Official rally Finland thread

[Finni]

I was today watching drivers in Helsinki. There were perhaps over thousand people asking signatures from drivers.

I said for Jari-Matti that I wait to see him in top three after first day. Other driver with whom I talked was Petter. First I shouted for him: "I like your driving very much but not your current hairstyle". Petter and some other drivers answered with bit of laugh. Then I said that "next will be yours here in Finland". Petter answered with his cocky style: "No, already this year".

I am waiting fierce battle between Marcus and Sebastien. I wouldn't even say that Marcus is necessarily the favourite. C4 has been really good in fast rallies (Argentina and Mexico) and Marcus is number one sweeper over six stages. On the other hand Marcus has won the rally every time he has been works driver - except once when he had technical failure. There is also new stages and they are more or less familiar to him from old times. So we will have very interesting battle to see.

Between top-two Hirvonen and P. Solberg are obviously the two most strongest. In my view Petter might be slightly faster but he will probably take big risks. Subaru still has second and third dayn problems. Petter said in Helsinki that they are real problems and their technical roots are identified but not solved yet.

The only driver I can see truelly challenging Petter-Hirvonen pair is Latvala. Latvala might even in the top-three after friday as I said for him. He has very good road position. Overally it has to be noted that there is more sweeping km's for top-guys because only half of the stages are used second time during the first day. This may mean that we will see same kind of situation as in Greece where the margin between the leader and sixth place was really narrow. Chris Atkinson has always been good in Finland and I think that he might be very good especially in the first day.

I wonder Henning can challange Jari-Matti but he is probably chasing top-five. Same goes to Sordo.

There is many Mitsubishi drivers but overally I think that they have competition of their own. Mitsu was never good in Finland and it's less now.

In group N I waith that the world's fastest group N driver Jari Ketomaa will show the pace.

[Tomi]

i dont think sweeping will play any big role, it has been raining and the roads are clean, else too here in finland first out is not the same as elsewhere the roads are so hardpacked gravel.

[jonkka]

On the other hand Marcus has won the rally every time he has been works driver - except once when he had technical failure.

1992 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2003. I count five non-wins as a works driver. Yet, he is the favourite but Seb is very close.

[Miika]

Too bad J-M hasn´t had the chance to test at all for this event, so it´ll propably take him a day or a half to get in to the pace again. So I doubt he could match Mikko. And as for Petter, he´ll have to use every risk and trick available to get decent times, propably ending in slipping off the road at some point.

[A.F.F.]

The current weather favors Marcus and all the front runners. Many have said Mikko is out there fighting for win but in the end there is only two, Marcus and Sebastien.

I agree with Finni, the next group will be Hirvonen, Solberg jr and Latvala. Then there is the rest of the gang of whom many I don't expect to see the finish line.

Mitsus will have their own championship indeed.

I'm very interested to see how close will Alen be to Ketomäki and what has Flodin say about that.

All in all, there is going to be one helluva rally Finland again :D

[White Sauron]

Well, after seing Alen in action at Rally Russia, I'm 200% sure he\s favorite for GroupN victory. What he did with his Punto S2000 is similar to what other fyling finns do at the wheel of their Focuses... (remember Hirvonen, Colin's Crest 2006)

I launched the site devoted to Alen. Anyone who can and wants to help - just write...

alen.bravehost.com... for the beginning.

[A.F.F.]

Btw.. has anyone voted your favourite Karjala girl already ??

http://www.nesteoilrallyfinland.fi/sisapiiri/karjalatytot/default.html

[pino]

Wish I was going there this year too, but only to see Alen in action with the SuperPunto :p :

[White Sauron]

My vote goes to Gatlin))) mmmm)

http://alen.bravehost.com/

[SubaruNorway]

Btw.. has anyone voted your favourite Karjala girl already ??

http://www.nesteoilrallyfinland.fi/sisapiiri/karjalatytot/default.html


Top left for sure

[bf1_IRL]

Is Anton doing the rally with the Punto or a GpN Subaru??

[J4MIE]

Is Anton doing the rally with the Punto or a GpN Subaru??

He has the Punto S2000, making the debut of a S2000 in Finland I believe? :cool:

[ettelbruck]

I'm very interested to see how close will Alen be to Ketomäki and what has Flodin say about that.

Ketomäki's Skoda will run only couple of stages but I guess you mean Ketomaa...

[pino]

Is Anton doing the rally with the Punto or a GpN Subaru??

http://autocult.com.au/img/gallery/RevNews976.jpg

[leopard]

My vote goes to Gatlin))) mmmm)

My vote goes to ABARTH :p :

[pino]

My vote goes to ABARTH :p :

I totally agree...I'd rather spend a night on that Abarth than on any of those girls :p :

[leopard]

I totally agree...I'd rather spend a night on that Abarth than on any of those girls :p :
I'd rather spend my nights on both of them than any of them :p :

[White Sauron]

Is Anton doing the rally with the Punto or a GpN Subaru??

http://alen.bravehost.com/alen_ralli.htm

[A.F.F.]

Ketomäki's Skoda will run only couple of stages but I guess you mean Ketomaa...

Yes, my bad. I'm a Skoda-man from head to toe I tend to squeeze the connection everywhere everytime.

Ketomaa is what I meant.

[noel157]

Not a great choice with the Karjala girls but I suppose Gatlin.......

Will Pon's car be in the usual factory blue or has he brought his own sponsors with him?

[Viktory]

Ketomäki's Skoda will run only couple of stages but I guess you mean Ketomaa...

How so? and what stages in that case? or do you mean he will retire pretty early? :p

[ettelbruck]

or do you mean he will retire pretty early? :p

Yes, couple of times (thanks Superally). Like 2006...

[Halvis]

Btw.. has anyone voted your favourite Karjala girl already ??

http://www.nesteoilrallyfinland.fi/sisapiiri/karjalatytot/default.html

It's between Gatlin and Johanna, I think I go for Johanna, Gatlin looks a little too blond...

[peterpz]

I have a question. Will Ford have new painting for Focuses 07? I think that they should change it, because they change painting every year but this time they are presenting new car.

[Roy]

I have a question. Will Ford have new painting for Focuses 07? I think that they should change it, because they change painting every year but this time they are presenting new car.

Normal no new livery middle in the year. Now with a new sponsor there is:
http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=304634&postcount=196

[René]

Another picture of new sponsor here:

http://www.racingworld.it/rally/notizia2.php?idtitolo=4366

[René]

Service park in live with webcam and great weather !

http://www.yle.fi/rallyfinland/ralli2007.asx

[J4MIE]

Great webcam :up:

[Viktory]

yeah very nice webcam!
Poor marshal who has to stand out there by himself keeping everything safe.

[Miika]

Service area closed from public because of safety reasons.. More likely just an excuse not to let anyone get a view of the cars without paying..

[bf1_IRL]

Thanks guys,

Good to hear that the Punto will be out :D

[J4MIE]

Well guys that's me off... no time to get online in the morning.

Hope everyone enjoys following the event from desk, car, garden or forest and that it's a safe one for everybody.

If you see a small car with a scottish flag, give us a peep!! :D :up:

[Tomi]

OK guy's, hava a nice rally weekend, time for me to take off to Jämsä.

[SubaruNorway]

I was today watching drivers in Helsinki. There were perhaps over thousand people asking signatures from drivers.

I said for Jari-Matti that I wait to see him in top three after first day. Other driver with whom I talked was Petter. First I shouted for him: "I like your driving very much but not your current hairstyle". Petter and some other drivers answered with bit of laugh. Then I said that "next will be yours here in Finland". Petter answered with his cocky style: "No, already this year".

I am waiting fierce battle between Marcus and Sebastien. I wouldn't even say that Marcus is necessarily the favourite. C4 has been really good in fast rallies (Argentina and Mexico) and Marcus is number one sweeper over six stages. On the other hand Marcus has won the rally every time he has been works driver - except once when he had technical failure. There is also new stages and they are more or less familiar to him from old times. So we will have very interesting battle to see.

Between top-two Hirvonen and P. Solberg are obviously the two most strongest. In my view Petter might be slightly faster but he will probably take big risks. Subaru still has second and third dayn problems. Petter said in Helsinki that they are real problems and their technical roots are identified but not solved yet.

The only driver I can see truelly challenging Petter-Hirvonen pair is Latvala. Latvala might even in the top-three after friday as I said for him. He has very good road position. Overally it has to be noted that there is more sweeping km's for top-guys because only half of the stages are used second time during the first day. This may mean that we will see same kind of situation as in Greece where the margin between the leader and sixth place was really narrow. Chris Atkinson has always been good in Finland and I think that he might be very good especially in the first day.

I wonder Henning can challange Jari-Matti but he is probably chasing top-five. Same goes to Sordo.

There is many Mitsubishi drivers but overally I think that they have competition of their own. Mitsu was never good in Finland and it's less now.

In group N I waith that the world's fastest group N driver Jari Ketomaa will show the pace.


Petter is gething a haircut today http://www.vgb.no/20075/ :rotflmao:

[Tom206wrc]

Btw.. has anyone voted your favourite Karjala girl already ??

http://www.nesteoilrallyfinland.fi/sisapiiri/karjalatytot/default.html


Hard to chose they are all sweet !! :eek:


But I must say the ones who make my soul turned off are the brunettes with blue eyes :bounce:

[AndyRAC]

Service area closed from public because of safety reasons.. More likely just an excuse not to let anyone get a view of the cars without paying..

Not a very original excuse is it? Safety reasons, rubbish!! or PR concerns - that's a good excuse as well. What the hell is WRC turning in to? F1 wannabees..

[Micke_VOC]

Soon i travel to Stockholm and take he Ferry to Turkuu.
Then car to Jyväskylä. Have nice weekend all forumers.

Rally Finland here i come.

[ If u see a Swedish Red Volvo 745 with rallyfans in , give us a peep]

[Koz]

Should be a great rally. I wonder, is a Ford 1-2-3 (4?)possible? :D

[Roy]

Should be a great rally. I wonder, is a Ford 1-2-3 (4?)possible? :D
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 is even possible :D ;)

[Tom206wrc]

It'll be a Citroën 1-2-3 in front !! :p :

[Koz]

It'll be a Citroën 1-2-3 in front !! :p :

NEVER! :p

[René]

Should be a great rally. I wonder, is a Ford 1-2-3 (4?)possible? :D

It's allowed to dream ! :p

But the dream will be likely to become a nightmare :laugh:

[Koz]

It's allowed to dream ! :p

But the dream will be likely to become a nightmare :laugh:

Blasphemy!!

You reminded me of Finland 04 :( Three whales led, only one finished..
I was hoping Lindholm would win :(

[pantealex]

Trivino drives ex Lindholm 206WRC

[MJW]

How did Mr Loeb's recce go?

[White Sauron]

Gronholm in his column: "To beat me there, Seb will have to drive really on the limit, and this means the probability of mistakes and offs grows. His retirement would increase my lead in the championship - considering I make it to the finish - and this thought can slow the frenchman a little bit on the Saturday's second section if the gap between us is enough".

Gronholm is fired up, guys!

[A.F.F.]

Psyykkaus näemmä alkanut... ;)

[MJW]

There is a reason why I asked about Loeb, but I will not divulge any more on the forum, (day 1 recce)

[SubaruNorway]

Hmm let me gues, Speed ticket, heard there was some nasty driving in Donnegal recce

[White Sauron]

Psyykkaus näemmä alkanut... ;)

saattaa olla...

[leno]

If all dreaming than i will also dream SUBARU will be 1-2-3
:devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil:

[gloomyDAY]

If all dreaming than i will also dream SUBARU will be 1-2-3
:devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :) I'm having that same dream tonight.

Rally Finland is amazing and I'm amped to see a tight race between Loeb and Gronholm! This one should be fun fellas, too bad the coverage in America is crap.

[Miika]

Nice crowded atmosphere in the shakedown stage early this morning already. Only thing missing was those half a million drunk Estoni.. sorry, East-European spectators with their half-time shows. Now there were only four of them..


All the top guys doing at least 3-4 runs, most busy ones being the Subarus, Stohl and to my surprise also both C4s.

[satukata]

I was in shakedown and it was great!

Marcus was fastest! He drove very different lines than others, not so much sideways. Seb, mikko and Subarus speed looks good and Jari-Matti had great attack too. Kristian solberg had small off and front tyre puncture in his first lap :(

[Miika]

And number 38 lost the right rear wheel - whoever it was then.

[White Sauron]

Gronholm 2:04.6
Solberg P. 2:05.6
Latvala 2:05.9
Loeb 2:06.3
Sordo 2:06.7
Solberg H. 2:06.8
Atkinson 2:06.9
Stohl 2:07.0
Хирвонен 2:09.0
Al Quassimi 2:19.0

thanks for the info to Jeremie Billiot

What's about Alen? Any info?

[Miika]

If I remember correct he is not ranked as P2 or P3 driver so he wasn´t there. A shame cause it would have been great to see that beautiful car there.

[White Sauron]

If I remember correct he is not ranked as P2 or P3 driver so he wasn´t there. A shame cause it would have been great to see that beautiful car there.

I thought everyone is allowed to do he shakedown... At least in IRC it's so...
But well, not only his car is beautiful, but Alen's driving is also amazing.

[Miika]

Not in WRC they aren´t:


08.00-12.00 Shakedown for P1 & P2 drivers - Laajavuori, Jyväskylä
10.00-12.00 Shakedown for P1, P2 & P3 drivers - Laajavuori, Jyväskylä

[White Sauron]

Not in WRC they aren´t:

Pity... Anyway, does the new Focus look great?

[PMM]

Heading to Jyväskylä NOW -->

;)

[Miika]

Anyway, does the new Focus look great?

Yes it does, too bad I didn´t have a camera available. But it looks pretty great. I´m just wondering for how long will that Abu Dhabi-fellow stay on the road.. Cause driving a WRC in these roads will be an experience for him, that´s for sure.

[Donney]

Oooooh I'm getting all excited with this rally it has to be a great battle for the lead!!!!

Enjoy it all of you who are there to spectate.

[White Sauron]

Yes it does, too bad I didn´t have a camera available. But it looks pretty great. I´m just wondering for how long will that Abu Dhabi-fellow stay on the road.. Cause driving a WRC in these roads will be an experience for him, that´s for sure.

Thanks!
And yes, a real challenge for Quassimi...

[Rando]

01. Marcus Grönholm, 2:04.6
02. Petter Solberg, 2:05.6
03. Jari-Matti Latvala, 2:05.9
04. Sebastien Loeb, 2:06.3
05. Dani Sordo, 2:06.7
06. Chris Atkinson, 2:06.7
07. Henning Solberg, 2:06.8
08. Manfred Stohl, 2:07.0
09. Urmo Aava, 2:08.7
10. Mikko Hirvonen, 2:09.0

rallye-magazin.de

[peterpz]

Any pics from shakedown??

[Tom206wrc]

Gronholm 2:04.6
Solberg P. 2:05.6
Latvala 2:05.9
Loeb 2:06.3
Sordo 2:06.7
Solberg H. 2:06.8
Atkinson 2:06.9
Stohl 2:07.0
Хирвонен 2:09.0
Al Quassimi 2:19.0
...




Who ???? :laugh:

[White Sauron]

Who ???? :laugh:

Oh, sorry, i took it from my russian site, but seem to have forgotten to translate Mikko's surname)) It's Hirvonen :p

[peterpz]

Why is Mikko so slow?

[Miika]

Judging by the number of runs Mikko did, everything seems to be ok with the setup so I guess there wasn´t any need to go faster and possibly break something. Hopefully that´s the reason for that slowish time.

[satukata]

mikko said car was ok, but shakedown road was some places pretty poor condition so he didn´t push too much :) WE WILL SEE TOMORROW. Mikko said that If he want win he have to be faster than marcus on friday.
Mikko Maximum attack coming tomorrow morning

[CWJ]

Any pics from shakedown??

http://www.rallye-magazin.de/r/wm/galerien/2007/rallye-finnland/index.html

[noel157]

http://www.rallye-magazin.de/r/wm/galerien/2007/rallye-finnland/index.html


Ford must be sponsoring Rallye Magazin.................
Can somebody tell them that there are one or 2 other makes in the rally?

[René]

Ford must be sponsoring Rallye Magazin.................
Can somebody tell them that there are one or 2 other makes in the rally?



:laugh: :laugh:

http://koti.tnnet.fi/yaamboo/wrc_fin_2007/2007-08-02/

[A.F.F.]

That's it for me. Gonna get some sleep now and get up 2.30 am. and head to the SS 2. See you guys on the stages :wave:

[René]

A little video from shakedown



http://www.mundomotorizado.com/blog/?p=856

[harriswrc]

Killery sss is on! First time for Jones 1.27,0

[Tom206wrc]

Atkinson best time in front of Sordo and Solberg(H)until now ;)

[Tom206wrc]

Finally, Atkinson won the SSS in front of Bosse, Loeb, Sordo, Solberg P,... ;)

[Corny]

Finally, Atkinson won the SSS in front of Bosse, Loeb, Sordo, Solberg P,... ;)

yes he's in front.. but for how long? After the first corner of tomorrow morning Marcus has passed him:P

[CABAIO E'LONA]

1 C. ATKINSON 1:20.6
2 M. GRÖNHOLM +0.2
3 S. LOEB +0.3
4 D. SORDO +0.6
5 P. SOLBERG +0.7
6 J. LATVALA +1.1
7 M. HIRVONEN +1.3
8 M. STOHL +1.9
9 H. SOLBERG +2.1
10 J. HÄNNINEN +2.2
11 X. PONS +2.3
12 K. SOHLBERG +2.5
13 G. WILKS +2.6
14 F. VILLAGRA +2.8
15 U. AAVA +2.9
16 M. ÖSTBERG +3.0
17 J. KOPECKY +3.3
18 L. PEREZ COMPANC +3.4
19 A. MIKKELSEN +4.5
20 K. KUISTILA +4.7
21 M. WILSON +4.7
22 G. JONES +6.4
23 R. TRIVI?O +6.8
24 K. AL QASSIMI +7.0
25 M. PROKOP +9.4
26 P. SANDELL +9.9
27 C. RAUTENBACH +11.0
28 A. CORTINOVIS +11.0
29 J. BÉRES +11.1
30 T. SUOMINEN +11.8
31 K. PINOMÄKI +12.0
32 V. ROZUKAS +12.3
33 A. Nicolai BURKART +12.3
34 J. MÖLDER +12.8
35 J. KETOMÄKI +13.0

[SubaruNorway]

yes he's in front.. but for how long? After the first corner of tomorrow morning Marcus has passed him:P


Did you even whatch Acropolis? Atkinson was leading until ss7 so just shut it would you please :D

http://www.wrc.com/page/StageTimes/0,,10111~2007096,00.html

[Halvard]

I`m not the brightest, but can someone explaine. Here in Norway we are GMT +1. On WRC.com it says that the rally in Finland is GMT +3. Helsinki is GMT +2. Are there more than one timezone in Finland?? I didn`t belive that... But my question is, when do SS2 start tomorrow (norwegian time)

Thank you , musiclovers

[White Sauron]

1 C. ATKINSON 1:20.6
2 M. GRÖNHOLM +0.2
3 S. LOEB +0.3
4 D. SORDO +0.6
5 P. SOLBERG +0.7
6 J. LATVALA +1.1
7 M. HIRVONEN +1.3
8 M. STOHL +1.9
9 H. SOLBERG +2.1
10 J. HÄNNINEN +2.2
11 X. PONS +2.3
12 K. SOHLBERG +2.5
13 G. WILKS +2.6
14 F. VILLAGRA +2.8
15 U. AAVA +2.9
16 M. ÖSTBERG +3.0
17 J. KOPECKY +3.3
18 L. PEREZ COMPANC +3.4
19 A. MIKKELSEN +4.5
20 K. KUISTILA +4.7
21 M. WILSON +4.7
22 G. JONES +6.4
23 R. TRIVI?O +6.8
24 K. AL QASSIMI +7.0
25 M. PROKOP +9.4
26 P. SANDELL +9.9
27 C. RAUTENBACH +11.0
28 A. CORTINOVIS +11.0
29 J. BÉRES +11.1
30 T. SUOMINEN +11.8
31 K. PINOMÄKI +12.0
32 V. ROZUKAS +12.3
33 A. Nicolai BURKART +12.3
34 J. MÖLDER +12.8
35 J. KETOMÄKI +13.0

Hei, you forgot Flodin, Ketomaa ja Alen!!! And they're doing quite well!!!

[Roy]

I`m not the brightest, but can someone explaine. Here in Norway we are GMT +1. On WRC.com it says that the rally in Finland is GMT +3. Helsinki is GMT +2. Are there more than one timezone in Finland?? I didn`t belive that... But my question is, when do SS2 start tomorrow (norwegian time)

Thank you , musiclovers

Does this help you?
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/europe/norway/
http://wwp.european-union-eu.com/finland/

[SubaruNorway]

I`m not the brightest, but can someone explaine. Here in Norway we are GMT +1. On WRC.com it says that the rally in Finland is GMT +3. Helsinki is GMT +2. Are there more than one timezone in Finland?? I didn`t belive that... But my question is, when do SS2 start tomorrow (norwegian time)

Thank you , musiclovers


It starts 6:54 norwegian time just count one hour back from local Finland
http://www.wrc.com/page/Timetable/0,,10111~200707,00.html

[Halvard]

thank you both, FocusChampion and Subarunorway 1.

[Glee]

I heard on the radio today that Petter Solbergs engine failed after shakedown, and they had to use the spare-engine. Petter himself did comment it, but as I was driving I didn't got to hear everything.

Also Trond Bentestuen from Expert said that they was so pleased with Hennins work that they was more and more thinking on the sponsorship as a life long commitment.
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=199996

(I on my side bought my new washing machine on Expert thanks to their sponsorship...)

[ste898]

Atkinson wont be in the lead for long.......it will be the same old story with him good start then woops off he goes!!!!!

[cut the b.s.]

Atkinson wont be in the lead for long.......it will be the same old story with him good start then woops off he goes!!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HOW-TO-WIN-FRIENDS-AND-INFLUENCE-PEOPLE-CARNEGIE-e-Book_W0QQitemZ260144129378QQihZ016QQcategoryZ378QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Get yourself a present, heck I'll even chip in too help with the cost if it works...

[bt52b]

Formula Ford, well almost, nice photo of 11 M-Sport cars
http://www.rallye-magazin.de/r/wm/galerien/2007/rallye-finnland/index.html?tx_gooffotoboek_pi1%5Bfid%5D=7&cHash=9e7ed269bf

[TKM]

Atkinson wont be in the lead for long.......it will be the same old story with him good start then woops off he goes!!!!!

Don't you mean that POS he's driving will break something.

[N.O.T]

30 mins till the start

[Miika]

Atkinson wont be in the lead for long.......it will be the same old story with him good start then woops off he goes!!!!!

And if he does, at least he does it with style and by pushing the pedal to the metal.





I hope for a close battle for the win lasting till Sunday but I have a feeling Marcus will murder the competition in the opening stage and Loeb gives up. Shame.

[Finni]

http://www.zone.ee/wrcmasters/analyzer.php?rally=9&stage=2&results=1&jwrc=

[Finni]

There has been rainy first part of the week. It remains to see if this neutralize the road positions.

[N.O.T]

Gronholm through 1st split...

[N.O.T]

Loeb 0.2 slower....

[N.O.T]

Hirvonen 2 seconds faster than Both in 1st split :)

[N.O.T]

THIS IS WAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Loeb and Gronholm same time.....

[N.O.T]

Solberg off to a good start......Hirvonen seem to be on acharge !!!

[Finni]

I think that there is still some effect of road position. Watching Hirvonen and Sordo.

[White Sauron]

I wonder what Latvala can show... If there\s not much difference between the Focus 07 and 07, he can beat Hirvi

[N.O.T]

Sébastien Loeb
Citroen "Its okay for the moment, better than last year. Happy with the car, difficult to drive when you start in Finalnd after one year, lots of hidden corners. Not easy but okay, the rally is long."

Marcus Gronholm
Ford "Its very slippery, the road is faster, I couldn't get the feeling at all. Really bad start"

Mikko Hirvonen
Ford "No mistakes or anything it was a good stage."

[N.O.T]

Latvala close to Hirvonen.....0.8 slower

[Finni]

Good first split from Latvala. Are we seeing Jari-Matti in top-three after this day?

[Finni]

Atkinson going very well. He likes this rally and has always been good starter.

[N.O.T]

Petter Solberg
Subaru "I had big problems with the car. Its steers by itself completely, I can't even brake. Its scarey"

[N.O.T]

Henning Solberg
Ford "I've been pushing, it's been along time since I've been pushing. It's a long day"

it certainly doesn't show on his time 15 seconds slower...

[Miika]

Bloody hell Atko stalled and still only a few seconds down. Gotta give him credit for really going for it.

[N.O.T]

Latvala is Flying !!!!!!

Atko did a great time considering he stalled in the stage as well.....

[Miika]

Jumalauta Jari-Matti.

[N.O.T]

LATVALA wins the stage !!!! hope he can keep it up !!!!!

[White Sauron]

Well, I was right about Latvala...

[N.O.T]

Jumalauta Jari-Matti.

I don't know what that means but i agree !!!!! :D :D :D

[N.O.T]

Chris Atkinson
Subaru "We stalled at a haripin, it was a half spin really. It takes time to build up the feeling but I think its going to improve through the rally.!"

Jari-Matti Latvala
Ford "That's surprising, I am surprised with my time. Sometimes I was a little bit wide. Okay, we keep the focus on the same speed, we see what happens."

[Finni]

I don't know what that means but i agree !!!!! :D :D :D

Lol :D :D

[N.O.T]

Latvala was 2 secs faster per Km from WIlson....

[N.O.T]

what hanninen said on the radio ????

[jonkka]

People in finnish rally radio are pronouncing Villagra's name without the two L's in the middle :eek:

[N.O.T]

thats the way it should be i think is spanish/Portugese the 2 ll are not pronounced as L.

[N.O.T]

The first victim of the finnish roads is a local....K.Sohlberg

[jonkka]

He should easily get personal sponsorship from Pfizer! :)

[N.O.T]

Not a bad time by Aava.....

[N.O.T]

Comments after ss1

Sébastien Loeb
Citroen "Its okay for the moment, better than last year. Happy with the car, difficult to drive when you start in Finalnd after one year, lots of hidden corners. Not easy but okay, the rally is long."

Daniel Sordo
Citroen "Difficult to take the feeling but I think the time is not bad. The car is good also. I'm happy."

Marcus Gronholm
Ford "Its very slippery, the road is faster, I couldn't get the feeling at all. Really bad start"

Mikko Hirvonen
Ford "No mistakes or anything it was a good stage."

Manfred Stohl
Citroen "Yes, it was a good stage, no problem. Very difficult but for the speed."

Petter Solberg
Subaru "I had big problems with the car. Its steers by itself completely, I can't even brake. Its scarey"

Chris Atkinson
Subaru "We stalled at a haripin, it was a half spin really. It takes time to build up the feeling but I think its going to improve through the rally.!"

Jari-Matti Latvala
Ford "That's surprising, I am surprised with my time. Sometimes I was a little bit wide. Okay, we keep the focus on the same speed, we see what happens."

Henning Solberg
Ford "I've been pushing, it's been along time since I've been pushing. It's a long day"

Luis Perez Companc
Ford "Very good, very good, getting use to the pace. The car is good"

Federico Villagra
Ford "Trying to enjoy, its going to be a tough rally"

Juho Hanninen
Mitsubishi "Its quite slippery, quite abit of sliding"

Matthew Wilson
Ford "It feels okay just getting into it. There were a couple of places where we put it in too much. I think we've punctured the front right but the mousse seemed to work alright"

Xavier Pons
Subaru "Not so bad, very slippery. A little problem with the brakes." - little damage to the back left bumper of the car.

Kristian Sohlberg
Mitsubishi Rolled on the stage

Mads Ostberg
Subaru "We went too hard on the first big jump and we had some oil smell so we had to take it easy."

Urmo Aava
Mitsubishi "It was quite okay but some of the jumps are not correct and we had one very bad jump and it was quite scarey"

Guy Wilks
Ford "It wasnt' bad may be we were a little bit to stiff.Coming to a left hand junction 40-metres over a crest and we travelled that 40-metres very quickly."

Andreas Mikkelsen
Ford "A bit nervous in there. We're here to learn, keep moving and smiling"

[car1279]

the 2 ll are not pronounced as L.

hello, everyone
this is car from mexico

just to add that LL is pronounce like a Y /viyagra/

i'm here reading your posts, learning about rally,

[N.O.T]

next ss is on.....

[Halvard]

SS 3 has started....

[Christina]

Suddenly i love the fact that i do absolutely nothing all day at my job. Yesterday i got bored, today i follow rally! :D ahh.. it's good to have it back!

I am also very happy that Jari-Matti won the first stage of the day! i hope he keeps his concentration and keeps up the good work!

[SubaruNorway]

The finnish radio crew and Kai Linström on the webcam http://www.yle.fi/rallyfinland/ralli2007.asx

[Tom206wrc]

Good time fom Manfred Stohl also on that SS2 ;)


Why hasn't Jarmo Mikkonen started the rally(he was on entrylist before) ??? :confused:

[Finni]

Very good run from Marcus..

[N.O.T]

Things are back to normal in ss3.....but still the differences are minimal....

[Mauri A]

Back to normal for the first three.

[KW]

They could not get jarmo Mikkonen´s Peugeot ready for start...some mecanical problems

[Finni]

Loeb said that he did his best but Marcus was very fast. Hirvonen not entirely happy.

[Finni]

edit

[René]

Latvala off !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Miika]

Game over for J-M once again. Now it lasted for a whole one stage.

[Mauri A]

End of the Latvala-story.

[Christina]

Noooo!! anyone know what happened?

[Tom206wrc]

Problem for Latvala !!! :s

[N.O.T]

Latvala lost 2mins :( :( ......pity.....

I think that Loeb cannot keep up with Marcus in Finland....but he is fast enough to keep the pressure on him and Marcus doesn't react well under pressure.....of course he knows Finland by heart but still...However Loeb must also take risks....

[Roy]

:wave:

Finnaly the rally restarted!

Fast Latavala is again a crashtestdummy. The new Duval is here. :(

[Tom206wrc]

I guess Stohl was disturbed by Latvala after his off... :mark:

[N.O.T]

Very good job by Alen...15 seconds faster than Flodin in ss2

[Mauri A]

According to Finnish TV Lavala stalled his engine and lost much time.

[KW]

Alen will be making life difficult to slower WRC cars....just wait

[jonkka]

Are there any forum members present who'd be familiar with arab names?

[Camelopard]

According to Finnish TV Lavala stalled his engine and lost much time.

So did he stall his engine after an off? or was it something like Atko earlier?

[Finni]

First some obstacle came on Jari-Matti's hands and when he repaired it he stalled. After that he went off.

[Miika]

J-M was trying to fix some loose part inside the car, lost his concentration and got stuck in a ditch from the rear.

[Miika]

Seb stalled and lost about 5 sec

[N.O.T]

Hirvonen back on track :) :)

[Finni]

Loeb has stalled..

[White Sauron]

Gronholm-Hirvonen playing ping-pong...

[Tom206wrc]

Best GrN time for Alen and the Fiat in SS2 !!! :bounce:


If only there was a also 207 S2000 with a very good driver inside on this event... :(

[N.O.T]

Loeb took 0.9 on the last split from gronholm....i Think it is still a 3 way battle !!!!

[N.O.T]

Yay Hirvonen doesn't give up !!!

[Miika]

What a great battle - Mikko is definitely in the game.

[Roy]

Great battle in front!

Wilks does a good job! 9th in SS2. 10th in overall standings.

[Camelopard]

J-M was trying to fix some loose part inside the car, lost his concentration and got stuck in a ditch from the rear.

That is a shame, hope he can pull some time back.

[Miika]

Atko would have set the fastest time but stalled the car.

[ste898]

Same old thing from Atkinson......how does he hang on to a top seat when he is useless!!!!!!!

[SubaruNorway]

Same old thing from Atkinson......how does he hang on to a top seat when he is useless!!!!!!!

Just as useless as Loeb then

[Bleu]

It seems that same corner is causing slight problems for many at Palsankylä. Loeb, Atkinson, Stohl and Latvala have stalled there I think.

[Miika]

Atko is flying whereas the former champion is complaining the same car is impossible to drive..

[White Sauron]

Just as useless as Loeb then

oh yeah, Loeb is completely useless this year)

[Tom206wrc]

Same old thing from Atkinson......how does he hang on to a top seat when he is useless!!!!!!!



Strange you don't say anything about Latvala off earlier ?? Because he's driving a Ford ?? :rolleyes:

[Finni]

It was expectation that Hirvonen is with top-driver at that point of the rally - with benefit of his road position. But I still suspect if Mikko is really able to fight against Marcus and Seb.

[Roy]

Atko is flying whereas the former champion is complaining the same car is impossible to drive..


I wonder too. What is in the mind of P. Solberg.
Wrong set-up in car... or head?

[KW]

Hänninen is driving really well....

[René]

I wonder too. What is in the mind of P. Solberg.
Wrong set-up in car... or head?

All ready inside the Marcus seat !

[jonkka]

I wonder too. What is in the mind of P. Solberg.
Wrong set-up in car... or head?

Mechanical problem.

[Camelopard]

Same old thing from Atkinson......how does he hang on to a top seat when he is useless!!!!!!!

Maybe he stalled, but he is still faster than his more illustrious team mate.
Maybe he will go off again, but at least he is having a go.......... not just whingeing about his car.........

[Tom206wrc]

Good time by Alen in SS3(20th best time overall)almost 10s faster than other GrN :up:

Who dares saying S2000 are crap compared to GrN in Finland rally now ??? :D

[KW]

in next stage Alen will past some WRCs....kuistila,Villagra and Ketomäki

[Halvis]

Mornin' guys and girls. Close battle in the top - nice!

Is it service now? Next stage when?

[Wim_Impreza]

Good time by Alen in SS3(20th best time overall)almost 10s faster than other GrN :up:


A S2000 isn't a GrN...

[White Sauron]

A S2000 isn't a GrN...

The S2000 category belongs to Group N standings regarding to FIA rules

[SubaruNorway]

A S2000 isn't a GrN...

yes it is start nr 61 N4 http://www.swrt.com/championship/entry_list.html

[Miika]

Petter utterly pissed and doesn´t want to give any interviews at the moment.

[MikeD]

Good to see Aava in 8th place.

Just love the front of that Mitsu WRC05!

[SubaruNorway]

Cars entering servicepark http://www.yle.fi/rallyfinland/ralli2007.asx

[Fang]

Same old thing from Atkinson......how does he hang on to a top seat when he is useless!!!!!!!

Absolutely, how can you sit in 4th place, 10 secs off the lead, ahead of your team mate and deserve a top seat? Get rid of him!!

[Miika]

Stage 4 is stopped at the moment, someone overdid it in THE jump I assume in the Palsankylä stage.

[MikeD]

Is Kristian Sohlberg out? - or did he "just" stall?

[SubaruNorway]

Is Kristian Sohlberg out? - or did he "just" stall?

http://www.wrc.com/page/News/BreakingNewsDetail/0,,10111~1083891,00.html

He's driving a Lancer wrc by the way

[Wim_Impreza]

http://www.wrc.com/page/News/BreakingNewsDetail/0,,10111~1083891,00.html

He's driving a Lancer wrc by the way

On wrc.com they wrote he drove the Red Devil Impreza WRC.

[SubaruNorway]

Thats what i was aiming at

[bennizw]

What was the other split site, that was better and faster than zone-ee again?

[White Sauron]

What was the other split site, that was better and faster than zone-ee again?

http://www.nuclear.pri.ee/rally/index.php

today they are both working fine though

[Wim_Impreza]

Thats what i was aiming at

Ok ;)

[jonas_mcrae]

Nice run by Alen I think this is better than going to compete in Madeira!(though he was not nominated by fiat anyway), by the way is this drive sponsored by Abarth Fiat or private? I havent seen the car...

[KW]

Three estonian rally-tourists have been arrested by finnish police...they have assaulted stewards in camping site at SS Mökkiperä using fists and baseball pat......do yo have usually baseball pat wiyh you in rally...??

[White Sauron]

Nice run by Alen I think this is better than going to compete in Madeira!(though he was not nominated by fiat anyway), by the way is this drive sponsored by Abarth Fiat or private? I havent seen the car...

Fiat-Abarth SIGNED Alen before Portugal to compete for them in Group N in WRC and on gravel events in IRC.

[JAM]

The S2000 category belongs to Group N standings regarding to FIA rules


But when comparing cars we must me inteligente and compare cars that can be comparable. S1600 and WRC are not a Group N. A S2000 is an S1600 with 2 litre engine and 4wd minus some electronics. A S2000 is a WRC without the turbocharged engine and without lot of electronics. A group N is a car very similar to the ones we see on the road. A WRC and S1600 are very far from the cars that we see on the road.

S2000 is nearest a WRC or S1600 than a Group N. The S2000 should be on A7 class.

Nice rally with the a fight between 3 with Atkinson very close. JMLatvala and one more crash... :rolleyes:

[Miika]

SS5 under way..

[Magnum2300]

And Hirvonen seems to be faster than Grönholm and Loeb at least at split 1.

[6thgear]

Three estonian rally-tourists have been arrested by finnish police...they have assaulted stewards in camping site at SS Mökkiperä using fists and baseball pat......do yo have usually baseball pat wiyh you in rally...??

Those are really the times when one can`t be proud of morons wearing our flag...
They should organize some IQ-test instead of just selling rally-passes to every low-forehead...

[White Sauron]

And Hirvonen seems to be faster than Grönholm and Loeb at least at split 1.

key word "at least"

[Halvis]

Seems like Petter has had some useful changes in service - almost on pace now.

[SubaruNorway]

Told there was some hydraulic problem with the steering and senterdiff

[KW]

something wrong with Kopecky´s skoda......he is losing lot of time

[jonkka]

Punture

[WRC2006]

Told there was some hydraulic problem with the steering and senterdiff


Always problems with the Impreza?!

[Halvis]

Always problems with the Impreza?!

Yes, no rally without some mech probs...

[Donney]

It would not be a proper Impreza without them :D

[jonkka]

Very tight...

[WRC2006]

The stage has started already

[Mauri A]

Loeb??????

[Miika]

Loeb loses just about over a sec to Marcus and thinks it´s impossible to catch him??

[Magnum2300]

SS6 under way

Grönholm was five seconds faster than on the first run, Loeb only 1,4 secs slower. Hirvonen and Grönholm had exactly same time. Difference between these three drivers is really small. Anything can happen. This is so exciting!

[jonkka]

Last year after five stages Loeb was 14sec behind, it's closer now. Very interesting.

[jonkka]

Will Sordo repeat his last two finnish rally performances? So far very good from him.

[Josti]

Great battle between Grönholm and Hirvonen. Solberg seems to be getting closer too :)

[Mauri A]

Petter found his speed, nice.

[Miika]

Only +0.7 for Petter - really good to see him back.

[Minke]

Petter found his speed, nice.

Atkinson is quicker :)

[Mauri A]

Atkinson is quicker :)
Not anymore! I´m waiting his usual crash.

[Miika]

I´m waiting his usual crash.

Most likely to happen in some of the stages tomorrow.

[jonkka]

What does it tell about Mikkelsen that he keeps company between Perez Companc and Wilson? :eek:

[White Sauron]

2nd split for Bosse!!! Just great compared to the first pass!

[Josti]

Hirvonen good split!

[Miika]

Mikko is really impressive still.

[Mauri A]

11 secs faster than in the morning and Mikko even faster!
BTW, where are all the Hirvonen bashers today?

[Josti]

Close call between Marcus and Mikko, very exciting! I hope Solberg can come along.

[Christina]

All the Mikko bashers are hiding because he's putting them to shame.

[Miika]

Oh noes, seems that Loeb is starting to give up the fight because of giving his all but still losing second by second . So now it could be all about waiting for the Ford´s team-order..

[Mauri A]

Oh noes, seems that Loeb is starting to give up the fight because of giving his all but still losing second by second . So now it could be all about waiting for the Ford´s team-order..
Hope not, and it is still too early.

[WRC2006]

Hope he will stay until Sunday. I never trust the Impreza

[Glee]

Oh noes, seems that Loeb is starting to give up the fight because of giving his all but still losing second by second . So now it could be all about waiting for the Ford´s team-order..

Or maybe Bosse should ease off a bit, and let Seb think he can catch him and then overdrive?

[White Sauron]

Oh noes, seems that Loeb is starting to give up the fight because of giving his all but still losing second by second . So now it could be all about waiting for the Ford´s team-order..

No team-orders, because the gap to Loeb is still very tiny... You can't use team-orders with driver of Loeb's caliber in half a minute behind you

[Josti]

I think Solberg can catch Loeb, maybe tommorow if he continues like this.

[Finni]

Mikko and Petter have been faster than Seb in last couple of stages. Are Marcus and Seb still very slightly handicapped. Is there there different lines drawn to gravel compard to wrc-cars? Just speculation.

[Josti]

Latvala very close on first split.

[Halvis]

Team-orders now is ridiculous, there's just 11 secs between them. No way it is gonna happen this early.

[Halvis]

Latvala been off again...

[Christina]

Ouch! what happened on JM's second split? He's not having a good time today huh? every time he starts going fast he makes a mistake.. :(

[Halvis]

Ouch! what happened on JM's second split? He's not having a good time today huh? every time he starts going fast he makes a mistake.. :(

Maybe he's just driving faster than his abilities...?

[Mauri A]

Latvala been off again...
Just making sure that he must not start first tomorrow!

[Josti]

That´s JM one and only problem, his consistency...

[duff]

Latvala stopped. Oh well.

[duff]

I do think that Latvala is the way of the future for Finland (even with the off road excursions) he's really got the speed and you can't teach that. he's just gotta refine it...

[Finni]

I do think that Latvala is the way of the future for Finland (even with the off road excursions) he's really got the speed and you can't teach that. he's just gotta refine it...

Marcus used to be very fast in Finland but used to crash also in his early days.. Also Solberg was very error prone.

[Mauri A]

I do think that Latvala is the way of the future for Finland (even with the off road excursions) he's really got the speed and you can't teach that. he's just gotta refine it...
He reminds me a certain Mr Vatanen in the beginning of his career.

[Magnum2300]

Or certain mr Paasonen.

[Mauri A]

Latvala three-wheeling.

[Finni]

Or certain mr Paasonen.

I think that Paasonen's speed was not as consistently occuring if compared to Jari-Matti.

[Halvis]

Nice battle between Henning and Sordo for 6th place. Too bad Henning doesn't have the opportunity to test. I think he's been in the car just once since Acropolis. He says that day one in Finland is more of a getting the feel of the car, and then he'll try to push more the last two days.