Please Mikko, something different this time!! (an open letter)

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Originally Posted by janvanvurpa

It's the only fair-play way to do things. I mean what the hell kind of country and sporting results would you have in Finland if you weren't all always drunk all the time?? Why you guys would conquer the world kinda like that film "Star-Wreck" I saw.
So don't go whining to Mom, have another slurk of Korsu and everything will be alright..

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We was in KORSU 1939-1944 when we kick russian´s ass but now we are drinking KOSSU!

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Originally Posted by focus206

Haha good one :D

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Burns'y and Petter to thank for that one! ;)

I like NOT. Yes He likes provocation. But he's not politicaly correct in a stupid way like many people here. Say "everybody is bad" is not worst that "everybody is good". I think it's less stupid...

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Originally Posted by Guillaumemex

I like NOT. Yes He likes provocation. But he's not politicaly correct in a stupid way like many people here.

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So balanced, fair and non-exaggerated equals 'politically correct' now, does it?

Every driver has their strengths and Mikko’s has never been, nor ever will be, outright pace which is not to say he is not a “championship” level driver. I do know he is a consistent and cerebral driver and is being rewarded for that this year with his current standing at the top of the Championship just eight points off of Loeb. It amazes me how supposed “supporters” of Mikkos are the ones who spit the most venom at him in forum posts, blog posts and magazine articles, seeming to demand that Mikko produce a World Championship for them as if their own self-worth relied on it. If Mikko wins the title this year, it will be because he played the long game to perfection, putting himself in position to take points from Jarri-Matti as needed. If he doesn’t, it will be due to the fact that he does not have the ability to win a Championship on pace alone, a surprise to no one. I’ll always respect Mikko because he has faced the daunting task of challenging the greatest rally driver of all time, year after year, with a positive attitude all the while knowing he has little chance of taking the title without fate stepping in. That being said, take Loeb out of the picture completely, with everything else remaining equal, and Mikko would more than likely have two championships under his belt so it doesn't seem logical to me to hold Loeb’s dominance against Mikko as I can’t think of another driver through history that would have posed a significantly greater challenge to Loeb. Rally driving at this level is difficult, probably the single most difficult form of autosports on the planet, and there are just not that many people who can get to the level needed to knock Loeb off the top in convincing fashion. Mikko will always be my favorite as his run through SS1 in Ireland 2009 was the very first WRC stage I ever watched and I was absolutely amazed. Mikko has every reason to be proud of his achievements in the WRC and will always have my support.

Very well said!!!!

Thank you.

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Originally Posted by T.Maanteiden kuningas

We was in KORSU 1939-1944 when we kick russian´s ass but now we are drinking KOSSU!

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viiiittun! spelling! OK have some kossu in your korsu and everybody be happy. In the meantime I'll have a hot cup of tjau and smoke some mahorka and get some rest.
Kiitos poiki

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Originally Posted by Wim_Impreza

At that time, there were 20 factory cars in the rallies and another 10-15 good (semi) privateer drivers. Matthew Wilson must be very lucky that he was too young to drive in that period, because he should never end in the points. 2001 was a fantastic year with very big names and in the tarmac rounds there were also the tarmac experts like Gilles Panizzi, Jesus Puras and Philippe Bugalski.

Burns won much more SS than Hirvonen. It is another world, 2001 with always fantastic entry lists, much candidate winners before the start and now there are only 2 factory teams that are doing the full WRC and you have that stupid SupeRally system and this year also that Power Stage thing. Not so long ago, the last SS was about 20 and sometimes even 30 km, now the last SS isn't so long as a rallysprint stage.

Hirvonen is very lucky that he finished all events this year. He has made in almost every rally a big mistake, but he has much more luck than let's say when Latvala makes a mistake.

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There are good customer drivers today although I think the issues of He-Who-Cannot-Be-Named would disappear if the points system was not as generous as it is. Mikko has been clever in this regard as he has taken it steady and exploited other drivers misfortune in a manner that has been second only to Loeb! Team orders is nothing to be ashamed of because as there have been only 2 manufacturers in recent years it has become important for the factory cars to finish as well as possible.

The length and style of the rallies these days is beyond Mikko's control. I think the golden era of the 2000's is long gone. We could have long stages and endurance style rallies like Kenya as they worldwide economy was is amazing shape. Unfortunately that bubble has burst. Blame anyone you like, maybe not Mikko this time? Its not his fault the other drivers are winging about "danger" in stages and "dust problems". I doubt we will ever see epic stages like Sanremo at night as a result.

In all honesty I think that having too many sprint style events is really not good for the WRC as it waters down the level of skill needed. SuperRally has also contributed to it.

The power stages are only there to keep up viewer interest. If WRC had the ratings of F1 they may not be there at all.

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Originally Posted by janvanvurpa

viiiittun! spelling! OK have some kossu in your korsu and everybody be happy. In the meantime I'll have a hot cup of tjau and smoke some mahorka and get some rest.
Kiitos poiki

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Sounds like that you have been hanging out too much with those motocross guys :)

Don’t forget that in 2001 there were 7/8 different winners of events, with 5 Manufacturers winning. This year we’ve had 3; Loeb -6, Ogier -4, Hirvonen -2…