[WRC] FORUM8 Rally Japan 2023

[Mirek]

But it was only brought in for the very purpose of attracting new manufacturers.

That's not true. The main reason was hybrids.

Anyway you shall look at it from the other side and ask why they didn't manage to bring new manufacturers despite that move, i.e. search for the true reason... and that is that WRC simply don't have the marketing value worth joining.

[satnav]

Looking at the tracking map, Lappi is almost at the finish of the stage, he was the last one to start, Rovanpera is still at the start....... Just restarted

[WRCStan]

So the zero car was on stage without any reason?

Why was it parked on the racing line?

Remember last year with the civilian car? This is probably just as shambolic, and other events would certainly be kicked out the calendar for two calamity rallies in a row.

[Mirek]

Very weird decision to let Kalle in racing mode. If such fuck up was up to me I would cancel it for all WRC and let only WRC2 in race mode. Now they need to give notional times to 2/3 WRC cars.

[WRCStan]

Very weird decision to let Kalle in racing mode. If such fuck up was up to me I would cancel it for all WRC and let only WRC2 in race mode. Now they need to give notional times to 2/3 WRC cars.

With Rally2s in the mix, it's easier to set with finishers.

[Peperoma]

What about next stage? Will be delayed or gaps will be longer?

[satnav]

I'd reckon it will be delayed to close the gap between EP and Kalle

[becher]

Why was it parked on the racing line?

Remember last year with the civilian car? This is probably just as shambolic, and other events would certainly be kicked out the calendar for two calamity rallies in a row.

I didn't see it, is there footage of the incident?

[WRCStan]

I didn't see it, is there footage of the incident?

Last year? Not the car, but plenty of reports and caused a red flag that we did see Pajari and Lindholm stopped in the stage chatting about it.

This year? It was a parked car, not very interesting. Try RallyTV.

[er88]

This silly exF1Renault goon annoys me.
Plant the seed that the expectations are win or nothing before the event, then act shocked when the only driver in your team capable of winning, bins it while fighting for the lead in the most difficult conditions imaginable. How is Thierry's mistake here anything like the Greece retirement anyway? Totally different. We know Thierry can crack under pressure granted, but there was none here and dont blame a driver for mechanical failures like in Greece. Common knowledge the Hyundai is flimsy.

Abitebouls views change daily whatever side of bed he wakes up on. One day the drivers will get it, next it'll be the mechanics, then engineers or meteo crew. He is an erratic man, who's personality causes instability throughout a team. Its common knowledge he managed Renault shockingly in F1, its public. But i know 3 folk who worked under him in various roles during that time, so have more info than most on how he manages people/emotions when things aren't perfect. And I can tell you it isnt good, to say the least. All 3 friends of mine can't be wrong, and two of them still work for alpine so clearly have a bit about them and found working conditions better since....

Will be a laugh next season when the pressure is on bigtime to win both titles, while Cyril manages two tier1 drivers while fighting Toyota in a sport he doesn't really know. With one arrogant driver (Neuville) who thinks the team is his but cracks under championship pressure..., and the other a sulky Estonian who wasn't even happy in his championship winning year driving the best car he will ever have..., nevermind when swallowing his pride and returning to a team/car that didnt suit his picky needs just over a year ago........