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What you talking about? It's his second ever gravel rally on R5. And he progress massively! On first two events in LRC Gorban can match his speed and they fight for a win in two snow rally at Aluksne and Sarma. But in Liepaja and here in Estonia he destroy Gorban times!Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
It's massive progress since last year and beginning of this year for him!
it's a wide lens or really 70+m jumps ? O_oQuote:
Originally Posted by Tauri_J
Air time looks too short for 70 m.
yeah, with a GoPro...My guess was around 60m. Could be more or less, but 50 for sure. Hard to determine with no distance boards.Quote:
Originally Posted by KKS
Are there other examples than the first stage today?Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
New Fiesta R5 looks a little lazy/tame to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
Many estonians were hoping that Märtin will be something like Loeb from now on - close to top guys pace, stealing stage wins here and there. Based on his pace today, but much more based on his comments during last few days and today - IMHO its clear that its not going to happen. Loeb has always been racing since he left WRC, so coming back isnt so big thing for him. Märtin has done handful of for-fun events on some vintage 2wd cars over the years and thats it. It is hard to judge if he has the speed or if he could challenge todays top guys - as based on his comments he has made it clear that he doesnt even want to try. He has said that this car can be driven much faster but he doesnt want to. Also, his comments of hoping the day was already over, having doubts if this was a good idea in the first place etc - it seems that he doesnt have this competitors urge to best others any more. He is having fun at his own pace and when he feels like he has had enough for a day, he would like to go home, but rally isnt unfortunately over yet. I guess we can forget this hope that he will make some small comeback and be competitive, more likely this is last time he will be seen in WRC car. He has moved on and driving at speed isnt his "thing" any more.
About other competitors - behind obviously amazing Solberg, i am very happy about Aus. He is doing his first ever event in R5 and his pace isnt bad at all. That brings to my mind another "what if" moment - Aus is contemporary with Tänak, they were 2 blindingly fast youngsters some 15 years ago, in many ways equal back then. But when Tänak moved on to faster cars and then abroad, Aus was stuck on Lada VFTS and later some mediocre N4 machinery, then missing big parts of seasons in domestic championships, never really going abroad - but what if he had same opportunities, would he have been as fast as Tänak today? Obviously we can never know...
People has too high hopes about him. The ever realistic way was mentioned already that if he tops best R5 crews the job has to be considered well done. There's just no way you return after 15 years away and would battle with the top guys. Just no way. Going faster also increases the risk of going off significantly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Indreq
For me Märtin has been just on the expected level. I guess I was the few estonians who did not have some unrealistic wet dreams about his performance level.
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I suppose, but purely speculate, that he might have lost his edge in his accident in 2005. Maybe he's scared of pushing the limits like before.Quote:
Originally Posted by cali
That's quite visible on the stages and obviously understandableQuote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
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