[WRC] Safari Rally Kenya 2021

[Rally Hokkaido]

After watching the onboard again I'm not even sure if that rock was what caused the issue or if that was the first turn where it showed. There is no impact sound.

In the interview now, Thierry described what we all thought happened. The bottom of the damper just broke as he exited the slow left corner.

[meh]

I was thinking the same. The only cost of letting Katsuta to win would be seven lost WCD points for Ogier and at the current situation, that's peanuts as he would have lead of 29 pts over Evans if Seb finished 2nd overall. Is Latvala considering this, is he being pressured to think it, we'll see...

So you want to say that Latvala should order Ogier to give victory to Taka? If you watch current dynamic, there is no actual fight. Taka have used his soft tired and losing time for everyone just because of that. Without any extra-dramas elsewhere, only thing Taka can do now is just bring this 2nd place home.

[Rally Hokkaido]

Safari used to be THE rally that the Japanese wanted to win above all others so a home driver in a Japanese branded car surely would be a wet dream for Toyota. The wise wouldnt bet against Ogier though who has a knack of winning "new" rallies like in Crotia against Evans.

Say "Monte Carlo Rally" to an average Japanese and they might answer, "ah, you won at the casino". Say "Safari" to the same person and they will complete the name for you, "Rally!" This is partly due to early success by Datsun and partly to this hit romantic movie about a race/rally driver who competes there in his Datsun 1600 (P510). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKdPK8Qt_hg

[Integrale]

But they push too hard and basically break their cars on purpose..
Evans was unlucky with the stone that came on the line and under his front wheel..

Sorry, but I have a different opinion. No clear errors by Tanak in the last two rallies and no clear error by Neuville now. But it's a mechanical sport and that can be cruel sometimes.

Evans wasn't unlucky, Evans cut too deep where it wasn't needed and touched a stone in the bushes.

[erikli2]

Close-up from Thierry's rear right

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[jonkka]

So you want to say that Latvala should order Ogier to give victory to Taka?

He could but he shouldn't. I am very firmly against team orders and national favoritism, but japs might think otherwise. I fear that the temptation is very strong.

[krissucool]

He could but he shouldn't. I am very firmly against team orders and national favoritism, but japs might think otherwise. I fear that the temptation is very strong.

Haha, Ogier would tell him to screw himself. In what possible circumstances would a 7 time world champion fighting for the title follow THOSE team orders

[Rallyper]

TIA - This is Africa

Can't see what organisers should do about this?

I can: Never asked for organizing WRC-event...

[Mk2 RS2000]

a possible circumstance would be future pay cheques continuing for the the remainder if the year

[jonkka]

Haha, Ogier would tell him to screw himself. In what possible circumstances would a 7 time world champion fighting for the title follow THOSE team orders

That is another difficulty, bearing in mind how touchy Ogier was with team orders back in the days when he and Loeb drove for Citroen. Admittedly, at that point he was new-comer and now he might see things differently. But a row over team orders is hardly what Toyota would want either, which makes me hope there won't be any.