Rally Discussion and Bar Talk Thread

[WRCStan]

The SS & PS points to prevent cruising make sense, but they should make the mileage longer.

And all the hype over the Ouninpohja stage being run twice on the Sunday.... and the only changes of place in the Overall standings were due to punctures, not time gains through driving.

That you generally can't gain places on Sunday, only lose them, is precisely why they don't need more mileage on Sunday. Drivers have found their speed and classification by then. If some rallies were twice the distance you'd be waiting for fails, not anybody finding speed.

I get the nostalgia, it suits the times but I'm not sure what endurance is necessary for these days. It served a purpose in the 70s because manufacts were using what they sold, and driving was an art not a chore.

[KiwiWRCfan]

Interested in others thoughts.
How tactical will final day of Rally Paraguay be ? Will one of the top 4 drivers in championship contention be willing to sacrifice a few points in Paraguay to gain better road position at Rally Chile ?
Chile will be an every point matters round as after the gravel of Chile comes 2 asphalt rounds.

[saco0o]

'hot wheels' R5s?
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNdeN8QuDF5/

[Jarek Z]

Mathieu Baumel, former co-driver of Nasser Al Attiyah and Bryan Bouffier, is planning his comeback in an offroad rally seven months after leg amputation:
https://dirtfish.com/off-road/dakar/...lEzhgidhs0kJoQ

[Doon]

Rally Portugal 2026

Does anyone know if the route will change from the last few years? Will the Friday stages be the ones south of Porto again?

Where is the best place to be for post rally celebrations on Sunday night in Porto?