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In Sweden we saw the breakthrough of Mads Østberg, 19 years old.
We have two more in Norway; Andreas Mikkelsen, and Anders Grøndal - both yougsters: Look out in Rally Norway !!
Also Anders Kjær, but he has his debut in a WRC car (Hennings old Whale) coming from a 206 Cup car last year. So he will have a steep learning curve in Rally Norway !
Who are the next Grønholm/Loeb (Løb) from Your Country ??
Hmm, in Sweden maybe Patrik Flodin (doubt he will ever be a next Grönholm or Loeb). He did a good rally sweden, but he didnt beat Östberg. His first rally in a wrc car, dont know what he can do on gravel with it but hes fast with the N4 on gravel (good fights with Alen I think it was). But at the moment he got lot to learn.
Cant see anyone else in Sweden that is at Flodins level, so it dont look very bright :)
Finland probably got the most of the youngsters, like always
Atkinson........I think not. He'll be like Freddy Loix was to Tommi Mäkinen (Mitsu) but to Petter Solberg.
Umm Galli, these new Ford guys, perhaps even Matt Wilson, the Spanish pair, JM-L, Mikkelsen perhaps, Grondol i've not heard of yet, for sure Mads Østberg if his car isn't stolen again, Sordo, Galli (not young though but still a chance) who else is there? :) Oh yeh Stohl. he'll do well this year and beyond, but if Grönholm retires, who will fight Loeb? Solberg yes but with a not so well car (I will change it when the new one come out) Loeb should retire. He's won enough, 27 or something rather wins in less then how ever long Sainz and Mäkinen were racing! (decade or more) Half the amount of years they were rallying Loeb had won this amount of rallys and caught up to their record!
We of course also have Eivind Brynildsen now in N4 (with the best looking co-driver in WRC) - He will at some stage also jump to A8 !!.Quote:
Originally Posted by M5
Östberg has more cars to chose from :D
My bet is Östberg and Mikkelsen
From Finland I think that Juho Hänninen and Anton Alen are next big things..
About number two-drivers I think that Hirvonen will be good number two but he should be already in Grönholm's level if he had same potential and skills.
Sordo is questionmark on gravel. On tarmac he is already one of the best.
I believe that Atkinson could achieve the top. He has improved continually and he has great raw speed. He is already near to Hirvonen's level; time will show if he will continue his improving.
This season will be the make or break for Jari-Matti Latvala. If he does well and gets some solid points then if Gronholm were to win the title and retire he could be in line for the 2nd seat. Malcolm Wilson has said himself that JML is one of the options should Marcus call it a day.
I forgot mention one name: Guy Wilks is on high in my list. Meeke also but his future doesn't look bright.
I think Hirvonen will be faster and faster this year. He has became a reliable driver and he got the speed and could be a future champion.
Mikkelsen said he wanted to get WRC podiums before 2011... And I believe him... Not everybody can win his first rally driving a WRC...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peugeot206WRC
And Jennie-Lee Hermansson in Sweden ??? Not a future Michelle Mouton ?? :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
Oh no, not you too !!!! :laugh:
As for Atkinson, seeing his results in Monte and Sweden he seems to have become better than Petter this year :rolleyes:
I said perhaps! haha not meaning I believe so but yeh........hrmmmmmm I don't know, he just has the opportunity to race and should improve in a years time, well another years time of learning.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
And Atkinson, he's showing improvement but...
Hirvonen has been like he was last year, slowish but reliable. he will never be a title contender. Same goes with Latvala, he lost too much to Henning in Sweden and his speed was not that good compared to anyone.
Hänninen was again great in gr.N as was Alen and Sohlberg. Nice to see what Hänninen can do in Norway.
Did her co-driver damage his over a jump ore somthing?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom206wrc
In Italy we have Simone Campedelli, 20 years old. Great drive at Motorshow with an old 206 WRC. You have seen him in a Mitsu Gr N last year too (Italy and Cyprus for example).
Kalle Pinomäki, time will tell if he'll make it to the top. He and Juho Hänninen are guys straight from AKK's talent factory.
I think norway have to good ones, Östberg and Mikkelssen.
In sweden vi have hope to Flodin and PG.
And like usual finnish talents its over represented.
A couple really fast drivers, lika Alen,Hänninen, Latvala and many more.
Have heard and seen movies on a 17 year old how drives a national corolla in the sprint champs. He seems to be a big talent to...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Micke_VOC
Yes, I remember this guy too. He was mentioned here earlier but unfortunately I don't remember his name. Was it you Finni who talked about it? Anybody?
Found the incar video on my computer...oh hell..his crazyQuote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
His name is: Jussi Tiippana
look at : http://www.tiippana.com and download some videos !!!
Hirvonen: Probably the most matured young driver out there right now. He hasn't really showed super-quickness, but he can well be Carlos or Burns-like title contender.
Atkinson: Opposite of Hirvonen, no consistancy yet but very fast occasionally. He can be like Colin, and if everything works well, who knows?
Sordo: Still a tarmac specialist. I'm sure he'll develop but will Citroen be patient enough to have only one car scoring manu pt.???
Latvala: Another possibility if he can get enough chance.
Wilson: Not so far.... hopefully someday......