Rally2 (ex-R5) News

[AnttiL]

Actually this kind of stages say nothing about the car ability. Huttunen is pretty good on them. Let’s see tomorrow.

Huttunen lost 24.4s to Mikkelsen/Kaur on the first stage...would love to hear if there was an issue.

[Jarek Z]

Huttunen lost 24.4s to Mikkelsen/Kaur on the first stage...would love to hear if there was an issue.

After 3 stages Huttunen is only 8th in WRC2. It doesn't look very promising.

[RS]

A good compilation of Mikkelsen at Rally Bohemia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h1-HuzdOt8

If his last event in the old car was Rally Estonia, that powerstage was a nice way to finish!

[PLuto]

A good compilation of Mikkelsen at Rally Bohemia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h1-HuzdOt8

If his last event in the old car was Rally Estonia, that powerstage was a nice way to finish!

I think it was not his last event in the old car...

[RS]

I think it was not his last event in the old car...

Interesting! it would be quite risky switching to the new one whilst fighting for a title.. even the Fabia S2000 and R5 didn’t win on their international debuts IIRC.

Might be safer to put some ‘extra’ drivers in the new car this year (Kopecky/Meeke in Spain would be good to see for example)

[mknight]

Question is what is more risky for Greece?
New car with likely not as good reliability and not optimized settings or old car with possibility for engine failure?
(If they identified the cause of the engine failures and it's not something that can't be fixed then old car is safer pick).

For Catalunya or Japan new car might be preferred as Mikkelsen likes the turn in on the new car on tarmac better. If they decide to go to NZ, new car might be noticably faster, but probably unlikely to be shipped all the way there in time.

[RS]

I think they identified the cause of the engine failures and I presume it was a dodgy batch of parts or incorrect assembly of something. Kajto made it through Safari ok!

I agree the new car ought to be at it’s best on a fast and smooth rally like Spain or NZ. Old car still seems to be performing pretty well though, Mikkelsen surprised me with his speed in Estonia.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I wonder what Toksport think as it could affect them too if the new car is used and has issues ?

The old Fabia Evo is still winning so it would make sense to see out this season with it for those with Championships at stake.

[mknight]

I think that Mikkelsen might struggle to beat Rossel in Catalunya with the old car (if they go for that rally). He reportedly doesn't like how it understeers on smooth tarmac.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Supply issues causing delay to Fabia RS debut, plus Fabia Evo issue solved:

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/skoda...uction-issues/