M.Hirvonen this year champion?

Can someone remind me when was the last time the title went to rally GB abd was decided by speed solely ?? Thats right....

Its the most unpredictable rally of the season so i guess the first who runs into problems loses.

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Originally Posted by snellman

don't forget it will be harder for loeb. mikko's got a very fast wingman on gravel too :)

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Who will lose time through mistakes 80% of the time.

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Originally Posted by N.O.T

Can someone remind me when was the last time the title went to rally GB abd was decided by speed solely ?? Thats right....

Its the most unpredictable rally of the season so i guess the first who runs into problems loses.

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Not sure I'd agree with that any more. It was the most unpredictable, not so much any more with the same stages used year after year. Plus the earlier date this year, so much less chance of fog, snow, ice. It would be really interesting if it was an old style 'RAC'.

If Mikko's wingman stays on the road and Mikko can keep good pace I see no reason why he can't be World champ. He has the speed, he has the determination for sure. If there is a time he will dig deep then it is GB.

Hope to see it change hands this year, would be good for the sport to see a new name on top for once.

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Originally Posted by snellman

don't forget it will be harder for loeb. mikko's got a very fast wingman on gravel too :)

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I don't think the fast wingman (aka JML) has any significance in the title showdown. Hirvonen only needs to finish in front of Loeb to win the title. Loeb is in the same position - he needs a Top 8 result, if he finishes ahead of Hirvonen he wins the title (even on equal points).

So, Hirvonen has to beat Loeb on speed or on fewer mistakes under pressure. JML would be a key player only if Hirvonen is out (or way down the order) and he along with 7 other Ford entries might prevent Seb from scoring points.

How about Ford entering 15 latest-spec Focuses WRC and offering a drive to capable out-of-action drivers like Gronholm, Wilks, Meeke, Duval, Gardemeister, Atkinson, PG, Rantanen, Carlsson, Gwyndaf Evans and tell them to drive like mad frogs in order to fill the top 8 places with Blue Oval-badged cars ? :D

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Originally Posted by Mihai

How about Ford entering 15 latest-spec Focuses WRC and offering a drive to capable out-of-action drivers like Gronholm, Wilks, Meeke, Duval, Gardemeister, Atkinson, PG, Rantanen, Carlsson, Gwyndaf Evans and tell them to drive like mad frogs in order to fill the top 8 places with Blue Oval-badged cars ? :D

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Ooooooo!!!With all the pieces that they will leave behind we are going to make a brand new Focus WRC for free!!!Damn it...I won't be there.... :D

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Originally Posted by WRCfan

If Mikko's wingman stays on the road and Mikko can keep good pace I see no reason why he can't be World champ. He has the speed, he has the determination for sure. If there is a time he will dig deep then it is GB.

Hope to see it change hands this year, would be good for the sport to see a new name on top for once.

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The best, quickest driver is the one who should be Champion. That man is Loeb - who has been a little unlucky this year, but has still won the most events. Unfortunately, because of lack of competition, silly Gravel biased calendar Mikko could end up winning the Title. While not taking anything away from Mikko, it will leave people scratching their heads how Loeb hasn't won.

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Originally Posted by AndyRAC

The best, quickest driver is the one who should be Champion. That man is Loeb - who has been a little unlucky this year, but has still won the most events. Unfortunately, because of lack of competition, silly Gravel biased calendar Mikko could end up winning the Title. While not taking anything away from Mikko, it will leave people scratching their heads how Loeb hasn't won.

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To make three major mistakes in a row in 12 events calendar.. I respect Loeb a lot but I think Mikko should be 2009 Champion already. That off that caused his puncture in Sardinia and later soft timepenalty -5 points, that Polish game when Novikov traded some tests for Finland while Loeb passed him and Rautenbach having a chat with beautiful Polish girls while Loeb passed him as well resulted -2 more points, bravery by Malcom not to ask Jari-Matti to give his first place to Mikko -2 points. That means difference by now should have been 10 points Mikko in front.
If Loeb wins then I remember this year as a year when Mr Team Order became a champion :-)

It's going to be a really exciting showdown! :D Have a sneaky feeling that it really won't be a battle until the last SS with overall time within a few seconds, but someone will have hit at least slight trouble earlier...

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Originally Posted by bluuford

To make three major mistakes in a row in 12 events calendar.. I respect Loeb a lot but I think Mikko should be 2009 Champion already. That off that caused his puncture in Sardinia and later soft timepenalty -5 points, that Polish game when Novikov traded some tests for Finland while Loeb passed him and Rautenbach having a chat with beautiful Polish girls while Loeb passed him as well resulted -2 more points, bravery by Malcom not to ask Jari-Matti to give his first place to Mikko -2 points. That means difference by now should have been 10 points Mikko in front.
If Loeb wins then I remember this year as a year when Mr Team Order became a champion :-)

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Agreed 110 percent! :)

PS. Yes, I know I'm a Finn and therefore somewhat biased. But I've never been a huge Mikko fan due to his "we'll do our best and see what happens" -attitude. Still, I hope that Mikko wins the championship.