[WRC] Rally Finland 2013

For me Neuville is the revelation of the rally (and the season) so far. It's only his second WRC Finland/season, and already so fast and so consistent. I was one of the first to believe in his talent, following him since his first event, but this really exceeds all expectations I had a few years ago. I expected him to be in WRC some day, but I didn't expect him to fight for podium places now already. :) He had a lot of talent and car control from the start. But his real talent goes beyond turning a wheel and pushing the throttle. :)

If they do as they say, should be a good day tomorrow. None of them are likely to catch Ogier but hope they try:

"The two M-Sport drivers behind Ogier - Thierry Neuville and Mads Ostberg – have vowed to fight to the finish. They are currently just 0.9s apart in second and third.

The Belgian said: "I'm going to risk everything to keep this place."

Ostberg added: "I want the position he has and I will push to take it. I haven't had any moments today, which was good – but maybe that means I've been going too slowly. I won't tomorrow."

M-Sport team principal Malcolm Wilson confirmed the pair were free to fight.

"The instruction is to continue at the same pace as today – they are in different [M-Sport teams] so [the fight] is not a concern," he said."

WRC Finland: Sebastien Ogier feels poised for 'dream' win - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com

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Originally Posted by noel157

Stewart's decision:

http://www.nesteoilrallyfinland.fi/a...3-19-52253.pdf

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I don't really get it. How can they calculate the time not knowing if he would finish this stage in the first place? Ok it wasn't Meek's fault and he possibly would make good time but there is a but. What if he was fighting for the win with Ogier and the difference was about 30s? I know that whatever is decided is not fair in that situation but this is not a solution at all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by noel157

If they do as they say, should be a good day tomorrow. None of them are likely to catch Ogier but hope they try:

"The two M-Sport drivers behind Ogier - Thierry Neuville and Mads Ostberg – have vowed to fight to the finish. They are currently just 0.9s apart in second and third.

The Belgian said: "I'm going to risk everything to keep this place."

Ostberg added: "I want the position he has and I will push to take it. I haven't had any moments today, which was good – but maybe that means I've been going too slowly. I won't tomorrow."

M-Sport team principal Malcolm Wilson confirmed the pair were free to fight.

"The instruction is to continue at the same pace as today – they are in different [M-Sport teams] so [the fight] is not a concern," he said."

WRC Finland: Sebastien Ogier feels poised for 'dream' win - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com

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Mikko has a chance then to get a podium place

Have just viewed Hayden Paddon's daily blog that he puts on facebook and in there is shows the onboard footage of him hitting the rock that damaged his suspension and steering. The rock is in the middle of the road right on the racing line and there is a person standing on the roadside adjacent to it. It does make you wonder......

Paddon hits a rock in the racing line and damages his suspension.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

https://www.facebook.com/notes/hayde...53139144721879

It was incumbent on the idiot standing at that corner to remove the rock from the racing line... I'm sorry it is , its question of safety surely.
Very disappointing for Hayden , he was putting in some good times and was in touch of Kubica. He is clearly faster than Lappi and the other R5 cars.

link please Carlo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carlo

Have just viewed Hayden Paddon's daily blog that he puts on facebook and in there is shows the onboard footage of him hitting the rock that damaged his suspension and steering. The rock is in the middle of the road right on the racing line and there is a person standing on the roadside adjacent to it. It does make you wonder......

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Well either way, if it was placed there maliciously or drawn there naturally, I hope people view Paddon's drive here in context. A rock in the road is not the same as "hitting a rock" the way Solberg used to do. He didn't go off or take some massive cut and cause damage, it was a rock in the middle of the driving line, and he was fighting for a podium with some very good and well-supported (in Kubica's case) opponents.

@Dimviii: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151811049489882 Imo it's just a rock that got pulled out of the road from a previous car, happens so often... No conspirancy theories needed. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ThomasS

Paddon hits a rock in the racing line and damages his suspension.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

It was incumbent on the idiot standing at that corner to remove the rock from the racing line... I'm sorry it is , its question of safety surely.
Very disappointing for Hayden , he was putting in some good times and was in touch of Kubica. He is clearly faster than Lappi and the other R5 cars.

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So are the S2000 guys like Lappi and Paddon fighting more powerful machines of Ketomaa (R5) and Kubica (RRC)? I am still unclear on whether R5 is faster than S2000. And RRC is meant to be faster than both right? Maybe Mirek can tell us?

I thought RRC was very close to WRC, just a few parts different. If that's the case it makes Paddon and Lappi even more impressive than I thought!