[ERC] Circuit of Ireland 2014

[Mirek]

Exactly, that is a good question. I have absolutely no idea what sense it makes to run rallies for just 30 crews. Yet there are people on this forum who support this idiotic idea. Unbelievable!

Out of curiosity I did a little statistics Here are the numbers for crews which actually passed scrutineering of international events in international field. Red are events bellow average, blue upon average number of participants.

2014:

WRC
Monte Carlo 68
Sweden 39
Mexico 26
Portugal 84

Average 54

ERC
Jänner 79
Liepaja 56
Acropolis 29
Circuit of Ireland 32

Average 49

Highest international participants so far in 2014: Portugal 84
Lowest international participants so far in 2014: Mexico 26

2013:

WRC
Monte Carlo 73
Sweden 43
Mexico 25
Portugal 70
Argentina 32
Acropolis 46
Sardegna 51
Finland 96
Deutschland 76
Australia 29
Alsace 82
Catalunya 59
Wales 56

Average 57

ERC

Jänner 84
Liepaja 37
Canarias 27
Acores 37
Corse 51
Ypres 99
Sibiu 37
Barum 90
Poland 64
Croatia 60
Sanremo 53
Valais 68

Average 59

Highest international participants in 2013: Ypres 99
Lowest international participants in 2013: Mexico 25

[Mirek]

Very nice full stage onboard of Ernie Graham from Hamilton's Folly with Escort Mk.II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9BJv7nu6Eg

[Jarek Z]

Thanks for your analysis Mirek! It confirms the pathetic condition of our beloved sport.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Theres also some info here on the Irish Rally Forum ;
http://www.rallyforums.com/forum/sho...l-Rally/page10

A lot of the Nat info was on Twitter feeds all weekend

Cheers, sorry didnt realise there was a section for NI rally !!

I've been following the Tarmac Championship for years but the website is now really poor. The series has also deteriorated of late with fewer WRC cars but it's still been better than the UK.

Twitter is good though for keeping up to date and its great to watch highlights on Motors TV.

Video gives a good idea of what the spectators could see with the National runners after the ERC (from 2.20):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlmBM1OHpPg#t=254

[Mirek]

A bit wrong picture size but nice action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ2gemgBnxY

[WUff1]

Thank you Mirek for your interesting analysis!

[vino_93]

Thanks for your analysis Mirek! It confirms the pathetic condition of our beloved sport.

the major problem is car I think ... small cars are boring, they all cost too much due to manufacturers monopoly, not a lot of manufacturers are interested by doing them, and they don't travel a lot in countries out of Europe.
Let people do and homologate some small cars, from R1 to N4, and maybe there'll be local entries.

[Mirek]

Full stage onboard Neil Simpson SS12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yokeTgEILg8

[Nornbugger]

seems like the ERC was a total disgrace, as usual. but in the national champ. there were very good cars. where can I read more about it? the "British & Irish Rallying" section here is empty.

The ERC section was fantastic actually, the Irish championship was a sideshow last weekend, on friday their was a lot of people leaving for the next stage once Lappi went past and not watching the Irish championship guys at all.

In the National the oil seller led till he went off on the last stage handing the win to the alcohol seller both driving S12B Imprezas with the energy supplier ending up 2nd in his 08 Focus WRC. They are all decent drivers with decent cars and its great to have them, but Lappi, Breen and Abbring are a level higher at the wheel


Also, great debut by Daniel McKenna in the Pirelli prize DS3, very impressive, had the matching of Korhonen from the start

[Mirek]

Here also SS11 from Neil Simpson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUCe5jLJvzI