Rally Guanajuato Mexico 2013

[Bartolbia84]

No, he won't. His goal this season is the National Championship, where he's the current runner-up behind Benito Guerra.

Thank's

[oyunbozan]

Why, they are on the same tyres as the rest of the main competition? Trust me, if it's bad for VW it will be worse for others. They weren't spending all their time listening to mariachi bands when they were taking their Mexico mid-winter break recently!

i think polo is sliding more than others. this might cause more tyre damage at rears. it is spectacular but inefficent.

[tobbe3]

Looking forward to Mexico!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFRF5QWm2SQ

[Mintexmemory]

i think polo is sliding more than others. this might cause more tyre damage at rears. it is spectacular but inefficent.

That just happens to be the most effective driving style on ice and snow, constant instability. It is quick but if not exactly controlled can lose seconds (Latvala). Don't expect that Ogier and Latvala will drive in Mexico in the same manner.

[Mintexmemory]

Some thoughts or let say questions prior to the event:
- will VW experience technical troubles??
- how will flat tyres influence on the final order??
- on which stage will Novikov roll the car??
- will Hirvonen finally start to drive instead of crusing??
- will be Block faster than WRC2 class??

So, your opinions....

Will VW experience technical troubles?
No I expect their engine to work best at the altitude, the drive train looks well put together too
How will flat tyres influence on the final order?
This is the lottery, and neat driving (like Loeb has shown regularly in Mex) pays dividends - Ogier to be the best combination of speed and neatness in my book (JML and Mads always seem to put a foot over the edge)
On which stage will Novikov roll the car?
SS14 - shall we have a sweepstake?
Will Hirvonen finally start to drive instead of crusing?
I suspect he will cruise to pick up points and hope that the VW guys get into a self-destructive private war later in the season. Think he realises he doesn't have 'it' to outdrive them.
Will Block be faster than WRC2 class?
Haven't seen the WRC2 list yet but I suspect that the best WRC2 driver will beat Block and score WRC points !

[oyunbozan]

That just happens to be the most effective driving style on ice and snow, constant instability. It is quick but if not exactly controlled can lose seconds (Latvala). Don't expect that Ogier and Latvala will drive in Mexico in the same manner.

i remember latvala and novikov totaly destroying rear tyres in some rallies in recent years, when it is hot and rough.
mine is just an observation from both monte and sweeden. the more angle of the slide gets, the more tyres punished. i saw polos showing opposite side of the car many times from photos/videos taken from the inside of mid and slow turns.

[stefanvv]

i remember latvala and novikov totaly destroying rear tyres in some rallies in recent years, when it is hot and rough.

I remember the same for Hirvonen last year. Don't remember which Rally it was though, but one of these rough for sure. It doesn't depend of the car, but how is driven. Full throttle sideways out of corner is what destroy them on rough gravel. But as Mintexmemory pointed out, this can happen often in Sweden, I don't expect the same in Mexico.

[rayh_mx]

Entry List will be published on Thursday February 14th, 2013

Writed in Rally Guide Version 2, page 9 and not on February 22th like i've writen[/size][/font][/size][/font]

[Kielder]

Nice picture of Del Barrio on Twitter. I translate what he wrote:

"Tomorrow at 7 A.M. I'm going to start recycling the notes of Mexico. There is a lot of work, it changes significantly regarding 2010. It's better!

[Sprocket]

Some thoughts or let say questions prior to the event:
- will VW experience technical troubles??
- how will flat tyres influence on the final order??
- on which stage will Novikov roll the car??
- will Hirvonen finally start to drive instead of crusing??
- will be Block faster than WRC2 class??

So, your opinions....

Not sure I have any good answers, but for sure I'm looking forward to Mexico after Sweden. I think there is much that is hard to predict and Mexico will start to shed some real light on this years Championship.

- will VW experience technical troubles??

If they have technical problems it is not due to lack of preparation for the conditions in the rally

- how will flat tyres influence on the final order??

Those that get them will most likely finish behind those that don't

- on which stage will Novikov roll the car??

SS21

- will Hirvonen finally start to drive instead of crusing??

He had better - Loeb has won mexico for past 6 years - Hirvonen should be able to show pace for the win based on past second places behind Loeb, I think he is too far adrift in the Drivers Championship not to go for a win in Mexico and just try to cruise the whole season. I think maybe I'll be hoping for a Hirvonen/JML fight for victory in Mexico 2013

- will Block be faster than WRC2 class??

Probably not faster than some of them


I think as ever Mexico will be tyres and retirements, it is not a rally that has always been kind to Ogier in the past either. I really can't wait for it this year!