that he doesn't have a chance.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It would be great for the championship, but my opinion is, that he is coward. Doing this when Kalle isn't doing the whole just prove it. He could step up next year, but we all know and he also, that he doesn't have a chance.

He's doing what he enjoys and what Toyota asked as Latvala confirmed they need to play all their trump cards to fight Hyundai.

[mknight]

Yes the only reason the 8-times in 3 teams world champion with tons of money and a small kid at home is not doing full season is cause he is afraid he won't win.


On a more real note:
I think him doing more rounds is a combination of 3 things:
-Toyota need it for many champ
- New point system dimishes value of "win" for part timers and also makes it possible to try for championship
- and obviously he is not cleaning unlike just about all his career including a period with 2 day cleaning

[Dontcut]

The fact that promotor doesn't show Ott's banner moment in highlights, is full soviet-like censorship.

[becher]

The fact that promotor doesn't show Ott's banner moment in highlights, is full soviet-like censorship.

Yes! They shot them self in the foot yet again by conveniently forgetting to show it. "The stage was red flagged because of debris from Evans excursion." Not a single mention of Tanäk. F**** joke.

[NoBudgetWRT]

Biggest joke is that they didn't get the new plane and we don't have a tv coverage

[fredfush]

Biggest joke is that they didn't get the new plane and we don't have a tv coverage

It's not just a matter of changing planes. There is equipment to be installed, some of which requires certifying. It's not practical to have spare plane sitting on the tarmac.

[Tauri_J]

When did you see it though? As it happened, or did it take longer to be transmitted over phone back to then be broadcast. I know Special Stage can be around a minute or so between it happening and the broadcast being “live”. And it’s not like the arch toppled over in the background as Evans passed it.
Just one of those things. Shit happens as they say.

That was live on my TV on an estonian channel. Should be a 20-30s delay. All live is more delayed

[Morte66]

Well, I was going to say "that saves Pajari opening the road in Finland". Except he'll be in a R1...

[archie106]

Lappis car sounds like a Subaru

[Tauri_J]

Ugh Neuville lucky

[Tauri_J]

Sesks whyyyy

[Morte66]

Lappis car sounds like a Subaru

It sounds like a biplane from World War One

[er88]

What a joke, so unlucky for Sesks. FFS

[CeskyOndra]

Oh noooo

[er88]

Diff problem he thinks, what did msport do to their cars overnight

[Augury]

Hats off to Sesks. What a character.

[TypeR]

Tanak's stage end comments about Sesks reminded me Poland 2016 right away(Ogier going to Tanak after finish).
Respect!

[Eli]

Well done to Sesks, hopefully later in his career he’ll have the better car.

[EstWRC]

Tanak's stage end comments about Sesks reminded me Poland 2016 right away(Ogier going to Tanak after finish).
Respect!

Agreed, very good words from him.

Overall not a bad result for Tänak but still all these troubles cost him P2 I think.

[CeskyOndra]

Championship is gonna be so so close!

[deephouse]

Oh gosh, Hyundai still dominates after that

[Eli]

Agreed, very good words from him.

Overall not a bad result for Tänak but still all these troubles cost him P2 I think.

Still manage to take 13 points from Neuville heading into Finland, should be interesting, wish we had Deutschland after it, always delivered (drama) and was a good hunting ground for Ott ;)

[Eli]

Oh gosh, Hyundai still dominates after that

By a point!!

[deephouse]

By a point!!

And two their top drivers in the top challenge for a drivers title

[cosmin_sb]

Neuville 3+3+3=9 total 145
Evans 6+4+1=11 total 132
Tanak 10+7+5=22 total 137
Ogier 15+6+4=25 total 117

[CeskyOndra]

Still manage to take 13 points from Neuville heading into Finland, should be interesting, wish we had Deutschland after it, always delivered (drama) and was a good hunting ground for Ott ;)

Deutschland was good hunting ground for Ott in Toyota. Not in Hyundai on Tarmac.

[Tauri_J]

Ott only 8 points down

[CeskyOndra]

Some of you will blame me but Im grateful for having Super Sunday. Its incredible excitement.

Championship should be equal after Finland - Evans 2x winner, Tanak great performance and Neuville decent.

2 tarmac rounds work in favour of Neuville, but he has to not to bin it now.

[EstWRC]

I don’t blame you, super Sunday is fantastic.

But the new system that they give points on Saturday isn’t.

Bring back the old system and just add super Sunday on top of it.

[CeskyOndra]

I don’t blame you, super Sunday is fantastic.

But the new system that they give points on Saturday isn’t.

Bring back the old system and just add super Sunday on top of it.

Yeah agree. But atleast we have all the days super exciting.

[becher]

I thought about Neuvilles chances for the rest of the season, I don't see him winning gravel event from first on the road without any major trouble for others, but the two tarmac events suit him, so he could be the first champion who only won on tarmac. I don't think it ever happened before right?

[stavrosGDB]

Feel sorry for Sesks,but will be back stronger,Lappi's powerstage remind me Group N years with a Subaru sounding wise.GO Ott!

[Sulland]

Star driver of the rally: Martins Sesks!
We will see more fun from him!

[CeskyOndra]

I thought about Neuvilles chances for the rest of the season, I don't see him winning gravel event from first on the road without any major trouble for others, but the two tarmac events suit him, so he could be the first champion who only won on tarmac. I don't think it ever happened before right?

He actually lost only 10 points of his gap on 2 fast gravel rallies when started first on the road, I expected a lot more. In Finland the cleaning effect isnt too bad and is there a chance of rain too?

[focus206]

I thought about Neuvilles chances for the rest of the season, I don't see him winning gravel event from first on the road without any major trouble for others, but the two tarmac events suit him, so he could be the first champion who only won on tarmac. I don't think it ever happened before right?

I don't think Neuville will be in the lead of the championship after Finland, it will be another useless event for him in which he can only stay in front of Munster on cleaning speed. I think the title could be decided in Acropolis and Chile, especially by technical failures.

[focus206]

He actually lost only 10 points of his gap on 2 fast gravel rallies when started first on the road, I expected a lot more. In Finland the cleaning effect isnt too bad and is there a chance of rain too?

A bit less cleaning, but it's the least favourite rally for Neuville.

[Eli]

I wouldn’t write Neuville off just yet, if it rains in Acropolis or Chile he might have a chance to win either, Finland will be decisive imho and if by any chance the gap stays roughly the same I’d say will could go down to CER.

[Typ85]

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/gGpTWCL4KSbkj1So/

[CeskyOndra]

I wouldn’t write Neuville off just yet, if it rains in Acropolis or Chile he might have a chance to win either, Finland will be decisive imho and if by any chance the gap stays roughly the same I’d say will could go down to CER.

Rain in Acropolis is almost impossible, but let's see. Anyways he is strong here. Forecast for Finland doesn't look so bad for him also.

[becher]

I mean Neuville is not going to fight Evans or Tanäk in Finland, but he was quit decent last year, so he could score decent points there.

[Eli]

Rain in Acropolis is almost impossible, but let's see. Anyways he is strong here. Forecast for Finland doesn't look so bad for him also.

Didn't it rain back in 2021 when it came back to the championship?

[Backa]

Rain in Acropolis is almost impossible, but let's see. Anyways he is strong here. Forecast for Finland doesn't look so bad for him also.

Heavy rain lead to cancelling shakedown last year.

Tanak could became championship leader in Finland and clean roads in Greece. Championship battle should be tight to the end imo.

[CeskyOndra]

Heavy rain lead to cancelling shakedown last year.

Tanak could became championship leader in Finland and clean roads in Greece. Championship battle should be tight to the end imo.

Yeah, my bad

[EstWRC]

Thierry is still leading the championship and is also the favorite still at the moment.


Out of the 3 contenders, he is the favorite to win the last two events, he is the best on tarmac out of them. Evans and Tänak should at least have 20 points margin before the last two rallies IMO. Especially Tänak who is always struggling with the Hyundai on tarmac and so far hasn’t had an answer to Thierry.

[Eli]

Thierry is still leading the championship and is also the favorite still at the moment.


Out of the 3 contenders he is the favorite to win the last two events he is the best on tarmac out of them. Evans and Tänak should at least have 20 points margin before the last two rallies IMO. Especially Tänak who is always struggling with the Hyundai on tarmac and so far hasn’t had an answer to Thierry.

I think if we’d have a different end of year rallies (After Chile) say CER-Australia-Ireland-Wales, it would’ve made things a bit more interesting.

[DrLill]

Thierry is still leading the championship and is also the favorite still at the moment.


Out of the 3 contenders he is the favorite to win the last two events he is the best on tarmac out of them. Evans and Tänak should at least have 20 points margin before the last two rallies IMO. Especially Tänak who is always struggling with the Hyundai on tarmac and so far hasn’t had an answer to Thierry.

Yeah. I think the same. From top of my head there has not been a single tarmac event where Tänak has been faster than Neuville in i20. I think that Ypres win in 2022 was also after Neuville crashed from the lead. So in essence he would need a solid margin before those two last events...lets see.

[EstWRC]

Passats de canto video

https://youtu.be/SPO2rDvoGy0?si=DRSDzAuyl4nPRDMv

[macebig]

Feels like Ogier has a realistic shot at the title, depending on how Finland goes. If he outscores the rest again, it's on. He will take part in CER and Japan, where he could be considered a favourite for victory and at least one of Greece and Chile with a favourable starting position.

[PGrally]

WRC Tet Rally Latvia 2024 Crash, Rally2 Mistake, Moments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8eJoiCnTkI

[CeskyOndra]

Im afraid that some technical issue in Greece will decide the title.

[focus206]

Im afraid that some technical issue in Greece will decide the title.

I have that feeling as well. Hyundai has been surprisingly reliable this year. No major technical issue for Tanak, apart from gremlins, and only 1 for Neuville (broken fuel pump in Safari). I think if Neuville or Tanak get one technical DNF more than the other, that will be decisive. I don't even count Evans and Ogier in this, since they drive the tank Toyota, they just need to be fast to win the title.
Of course, there's driver mistakes as well.

[Eli]

Yeah. I think the same. From top of my head there has not been a single tarmac event where Tänak has been faster than Neuville in i20. I think that Ypres win in 2022 was also after Neuville crashed from the lead. So in essence he would need a solid margin before those two last events...lets see.

So between the top 3 since 2022: Evans won on tarmac twice, both times last year in Croatia & Japan; Ott only has won win in Ypres back in 2022 & Thierry has won 3 times, in Japan ‘22, CER last year and Monte-Carlo his latest win so effectively has the upper hand in those last two events…assuming he doesn’t lose more than say 25 points in the next 3 events, it’s his to lose. Mind you, Evans has yet to win this year while both Ott & Thierry have one win a piece….2024 will go down to the wire imho, especially with this complicated scoring system, I honestly hope they sort it out for next year so that at the base of it the one who finishes first still gets the most points.

[saco0o]

man, that was a fun rally to watch. sesks made it awesome. hoping for a good performance for pajari too in the next round.
ahh soo refreshing

[CeskyOndra]

So between the top 3 since 2022: Evans won on tarmac twice, both times last year in Croatia & Japan; Ott only has won win in Ypres back in 2022 & Thierry has won 3 times, in Japan ‘22, CER last year and Monte-Carlo his latest win so effectively has the upper hand in those last two events…assuming he doesn’t lose more than say 25 points in the next 3 events, it’s his to lose. Mind you, Evans has yet to win this year while both Ott & Thierry have one win a piece….2024 will go down to the wire imho, especially with this complicated scoring system, I honestly hope they sort it out for next year so that at the base of it the one who finishes first still gets the most points.

Im so excited for Finland already :D Luckily Its just 10 days!

[TypeR]

Tanak to the arch video
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BTgKG5ti8qQWgiS/


And nobody fking warning them on the side of the road.. so stupid.

[trykmann]

So between the top 3 since 2022: Evans won on tarmac twice, both times last year in Croatia & Japan; Ott only has won win in Ypres back in 2022 & Thierry has won 3 times, in Japan ‘22, CER last year and Monte-Carlo his latest win so effectively has the upper hand in those last two events…assuming he doesn’t lose more than say 25 points in the next 3 events, it’s his to lose. Mind you, Evans has yet to win this year while both Ott & Thierry have one win a piece….2024 will go down to the wire imho, especially with this complicated scoring system, I honestly hope they sort it out for next year so that at the base of it the one who finishes first still gets the most points.

It seems Thierry has a different and more sensible approach this year. Compared to previous years he has been a lot more stable and has made much less mistakes. Usually the speed and driving has seemed a lot of times to be over the limit and then things started to happen.

Lets see, if he can keep it going this way till the end. Otherwise I agree with previous comments. Thierry will be the favorite for the last two events.

[dimviii]

Tanak to the arch video
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BTgKG5ti8qQWgiS/


And nobody fking warning them on the side of the road.. so stupid.

pretty dangerous!

[TypeR]

People standing next to the fallen arch like morons, thinking that next driver will push the KITT ,,turbo boost'' button and jump over.
Yes, I like Tanak's driving, but at this moment it doesn't matter if it was Tanak, Neuville, Ogier or any other tens and tens of drivers, who put all their effort in this sport..
Luckily it didn't end anyones rally and were able to continue, but could easily be a roll and dnf.

And then.. ,,oh sorry..''

[saco0o]

on the video dirtfish posted where tanak is 'fixing' the aero on the car after this incident, you can hear he talking to evans around 2:53 min about "normally there would be marshalls" at the location. ott says "the marshall was just filming it". he laughs after that. not sure there was actually a marshall "not doing" their jobs but eh, maybe?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQKdp3CeMCM

[kauri95]

Rally Latvia fast driving

https://youtu.be/CrUN_UK_WO0

[saco0o]

ogier laughing and joking that he should say "yes, maybe im doing the rest of the championship" to scare hyundai team haha
i bet dirtfish will have 4 different articles on this sentence during the next 3 days =P

[Morte66]

I was a bit underwhelmed with this rally. The drivers were mostly sorted into road position order on Friday, and mostly stayed there for the rest of the rally.

The stages on Friday were not so great but they started to pick up Saturday, and SS 12 was very good. Then we lost visuals for a lot of it.

Tanak was seriously impressive. I feel like everybody has been warned.

My guys Evans and Pajari did as well as I expected but not quite as well as I hoped.

Heikkila was good — hats off.

I'm not sure what to make of Sesks. He did very well, but then we knew he was pretty good and he had all the advantages. If Lappi had had this rally with this road position I wouldn't have raised an eyebrow, but Sesks is new. He looks like he could be somebody's third driver for gravel. I think the most interesting thing is that he seemed just as happy in the hybrid as the non-hybrid, and happier in his first WRC1 hybrid outing than Lappi did after six months off WRC1. I bet a few people at Hyundai are looking at Lappi and Mikkelsen with questions.

[CeskyOndra]

ogier laughing and joking that he should say "yes, maybe im doing the rest of the championship" to scare hyundai team haha
i bet dirtfish will have 4 different articles on this sentence during the next 3 days =P

I heard before rally Croatia that Ogi will be doing rest of the events, that he doesn't like being off and not driving so much. I couldn't believe it and now its true.

[CeskyOndra]

Tanak to the arch video
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BTgKG5ti8qQWgiS/


And nobody fking warning them on the side of the road.. so stupid.

That ended very well for Tanak. Was fu*cking dangerous lol.

[saco0o]

https://www.reddit.com/r/WRC/comments/1e7t8qj/safe_driving/
? lol

[JAM]

And why not pointing a finger to the TV producer?
The hyde all the situation.
Why did they did that? Doing that were not they hiding the situation from de Race Control?
I think that hiding that moment from the TV transmission was something unaceptable.

[rallyfiend]

And why not pointing a finger to the TV producer?
The hyde all the situation.
Why did they did that? Doing that were not they hiding the situation from de Race Control?
I think that hiding that moment from the TV transmission was something unaceptable.

So you expect the TV producer to show a potential accident?

What does that have to do with the actions of Race Control?

[skarderud]

It's quite easy, some "big name" was closing in on the local hero, this has happened before, lots of times.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[mknight]

I'm not sure what to make of Sesks....He looks like he could be somebody's third driver for gravel. I think the most interesting thing is that he seemed just as happy in the hybrid as the non-hybrid, and happier in his first WRC1 hybrid outing than Lappi did after six months off WRC1. I bet a few people at Hyundai are looking at Lappi and Mikkelsen with questions.

Lappi had first weak gravel (speedwise) since 2020.
Mikkelsen just did first gravel since 2019 and did better than Sesks in Latvia on same type of rally.

Myself I am more surprised that nobody compared Sesks with Fourmaux who has now had 1,5 seasons in the car and is constantly glorified for his results this year.
Seks was close to him without hybrid and clearly faster with it.
Is it just the driver or is the Puma now much better and Fourmaux actually underperforms?

[EstWRC]

Don’t know if this was posted here https://x.com/rallyinguk/status/1815380460941304096?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

[dimviii]

Myself I am more surprised that nobody compared Sesks with Fourmaux who has now had 1,5 seasons in the car and is constantly glorified for his results this year.
Seks was close to him without hybrid and clearly faster with it.
Is it just the driver or is the Puma now much better and Fourmaux actually underperforms?

it would be unfair to compare Sesks and Fourmaux at Monte.

[Mirek]

it would be unfair to compare Sesks and Fourmaux at Monte.

Yes. Sesks won both Poland and Latvia before and it's normal to expect him being fast there. The ERC level isn't that bad.

[Mirek]

People standing next to the fallen arch like morons, thinking that next driver will push the KITT ,,turbo boost'' button and jump over.
Yes, I like Tanak's driving, but at this moment it doesn't matter if it was Tanak, Neuville, Ogier or any other tens and tens of drivers, who put all their effort in this sport..
Luckily it didn't end anyones rally and were able to continue, but could easily be a roll and dnf.

And then.. ,,oh sorry..''

Fortunately I didn't need to to that on a WRC event but as a spectator who stopped/slowed down cars coming to an accident site numerous times I can't understand people just waiting for the inevitable crash with their cameras on...

[JAM]

So you expect the TV producer to show a potential accident?

What does that have to do with the actions of Race Control?

Probably, almost sure, the race Control was following the TV transmission as is usual to do.

We have to wait by the investigation, but i wouldn't be surprised if at that momment the race control didn't knew what was really going on with that arch being down.

[WRCStan]

Yes bystanders, marshals, control could have done things.

But it's not such a blind corner.

Is it not unreasonable to expect the driver to either:
i) attempt to slow down and go around the obstruction
ii) attempt to stop despite hitting the obstruction.

Only one person made the decision to put his foot down hoping to blast through to the other side.

:bomb:

[Tauri_J]

I was noticing it too but you are the first to say it. It looked like Ott didnt even try to break and just floors it.

I could be wrong but that is what I saw and heard from those crappy videos.

[Rallyper]

Yes bystanders, marshals, control could have done things.

But it's not such a blind corner.

Is it not unreasonable to expect the driver to either:
i) attempt to slow down and go around the obstruction
ii) attempt to stop despite hitting the obstruction.

Only one person made the decision to put his foot down hoping to blast through to the other side.

:bomb:

If you want to win, never give up. Ott didn´t give up. He tried.

Essential to know why some win and some doesn´t even try... ;)

[Rallyest]

Yes bystanders, marshals, control could have done things.

But it's not such a blind corner.

Is it not unreasonable to expect the driver to either:
i) attempt to slow down and go around the obstruction
ii) attempt to stop despite hitting the obstruction.

Only one person made the decision to put his foot down hoping to blast through to the other side.

:bomb:

Well if you watch the Dirtfish video posted right after the incident at regroup. You can hear Tänak saying to Fourmaux that he was basicly F* it and tried to go through but it didnt, and to Evans he sayd exaclty that he went on full throttle to go through it but it instantly snapped the wheels to lock and stopped the car. But i think it is normal in that situation from drivers perspective? Ott was having a massive attack and had a massive split times compared to others before the incident. You have few seconds to react and he decided to floor it and try to go through. Seems only logical if you are trying to close in on a podium position.

[denkimi]

Tanak is one hell of a good driver, but he seems often very stupid as a person.

I wonder if he tried to do the same thing with the deer. Just say fuck it, drive straight into it and hope through some miracle he escapes unscathed.
There could have been another car or whatever obstacle behind that arch. Driving full throttle into it is only something a drunk destruction derby driver would do.

[Rallyest]

Tanak is one hell of a good driver, but he seems often very stupid as a person.

I wonder if he tried to do the same thing with the deer. Just say fuck it, drive straight into it and hope through some miracle he escapes unscathed.
There could have been another car or whatever obstacle behind that arch. Driving full throttle into it is only something a drunk destruction derby driver would do.

Clearly the arch was down enough as seen in the video that he saw there was nothing behind it and regarding the Deer, i think it was mentioned that the time between seeing the deer and impact was around 1 second or less if i remember correctly.

[mmm]

Any ''analysis'' of this situation past the fact that the organizers failed to stop the car is meaningless.

[EstWRC]

Tanak is one hell of a good driver, but he seems often very stupid as a person.

I wonder if he tried to do the same thing with the deer. Just say fuck it, drive straight into it and hope through some miracle he escapes unscathed.
There could have been another car or whatever obstacle behind that arch. Driving full throttle into it is only something a drunk destruction derby driver would do.

A person who claims a driver deliberately maybe tried to drive into a deer seems the stupid one to me.

[denkimi]

Clearly the arch was down enough as seen in the video that he saw there was nothing behind it and regarding the Deer, i think it was mentioned that the time between seeing the deer and impact was around 1 second or less if i remember correctly.
The arch was still significantly higher than his car. He could not see what was behind it. But he did saw a big object blocking the road and he decided to crash into it as fast as he could.


Any ''analysis'' of this situation past the fact that the organizers failed to stop the car is meaningless.
No it isn't.
You are right that this is the fault of the organisers. There should have been marshals there and the stage should have been red flagged as soon as the arch started sagging.

But what any sensible driver should do when he sees something blocking the road is brake as hard as possible to limit the damage, stop and contact race control to let them stop the stage. Race control will then give him the lost time back.

These kind of accidents are giving clues as to why Tanak's car so often breaks when others don't.

[TypeR]

Tanak is one hell of a good driver, but he seems often very stupid as a person.

I wonder if he tried to do the same thing with the deer. Just say fuck it, drive straight into it and hope through some miracle he escapes unscathed.
There could have been another car or whatever obstacle behind that arch. Driving full throttle into it is only something a drunk destruction derby driver would do.
Yes, you are correct, very sensible thinking.
A person going 189km/h on narrow forest road deliberately drives into a big animal.



“If it was standing on the road, I would not have hit it,” he told DirtFish.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanak probably had no more than a second or two to decide what to do when seeing the arch on the road.

His vast experience would tell him they are inflatable and not a very solid object even when deflated. He took a chance hoping to go over it and unfortunately it got tangled in the wheels, but a heavy impact was never going to happen.

If he'd managed to go over it and continued he wouldn't have made such a an issue of it all.

[Dontcut]

Tanak probably had no more than a second or two to decide what to do when seeing the arch on the road.

His vast experience would tell him they are inflatable and not a very solid object even when deflated. He took a chance hoping to go over it and unfortunately it got tangled in the wheels, but a heavy impact was never going to happen.

If he'd managed to go over it and continued he wouldn't have made such a an issue of it all.

I think he meant to go under it, arch was quite high up.

[J4MIE]

Amazing that people on here are insisting that people who may or may not have any idea about rallying are supposed to run down the road and stop a car from hitting a bit of plastic/rubber. This isn’t the way it’s done these days and I doubt there was any danger to Tanak, he could easily have driven around it and then requested the time back. In fact he put anyone standing near it at risk as it could have hit someone who was trying to help.
So poor form for all involved I’d say. And especially poor comments from Tanak at the stage end.

[mknight]

Agree with J4MIE. Poor form from just about everyone involved.

The (split-second) decision to floor it was stupid, not an indicator of his superior winning attitude.

Had he stopped he would get notional time as has been common for many years and he knows it.

This way he seemingly also caused the later issue on the final stage. Worst case there could have been something else inside the arch or behind it, either a fan(blower) to keep it up (as there often is in similar constructions) or a fan (person) trying to move it. Even if it "just" got stuck on his windscreen it would get dangerous quite quickly.

[AndersX]

Calm down everyone. Tanak had time to break - he did not. Head of organizer told in local TV that there were no visuals from the place due to the plain issue and that there were marchals who tried to remove it and almost did it, but when Tanak came they had to jump off as wires were all around. Note that even power cable was there on the place. This was freakish incident, but clearly all those banners require some rethinking and all the TV signals need immediate back up to move on.

[Päss1928]

To whoever is claiming it was dangerous to others to go through it, don't you think Tänak would have 110% been warned if it was the case? As we know, nobody warned or waved him down. For a rally driver that is a green light to go forward and make your own decision whether to go through a soft visible object. Am I wrong? And even then, yes, it still looks a bit optimistic and silly to floor it, but whatever, had to decide in a split second, he just took the risk and luckily got the time back anyway.

[faateris]

TET Rally Latvia 2024 in photos - http://janisasaris.com/

JA

[J4MIE]

To whoever is claiming it was dangerous to others to go through it, don't you think Tänak would have 110% been warned if it was the case? As we know, nobody warned or waved him down. For a rally driver that is a green light to go forward and make your own decision whether to go through a soft visible object. Am I wrong? And even then, yes, it still looks a bit optimistic and silly to floor it, but whatever, had to decide in a split second, he just took the risk and luckily got the time back anyway.

Depends if those trying to move it were able to jump out the way in time or might have been concentrating on moving it too much, or probably expected Tanak to use his brain and stop/go around, you will never know. You can’t go through life thinking everything is fine as long as nobody warns you not to do something as it might hurt someone else….

What if he had destroyed his car? Would look even more of a chump in that case. Very poor form, absolutely no need to risk anything. Press the red button and everything gets sorted out.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I remember something similar happened on the Tour de France a few years ago...

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/cycling/tour-de-france-chaos-advertising-8381490

[ToKu]

Perhaps not a good food and wine but too busy tracking polish fans. As we all know, polish fans are eating children during rally. And we don't want any children to be hurt.

BTW SS 9/11 3 marshals from 3.79 km to 5.63 km. Three (3) marshals! Not that I'm complaining but I can smell double standards here. In Poland stage won't be started if there were one marshal for 600 m of stage.

[ReRe]

My gallery from Rally Latvia 2024 here: https://eu.zonerama.com/TomasR/Album/11801010

I would say not easy rally for "hardcore" fan to get to interesting places. Police told us "only where is green tape"... So sometimes it was hide and seek.
As ToKu mentioned, from marshalls side it was sometimes strange. I experienced one place on SS 11 aprox 2 km from nearest spectator area (marked with green tape) where there were 4 marshals mostly chatting and they told us not to stay inside of the corner on a bank but go to outside near them where the stones flew. On the opposite side, on SS 13/15 there was green tape in forest but no marshalls at all.

[J4MIE]

Perhaps not a good food and wine but too busy tracking polish fans. As we all know, polish fans are eating children during rally. And we don't want any children to be hurt.

BTW SS 9/11 3 marshals from 3.79 km to 5.63 km. Three (3) marshals! Not that I'm complaining but I can smell double standards here. In Poland stage won't be started if there were one marshal for 600 m of stage.

How many stages in Latvia were cancelled due to spectator issues, compared to Poland?

[Backa]

Not that I'm complaining but I can smell double standards here. In Poland stage won't be started if there were one marshal for 600 m of stage.

Seems that Latvian Rally had less fans attending than Poland so smaller amount of marshalls was not problematic. Also there is less jump sections where fans caused most problems in Poland.

I prefer Polish stages, especially as after friday, small groups of risky-behaving fans stopped cancelling them but considering chance for Poland to be back are close to zero, I am cool with Latvia.

For future, it would make sense though to focus on area closer to Liepaja and skip those stages closer to Riga that were run on friday - less travelling for fans and generally, more interesting roads.

[AndersX]

Does anyone have seen Semenuks roll? Any feedback from him? Internet seems very silent about his adventures on his first Wrc.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://i.postimg.cc/FFLR9xz2/Sem-t-tulo.jpg

[AndersX]

Thanks, this might be the reason why Sesks is not doing Rome this weekend. This is SRTs car.

[bluuford]

Yes bystanders, marshals, control could have done things.

But it's not such a blind corner.

Is it not unreasonable to expect the driver to either:
i) attempt to slow down and go around the obstruction
ii) attempt to stop despite hitting the obstruction.

Only one person made the decision to put his foot down hoping to blast through to the other side.

:bomb:

I have you seen onboard of this corner? when you come with that speed from that blind corner (it is lower elevation, crop is also hiding), you have ca 1 second to decide (you cannot break in the middle of corner with that speed, you just go off when doing like this).
With deer incident, he had 0.23 seconds from view to impact, and he managed to push the break pedal already:/

[WRCStan]

I have you seen onboard of this corner? when you come with that speed from that blind corner (it is lower elevation, crop is also hiding), you have ca 1 second to decide (you cannot break in the middle of corner with that speed, you just go off when doing like this).
With deer incident, he had 0.23 seconds from view to impact, and he managed to push the break pedal already:/

Great points on reactions. I'll take your word he had 1 second before hitting the arch and can react much much quicker. Disagree though that he can't brake between the apex and arch, that is nonsense. But anyway, he accellerated and waited until the arch was causing maximum damage to the car or handling before deciding to stop, there's video evidence of that.

Whether he had time to make the best decision and whether hitting the arch was avoidable was not really my point. What is, is that his own actions show he had no concern about risk or damage. That's important to the conversations that followed, and on the day whenever a camera was near where he deflected attention of all the bad decision making to the 'winos' at HQ who "should have red flagged the stage".