Bonato's car is written off:
https://www.fiaerc.com/bonato-explai...-azores-crash/
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Bonato's car is written off:
https://www.fiaerc.com/bonato-explai...-azores-crash/
Lukyanuk and Moura lost time on SS6 due to dust from the car on the other lane. They had to slow down considerably in one particular section of the track. (They both started on the same side on different heats)
Still everything open for tomorrow
Luky crash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7YxjLShhBE
Bonato crash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMpryKlo1gM
Mikkelsen SS1, such a ‘busy’ rally for driver and co-driver! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O5zaj6LY4c
He was very 'Luky' to get away with that !
He was, but it wasn’t a big mistake. Shows how easy it is to come unstuck here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
The combination of heli footage and stageside footage from the local tv worked well on the live broadcast today. Impressive the local broadcaster could do that.
Really demanding stage!Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
Small moment at 6:18
15:54 Solans crash place
Top 10 run in reverse order today
Lukyanuk with 2 punctures, so they're "going for a beer, game over"
What a shame. Bad luck or Pirelli less resistant to punctures than Michelin or MRF?Quote:
Originally Posted by TWRC
At least we have a battle for the lead between Mikkelsen and Sordo.
Herczig also retires with suspension damage after hitting a wall.
https://scontent-vie1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...45&oe=616A904F
He retired twice from the same rally - after crashing on the first stage of the first leg and today on the first stage of the second leg.Quote:
Originally Posted by TWRC
Yes, didnt exactly turn out to be a good event for him.
Lukyanuk says that he took only one spare tyre, because his plan was to go fast and try to be as fast as possible. Now he is out of the rally:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-champion-...azores-rallye/
Will it cost him the championship?
Bonato's car blocking Marczyk:Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
https://scontent.fktw1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...26&oe=614A3BC8
I think the Barum test crash & DNS will cost him the title more than this rally, obviously it doesn't help him that he couldn't score good points here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarek Z
This Sete Cidades stage has to be one of the most iconic/spectacular stages in the world
Cais stopped :(
If no issue for him, Mikkelsen will secure the title in Hungary (no need to go in Canarias in that case so he could go to Monza) because Marczyk and Llarena are consistent but too average to beat him on this basis (especially with the 7 out of 8 rules)
Finally, his new approach since his crashes may allow him to win both WRC-2 and ERC titles. But not sure it will be enough to give him a WRC spot (even part-time) in terms of absolute performance. Even if I think a M-Sport deal (part-time WRC + full 7-rounds WRC-2 season) would be a good deal for both if M-Sport wants to improve its Rally2 car (like Citroen did with Ostberg). But it needs M-Sport to make some investment with Mikkelsen
0.1s gap now !!
Mikkelsen and Sordo going at it
Really interesting fight between Mikkelsen and Sordo, let’s see what happen. I would bet on Sordo because I don’t think Mikkelsen will take the same level of risks because of the championship (he can do it in 3-4 stages like in Greece but not on a full rally if he wants to avoid a crash like in Sardinia and it would be a pity to spoil such a good situation). But the tyres could also make the difference
Yes, Lukyanuk was the only serious competitor for Mikkelsen in this year's ERC. He had a very good start of the season, beating Mikkelsen twice, but then he screwed it all up...Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny0405
Two disasterous events in a row for Lukyanuk. If Mikkelsen doesnt win the ERC Title now it will take some massive mistakes. But I think he has finally learned the way to win is consistency.
I don't think he much cares about championship titles but rather individual performances against other good drivers like he managed in Estonia this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarek Z
He' s spoken a lot about 'enjoying' rallies during this season... but he surely cant do that if he doesnt start or finish them.
Another costly mistake for Cais...
https://www.fiaerc.com/heavy-landing...s-hard-in-erc/
Before last 3 stages Mikkelsen says no backing offQuote:
#1
flag
Mikkelsen Andreas - Edmondson Elliott
"It's been a good morning, we are in the fight, so looking forward for the afternoon. We will give everything."
The issue for Mikkelsen is that he targets a job in Rally1. And considering his experience, people think it is almost normal if he wins WRC-2 and ERC championships (against Lukyanuk, Llarena, Marczyk, Bulacia and Ostberg)Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
So he must show other than just consistency at one moment (especially now which is the decisive period of silly season) even if it is important for him to win championships. It may explain what he has just said after the last stage and I think it is why he took risks at the beginning of the season.
Even if I’m not a fan, I must recognize his position is not simple between just winning championships (with some consistency Ingram-style) and showing speed (to attract Hyundai or M-Sport or, less probably, Toyota).
In this Rallye, he has shown good speed if we remember his wipers’ issues in SS2.
Almost done for Mikkelsen, seems like Sordo’s tyres will not allow him to be in the fight.
"It's OK, I already have no new tyres, but I'm happy."
Indeed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny0405
Although there is no real real doubt about his speed (he is a former WRC rally winner), but he has been seen as inconsistent over the years, probably hence why he fell out of the WRC when VW quit.
Teams are looking for both speed and consistency and he can show the latter best now by ensuring a couple of Titles.
BTW, great live coverage by Azores Rally TV again today, with both stage side and helicopter coverage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5nDE0TGHy8
Hats off to local Azores Rallye TV all weekend - superb coverage, no issues (all stages, heli shots, interviews from service etc). And all free on youtube, great stuff.
I'd imagine the heli stuff is from Eurosport and in return ERC Youtube/Facebook uses Azores TV stage side footage on their coverage. It would be a good model to persue going forward, if Eurosport were staying.
Mikkelsen takes another 6.7s out of Sordo. His lead is 14.3s with one stage to go.
Well done to Mikkelsen and Edmondson, they managed the day perfectly, and their calculations were absolutely spot on. Also good job by Sordo and Carrera, they also did very well with new tyres and not the best R5. Llarena and Sara finishes 3rd in the end after Moura's roll, also well done to both teams! :)
Sad end for Moura after a great drive by the Azorean after two years away from rallying.
Stupid mistake (his words) from Moura at the last stage, lost a podium :(
Sete Cidades was visible so anybody first time in Azores Rally can ticked the event :) Any rumors about future? Would be really sad to lost this event, but if Fafe is gonna to be in ERC then... Plus somebody from WRC Promoter saying bulshit that ERC should be on continent.
Top drive from Mikkelsen on this one.
Correct tempo to be close to the top, at the same time not to run out of tyres for the last loop.