Rallye Deutschland 2014

[dimviii]

Neuville flat out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=X81tQpG7bHE

Mikko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=QwSJ8Fh548g

[Lundefaret]

Some resume from my side...

Decided to do a short Germany-trip only last week, left after work on friday to arrive on the last stage of the first day. Since I could do only a bit more than half of the rally I decided to not take any photos this time (first time in 8 years, and back then I was only 14 years old). It was a very nice experience, in some way a much more pure way of experiencing the rally and the action/atmosphere, when you don't have to bother about right point of view/settings etc for photos.

On friday we did the last stage. Arrived on a technical place in the wineyards. A right corner into braking for long left with small cut (3rd gear) into long right (also 3rd gear) around wall. There was a visible difference between the drivers and cars there. For example Ostberg's car was way too soft, it was really diving in the braking and in that 2nd right corner you could see the chassis diving again, putting all pressure to the outer wheels. Same applied for practically all privateers. All other factory cars appeared to have a very hard setup, especially VW's were impressive. They are taking the corners a little quicker than most others and the chassis isn't moving a thing! From drivers I remember mostly Latvala looking quickest (very clean style) and Sordo really attacking, arriving sideways in braking for the corner, and being very early on the throttle which makes him going quite sideways in the exit. Not sure if Sordo's approach was the best one...

On saturday we started off in a fast right corner with cut in the wineyards on Stein&Wein. It was a good place, most drivers were a little sideways in the exit. It was interesting how some drivers (for example Meeke, Bouffier and Neuville) were taking a huge cut and driving over some metal parts (that keep the vines on place and straight). I was a bit surprised nobody punctured on this... After the first WRC2 cars we went to Panzerplatte, somewhere halfway the stage. We were in a fast downhill combination of turns: right(cut)-left(cut) before big twisty braking into hairpin left, it was on normal asphalt, no "panzer-concrete". The road was damp/wet (later on). It was interesting to see the crazy stability of the VW again. In the first right corner, the cut was a bit lower than the asphalt. When the cars exited the cut, most got some bump from it. For example Meeke went completely sideways and had to correct. The Ford's and Hyndai's could cope with it better than the Citroëns. But when you see the VW's, you see nothing, no movement at all as if this edge isn't there for them... On another level the same can be applied on the Opel Adam R2's, it's incredible how stable these cars are compared to the Fiesta R2's. On this place the braking for the hairpin was nice to see as well, interesting comparison between the big men and the "boys". For example Protasov was throwing his car sideways from one side to the other, to get the corner, which was really spectacular to see, but for sure not the fastest way.

In the second loop we started with Stein&Wein again, a place between trees. Some 90° right turn (with a dirty cut), with 50m after that a quick right turn (with dirty cut again) that was just slow enough to require the cars to brake a little before it. It was nice to see how sideways the cars went in the accelerating from both corners. Some funny moment there when some spectator wanted to put his phone IN the cut of the fast corner, to make a video exactly between where the wheels of the previous cars went. The first time no harm, the second attempt Meeke ran over the phone. He had a laugh about it until he picked up the phone and saw it became quite useless. The look on his face made it even more funny for anyone else who was watching it happen. A bit later some other guy wanted to put a gopro in the outside/exit of the corner, some 20cm away from the widest line so far. Sordo missed the entry of the corner a bit, went wide and gave the little thing a full strike and went wide into the grass, not that far away from some trees that could have taken him out. After that we went to Panzerplatte, to a long right (tightens a bit) downhill, with some bump in the braking. The cars were quite stable when going over the bump. Only Kremer-FabiaS2000 almost had some moment. Many drivers were blocking their wheels when braking before the bump already, especially DS3 R3's and Fiesta R2's. Latvala and Neuville were really impressive to see there. Neuville's car had quite a lot of understeer in the corner.

On sunday morning we did SS Grafshaft-Veldenz. Not too much special on this place, some quick corners in the wineyards. There was some cut in wet grass, but noone of the drivers seemed to be interested to take it. It was probably quicker to stay on the road in this occasion... After that we went to SS Dhrontal, just to watch the WRC cars. We were in a combination of: fast right (little bump), fast left (cut), fast right (don't cut). Mikkelsen had a little moment there, very spectacular place, probably the only occasion where we could see all WRC cars going sideways at high speed. After that we left to the stop of the powerstage. We were behind the stop-line, but the stage made almost some square around the place, which made it possible to follow the cars for the last little part of the stage. It was great to be between hundreds of Neuville-fans and being surrounded by plenty of Belgian flags. The tension was somehow building up when he had to arrive. The tension started building up when Neuville had to come, and it was a great moment when everyone saw Neuville emerge in the wineyard and become somewhat crazy. It's hard to describe but as someone who is following him since one of his first events and always believed in his talent, it's amazing to see him win in WRC (even with some luck).

Some remarks about a few drivers. Big thumbs up for Elfyn Evans, he did a really good event. Fortunately he proves to be a better driver on asphalt than on gravel. Pontus Tidemand did a great event, especially regarding how little he drove so far this year. If Wilson wants to take a gamble and put another youngster in one of the Fiesta WRC cars, he has found the right driver! Hirvonen was a bit invisible again, he's there, but it's nothing more than that. I think this could be his last WRC season... With the DS3's Camilli was incredibly quick before he retired. Also his lines were very clean and tidy, better than any other DS3-driver. Seen him a couple of times before in French rallies, and believe he is a driver to keep an eye on, could be "the next big thing"... In DMack Trophy Lemes was clearly the better driver of all, the thing that's keeping him down (for so long already) is his brutal way of driving.

Concerning safety I would also like to say some word... Normally nobody who's involved is reading this, but still... On many places (even the safest ones) you were not allowed to stand. For example on a 2m high wall before a corner it was a no-go, while there was a public area behind the corner, forcing all spectators to be packed like sheep, having to lean over to see the cars... On other places there was no safety at all, people were in the exit of corners, we've seen people standing on places where it could end up really ugly in case of crashes. In some occasions German marshalls are really rude (luckily we didn't encounter many of these people). By not allowing anything to spectators on public areas the organizers are forcing spectators to search for places without marshalls. On the long run this could make Rallye Deutschland even more dangerous than it was last year...

Thank You Tommeke B, for a very insightfull report!
Your description is very detailed wich makes it easy for driving-technique-nerds like me to get a really good picture of how the drivers drove where You stood. Thanks!

[noel157]

Thank You Tommeke B, for a very insightfull report!
Your description is very detailed wich makes it easy for driving-technique-nerds like me to get a really good picture of how the drivers drove where You stood. Thanks!

I too enjoy reading first hand accounts. Thanks TB.

[Mintexmemory]

Sorry. I know you mean well, but too many words...

Actually it's fine - great for those who want the detail that videos and journos don't often convey!

[Lundefaret]

Given Meekes was a note error I think its reasonable to assume that his speed otherwise was sustainable. I also think Latvalas off was a result of mental pressure not driving approach.

You give yourself points for Mikkelsen getting 3rd, sure he got it but damned sure he didnt fight for it as you predicted, it was gift wrapped and given to him on a plate.

I have enjoyed reading your 'nose end 1st' thread but IMHO you come across as a bit cocky about your own wisdom with your on event analysis.

Hello mr Nornbugger

Posting the analyzis on the net was really scary for me, because if I had been way off I would risk hurting my role in the whole "Nose End First" project. Sticking Your shin out is always scary.
But on the other hand, if I was in the ballpark, maybe some more forumists can open their eyes and minds to this philosophy.

We in the "Nose End First-gang" are avid rally goers, and we have experienced more than once that we can see the speed of a driver on the complete stage, and sometimes on the rally as a whole, by just watching them in one section on one stage.
Being that there was a lot of good test footage on the net before this event, I tought that I should try to do the same analyzis as a test of my own abilities (and I didnt plan to post it), but then I tought, "what the heck."
It was off cource very scary, because i felt that my aqcuired knowledge was some what on the line.

When it turned out that I got the speed very correct, it was a big relief, and another insurrance for me that the knowledge of Olav Bodilsen "holds up in court".
And tough I got it correct with every driver I marked as "High Risk" except Evans (wich I messed up on), I did a mistake on both Ogier, Latvala and Meeke, something I really shouldnt have done if I went a bit deeper in the analyzis.

Regarding Andreas Mikkelsens "fight for a podium", I marked him correctly regarding speed. And I tought that several of the front runners should go off or make costly mistakes, so the fastest of the 8.0-gang would probably be on the podium, I tought that Andreas was going to be fastest of that bunch, and that was why I tipped him having a shot at the third place, not because I tought he would be incredibly fast - because then I would rate his speed higher.

I am from Norway, where we have something called "The Law of Jante": "You should not believe You are better than anybody else in anything", "You should not believe that You matter" etc etc. As a person I am very opposed to this, to put it mildly, and I am not afraid of doing and saying the oposite. This can of cource lead to me coming off as cocky, thinking I actually know something, etc etc, and I am okay with that as long as I can back up my statements in such a matter that I can proove that I actually have some knowledge that everybody else does not. I think took a risk posting the analyzis on this forum, knowing that if I was completly wrong, I would fall right smack on my face, but when I actually was not far of the mark, I can still walk with my head up high.

If I was You I would be more occupied by finding out the essence of this information, and try to learn something, rather than taking one point of my whole analyzis and give me griefe about that, but thats just my opinion, You are of cource intitled to Your own.

What I can say is that Olav Bodilsens teachings has opened my eyes to a whole new world when it comes to rallying, and it is really a pleassure I hope more of You can experience, and thats why I actually try to teach something to others by having the NEF thread etc, instead of keeping it to my self.
I have followed rallying since the eighties (on TV), and the early nineties (being a spectator, and then a journalist), and the 00-s (driving some rallies my self), and have asked many of the greats to explain me "the secret" without anobody giving me answers that opened my mind. But when I now have been tough the Nose End First-philosophy I really feel that I have some usable knowledge.
But its of cource Your choice completly if You want to take me seriously, and learn a little about this or not

[Juha_Koo]

I've contacted the organization concerning the Nasser off incident, I truly hope that they react somehow. The action of the marshals in the video is a true disgrace to the sport.

Maybe someone else can send their opinion to the firm which apparently provided the marshals in the video... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Secur...71589736268459

After seeing the video, I can personally assure you that I'm never going to attend ADAC Rallye Deutschland and I will advice all of my friends to do the same. Utter disgrace.

[noel157]

Wheel and half shaft let go:

[sindroms]

WTF it was?!

SS11, Meeke's onboard 2:58 minute.

[dimviii]

lol

[Juha_Koo]

WTF it was?!

SS11, Meeke's onboard 2:58 minute.

I noticed the same thing when watching the onboard. I got scared like hell, it was on a 5th-6th gear section... One metre to the right and scooter guy would have been no more. Crazy!