To play Devil's Advocate, at the moment they're getting the publicity without having to commit to a factory spending. What more are they going to get by spending an increased amount?
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To play Devil's Advocate, at the moment they're getting the publicity without having to commit to a factory spending. What more are they going to get by spending an increased amount?
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My first rally in more than 25 years (discounting a very minor event half way through) – I have to say utterly great experience. Granted, Wednesday was extremely frustrating due to all the wrong information I was fed by the organisers beforehand, but it all adds up to the character building and it was all part of the learning process, so even that was positive at the end of the day. On Thursday went to see the shakedown and the cars are simply superb, very cool, really liked them. It was also great to see how they handle from the stretch down to the jump and around the arena. Then back to the service park where luckily I got my photos, and in general genuinely enjoyed being able to see the cars up close. Then headed back to the airport, flew home and followed the rest of the rally on the net, which, as is usual these days, was very entertaining.
My impressions from the rally:
1. Positives:
- Very enthusiastic and well behaved fans
- Well organised stages
- Great atmosphere
2. Negatives:
- Service park can be in a bit more attractive location (plenty of these in Porto)
- At least on Thursday, no food stalls to speak of in the SD and SP areas :)
As I said, overall, a really great experience.
Ogier is one step above the others and they made mistakes trying to reach his level, simple as that. His consistency comes from a top raw speed (a few others can be as fast as him but no one is faster), a more efficient driving style and a superior ability to know his and the car limits.Quote:
Originally Posted by MentalParadox
After the hard PET in Portugal he seems to be now totally confident on the car (no more need to overdrive like in MC or to get defensive like at Argentina) and on the stages everyone noticed he was on a wining mission. Tanak didn’t handle Ogier pressure at the beginning of the second leg, but that can’t be regarded as Ogier luck. With or without Tanak’s mistake the french would pass him and get a totally deserved win, just like he did.
Btw, I’m not even an Ogier fan.
It`s not that hard to be as fast as Ogier in Top6(?) and definitely there are faster drivers than him. Only problem is that others don`t have the consistency under pressure and thats why almost all the time Ogier beats them...also stability on all surfaces. And i can`t agree that without that mistake by Tänak Ogier would have certainly passed him in a honest duel. But that`s the part we aren`t going to know.
exactly, we will never know this and i cant understand how someone can be so sure about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmop
My argument is that they would lose it all next year. The factory teams can do more to improve their cars with the bigger budgets and Ogier as it seems pretty surely would be gone. Tanak's contract is running out as well. So they might well not be in for the fight of any win (like they were for years before this season). Whereas if they start throwing up some money (not even a lot by a company like Ford's standards) they could be the ones to beat.Quote:
Originally Posted by dodge33cymru
You can think Tanak mistake was just bad luck, to me it came from Ogier pressure. If he didn't crash at SS12 he would probably do it later. It's not easy to have a 4 times WRC champion attacking you, stage after stage.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Yes, it may very well have been a mistake from pressure, but that`s rallying. There`s no point to overthink, what happened, happened and we can`t know what would have been, IF...
In RMC Tänak was threatened by Sordo and even Breen when running on three cylinders, he went mad on the last part of the PS (as we know, Sordo was past him in the middle) and in the end stayed on the podium, GB 2016, very tough again against Ogier...Poland 2016 against Mikkelsen (we can partially blame DMack`s weeker carcass in losing that one). Ogier himself has made mistakes under pressure, quite a lot actually but normally he has good luck, sometimes less luck ie. spins in Australia and Sweden in a fight for the win. Getting stuck in RMC also cost him valuable time, although Neuville made him a nice gift the following day.
Absolutely agreed. Some people don't like Ogier's public persona but that shouldn't blind you to just how much better he is than the rest. The key issue about 'fastest' is that others might manage it for a stage or 2 but because they are on or over their limit they eventually break. At the same time Ogier (just as Loeb used to be) has something in reserve. So he goes off less and has less mechanical issues, while still being at any required pace.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
I Also like Ogier and have nothing against this win but some of you talk like he`s not human (remember that MIB picture with Loeb :D) and tend to forgot that he also has made quite a few driver-errors more similar to a rookie recently.
Disagree. Latvala, Neuville, Tänak, Meeke and even Paddon have been faster. Consistently mistake-less, not so much.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
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to be factual, it wasnt a crash and where did i say it was bad luck? i have openly admitted it was a mistake from him but it is just beyond me how you or anyone can be so sure it would had happened anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
it seems portugal winning the eurovision song contest has given you a real confidence boost. ;)
Besides Ogier and Tanak it’s also fair to talk about others drivers that made a fantastic show in Portugal (actually almost all manu drivers impressed me at the stages I’ve been; even Lefebvre a couple of times!). Sordo attacked since SS1, using a style and pace like we haven’t seen for a long time. Despite car problems, Paddon was amazing during leg one and it was great to have him at the top again. Lappi did a remarkable debut. He looked faster than Hanninen and improving every day. Despite second leg mistake, he was even more impressive on last day. Overall, 3 top 5 times are remarkable for a guy that was driving a ’17 WRC for the first time. Also a mention to Greensmith, Loubet, Astier, Solans and ours Pedro Antunes: some of them suffer problems, others didn’t finish, but they all showed a fantastic pace on this amazing rally. Great stuff, it'll be hard to wait a full year for next RdP!
Did we win eurovision?!? No over confidence EstWRC, just having rally past in mind. Like Sainz said on RBTV, things will come easier for Tanak after the first win!Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
What's Eurovision? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
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I had great experience at Rally Portugal, and enjoyed every single moment, starting from Lousada SSS up to Fafe2.
Only issue for me was getting to spectators points, narrow unpaved twisting roads full of cars hours before the stage.
Well, with so many visitors I guess there is no other way around.
I have not been in Finland yet, but I think Portugal is the most crowded rally event. I have not seen so many people at rally event ever before.
Anyway, great experience, highly recommended for all rally fans.
lets hope it comes soon, im losing my patience :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
Glad you enjoyed it watching a Ford win.Quote:
Originally Posted by jparker
No kidding. You should consider becoming my sponsor for the remaining WRC rounds.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
This is very important point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Watson
When Fiesta WRC came in 2011 it was without a doubt as fast as DS3, most likely even faster. After all Latvala had more stage wins than Loeb and Hirvonen almost won the title. After a while M-sport just couldn't keep up with the development. First DS3 got better, then even Hyundai.
Imo it was most apparent last year, specifically looking at Østberg who was top 3-4 start of the season and was nowhere near in second half. Even when I am not his fan the drop was just too much.
No need. Now Ogier has got the Fiesta to his liking (after coming to the car so late) the wins will become regular.Quote:
Originally Posted by jparker
Mikko Hirvonen described this himself, Ogier was the man to beat when Loeb quit. Hirvonen tried to catch him so he took more risks in 2013 to do that, but that's also why Hirvonen crashed a lot in 2013 compared to his previous seasons because he had to risk more. Ultimately, he couldn't manage it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
Speaking of Hirvonen, I hope Latvala doesn't end up like him :(Quote:
Originally Posted by BigWorm
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There are a few more rally wins to come for Latvala before he retires I think, his speed is good enough for that.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
I don't mean in terms of rally wins, I mean that I'd rather not see him retire as the best driver to never have won a championship.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigWorm
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I think that is more of a probability than possibility. He's a very moody driver and harsh to himself when he has made mistake. He needs his selfconfidence to be high during the season to win it all, but it's too sensitive for that.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
Estonian flag was visible from far away I guessQuote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Answer: Keeping OgierQuote:
Originally Posted by dodge33cymru
I saw at least two Estonian flags here.
I saw at least two Estonian guys in Baltar, at Shakedown.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
I honked and gave them a thumbs up.
In Argentina I remember seeing the only Paddon fan of the whole rally, NZ shirt-clad and taking his NZ flag around wherever he went. Saw him at Tanti and El Condor. Dedication :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
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Hope everyone enjoyed the rally. Dusted myself down literally and back at home.
My pictures are here if anyone fancies flicking through: https://www.flickr.com/photos/949985...57681106558073
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4199/3...313cfbb6_z.jpgUntitled by Richard Simpson, on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4223/3...6bc7a90e_z.jpg1 by Richard Simpson, on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4155/3...50a5929c_z.jpgUntitled by Richard Simpson, on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4161/3...44038c95_z.jpg10 by Richard Simpson, on Flickr
excellent photos mate,congrats!Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
Fantastic shots Simmi! Apparently we were at the same spots on Friday and Sunday. Btw, what happened to crew 96?
Ahhh shame. Would have been nice to meet you my friend.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
They came over the jump and on landing the car just veered into the bank. Ripped the entire wheel/strut off. Driver got out, seemed okay but then he went to his knees and laid down to wait for paramedics. I think someone told me he hurt his pelvis?
Likewise mate. Sorry to hear about Marco Reis, the R2 Fabia driver; hope he'll get well soon.
ZE9 at Caminha stage is magnificent, the river at one side, the ocean at the other and between a fantastic gravel road! Btw, no pics from the funny CR7 japanese fan (the one wearing Real Madrid full kit, a ball and a flag saying I Love Rally?...). If you return next year try also Cabeceiras de Basto stage, similar road to Vieira do Minho but a mind blowing landscape that worth every mile one has to walk.
Yep, I was watching that and he definitely said he'll be off if Ford don't return as he has to be in a manufacturer team. Even joked that he could stay at home in 2018 if that wasn't the case. I really hope Ford return, if they don't Ogier will leave and Tommi will offer Tanak millions to drive for Toyota next year. Msport would then be back to square one...Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC