[ERC] Rally Serras de Fafe 2023

[Jarek Z]

Final Day Highlights from the official channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ljGPECm6Zg

[Sulland]

How is the medical situation of Araujo and Ramalho after their crash?

[pedro16]

How is the medical situation of Araujo and Ramalho after their crash?

From autosport.pt

Visibly weakened, Armindo Araújo published a video on his social networks to account for the physical injuries that resulted from the violent accident suffered during the special 7 of the Rally Serras de Fafe, Felgueiras, Boticas, Vieira do Minho and Cabeceiras de Basto, the first race of the Portugal Rally Championship and also the European Championship, the approximately 15 kilometers from Boticas/Senhor do Monte 2.
In the video, before leaving the hospital where he received medical care after the accident, Araújo wanted to “thank you for all the calls and contacts I have had. I haven't had time to respond to anyone yet." The reigning Portuguese Rally champion explained that “as you know, this accident was something violent, with physical consequences for me and Luís [Ramalho]. For my part, I broke a hand, fractured my spine, and broke a few ribs. Luís broke a foot and fractured some ribs. So we're going to have a recovery phase, but we're fine. I want everyone to relax about this. We were treated very well by all the support teams, whom I thank in advance. Now I'm going to have two surgeries next week, one on the spine and one on the hand, to be ready as soon as possible, to get back to the stages and to get back to doing what we like”. Armindo Araújo also wanted to thank him again for the “support, see you again in the next race”.

[Humber]

Sorry! Of course a Kiwi!

I guess he's been away from the European rally scene for too long

Even the respective countries' politicians mix up the flags of Australia and NZ. At one ceremony the Australian picked up the NZ flag in error and took it to the flag pole to be hoisted.

Paddon was in Europe in 2022 for Di Alba, Liepaja, Estonia (covid dnf), Finland (3rd after Suninen's exclusion), Ceredigion (Wales), and (Terra Sarda)Sardinia. Paddon (in my opinion) probably did not get a better understanding of a comfortable setup (for himself) of the Rally 2 Hyundai until his team did the preparation of his own Rally 2 before Rally New Zealand (late September 2022)

[Jarek Z]

Why did HeikkilĀ change tyre so close to finish ? Definetly would have lost less in would have continued.

The answer is here:
"I tried to drive with the flat tyre, but I saw it came out of the rim and I didn’t want to break the car because it’s €10,000 to fix the corner and I didn’t want to do that."

It seems that he is not only fast, but thinks about the economy too

source:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/...rc-heartbreak/

[Jarek Z]

There is still a discussion about it on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am7Jba8hH3U

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Another nice video and the fans really enjoying the action on Day 3...

https://youtu.be/Sg6Uz1ddsgk

[PLuto]

Nice Rally! :

1. Why did HeikkilĀ change tyre so close to finish ? Definetly would have lost less in would have continued.

It was not possible to continue on puncture, something was blocked and wheel was not rotating properly.

[PLuto]

The new Skoda is by design made to be better than old one one fast gravel/snow and smooth tarmac. It has shown as much in Monte and Sweden.

The big question is if then is worse on medium/slow gravel and different tarmac types.

Imo this is the first rally that could give some answers and my read is same as yours. It is not significantly faster (yet?). Which is good for the competition.

Dont forget also that drivers needs to adapt to the new car, which is completely different than old Skoda. Also they need to find proper setup. Drivers in WRC had plenty of tests before Monte and Sweden to get used to it...

[PLuto]

I mean - if Fiesta rally 2 is the worst car but Virves wins stages against Breen, Otsberg and Paddon with 10 times less expierence, then he must be the best of all drivers ever. What I actually mean is that Fiesta Rally 2 might not be that bad.

Yes I agree, I would like to see Sesks and Virves succseed. I just hope more for Sesks , because he is Latvian

Robert has advantage with starting position, when the stages became more dry. Same like last year power stage win for Ken Torn.