Rally Mexico 2018

**Indreq** · 12th March 2018, 09:48

To my understanding, thats one of the reasons these stewards exist - to evaluate such situations and assign penalties when unfair advantage is achieved. At least on local level i know that leaving the course is when all 4 wheels are off the road (tarmac or gravel). In most such situations advantage is not achieved, as moving on roads is generally faster than moving on ploughed field or through bushes, but on some occasion it might be faster and then (when sufficient proof is presented) stewards may apply penalty. Also, rally is supposed to happen in environment without deliberately rearranging said environment - so hitting a tree is technically illegal, but when no advantage is gained, no penalty is assigned. But when barriers or cones are pushed away and advantage is achieved, then stewards may assign penalty. As possible variations are endless, quality of proofs varies, then panel of stewards is necessary to weigh each situation. Otherwise clearly defined list of penalties could be sufficient.

**Rallyper** · 12th March 2018, 10:08

If these barriers were made of solid concrete Ogier would have been stuck on the place with broken front right wheel. So penalty was fully ok. Understand the forum is agreed on the penalty. (Didn´t read whole thread at the end)

**Fast Eddie WRC** · 12th March 2018, 11:04

We've seen loads of driver's nudging and even fully hitting straw bail chicanes over the years and no penalties have been applied.

Why cant Ogier just say he mis-judged his speed and hit the barriers axcidentally ?

**AnttiL** · 12th March 2018, 11:31

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

We've seen loads of driver's nudging and even fully hitting straw bail chicanes over the years and no penalties have been applied.

Can you pinpoint an example where a considerable advantage was gained (ie. gaining a position or winning a power stage)?

**T16** · 12th March 2018, 11:31

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

We've seen loads of driver's nudging and even fully hitting straw bail chicanes over the years and no penalties have been applied.

Why cant Ogier just say he mis-judged his speed and hit the barriers axcidentally ?

Don’t think anyone will believe him.

We may find out though, as M-Sport are going to appeal his penalty.

**RICARDO75** · 12th March 2018, 11:32

This could only be a joke

**AnttiL** · 12th March 2018, 11:35

Originally Posted by RICARDO75

This could only be a joke

Neuville could have driven that chicane at 10 km/h making sure he touches nothing.
He could have plowed through and been given a 30 sec penalty
He could have been given the same 10 sec penalty as Ogier

None of that would have changed the end result of the rally (this was not on the power stage)

**cali** · 12th March 2018, 11:35

Originally Posted by RICARDO75

This could only be a joke

First pass

**RICARDO75** · 12th March 2018, 11:40

It doesn't matter. If a driver is penalised for a reason, and everyone else who did the same, must be equal for all, regardless of whether it makes a difference or not.