WRC 2014 : All Chat Here

[Cess]

Nope, we blagged it!!!

 

[Reno_LV]

If you are bored guys, here is my report from the WRC Sardinia 2014 finally up!
http://www.reinisbphotography.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/wrc-sardegna-2014.html


1 by Reno_LV Photography, on Flickr

165 (2) by Reno_LV Photography, on Flickr

049 (2) by Reno_LV Photography, on Flickr

2 by Reno_LV Photography, on Flickr

192 by Reno_LV Photography, on Flickr

 

[Sam.]

Latvala and Hirvonen both entered the Lahti Historic rally this week, competing in an Audi quattro and MK2 escort respectively.

Mikko and Jarmo retired due to engine issues, but Latvala finished on top with all 12 stage wins. First proper rally for JML's quattro too.

 

[svensktoppen]

Quattro still the best rally car ever

Even if there were only a few seconds of it in that video

And got to love a Volvo tank in a rally!

 

[DC.]

Marcus Gronholm has joined VW as a test driver.

 

[svensktoppen]

Interesting

Would have thought they have everything they need already?

Great for him though, something to get him out of bed in the morning "What shall I do today? Oh, drive the best rally machine in the world. Cool."

 

[Cess]

This is what its like to set a fastest time on the world's fastest and hardest rally

Can't find a HD version

 

[svensktoppen]

That was actually very neat and precise Flawless, made it look a lot easier than it is! Car constantly moving, was it ever straight?

 

[Graham]

Like riding a bike

http://www.crash.net/wrc/news/207650/1/meeke-tarmac-return-like-riding-a-bike.html

 

[Sam.]

 

[Cess]

Kris Meeke seems to be flavour of the month after the result in Finland. However, for me, there are more obvious challengers for an event win. The three Hyundais for a start. Sordo - Tarmac specialist and winner last year. Bouffier - Tarmac specialist with a second place under his belt from Monte Carlo. Plus, Neuville is handy on the black stuff. Hyundai could make a statement this rally, if they get a break, for a change.

Interesting stat. Bouffier has more points than Kubica and he's only done one rally!

 

[DC.]

Be surprised if anyone pushes Ogier to be honest.

Kubica would do well to not crash never mind win.

 

[Cess]

Sexy tarmac rallying is back! Proper wheels, proper suspension, proper looking rally cars.

Kris Meeke:



Elfyn Evans pre-event test and excursion into the vineyards:



Mikkelsen and a bent Polo, as he hit a fawn during his second run



Neuville getting air

 

[svensktoppen]

Interesting stat. Bouffier has more points than Kubica and he's only done one rally!

Has Kubica finished a race without crashing yet?

Would love to see Hyundai get a good result. Been so close several times already. Just need to nail the reliability.

 

[Sam.]

JML on Meeke in Finland: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115369

"Kris showed good speed, he improved a lot from last year and I think it's possible for him to fight to win here next year," said Latvala.

"Already when I saw Kris's stage times on the first couple, I was like: 'Wow! He is driving fast.'

"Last year we saw that he was also driving fast, but this year he was very, very consistent.

"This is the best drive he has ever done. He was fast and consistent all the way through the event."

 

[Reno_LV]

There still might be a chance I'll nip over on Friday to see a stage, @Cess can I borrow the go pro pretty please?

 

[DC.]

Craig Breen out of Rally Germany on medical grounds.

 

[Cess]

RMS guide to Rally Deutschland, or Rally Germany if you prefer English

Where?

Based around the town of Trier, in the west of Germany, not a million miles from the border with Belgium.

When? (all times BST)

Shakedown: Thursday 21st August

From 08.00

Ceremonial Start, Trier 19.30

Day 1: Friday 22nd August

1 Sauertal 1 14.14 km 07:38
2 Waxweiler 1 16.40 km 08:56
3 Moselland 1 21.02 km 10:19

Service 11:34

4 Sauertal 2 14.14 km 13:42
5 Waxweiler 2 16,40 km 15:00
6 Moselland 2 21,02 km 16:23

Day 2: Saturday 23rd August

7 Stein & Wein 1 17.53 km 06:38
8 Peterberg 1 11.08 km 07:38
9 Arena Panzerplatte 1 3.31 km 08:51
10 Panzerplatte Lang 1 42.23 km 09:06

Service 12:15

11 Stein & Wein 2 17.53 km 13:31
12 Peterberg 2 11.08 km 14:31
13 Arena Panzerplatte 2 3.31 km 15:44
14 Panzerplatte Lang 2 42.23 km 15:59

Service 18:29

Day 3: Sunday 24th August

15 Dhrontal 1 18.03 km 06:28
16 Grafschaft 1 19.27 km 07:04

Service 13:14

17 Dhrontal 2 18.03 km 09:55
18 Grafschaft 2 (Power Stage) 19.27 km 11:08

Service 13:23

Ceremonial Finish, Trier, 14:30

What's it like?

It's described as the first asphalt rally of the season. But it's not as simple as that.

On day 1, the stages run through the vineyards high in the hills overlooking the Mosel river. These roads are narrow, heavily cambered and the surfaces can become slippery with dirt, soil and mud dragged out as drivers cut corners to find the quickest line.

Day 2, the Rally heads off to the infamous Baumholder tank training ground. This is where the massive Panzerplatte stage lies, which is ran twice. The road is made from abrasive, broken concrete. If that isn't a test in itself, the drivers also have to contend with the huge slabs lining the edge of the road, called hinkelsteins. Designed to keep tanks veering off course, a collision with a hinkelstein can destroy a rally. Just ask Petter Solberg.



On the final day, the crews compete on the smooth public roads through the Saarland countryside.

Who are we following?

These guys! There's that many Northern Irish or Irish crews, it should count as an Irish Tarmac Championship Round!

3 Kris MEEKE / Paul NAGLE - Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT - Citroën DS3 WRC

23 Sam MOFFETT / James O'REILLY - Combilift Rallying - Ford Fiesta RS WRC

49 Marty McCORMACK / Phil CLARKE - Tiger Risk - Ford Fiesta R5

62 Alastair FISHER / Gordon NOBLE Alastair Fisher - Citroën DS3 R3T

126 Eamonn BOLAND /Michael MORRISSEY - Subaru Impreza R4

TV coverage - BT Sport

Friday, 21.30 - BT Sport 2, Highlights from Day 1

Saturday, 22.00 - BT Sport 2, Highlights from Day 2

Sunday, 11.00 - BT Sport 2, Live coverage of the Power Stage

Sunday, 22.00 - BT Sport 2, Highlights Day 3

TV coverage - MotorsTV

Friday, 22.35 - Highlights from Day 1

Saturday, 22.35 - Highlights from Day 2

Sunday, 20.35 - Highlights from Day 3

Fascinating fact...

Since becoming a WRC round, the winning car has always been a Citroen.

When will Kubica crash?

As it's on asphalt, Kubica might actually do well on this round. His F1 and circuit racing experience could stand him in good stead. No, you're right. It's bound to be SS10.

 

[PaulYDP]

Kris fastest so far after the 2nd run, hopefully he can have the pace and consistency throughout the event!

 

[Cess]

Reports that Neuville has rolled the Hyundai in shakedown!

 

[Cess]

He did roll. Quite a biggee, too

 

[weeloaney]

He did roll. Quite a biggee, too

View attachment 64923

Wee buns, drive her back out haha

 

[Cess]

Another one

 

[Sam.]

JML fastest in Shakedown


Rallye Deutschland - Shakedown results (Top 10):

1. Jari-Matti Latvala Volkswagen Motorsport Polo R WRC 2m 20.8s M
2. Sebastien Ogier Volkswagen Motorsport Polo R WRC 2m 21.3s M
3. Andreas Mikkelsen Volkswagen Motorsport II Polo R WRC 2m 21.9s M
4. Kris Meeke Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT DS3 WRC 2m 22.5s M
5. Dani Sordo Hyundai Motorsport i20 WRC 2m 23.0s M
6. Mikko Hirvonen M-Sport WRT Ford Fiesta RS WRC 2m 23.7s M
7. Robert Kubica RK M-Sport WRT Ford Fiesta RS WRC 2m 23.9s M
= Thierry Neuville Hyundai Motorsport i20 WRC 2m 23.9s M
9. Mads Ostberg Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT DS3 WRC 2m 24.1s M
10. Elfyn Evans M-Sport WRT Ford Fiesta RS WRC 2m 25.2s M

Others:

11. Dennis Kuipers M-Sport WRT Ford Fiesta RS WRC 2m 26.7s
12. Bryan Bouffier Hyundai Motorsport N i20 WRC 2m 27.7s M
13. Martin Prokop Jipocar Czech National Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC +02m 27.7s M

 

[Cess]

You left Moffett out. Scandalous! He did a 2.29 in the end and really improved his speed over his runs.