[ERC] Geko Ypres Rally (19. -21.06. 2014)

**Jarek Z** · 22nd June 2014, 21:11

One thing that I noticed on this rally is that... nobody wants to drive Mitsubishis and Subarus anymore. In a rally with as many as 90 crews there were only 2 Subarus and 8 Mitsubishis. It seems that the times when there were 20-30 group N 4WD cars on the entry list are long gone...

Andras Hadik and his Subaru Impreza - the dying species?

**tommeke_B** · 22nd June 2014, 21:19

http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/index.php - Photos from Ypres online.

I'll try to write some resume tomorrow, but I'm sure Mirek will write a better one.

**dimviii** · 22nd June 2014, 23:03

Originally Posted by tommeke_B

http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/index.php - Photos from Ypres online.

wow!!! best photos i saw from Ypres!!!

**dimviii** · 22nd June 2014, 23:25

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=PSp4UanQ28M

**dimviii** · 22nd June 2014, 23:36

a nice photo of Tsjoen

**Mirek** · 23rd June 2014, 00:12

Originally Posted by Ucci

I agree with WUff1: this rally had two true heroes : Rossetti and K.Abbring. What is even more surprising that Rossetti didn't drove any rally since Rally del Ciocco in March 2013...imagine him with no ''rust under belts'' and in a factory car; not a private car, which is miles away compared to Lappi's or even Loix Škoda...

I don't think so. There was no visible difference between the cars even the sound was same for me. He even had long gearbox like factory cars and Loix. All four (Rossetti, Loix, Lappi, Wiegand shared service places next to each other so I think that Rossetti had some some kind of factory support too. You could very clearly see that cars of Consani or especially Vanneste were much slower and worse in suspension than all 7 Škodas but You could not see any difference Rossetti/Loix/Lappi/Wiegand. I don't say there was no difference, sure there was some but it wasn't "miles away" like You wrote. No way. Also I think the Pirelli might have worked actually better than Michelins (especially considering times of Consani compared to impression from stage). Anyway Luca was driving very different way than others, smoother, cleaner, very precise lines, no blocking of wheels when braking. A bit "Loebish".

**Mirek** · 23rd June 2014, 00:15

Originally Posted by WUff1

As every year some more or less regular drivers seem to be dropping out of competition caused by lack of money or other reasons until mid-season, as this year already Neubauer, Tarabus (?), Kajto (?) and now maybe also Cerny - bad for ERC, as there are only a handful of regular drivers left besides the four work drivers

Tarabus will be back. His co-driver (and sponsor) was too busy so they couldn't do Ypres (I think). Kresta Racing recently bought brand new Fabia for him (Kresta used it in Kopná as a test).

**Mirek** · 23rd June 2014, 00:20

Originally Posted by tommeke_B

http://rally-image.be/foto/0424/index.php - Photos from Ypres online.

I'll try to write some resume tomorrow, but I'm sure Mirek will write a better one.

I wrote one in Czech but I have no energy to translate it today. I will do it tomorrow evening

So far just big thanks to You for another fantastic edition of Ypres! We've seen a lot of stunning action!

**WUff1** · 23rd June 2014, 05:43

Originally Posted by Mirek

Tarabus will be back. His co-driver (and sponsor) was too busy so they couldn't do Ypres (I think). Kresta Racing recently bought brand new Fabia for him (Kresta used it in Kopná as a test).

That´s good news.

**Mirek** · 23rd June 2014, 09:49

Originally Posted by Jarek Z

One thing that I noticed on this rally is that... nobody wants to drive Mitsubishis and Subarus anymore. In a rally with as many as 90 crews there were only 2 Subarus and 8 Mitsubishis. It seems that the times when there were 20-30 group N 4WD cars on the entry list are long gone...

On the other hand the gr.N cars in Ypres were mostly boring to watch. Juniors with R2 were much more spectacular (at least in fast places).