This guy is AMAZING! Fast and reliable! Don't know his speed on tarmac but I guess it's ok.Quote:
Originally Posted by tolis
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This guy is AMAZING! Fast and reliable! Don't know his speed on tarmac but I guess it's ok.Quote:
Originally Posted by tolis
Good performance from Al-Rajhi, but amazing? His closest rival Grøndal drove a Gr.N car, the rest of the guys in WRC2 were absolutely nowhere. Brynildsen had to withdraw, but I'm sure would have caught Al-Rahji even with his 1 min 40 secs penalty. Its fun to se Al-Rajhi win, but I'm more impressed by Grøndal who managed to keep him behind for such a long time with an inferior car.
That was discussed to death in many threads. It would be nice but it's technically impossible to prevent any kind of getting splits in car. Even in IRC where they were not allowed teams always managed to find a way to inform their drivers at least in some occasions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Perra71
Yazeed's last year Sweden performance wasn't that good. He improved a lot.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perra71
So far it looked like PSA wanted to stay, just maybe to switch back to Peugeot after Loeb retires but it's sure possible they leave when they see VW as too tough opponent (like they did in IRC). Anyway my hope is that they could be too proud to loose to Germans. Let's see :)Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
Citroen and Peugeot operate out of the same competitions dept, the staff even share an @mpsa email address. My guess it will be a re-branding, Citroen to WTCC with some new fangled hybrid 'creative technologie' logo and Peugoet back to WRC. Maybe I am reading too much into it but Peugeot now have the 1980's 205T16 colours on their rallycars, Audi (VW) vs Peugeot again? yes please :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
This is the moment Volkswagen Motorsport knew that Sébastien Ogier had won Rally Sweden - giving them their first WRC win in the Polo R WRC. Director of VW Motorsport, Jost Capito, is interviewed by SVT Sport in this audio clip: boo.fm/b1204208
How about that IPSOS survey Aftenposten made, that showed that 68% of the Swedes in Skåne would like Skåne to be Danish again?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
But apart from that then I agree that Sweden and Norway is more close whereas about 50% of the Danes looks towards Germany and UK af their brotherhood people.
Anyway, wrong thread - gonna kill this subject now :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bartek
I really hope so. This is the first real competition he has faced in years.
The problem is that PSA is negotiating staff lay-offs with the French Government, and in France a company isn't allowed to hire and fire like in most other countries (some might remember when the French socialist Government in the 80'ies dictated everything in Renault as what can only be described as a hostile take-over). When it came out that PSA was to fire more than twice the expected in France itself, I can guarentee you that the French government wouldn't allow PSA to expand motorsport at the same time they lay off that amount of people. That's why Peugeot withdrew from WEC even beore it started in 2012 despite having agreed a full season with FIA. In other words there won't both be Citroën in WTCC and Peugeot in WRC at the same time - they simply wont be allowed even if they liked to.Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogaleri...c42f900669.jpg
http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogaleri...42642e2132.jpg
http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogaleri...6b2414d892.jpg
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More photos from DAY3 and podium HERE
Loeb decided to drive in Sweden, because "this Rally challenges him". I have to say he had all other challenge here ;)
Also my congrats to Ogier and VW. As much I'm big fan of Loeb I always sent my congratulations to the driver, who was faster. And this time Ogier surprised us all. On the other hand both Sebs did a huge humiliation to Scandinavian drivers; on the top of that an Arab driver, who probably even don't know how to clean the snow of the windscreen - wins the WRC2 class.
So, beside Ogier I must praise also H.Solberg and Neuville, who surprised us and did not make any mistake. Good for him. The result of Mads is nothing special for me, he already proved that he is capable of winning snow events. And I'm afraid that is all he knows.....Don't expect something similar on upcoming events.
Just an average performance by Juha Hanninen, also one stupid mistake.....The same goes for Sordo.
Novikov-old story, again and again: he is bloody fast, but still not reliable. When will he learn??
And now the big losers : Citroen Team and Loeb. Yes, Loeb can not be happy to be beaten by Ogier. If he wolud lose against Mikko or even JML, that would be expected and tolerable. But now, leaving for a ''holidays'' and been defeated by young Seb, with new car, that one is not an easy one....Hirvonen needs one serious discussion with the team headquarter, he is their Nb.1 driver. But with this performance, Ogier will be a champion alreday in the summer.....
What if Abu Dhabi pay for the rally side of things?Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeD
#Ucci// I think you should give more credit to Mads Ostberg. Hasnīt he proved more than just being good at snow conditions?? You must have short memory. The arab winner, well, we can praise him, but please donīt overestimate his performance. But itīs very nice having these drivers in sweden, for sure.
But now to more impressions:
You guys has already forgot what Tidemand did in first leg? Remeber it was amongst his first couple of races in WRC car. Remember how he beat more experienced drivers from Finland, Belgium and Russia... So what about his work in Sweden? Wouldnīt it be great seeing him in a works car, letīs say in 2014???
C'mon, dont dream out load..... Over the years I've had a bunch of drivers succeding in their home rally and they end up amounting to nothing. Im not saying Pontus cant be a future choice but works car in 2014?! Please be real.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
I know the driver/donkey awards are usually only in the F1 section, but I believe there are some notable drivers and donkeys in Sweden!
First of all, drivers.
Ogier-fantastic, faultless performance, surprised us all. And this is one of the reasons why I love rally Sweden, the best man always wins.
Tidemand - another fantastic performance, certainly one that I didn't expect.
Middle, not quite drivers, not quite donkeys - JML, and Mads. I don't know what to think of those two after this event. This is probably Ostbergs best surface, and after seeing him slay all the giants from absolutely nowhere like 2 years ago, I expect better. The same can be said about JML.
Donkeys - Wilson. I am not one to bash Wilson, ever. But he is supposed to be Mr consistent, and I was hoping for another top ten finish for him.
Mikko - what was going on? After his roll, I was expecting a crazy drive and him to blow the doors off everyone on the stages like what happened in NORF a couple of years ago after he crashed into that tree.
Loeb - the whole point of him coming and competing in Sweden is because he has only ever won this event once. Not only did he fail to win, but he was beaten by the one man who he wants to fail, Ogier! This must have been a humiliation for Loeb, I bet he wishes he had stayed at home for this one, or behind the wheel of his MP4-12C.
I liked his driving, clean, without put himself under pressure, achieved great result imho. It's shame what happened with the car. But I don't really know how he can handle all the variety in surfaces in the championship. This is the first Rally I watched him (thanks to SVT anyway :) , great effort by them).Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Nice to hear your comment, which I relate to loads of comments on european drivers which are way off the capacity Tidemand shows and many of you guys still overestimate very much. Best not given any names but that is a fact. Tidemand shows pace no driver had shown in one of their first appearances in WRC, you canīt blund for that, can you??? Remember his lack of experience,Quote:
Originally Posted by Francis44
Itīs a say that you should leave the sport on top. Loeb should have left last year, never try to achive single goals in couple of event this year. That was, as said, stupid. Now he can only risk to be beaten over and over and leave him without the feeling of unbeateness...Quote:
Originally Posted by tfp
Where the seconds go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI99wnwrB84
I agree that 2014 is not realistic and Pontus himself have said that he aims for 2015 for a works team position.Quote:
Originally Posted by Francis44
Rally Sweden was a good start for him and hopefully he will get a chance to do a few gravel rallies abroad as well.
That's the only possible solution, is the same way that Qatar M-Sport isn't a factory Ford team and with no factory involvement.Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
Then it will be something like "Abu Dhabi PH-Sport WRT", but I will see it before I believe it. Like many other populist cases under the idiot Francois Hollande at the moment, then common sense isn't likely to prevail, and the PSA case is very political.
Very impressed by Ogiers win. Also my Uncle competed in Beetles in the 60s and I guess it was this that started my interest in the sport, as a VW fan for longer than I can remember I'm delighted for them, but as a rally fan the style of the win feels ominous.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Loeb isnt stupid, I'm sure he knew Sweden wouldnt be a cruise and collect event for him, thats why he wanted to do it to try to win it again, to challenge himself, and to be fair he did a very good job, just happens that this year someone else did better.
Tidemand was very impressive, cant wait to see how Evans does when he gets his chance in bigger cars, 2 guys for the future I think
TIDEMAND: Listen to audio of Malcolm Wilson being interviewed by SVT Sport on Saturday (9th February) during Rally Sweden.
The M-Sport boss was reflecting on Pontus Tidemand's explosive start to the rally just after he was forced out by engine failure:
Audioboo / Malcolm Wilson on Pontus Tidemand
Our highlights from this years edition of Rally Sweden (watch in HD)
http://youtu.be/IjYWDhD9pbU
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http://imageshack.us/a/img59/8651/dsc7629gb.jpg
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Not a bad idea to bring it in here I think.Quote:
Originally Posted by tfp
My drivers are: Ogier - perfect at every aspect; Tidemand - what a stunning debut! It even seemed to me that he deliberately eased off a bit in the second loop, but this is the bad side of the motor sport.
Notable mention to Neuville for finding a stable drive through the whole rally, resulting in 10 points.
Bad impression from: Latvala - I know he is under tremendous pressure for his crashes and not fully understanding the new car, but it's still poor to be slower on snow than Loeb and Ostberg with his penalty; Novikov - third consecutive crash, there was absolutely no pressure on him.
Donkeys: Hirvonen - known as regular favorite for the win in this rally, he failed to either set some good pace or reach the finish scarless; SlowSon, Sordo - all they had to do was use their experience to get to the finish with a handful of manu points - totally wasted the drive they were given.
And my utter donkey award goes to Motorsport Italia
Wife not, girlfriend sometimes. I like that :)Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
Pontus has big potential, for sure he is very tallented driver, I am watching him for a long time. But dont forget that he was starting on "his" snow, where he is very good. He needs to gain more experience also out of Sweden. Go directly into WRC with WRC shouldnt be the best thing. If you want to win, you must go step by step...Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
No one has mentioned Prokop. After 2 Rallies he has the same points as the title favorite Hirvonen. That is good result for him with tyres with questionable quality.
"One of the best debuts in a WRC-car ever... and "excellent approach..."Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallying UK
Thatīs my thoghts too. MW has another guy to watch carefully!!
And as an answer to you guys thinking heīs only good at snow. Heīs been driving Subaru-cup in Norway for I think two seasons before and has good experience, more than you might think. Not much though from WRC-car...
Loebs mistake at snowbank,Novikovs incar roll,Sordos crash and Ogier incar at finish of last stage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mlyuhVJhTY0#!
Just came back from rally and have to say this was my best rally Sweden from the last 3 years I had been there.
We managed to do 6 stages, but that was enough as the places I chose this year was really exciting. Took some great videos so maybe tomorrow will try to stick all together.
My impressions:
1. Latvala looked very agessive and fast and I was really surprised seeing that the result is not there. I could say the same about Hanninen.
2. Ogier - super fast everywhere and you could clearly see that he is the leader of the rally.
3. Loeb - much more aggressive than I used to see him, but still not so spectacular as some other drivers.
4. Hirvonen - quite disappointing even to watch, not only results.
imagine loeb wouldnt have done these two wrc events, citroen would be absolutely nowhere(yes, its still early in the season)! ok, that sordo wont shine in sweden was clear. monte is very special too, didnt expect to much from hirvonen there also and he did good, same for sordo. but hirvonen not delivering anything in sweden, thats dissapointing. i bet they bag loeb to stay...i really hope hirvonen can do better this season, same for latvala(i hope itīs just the experience from testing the polo all year that makes ogier so much faster then him)...if they donīt, it will be a pretty boring season and it will be with ogier like it was with leob.
congrats to ogier and vw, what a stunning perfomance!
Anyway. What about the rally itself? Was it good? Does RS deserve a place in WRC?
My answer is for sure it does. But what do you think after this year? Comments please!
Pontus will primarily do the WRC academy for this season and I think for next season as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
But obviously his good drive in Sweden means that he's got the eyes on him.
Eventually though as you all know, just being a fast driver is rarely enough I'm pretty sure that it in
the end his likeliness of getting a factory seat for 2015 comes down to if he can get the funds that is necessary.
It sure does when the conditions are like the were this year but we will see what the future brings in terms of snow and ice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper