Rally Sweden 2016

[dimviii]

Regarding brands: In Norway on the narrow tires we have seen that the Pirelli has a softer rubber, and is more prone to loose studs in gravel than the Michelin and Hankook.

are you sure? its well kown for the opposite.

[SubaruNorway]

"In Norway on the narrow tires we have seen that the Pirelli has a softer rubber, and is more prone to loose studs in gravel than the Michelin and Hankook"

Could it have something to do with that the guys that actually drive fast and use the tyres properly are on Pirelli?

https://www.facebook.com/gundersenmo...type=3&theater

[Mirek]

Depends if You run 4wd or 2WD?

Yes, very different rules.

[EstWRC]

Have a good feeling about Tänak and Dmack here, dmack's studs seem to work well when the conditions are perfect. At the moment they are not perfect but Tänak's position is good, not so far in front and so far in back. TOP5 would be great result.

[Mirek]

Regarding brands: In Norway on the narrow tires we have seen that the Pirelli has a softer rubber, and is more prone to loose studs in gravel than the Michelin and Hankook (I am connected to the sale of Hankook motorsport tires in Norway). If the WRC Pirelli is built the same way, i.e. being softer than the Michelin, this will be a factor especially in WRC2. And I would expect the Michelins to handle the gravel better. For DMACK, I think this will be a very challenging event.

Strange to see this as Pirelli are well known for keeping studs better than other brands because they use different production technology. From what I recall from Jänner and Liepaja (one asphalt/snow the other mostly frozen gravel) Pirelli usually keep studs better there.

If I'm not mistaken the difference is that in Michelin tyres the studs are glued in while in Pirelli tyres they are overmoulded (which shall allow them to use softer compound) but I may be wrong.

[dimviii]

here we are again

Sébastien Ogier ‏@SebOgier

Like often, so much b......t on the net...
I ❤️ @RallySweden and never called for cancellation of the full rally!
Just 100% gravel stages...

Lorenzo Bertelli ‏@fuckmatie37

I have to agree with @SebOgier, we are not in the condition to have a safe rally, is not @RallySweden fault! #NotSafeWithStuds

[dimviii]

FIA rally director Jarmo Mahonen has insisted Rally Sweden goes ahead as planned - despite Sebastien Ogier's call for it to be cancelled.

Mahonen attended a meeting along with rally organisers, WRC Promoter and the teams on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the state of the roads following the first day of the recce and the weather forecast for the remainder of the week.

Ogier: Rally Sweden should be cancelled

"We are running as scheduled." Mahonen said.

"We have already been working for a few days to try to resolve the situation and we remain positive.

"The teams, the FIA, the rally organisation and the promoter are all committed to support competition."

Asked about Ogier's criticism of the roads, Mahonen added: "Of course, we listen to them and it is about safety in the end.

"But at the same time, it is always a little game: they compare to other years.

"It is his opinion and I understand that, but he has forgotten that his team is behind the decision to run the race."

ANALYSIS: How Sweden ended up in this position

Mahonen said the World Rally Championship teams all backed the plan to go ahead with the rally.

"If the weather gets worse, we will see what happens and sit down and take a different decision," he added.

"But so far it looks good."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report...medium=twitter

[Mirek]

In my opinion the weather and the road conditions is a big problem mainly for the organization due to possible road damage. For the the crews it means that they have to drive different, they need to keep in mind to save studs and take care about possible frozen ruts but I don't see why it shall be somewhat specifically dangerous. As was said before - Rally Liepaja in past few years was run several times on frozen gravel and nobody was crying that it was dangerous.

[drive]

Have a good feeling about Tänak and Dmack here, dmack's studs seem to work well when the conditions are perfect. At the moment they are not perfect but Tänak's position is good, not so far in front and so far in back. TOP5 would be great result.

I've seen in Liepaja 2 years ago (sort of close conditions) that Dmack lost studs more than other brands. Maybe they updated tyre 'inside' since then, but tyre tread looks the same this year.

Everybody talks about gravel/ice, but forecast says that snow is coming also. If its snow on the road, at least first 3-5 will suffer a lot with wide tires. If less snow - then first 5 will benefit of course.

Most important - how cold will be tonight...

[RS]

Has anyone blamed Red Bull Media House for the lack of snow yet?