WALES RALLY GB 2014

[turves]

I'm not sure if everybody here realises that the concept isn't as bad as everyone thinks. It's NOT like 'P1 and P2 before the last stage are equal and the winner wins the rally.'

The advantage of the leader will be reduced to the sec/km's he was faster during the rally. For example: Ogier has a lead over Latvala by 20 seconds before the last stage (after 200 km's of driving for example). His lead for the last stage (which will be 20 km's let's say) will be reduced to (20/200*20)=2 seconds.

It's still quite a shitty system and I doubt it will make things more simple for casual viewers (I'm sure it won't), but at least it's not as bad as we all feared initially.

But go back to Rally GB 2003, last stage. If I remember correctly, Colin was in front of Tommi going in to that stage, they were certainly very close, and Colin got a puncture and had to change it. As it was, I think he dropped just the one position to Tommi, with the new system we would probably be outside the top 10. That has an affect then on Championship points which isnt a fair reflection on the whole performance of the rally. As Dimvii says, the sport needs to change, but there are better options, surely.

[EightGear]

But go back to Rally GB 2003, last stage. If I remember correctly, Colin was in front of Tommi going in to that stage, they were certainly very close, and Colin got a puncture and had to change it. As it was, I think he dropped just the one position to Tommi, with the new system we would probably be outside the top 10. That has an affect then on Championship points which isnt a fair reflection on the whole performance of the rally. As Dimvii says, the sport needs to change, but there are better options, surely.

Before the last stage, every driver can only win or lose 1 position. The leader will at least finish 2nd, etc.

[Franky]

I'm not sure if everybody here realises that the concept isn't as bad as everyone thinks. It's NOT like 'P1 and P2 before the last stage are equal and the winner wins the rally.'

The advantage of the leader will be reduced to the sec/km's he was faster during the rally. For example: Ogier has a lead over Latvala by 20 seconds before the last stage (after 200 km's of driving for example). His lead for the last stage (which will be 20 km's let's say) will be reduced to (20/200*20)=2 seconds.

It's still quite a shitty system and I doubt it will make things more simple for casual viewers (I'm sure it won't), but at least it's not as bad as we all feared initially.

It makes it even more complicated to a complete stranger and a real nightmare if you're on the stages without internet connection.

[AndyRAC]

I know which i'd choose too.

The best comment I saw on this, I think it was on Twitter, was along the lines of "WRC with a final stage shootout is like Le Mans with a 23 hour 55 minute quali session and a 1 lap race".

If the WRC ran Le Mans it would now be over 4 hours on the Bugatti circuit.......

[focus206]

very easy choice for me too.

imho the sport defintely needs changes,but NOT this one.
Vw if they f@cked up,they will leave.For sure will be easy to spend 100 millions for advertisment.
But i, and worldwide fans, will be here to watch a f@cked up sport for decades.

At previous decades there were some factories with same budget as todays vw.
These factories teams (toyota,lancia,citroen)didn t have requests like these.Change the sport or i leave.

gtfo now vw.

Couldn't agree more. Also with the Le Mans comparison. I much rather have a WRC without VW than... like that.

[turves]

Before the last stage, every driver can only win or lose 1 position. The leader will at least finish 2nd, etc.

But that could, potentially, decide a championship (1997 for example, Tommi and Colin (again) finished the championship with 1 point difference). (hoping one day Championships will be that close again...!)

[Doon]

ROUTE ITINERARY for 2014

Thursday 13 November:
18:30 Ceremonial Start: Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay
Overnight Deeside Service Park

Friday 14 November:
07:44 SS1: Gartheiniog 1 (same route as 2013)
08:14 SS2: Dyfi 1 (same route as 2013)
09:26 SS3: Hafren Sweet Lamb 1 (similar to 2012)
09:59 SS4: Maesnant 1 (new stage using parts of 2013 Hafren stage)
11:23 Remote service: Newtown
13:07 SS5: Gartheiniog 2
13:37 SS6: Dyfi 2
14:49 SS7: Hafren Sweet Lamb 2
15:22 SS8: Maesnant 2
18:35 Service: Deeside Service Park
Overnight Deeside Service Park

Saturday 15 November:
07:48 SS9: Clocaenog East 1 (revised route and reversed from 2013)
08:05 SS10: Clocaenog Main 1 (new stage)
09:13 SS11: Aberhirnant 1 (revised route and reverse direction of 2013 Penllyn stage)
10:09 SS12: Dyfnant 1 (reverse direction of 2013)
11:59 SS13: Chirk Castle (same as 2013)
13:32 Service: Deeside Service Park
15:05 SS14: Clocaenog East 2
15:22 SS15: Clocaenog Main 2
16:30 SS16: Aberhirnant 2
17:26 SS17: Dyfnant 2
20:11 Service: Deeside Service Park
Overnight Deeside Service Park

Sunday 16 November:
08:35 SS18: Brenig 1 (new stage)
09:02 SS19: Alwen 1 (new stage using tracks last used on the 1993 Network Q RAC Rally)
09:57 SS20: Kinmel Park 1 (similar to 2013)
10:05 SS21: Kinmel Park 2
10:55 SS22: Alwen 2
12:00 SS23: Brenig 2 (Power Stage)
13:20 Ceremonial Finish: Mostyn Street, Llandudno


Any news on where Shakedown will be held? I'm hoping Llandegla again. Looks like an even better route than last year, with the exception off the loss of Myherin.

[Mintexmemory]

ROUTE ITINERARY for 2014

Thursday 13 November:
18:30 Ceremonial Start: Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay
Overnight Deeside Service Park

Friday 14 November:
07:44 SS1: Gartheiniog 1 (same route as 2013)
08:14 SS2: Dyfi 1 (same route as 2013)
09:26 SS3: Hafren Sweet Lamb 1 (similar to 2012)
09:59 SS4: Maesnant 1 (new stage using parts of 2013 Hafren stage)
11:23 Remote service: Newtown
13:07 SS5: Gartheiniog 2
13:37 SS6: Dyfi 2
14:49 SS7: Hafren Sweet Lamb 2
15:22 SS8: Maesnant 2
18:35 Service: Deeside Service Park
Overnight Deeside Service Park

Saturday 15 November:
07:48 SS9: Clocaenog East 1 (revised route and reversed from 2013)
08:05 SS10: Clocaenog Main 1 (new stage)
09:13 SS11: Aberhirnant 1 (revised route and reverse direction of 2013 Penllyn stage)
10:09 SS12: Dyfnant 1 (reverse direction of 2013)
11:59 SS13: Chirk Castle (same as 2013)
13:32 Service: Deeside Service Park
15:05 SS14: Clocaenog East 2
15:22 SS15: Clocaenog Main 2
16:30 SS16: Aberhirnant 2
17:26 SS17: Dyfnant 2
20:11 Service: Deeside Service Park
Overnight Deeside Service Park

Sunday 16 November:
08:35 SS18: Brenig 1 (new stage)
09:02 SS19: Alwen 1 (new stage using tracks last used on the 1993 Network Q RAC Rally)
09:57 SS20: Kinmel Park 1 (similar to 2013)
10:05 SS21: Kinmel Park 2
10:55 SS22: Alwen 2
12:00 SS23: Brenig 2 (Power Stage)
13:20 Ceremonial Finish: Mostyn Street, Llandudno


Any news on where Shakedown will be held? I'm hoping Llandegla again. Looks like an even better route than last year, with the exception off the loss of Myherin.

Brenig is not a new stage just not been used for a long time. Has a fantastic straight alongside a reservoir that will offer silhouette against sunrise on the first run and sparkling light at mid day - assuming it's not foggy or persisting down!

Edit: My mistake now I have looked at the detailed route. The stage called Brenig in 2014 is indeed 'new'. The stage called Alwen was previously Brenig on an old Lombard RAC edition

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Highlights of the 2014 Wales Rally GB route include:

23 competitive stages culminating in a spectacular new Power Stage at Brenig
World class action in the legendary Welsh forests
Improved family-friendly RallyFests at Chirk Castle and Kinmel Park
FREE access to Deeside Service Park
FREE access to the Ceremonial Start at Eirias Park Stadium in Colwyn Bay featuring pre-event autograph session
FREE access to the Ceremonial Finish on Mostyn Street in Llandudno

Route MAP http://www.walesrallygb.com/document..._-__9-6-14.pdf

Itinerary http://www.walesrallygb.com/document...-_09-06-14.pdf

[Mintexmemory]

Really hope that shakedown starts at a time nearer to midday as that will be mean less accomodation cost. Can't see why not as there is no competition on Thursday.