Rallye Deutschland 2014

**Rallyper** · 22nd August 2014, 16:05

Originally Posted by Lundefaret

For those of You that dont believe the cars are VERY evenly matched, I have some questions:

- In the last part of the 2013 season, Thierry Neuville was the only driver that could match Ogier on speed. He was driving a FORD.
Has the Ford suddenly got so much slower, or does it have anything to do with the drivers?

- In 2013 Sebastien Loeb was "forced" to do four rallies. With very little testing and preperation, he scored two victories and a second place. He was driving a CITROËN.
Both Kris Meeke and Mads Østberg have taken stage wins in this car this year. So can it really be so much slower than the VW?

- In 2014, Dani Sordo, during Rally Portugal, did his best gravel rally in ages, setting fastest stage times. He was driving a HYUNDAI.
We have seen several great performances in the Hyundai, last from Haydon Paddon in Finland. So can it really be that much slower than the VW, or is it Neuville that has lost some of his plot, wich I have written about earlier in this forum?

To judge the speed of the VW I think You can look at Andreas Mikkelsen. When on form he sets fastest stage times (like in Sweden), when not he is "one of the rest." As long as You are in a factory VW, Citroën, Ford or Hyundai, the only thing keeping You from winning is Your self, (and Ogier

It´s not all about power. You should know that. Some stages suites one car better. Some stages are not so demanding for suspension.

One thing is clear. The Polos has much better suspension. Just look at their handling after landings. And I would say they have a bit better torque than the others as well. And of course they have the two fastest drivers at the moment.