Wednesday 8th January 2014

Robert Kubica onboard (again): Time For Tea?

If Kubica drives like this before the WRC, what will his championship drives be like?

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Yes, we know a Robert Kubica onboard video has featured in this slot previously, but this latest clip really is worth a watch.

With M-Sport signing Kubica for a full WRC drive this year, he's clearly deemed it appropriate to get some practice in. This video is from the Janner Rally that took place last weekend in Oberosterreich, an event Kubica won by 20 seconds. He's not exactly got rusty and sluggish over Christmas then.

Watching through the windscreen of Kubica's Fiesta on special stage 18 is proper heart-in-the-mouth stuff. Despite the bonnet being festooned with additional spotlights, visibility is hardly great. Running wide and knocking a spotlight loose doesn't help matters.

But it's the sheer bravery (lunacy?) that astounds. Kubica absolutely on it for the full sixteen minutes despite the conditions. See in particular from 2:45 when he runs completely off the stage, for example. Bonkers.

Anyone who fears the WRC will be dull this year should watch this first. Bring on Monte Carlo!

Watch the vid here.

[strummerville]

It shows that great drivers can turn their hand to anything. Kubica may well prove to be as versatile as Jacky Ickx or Vic Elford - who knows?

[scubadude]

A good reminder of how (unnecessarily?) safe most motorsport is :-)

Good thing he didn't hit the sunshades in the garden when he ran off, likely they'd have done more than break the driving light like that snow pole!

[anonymous-user]

Worth noting that they have not included the navigator "pace note" audio on that clip. (those make a BIG difference!)

Blinking lucky to get away with the off on that Right4 mind you!

[Oddball RS]

Anyone who fears the WRC will be dull this year should watch this first. Bring on Monte Carlo!


It will be dull because of the cars, whats left of the Rally GB and oh yeah we don't all get that view......

[IanJ9375]

Epic - had a McRae sort of spirit to it!

[cvega]

nice 240p video :/

[simonpeter]

Like they said in the intro, bonkers! I used to think Ari Vatanen was nuts, clearly Robert leaves nothing in the bank for a mistake. Hope he keeps it together for a successful WRC.

[marctwo]

I wish he was still in F1. I really like Kubica.

[NotNormal]

No different to watching many other on-board rally clips IMO

Really just goes to prove how much drivers rely on decent pace notes.

[Bionic Billy Nav]

Great drive! Top bloke!! Really hope he does well this year and does better than others have like Kimi and Ken Block etc...

[Emeye]

I expect Kubica to show up Kimi R when it comes to WRC - just think how good Kubica would be in F1 now had he not stuffed himself up in a rally car! While F1 may be missing him, WRC is seriously benefiting from him being on board.

[vrooom]

Hi 240p, we meet again.

[F1GTRUeno]

Just insane balls to drive like that on such a narrow, wet road.

Can't even comprehend how they do it.

Wonder if he still thinks about F1 and it eats away at him though.

[rummers68]

Oddball RS said:

Anyone who fears the WRC will be dull this year should watch this first. Bring on Monte Carlo!

Couldn't agree more - lets see some close competition!

[Zajda]

In HD resolution (not sure if it isn't country-restricted):
http://www.mediasport.cz/jezdci---rally/kubica-rob...

It was first round of Czech, Austrian and European championship altogether. Most of the rally he was in fight for mere seconds with our local champion Pech. Before last stage Pech led by 11,8s, but mocked up tyre choice. Kubica went crazy and won the stage in amazing time. Sad end for the Pech. In case anybody is interested you can find complete results and stagetimes here:
http://www.ewrc-results.com/final.php?e=13776&...
Also some nice footage from the event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ANoqgKU4GQ

Edited by Zajda on Wednesday 8th January 19:32

[Goodsteed]

dear God!

Edited by Goodsteed on Wednesday 8th January 20:24

[g4ry13]

Oh my......you don't want to be a spectator on a night stage when he's around!

[dtrump]

g4ry13 said:

Oh my......you don't want to be a spectator on a night stage when he's around!

If anything were to happen it would obviously be the cars fault for being far too powerful...

[garycab]

Ive been in and around rallying since 1978, cant honestly remember seeing an incar that mental !!
I fear for him this year though, at that pace I can see a lot of accidents ??, brings back memories of early McRae days !

[WokkaWokka]

I wonder what tools they used to fit his bks in the car.