Thanks guys, I wasn't expecting it but as usually hoping for it anyway ;)
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Thanks guys, I wasn't expecting it but as usually hoping for it anyway ;)
I´m very much looking forword to this rally. Predicting the winner is difficult but, having said that, my money is on Bruno Magalhães.
He won last year, has always been very quick there and knows the rally very well with a lot of previous participations under his belt. If
luck doesn´t desert him (like it has on just about every international participation he's had be it Portugal, Madeira, Asturias, Sanremo..) I
believe he is odds-on for the win. I expect Meeke, Hanninen, Vouilloz and maybe Alen to be amongst the fight for the top places but it
would be great if the likes of Basso, Loix and Kopecky could be in there as well. As someone said already, I think Fernando Peres will be
someone to keep an eye on eventhough the car (Evo IX) might not be enough to fight for the win. At 44 years old he is a bit past his
prime but he has always been blindingly quick in this particular event, with 7 wins through the years (that could easily have been 10 or
more) sometimes against some stiff international competition. And his knowledge of the azorian stages is second to none.
All in all, a very exciting prospect for some action this weekend. A beautiful island, a beatiful rally, with beatiful demanding stages.
Can´t wait.
Forgot to mention local and current regional azores champion Ricardo Moura who is still young but a very fast and exciting driver who also knows these stages very well. Like Peres, the car (EVo IX) might prevent him from springing a surprise but still let´s wait and see.
Lots of nice pictures by Luis Pacheco of Abarth testing in Açores can be found here:
http://www.ralis.online.pt
Thanks Luis for great contribution. :)
One driver who seems to be absolute motivated for the win is Kris Meeke !!! After test with Kronos in southern France his confidence seems almost 100% :D :D
Photos from Skoda Motorsport test before start of the rally HERE
Thanks for the pictures Jafry. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Jafry
Some of my pictures.
The Skodas looks like planes flying throw the stage!
http://www.fotosralis.online.pt/skodalp09/
Thank you Luis for the nice pictures, and see you tomorrow in Ponta Delgada. ;)
No pic of PH Sport 207's livery yet ??? :confused:
Nice pics Luis, Fabia looks good in the dust!! I thought you were warning that the rally might be cancelled because of too much rain? ;)
Take care guys, enjoy the event and be safe :bounce:
Short video from Škoda tests in Portuguese language:
http://videos.sapo.pt/wyLqjzPtbTimsn2wWBKH
First day of reconaissance.
http://www.fotosralis.online.pt/reconsata09/
I see a lot of you are going to be there....use this rare occasion to meet one another ;)
It's not like Rautencrash has any sponors...maybe Zimbabwe...Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
Our test in Austria preparing for the Azores :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tivEczQGnVo
Thanks Luis, very nice photos.Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Pacheco
Nice video, really spectacular driving. Thank you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wittmanello
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Pacheco
I thought cars for reconnaissance should be 4wd, but I see the Peugeot drivers using 207s(2wd) :confused:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Pacheco
Can someone explain why Eurosport can't transmit the SS1 live like the portuguese television? Is a technical question or a €€€$$$ question?
Luis should be in charge to book a dinner. Friday or saturday. I will fly this evening, land at 23.30 in Ponta Delgada.Quote:
Originally Posted by urabus-denoS2000
Quote:
Originally Posted by urabus-denoS2000
A big diamond drawing on the bonnet and the side of the car ???? :D :D
Since the beginning Eurosport showed no interest in the Super Special. They say this kind of stage does not fit on the essence of what should be a real rallye.Quote:
Originally Posted by JAM
Explained, thanks!
Good for them! They are right, although they have a place maybe to bring spectators in, but not the overkill we have in WRC.Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Pacheco
I believe that Azores will be the first IRC event ever with a traditional SSS stage?
Well...Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
Yes :cool:
We just arrived in Ponta Delgada, and it is a little raining here. But be are on vacation, so it doesn't matter. Now we will go and do some recce for the stages. ;)
;)
Almost Ready ;)
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/4748/dscn0452w.jpg
Filipe Sport :)
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/6249/dscn0456x.jpg
Adruzilo Lopes :cool:
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/3023/dscn0457y.jpg
They know their stuff!! :bounce:Quote:
Originally Posted by Luis Pacheco
We should have even more pics this afternoon with shakedown, scruteneering and superspecial stage :bounce:
Pics presentation of crews(held yesterday evening) ;)
http://www.fotosralis.online.pt/apresedsat09/
We had allready nice night, we were meeting with Pluto and had a few drinks. Lots of crowd on the podiumpresentation of the drivers. Now we will leave soon to shakedown but it isn't very representive for the "real" stages. We will see. ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by wwbroe
Not representative, but at least you can already see cars in action :p :
That is for sure Tom, and we are happy to be here. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
Normally shakedown should have just started, or am I mistaking ??? :confused: