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Impression of the stages we visited today with only the spectacular Polo's WRC, what a great rally it is, so fast!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_km2f2BbgM
So, Ogier pushed a little in the afternoon, without taking any big risks. Looks like this will be his most cautious win so far, isn't that just amazing
So you don't expect the drivers to screw up the wheel nuts properly also? (As they don't have time to fix it properly...) You can make things safe indeed, and the jacks used in rallycars are quite safe as far as I know. But you can't make everything "idiot-proof". No offense to Meeke, stupid accidents can happen to everyone. Part of the game, no need to put the blame on someone else... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Leon
So Meeke gets his time from SS12 for SS8 also. Of course something needed to be done, but isn't this solution somewhat unfair in a way? Pretty much all other drivers have a better time on SS12 than on SS8. Hadn't it been more fair to take just the part where he was behind Novikov, and then "delete" that time and "add" the time of that section he did on SS12?Quote:
Originally Posted by noel157
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiCo23elJgc&feature=em-uploademail
Contains onboard with Mikkos spin, he was very lucky indeed.
Meeke speaks about Novikov-gate, before steward's decision:
https://soundcloud.com/citroen-racin...nd-2013-kris-1
Stewards decision is weird. Meeke gets the same time as with SS12, although most of the drivers were at least 5s slower in SS8. A bit to his advantage in the end then.
just opened my laptop at my summer village for 3 week vacations.
still impressive Meeke,Lukyanuk.
not impressive Hanninen,Latvala,Sordo,Hirvonen,Novikov(out of road even slow)
Ogier pushed more and took nice difference bit safe imho.
no it isnt.Impresive will be if he will have 38 sec diff against Loeb at France at end of day2.Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
Being faster from Neuville at his 2nd time at Finland,Meeke with no drive,Ostberg at Finland,and Mikko who is slower than Neuville inside his home rally is NOT impressive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
What confuses me is, what is it about guys named Sebastien that gives them this magical ability never to hit rocks in the road! After watching this year I think Ogier may now have the magic touch that Loeb had. He just doesn't get any damage when everyone else is dropping like flies around him. Lots of drivers can be fast, even as fast as Ogier (as we saw in the first half of the SS's here - many different stage winners). But they always end up going off, or hitting rocks. Like Mads said today it's like a lottery - only, Loebgier seem to always win the lottery!
In my other random thoughts for this rally:
I think this Rally Finland is proving a few things - Mads and Thierry Neuville are very close to their first WRC wins (in Mads case, a non-technicality win). It just depends on how Loeb-like Ogier ends up being, and for how long. Meeke is still pretty fast, although I'm still not sure there aren't other guys like him without a WRC seat who are as quick or quicker. Also it's proving that Belgium and Estonia are the new Finlands, as in small countries that punch above their weight class in rallying.
Hirvonen looked like he had a chance but in a way it's a bit of a repeat of much of his time fighting Loeb - very, very close to the leader's times but not able to put together a string of stage wins to take it away.
In WRC2 I am also very impressed to see Paddon beating Lappi on his home turf. Is it the car? I don't know. I think Even and BRR would probably have very similar cars... both are quite prominent teams, aren't they? Paddon did "beat" him in NZ but the conditions were not at all comparable - home advantage, home-made ridiculously fast car, etc. I have high hopes for both of them, but I must say after what, 9 months away from S2000, Paddon is really, really good. That kind of lack of practice is very hard to overcome. Hyundai should be looking at this guy if they want to look ahead for future winners rather than using guys who've had years experience but not much potential for improvement. Like, Hanninen is fast and in a good, manufacturer car he will put in good performances, but I don't think we'd expect him to dominate Ogier or something, or get way way better than he is already. He is a known quantity.
Lastly Ketomaa had never been on my radar much but he's been so quick here. Does he just not do as well when outside Finland?