Rally New Zealand 2022

[Maui J.]

Great day out at the rally. Managed to get to SS2, SS4 & SS6 to add to SS1 on Thursday evening.
Probably the biggest crowds I've ever seen on the Friday stages since I started spectating way back in the Group B days.
Weather was a mix of light drizzle to heavy rain so some drivers suffered more than others.
Long day out, 0600 start, returned home at 2030. Looking forward to the next 2 days.

[AnttiL]

+1

Heard from Ott only on two stages today? Kalle 3 stages

It seems like the connections were breaking up constantly. It's difficult in this kind of weather with clouds, water and wind. But stage end reporters were at the end of every stage.

[Danny0405]

Would be very surprised that Breen makes both last rounds in Catalunya and Japan after this mistake.
Clearly, we already know that he has no real hope for a podium on tarmac, all the more with Sordo and Ogier being here in Catalunya; M-Sport best hope is Fourmaux’ potential there even if it’s risky.

So clearly, if M-Sport is saving money at the moment, benching Breen on tarmac is not a bad solution.

[Hartusvuori]

A 5-second penalty for Tänak. Too much hybrid boost on the city stage on Thursday.

[AnttiL]

A 5-second penalty for Tänak. Too much hybrid boost on the city stage on Thursday.

Engineer's mistake

[er88]

Would be very surprised that Breen makes both last rounds in Catalunya and Japan after this mistake.
Clearly, we already know that he has no real hope for a podium on tarmac, all the more with Sordo and Ogier being here in Catalunya; M-Sport best hope is Fourmaux’ potential there even if it’s risky.

So clearly, if M-Sport is saving money at the moment, benching Breen on tarmac is not a bad solution.

Every time Millener opens his gob I think he reeks of an amateur team leader. They appointed these drivers knowing fine well they aren't at the top level but they've crushed Fourmaux and Breen. Greensmith is different as he pays for everything, as does Loubet.

Yes Breen and Fourmaux need to perform better and have to take responsibility, but are they being managed correctly?

I said after Monte that their approach with Fourmaux crashing was totally wrong. He showed really good early pace, crashes happen in Monte. Should've been optimistic for the season ahead, instead they put the fear of death in Fourmaux about not crashing again and made a big media buzz about him helping rebuild the car in the workshop. Since then Fourmaux has shown no pace, he's driving with the primary aim to not crash - so what happens? Invariably he crashes.

Breen has a contract for next year and there's hardly better options out there. If I was Millener, instead of benching Breen I'd tell him not to worry. You'll be here next season, go and drive the last two events with freedom and forget about the crashes in the last run of events.

[TypeR]

Ogier handed second penalty for speeding infringement. The third one would mean 5-minute time penalty.

Neuville also same penalty. Amateurs..

Easier for Toyota guys and Kalle

[EstWRC]

A 5-second penalty for Tänak. Too much hybrid boost on the city stage on Thursday.

they realized this a day after?

so this means he will start before Evans then? or as the positions were locked it doesnt change?

[WRCStan]

If I was Millener, instead of benching Breen I'd tell him not to worry. You'll be here next season, go and drive the last two events with freedom and forget about the crashes in the last run of events.

And when it happens again in these two rounds?

[TypeR]

5s isn't that much, BUT if top4 is in 7s after 160km of stages, then it's a lot..