2007 Rally Catalunya - official thread

[jbmarcus21]

Go Marcus

[Magnus]

It is really nice jbmarcus21, but its a bit odd, me thinks, to start at official rally thread by relating to some other site, even though I really appreciate your work!

[jbmarcus21]

ok ;-)

[gloomyDAY]

Only ten more days and the action starts once again! I'm really excited over the championship and just wish that I were able to be in Spain. That country looks amazing, and the rally is going to be quite interesting to watch.

I just hope that François Duval doesn't take a dump on Marcus' run for the championship. Hope Mikko does well too, but Atkinson might just take a podium this time around.

We'll see......

[tmx]

marcus was leading this rally last year before the car broke down, so i hope he will get a good result. although i expect duval and atkinson to do very well also.

[Langdale Forest]

Loeb will probably win the rally and Gronholm will probably come 2nd.

Duval and Sordo could also do well.

[N]

It should be pretty close, Loeb will win, Gronholm will settle for something less, just to get the points, Sordo, Duval, Pons and Hirvonen will push for a podium place, so it should be an interesting event.

[Roy]

marcus was leading this rally last year before the car broke down, so i hope he will get a good result. although i expect duval and atkinson to do very well also.

Gronholm was leading, but rally was in spring, now in autumn I think Loeb has more advatage. But i hope not :D

[euskalteam]

Loeb will probably win the rally and Gronholm will probably come 2nd.

Duval and Sordo could also do well.

Indeed, but be carefull with Sordo, last year he finished 2nd and he has to be between Seb and Marcus to help to the Loeb to win the championship.

[jonkka]

Gronholm was leading, but rally was in spring, now in autumn I think Loeb has more advatage. But i hope not :D

And the time of year would affect their respective chances how?

[Donney]

There are more possibilities of rain, other than that I don't know what he meant.

[Langdale Forest]

If Sordo or Duval is ahead of Loeb on the final day, is there any possibility of team orders being given?

[Donney]

As much as I'd hate to see it happen, it will be the thing to do from Citroen boss if they want Loeb to win another championship.

[White Sauron]

If Sordo or Duval is ahead of Loeb on the final day, is there any possibility of team orders being given?

For sure. Frequelin once said driver's title this year is now more important for them.

[Xsara Fan]

If Sordo or Duval is ahead of Loeb on the final day, is there any possibility of team orders being given?

Possibility??? I am SURE that Citroen Sport WILL tell Sordo & Duval BEFORE the start that Loeb MUST win and that Dani & Francois MUST NOT pushing too hard. Guy Frequelin is a 'master of team orders'. He did it with Bugalski and Magaud in French rally championship in 1998/1999, he did it with Bugalski and Puras in 1999 in Catalunya, he did it in 2003 with Loeb in GB....

[White Sauron]

Possibility??? I am SURE that Citroen Sport WILL tell Sordo & Duval BEFORE the start that Loeb MUST win and that Dani & Francois MUST NOT pushing too hard. Guy Frequelin is a 'master of team orders'. He did it with Bugalski and Magaud in French rally championship in 1998/1999, he did it with Bugalski and Puras in 1999 in Catalunya, he did it in 2003 with Loeb in GB....

If Dudu and Dani don't push, Marcus will easily take 2nd. That's not the result Citroen want. To make Marcus lose many points both Citroen drivers have to push. Team orders are possible only at the end of the rally.

[A.F.F.]

For sure. Frequelin once said driver's title this year is now more important for them.

I guess he said it right AFTER he realized they have no chance for manu title :laugh: Jeez... good one Guy.

[Corny]

If Sordo or Duval is ahead of Loeb on the final day, is there any possibility of team orders being given?

the better question is: is there any chance it will not be given :D

[Brother John]

As Kronos stops in WRC or with Citroën, and Citroën have nothing to offer to Duval for 2008, why must them then listen to Guy Frequelin or Citroën?
IMO, :D this would be the most spectacular result for RallyRACC Catalunya
1. Duval
2. Grönholm
3. Loeb
4. Hirvonen
5. Sordo
6. Latvalla
7. Atkinson
8. Solberg (decide your self which Solberg :p )

[Lalo]

Don't forget Pons. He has always performed well here, even if he's not as consistant as he should. Maybe le learned the lesson for Subaru :D

[Le NaRcX]

Will rain until friday morning.

[Roy]

And the time of year would affect their respective chances how?

This the reason:
Will rain until friday morning.

Last year Spain was in dry conditions. Now the roads are (maybe) wet and there is a lot of leafs on the road. That makes tarmac slipery. That are better conditions for Loeb.

[Le NaRcX]

This the reason:

Last year Spain was in dry conditions. Now the roads are (maybe) wet and there is a lot of leafs on the road. That makes tarmac slipery. That are better conditions for Loeb.

Well, if rain, I don't know for whom are the better conditions really, you only must remember Catalunya 2003, I don't believe that Loeb keeps a good memory of that year :D . Although Costa Brava was a different rally.

[alleskids]

I these days Citroen had not a good tyre/weather crew, and they made many mistakes, like Corsica :( , were he really lost the world title. And indeed he lost it again in Catalunya. But both Loeb and Citroen have learned a lot since those days.
They succeeded were Pinky and the Brain (the cartoon serie) failed: they conquered the world, many times :)

[Priorat]

Big join test for Ford drivers today with Mikkelsen, Jones, Van Merksteijn Sr, Pérez Companc and Villagra.

Ral.li Catalunya is warming up!

[Priorat]

Big join test for Ford drivers today with Mikkelsen, Jones, Van Merksteijn Sr, Pérez Companc and Villagra.

And Hanninen was not further with the Mitsu

Ral.li Catalunya is warming up!

[jbmarcus21]

Have a good Rally Priorat .. Not coming for me.. :( ...

[Le NaRcX]

weather predictions don't change, will rain until friday's noon

http://www.meteocat.com

[Priorat]

enjoy Wales then, jbmarcus.

[muscrae]

It seems to me that Séb is on course for win again in Catalunya, and probably Marcus will come second overall..

So battle goes on !!!!!!!!!

[Minke]

Chris Atkinson will be 4th or 5th.. maybe even 3rd...

it is my hope atleast :)

[noel157]

Chris Atkinson will be 4th or 5th.. maybe even 3rd...

it is my hope atleast :)

Atko certainly for top 5 anyway. He has matured a good bit this season.

[Le NaRcX]

Weather preditions for shakedown: Heavy rain. More than 40mm3/hour during all the day.

[Minke]

Atko certainly for top 5 anyway. He has matured a good bit this season.

I agree with that comment.. I think also the subaru tends to do a little better on the tar (in it's current form) ? and he was 8min 33 off the pace in germany at SS15.

And he lost 8 min at SS2. so really he was very much on the pace of the top 3...

[Minke]

Weather preditions for shakedown: Heavy rain. More than 40mm3/hour during all the day.

What is the UTC time for shakedown.. I can never find that information...

[Le NaRcX]

What is the UTC time for shakedown.. I can never find that information...

I don't know what is UTC. In the official rally website you can find the weather predictions for the rally.

LIVE RESULTS FROM SHAKEDOWN HERE:

http://www.rallyracc.com/2007/espanol/online.html?pag=sk

[Donney]

UTC:

Universal Time Coordinated.

[Minke]

UTC:

Universal Time Coordinated.
Thanks.. :)

Duval is quicker then marcus in shakedown... :( go Marcus

[euskalteam]

SD Times at the moment:

1º. Sebastian Loeb 2:32.7
2º. Xevi Pons 2:34.1
3º. François Duval 2:34.5
4º. Marcus Gronholm 2:34.7
5º. Dani Sordo 2:34.9
6º. Jari-Matti Latvala 2:35.5
7º. Chris Atkinson 2:36.1
8º. Peter Solberg 2:36.9
= Mikko Hirvonen 2:36.9
10ºJan Kopecky 2:37.8
11ºManfred Sthol 2:38.2
12ºFederico Villagra 2:40.0
13ºHenning Solberg 2:40.6
14ºMathew Wilson 2:41.1
15ºLuis Perez Companc 2:43.3

[Brother John]

Look like Mikko Hirvonen is under stress! :confused:



SD Times at the moment:

1º. Sebastian Loeb 2:32.7
2º. Xevi Pons 2:34.1
3º. François Duval 2:34.5
4º. Marcus Gronholm 2:34.7
5º. Dani Sordo 2:34.9
6º. Jari-Matti Latvala 2:35.5
7º. Chris Atkinson 2:36.1
8º. Peter Solberg 2:36.9
= Mikko Hirvonen 2:36.9
10ºJan Kopecky 2:37.8
11ºManfred Sthol 2:38.2
12ºFederico Villagra 2:40.0
13ºHenning Solberg 2:40.6
14ºMathew Wilson 2:41.1
15ºLuis Perez Companc 2:43.3

[Le NaRcX]

Fresh news from shakedown: Sandell has crashed the car now. No rain.

[AlfaWRC]

No worries about Mikko. Look at the results of previous shakedowns.
He always takes it easy...

[Donney]

Rain is expected tonight ans possibly tomorrow morning.

[anncath]

Where is Andreas Aigner? He´s missing in the results...

[Roy]

No worries about Mikko. Look at the results of previous shakedowns.
He always takes it easy...

The first time I dream about a rally was tonight. Hirvonen won in front of Gronholm and Loeb. Duval had a possibility to catch Loeb. Nice dream :D

[Koppomsbo]

Fresh news from shakedown: Sandell has crashed the car now. No rain.

Sandells car took a hard hit in the front, the team will have a late night with the tools and an early morning with someone called Jack, according to the sms i got from spain ;)

[MikeD]

Eamon Boland has entered with a Subaru WRC. He wasn't originally on the entry-list. Is that still prepared/run by Dom Buckley?

[Le NaRcX]

Sandells car took a hard hit in the front, the team will have a late night with the tools and an early morning with someone called Jack, according to the sms i got from spain ;)

Good news, a colleague has seen and filmed it :D

[Donney]

I was under the impression that you prevented that from happening. :p

[Lalo]

The first time I dream about a rally was tonight. Hirvonen won in front of Gronholm and Loeb. Duval had a possibility to catch Loeb. Nice dream :D

Cool dream! Have you ever got a dream where Loeb retires from the rally or where there's a huge battle between him and Marcus, and the Finnish goes out in front like in New Zealand? :D

[Roy]

Cool dream! Have you ever got a dream where Loeb retires from the rally or where there's a huge battle between him and Marcus, and the Finnish goes out in front like in New Zealand? :D

A lot of day dreams ;)

[edacurf]

what means "MBE" ????

[Simmi]

Anyone know if van Merksteijn has pulled his entry in the Focus as he wasn't in Shakedown from what I can gather?

[Shacki]

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=224&fotograf=16&all=1

[Buzz Lightyear]

what means "MBE" ???? Member of the British Empire, a form of knighthood in the UK.

[Lalo]

I just saw the shakedown report on WRC.com. Great timing from Pons. Didn't see that coming ;)

Go Marcus!!

[Josti]

Anyone know if van Merksteijn has pulled his entry in the Focus as he wasn't in Shakedown from what I can gather?

He didn't do Shakedown in Germany either. Don't know why, but it doesn't mean he won't start. No news so far...

[Koppomsbo]

SD Times JRC top 3

Andersson 2.50.0
Prokop 2.50.2
Mölder 2.50.8

[PLuto]

SD Times JRC top 3

Andersson 2.50.0
Prokop 2.50.2
Mölder 2.50.8

No, right version:

1. Kalle Pinomäki Renault Clio R3 2:48.4
2. Jozef Béreš Renault Clio S1600 2:48.8
3. Per-Gunnar Andersson Suzuki Swift S1600 2:50.0
4. Martin Prokop Citroën C2 S1600 2:50.2
5. Jaan Mölder Suzuki Swift S1600 2:50.8
6. Urmo Aava Suzuki Swift S1600 2:50.9
7. Alessandro Bettega Renault Clio R3 2:52.0
8. Michal Kościuszko Suzuki Swift S1600 2:53.4
9. Patrik Sandell Renault Clio R3 2:53.8
10. Aaron Burkart Citroën C2 S1600 2:54.6

[Koppomsbo]

No, right version:

1. Kalle Pinomäki Renault Clio R3 2:48.4
2. Jozef Béreš Renault Clio S1600 2:48.8
3. Per-Gunnar Andersson Suzuki Swift S1600 2:50.0
4. Martin Prokop Citroën C2 S1600 2:50.2
5. Jaan Mölder Suzuki Swift S1600 2:50.8
6. Urmo Aava Suzuki Swift S1600 2:50.9
7. Alessandro Bettega Renault Clio R3 2:52.0
8. Michal Kościuszko Suzuki Swift S1600 2:53.4
9. Patrik Sandell Renault Clio R3 2:53.8
10. Aaron Burkart Citroën C2 S1600 2:54.6

Auch, ok ;)

Good time by Kalle :)

[COD]

Auch, ok ;)

Good time by Kalle :)

GO KALLE!

[torsten]

Thanks.. :)

Duval is quicker then marcus in shakedown... :( go Marcus

Not because I am a Loeb fan or I don't like Marcus.......
Just for François' chances in the future

GO DUVAL GO !!!!!!! :s mokin:

[ZequeArgentina]

People, as always, don´t overvalue SD times, hey are just tests.

Regarding Pinomaki´s time, as far as this year long, R3 cars have not shown not a single good perfomance over S1600 cars.

It just seems the formula (R3) is not fast enoght.
I do not expect nothing good from them, pitty for Pinomaky, but that is what I think.

[Koppomsbo]

People, as always, don´t overvalue SD times, hey are just tests.

Regarding Pinomaki´s time, as far as this year long, R3 cars have not shown not a single good perfomance over S1600 cars.

It just seems the formula (R3) is not fast enoght.
I do not expect nothing good from them, pitty for Pinomaky, but that is what I think.


I dont "overvalue" it, but as u say the R3 cars havnt been fast enough for the whole year but now when it is, i think its a good time.

[pantealex]

Regarding Pinomaki´s time, as far as this year long, R3 cars have not shown not a single good perfomance over S1600 cars.

R3 cars took 1-2 in NesteRallyFinland...

[Jaanus]

R3 cars took 1-2 in NesteRallyFinland...

Yes but only because early leader Prokop crashed out and Urmo and PGA were not competing.

[Koppomsbo]

Good Morning to all of rally fans, lets hope for a good rally this weekend. I realy look forward to the fights between Markus/Seb and Andersson/Aava

Flat out, go hard or go home :hot:

[Finni]

Does anyone know about weather and road condition in Catalunya??

[Koppomsbo]

Does anyone know about weather and road condition in Catalunya??

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/local/SPXX0183?from=search_city

[White Sauron]

Does it start now?

[A.F.F.]

Good morning :wave:

[White Sauron]

Good morning :wave:

Huomenta, Jani!

[Koppomsbo]

anyone got any splits??

[Langdale Forest]

Has SS1 started yet?

[harriswrc]

http://www.rallyracc.com/2007/ingles/online.html?pag=intermedios

Split times from the official site.

Good Morning!

[Langdale Forest]

anyone got any splits??

It is still showing splits from New Zealand.

[Finni]

http://www.rallyracc.com/2007/ingles/online.html?pag=intermedios

You may want watch these splits before wrc.com's official splits are going to work..

[Finni]

Marcus leading by two seconds!

[A.F.F.]

Loeb gaining it back.

[harriswrc]

Sordo the fastest in the 1st split so far.

[Langdale Forest]

WrC+ splits are working again!

[jonkka]

No splits for Seb?

[Langdale Forest]

Loeb faster then Gronholm on 3rd split.

[A.F.F.]

Sordo fastest on the second split too so far.

[jonkka]

Nor for anyone else...

[jonkka]

Huh, Seb slower than Marcus? :eek:

[René]

Mistake from Duval ??????????

[jonkka]

And bad 1st split for Duval...

[jonkka]

Interesting start...

[pantealex]

Marcus 2.6 faster than Seb

[A.F.F.]

Has Marcus softer tyre than Loeb and Sordo ?

[Langdale Forest]

Henning Solberg slowest on the first split.

[Magnus]

I know it has barely started, but I am nervous already...

[Langdale Forest]

Mistake from Duval ??????????


It looks like he has a problem, slowest on the 3rd split.

[jonkka]

(Duval) slowest on the 3rd split.

No, Wilson is.

[A.F.F.]

Latvala took this one very cautious.

[Finni]

Has Marcus softer tyre than Loeb and Sordo ?

Loeb guessed that harder
tyre could have been better to the stage. So I think Loeb had softer..

[Finni]

It's not easy to late starters. Road is certainly worser for them as is always the case in damp conditions. Good time by Pons in that respect.

[A.F.F.]

Loeb guessed that harder
tyre could have been better to the stage. So I think Loeb had softer..

Ok... so Marcus may have an advantage on the second stage as well?

[sp0+]

It is disappointing that the first 3 cars are so much ahead of everybody else.....But then, it is only the first stage...

[jonkka]

Mikkelsen has a stormer...

[Koppomsbo]

good start by mikkelsen :up:

[A.F.F.]

Nice words of Colin from Duval :up:

[A.F.F.]

Mikko revealing his weakness on radio :eek: Shut up already !!!!

[Mauri A]

Mikko revealing his weakness on radio :eek: Shut up already !!!!
How?

[A.F.F.]

How?

By speaking. :D

[jonkka]

Saying what?

[A.F.F.]

He said that he don't enjoy driving on wet tarmac at all.

But maybe it was reverse psychology.

[jonkka]

Who would?

[User]

Nice words of Colin from Duval :up:
What did he say?

[A.F.F.]

What did he say?


Duval said that Colin was his favourite driver and he got to know him 2002 when he was driving Ford 1600.

[jonkka]

Seb 7.8 sec faster than Bosse on 4th split... now it starts!

[A.F.F.]

Don't you guys listen the radio ?

[Koppomsbo]

looks like a huge fight back från Loeb on ss2.. :S

[jonkka]

Don't you guys listen the radio ?

Only when stage coverage is on - between those it's that horrible music and re-runs.

[Corny]

split site? someone's got it?

[A.F.F.]

http://www.zone.ee/wrcmasters/analyzer.php?rally=12&stage=2&results=1

[Leon]

Don't you guys listen the radio ?

We are at work............only internet. thanks for the info

[euskalteam]

Sordo +2.3 from Seb. Now is between them in the Overall

[janneppi]

Seb 7.8 sec faster than Bosse on 4th split... now it starts!
It's over already. ;)

[Finni]

Marcus lost almost all seconds in first part of stage. In the second part he was on Dani's pace annd only marginally behind Seb. He said that he just hadn't econfidence enough to push immediately. But I think this rally van turns out interesting. Altough it's tough call to beat any of Citroen boys (not includinc Dudu)

[Corny]

it seems that it's business as usual..

[jonkka]

Yup, splits froze - as usual

[A.F.F.]

Let Marcus consentrate on Sordo.

[Finni]

As I already said before the rally if Marcus wants to beat Sordo he has to challenge Seb also! It's very difficult to beat Sordo in that rally.

[jonkka]

Darn, I got a job offer and was distracted for a moment. And splits not working still... grr...

[Finni]

Kalle Pinomäki almost on the top pace of jwrc with his clio 1600. I wonder how he has picked that pace as this is his second asphalt rally ever and I have ever noticed anything special in him. Maybe there is finnish asphalt specialist in the making! :)

[Finni]

Colin spoke about different types of asphalt in el Montmell stage. If I remember Marcus said that he had no proper confidence on abbrasive asphalt. To me it seems that in that section both C4's were very fast. My bet is that Marcus will loose particularly on that section also in next time over the stage.

[jure dvorsek]

What is wrong with Subaru guys? Times are bad....

[A.F.F.]

My boy Kopecky fighting with Pons, Stohl, Latvala and Atkinson.

[Koppomsbo]

What is wrong with Subaru guys? Times are bad....

Maybe the prob is that they are subaru guys :)

[Buzz Lightyear]

Maybe the prob is that they are subaru guys :)


I dont really understand subaru. everytime they say they have a good pre-event test... they end up being even worse.

[kleisj]

Goodmorning all!

The first 3 in a league of their own. Marcus has to fight alone with the two Citroens. Lets see how the weekend is going to be. I hope by the end of the day he will be close in order to be able to fight next two days!



My boy Kopecky fighting with Pons, Stohl, Latvala and Atkinson.

Yes he does! http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8399/thumbsup4kk.gif

I want to see this guy in a works car!

[René]

Last comments after stage 2

http://live.bfgoodrich.com/~bfg/WRC_2007_R12/raceclas.php

[Donney]

Good morning everyone!!!

[Koppomsbo]

what, no problems with petters car?? cant be right..

[jonkka]

Couldn't you just link to the page and not post screen shot of it?

[User]

A picture of Duval's helmet. A nice tribute:

http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=diapo059ff9.jpg

[jure dvorsek]

what, no problems with petters car?? cant be right..

That is reality-for Peter it is OK, but stage times are disaster. Firs time no excuse from Peter.

[Gard]

That is reality-for Peter it is OK, but stage times are disaster. Firs time no excuse from Peter.

what do you mean? times are better than expected. That car isn't capable of better.

[Buzz Lightyear]

what do you mean? times are better than expected. That car isn't capable of better.

if you check you will see that this car had fastest time in Monte Carlo and Germany.

[White Sauron]

What do you think, can Marcus catch at least Sordo?? Or will it be the first time when it will be Loeb's, not Sordo's car to break down?

[anncath]

What do you think, can Marcus catch at least Sordo?? Or will it be the first time when it will be Loeb's, not Sordo's car to break down?
Bosse can catch Sordo! But why should Loeb´s car break down and Sordo´s not? Both can break down, but Bosse doesn´t needs that help!

[sp0+]

One thing is for sure. Dani will do anything to "cut" points from Gro..

[Finni]

what do you mean? times are better than expected. That car isn't capable of better.

Atkinson was in Germany large parts the fastest driver of the rally.

I think that back-runners got some disadvantage. It will be interesting to see how Subarus will bounce back. At least Atkinson.

[muscrae]

One thing is for sure. Dani will do anything to "cut" points from Gro..

And for sure under the pressure of both Seb and Dani, Gronholm is probable to make a mistake ...

But maybe it happens just vice versa...


See what happens.. :rolleyes:

[Gard]

if you check you will see that this car had fastest time in Monte Carlo and Germany.

a fastest time? and that has what to do with the overall performance in catalunya?

[Gard]

Atkinson was in Germany large parts the fastest driver of the rally.

I think that back-runners got some disadvantage. It will be interesting to see how Subarus will bounce back. At least Atkinson.

Yeah, he impressed me in Germany, but that was a totally different rally.

[Buzz Lightyear]

a fastest time? and that has what to do with the overall performance in catalunya?

Your saying the car isn't capable of better. It obviously is capable of better, and the times in Monte and Germany prove. Watch Atkinson on 2nd loop.

[WRC2006]

Hey Guys

[grugsticles]

According to Paul Howeth (sp?) Chris went ont a 'responcible' setup to make sure he got through the stages, and that we should expect a comeback now he has some confidence in the stages.

Im thinking they chose a drastically wrong setup and this is their cover story :)

[jonkka]

Paul Howarth

[White Sauron]

SS3 just started... I wouldn't say Gro is much faster than in the morning(( strange...

[jonkka]

While WRR was interviewing van Dalen, there was a laughter when he said "we are looking for IRC, maybe our place is there". I don't know if the laughter came from something entirely unconnected somewhere in the background either in Kronos motorhome or at studio but it fit perfectly. IRC does have such effect...

[Corny]

Loeb's four seconds quicker than Marcus on first split!

[Finni]

SS3 just started... I wouldn't say Gro is much faster than in the morning(( strange...

but Loeb is

[Zes]

And for sure under the pressure of both Seb and Dani, Gronholm is probable to make a mistake ...

But maybe it happens just vice versa...


See what happens.. :rolleyes:

If Marcus has to settle on third position in every remaining tarmac event, he can still win the championship by winning those two gravel rallies. So I think the biggest pressure is now on Loeb.

[White Sauron]

Huh... Even Hirvone's faster than Bosse

[jonkka]

Yep, interestingly Mikko loses less than Bosse right now...

[Finni]

The split time service from rally Catalunya page is very nice but it strangely gets sometime before it start to work.

[jonkka]

Sordo mounting a charge on 2nd split?

[Donney]

Looks like it.

[euskalteam]

I think Marcus had an small mistake in the first part of the stage

[jonkka]

If he did, he still loses more from split to split than Mikko does

[Donney]

Sordo losing 0.2 to Loeb on third.

[jonkka]

And Henning faster than Petter? What's the wind now?

[Finni]

Pity that Sordo is ordered not to fight Seb. In that respect it would be vital for Marcus to keep some pressure to top-two.

[Donney]

Other than the first split Hirvonen's times are very similar to Sordo's.

[White Sauron]

Bosse just repeated my words: "strange that I wasn't faster than in the morning when it was wet",,,

[jonkka]

Gotta again take my hat off for Sordo, he's mega-quick on tar!

[Donney]

He also said he wasn't feeling confident, the car moved too much.

[Donney]

Sordo lost 1 sec to Loeb on the 5th split.

[jonkka]

Latvala and Atkinson on equal at 1st split :)

[Donney]

Sordo slower than Hirvonen by 0.2

[rus]

Duval cars seems to be going better...

[jonkka]

Duval matches Loeb on 1st split

[jonkka]

And more than matches on 2nd split!

[User]

No splits from Stohl? Anyway, go Duval!

[White Sauron]

Duval matches Loeb on 1st split

and fasster on 2nd! Amazing

[Huufke]

Too bad he lost time this morning.

[grugsticles]

C'mon Frankie!

[jonkka]

Jan got problems or what, slow on 1st?

[DonJippo]

No splits from Stohl? Anyway, go Duval!

Stohl off 3km from the start of the stage.

[Finni]

is dudu out? no split for him at the time.

[User]

Third split also for Duval!

[DonJippo]

And fourth

[Donney]

Yep but 0.6 faster he's lost 1 sec of his advantage.

[WRC2006]

Duval is flat out!!!

[DonJippo]

Duval 0.2 sec faster than Loeb on fifth split

[WRC2006]

and 5th

[Donney]

I'm not sure he'll make it. Go Dudu!!!

[Donney]

He did it!!!!! Great time by Duval!

[User]

First stage win for Duval!

[rus]

Ford guys may start to worry I guess...

[DonJippo]

Kopecky in trouble...still on stage?

[Shacki]

Kopecky in trouble...still on stage?

Kopecký crashed, crew ok, car not...

[euskalteam]

Marcus, too many cuts in tyres.
Sordo slight damage.

[WRC2006]

What about Andreas?

[euskalteam]

SS4 Started. Loeb 2" faster than Marcus at Split 1

[jonkka]

Wow, Sordo! :eek:

[euskalteam]

He's in harder tyres than Loeb, maybe will set the fastest time in this stage

[Donney]

Fast start from Sordo.

[Donney]

Sordo is really flying!

[jonkka]

Wohoo... There is no doubt he can do but will he?

[euskalteam]

Wow!!! Sordo 3.4 faster at the 2nd split

[Donney]

And again on third!

[euskalteam]

Still flying!!

[ZequeArgentina]

Sordo wil not have team orders unless seb and him are 1st and 2nd, with Marcus not able to catch second.

Citroen needs him over Marcus, and only way is to be fast enought.

[Donney]

Gronholm lost 11 to Loeb.

[jonkka]

Petter is on Fords pace too

[Donney]

Hirvonen lost 6.7

[euskalteam]

Sordo leader!!!!

[A.F.F.]

:mark:

Marcus is really getting his ass kicked the this midlle loop of the day.

[Donney]

Sordo -8 to Loeb and -19 to Gronholm, geez!!!

[jonkka]

Congrats Sordo, his first time leading a WRC rally!

[Donney]

Now let's see what Duval has in reserve to win another stage.

[A.F.F.]

Those 2 extra points from NZ are becoming very valuable to Marcus....

[Buzz Lightyear]

Did loeb say sordo was on harder tyres?

[Buzz Lightyear]

Those 2 extra points from NZ are becoming very valuable to Marcus....


Actually 4, if they had swapped postions.

[jonkka]

Duval isn't up to it though still a threat to Ford

[Donney]

Did loeb say sordo was on harder tyres?


I don't know but I think Sordo admited it at the end of the previous stage.

[DonJippo]

Marcus is really getting his ass kicked the this midlle loop of the day.

Marcus is really make it easy for others with his tyre choices... :dozey:

[A.F.F.]

Marcus is really make it easy for others with his tyre choices... :dozey:

Doesn't change the fact his ass is getting kicked by others.

[Finni]

Nice, now the gap is there and it's time to cruice Dani - just watch after Marcus and leave Seb my golden boy alone, screams Guy Freqelin. I kinda remember that this already happened last year in Germany.

[Zes]

Those 2 extra points from NZ are becoming very valuable to Marcus....

Not mentioning those points lost by the sidewindow episode...

[ZequeArgentina]

And Duval is coming at Loeb´s pace, he is getting closer to Hirvonen´s position in general Classification.

Even Marcus is not THAT far ahead at this pace.

[A.F.F.]

Atkinson having a rumble with Latvala. Both keen to ditches. :)

[jonkka]

Not mentioning those points lost by the sidewindow episode...

Or three lost to a German cow

[A.F.F.]

Not mentioning those points lost by the sidewindow episode...

Or points from Norway Mikko ruthlessly stole ;)

[DonJippo]

Or three lost to a German cow

Or ten gained in Sardinia after Seb found a stone from the ditch...just saying goes around comes around...

[jonkka]

Or ten gained in Sardinia after Seb found a stone from the ditch...just saying goes around comes around...

You mean that not all driver's points belong to Marcus? :eek:

[MikeD]

Duval just took 8.5 sec on Gronholm. .... Interesting. That leaves the gap on 24.4 sec.

Could Duval close that gap?

PS: FIA is currently questionning the legality of Prodrive's entry in F1.

[A.F.F.]

You mean that not all driver's points belong to Marcus? :eek:

I was also in a belief that if none other scores, Marcus might get 39 points from Catalonya.

[jonkka]

I was also in a belief that if none other scores, Marcus might get 39 points from Catalonya.

Right. Do I now have to stuff the FRM secret bear I just dug out for Japan back to closet? Damn stooopid rules if that really is so...

[jonkka]

PS: FIA is currently questionning the legality of Prodrive's entry in F1.

It is illegal for any rally-related company to have anything to do with that circuit crap. Period.

[DonJippo]

You mean that not all driver's points belong to Marcus? :eek:

I mean it's pointless if not even stupid to start speculate with what if situations when all that matters is who has most points at the end of the season.

[jonkka]

I mean it's pointless if not even stupid to start speculate with what if situations when all that matters is who has most points at the end of the season.

Well if you would stop speculating as to what speculation is the most spectacular, you could spectate more! Ever thought of that?

[MikeD]

What about Andreas?

Mikkelsen? He had a 12 min. stop on stage 4.

[A.F.F.]

Mikkelsen? He had a 12 min. stop on stage 4.

How com he stopped ?

[WRC2006]

PS: FIA is currently questionning the legality of Prodrive's entry in F1.


That is why Prodrive is no longer concetraded on Subaru Cars.

[Koppomsbo]

How com he stopped ?

Mcdonalds drive in, he loves the Mcflurry :D

[MikeD]

How com he stopped ?

He has as off same place as Stohl. When he comes back on the stage he crashes into Van Merkstein.

[jonkka]

Hey Don Jippo, don't be offended by my remark, it was a joke, tongue in the cheek-stuff, you know? :)

[DonJippo]

Don't worry jonkka no hard feelings :D

[jonkka]

What? Two revelations in a single day, Marcus can't score all drivers points and my PC isn't the whole word? :)

Aagh... brain overload...

[Corny]

c'mon Ford!

[Finni]

How many times in this season we will see that Sordo will back off in order not to challenge Seb?

[René]

How many times in this season we will see that Mikko will back off in order not to challenge Marcus?

[DonJippo]

How many times in this season we will see that Mikko will back off in order not to challenge Marcus?

Not even once.

[ZequeArgentina]

How many times in this season we will see that Sordo will back off in order not to challenge Seb?

To find Sordo 0,7 seconds over Loeb, does not mean he needs o back off. Please Loeb can beat him, and they both needto build a difference over Marcus, that will be the time to consider a possible team order.

Citroen should be more interested in having Duval cutting time diff over the Fords (mainly Marcus, and Mikko in the way).