I actually wasn't talking about the Acropolis - other events have changed to keep their WRC place. Only the Monte had the guts to stick two fingers up to the FiA...
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I actually wasn't talking about the Acropolis - other events have changed to keep their WRC place. Only the Monte had the guts to stick two fingers up to the FiA...
It is obvious that you do not have the slightest idea about Acropolis. First of all, the main characteristic of the roads around Athens is that they are extremely rough. They are the roughest roads, not only in Greece, but in the whole history of WRC including Safari, much worse than you can imagine in your worst dreams. And the same time they have sections that are very fast and spectacular. This meant that the character of the rally remained the same as before and made it even more distinct that the rest of the gravel rallies, which are actually sprints. The problem was that spectators from the rest of Greece got angry about Athens being again the center of an event and also Acropolis stopped being an opportunity for the spectators to have a three day excursion on the mountains. This is the ONLY reason that they disliked it and the only reason some journalists talked bad about the event. The battles between Solberg, Loeb and Gronholm in these events have provided some of the best scenes I have ever seen.Quote:
Originally Posted by NxOxT
After that, the event had also one day in Peloponese and one in Central Greece, as it was before 1986, but with fewer km of course. The roads are not as tough as around Athens, but the character of the rally is still the same and I say this because I have driven through all the Acropolis stages, new and old ones. It is still the toughest event, some of its sections are unbelievably rough for anyone that hasn't seen them, and it is a very distinct challenge for cars and drivers. All the other events of the WRC are sprints. Acropolis is still the only rally with the full sense of the word and an event that the driver has to think besides driving fast. Is there another event except Acropolis and Monte that demands this?
The problem with Acropolis is not its character. The problem is purely about money and, to a big part, about money that the former (now gone bankrupt) organizer still owes to FIA for reason that does not regard Acropolis but another activity. Unfortunately, these money cannot be paid by the former organizer, nor anybody else who does not actually owe them, so FIA chooses to punish Acropolis.
I only have to say, that as rally enthusiast prefer Acropolis to "my" rally de Portugal (on Algarve).
@scn I totally agree with you.No much things can be said except from the fact that the major problem for our rally is the lack of resources in order to raise the appropriate amount of money to pay the fee for being our rally part of the calendar.This is i believe is the main reason and not fia temper to punish our rally for the money we owe them.
1.2 million for three years is crazy even for a state without financial probems.of course the fact that we owe them money is not an asset to our sleeve.
Rally NZ pulls out of 2014 calendar entry to let Rally Australia run for 3 years on new rotation scheme to make sponsors happy, then NZ comes back for 3 years.
I hate it. Rally NZ every year and I live in Australia!
I was gutted to say the least hearing that news. NZ will never get it back now...Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
WRC should have 16 rounds so Australia and NZ both could be in the calendar. I think that Cyprus, corsica, turkey and san remo should also deserve a place in WRC.
i can't belive it, Australia for another 3 years, at least it would have been in Perth...
That's really bad news for WRC. I hope that no more iconic rallies are dropped from the calendar, especially Acropolis
I'm sorry disappoint you but if i remember correctly there where lots of rummors suggesting that the Acropolis Rally was dropped in favour of Poland.Quote:
Originally Posted by makinen_fan
I know, but I hope it does not happen. WRC looses more and more of its value by taking this route to turn its back on the classic eventsQuote:
Originally Posted by Eli
I guess you don't know this but Rally Poland is second oldest rally in Europe after Monte Carlo. So talking about classic events it deserve its place in WRC as well as Corsica or Acropolis.Quote:
Originally Posted by makinen_fan
I guess you don't know that only the name Rally Poland / Rajd Polski is the second oldest "Rally name" in Europe after Monte Carlo... ;) It used to be a tarmac event, maybe some Polish member can confirm and specify (where the Original Rajd Polski was, and since when it has changed)? :) Still the event deserves a place on the calendar IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by rallyfun
Yes it is a second oldest rally in Europe. It used go through different areas of Poland and different surface. The same story as with many other iconic rallies e.g San Remo, Catalunya, Portugal etc. The only reason it's on gravel now is because FIA wanted it that way to be in WRC calendar.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
The WRC will lose far more if it keeps events like acropolis in the calendar just because of the name...Quote:
Originally Posted by makinen_fan
Rally poland and polish people are great rally supporters and deserve a round, plus they are a huge market... while Greece is a dying nation of nobodies... shall i remind you the 2004 fiasco where the majority of the greek crews just entered the super special in the stadium just to get sponsorship exposure and retired afterwards ?? why trust a rally in a nation of crooks ?? the world moves forward...you either jump on board or stay in the cellar with the rats...simple as that.
Your language shows your cultural level. I invite you to Greece to see this nation of crooks. Until you accept the invitation, end of discussion.Quote:
Originally Posted by NxOxT
Well, NOT is Greek...
You must be new here... :DQuote:
Originally Posted by scn
Quote:
Originally Posted by NxOxT
I really like your views on your (and my) nation :p The sad thing it is true though
Anyway, I cannot understand why you are not reluctant to see the Acropolis leave the calendar. At least for an average spectator it produces nice TV action and images and provides something different to the calendar.
Maybe because you leave here in the UK now and you don't get to watch it, so it does not matter for you? ;)
Both reasons are important, and of course they have nothing to do with the quality of the rally which is still one of the best, despite the vicious lies few ignorant spread.Quote:
Originally Posted by nafpaktos
However, the fee can be paid, believe it or not. Regarding the debt, nobody accepts to pay for it, as it was not created because the former organizer organized Acropolis, but because it was also the FIA representative in Greece. This debt will not be paid, simply because this former organizer owes 11 million to banks and Greek state. FIA will never get its money and they have every right to be angry.
In fact, I am also angry about it because this debt has to do with MY money, as a rally driver and co-driver, that I have paid to this FIA representative all these years. And, to be honest, I cannot believe that FIA didn't know what its representative did.
I am not surprised. It is not uncommon in Greece to have enemies of the nation inside it. However, I am not a crook and if he regards himself a crook he can speak only for himself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
I just want to see events and countries that truly deserve rounds to get them...
i have only missed 2 acropolis rallies since 1997... i was a huge supporter until 2005 when they moved the event to the capital with the SOLE reason to financially feast on the success of the previous years... those dogs got what they deserved in the end... now its tears and pain for them and for me as well... but at least i have the courtesy to blame ourselves instead of the "bad europeans who only think about the money".
scn as you are a new member i must inform you that NOT is the master of making provocative declarations about everything.He was banned and now his new name is NxOxT.He is so popular here about the things he says that a topic was made for him(where is NOT?) when he was banned.
Read what I wrote just above on 18:59. I am not blaming FIA. In fact, I am also blaming ourselves, as we never did anything to control this bloody former FIA representative that has done all this damage. These people were committing the crime, the rest of us just watched and did nothing (with very few exceptions).Quote:
Originally Posted by NxOxT
P.S. Acropolis is one of the best rallies and stop saying bull**** just because you are angry with Mr Despotopoulos and the rest of the company. If you want, go and kick his ass. Acropolis does not deserve to get a bad name.
Then you have no excuse to ask for the acropolis to stay... good riddance i say for this sorry excuse of an event.Quote:
Originally Posted by scn
“All it takes for evil to succeed is for a few good men to do nothing...”
― Edmund Burke
Ah, yet another event that has 'sold out'. The FiA strikes again......Quote:
Originally Posted by wrc1600
However, one must wish them luck - and hope for their sake that it is a success.
Read my PS above. Your target should be the individuals, not the rally.Quote:
Originally Posted by NxOxT
Financially it would be better for WRC to move on and focus on the more demanding countries, where the exposure actually matters.Quote:
Originally Posted by scn
For us viewers though, it would be a great shame to lose what's always been known as "the toughest rally on the calendar".
I still like watching Mikkos save of the century onboard in his last year at ford :)
LOLzz... you must watch more rallies then....Quote:
Originally Posted by tfp
Ahhh it's good to have you back NOT. The forum hasn't been the same!
I believe it wasn't commented here that WRC Italy may move in 2014 from Sardinia to Veneto & Verona. It is not clear whether the event will be on gravel or on asphalt. Let's see if Sardinia resists again or not.
Any real source? Other than a few crazy Italians who post on forums and mainly facebook? :p I hope the event stays in Sardinia, it's great as it is. Only the 2-day format of this year is too short IMO. Also for the local economy it would be better to spread the rally over more days (has been done in the past in different events/championships).Quote:
Originally Posted by Kielder
not here, I wrote it in the calendar topic, I think. Of course just rumors by now, and there are rumors every year about a change of location of the Italian round. If it moves to the North East, it would most probably be on asphalt, unless FIA or whoever wants to keep the Italian round on gravel. In my opinion though, nothing will change and it'll stay in Sardinia as usual...Quote:
Originally Posted by Kielder
The information has been around for a while. Now it is published on Autohebdo, for example.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
P.S. You have to recognise that those crazy fans are creative :) :
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...80473098_n.jpg
The information has been around for a while, and now it is published on Autohebdo, for example.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
P.S. You have to recognise that those crazy fans are creative :) :
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...80473098_n.jpg
Official trailer for Mikkelsen's short documentary about his (short) career: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfVb...ature=youtu.be
A big thanks to mads for proving what i was a saying(with his performance throughout 2013) and please dont bother to discuss my arguments.If you have any other fast driver as mads please tell me to bet on him. :laugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by Iskald
OK, then. We have a bunch of mediocre drivers through out the whole field, except from Seb2. Why are you interested in the first place. Please go to the sport with elitesportesmen all over.Quote:
Originally Posted by nafpaktos
To be honest I fully agree with Iskald in his judgement of your quote. You don´t know a thing about the sport when you´re saying that MAds is mediocre...
Osteberg started the season ok but then Neuville overshadowed him...he is not mediocre, he is a solid driver but he seems to be quite stationary with his progress... he is not going to be champion ever but i think he could be a target for a manufacturer in the future.