WRC Croatia 2026

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So what do we think of this edition of Rally Croatia?

The early loss of Solberg and Evans spoilt it a lot, but the gravel on the huge cuts were a mistake from the organisers choosing the new stages.

The rally was so successful as it was, they didnt need to change it so much.

[Morte66]

Well this rally was certainly... ...no, I don't have a word.

I wonder what odds you could have got on Katsuta with two wins in a row.

I wonder what the various parts of Toyota think about all this. Some of the marketing people might be quite happy -- they can probably assume they'll win both championships, and their Japanese driver has finally done the business.

Well done Paddon.

Rossel very nearly got a podium in WRC2!

Yikes.

[Eli]

Well this rally was certainly... ...no, I don't have a word.

I wonder what odds you could have got on Katsuta with two wins in a row.

I wonder what the various parts of Toyota think about all this. Some of the marketing people might be quite happy -- they can probably assume they'll win both championships, and their Japanese driver has finally done the business.

Well done Paddon.

Rossel very nearly got a podium in WRC2!

Yikes.

Reminds me a little of Rallye Deutschland 2013 when we had so many retirements, only the top four were WRC cars and Sordo had his first victory when (again!) Thierry Neuville made a mistake on the last stage (not as costly) and finished second. All in all this rally shows, first, how good tarmac rallies can be and dramatic, and two, that maybe it’s time to bring back the mousse back to the tyres…? Thoughts?

[WRCStan]

So what do we think of this edition of Rally Croatia?

The early loss of Solberg and Evans spoilt it a lot, but the gravel on the huge cuts were a mistake from the organisers choosing the new stages.

The rally was so successful as it was, they didnt need to change it so much.

Though the powerstage looked appealing, don't regret cancelling my trip.

The jeopardy of new routes that causes things like Evans and Solberg is 100% necessary in the sport.

Didn't see much of yesterday on old roads. CBA.

But didn't once see an anti-cutting pole that were every 100m on previous years - certainly on old power stage.

I'm thinking I noticed the TV teams had put out more fixed unmanned cameras at stage side. We were crying for it for years. At least nobody complained at too much riding onboard. Positive.

Not sure Super Sunday does anything for me in the current atmosphere. Glad Jon has the stones to attempt proving something through it, but going into the next rally I'll once again mark him as favourite to get punctures and suffer the same fates.

Happy for Taka again and it's 100% deserved win, but it's already at 'the same guy winning every time' because the perception of lack of and level of competition. That remains the dominating thought.

[Sulland]

Why can it be that there is only 252 posts on a wrc rally thread.

A few years ago we normally had over 1000 posts, and on the two first rallies of each season there could be 3-4000.
Is it live TV that is to blame?

[EstWRC]

Why can it be that there is only 252 posts on a wrc rally thread.

A few years ago we normally had over 1000 posts, and on the two first rallies of each season there could be 3-4000.
Is it live TV that is to blame?

Cause I repeat again myself, this series is dead at the moment with just one proper manufacturer in main class, 3 very fast guys at home, non-existent marketing for the series, broadcasting from year 1995 with useless features like team radio at the end of the stage.

FFS, they can’t even show what tires a driver has on once he starts the stage.

It’s not just the lack of manufacturers, it’s a mixture of all the things

[WRCStan]

No the administration of this forum is to blame. It's in terminal decline.

Nobody can join this forum, but many are leaving - plenty of familiar names on IGFN Discord which is alive and kicking.

Forum was down Friday, but has been up since, which is why I keep posting for now.

[dimviii]

Neuvilles mistake

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KKN8s863QBo

[WRCStan]

Neuvilles mistake

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KKN8s863QBo

5 reverse shunts. Proper Austin Powers job.

[denkimi]

It's the manufacturers who will have issues with that. Imagine bosses from Hyundai and Toyota if someone from private team using their car as a customer winning the events. The price of these cars could go in the sky or they will start providong "worse cars" to customers... Or in the worst case leave the championship... Manufacturers wants exclusive or advantage, not equal level
All you need to avoid that is have every car of a manufacturer be able to score points for them. It would encourage them to support privateers if they want to win the title.

[WRCStan]

All you need to avoid that is have every car of a manufacturer be able to score points for them. It would encourage them to support privateers if they want to win the title.

Possible, but unlikely to be anybody's preference as long as there's a promoter in place and an FIA president keen on commercial/financial viability.

[Eli]

Why can it be that there is only 252 posts on a wrc rally thread.

A few years ago we normally had over 1000 posts, and on the two first rallies of each season there could be 3-4000.
Is it live TV that is to blame?

Have to say that this time round I was pretty enticed with the rally so I watched it more than actually being on the forum and also once I saw less people commenting here it made me as a result comment (relatively) less. And there’s no sugar coating it, the lack of a 4th manufacturer is a big hit just as having a bad promoter…this is our second time in 10 years we’re going into a new set of regulations and yet..we have one manufacturer already almost out the door before a new tuner(?) arrives. Do you guys remember 10 years ago when Toyota already announced in July of 2015 that they’ll be entering the championship in ‘17 and we thought we’d see them fight it out with VW, Citroen, Hyundai and M-Sport? Does it look right now as if any manufacturer from Europe or Asia are coming to this series? I think that says a lot about the promoter but also about the car industry which are completely lost by the state of things. The only bright side I see atm is countries wanting to enter the championship, and seeing Scotland back next year, but it won’t last if the grim state of the championship will continue and this horrid demoter who doesn’t have a clue of how to promote this sport; the only good thing I can mention from that aspect is they (Finally!!!) added those cool on the tarmac cameras for the live action, more or that please!! and while we’re at it, please replace Mike Chen, he’s become unbearable at this point, the only saving grace is the no audio option which I’ve been using since Monte-Carlo.

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mau-t70Zclc&t=311s

[skarderud]

Why can it be that there is only 252 posts on a wrc rally thread.

A few years ago we normally had over 1000 posts, and on the two first rallies of each season there could be 3-4000.
Is it live TV that is to blame?The forum has been on and off for months, people probably give up?
For my behalf, i trying to not use so much time on my phone, so listen to the "rallyradio" when doing stuff.
Also, i really miss the old rallyradio!

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[WRCStan]

Does it look right now as if any manufacturer from Europe or Asia are coming to this series? I think that says a lot about the promoter but also about the car industry which are completely lost by the state of things.

The state of rallying or the state of industry regulation?

[Eli]

The state of rallying or the state of industry regulation?

Industry.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Belgian TV coverage of Neuville on the PS... :disturb:

https://youtu.be/S13T1drRliE?si=YHmpwoaUzKUuxC-A

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Trying to keep on Croatia, but also about the low numbers in the Championship, the last thing we needed on a tarmac event was a puncture lottery.

After the chaos of Safari a straightforward rally showing the fastest guys fighting and winning was required.

[Eli]

Petition to bring back the mousse for the rest of the year and if not then for 2027.

[Rallyper]

Have to say that this time round I was pretty enticed with the rally so I watched it more than actually being on the forum and also once I saw less people commenting here it made me as a result comment (relatively) less. And there’s no sugar coating it, the lack of a 4th manufacturer is a big hit just as having a bad promoter…this is our second time in 10 years we’re going into a new set of regulations and yet..we have one manufacturer already almost out the door before a new tuner(?) arrives. Do you guys remember 10 years ago when Toyota already announced in July of 2015 that they’ll be entering the championship in ‘17 and we thought we’d see them fight it out with VW, Citroen, Hyundai and M-Sport? Does it look right now as if any manufacturer from Europe or Asia are coming to this series? I think that says a lot about the promoter but also about the car industry which are completely lost by the state of things. The only bright side I see atm is countries wanting to enter the championship, and seeing Scotland back next year, but it won’t last if the grim state of the championship will continue and this horrid demoter who doesn’t have a clue of how to promote this sport; the only good thing I can mention from that aspect is they (Finally!!!) added those cool on the tarmac cameras for the live action, more or that please!! and while we’re at it, please replace Mike Chen, he’s become unbearable at this point, the only saving grace is the no audio option which I’ve been using since Monte-Carlo.

I guess RallyTV has taken more of the average Joe fans. Understable that people chose to watch rather than sitting in front of a forum. Except for me and some guys, of course... ; )

[meh]

I'm glad that Taka got his win before this weekend; the win he got from Kenya was more earned, and this one was more gifted. Both give the same amount of points, but feel different.

A bit of fresh air was pace from Jon Armstrong. Although it did not materialize as a good end result due to a driving mistake, it gave hope to M-Sport that they can compete at least with Hyundai.

At the end, a bit of mixed feelings. Watching the O/A results and there are no "ACE" drivers (based on results from previous years) - Ogier, Tänak, Rovanperä, Evans, Solberg, Neuville. The top 3 from this rally had 2 rally wins combined before this rally. Some may say it is a new era, but if places from 4th to 14th are occupied by RC2 cars, this era sucks a bit.

[Eli]

I guess RallyTV has taken more of the average Joe fans. Understable that people chose to watch rather than sitting in front of a forum. Except for me and some guys, of course... ; )

Wouldn't call myself an average Joe fan, I just enjoyed watching the live non-commentary option but as you could tell, I still responded in this forum every now and again during the weekend.

[denkimi]

I guess RallyTV has taken more of the average Joe fans. Understable that people chose to watch rather than sitting in front of a forum. Except for me and some guys, of course... ; )
Before the live streaming I came here to read what happened, to get the latest news, to maybe get a link to a clip.
Nowadays you can just see it all live, there just isn't that much to talk about anymore.

[Rallyper]

Before the live streaming I came here to read what happened, to get the latest news, to maybe get a link to a clip.
Nowadays you can just see it all live, there just isn't that much to talk about anymore.

Yeah, understand. That´s what I meant. But hey! The talks in here often gives you more salt and pepper, if you understand what I mean. Discord also good, but can freak out quite often.

[becher]

For me the forum is a welcome addition while watching live and a sort of liveticker while not watching. Sadly the second part is less and less relevant...

[deephouse]

This forum is great, because I don't have a lot people around which are a true hardcore fan as I am. I mean I talk to people on work about this but they just know nd barely watch WRC, but don't know any insight as here people do. It just I don't always have time to watch it live, so I don't even come to forum to not spoil it for myself. Otherwise if I'm fully into it I have multiple screens and I'm engaged in it. If we ever meet somewhere we will surely drink a beer

[Managarium]

Meanwhile...

Look at this guy where he filmed the rally.
https://gol.dnevnik.hr/clanak/rubrika/automoto/snimao-wrc-u-hrvatskoj-iz-sahta-sve-objavio-i-zauvijek-pozalio---974216.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawRJ_gVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABic mlkETFJcUNOOEU1YWFPOWhGYUk1c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM 5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjmL9gFaGT1eZB-p5tn7Xc15n9xqeV46iKyNGVtKwZFYh_dtGTXbxv2iaOvM_aem_ Fq83yCOTAziQO_WQhvNmcw

And, just before the start of rally someone broke in Toyota garage and stole tire changing equpment.
https://www.telegram.hr/vijesti/sramotan-incident-na-grobniku-zasjenio-wrc-croatia-rally-policija-objavila-sto-se-zapravo-dogodilo/

[Kenneth]

Some people really seems to go to rally just to commit suicide it seems

[Eli]

By the way this was Paddon’s first ever tarmac podium on his first full tarmac event since Rallye Deutschland 2017!!! Most impressive. Hope to see him now on the gravel as well.

[SubaruNorway]

If you check the onboard in SS4/8 at 5:10 you can see that spot, it's silly but not really dangerous, extremely little chance of the car going there

[WRCStan]

If you check the onboard in SS4/8 at 5:10 you can see that spot, it's silly but not really dangerous, extremely little chance of the car going there

Don't need to see it to consider what would happen with a little part of a car going there, even a loose wheel nut if the car was being driven perfectly on line past, with the guy having nowhere to move his head.

It's a stupid position and an odd thing to protest.

[SubaruNorway]

Don't need to see it to consider what would happen with a little part of a car going there, even a loose wheel nut if the car was being driven perfectly on line past, with the guy having nowhere to move his head.

It's a stupid position and an odd thing to protest.

That can happen anywhere, in Estonia someone got hit in a spectator zone near a junction. You never see a rock coming before it's too late anyway, i was super lucky i Spain 18 on shakedown standing well above the road when a rock knocked my camera sunscreen off. I'm not protesting it being dumb, but use some common sense and find the real facts of the location before you as the FIA try to start a hate train against someone, luckily the FIA gets told off pretty well in the comments regarding safety in F1

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This forum is great, because I don't have a lot people around which are a true hardcore fan as I am. I mean I talk to people on work about this but they just know nd barely watch WRC, but don't know any insight as here people do. It just I don't always have time to watch it live, so I don't even come to forum to not spoil it for myself. Otherwise if I'm fully into it I have multiple screens and I'm engaged in it. If we ever meet somewhere we will surely drink a beer

I agree and still love the Forum to see people's comments and opinions, including in real-time during a rally.

It's a shame the Forum plays up a lot nowadays but sometimes it's still pretty good and fast. I hope it doesnt put people off completely.

And about the number of posts, like in this thread, maybe the fact a divisive guy like Ogier wasnt competing reduced the comments. Plus old Tanak and Rovanpera fans wont be so engaged any more.

But anyway... keep the forum faith ! :)

PS.
The threads of the earlier Round's have been pretty similar... Safari 26 pages, Sweden 29 pages, only Monte with 66 pages was much more.

[Mk2 RS2000]

Perhaps the good old followers brought up in the day of clambering through mud and bush to access the stages rather than gratifying themselves from the comfort of a screen have either fallen off their perch or are now resident in the home for the berwikded and are no longer able to participate

[WRCStan]

Perhaps the good old followers brought up in the day of clambering through mud and bush to access the stages rather than gratifying themselves from the comfort of a screen have either fallen off their perch or are now resident in the home for the berwikded and are no longer able to participate

Something as simple as a forgotten password is an obstacle even.

[skarderud]

We can say much about todays state of rallying, but the pickems after croatia is atleast surprising!

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[AndersX]

I hope this forum stays, it is nice to come in and read discussions by people who actually care about this beautiful sport.

[Rallyper]

We can say much about todays state of rallying, but the pickems after croatia is atleast surprising!

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

Yeh. I guess lowest total points, but haven´t seen yet. Did you?

[skarderud]

Yeh. I guess lowest total points, but haven´t seen yet. Did you?No, not yet, just a feeling;)

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[Steve Boyd]

You never see a rock coming before it's too late anywayI did - once!

In the 1980's sitting among the trees at the side of one of the Clocaenog stages on the Lombard RAC Rally. A Quattro kicked up a rock the size of my fist. It came towards me from my left as the car had just passed me. I managed to move my head back just in time so that it passed a couple of centimetres in front of my nose.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

If you enjoyed the tarmac/gravel of Croatia, this weekends ERC rally could be fun ! ;)

https://youtu.be/1TaF0W930AY?si=I453okHpOT17xHqd

[ReRe]

My photogallery from Rally Croatia 2026: https://eu.zonerama.com/TomasR/Album/15188206