Great WRC2 times by Ingram on day 2 - so far 2nd, 2nd & 3rd fastest.
Printable View
Great WRC2 times by Ingram on day 2 - so far 2nd, 2nd & 3rd fastest.
But Lefebvre makes many mistakes, so Mikkelsen still has a chance for the win. Let's wait , there's Just a couple of seconds between them...Quote:
Originally Posted by Lead
Let’s see tomorrow, a bit surprised that Lefebvre resists so well but at the moment, Mikkelsen is partially losing his bet of going in Ypres; not totally as Rossel is a bit disappointing and he is still has a chance for title (as Paddon can beat Kajto in NZ) but he would be forced to win in Acropolis.
Rossel, well, quite average considering he was there last year and even if his title hopes would not be completely crashed with a 3rd position, it will be quite complicated now except with a great performance in Acropolis.
Good job also from Munster and Ingram losing points for WRC-2 Junior title if it finishes like this
I think the main thing for Mikkelsen is to show decent speed on every rally and surface, if he can't win he is still second against "local specialists".
He aiming for a seat in Rally1, another Rally2 WDC is just a bonus.
Especially after the 2 DNFs this year.
Much more impressive to the teambosses to do what he do now than go to kenya and japan for some "easy" wins.
Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk
Well being «*decent*» is a bit short for Mikkelsen; he must be in play for the win everywhere. And contrary to what happened last year, he has quite succeeded this season; he beats the French bunch in MC, he beats Veiby in Sweden, he beats Suninen in Estonia and was in the lead in Portugal (Even if Suninen was dangerous) and Sardinia before engine-related retirements.Quote:
Originally Posted by skarderud
So here, it is his 1st true «*loss*» of the season in a really particular rally so he is doing a good year. Now, let’s see if he can obtain a job in Hyundai or M-Sport this time (don’t see really the point in Toyota where they have better opportunities IMO); else, it will be complicated with more than 3 years outside RC1. If Sordo retires and if they’re as few tarmac events as evoked by rumors, a Mikkelsen/Solberg or Mikkelsen/Suninen pairing in Hyundai 3rd car could be compatible and interesting.
In M-Sport, we know the issue (money) and if Red Bull hasn’t spend money for him so far, I don’t see why they would do it now.
But as a competitor and as he is paid by Skoda, I think his goal this season is to win the title even if I agree he wants to come back in RC1.
Well 21 points earned here, acceptable result to stay in the game but he will need the win in Acropolis.
Sounds even more complicated for Rossel with only 3rd position. He will have to lose less than 6 points to Mikkelsen in Greece to maintain a hope to win the title in Catalunya.
I was expecting Mikkelsen to struggle against Rossel here based on last year and I saw a lot of people in pickems did as well.
Compared to Rossel and almost all others (see Gryazins times) he did very well....but then there was Lefebvre.
Championship -wise still better to loose to him than Rossel and title chances vs Rossel improved. Katjos chances depends on a lot of things. Sure in NZ Paddon should beat him and in Catalunya he is unlikely to score that many points (like vs Camilli and Rossel), so Japan is the big question.
Well, in Japan, I don’t really see a big name coming so, with no issue, it should be an easy 28-point win for Kajto as in Safari. All the more than Skoda won’t help Toksport for this as it is the same for the brand to win the title with Mikkelsen or Kajto (I would even say if it is better for them to win with Kajto if he had not done 3 abroad rallies). And Japanese level is pretty weak with very few local Rally2 cars (2 or 3).
Kovalainen might compete with him in 1 or 2 stages such as Gill in Safari but that’s all considering his time against the old Japanese who was there in Ypres.
The question mark is more what Mikkelsen will do in Greece and then Kajto in NZ and Catalunya for me: Paddon should win in NZ IMO but it is not an easy pick as the margin between the two is not that huge (risk of puncture, off, ...). And 2nd in NZ could be too short but a win would give him an open road for the title now.
About Kajto in Catalunya, difficult to predict: will Rossel be there if he is out for title? Will Camilli be there after the issues he has this season? How many Toksport drivers? And even will Kajto be there? (Because 3 abroad rallies should cost a lot) Kajto could make a 3rd or 4th position which could be enough to make the difference (compared with 5th position in Estonia).
Is this definitely the case?Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny0405
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/where...-go-from-here/Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
“They know my situation, they know I’m in WRC2, I have an opening in my contract that says I’m available for any WRC driving if that comes up and I want to thank Škoda for making that possible, that was quite important for me.
Isn't it a big name? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny0405
https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/...abia/10352228/
Jouhki said in Ypres that Suninen is going to Japan...Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny0405
Yes, according to Jouhki Suninen will do seven events this year and as Ypres wasn't yet in the WRC calendar when the contract was arranged, the remaining rallies for Teemu are Acropolis, Catalunya and Japan.Quote:
Originally Posted by pantealex
Ok, I didn’t know it, I don’t get the point of sending Suninen in Rally2 in Japan instead of Belgium but it may change a lot of things for Kajto and the championship if he is there.
Maybe it's a Korean manufacturer wanting to take RC2 glory in Japan...Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny0405
Definitely so. There will be a huge Korean presence in Japan.Quote:
Originally Posted by ouvreur
Obligatory:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Hokkaido
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9jJufz9RNE
Ypres win saved Ingram's season...
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-y...rs-wrc-season/
Ingram's pace is all the more impressive considering...
“I barely get to drive a rally car. The only time I get to drive a rally car is when I turn up every few months to do one of these rallies, so I need to try and find a way to get a little bit more seat time.”
https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc...ead-of-greece/
Kajto changes livery on his car. Lotos is replaced by Orlen:
https://cdn-5.motorsport.com/images/...aciej-sz-1.jpg
In August Kajto organized an event called "Rallying Ustron". Ustron is a small town in the mountains, where he lives. It's an annual event that promotes rallying and motorsport in general. Judging from the photos the event was a great success. Well done!
https://kajto.pl/2022/08/16/rajdowy-ustron-2022/
New Chris Ingram interview - good for those who dont know his background and what he's been through. Also his future plans and ambition:
https://youtu.be/k2Rslwn09qA
Thanks Eddie. Love this guy. Good honest questions too but understandably brief. Speaking of his record, would like to ask him what he thinks of ideas like negative points for retirements in ERC and national championships, and on the topic of money flows in motorsport could be a long one too but similar question on new formats etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
Kajto has just announced that he is going to compete in Rally New Zealand:
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39....aw&oe=631AF0B1
Good for him that he is making a push for the WRC2 title. But if he succeeds after winning 3 overseas rallyes with litlle/no competition (at least from the WRC2 frontrunners), there is something flawned in the championship structure. I can't understand why the organiers don't sleect events to "force" participant to compete one against each other. Just as it was in the old day of S1600. Other events could be seleccted for WRC3, or a rotation could be put in place. Maybe long haul event should be just separate as the WRRC2 is mostly euro-centric ... Many options there but having drivers (almost) never meeting one another is bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarek Z
Fully agree, and a lot of the NZ entrants wouldn't be doing any other round yet are in it because it comes free with entering the rally. Class doesn't make a championship.Quote:
Originally Posted by djip
Structurally, and also considering "WRC Rally1" wants to go more ex-Europe, I'd go further and draw WRC2 and ERC into one FIA title. AFAIK, WRC is the only world championship with tiers of world champions, not even Formula 2 is one. "FIA Rally2 Championship" is worth exploring. Start it in Europe and perhaps expand to rounds in ME and Africa in future if successful. Give the calendars independence to flex on demand and maybe even deviate if it works. Makes sense at least if it is idealistic, and there's a lot more issues at heart.
Miko Marczyk announced that he is going to compete in Rally Catalunya. It will be his 6th (and last) round in WRC2. He is currently 4th in WRC2 Junior Standings:
https://www.wrc.com/en/results-stand...2/wrc2-junior/
Championship is Kajto's to secure by safely scoring 4th-ish place on two rallies with little to no competition now and if that doesn't happen he can still improve in Catalunya with 4th or better.
Rossel has some chance, but would need 2x 2nd place or better, likely difficult, but we will know more on Sunday.
First crash of the season for Mikkelsen (but with quite a timing). Sure two engine issues, out of which a repeat of the same issue is kind of a team mistake, but in the end he could make up for it himself.
It's not that simple. I would not bet that being three times 4th will give him title. Kajto virtually has 66 points now, not 76 (worst results being excluded). We shouldn't forget about Lindholm, who apart from Greece has still two shots. But I agree, that we will know more on Sunday.
If he does a 7th round; ie NZ, Spain and Japan and outscores this ^ 5thQuote:
Originally Posted by Tom K
I agree that the way that it is the WRC2 and WRC3 are a bit anticlimactic and some system to force direct competition would be better. Also doing some WRC2 or WRC3 only rounds (i mean beside the main WRC of course) so they can each get more coverage would be good. The counterarguments i got once were about costs and allowing drivers to drive their preferred or home events with the current system, while if you force it you could mess that up for them.Quote:
Originally Posted by djip
I would propose something like this: you can choose 4 of the first 8 rounds, then there are 3 fixed rounds that everyone has to do. In the first part of the season you would have indirect competition like now but it would build up some interest and give more people a chance to win rallies. Then in the final 3 rounds you are guarenteed direct competition and you see who is the best in a direct fight.
Sporting reasons aside, the extra rounds won't happen. Chances of finding a WRC quality event that will want to host them are zero. Promoter would have no interest in giving them coverage, there's only two serious teams. They're either championships worthy of their own promotional charge or they'll remain the bolt on cups they currently are that no serious commercial decision or business case can be made on.Quote:
Originally Posted by seb_sh
Perhaps i was not clear, I'm not a native speaker. I meant rallies from the WRC calendar where only WRC2 or 3 participates together with the main WRC as opposed to all rallies are WRC, WRC2 and WRC3 together. So for example Ypres would be WRC and WRC3 and then Spain would be WRC and WRC2. That way there's potentially more screen time for the one supporting category on certain rallies.Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
I have been saying this for yearsQuote:
Originally Posted by seb_sh
So like they did back when they had P-WRC & J-WRC ( & S-WRC I think) back in 2007(ish).Quote:
Originally Posted by seb_sh
After saying here that he hasnt had a crash for 5 years (and couldnt afford to), Ingram has gone off twice in Greece. Talk about tempting fate... :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
But he did it in style ! :disturb:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=779914349921805
https://www.ewrc-results.com/quickp/...2844352837.jpg
Hmmm now THATS interesting mate! Tho MotoGP has this "Moto2" and "Moto3" structure, which seems to work just fine. But they are all required to run the full season. Rallying is different because of the budgetsQuote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
I don't know if there was some technical problem for Rossel before rolling, but without a technical problem it looks like he even topped Mikkelsens mistake.
With the roll he now completely lost all chances for title. It seems he saved tires for PS push, which was a bit hopeless since he had to open the road.
Katjo needs 34 points from 2 starts (or 3 - scratching 10 points from Estonia). So for example 2nd and 3rd with some PS points.
Lindholm also has a chance but would need at worst 2nd with full PS points in Catalunya (since Toksport doesn't go overseas), sounds unlikely.
Lindholm driver outside the WRC with TGS, maybe there is a slight chance he does Japan?
Verstuurd vanaf mijn 2201123G met Tapatalk
In WRC-2, the current standings for the title:
1) Mikkelsen (109 points, 7 rounds, worst: 0; best possible: 109)
2) Lindholm (89 points, 5 rounds; best possible: 117)
4) Kajto (76 points, 4 rounds, worst: 10)
Rossel 3rd but cannot win the title anymore, even mathematically so it’s a Skoda battle now. I don’t even know if Citroen will send him in Catalunya with no more title hopes (think Camilli has better win probabilities for example)
If no issue for him, we can imagine that Kajto will finish at least 2nd in NZ and Japan (only Paddon should be able to match him in NZ in terms of speed and let’s see Japan entry list but there should be, in the best-case scenario, only one other WRC-2 big entry IMO as I assume Lindholm won’t be there). Also a question mark if he will do Catalunya to improve his Estonia worst result.
Well, Kajto has clearly the upper hand because if he does two 21-point rallies in NZ and Japan (2nd overall + PS win where the overall winner will probably not push) or globally 42 points in these 2 rallyes, he will win the title whatever is Lindholm result, even a 28-point win, in Catalunya (which is possible considering what he did last year there).
I think it would need a miracle for Mikkelsen to retain the title and the track is narrow for Lindholm who will have also to manage the Junior title in Catalunya (where being steady would be enough) so it’s something like Kajto 85% Lindholm 10% Mikkelsen 5% now.
But as Sainz learnt in 1998, it is never finished before the end and a mechanical failure or a silly mistake is always possible.
I’m quite skeptical they can organize and fund it in so few time (as before Suninen’s DSQ in Finland and Lindholm’s win here, the latter’s title hopes were really low) without the help of Skoda brand.Quote:
Originally Posted by mousti
And as Rossel is now out of contention mathematically, I don’t see Skoda brand making any move in the title fight now.
Paradoxically, Lindholm’s best hope would be to be hired by Hyundai or M-Sport; but as he is a Skoda test driver this season, not sure he has the possibility to make that type of move.