Rally Discussion and Bar Talk Thread

**focus206** · 27th July 2024, 18:05

Originally Posted by deephouse

I was referring to the news that they are testing a new Rally4 car. And their rich history and success in this sport. They simply can't die.

CEOs rarely care about rallying and racing past success, unfortunately... already FIAT decided to let Lancia almost disappear, so I'm not surprised Stellantis would say that.

**Morte66** · 31st July 2024, 20:35

What, if anything, do you get for winning "WRC2 Challenger"?

**WRCStan** · 31st July 2024, 20:42

Originally Posted by Morte66

What, if anything, do you get for winning "WRC2 Challenger"?

You get to pay for your own trip to the gala where you collect your trophy.

**240RS** · 2nd August 2024, 11:59

Jari Marti Latvala's pace on this Friday morning cannot be doing the regular WRC2 front runners a favour.

With the exception of Oliver Solberg, Latvala seems to be coping with the pace of the rest comfortably. Begs the question, just how far are the pack in their development. Jari may be a a former frontman, but he isn't anywhere near what he was and yet appears to be holding his own with remarkable ease. Food for thought.

**denkimi** · 2nd August 2024, 12:05

Originally Posted by 240RS

Jari Marti Latvala's pace on this Friday morning cannot be doing the regular WRC2 front runners a favour.

With the exception of Oliver Solberg, Latvala seems to be coping with the pace of the rest comfortably. Begs the question, just how far are the pack in their development. Jari may be a a former frontman, but he isn't anywhere near what he was and yet appears to be holding his own with remarkable ease. Food for thought.

but he is driving his car in his team. he has more resources than any other driver, he can drive and test unlimited.

**Morte66** · 3rd August 2024, 11:06

It is a little ironic that Sami Pajari, the obvious competition, is in WRC1.

When the season started I wondered whether Sami might win this "WRC2 Challenger" thing, but he looks like a contender for WRC2 overall. Missing Finland, his home rally, in WRC2 can't help with that. [Of course, the WRC1 rally is a big deal as well.]

**deephouse** · 3rd August 2024, 12:03

Originally Posted by Morte66

It is a little ironic that Sami Pajari, the obvious competition, is in WRC1.

When the season started I wondered whether Sami might win this "WRC2 Challenger" thing, but he looks like a contender for WRC2 overall. Missing Finland, his home rally, in WRC2 can't help with that. [Of course, the WRC1 rally is a big deal as well.]

It's maybe one and only shot he will be given, so why not. Everyone would go for it, no matter what car, bad or good, worst or best. In the past the title in lower categories proved nothing to top teams in the sports. Many people were overlooked. If there was justice in the world, then half of the grid wouldn't be there right now and those with pure talent would fight, not those with fat wallets and daddy connections.

**Eli** · 4th August 2024, 20:29

Originally Posted by jacks

Loving the rally discussions here! What are everyone's thoughts on the latest WRC season? Any favorite moments or drivers standing out for you? Also, has anyone tried out any new rally simulators lately?

Definitely one of the oddest seasons I recall (excluding 2020), the mix of the really annoying and complex (and stupid) scoring system coupled with the fact that Toyota are now using the same strategy as Hyundai in their line-up has made this season quite a bit different; add to that a run of 7(!) straight gravel events, has made this championship on the one hand very close but on the other hand it also feels very artificial imho, not to take anything from the drivers but it just doesn’t feel right. Also, I must admit the fact that a win is no longer the win, so you don’t get the most points for it…don’t like it, imagine if in any other motorsport discipline, say Verstappen or Hamilton or Marquez would get less points than anyone who’s finished after them…
As for simulators, still waiting on news for the ‘24 edition of EA Rally (still hate them for taking the ‘Dirt’ name), as I haven’t bothered with last year’s game.

**Pfei** · 4th August 2024, 20:42

Originally Posted by Eli

As for simulators, still waiting on news for the ‘24 edition of EA Rally (still hate them for taking the ‘Dirt’ name), as I haven’t bothered with last year’s game.

EA already announced that the 2024 season will come as DLC starting in October.