[WRC] FORUM8 Rally Japan 2024

[Backa]

Thierry is my favourite driver in current grid so it feels fantastic to see him became champion. After five runner-ups in his career, it must be huge relief.

Already can't wait for next season. Kalle back as full-time, Thierry now among champs, Ott aware he could be champion this year if he had little more luck.

Also want to show some love to Rally Japan, some stages are quite monotonous (weirdly one having iconic tunnel seems to be most boring overall) but there are also stages there that were very fun to watch, with changes of scenery/flow/road width etc. Good challenge for drivers, distinctive from other tarmac rounds we have in calendar and Japan would stay in my dream calendar - not as last round though.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

[CeskyOndra]

After horrible Friday afternoon for Thierry Neuville, he still grabed an insane 17 points - he didn't give up again - and thats the reason, why he is the 2024 champion!

[Eli]

I sincerely hope he'll have that #1 on that car next year, it's been too long. and fought too hard for him to continue with that #11, and as an added bonus, he'll have it twice now that the 'HY' sign is gone.
Not the most important thing I know, it's just annoying for me to see year after year the champion not having number 1 on the door, call me old fashioned but old habits (ish) die hard.

[becher]

Happy to see Neuville and Wydaeghe finally clinch the title. He drove the season like a champion but I don't think it would have been enough with Rovanperä around. I do hope he will fight for wins on a more regular basis next year, now that he isn't the eternal bridesmaid anymore.

Splitting the titles is a good thing, but it would've done the championship a favor if Hyundai would have taken it. But anyway good on Toyota, but bad for Lancias record book.

Tänak really f* up in the morning. I have a feeling he still had both eyes on his shot at the drivers title and who could blame him, but he set a crazy pace that no one could match on the polluted part of the stage and arguably cost them the manufacturers championship in the process. I don't think he made himself very popular withe the team there. One could also see his disappointment when Neuville finished the rally, Tänak for sure had hope when he went to japan.

[AE1WRC]

Happy to see Neuville and Wydaeghe finally clinch the title. He drove the season like a champion but I don't think it would have been enough with Rovanperä around. I do hope he will fight for wins on a more regular basis next year, now that he isn't the eternal bridesmaid anymore.

Splitting the titles is a good thing, but it would've done the championship a favor if Hyundai would have taken it. But anyway good on Toyota, but bad for Lancias record book.

Tänak really f* up in the morning. I have a feeling he still had both eyes on his shot at the drivers title and who could blame him, but he set a crazy pace that no one could match on the polluted part of the stage and arguably cost them the manufacturers championship in the process. I don't think he made himself very popular withe the team there. One could also see his disappointment when Neuville finished the rally, Tänak for sure had hope when he went to japan.

What Tanak did is literally the definition of "Fd up" but it is what it is. Let's see if Thierry will have the same hunger to win again. Defending a title is more difficult than winning it for the first time as there are only 6 drivers in the history of the sport done this.

[AE1WRC]

[QUOTE=becher;1356274]Happy to see Neuville and Wydaeghe finally clinch the title. He drove the season like a champion but I don't think it would have been enough with Rovanperä around.


It is so weird to see the guy who won the most rallies in the season down in 7th in the standings. Not just Kalle but the mistakes we saw from the other champs like Seb and Ott during this season is also feeling awkward. If you ask anybody who are the most consistent 3 drivers that rarely makes mistakes, my answer is always these 3 top guns.

[TypeR]

(Photo from Dirtfish fb)

[AE1WRC]

(Photo from Dirtfish fb)

First time I have seen Aaron show any emotion hahaha

[becher]

What Tanak did is literally the definition of "Fd up" but it is what it is. Let's see if Thierry will have the same hunger to win again. Defending a title is more difficult than winning it for the first time as there are only 6 drivers in the history of the sport done this.

Even though I like Neuville, I don't think he has a chance really and neither does Tänak. I think Rovanperä will have their number again next year.