2023 rallying thread (WRC, ERC, national and historics)

[Beethree]

Signed up to Rally TV to watch todays stages, thought I’d give it a go for a tenner and rather enjoyed it.
Would like to see more of Rally2 though, would be a much better use of the live channel rather than Rallycross reruns.

[ArnageWRC]

Yeah, Rally2 don't get the coverage they really should.....not great for their sponsors. ERC is probably a better bet for a lot of them.

A big off for Lappi, nearly taking spectators off with him - stood in ridiculous places......

Kalle looking good to claim the title, with Neuville ahead of Evans.

[Beethree]

ArnageWRC said:

Yeah, Rally2 don't get the coverage they really should.....not great for their sponsors. ERC is probably a better bet for a lot of them.

A big off for Lappi, nearly taking spectators off with him - stood in ridiculous places......

Kalle looking good to claim the title, with Neuville ahead of Evans.

Can’t imagine it’s done Lappi’s chances any good for next year that.

[ArnageWRC]

So, Kalle claimed the title with a 2nd place, behind Thierry; who wins his 2nd event of the year, Tanak finished 3rd ahead of a lacklustre (well on Friday) Ogier.

In the BRC, the Cambrian Rally was won a by a returning Tom Cave, ahead of Garry Pearson, who won the BRC registered event.

It was also the Rallye du Valais in Switzerland - an event that should again be in the ERC.

[tardelli]

Elfyn must be kicking himself, played 2nd fiddle to Ogier.
Then along comes Kalle to hoover up W.C for the next 6 years :-(

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

Elfyn's best chance was 2022, Ogier semi retired, and Kalle not yet experienced enough to take a title. And Elfyn should have been full of confidence coming off the back of running Ogier close in 2020/1. However he fluffed up most of the early rounds, and that made it easy for Rovanpera

I genuinely can't see a way back for him to take the title, he is an excellent driver, mostly consistent, but lacks that little bit extra that Rovanpera has. I think he has just about got on top of beating Neuville in a straight fight. So a top 3 driver, but 3rd of the top three. (of those competing FT, otherwise he is 4th)

[ArnageWRC]

Live action available on You Tube:

Neil Howard Stages from Oulton Park, Circuit Rally Championship Rnd1

Prescott Rallye - which will run into darkness this evening, at Prescott Hillclimb.

[flatlandsman]

Was going to go to prescott but the weather is hideous here and the entry was fairly average

[df76]

Very big crowd at Prescott.. weather looks pretty grim.

[Maxdecel]

Stratos out in the hands of Seb Perez on the Malton Forest tomorrow.

[Maxdecel]

If you've missed the noise.

[flatlandsman]

Sounds great but it doesn't quite have the same bark as a proper twin exit one! Still cant wait though!

[Maxdecel]

flatlandsman said:

Sounds great but it doesn't quite have the same bark as a proper twin exit one! Still cant wait though!

Doesn't does it, there's mention elsewhere it has a newer Ferrari engine so maybe a modern development on the exhaust ?
There's other videos appeared, it sounds great on the long straight from the barn in Cropton which was saved for last as it disappeared in to the distance.
If I'd known I could've asked Seb or Dan on Saturday afternoon what's changed., they were short on space/places for the numbers.

[flatlandsman]

Steve had this exhaust in it last time he used it, I would guess yes perhaps either a replacement Alfa engine or a more easy to use system, I know Steve used the original system in the first versions.

I would imagine it being a proper historic rally they would have to use the Ferrari Dino engine, not an Alfa or do they get dispensation?

[Maxdecel]

Seems it's using a 6 into 1 period system that was never used by either Chequered Flag or the works in UK and a period 24V engine.
Posted on a rally forum, if it's who I think it'll be kosher, I think he's on here so he might see this.
He also mentions "normally see IDF Webers" ...? That implies injection to me?
Edit - 10 years ago

Edited by Maxdecel on Monday 6th November 23:46

[flatlandsman]

I was thinking it cannot be anything other than original if Steve was running it, he doesn't seem like the man who would cut corners.

I do recall Stratos runnng one exit, but not that often, I think the rallysprint Cheq Flag car did that kept conking out in the ford!!

[ChrisJ.]

Maxdecel said:

Seems it's using a 6 into 1 period system that was never used by either Chequered Flag or the works in UK and a period 24V engine.

Who told you that?!

Steve Perez' Stratos is a 100% authentic period post historic rally car.
The 6 into 1 exhaust would only have been heard mostly on tarmac rallies in Italy in the 1970s and early 80s. That's why it's sounds odd to those of us that have only heard a CF or works Stratos in the UK from the same period.
I only saw the car on the stages on the Malton Rally, but I would expect it had the Dino engine with 24v heads (developed originally for F2 cars at the time) and the mechanical fuel injection.

There's nothing 'new' or not period on the 'Amigos' car and fitting an Alfa Busso V6 is certainly not allowed. That's what you'd find in a spaceframe replica, I only know one of those that has an rally log book. It's a Corse I, with a ex touring car K series V6, and not eligible for any historic class, just because it's Stratos shaped.

The special 24v heads were homologated for the 1975 season, but not allowed by the 1978 season. 1978 cars had to revert to 12v heads. Development stopped at that time, but this didn't stop the Stratos winning world championship rounds. Bernard Darniche won the 1981 Tour de Corse with a 12v Chardonnet entered Stratos.

[Maxdecel]

ChrisJ. said:

Who told you that?!

Oh it was on the interweb somewhere, written by someone well informed as yourself Chris

I'd never thought of it not having multi valve heads, all I ever knew was it had a Dino engine and it's an iconic car that I well remember from the original RAC's.
I saw under the engine cover, it had a large plastic/CF ? airbox which I noticed but failed to ask about as I then got chatting with Gary McElhinney.
Despite the change in noise it still sounds glorious and it's great to see it out.

[ChrisJ.]

Maxdecel said:

Despite the change in noise it still sounds glorious and it's great to see it out.

Yes, you're right, we are lucky that someone is prepared to buy and run a Stratos at this level.

On a typical group 4 Stratos the big fibreglass airbox sits above the IDFs, and is linked to the two triangular side intakes. The airboxes were smooth on the inside with all the rough fibreglass weave on the outside and no pigment/gellcoat. Functional rather than pretty. The rear louvres had to be jacked up at the back to make room, and you can see nothing out of the rear window as a result. Not that rear view is ever that good in a Stratos at the best of times.

The biggest non period mod on Steve Perez' Stratos is the fitment of a modern internal roll cage. I say "internal" because all that a group 4 Stratos had for roll over protection were tubes inside the 'A' pillars and a small roll hoop that sits on top of the chassis near the rear bulkhead. This was really just part of the construction of the steel monocoque. It may have been stronger on the group 4 tubs compared to the production run 'Stradale' cars, but I'm really not sure. There are certainly no semi visible cage legs in the Stratos 'A' pillars, like there are in a Metro 6R4 or works group 4 TR7 V8.

[thepawbroon]

The planned first South Yorkshire Stages Rally has been called off, due to (presumably residents') objections:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=...