Rally Sweden 2013

Printable View

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

10th February 2013, 20:09
A FONDO

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfp

I know the driver/donkey awards are usually only in the F1 section, but I believe there are some notable drivers and donkeys in Sweden!
First of all, drivers.
Ogier-fantastic, faultless performance, surprised us all. And this is one of the reasons why I love rally Sweden, the best man always wins.
Tidemand - another fantastic performance, certainly one that I didn't expect.

Middle, not quite drivers, not quite donkeys - JML, and Mads. I don't know what to think of those two after this event. This is probably Ostbergs best surface, and after seeing him slay all the giants from absolutely nowhere like 2 years ago, I expect better. The same can be said about JML.

Donkeys - Wilson. I am not one to bash Wilson, ever. But he is supposed to be Mr consistent, and I was hoping for another top ten finish for him.
Mikko - what was going on? After his roll, I was expecting a crazy drive and him to blow the doors off everyone on the stages like what happened in NORF a couple of years ago after he crashed into that tree.
Loeb - the whole point of him coming and competing in Sweden is because he has only ever won this event once. Not only did he fail to win, but he was beaten by the one man who he wants to fail, Ogier! This must have been a humiliation for Loeb, I bet he wishes he had stayed at home for this one, or behind the wheel of his MP4-12C.

Not a bad idea to bring it in here I think.

My drivers are: Ogier - perfect at every aspect; Tidemand - what a stunning debut! It even seemed to me that he deliberately eased off a bit in the second loop, but this is the bad side of the motor sport.
Notable mention to Neuville for finding a stable drive through the whole rally, resulting in 10 points.
Bad impression from: Latvala - I know he is under tremendous pressure for his crashes and not fully understanding the new car, but it's still poor to be slower on snow than Loeb and Ostberg with his penalty; Novikov - third consecutive crash, there was absolutely no pressure on him.
Donkeys: Hirvonen - known as regular favorite for the win in this rally, he failed to either set some good pace or reach the finish scarless; SlowSon, Sordo - all they had to do was use their experience to get to the finish with a handful of manu points - totally wasted the drive they were given.
And my utter donkey award goes to Motorsport Italia
10th February 2013, 20:42
COD

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefanvv

:D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqFRhcHZUN4

Wife not, girlfriend sometimes. I like that :)
10th February 2013, 20:58
PLuto

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rallyper

#Ucci// I think you should give more credit to Mads Ostberg. Hasn´t he proved more than just being good at snow conditions?? You must have short memory. The arab winner, well, we can praise him, but please don´t overestimate his performance. But it´s very nice having these drivers in sweden, for sure.

But now to more impressions:

You guys has already forgot what Tidemand did in first leg? Remeber it was amongst his first couple of races in WRC car. Remember how he beat more experienced drivers from Finland, Belgium and Russia... So what about his work in Sweden? Wouldn´t it be great seeing him in a works car, let´s say in 2014???

Pontus has big potential, for sure he is very tallented driver, I am watching him for a long time. But dont forget that he was starting on "his" snow, where he is very good. He needs to gain more experience also out of Sweden. Go directly into WRC with WRC shouldnt be the best thing. If you want to win, you must go step by step...
10th February 2013, 21:07
stefanvv

No one has mentioned Prokop. After 2 Rallies he has the same points as the title favorite Hirvonen. That is good result for him with tyres with questionable quality.
10th February 2013, 21:08
Rallyper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rallying UK

TIDEMAND: Listen to audio of Malcolm Wilson being interviewed by SVT Sport on Saturday (9th February) during Rally Sweden.
The M-Sport boss was reflecting on Pontus Tidemand's explosive start to the rally just after he was forced out by engine failure:
Audioboo / Malcolm Wilson on Pontus Tidemand

"One of the best debuts in a WRC-car ever... and "excellent approach..."

That´s my thoghts too. MW has another guy to watch carefully!!

And as an answer to you guys thinking he´s only good at snow. He´s been driving Subaru-cup in Norway for I think two seasons before and has good experience, more than you might think. Not much though from WRC-car...
10th February 2013, 21:14
dimviii

Loebs mistake at snowbank,Novikovs incar roll,Sordos crash and Ogier incar at finish of last stage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mlyuhVJhTY0#!
10th February 2013, 21:25
Koceens

Just came back from rally and have to say this was my best rally Sweden from the last 3 years I had been there.

We managed to do 6 stages, but that was enough as the places I chose this year was really exciting. Took some great videos so maybe tomorrow will try to stick all together.

My impressions:
1. Latvala looked very agessive and fast and I was really surprised seeing that the result is not there. I could say the same about Hanninen.
2. Ogier - super fast everywhere and you could clearly see that he is the leader of the rally.
3. Loeb - much more aggressive than I used to see him, but still not so spectacular as some other drivers.
4. Hirvonen - quite disappointing even to watch, not only results.
10th February 2013, 21:53
darkstar

imagine loeb wouldnt have done these two wrc events, citroen would be absolutely nowhere(yes, its still early in the season)! ok, that sordo wont shine in sweden was clear. monte is very special too, didnt expect to much from hirvonen there also and he did good, same for sordo. but hirvonen not delivering anything in sweden, thats dissapointing. i bet they bag loeb to stay...i really hope hirvonen can do better this season, same for latvala(i hope it´s just the experience from testing the polo all year that makes ogier so much faster then him)...if they don´t, it will be a pretty boring season and it will be with ogier like it was with leob.

congrats to ogier and vw, what a stunning perfomance!
10th February 2013, 22:01
Rallyper

Anyway. What about the rally itself? Was it good? Does RS deserve a place in WRC?

My answer is for sure it does. But what do you think after this year? Comments please!
10th February 2013, 22:13
BleAivano

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLuto

Pontus has big potential, for sure he is very tallented driver, I am watching him for a long time. But dont forget that he was starting on "his" snow, where he is very good. He needs to gain more experience also out of Sweden. Go directly into WRC with WRC shouldnt be the best thing. If you want to win, you must go step by step...

Pontus will primarily do the WRC academy for this season and I think for next season as well.
But obviously his good drive in Sweden means that he's got the eyes on him.

Eventually though as you all know, just being a fast driver is rarely enough I'm pretty sure that it in
the end his likeliness of getting a factory seat for 2015 comes down to if he can get the funds that is necessary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rallyper

Anyway. What about the rally itself? Was it good? Does RS deserve a place in WRC?

My answer is for sure it does. But what do you think after this year? Comments please!

It sure does when the conditions are like the were this year but we will see what the future brings in terms of snow and ice.

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page