Quote Originally Posted by Whinlatter
I do think some of the posters on this forum are a bit harsh on talented drivers sometimes - Conrad, like Wilson and others, is a very quick driver and well capable of winning a National series anywhere in the world - but because he's not at the same pace as maybe 10 or a dozen guys at WRC level, he's a waste of a seat?? Really??

I enjoy watching a variety of drivers who have a variety of abilities - it's fascinating watching the second tier of drivers gradually up their speed and begin to match the best, and it's fascinating to see the leading JWRC and PWRC guys when they step up to WRCs. Wilks, Meeke, P-G and Aava have been on the pace (allowing for their machinery not being top class) but people like Arai and Conrad have not.

This doesn't mean they're talentless, just that their level is slightly below the very top - and if I go to watch a WRC event I'm just as appreciative of their efforts fighting over 10th place as I am of a guy in a Swift fighting for the lead of N2 - they're out there doing it to the best of their ability and I'd sooner have that all through the field than some sort of rallysprint with only 20 cars in it.....

Having said all that - Rautenbach has looked worryingly wild since he stepped into a WRC - I'm all for people being on the ragged edge, but his RGB crash was a huge misjudgement, and the onboard from his second Monte crash made it sound like he wasn't even bothered that he'd binned it - maybe unfair but understandable if you're rally position is low and funding isn't an issue - but not a good attitude for your own personal safety I wouldn't have thought.....
I'm sorry but Conrad has never been a top tier JWRC driver. Sure he's had some good finishes but in a series like that just about anyone who can last till the end will get a good finish every once in a while.

As for your last paragraph I couldn't agree more