Turkey 2018

[scn]

I agree with Mirek. If there is such a great driving pleasure and excitement, why do those survival rallies always have the worst entry lists (usually 30-40 crews)?

Entry lists are affected by many factors. Logistics of transport and country's financial condition are the most important. Greece, Turkey and Cyprus are very far from the center of Europe, so the logistics are much harder. Also, the condition of their economy is very far from good. However, 65 participants in this year's Acropolis (including locals of course) is not a small number, especially if you consider the awful condition of Greek economy. Surely they are less than the 120 participants fifteen years ago, but the number is not small for the current conditions.
I am not going to try to persuade anyone about what I said. Take a small car and participate in such a rally and you will see what I mean. Personally I prefer Acropolis than all softer rallies here in Greece. And I am sad that I don't have a car that can participate in Turkey next year.

[dnb]

Can anyone young enough enter JWRC? Bergkvist already had 10 starts in wrc2 (+ 2 with opel adam r2).

[Indreq]

@2:15 Jazeed also driving at someone's trunk?

It was Ken Torn.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Mäkinen's Toyota now leads the Manufacturer's Championship. Great job considering they are the newest WRC team.

They seem to have added reliability to their speed and their cars are now a complete package.

[PLuto]

I agree with Mirek. If there is such a great driving pleasure and excitement, why do those survival rallies always have the worst entry lists (usually 30-40 crews)?

It is mainly about the costs. I know that drivers doing Acropolis and Cyprus in ERC really enjoy the events, but you must spend more money to repair the cars after the events...

[PLuto]

Can anyone young enough enter JWRC? Bergkvist already had 10 starts in wrc2 (+ 2 with opel adam r2).

Yes, anyone young enough can enter JWRC... With Emils experience he was biggest favourite of JWRC, but I expected he will be more masterful.

[Mirek]

I have participated as a driver in three Acropolis rallies with a small FWD car and I can guarantee you that what you say is very far from true. There is great driving pleasure and excitement in trying to go fast on such roads. And even the overcoming of problems when you work as a mechanic offers excitement that today's soft rallies don't offer.
As a driver I would love to participate in Turkey (although I can't because my car is not new and it can participate only in national championship rallies).
As a spectator, I just promised myself to go to Marmaris next year. I know well that if you sit on fast sections you can see great things as the cars are almost all the time "up on the air".
As a Greek I would prefer to have Acropolis in the calendar, of course. But I know from the inside that this is not going to happen in the following years because of lack of money, so I welcome Turkey and I wish it remains in the calendar. A rally of this kind is needed.

Of course there are people like You but I stand my ground. There is very clear correlation showing that very rough events don't attract a lot of crews be it Turkey, Acropolis, Sibiu (in IRC times) or in the past Cyprus.

[SubaruNorway]

It's rough alright!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

[tommeke_B]

@Mirek, Also a fact is that all events you mention have relatively weaker national rally-scene than other countries for example. When Bulgaria (smooth tarmac) was in WRC it had no more entries than Turkey or Acropolis had... In the French gravel championship we see the most demanding events have as much, if not more, entries than some other events that are not car wreckers.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier reply to Meeke's tweet:

Thanks Kris!😉
We cannot say there was no action this weekend... a bit too much for me but I’ll keep fighting💪 until the end as hard as I fought with this wishbone...😜
Hope to see you soon fighting with us again!