WRC 2013 & ERC 2013- News & Chat

h3000

Breen ended up finishing fourth. Even though its not his best result I really think its one of the best drives of his career. He showed some amazing speed granted he made two mistakes that cost him the win but that can be tidied up quite easily. Next year in the 208 T16 (R5) could be very interesting.

Robbo

Hyundai have started properly testing the i30. No word on drivers however.

recyclebin

Latvala got hit first win in the VW today in the Acropolis Rally in Greece. Kubica also got his first win in the WRC2.

Ogier had fuel pump problems on day 1 and finished down in 10th.

frostie500

Huge respect for Robert Kubica for winning the WRC2 Acropolis Rally. He's shown a lot of speed in rallying but made a lot of mistakes that cost him podiums but it's great to see him string a full event together and dominate the class in Greece

Robbo

At the mid-season gap, the top Citroen driver is still Loeb. Sordo and Hirvonen are just abject this season. I hope that Meeke is able to put in a good shift in Finland to convince Matton that he's a better option for 2014.

Over at Ford, Ostberg has been making far too many mistakes as well. Neuville has been quietly getting on with things in an impressive manner and a couple of good results on tar could seal third place in the championship for him.

VW have just been a steamroller this year. Top marks to them for creating an incredible car where the only "problem" is a small issue with the handbrake.

h3000

Robbo wrote: »

At the mid-season gap, the top Citroen driver is still Loeb. Sordo and Hirvonen are just abject this season. I hope that Meeke is able to put in a good shift in Finland to convince Matton that he's a better option for 2014.

Over at Ford, Ostberg has been making far too many mistakes as well. Neuville has been quietly getting on with things in an impressive manner and a couple of good results on tar could seal third place in the championship for him.

VW have just been a steamroller this year. Top marks to them for creating an incredible car where the only "problem" is a small issue with the handbrake.

It would be great to see Meeke do well alright. Hanninen in a Fiesta WRC too for Finland, I reckon he could put in some very quick times.

Robbo

Bump for Finland.

Serious Irish interest here with Meeke, Fisher, Cronin and Barrable all running.

Meeke tipping away in 8th after 2 stages.

recyclebin

I'll have to tune into one of the spanish tv channels (canal+ deportes) to watch the action. They normally have english commentary on it too.

h3000

Meeke with a great time on SS3 to move ahead of Hanninen, only 1.7 slower than Ogier on a 13.7km stage.

Robbo

After SS4, Meeke in 6th and Fisher and Cronin leading the way in WRC3. Barrable's going OK in a seriously competitve WRC2 field as well.

h3000

Robbo wrote: »

After SS4, Meeke in 6th and Fisher and Cronin leading the way in WRC3. Barrable's going OK in a seriously competitve WRC2 field as well.

I'm pretty sure it's Roberts first outing in the R5 too so it will take him a bit of time to get used to it.


Just listening to WRC Live and it's been announced that JML is out of the rally today after SS4 with mechanical problems sustained after a small off in SS2. He should super rally tomorrow.

Robbo

Interesting that Pirelli have now confirmed they'll be supplying tyres next year along with Michelin, Hankook and DMack. A good old fashioned tyre war should throw up some interesting results.

Robbo

After SS10, Meeke is running a good 5th having lost about 25 seconds due to the insanity of Novikov.

Barrables running solid in WRC2 and Cronin has a handy lead in WRC3, Fisher having rolled out whilst leading.

h3000

Top tens after morning loop. Meek showing some great speed but lost 20 seconds behind Novikov on SS8. Not a bit happy. Keith Cronin putting them all to shame too.

WRC
Pos No Driver Time Diff Prev Diff 1st
1. 4 M. ÖSTBERG 1:01:39.8 0.0 0.0
2. 8 S. OGIER 1:01:40.6 +0.8 +0.8
3. 2 M. HIRVONEN 1:01:47.3 +6.7 +7.5
4. 11 T. NEUVILLE 1:01:51.2 +3.9 +11.4
5. 10 K. MEEKE 1:02:36.9 +45.7 +57.1
6. 9 A. MIKKELSEN 1:02:42.8 +5.9 +1:03.0
7. 22 J. NIKARA 1:03:07.2 +24.4 +1:27.4
8. 3 D. SORDO 1:03:25.6 +18.4 +1:45.8
9. 21 M. PROKOP 1:03:55.6 +30.0 +2:15.8
10. 88 J. KETOMAA 1:05:03.4 +1:07.8 +3:23.6

WRC 2
Pos No Driver Time Diff Prev Diff 1st
1. 88 J. KETOMAA 1:05:03.4 0.0 0.0
2. 74 R. KUBICA 1:06:07.9 +1:04.5 +1:04.5
3. 84 H. PADDON 1:06:16.5 +8.6 +1:13.1
4. 90 E. LAPPI 1:06:25.4 +8.9 +1:22.0
5. 82 K. KRUUDA 1:06:29.9 +4.5 +1:26.5
6. 35 Y. AL RAJHI 1:08:08.9 +1:39.0 +3:05.5
7. 78 E. BRESOLIN 1:08:29.6 +20.7 +3:26.2
8. 79 R. BARRABLE 1:08:43.8 +14.2 +3:40.4
9. 85 J. SALO 1:09:21.5 +37.7 +4:18.1
10. 50 V. GORBAN 1:09:57.2 +35.7 +4:53.8

WRC 3
Pos No Driver Time Diff Prev Diff 1st
1. 60 K. CRONIN 1:10:03.1 0.0 0.0
2. 63 J. VAINIONPÄÄ 1:11:21.7 +1:18.6 +1:18.6
3. 61 S. CAMPEDELLI 1:11:24.1 +2.4 +1:21.0
4. 51 S. CHARDONNET 1:11:29.9 +5.8 +1:26.8
5. 58 C. RIEDEMANN 1:12:44.8 +1:14.9 +2:41.7
6. 52 Q. GILBERT 1:13:23.6 +38.8 +3:20.5

wobbles

Great to see so many Irish not only competing but setting great times as well. Had Breen been competing this weekend id have no doubts he would be top 5 in WRC 2.

Keith just has to drive smart now and the win is his and that would be a great result for the championship, and more importantly, the super prize at the end of it

h3000

wobbles wrote: »

Great to see so many Irish not only competing but setting great times as well. Had Breen been competing this weekend id have no doubts he would be top 5 in WRC 2.

Keith just has to drive smart now and the win is his and that would be a great result for the championship, and more importantly, the super prize at the end of it

He has really upped his pace this year, he gave Ketomaa a real run for his money in Latvia.

h3000

Aparently Mikkelsen's left rear wheel, hub and upright seems to have simply fell off during the stage SS14. He said he had no contact with anything.

h3000

h3000 wrote: »

Aparently Mikkelsen's left rear wheel, hub and upright seems to have simply fell off during the stage SS14. He said he had no contact with anything.

liam7831

Hopefully Meeke will get the time back as he was seriously impeded, that would leave him just eight seconds behind Hirvonen

liam7831

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQprnNOCQAAF0JD.jpg:large

Novikov last year and this year..........

wobbles

h3000 wrote: »

He has really upped his pace this year, he gave Ketomaa a real run for his money in Latvia.

He really has gotten much faster. Up to now most of the rallys were new to him, but this year he is doing more rallys he has done before and his pace is definately impressive.

Meekes time has been amended. Now only 8 seconds off Mikko. Hopefully Citroen have their eyes open. Meeke is doing so well for a driver with little WRC experience in the WRC, hasnt competed competitively at all recently and first drive in the DS3 vs Citroens no 1 driver on his home event in car he should know like the back o his hand.

Come one Kris. Just bring it home now. Theres more to gain by reaching the finishing than going flat out for a podium

h3000

wobbles wrote: »

Meekes time has been amended. Now only 8 seconds off Mikko. Hopefully Citroen have their eyes open. Meeke is doing so well for a driver with little WRC experience in the WRC, hasnt competed competitively at all recently and first drive in the DS3 vs Citroens no 1 driver on his home event in car he should know like the back o his hand.

Come one Kris. Just bring it home now. Theres more to gain by reaching the finishing than going flat out for a podium

I'm surprised they have amended the time to be honest but I'm delighted. He has been so quick this weekend.

corcaigh07

fair play to Keith, his abilities never cease to surprise me, first time in Finland and leading WRC3

paddy147

The new Hyundai I20 WRC rally car looks nice.

Wonder will thake WRC by storm,just like VW have done this season.

recyclebin

I don't think Hyundai will find it as easy as VW. Volkwagen had Ogier testing all last year and they also had a very good Super 2000 Skoda Fabia before making the step up to WRC. VW also have two very good drivers this season (when Latvala keeps it on the road).

I don't know if Hyundai have been running much of a rally program anywhere in the world the last few years.

It's a pity Loeb didn't stick around for one more season to see how close himself and Ogier would have been.

h3000

recyclebin wrote: »

I don't think Hyundai will find it as easy as VW. Volkwagen had Ogier testing all last year and they also had a very good Super 2000 Skoda Fabia before making the step up to WRC. VW also have two very good drivers this season (when Latvala keeps it on the road).

I don't know if Hyundai have been running much of a rally program anywhere in the world the last few years.

Agreed, I truly believe the Fabia S2000 (one of the best S2000's) was the making of the Polo R WRC. Just over a years development too with Ogier would help just a bit :pac:

recyclebin wrote: »

It's a pity Loeb didn't stick around for one more season to see how close himself and Ogier would have been.

Rallye de France Alsace should be great fun.

Brian_Zeluz

Speaking of Hyundai, what do you reckon of their driver lineup? Surely someone like Meeke would be a good fit. (I think they announced someone but can't remember who)

h3000

Brian_Zeluz wrote: »

Speaking of Hyundai, what do you reckon of their driver lineup? Surely someone like Meeke would be a good fit. (I think they announced someone but can't remember who)

At the moment they have announced Hänninen, Bouffier and Atkinson as test drivers.

h3000

Kris Meeke to get Sordo's seat for rally Australia.

Robbo

h3000 wrote: »

Kris Meeke to get Sordo's seat for rally Australia.

Proper job. It goes to show that with proper perseverence, the situation may turn around in your favour. Meeke and Sordo have long had intertwined careers and now it seems that there's a lot more faith from those that call the shots (Matton and al-Qassimi) in Meeke.

Ogier, I believe, can have the championship wrapped up with the right result in Germany. I regret deeply not putting money on him at 5/1 before the season started. On the other hand, I also didn't put money each way on Hirvonen...