The thread of talents

[Jarek Z]

Speaking of talents... How about Martins Sesks from Latvia, who became 2018 Junior European Rally Champion at the age of 19? Here is a new short movie "Champion at Nineteen" that shows his career:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_pDfS06J8M

[sindroms]

Speaking of talents... How about Martins Sesks from Latvia, who became 2018 Junior European Rally Champion at the age of 19? Here is a new short movie "Champion at Nineteen" that shows his career:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_pDfS06J8M

I was going write his name here right from the moment when the thread started
Yes he is a one definitely. He has excellent base of basic skills for rallying of which the main is driving exclusively by pacenotes. It helps to adapt to new tracks very quickly, look at his results in ERC 2018 - https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile...martins-sesks/ Azores, Islas Canaria, Roma, Barum - all were terra incognita for him. And most important - he managed set a good pace on tarmac surface right from the first start! For illustration about his pacenotes skills, take a look at "Rally Alūksne 2018" results in SS1/2. Those were night stages where he took 6th an 4th place overall - http://lrc.lv/?s=2018&r=160&m=4&l=2 Beside it he has head on his shoulder and use it in very well maner so far.

[Entertainer]

I was going write his name here right from the moment when the thread started
Yes he is a one definitely. He has excellent base of basic skills for rallying of which the main is driving exclusively by pacenotes. It helps to adapt to new tracks very quickly, look at his results in ERC 2018 - https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile...martins-sesks/ Azores, Islas Canaria, Roma, Barum - all were terra incognita for him. And most important - he managed set a good pace on tarmac surface right from the first start! For illustration about his pacenotes skills, take a look at "Rally Alūksne 2018" results in SS1/2. Those were night stages where he took 6th an 4th place overall - http://lrc.lv/?s=2018&r=160&m=4&l=2 Beside it he has head on his shoulder and use it in very well maner so far.

Very good description, I believe the two frontrunners from J-ERC, Sesks and Kristensson, could be really good contenders in the JWRC-championship 2019. A slight "lead" of course for Sesks who has been very impressive 2018

[Entertainer]

A first draft of "the list of talents 2019" is in updated first post in the thread
Keep posting!

How about talents outside of the EU? Takamoto Katsuta could perhaps have a break-out year, showed some promise in Sweden last year with the WRC2-win.

[dodge33cymru]

A first draft of "the list of talents 2019" is in updated first post in the thread
Keep posting!

How about talents outside of the EU? Takamoto Katsuta could perhaps have a break-out year, showed some promise in Sweden last year with the WRC2-win.

It was hard to judge on Sweden, due to the Pirellis clearly being a massive help, but he did hold his nerve with a lot of pressure on him. Would be great to see him progress, with all of TMR's resources behind him this year and Dan Barritt as co-driver.

[AnttiL]

A first draft of "the list of talents 2019" is in updated first post in the thread

A good addition would be to mention where they will drive this year. For example Eerik Pietarinen and Gryazin will do WRC2.

[Entertainer]

A good addition would be to mention where they will drive this year. For example Eerik Pietarinen and Gryazin will do WRC2.

Good idea - will update to my best knowledge

[dodge33cymru]

Two that I saw last year who impressed in the few passes of theirs I saw roadside:

Jan Solans (younger brother of Nils, who himself was hanging with the works R5 Skodas in Spain) - dominated Spanish RC4 last year.

Jean-Baptiste Franceschi looked superb in GB and Spain in RC4 too, but hasn't been particularly dominant. No idea on his plans for this year; JWRC or French Champs in an R5, but hope to see him out and about somewhere.

[AnttiL]

Good idea - will update to my best knowledge

Henrik Pietarinen 2019: First R5 season in Finnish Championship
Emil Lindholm 2019: R5 in Finnish Championship + Rally Sweden&Finland WRC2

Maybe it would be a good idea to sort the drivers by the proximity of main league (Greensmith with WRC drive first, then WRC2, ERC, JWRC, national championships)

[Entertainer]

Henrik Pietarinen 2019: First R5 season in Finnish Championship
Emil Lindholm 2019: R5 in Finnish Championship + Rally Sweden&Finland WRC2

Maybe it would be a good idea to sort the drivers by the proximity of main league (Greensmith with WRC drive first, then WRC2, ERC, JWRC, national championships)

Another good idea. Will do.