[WRC] Rally Sweden 2024

Damn, I need another stage or two this evening.

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Originally Posted by Morte66

Damn, I need another stage or two this evening.

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Like I said a few times now, more night stages (proper ones) in Sweden please.

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Originally Posted by Eli

Like I said a few times now, more night stages (proper ones) in Sweden please.

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Even my wife who doesn’t really pay any attention to rally, watched the footage from tonight and said it was really cool with the night stage in the snow.

More snow on it's way: https://www.smhi.se/vader/radar-och-...e%C3%A5/602150

Now Rally Sweden starts for real.

it is again hereeeeee

Difficult conditions, no snow but seems like some fine rain

Just below zero though.

Bets on who Will visit snowbanks first?

I’d say Taka

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Originally Posted by wwbroe

Difficult conditions, no snow but seems like some fine rain

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Snow will arrive later

Good start for Taka

Best first split for Kalle

Edit: but only 0,2 faster than Ott, so very good job by Ott

Kalle running away now, ,2,1 faster at second split

Great beginning of stage from Tänak again but then doesn’t process so much further in the stage

Joint second time for EP

bertelli is going quite well

Bertelli in works colours? Wierd.

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Originally Posted by becher

Bertelli in works colours? Wierd.

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Why? Its already black like he wants

I think that non-championship contenders can come in, benefit road position and take the spotlight off the real contenders is a long term BS - if WRC allows this, they must implement qualification stage, as in ERC. Now, after brilliant ride in Monte, Terry is punished and everybody is admiring relaxed Kalle and Lappi. This must be changed! What would be result if both relaxing guys would start 1-2?

The battle in WRC2 will be nice, Solberg and Pajari both very fast on splits

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Originally Posted by AndersX

I think that non-championship contenders can come in, benefit road position and take the spotlight off the real contenders is a long term BS - if WRC allows this, they must implement qualification stage, as in ERC. Now, after brilliant ride in Monte, Terry is punished and everybody is admiring relaxed Kalle and Lappi. This must be changed! What would be result if both relaxing guys would start 1-2?

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Now imagine this. Kalle is driving full season. Wins in Monte, comes to Sweden, wins qualification stage, starts on the best road position. Easily beats everybody (like this year). We will go on gravel... again he will win qualification stage, wins the rally. This would create the most boring championship ever. If you are not as good as Kalle or your car is not Toyota, basically you have no chance to win. For me, it creates some excitement to see if half season drives can keep up the tempo on the next days also. And theoretically, you only have to survive the first loop of the first day. Later, it is harder for everybody (if there are ruts etc).

It will be very difficult for Ott to catch Kalle.

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Originally Posted by flat_right

Now imagine this. Kalle is driving full season. Wins in Monte, comes to Sweden, wins qualification stage, starts on the best road position. Easily beats everybody (like this year). We will go on gravel... again he will win qualification stage, wins the rally. This would create the most boring championship ever. If you are not as good as Kalle or your car is not Toyota, basically you have no chance to win. For me, it creates some excitement to see if half season drives can keep up the tempo on the next days also. And theoretically, you only have to survive the first loop of the first day. Later, it is harder for everybody (if there are ruts etc).

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There are pros and cons; ERC runs Q for enough long time to make/read some satistical pattern.

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Originally Posted by AndersX

I think that non-championship contenders can come in, benefit road position and take the spotlight off the real contenders is a long term BS - if WRC allows this, they must implement qualification stage, as in ERC. Now, after brilliant ride in Monte, Terry is punished and everybody is admiring relaxed Kalle and Lappi. This must be changed! What would be result if both relaxing guys would start 1-2?

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Not good for championship. So, No thank you.

I know it's the way of the world, but it's such a shame seeing two WRC1 cars being completely wasted when there are so few in the championship, and when Solberg could be fighting at the sharp end in one in Sweden.

I also noticed on WRC TV, Mike Chen said "if Rovenpara was struggling in that stage, then we have a problem on our hands", Kiri said, "well, we'll have an exciting weekend on our hands". I can see Rovenpara winning every stage at this rate, not exciting, very boring weekend. The fact that Rovenpara will come in and win events with ease totally devalues this year's championship.

How is the conditions at Norrby?

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Originally Posted by Doon

I know it's the way of the world, but it's such a shame seeing two WRC1 cars being completely wasted when there are so few in the championship, and when Solberg could be fighting at the sharp end in one in Sweden.

I also noticed on WRC TV, Mike Chen said "if Rovenpara was struggling in that stage, then we have a problem on our hands", Kiri said, "well, we'll have an exciting weekend on our hands". I can see Rovenpara winning every stage at this rate, not exciting, very boring weekend. The fact that Rovenpara will come in and win events with ease totally devalues this year's championship.

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Like he wasnt winning events with ease last year.

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Originally Posted by AndersX

I think that non-championship contenders can come in, benefit road position and take the spotlight off the real contenders is a long term BS - if WRC allows this, they must implement qualification stage, as in ERC. Now, after brilliant ride in Monte, Terry is punished and everybody is admiring relaxed Kalle and Lappi. This must be changed! What would be result if both relaxing guys would start 1-2?

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Originally Posted by flat_right

Now imagine this. Kalle is driving full season. Wins in Monte, comes to Sweden, wins qualification stage, starts on the best road position. Easily beats everybody (like this year). We will go on gravel... again he will win qualification stage, wins the rally. This would create the most boring championship ever. If you are not as good as Kalle or your car is not Toyota, basically you have no chance to win. For me, it creates some excitement to see if half season drives can keep up the tempo on the next days also. And theoretically, you only have to survive the first loop of the first day. Later, it is harder for everybody (if there are ruts etc).

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I think you're both right, simultaneously, and it's a huge fundamental problem with rallying as a sport.

This is why I usually buy WRC/rallytv for a month before Monte/Sweden, and maybe two more times for tarmac rallies I like throughout the year. But I mostly skip the all-gravel part in the summer, because frankly the running order matters more than the cars and drivers.

elfyn quite lucky

wow, nice 360 for Evans. Did it non stop, lost probably 2 seconds only. Hope there will be video from outside.

Great splits for Ott

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Originally Posted by spyros

How is the conditions at Norrby?

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Rain is getting heavvier. Says Pantealex.

Great time for Tanak.

Man, Tanak is driving well.

Fourmaux not doing bad either

Good middle split from Fourmaux only 1.6 lost to Tänak

And Taka faster than Tänak in first split

It will be very difficult for Tänak to fight with Kalle with these conditions

Katsuta coming at a pace which I fear will lead into bank sooner or later.

Same split for Kalle and Taka

But in the end Kalle besttime after all

Interesting, I expected Kalle to be faster.

2nd loop will be a lot more telling. Think Taka will fall back.