It's good to know that I'm not sinking alone :D
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I wonder if the Skodas are handling the bumpy asphalt a little better vs. the Peugeots. Tarmac was very smooth in Greece.
The Škodas were born on rough bumpy asphalt full of holes ;) Anyway Peugeots today are muuuch faster than last time in CoI compared to Škodas but on the other hand there is no Hänninen, no Mikkelsen and no Kopecký in them...
Interesting to compare National and International times. It gives credit to Lappi and co even though Nationals have to deal with all the cuts in the corners after the ERC's.
We'll see after the second pass...
http://www.circuitofireland.net/results.html
Yes.. Lappi seems to be pretty good on asphalt already but I doubt he is quite up to the three you mention yet.
Out of curiosity...
In 2012 IRC event when it was largely wet the fastest national driver was Darren Gass with Impreza WRC S10 and he finished 3:37 behind Hänninen. Donnelly (Corolla WRC) lost 5:07, McGarrity (Mini WRC) lost 8:08. They would be 4th, 7th and 10th if counted among IRC drivers.
Well, on the other hand would it be quite embarrassing for the new Peugeot if there can't be seen any progress to the old one.
Skoda has massive experience with this car set-up, even in Ireland, and this matters so much more than pure power here. 208T16 has just a few tests not years of rallies.
EDIT - Lappi just said the same...