Monte Carlo 2008

[Brother John]

Read your PM.

I did DJ today afther the rally, take care.

[Mauri A]

I cannot believe what I'm hearing about Petter.
He is by far the nicest and most fun driver in the WRC (not as cocky as Gigi!), and without him the stages would be half as full as currently because Solberg's Army is massive. No-one would even have heard of WRC if it weren't for Petter and the Subaru who have excellently carried on the legend that the late Colin McRae (RIP) started, as no British drivers have a hope and rally is stuggling with the 'no-charatcers' of Loeb and Hirvonen.
Also, he has shown over the last 5 years that he is a very talented driver - correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't he beaten his team-mate in every season at Subaru, won the title and come second a couple of times? Don't get me wrong, Atkinson will be a class act, but Petter has always had the edge over him, and I'd put a million quid on Petter finishing above Chris by the end of the 2008 season.
Finally, I'm not sure about this, but I think that Solberg's best ever finish on Monte Carlo is 6th, definately in the last few years, so to beat that position in an old car and with more tarmac specialists (i.e. Duval) that is quite good in my opinion.

Agreed, but with the exemption of Hirvonen classified as no-character.

[Finni]

Ok, let me rephrase what I meant. Stobart is not quick enough so Duval could challenge Loeb. If anyone wants to be able to challenge Seb the machinery needs to be best available. And unfortunately Stobard is not the best possible.

When Stobart Ford became considerably slower than works Ford? If Latvala is any indication the difference is practically non-existent. Latvala actually set very good stage times last in Catalunya and Corcica - near to Hirvonen and Grönholm in many stages.

It's quite obvious that Ford overally is not as fast as C4 on tarmac.

[pettersolberg29]

Agreed, but with the exemption of Hirvonen classified as no-character.

OK he has a character, but it's not the same as Petter, Marcus or Galli IMO.

I do like him though!

[Viking]

Last year Atko won stage St Bonnet 2 with the time 12:32,4,
this year he did it in 12:23.9! okey stage may have been 500m shorter this year but where are those extremely slow tyres?

[Tom206wrc]

well, looks like everything can happend tomorrow then Hope for anotherday of good rally and that pg can catch Cuoq :

I hope Cuoq can catch Galli ans stay in front of PG :

[ste898]

I have read this thread and cannot undertand the 'crap' that is being thrown at Suzuki
Instead of welcoming them to the WRC (it needs all the help it can) people verbally abuse them...
Well I for one think they are doing a great job in a very steep learning curve

[Mauri A]

A bit OT, but,
I´ve been in rallying world since late 50s, and have had the priviledge to know all the best rallydrivers till late 70s. Those boys were the real CHARACTERS. They had the ability to enjoy the life, make unbelievable tricks to fellow competitors and they were really a society of sportsmen.

Of course I know that nowadays money talks, practising is limited to a mininimum and in most cases you have to pay for your seat.

The cost of rallying has gone far, far away!

[Viking]

correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't he beaten his team-mate in every season at Subaru, won the title and come second a couple of times?

Small correction he has beaten everyone from 2002 Makinen,Hirvonen and Atkinson. In 2001 Burns was World champ.

[pettersolberg29]

Small correction he has beaten everyone from 2002 Makinen,Hirvonen and Atkinson. In 2001 Burns was World champ.

Of course - thanks for the correction!