[WRC] FORUM8 Rally Japan 2024

I think Kalle is lacking motivation, I mean he has been racing since he got out of his diapers and has achieved everything he(or his father) has ever dreamt of. That is what happens when kids from a very young age have been fulfilling their parents dreams. That's why he skipped this season. I doubt he will have the real hunger to challenge for the title next year. But we will see.
As for Thierry I really wish he takes the championship finally, it would be sad and devastating if something goes wrong tomorrow. He has been almost perfect and survived all those difficult rallies. And Ott.. IMO if he wins the title tomorrow it would be undeserved somehow. And I am not even a fan of Thierry, has to be said.

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Originally Posted by becher

I really don't understand the hate for this events roads, did you guys not see the onboards? These roads are super exciting to watch through onboard footage. Same goes for Croatia, CER is not so exiting onboard but neither are all the slow to medium speed gravel events.

The claim that tarmac rallies are only challenging with bad weather is laughable. When you F* up on dry tarmac at high speed, there is no coming back, do the same on a lower grip surface and you got a chance.

Are people just bored if there aren't enough punctures and mechanicals mixing up the order?

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Facts. I love the stages of Japan and the only way you don't get cooked on dry tarmac is if the road has a big field (like some in CER). Even the best ones cannot avoid high speed dry Tarmac incidents at all times. For e.g Loeb (Corsica 2018), Ogier (CER 2024), Rovanpera (Croatia 2021), Tanak (Corsica 2017).

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Originally Posted by becher

I really don't understand the hate for this events roads, did you guys not see the onboards? These roads are super exciting to watch through onboard footage. Same goes for Croatia, CER is not so exiting onboard but neither are all the slow to medium speed gravel events.

The claim that tarmac rallies are only challenging with bad weather is laughable. When you F* up on dry tarmac at high speed, there is no coming back, do the same on a lower grip surface and you got a chance.

Are people just bored if there aren't enough punctures and mechanicals mixing up the order?

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No it’s simply the lack of (good) coverage of the event, the hours (again, night stages anyone?) & to topple that it’s the last rally of the season so it’s a bitter pill to swallow, add to that the fact that Japan has so many beautiful places, in all their landscapes, is this the best they can do? Where not even a helicopter can go through because these are such dense forests, I get the fact it’s Toyota and everything but I’m sorry, they should come up with a better rally & I’m sure they are more than capable as they’ve shown us back in 2004-2008,2010. That’s my 2 cents anyhow, agree or don’t but I simply think it’s a shame, and no, having Saudi Arabia as a season finale isn’t a fix to this situation…and yes, Australia when it was last run in 2018 was better, although again, like many here, I too think the season should end in europe, a penultimate event in Asia (or anywhere outside the old continent) is respectable enough. Sorry for the long rant, hope that answers your question.
P.S
I love tarmac rallies and in my eyes 2022 was an absolute delight having 5(!) of them in one season. Would bring any of them (Ypres, Corsica etc.) back in a heartbeat, and yes, a Tarmac event in August is really called for.

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Originally Posted by "Username"

I think Kalle is lacking motivation, I mean he has been racing since he got out of his diapers and has achieved everything he(or his father) has ever dreamt of. That is what happens when kids from a very young age have been fulfilling their parents dreams. That's why he skipped this season. I doubt he will have the real hunger to challenge for the title next year. But we will see.
As for Thierry I really wish he takes the championship finally, it would be sad and devastating if something goes wrong tomorrow. He has been almost perfect and survived all those difficult rallies. And Ott.. IMO if he wins the title tomorrow it would be undeserved somehow. And I am not even a fan of Thierry, has to be said.

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Kalle imo still has motivation but not as much as he had in 2022 when he was chasing that first title. I said this before if he wins another back to back (he has 2 full time seasons in his contract) titles I really doubt that he continues and will not do a full time season unless he sees the championship begins to become exciting again.


However I completely disagree about Ott not deserving. He also deserves but I also want to see Thierry winning this title.

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Originally Posted by AE1WRC

Kalle imo still has motivation but not as he had in 2022 when he was chasing that first title. I said this before if he wins another back to back (he has 2 full time seasons in his contract) titles I really doubt that he continues and will not do a full time season unless he sees the championship begins to become exciting again.


However I completely disagree about Ott not deserving. He also deserves but I also want to see Thierry winning this title.

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I think it would be a really hard (& bitter) pill for Thierry to swallow if Ott wins it, but he really, really, really needs to drop the ball on this one to bin it, I’m aware anything can happen but I honestly don’t see Tänak becoming a double world champion tomorrow morning. Whoever takes it, I do hope Hyundai seals the deal, if only for the nice “2024 World Champions, dedicated to our Craig Breen” on their cars for next year.

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Originally Posted by Eli

I think it would be a really hard (& bitter) pill for Thierry to swallow if Ott wins it, but he really, really, really needs to drop the ball on this one to bin it, I’m aware anything can happen but I honestly don’t see Tänak becoming a double world champion tomorrow morning. Whoever takes it, I do hope Hyundai seals the deal, if only for the nice “2024 World Champions, dedicated to our Craig Breen” on their cars for next year.

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Absolutely the last sentence is very meaningful and nice. Hopefully they put this to their cars next year

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Originally Posted by AE1WRC

BTW guys I know this is off topic but in the future when the older generation drivers (Thierry, Ott and Elfyn) retires, who can we see to promote to the top level. Obviously we would have KR (?), Sami, Sesks, Oliver. Who else ?
HOT TAKE:
What are your opinions about Ali Turkkan and the recent Rally1 news about him in dirtfish. I believe he is the fastest in WRC 3 but still needs to be more consistent but I like that guy's potential to be at the top level. In Turkish championship he is smoking everyone who is driving a Rally2 car by driving only Rally3 on both Gravel and Tarmac.

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Rossel, Gryazin, Munster (big IF), maybe some new Japanese driver since Toyota is aiming at long future here. And maybe some Italian if Lancia will produce some sort of success. But I think that it will be sure at least two french and two finnish drivers in the field 🤣 I'm not so sure about those drivers who skip some steps and immediately attack the Rally1 field with payed seats. Almost never work.

Anyone who hates watching this rally (live) then just follow the times and watch the highlights packages which show off the best of the action.

#11
flag
Neuville Thierry - Wydaeghe M.
Hit a chicane at 18.2km

Mega gaps after Mikkelsen and Neuville