Jwrc 2021

[Sulland]

Armstrong leading with 15 sec after first day.
But double points in Spain makes it hard to predict the overall result.

[Danny0405]

Armstrong leading with 15 sec after first day.
But double points in Spain makes it hard to predict the overall result.

All the more than I just discovered a rule I didn’t know (and seems to be true by checking the regulation):
«*However, the championship situation is complicated by the double-points finale in Spain, while each driver will also drop their lowest score from the five rounds. In Armstrong's case that is set to be his retirement in Portugal.*» (bbcsport)

So if we exclude the worst results of the 4 first rallies for each driver, it gives:
1. Armstrong: 82 + 3 stages wins today = 85
2. Pajari: 74 + 3 stages wins today = 77
3. Sesks: 67
4. Joona: 40
5. Virves: 36
6. Creighton: 35

Globally, sounds like a winner-takes-all between Armstrong and Pajari except if a dominant driver had a puncture/issue in one stage only and could be close call in that case. For the other, except a double-off, it is over.
At the moment, it smells good for Armstrong but still some road to go and Pajari is generally improving in tarmac rallies after the first day.

[TypeR]

Armstrong +5min40 on SS7

[AnttiL]

Armstrong +5min40 on SS7

“I'm really gutted about that. We missed our braking a bit in a foggy section of the stage. I thought we had got away with it but we got stuck in a field verge. We tried our best but we will keep going.”

[Danny0405]

Not totally over for Armstrong, Virves has catched up a lot on Pajari this morning so if Virves takes the first place, it would be a close call.

Good drive from Virves so far considering his experience

[pantealex]

Armstrong is taking those Bonus Points from SS wins so it´s possible that 2nd place isn´t enough for Pajari

[Bigalstosh99]

Sami dropped 39s in ss10 - problem or just too conservative on his safe pace?

[Bigalstosh99]

Sami dropped 39s in ss10 - problem or just too conservative on his safe pace?

See it now - puncture . . .

[Danny0405]

Armstrong going mad and out
But if he can come back tomorrow, the game is still not over (as he will still be 4th) as Joona is really close from Pajari (2s after SS11) and some SS win points to take (and enough to stay behind Pajari if Pajari 2nd and Armstrong 4th overall).
Quite crazy

Edit: Pajari took 14s to Joona in the last stage so now a 15.7s lead for Pajari. If he wins, he wins also the championship.