[WRC] Central European Rally (16-19.10.25)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

He couldn't believe it. Maybe the wet tyre was on the front left didnt grip and gave the understeer ?

[BlueStrike]

Interesting decision now for Evans. Take some pace out and safely finish in 3rd in front of Taka or keep pushing to get 2nd and capitalise to the max from Ogier‘s mistake?

[tbazsi95]

Like last year, when you actually put pressure to him then he makes mistakes

This is actually now a chance for Tänak in the championship

Wtf? First real mistake this year, this will be his first result outside of podium and you have already buried it.

Tanak has 43 points handicap, Kalle and Evans have advantage.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G3iDq2iWQAARDYs?format=jpg&name=small

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kalle
"Not enough. I was quite careful, but to be honest the condition is super difficult. Not happy with the stage, but we're here so it's positive"

[Morte66]

Unlucky that there was tree right there.

They're sneaky, trees.

[jonkka]

They're sneaky, trees.

Yeah, they don't move and make little noise, one rarely sees forest for the trees. :D

Seriously though, I mean, there were no other trees before or after it and Ogier plunges right on that sole one.

[becher]

He's normally so "been there, done that, not getting emotional".


He acts like that but he has never not been emotional, and I'm not talking about good, passionate emotions.

It is crazy that anyone is taking anything he says serious anymore. Second year in a row where he "doesn't care for the championship", yet here we are.

[tbazsi95]

Drivers' championship as it stands currently:
Evans 239
Rovanpera 228
Ogier 224
Tanak 196
Neuville 172

[EstWRC]

Wtf? First real mistake this year, this will be his first result outside of podium and you have already buried it.

Tanak has 43 points handicap, Kalle and Evans have advantage.

Wtf? What have I buried?

Last year he was under pressure to catch Thierry in overall standings and made mistakes 3 rallies in a row.

Now Kalle put him under pressure yesterday evening and today and he made a mistake.

What I am saying that if you actually put him under pressure and he has to try then he also makes mistakes like all of the people do.

I have buried nothing, he is still the favorite to take the championship in the end.

[TypeR]

If car is repairable then tomorrow the maximum points for others are 4+4 :D

We will see rocket Seb

[Sal yet again]

Kalle will have a puncture or minor mechanical issue and Elfyn will win or so my pickems say...

[CeskyOndra]

Kalle will have a puncture or minor mechanical issue and Elfyn will win or so my pickems say...

No, my pickems say it will stand as it is :D

[EstWRC]

Haven’t been following closely today but how come are Fourmaux and Neuville so much slower than Tänak today?

[Morte66]

Haven’t been following closely today but how come are Fourmaux and Neuville so much slower than Tänak today?

He is just better. I think Neuville is taking it easy. Fourmaux talking about cleaning.

[Morte66]

Stage win for Taka.

[EstWRC]

Today overall so far

https://www.ewrc-results.com/leg/90027-central-european-rally-2025/?leg=3

[tbazsi95]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G3iDq2iWQAARDYs?format=jpg&name=small

Ogier: "We picked up a puncture on the front-left and the TPMS wasn't working, so nothing i could have done"

[TypeR]

Seems logical as they just slided straight for quite a time..

[Morte66]

Last year he was under pressure to catch Thierry in overall standings and made mistakes 3 rallies in a row.

I remember saying last year that it felt like watching the end of an era. I wondered if it would happen again this year. Apparently it's a puncture at the wrong moment, but he was pushing hard and there was always a risk.

I think he's not quite what he was (as fast as Rovanpera but more experienced). Now he's still a very good driver, and he's one of the favourites for the championship, which is close, and has two rallies after this one (which isn't finished), and ends on a gravel rally with cleaning.

[Mackie]

I see Ogier has a posted time on ewrc, kan he SuperRally the next stage after retirering?

[Mackie]

I see on ewrc Ogier has a posted time on stage 11, kan he SuperRally the next stage after retirering?

[tbazsi95]

https://scontent.fbud7-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/568367214_1225305272959056_8595186358142744073_n.j pg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=0QpIUZD0mIEQ7kNvwGR1ewE&_nc_oc=Adkupc-qahA74fm_J11ayO6NFTfxR1_fkijKZjBkW3uZRvNSvzkxzZbb6 kVHjtUNSUTkPeAyWAtiCoPL1Sn98tcp&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fbud7-4.fna&_nc_gid=OX_HgtPzNG0Y16320a4l5g&oh=00_AfdJRFBHXrHH2mRf7Uo3WOvfhL8GdcR9C5_mMA1vKeTl Ng&oe=68F93E04

[WRCStan]

I see on ewrc Ogier has a posted time on stage 11, kan he SuperRally the next stage after retirering?

No, something is broken there.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

In a way its good to hear it was a puncture and no blame for the Hankkook tyre just not gripping.

[CeskyOndra]

In a way its good to hear it was a puncture and no blame for the Hankkook tyre just not gripping.

In my opinion, he was still too fast entering the corner.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Some time by Tanak. Wow.

[jonkka]

That's 2nd o/a for Tanak.

[Morte66]

Tanak: "strange noise in the transmission". ...and overtakes Evans.

[BlueStrike]

More Hyundai technical issues incoming?

Tänak lost 1.2s to Evans on the last split and even 0.3 to Neuville…

[Dontcut]

As a brief moment Tänak takes i20 to rugged edge, it starts to break into pieces.
Or Ott just taking pressure off by saying that?

[wwbroe]

Gryazin went off also

[TypeR]

McErlean 5sec penalty for hurting haybale on SS10

Steward Decision 8

[becher]

McErlean 5sec penalty for hurting haybale on SS10

Really? Or are you taking the piss?

[jonkka]

Really? Or are you taking the piss?

Penalty is real, I don't comment on his post though.

[satnav]

Really? Or are you taking the piss?

Oh yes , it is really taking the piss, so Neuville will be expecting one now as well for hitting and moving the same haybale;

https://app-cdn.sportity.com/1b696dae-bfe3-492d-a957-c944ac1feb5c/1313d964-39e5-4136-94b8-14970f76c76b_Stewards%20Decision%208.pdf

[jonkka]

Tanak has driven off both mirrors of his car...

[jonkka]

Oh, incidentally, so has Evans too.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Evans needs to learn from Katsuta on this stage.

[becher]

Penalty is real, I don't comment on his post though.

Ah thanks!

[Morte66]

Evans slipping a bit behind Tanak, but not a disaster.

Next stage starts 10 mins later than yesterday, so another ~night stage. :)

[jonkka]

I find it interesting that while Tanak and Evans are locked in full fight, it's Katsuta who's winning stages.

[Morte66]

I find it interesting that while Tanak and Evans are locked in full fight, it's Katsuta who's winning stages.

Yes. Maybe he's just found a couple that suit his driving/setup. He seems a bit surprised himself...

[EstWRC]

Tanak has driven off both mirrors of his car...

I think he has driven everything off that car to compete with the Toyotas

He has been amazing today

[denkimi]

I'm kinda disapoointed in neuville and fourmaux today. They both can't seem to get it working.

[TypeR]

I find it interesting that while Tanak and Evans are locked in full fight, it's Katsuta who's winning stages.
Nothing to catch. Kalle is half a day ahead and Ogier out for today and no big points. Would be sensible to let Tanak go his way and secure 3rd place..

Mechanics started working on Ogier's car

[PLuto]

Oh yes , it is really taking the piss, so Neuville will be expecting one now as well for hitting the same haybale;

https://app-cdn.sportity.com/1b696dae-bfe3-492d-a957-c944ac1feb5c/1313d964-39e5-4136-94b8-14970f76c76b_Stewards%20Decision%208.pdf

Penalty is not for hitting, but for moving the haybale...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nothing to catch. Would be sensible to let Tanak go his way and secure 3rd place..

Mechanics started working on Ogier's car

He's only 3s down. Evans needs to fight for every point.

[jparker]

Is today’s P2 “parking disaster” something expected for Czech rally, or somebody messed it up?

[Morte66]

Well Neuville woke up. Perhaps some advantage from running earlier with more light, but he was comfortably quickest.

Last couple of stages not so great for Evans, whilst Tanak's mechanical hasn't materialised, so there's a gap of sorts now.

I do like a night stage. :)

[Dontcut]

As a Tänak fan yesterday I was quite suicidal etc but today... not bad at all. It is so little details.

[wwbroe]

Cachon offroad unfortunally and game over

[wwbroe]

It seems that Toyota repaired the car of Ogier, so he will run tomorrow

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Anti-cuts much better tonight. Seems they turned them side-on to prevent glare.

[becher]

Well Neuville woke up. Perhaps some advantage from running earlier with more light, but he was comfortably quickest.

Last couple of stages not so great for Evans, whilst Tanak's mechanical hasn't materialised, so there's a gap of sorts now.

I do like a night stage. :)

He's always good when it's dark.

[CeskyOndra]

A Possibility of freezing temperatures tonight?

[jparker]

Just got back from SS14, last spectator zone before the finish. After 3 days, finally witnessed something to remember, fast straight followed by fast right, then uphill. Most WRC drivers didn't lift the throttle, except the Ford guys and Tanak?!?!?! Not saying anything, just sharing the facts.

[BlueStrike]

Wild evening in WRC2, Rossel‘s road section retirement was announced by Becs on stage in Passau earlier. Big shame for him and Cachon.

[CeskyOndra]

When did last time happen 2 home drivers to be TOP 2? (not counting Solberg as he is not scoring points)

[Eli]

Is today’s P2 “parking disaster” something expected for Czech rally, or somebody messed it up?

What are you talking about?

[jparker]

What are you talking about?

On Keply P2 parking, Cars were parked on both sides of the road with space in the middle for one direction traffic. However, there was traffic in both directions that caused big mess.

[rallyfiend]

Does anyone really believe it was a puncture?!

Remember how bad he was against Pirelli?

No chance he would have been so nice against Hankook…..

[becher]

Does anyone really believe it was a puncture?!

Remember how bad he was against Pirelli?

No chance he would have been so nice against Hankook…..
No not really.

[EstWRC]

Just got back from SS14, last spectator zone before the finish. After 3 days, finally witnessed something to remember, fast straight followed by fast right, then uphill. Most WRC drivers didn't lift the throttle, except the Ford guys and Tanak?!?!?! Not saying anything, just sharing the facts.

Lifting always doesn’t mean it’s bad. Tanaks times today prove it.

I have seen the same during my 10 years experience of rally Finland. Seems the guy is slow but the stage time tells you a different story

[focus206]

Does anyone really believe it was a puncture?!

Remember how bad he was against Pirelli?

No chance he would have been so nice against Hankook…..

I don't speak French so I can't confirm, someone wrote on Youtube the translation of what Ogier and Landais said immediately after the crash.

Ogier: It's not possible! Did we have a puncture?
Landais: No

I imagine Landais said no because he didn't see the sensor light on during the stage. That's why Ogier said in the interviews that the sensor was broken. So according to Ogier, he realized he had a puncture only from the moment of the understeer that led to the crash.

[TypeR]

You could see that the steering wheel was turned right but the car didn't turn a and went straight.. also on dirtfish photo there is long a scratched line on tarmac from (punctured tyre) rim..

[Morte66]

Does anyone really believe it was a puncture?!

https://www.motorsportforums.com/showthread.php?45182-WRC-Central-European-Rally-(16-19-10-25)&p=1368757&viewfull=1#post1368757

I think it was most likely a puncture.

[CeskyOndra]

https://files.fm/u/egjmpe726e

Our car this morning, it was freezing

[TypeR]

https://files.fm/u/egjmpe726e

Our car this morning, it was freezing
Difficult tyre choice :D

[Morte66]

Neuville and bridges

[TypeR]

Neuville straight into bridge and crash omce again

[Rallyper]

Neuville!!

[Morte66]

Neuville and bridges

Well, I hope he gets a 5s penalty for moving the hay bale.

[Eli]

Probably was very slippery with that frost…

[TypeR]

Put a rope on and pull it off the road ffs

[jonkka]

They can't decide which way to push it... lol...

[BlueStrike]

Weird crash. The approach looked very fast for a fairly narrow bridge.

I wonder if that may be both runs of this stage cancelled with the damage to the railing.

[Eli]

Weird crash. The approach looked very fast for a fairly narrow bridge.

I wonder if that may be both runs of this stage cancelled with the damage to the railing.
Understeered the hell into that bridge.

[TypeR]

Put a warning triangle on the road and let the stage go on..

[Morte66]

Stage 15 cancelled

[TypeR]

Alternative road, stage cancelled.. what a bs. That'w not how to promote rallying..

[Eli]

Put a warning triangle on the road and let the stage go on..

No…stage cancelled, the organisation here is something else…sad to lose a tarmac round but not this one…even though it is really pretty…

[CeskyOndra]

Lol what u guys expect to happen when the bridge is destroyed and dangerous

[Odd]

Neuvilles brake lights were on like 200m before the corner of the bridge. :D

[jparker]

Lifting always doesn’t mean it’s bad. Tanaks times today prove it.

I have seen the same during my 10 years experience of rally Finland. Seems the guy is slow but the stage time tells you a different story
Agreed. As I said, just an observation.

[jparker]

Difficult tyre choice :D
Conditions will not change much for the power stage, if that’s what you mean.

[TypeR]

Conditions will not change much for the power stage, if that’s what you mean.
I meant for user Cesky.. frozen windshield :D

[EstWRC]

Worst title defense since Makinen 2000?

[jparker]

What about Cachon and Rossel last night? First two in a fight retired in the same stage. Did that ever happened before?

[Doon]

Worst title defense since Makinen 2000?

That’s a bit harsh……on Makinen!! At least Makinen won a rally that year. He was generally on the podium or retiring.

Neuville has been slower than everyone else year, never really had the pace.

[CeskyOndra]

That’s a bit harsh……on Makinen!! At least Makinen won a rally that year. He was generally on the podium or retiring.

Neuville has been slower than everyone else year, never really had the pace.

The package (non-hybrid car, tires etc.) just didn't come together for him this year.

[denkimi]

Neuville could have been one of the greatest if he wasn't so incredibly stupid to stay with Hyundai his entire carreer.

[CeskyOndra]

Neuville could have been one of the greatest if he wasn't so incredibly stupid to stay with Hyundai his entire carreer.

Yeah, but he still is, he is a WDC and has many wins, podiums and all great stats

[Rallyper]

Neuville had too many "small" issues in every rally. You never win if you get stupid mistakes, loosing seconds on each and every stage.

[focus206]

Worst title defense since Makinen 2000?

Burns 2002 was worse than Makinen 2000, and he was driving the best car.

[EstWRC]

That’s a bit harsh……on Makinen!! At least Makinen won a rally that year. He was generally on the podium or retiring.

Neuville has been slower than everyone else year, never really had the pace.

My apologies! It was just the first one that came to my mind. Didn’t check the statistics but yeah in that sense it wasn’t that bad

[tbazsi95]

Neuville could have been one of the greatest if he wasn't so incredibly stupid to stay with Hyundai his entire carreer.

I think, he has a massive dominance in the team compare to Tanak or Fourmaux and he is enjoying it.

[Rallyper]

So Ogier is on the stage but still interwievs on RallyTV. No action.

[Morte66]

rally.tv is in a twist. I saw Pajari's stage end time on ewrc well before he crossed the line on the video.

[COD]

So Ogier is on the stage but still interwievs on RallyTV. No action.

Seems they have airplane trouble as no incars. Hope they get it fixed soon

[Rallyper]

Kalle stopped? Not moving on webbapps...
Edit: malfunction timing

[jonkka]

Kalle stopped? Not moving on webbapps...

At the stage finish already.

[EstWRC]

Tänak lost massively with the last two splits

[trykmann]

Tänak lost massively with the last two splits

The understeer was massive compared to Toyota.

[CeskyOndra]

Ogier has now advantage of the knowledge of stage 17

[EstWRC]

Is there also a tire change before PS? As I understand it’s only a regroup

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Is there also a tire change before PS? As I understand it’s only a regroup

Rally-base says there's a TFZ before the PS.

[denkimi]

Ogier has now advantage of the knowledge of stage 17

but more worn tyres.

[Dontcut]

They showed this season stage wins stats. Ongi, Kalle and Ott have 45-50 stage wins. Evans has 18 . And they all are in same title fight.

[Morte66]

They showed this season stage wins stats. Ongi, Kalle and Ott have 45-50 stage wins. Evans has 18 . And they all are in same title fight.

I always wonder... would the other three score more points over a season if they were a bit more careful?

[jonkka]

They showed this season stage wins stats. Ongi, Kalle and Ott have 45-50 stage wins. Evans has 18 . And they all are in same title fight.

Underlines importance of consistency. It doesn't matter if you're fast if you don't ever finish.

[Dontcut]

Do we get onboards by the time of PS?

[Morte66]

With the reduced coverage, this short stage feels even shorter.

[trykmann]

With the reduced coverage, this short stage feels even shorter.

From bad to worse now. Also it seems Tänak is going to lose his second position.

[CeskyOndra]

Tanak big loss 2nd split

[jonkka]

Gaining time back on 3rd split so I guess he had a moment before 2nd split.

[TypeR]

Amazing live.

Tanak same place as Neuville.. wtf

[Dontcut]

Hyundais rally: rubbish on Friday, good on saturday and all going off on sunday. Amazing piece on machinery.

[Dontcut]

And of course we are reaching Ott Tänak taking only 1p on sunday. Sunday standings lost.

[TypeR]

Hyundais rally: rubbish on Friday, good on saturday and all going off on sunday. Amazing piece on machinery.
Teamwork :D

[EstWRC]

I’m going away for one stage cause I thought nothing would happen and now this.

Evans will for sure take the second now and nothing from Sunday again

This year there is a trend when others give little more extra on Sunday’s then Tänak doesn’t have that extra

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Hyundais rally: rubbish on Friday, good on saturday and all going off on sunday. Amazing piece on machinery.

The car isnt to blame for driver mistakes.

[Dontcut]

The car isnt to blame for driver mistakes.

When none of the drivers get grips with the handling then to who they developed this car. All are struggling with understeer today. Tänak is faster with 24 car than mates with 25 version. Good development.

[SubaruNorway]

What's wrong with the plane?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

All are struggling with understeer today..

They all knew this since the first stage and Neuville's off. They have to drive accordingly.

[EstWRC]

I’m so mad at Ott right now. Fought like hell yesterday to get the second place and now gives it away with such a stupid mistake.

I doubt he can hold it, Evans was much faster on PS first pass

[doubled1978]

They showed this season stage wins stats. Ongi, Kalle and Ott have 45-50 stage wins. Evans has 18 . And they all are in same title fight.

True, but don’t forget Evans ran first on basically all the gravel rallies so was in no position to win lots of stages. The big standout on that list was Tanak against Fourmaux and Neuville, he’s miles ahead of them.

[APX]

I’m so mad at Ott right now. Fought like hell yesterday to get the second place and now gives it away with such a stupid mistake.

I doubt he can hold it, Evans was much faster on PS first pass

Stupid mistake? What about Neuville and Ogier then? You should know this is rally and everything can happen. I guess it should have been better if Ott was flying home on Friday? ;)

[Morte66]

I’m going away for one stage cause I thought nothing would happen and now this.

You didn't miss much on Rally TV, they lost enough coverage that they had to cut back to the service park during the stages.

[satnav]

Going into the last stage the JWRC is now a winner takes all between Taylor and Mille with Taylor holding a 7 sec lead as Ali Turkkan went off on SS 17.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good to hear Thierry and Martin are ok after that shunt. It hit hard and on Martin's side so he's gone in the air ambulance as a precaution.

[wwbroe]

Power stage running, but no images yet?

[Rallyper]

No plane in the air, then...

[wwbroe]

Mares was allready more then 4 minutes in the stage, before they started showing images

[wwbroe]

Ogier apparently with 4 hard tyres

[SubaruNorway]

What an anticlimactic way to end it, heli probably ran out of fuel on the previous one

[wwbroe]

Mares just finished the stage, faster than Oliver on splits

[Dontcut]

No proper tv image and no tyre info.

[WRCStan]

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=44017f

The plane is up?

[Dontcut]

Tyre info
https://hankook-recce.com/

[Morte66]

I assume rally.tv is running on a delay so they can buffer enough footage to keep a constant output stream.

[Morte66]

Congrats to Cerny. :)

[Rallyper]

Congrats to Cerny. :)

And to Oliver.

[wwbroe]

And also to Mares, winning the power stage. He was unlucky with his puncture before but did good rally

[wwbroe]

Really close between Evans and Tanak on splits

[jonkka]

That virtual chicane is so strange. I look and wonder, "why is he slowing down, is there a problem" and only then comes the virtual chicane arch into view.

[wwbroe]

Evans 1.4 faster as Tanak on split 5

[wwbroe]

Now 3.1 up on Ott

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good job again by Evans, consistency pays off.

[wwbroe]

No splits for Kalle?
Edit: now they came up

[BlueStrike]

Embarrassing Power Stage from Tänak. Everyone could see that coming as soon as the tyre choice came out lol.

[Rallyper]

Well, putting softs in the rear doesn´t make the car less understeered, does it?

[EstWRC]

Embarrassing performance today. Nothing to say

[WRCStan]

Why is the tyre choice a team effort? Doesn't the driver make the executive decision?

[TypeR]

Japan will be same and Monte in 3 months will be same..damn

[jonkka]

Why is the tyre choice a team effort? Doesn't the driver make the executive decision?

I mean, driver should be the one with ultimate power to make the decision, he drives the car and knows what suits his style. Team can do their utmost to help with that but driver should make the decision. Isn't it so with Hyundai then?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Congrats Kalle... great performance after all the fuss of his next move to racing.

[EstWRC]

Japan will be same and Monte in 3 months will be same..damn

Everything will be the same next year

Toyota has taken even bigger step this year with the new tires and no hybrid.

[BlueStrike]

The Power Stage time was so bad Tänak would‘ve probably lost P2 even without that incident at the bridge on the previous stage.

Incredible no-show once again.

[Dontcut]

You guys didn't understand. Tänak couldn't have gone with 4S as they would have melted up. So they had to use hard tyre, but Hyundai is so understeery then hard tyre makes it more underteerable. Everybody in the team knew it and they couldn't do anything about it.

[EstWRC]

You guys didn't understand. Tänak couldn't have gone with 4S as they would have melted up. So they had to use hard tyre, but Hyundai is so understeery then hard tyre makes it more underteerable. Everybody in the team knew it and they couldn't do anything about it.

Yep. This is what he meant

[fantastic.priit]

It was only choice. Hard don't work on Hyundai. You remember Canaries. Disaster. Little bit look back how it was and I think it was really nice Ott took 3rd place overall. Like he said in end. What they deserve.

[Morte66]

Well, I'm pretty happy with that. Better than I expected, and about as good as I hoped.

[denkimi]

Anyone got the standings?

[tbazsi95]

Anyone got the standings?

Evans 247
Ogier 234
Rovanpera 234
Tanak 197
Neuville 166
Katsuta 110
Fourmaux 96
Pajari 79
...

[EstWRC]

As I am little disappointed that Tänak didn’t get second but I think this was one of his best performances with that crap of a car

[Rallyper]

Mille now running for 1st! More then 8 sec faster than Gill on penultimate stage.

[Morte66]

As I am little disappointed that Tänak didn’t get second but I think this was one of his best performances with that crap of a car

In the "driver of the rally" stakes, I'd put him first among equals.

[TypeR]

Evans can push ,,print now'' shirts and caps for Japan :D

[flat_right]

Glad that WRC is about once a month. With this time I can recover from this underperforming Hyundai. Today’s stages were more like Canaries, with smoother surface, many anticuts so was no chance against Toyota.

The only thing I want from this season is that Kalle or Elfyn would win it.

[Morte66]

Glad that WRC is about once a month. With this time I can recover from this underperforming Hyundai.

... and I'll give you "post of the rally", sir.

[Rallyper]

Mille Johansson Junior World Champion!!

[satnav]

Mille Johansson Junior World Champion!!

A fantastic battle all year, Mille took the title by 1.6sec

[doubled1978]

I am surprised how much the switch to non-hybrid/Hankook has hurt Hyundai, especially on tarmac. They really are on the back foot, and the Evo car hasn’t made it any better that’s for sure.
I genuinely thought Tanak would beat Evans today. Actually, Evans deserves some credit today, I also didn’t think he would beat Kalle in PS or super Sunday, and he did both.
Now Japan can be a bit tactical, nobody wants to be first on the road in Saudi with only a small points lead. Better to drop points and be 3rd on the road I would imagine.
If Evans can keep a good gap, or increase it, then maybe its ok.

[WRCStan]

Evans 247
Ogier 234
Rovanpera 234
Tanak 197
Neuville 166
Katsuta 110
Fourmaux 96
Pajari 79
...

So Seb has to go to Saudi, let's see. When is the entry list out?

[TypeR]

So Seb has to go to Saudi, let's see. When is the entry list out?

31 Oct

[focus206]

Good win by Kalle, but he's still 13 points behind in the standings. He needs to win Japan as well.
I just hope Saudi won't be too much of a lottery for starting positions and punctures, but I have this suspicion...

[AndyRAC]

Good win by Kalle, but he's still 13 points behind in the standings. He needs to win Japan as well.
I just hope Saudi won't be too much of a lottery for starting positions and punctures, but I have this suspicion...

A dry, dusty rally to end the season is a bit 'rubbish'......the championship leader will likely not be able to challenge. If we must have Saudi, then have it another time of the season.......

[CeskyOndra]

Good win by Kalle, but he's still 13 points behind in the standings. He needs to win Japan as well.
I just hope Saudi won't be too much of a lottery for starting positions and punctures, but I have this suspicion...

Massive cleaning, awful lot of punctures, technical issues. That will be the roughest rally of the season.

[focus206]

Massive cleaning, awful lot of punctures, technical issues. That will be the roughest rally of the season.

Which is a shame for the last round of the season... I'd like the last rally of the season to be on asphalt, it's the most fair for all title contenders.

[Morte66]

Hah. If you watch the replay of SS10 on rally.tv, at just after 23 minutes I think Neuville hits the same hay bale as McErlean. But no penalty.

[AndersX]

I like how naive you all are. Think, Saudi event, out of nowhere, gets direct 10 year deal, most probably promised the last round, without even a candidate event....sure, that was all well thought through, weighted and 100% in the interests of this blooming and rapidly developing sport. (Read - money that Saudi pumped in FIA is big). However, i like the idea, not just as the last event.

[EstWRC]

Tänaks bridge save

https://x.com/hmsgofficial/status/1979955707689725965?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

[WRCStan]

I like how naive you all are. Think, Saudi event, out of nowhere, gets direct 10 year deal, most probably promised the last round, without even a candidate event....sure, that was all well thought through, weighted and 100% in the interests of this blooming and rapidly developing sport. (Read - money that Saudi pumped in FIA is big). However, i like the idea, not just as the last event.

Who are you trying to insult and why?

[AndersX]

Who are you trying to insult and why?
None, it was meant as nice sarcasm that did not came out right way.

What I wanted to say - Saudi as last event, decisive event, knowing that it will be a tire lottery is a joke.

[AE1WRC]

Congrats to Rovanpera. However Elfyn needs to step his game up in Japan. Ogier and Kalle are a level above him and everybody else on Tarmac. It is still strange for me that Rovanpera this season on Tarmac is much better than on gravel.

If I were them I would grab as much points as possible even though the concerns about road cleaning in Saudi Arabia. Losing a position intentionally for a better road position would be a big gamble.

[skarderud]

Who are you trying to insult and why?I can, i will love to insult both Saudi Arabia and the rising not-demokratic president in the FIA that has buyed himself this place.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[focus206]

Other than the 5th manufacturer title in a row, Toyota is still on course for record number of wins in one season (and also win percentage in one season): 11 wins out of 12 rounds so far. Record is 12 wins by Volkswagen.
And good luck to Hyundai beating Toyota on asphalt in Japan.

[jparker]

Can someone explain why over/understeering not adjustable for Huydai? Back in the days that was routine diff operation.

[WRCStan]

Can someone explain why over/understeering not adjustable for Huydai?

No, not even anyone at Hyundai can lol.

[becher]

Can someone explain why over/understeering not adjustable for Huydai? Back in the days that was routine diff operation.
In terms of diffs, they are now heavily regulated what you can change on a rally.

[Rallyper]

Only thing that helps the most is testing, and testing. Relevant surfaces. Then you get to learn much of the car´s behaviour. Did I hear Huyndai wasn´t doing that in a proper way?

[flat_right]

Only thing that helps the most is testing, and testing. Relevant surfaces. Then you get to learn much of the car´s behaviour. Did I hear Huyndai wasn´t doing that in a proper way?

Someone can correct me but can they even do a proper test when it is so restricted? As I understand, whit the current regulations, each manufacturer is limited to 21 days of testing per year. And these can be distributed across its driver line-up as it sees fit. But this means that all your drivers can't even test for all the rallies, if you want to have proper one day test. So you are testing for rally but you would also like to have some development tests.

Yes there is a permanent test site but it is usually one surface type.

[trykmann]

Main problem with Hyundai is still the late development in 2021. It seems some main errors can't be fixed and they are trying to work around them.

[Rallyper]

Someone can correct me but can they even do a proper test when it is so restricted? As I understand, whit the current regulations, each manufacturer is limited to 21 days of testing per year. And these can be distributed across its driver line-up as it sees fit. But this means that all your drivers can't even test for all the rallies, if you want to have proper one day test. So you are testing for rally but you would also like to have some development tests.

Yes there is a permanent test site but it is usually one surface type.

Yeah. I see. However testing before CER in rain, doesn´t give you anything of cars handling on bonedry tarmac. That´s my point. (having said that I´m not sure it was only wet...)

[spyros]

And dont forget that Thierry won WDC with this car last year.

[denkimi]

Yes there is a permanent test site but it is usually one surface type.
Maybe that's where hyundai should invest. Build a bigger and better testsite. Different roads, different surfaces.

[PLuto]

Well, I hope he gets a 5s penalty for moving the hay bale.

No way, this haybale was not in chicane, but only protecting the bridge ;-)

[PLuto]

rally.tv is in a twist. I saw Pajari's stage end time on ewrc well before he crossed the line on the video.

But this is normal that TV coverage is delayed. Partly because of technologies and partly to be able to prevent showing pictures in case of something bad happens...

[PLuto]

Hah. If you watch the replay of SS10 on rally.tv, at just after 23 minutes I think Neuville hits the same hay bale as McErlean. But no penalty.

I am saying it once again - penalty is not for hitting the haybale, but for moving it out of position. When Neuville only touched it, McErlean moved it out of its base.

[deephouse]

Neuville won it, mainly because he took most of every event. He had many issues, but still take everthing he could. Also Rovanpera play a huge role in it not competing full time, Ogier crashing like crazy and Tanak having too much unlucky moments. This year it's similar with Evans. But Evans doesn't have so much issues, he is just maybe too careful or sometimes too slow, but he is the most consistent guy at the moment and it shows. And the award for always second lies on him at the moment, so he need to break that down.

[486]

But this is normal that TV coverage is delayed. Partly because of technologies and partly to be able to prevent showing pictures in case of something bad happens...

.....something bad, or something good but "undesirable"..... Works both ways. They want to keep control.

[flat_right]

Maybe that's where hyundai should invest. Build a bigger and better testsite. Different roads, different surfaces.

Sadly doesn't work like this as it has it own rules. It has to have maximum road distance of 12 km (within a diameter of 10 km).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Now Tanak says he was never able to test the 2025-spec car on tarmac, hence him using the older Monte-spec car !

https://rallyjournal.com/ott-tanak-made-things-clear-this-is-now-the-only-option/

[flat_right]

Now Tanak says he was never able to test the 2025-spec car on tarmac, hence him using the older Monte-spec car !

https://rallyjournal.com/ott-tanak-made-things-clear-this-is-now-the-only-option/

Yes, it was known before the rally, but I think only in the Estonian media. It’s strange that international outlets didn’t pick it up or ask about it. I’m not sure if anyone mentioned it in the forum. He said that something happened to the car before the test, and they weren’t able to fix it, so he played it safe and chose the car whose characteristics and performance were already familiar. And as they had both car available during the testing he tested 2024 version.

After the rally, the Estonian media asked him which car they would use in Japan, and he said that they would discuss it with the team. They can use some data and a base setup, but they need to decide carefully since they can’t test for Japan in Europe. However, it now seems confirmed that they will use the 2024 spec.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Given he was the top Hyundai it seems he had the better car anyway.

But as I've said before, things are never straightforward with Tanak and Hyundai. Or at least it seems like that with the way information comes out via him, the Team and local / international rally outlets.

In this case, first it was Hyundai saying he had a new car and engine but avoiding a penalty, then that he chose the 24 Car after a test, then that there was a problem with the 25 Car which was unavailable for the rally, and then that he chose the 24 car anyway as it was a known entity from Monte.

[denkimi]

Tanak probably had the best hyundai could give him. A new engine, and no stupid limitations like linked diffs.