Good one :D For me academy is way better idea for its purpose than JWRC was. Almost no differences in machinery, much more drivers, much better battles.
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Good one :D For me academy is way better idea for its purpose than JWRC was. Almost no differences in machinery, much more drivers, much better battles.
I think the opposite about Kruuda beacouse when you look Spain and Wales stage times he was quite impressive ;)
And dont forget he´s only 18 and his rivals are 5-10 years older than him :)
I agree with eestlane, Karl made a big progress this year.
+1. Great young talent. Good learning curve in the Honda and Suzuki.
If you know how slow he was a year ago, then you should see that his speed has improved a lot. He has surprised me a lot. I did not expect it from him. I have seen him driving with Fiesta and with the proper top car he was spectacular and by the stage times, he was pretty fast as well. He belongs among those who gets better with practice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mintexmemory
6th in Ypres not bad big gap though, but he atleast finished the rally.
On asphalt there he still has a lot to improve but it's not bad. See this onboard and watch how he works with steering: Vše o Rally CZ, AutoCrossu, RallyCrossu, Kartingu • MediaSport.cz
I like Kruuda's style but he's braking on asphalt like on gravel. Stepping hard on the brakes to find some grip on the braking zones. At least that was the case in Ypres in 2010 and 2011.
But he can change it. I remember Loix giving advices to Gröhnholm in a Belgian rally. They both drove a Corolla WRC the year before Marcus went to Peugeot. Freddy was telling Marcus to avoid left foot braking on asphalt and told him how it works. I'm sure Grönholm would never have been champ without Loix :D
Auriol (him again) once said that it is easier for an asphalt driver to become good on gravel than the opposite.
It's not that way. Just not interested to me this year. Maybe someone else enjoyed much more but I didn't.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iskald
I dont say that Kruuda cant drive and yes he have mede very good progress, but in my eyes he dont have talent just hard work. Im not suprised when he can reach level Wilson one day.
If you are 18 and your racing againts the worlds best drivers than how is that not a talent?
I don't see much difference between Kruuda and Mickelsen when he was 18. Guy has talent. Time will tell.
Quote:
Originally Posted by noel157
thainking the same myself, Mikkelsen was a rough diamond at 18, Latvala and Ostberg were too
In my opinion 18 is such a young age that anything can happen. Either a driver can take a calm approach and learn rally by rally and get better or go flat out, show some promising speed, crash a lot and lose confidence. The former can be said about Kruuda who has improved a lot. Is he as fast as Tänak? Maybe not, but considering his recent improvement I expect pretty great stuff from him next year. And about crashing and burning. Novikov was amazingly fast at times. However he lost a lot of confidence after all of these crashes. He's still very young though and if he can keep working towards better consistency then he can surprise us as well.
I would not be too pessimistic, now when Jouhki has stopped looking for new drivers it leaves space for others.Quote:
Originally Posted by rp
Kimi Vatanen for instance seem to have what it takes, it just take some time to build a good network of sponsors that are ready to give the cash when needed, Ogier I dont think bring much money yet.
Hello first time post guys :)
Their are four drivers that are destined for stardom
Ott Tanak, Craig Breen, Thierry Neuville and Hayden Paddon.
Tanak is easily the quickest there with Paddon being the most consistent.
Paddon I reckon would fit well being the number two driver at VW (not being a bias kiwi!) as he is a very consistent and reliable driver and has proven to be able to test and develop a car given time. Not sure whether he has been able to prove himself though. Breen and Neuville are still developing but should be at the pointy end of the WRC field I a few years (I hope!) Any thoughts??
^ Welcome! Or welcome as a contributing member as I see you've joined quite a while ago already.
Even if Paddon is PWRC champ and proofed quick in trad. N4 car, I'd hope and need to see him S2000 before talk about him fitting for VW number 2. VW seat should go for someone with reasonably more experience on all surfaces. Paddon for sure needs more experience, but I surely hope he would get chances to pull through a proper career.
Tänak has been discussed elsewhere. Stunnigly fast. Breen needs more time to gripe, but 2011 was as it should've been, a good progress for him. Perhaps next season we'll see some results too. Neuville is few years ahead of Breen, actually so far ahead they shouldn't be compared yet. Neuville is progressing in giant steps, and should get more WRC runs though I would hate to see him leave IRC.
But you forgot one certain Norwegian...
That certain Norwegian is Volkswagen´s second or third driver and there is already one French and maybe also one Finn and one German, so no places anymore...
+1 about the Norvegian :)
Yes of course mikkelsen, I first remember him as a 18 year old (correct me if I'm wrong) at wales GB in the Ford Focus after that spectaular crash. Also are Neuville's gravel skills up to scratch? Sorry being from NZ we don't hear much about the IRC other than the Internet and iRally, seems to be why I forgot about Mikkelson as well.
See Neuville on Golden stage in Cyprus regarding gravel. Of course it`s just one stage, but still you can make some conclusions out of it.
Neuville is still learning gravel and is behind some others in this respect but IMO he has the natural talent to learn how to drive on the loose stuff...like a certain Frenchman did!
Who is this Neuville ??
U serious? Or just joking..
he is good of course and very young and can easily reach the top level... but people give him WAY too much credit for his achievements...Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
Very serious Mousti, I haven't been following this forum nor rallynews for a while now.
So he is good, young, fast and talented.... and French? Great ... another one :mark:
:p :
Not French, that's even not his motherlanguage ^^ German that's he's mother language!
He's sharing my flag :D .
check a Youtube video out :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3dj13W7dSk
And about that credit, probably because he won Corsica and San Remo two rallies who always rings a bell to great memories. For u it got driven on a lower level now, true but still he won two legendary rallies.
I took the liberty of checking other clips too and I like his style already :up:
So, he is a Belgian. How old is he?
Doubt that he's quick as Mikkelsen on gravel. But Mikkelsen won IRC on unfair regulations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
Thanks for the info :up:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
Well it is time to start whining about IRC regulations again 2012 regs are just out.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
Then you have something else to whine about than who won following last years rules.
And please tell the other drivers also about the rules so it don’t come as an surprise to them at the end of the season…
Agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
In the 2012 IRC regulations they made again two big mistakes: double points for Cyprus and cars like the Impreza R4 and the Lancer Evo R4 can be Production champion.
I don't see any problem with that.
Is ice hockey or football world championship unfair? Noone cares if You won base group when You fail in just one quarter final...
Nothing like a God-given best championship scheme exists. When rules are different it doesn't automatically mean they are worse.
Well, one more rally minimizes the effect of double points a little. Last year it was 7 best results. This year it is 8. The value of Cyprus was 25% last year, this year it will be 22%. Basically you got 1/4 points from Cyprus, this year it is bit over 1/5Quote:
Originally Posted by Wim_Impreza
We should ask Kopecky how he feels about that. :D
I don`t think it was unfair. Since the beginning of the year they knew about this...
I`d say it was unfair if the rules were changed two weeks before the rally.
I have no reason to write anything against Kopecký. Pavel Dresler is my friend. Everytime I wish him all the best but it doesn't make my thinking biased. There were rules, the one who made most of them won. Simple and clear.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
I think that says it all, the rules were clear since the beginning of the season, so every driver knew about it. No meaning in whining about those rules, they are just the way they are, simple as that; :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
By the way, i wish all the best to Jan and Pavel this coming season, wich they started allready great by taking overall victory in Jaenner Rally. ;)
PMM already mantioned Esapekka Lappi ( Esapekka Lappi : Tervetuloa Esapekka Lapin kotisivuille )but his guy is phenomenal !! I'm very interested to see how he will proceed :up:
I would like to see him in a SWRC/IRC tarmac rally to see how his speed is compared the other SWRC/IRC top drivers on tarmac.