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I hadn't seen this video yet where we can see the deer jumping in front of Tänak's car. He really had no chance...
https://youtu.be/6WzNX64wiWw?si=AXGBO4iWoJXXVNO5&t=1648 I pasted it with timestamp but if it opens from the start then it starts at 27:28 mark.
I don’t know whether it was intentional or just a coincidence, but yesterday was Father’s Day here in Estonia. It felt quite symbolic that Ott chose that moment to let his family and children know that from now on he’s going to be home and spend more time with them (surely they knew beforehand, but I mean as a public announcement). Urmo Aava has said that Ott is away approximately 250 days a year, and being a father myself, it’s hard to imagine living like that. From that perspective, it’s completely understandable, and I’m genuinely happy for him.
But as a fan of Ott and Martin, I’m going to allow myself to be sad for a while. It has been a crazy ride, where we’ve experienced the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. In a way, I knew this day would come, but mentally I was preparing myself for the end of 2026. So although I knew it was inevitable, yesterday’s announcement still caught me by surprise, to say the least.
I think I’m going to write something longer after Saudi, once the first emotions from yesterday’s announcement have settled a bit. But for now, I’d like to end with a line from Martin Järveoja’s post: It’s been one hell of a ride… and I didn’t even have to drive!
Intresting to see what this does to Estonian Rally media and hype.
Rally Estonia will take impact anyway, because one thing is Tänak just driving there with one outing, but other thing seeing him challenging for WDC.
Estonian media also needs new clickbait personality.
And you gotta feel for estonian flag salespersons also :)
After winning the title in 2019 and all the struggles afterwards it always felt like he still had one more title to win. Reminds me a bit of Petter Solbergs last years with Subaru, where the car wasn't comparable with Citroen anymore.
Still even if Tänak doesn't compete anymore at all he has achieved already more than enough. With his raw speed, world title and 22 event wins he has written himself to the history books as one of the greatest and his talent will be remembered for a long time.
I think that from this point of view, there would be even more Estonians coming to Rally Estonia if Ott has only this one outing in 2026. They will surely advertise it as “Come see Ott for the last time” or something like that :D So all the people who have never seen him drive would want to come.
And it has already been confirmed that there will be an Estonian in a Rally1 car. Even if Ott doesn’t drive, I think most rally fans will still come to see him. (Virves, Linnamäe, or Jürgenson are the candidates.)
Well, my life just got easier. There’s no one left to cheer for anymore, so I’ll have more free time on weekends. My wife will be happy
Very well written and said, reflects exactly my thoughts and feelings.Quote:
Originally Posted by flat_right
I'm glad that I was in Salou in 2019 to witness winning the title with tens of thousands of Estonians. It was surreal to experience. Singing the national anthem when celebrating after the finish line was for sure quite emotional for the entire field.
But there have been every kind of feelings.
Back in the days without all-live and only radio coverage, when he drove into the lake in Mexico in 2015. Colin was the stage-end reporter; they did not have any information either, and when they got the info or assumption the car went into the lake, then Colin just said in the background, "oh dear..", for some time, everyone lived without the knowledge, are they were alive at all. Luckily, today we just have the TiTänak story to tell.
Another scary thing to witness was the crash in Monte Carlo 2020, crash in the local South Estonian rally 2024, or Rally Finland crash 2024.
But why do people like Tänak? It is his crazy pace on the fast stuff like Finland, Poland, Estonia, and some South American stuff as well.
Crazy rally win with Hyundai in Finland 2022. What actually makes this win crazy is the background information; Just before the rally started, he got really bad news on a family member's health and was ready to cancel the event and go back to Estonia.
As a rally fan, it is a sad day. As a human being, I wish Ott and Martin the best recovery and charging, to fulfill our news feed again with something new, or just enjoy their relaxed life if this is what they actually need.
Very well posts reflects my feelings too.Quote:
Originally Posted by meh
Cheer up guys, he will be back 2028 with Lancia ;)
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/tanak...in-the-summer/
Doesn’t sounds very optimistic about coming back at the moment at least