Rallye Monte Carlo 2015

**GigiGalliNo1** · 23rd January 2015, 03:28

Originally Posted by tommeke_B

Apart from the rear spoiler just another angle of photo I think...

Roof air intake is smaller too

**Lundefaret** · 23rd January 2015, 06:27

Originally Posted by N.O.T

So no nose end first on stage 2 ??

LOL...

Yes, quit a bit actually

But You are of the understanding that The Rally Monte Carlo is decided by tire choices and starting orders alone, and could just as well be decided on a computer. I am not.
There where a lot of people on this forum that had written off both Loeb and Citroën, but rallying is different, and thankfully still very driver dependent - thats why I love the sport.

Because the difference in starting order Ogier and Loeb will have two different tasks during most of this rally, the difference decided by the changes in condition as the cars go by. But the difficulties will be at a maximum. Comparing the two of them will therefore be difficult, but we could say that both of them is off to good starts.

But the fact that Loeb could win 9 consecutive championships whit out more drivers picking up on his way of driving is for me mind boggling, and thats why I keep pestering on about Nose End First.
In other sports, if one athlete came in with a new technique and beat everybody else, people would start copying and improving, but not in rallying - and very seldom in motorsports.

Its only in Moto GP where I have witnessed top riders discussing how they change their riding styles after the best rider, and try to improve on that. Now its Marc Marquez in the front, and the legend Rossi is open about adjusting his riding style to "copy" Marquez. And You know what, its all about Nose End First in Moto GP too.

But motorsport is off course very seldom talent driven. Its driven by money. So its very seldom that talents get the backing to reach all the way to the top. Loeb did, Ogier did, even Walter Röhrl did, and there You have three drivers that could win the Monte Carlo, and also beat circuit racers on their home turf.
Motorsport is also very seldom trained in a professional manner. In other, cheaper sports, the elements are taken apart and practiced one by one, and often one practices completely different sports, movements etc, to improve certain parts, this is very rare in motorsport.

The concieved "truth" in motorsport is that You have to start gokarting at the age of 7 months, and drive karts all day every day until You move up to the formula or class You are going to compete in. Even in rallying this is believed to be the right way. But the best drivers we have had, have not done this at all, and still people believe this gokart/youth-truth.
For me, the part of Ogier and Loeb and Röhrl is important, because it shows that money is not the only factor, and it shows that motorsport - or driving technique - can be trained and exercised, and it need not cost a fortune. This should inspire.

But I will tell You that it is very difficult to not spread the message when You have seen the light. Because being aware of the aspects of driving technique, improves the spectating by a huge margin, and I want others to experience that as well - even You N.O.T. But Nose End First being knowledge based, maybe its to much of a struggle for You, and then its easier to shoot the messenger than actually bothering to read the message

**dimviii** · 23rd January 2015, 06:46

Originally Posted by N.O.T

Ogier said he had the wrong choice for the first stage and the correct for the second... so he had different tyres from Loeb.

ss1

Ogier: Almost full ice everywhere. Quite little grip, but we try to start very carefully, not so much risk for us in this one. Not an easy one to start the rally. No doubt that you need studs.

ss2 Loeb: It was ok, but a lot of gravel everywhere on the corner, gravel and mud everywhere so it was difficult. I had a good tyre choice for the first stage but it wasn't the best for the second. I passed two cars in there - I'm not sure who they were.

Ogier: I am happy to be at the finish, the stage was difficult and I was surprised about the time of the first stage. I am first on the road and it is very difficult to drive like this. I have done a wrong tyre choice on the first stage, the snow tyre was the good choice in the first stage, not this stage.

a thread just for tyres is useless...

i am too little confused.Something is not right

MICHELIN Motorsport ‏@michelin_sport 2 ώρεςΠριν από 2 ώρες Προβολή μετάφρασης
#tyres information: 2/2
Meeke: 4 studded + 2 snow
Neuville: 4 studded + 1 snow
Sordo: 4 studded + 2 snow
Ogier: 5 studded

MICHELIN Motorsport ‏@michelin_sport 2 ώρεςΠριν από 2 ώρες Προβολή μετάφρασης
#Tyres information: 1/2
Loeb/Bouffier: 5 studded
Latvala/Mikkelsen/Solberg: 4 studded + 2 snow
Ostberg/M-Sport: 4 studded + 2 SS4