http://www.rallysportmag.com.au/home...portugal-wrc-6
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I agree with Neuville/Ogier/Meeke but unless they get struck with issues I'd expect Tanak, Evans and Sordo all to be quite a bit faster than Latvala.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
Really? Latvala is definitely better than Sordo and Evans, and on par with Tanak when he's crazy. The only reason he'd fall behind is his Yaris acting up or just not being up to the competition.
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http://www.ts.fi/urheilu/moottoriurh...la+PortugaliinQuote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
Here in Finnish
which translates about to:Quote:
Opin Argentiinassa, että ensimmäinen päivä on hyvin tärkeä. Silloin on yritettävä, ja oltava kärkiviisikossa, jotta saa hyvät lähtöasemat seuraavaan päivään. Se on tavoite Portugalissa, ja jos keli on kehno avauspäivänä, lähtöpaikkani kakkosena voi itse asiassa auttaakin minua, kun tie menee takana huonompaan kuntoon
Not sure if that interview is some days old, but right now it seems that the weather is dry for the whole weekend, so Ogier and Latvala have probably some sweeping to do on the first day.Quote:
I learned in Argentina that the first day is very important. You have to try then and to be in the top five to get a good starting position for the following day. That's the target in Portugal, and if the weather is bad on the opening day, my starting position as the second car may actually be an advance, as the road gets in worse condition behind me.
Well Latvala is also pretty inconsistent. No doubt he is a top notch driver but then he is very dependent on his confidence. The win in Sweden was impressive given that the Yaris does not seem very competitive but then it has always been a strong rally for him. I think Tanak is finding his feet, making less mistakes and not taking unreasonable risks. If the Fiesta doesn't act up I always have him high on my podium contender list. Evans is a bit of an unknown quantity but his drive in Argentina was very impressive and before his speed wasn't bad either, on top of that the DMack tyre should also work well on the next run of events. Sordo is also up there most of the time. He may not be the very fastest but usually you can expect him in the top 5 just because he hardly puts a foot wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
Anyway those four are always a tough call, but I do see Latvala on the back foot because he still seems pretty insecure and it does look like the Toyota is not as fast as the Hyundai and the Ford.
His inconsistency is a valid point, but based only on this year's results he's been very smart: pushing when he needs to, conserving the car and scoring points when he can't win. He's shown really important maturity and, thanks to his new team, he seems constantly confident.Quote:
Originally Posted by Watson
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Seems like Latvala learned this year that the points are given at the end of the rally, and it's better to get little points than to crash and get none.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
without any problems with the car, i expect Tänak to win this.
Only if others have car trouble - Ogier knows how to win in Portugal - he beat Loeb there twice! Also it would be foolish to discount last year's winner who has an ideal road position!Quote:
Originally Posted by bugwrx
If Hänninen manage to stay on the road, I expect him to win in Portugal.
With all due respect, how can you say that while calling out everybody who has a bias towards Ford without it being evident to yourself that you are applying double standards?Quote:
Originally Posted by jparker
Did you expect Evans to fight for the win in Argentina? I guess not. Having that in mind, what's wrong with my prediction?Quote:
Originally Posted by Watson
http://i.imgur.com/8bSUsLr.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by jparker
is real life hard with your condition ??Quote:
Originally Posted by jparker
I believe you know how it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Østberg on Portugal:
http://www.madsostberg.no/Home/PressArticle/1112
If others are running into a little trouble, I expect Bertelli to win.
Yep, last week rain cleaned up a bit the stages but there’s still enough loose gravel to make starting order the most relevant aspect of this rally. In ’15 Latvala started beyond and managed to defeat Ogier, despite the French efforts; last year Meeke dominated from the start and this year he’s the clear favourite; it’s all about seeing if he stays in control of the C3 till the end, or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
If he fails we’ll probably have another frantic rally, with second level guys trying to keep the advantage of the starting order and top drivers giving the most to recover first day lost time. My money is on Meeke, but honestly I woudn’t mind to have the second scenario and the rally win decided on last stage, between two or three drivers!
Bertelli not here.
It's Bertelli. He will win.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Bertelli always wins..... when not competing.
If it rains, I expect Latvala to win. If it's dry, I'll go with either Neuville or Meeke, as long as he doesn't fuck it up again.
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A forecast from bluuford would be great! Local weather services are predicting a dry rally.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.mandzij
https://media.giphy.com/media/l0Iylu...6dCo/giphy.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by EightGear
If you have to ask, you'll never know.Quote:
Originally Posted by jparker
so a new chassis for the champ and new-spec dampers for main m-sport drivers. lets see if the "weird" feeling has gone now for Ogier.Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
So here we go again. Factory team gets updated parts. What about Evans, Ostberg and Prokop then?
Evans is a factory driver. Ostberg just bought a car and is fending for himself to a large extent.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
And Prokop is driving his '16 car.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Evans is one of the three M-Sport main drivers, with the exception that DMack pays for it and uses its tyres. So there`s no way he doesn`t get the upgrades asap.
But when talking about real privateers then Ostberg has shown us how it feels. No spare difusors, no tarmac suspension on time etc.
Ott Tänak @OttTanak 2h2 hours ago
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Ready for @rallydeportugal, flat out! #WRC #Delfi
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_8W9zSVoAAOPo8.jpg
Weather might be dry, but it is very, very tricky to say more than 4-6 hours in advance right now.
Actually the Latvala quote I posted previously was from a TGR press release. So I took Latvala's quote translated to Finnish and then re-translated it back to English ...
http://toyotagazooracing.com/release...6-preview.html
also it says that Toyota did most of their testing on wet conditions and now it seems the rally is totally dry...
Full pic: McRae never forgot!Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
https://scontent.fopo1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...ee&oe=59751161
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/Motores-617...24343/?fref=nf
Less than 12 hours before i go to Portugal. Hope to maybe meet some others forum-members there.
Mess me on Twitter, se link in my signature.
TV Schedule (GMT time)
Quinta-feira, 18 maio
SSS 1 Lousada – 19h00 – RTP 3, WRC Plus
Sexta-feira, 19 maio
SS 8 / 9 Braga Street Stage – 19h00 – RTP 1, WRC Plus
Sábado, 20 maio
SS 12 Amarante 1 – 11h10 – RTP 1
SS 13 Vieira do Minho 2 – 15h00 – WRC Plus, Red Bull TV
SS 15 Amarante 2 – 17h10 – RTP 3
Domingo, 21 maio
SS 16 Fafe 1 – 09h10 – RTP 1
SS 19 Fafe 2 (Power Stage) – 12h10 – RTP 1, WRC Plus
Source: autosport.pt
Nice extra live coverage via RTP ! :cool:
Service park only opens at around 2-3pm :(