Wales Rally GB 2017

[AndyRAC]

"A marathon 17-hour Saturday includes a double loop of stages in Dyfi and Gartheiniog, before two night tests close the action."

To me, that is what is wrong with the modern format; they have a 17 hour day; but only 70 stages miles....something needs changing. It makes no sense. It's not as if they're driving down to Epynt/ South Wales and returning. The stages on the Saturday are a reasonable distance from Deeside.

[doubled1978]

To me, that is what is wrong with the modern format; they have a 17 hour day; but only 70 stages miles....something needs changing. It makes no sense. It's not as if they're driving down to Epynt/ South Wales and returning. The stages on the Saturday are a reasonable distance from Deeside.

I agree with that, but last years route was far too loaded on the Friday, something like 186km which gave so little to run on Saturday and Sunday. Also gave Ogier a big advantage being first on the road. This years route is far more balanced and also better from the sporting aspect.

[BigWorm]

And there’s a reason for it. Ott said in Spain that dmack will come with a new tyre and in his eyes Evans is the man to beat in Wales.

Think Evans will be top 6 but the fact that Tänak with Dmacks was fast here last year doesn't necessarily mean Evans is going to be too.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

To me, that is what is wrong with the modern format; they have a 17 hour day; but only 70 stages miles....

There's another 31.82km on the night stages, so the day is 142.38km (88 stage miles).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I agree, last year when saturday basically finished after lunchtime was rubbish. Im not against the service park as entertainment, but its not a substitute for being out on stages, and should never be marketed as such.

The SP is a waste of time this year, the cars are hardly there except at night. They want to casual fan to spend cash going to the Tir Park & Cholmondley stages.

[tomhlord]

Think Evans will be top 6 but the fact that Tänak with Dmacks was fast here last year doesn't necessarily mean Evans is going to be too.

Agreed. The DMACKs were a "3-rally tyre" last season, whereas for 2017 they changed the development philosophy to try and be more consistent across all gravel rallies. Having said that, looks like they have a new variation for this weekend.

[AnttiL]

Weather forecasts giving a mostly dry rally for now

[Simmi]

Weather forecasts giving a mostly dry rally for now

Yeah that forecast has really flipped. Plenty of rain in the build-up to the rally but dry on the day would be ideal.

[dodge33cymru]

Is anyone attempting to go to a morning running of Aberhirnant and both runnings of Dyfi?

[AnttiL]

Press releases

M-Sport http://www.m-sport.co.uk/m-sport-new...e-soil-success
Toyota http://toyotagazooracing.com/release...2-preview.html
Citroen https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/...-crews-969645/
Hyundai https://www.hyundaipressoffice.co.uk/release/900/