The 2014 WRC Thread
Discussion
Allyc85 said:
Kubica off again. Got back on the road but the car won't restart.
The only good thing from all of this is, its proves how bloody hard it is to be a rally driver in the top level!
Remember the last F1 driver who tried his chances in WRC?The only good thing from all of this is, its proves how bloody hard it is to be a rally driver in the top level!
I much prefer Robert's do or die passionate approach to Kimi's sulky boring top ten approach.
Edited by Emeye on Sunday 6th April 13:12
Allyc85 said:
Kubica off again.
The only good thing from all of this is, its proves how bloody hard it is to be a rally driver in the top level!
Not sure I totally agree with this Ally. As I've said before, there's no doubting his ultimate pace. The boy's massively quick, BUT, having almost killed himself in the Skoda (and effectively ended his F1 career), crashed several times last year, crashed every event he's entered this year AND it would seem has crashed his recce car in Portugal, you'd have thought that even if he himself isn't asking some questions as to why this keeps happening, then Malcolm would have done. The only good thing from all of this is, its proves how bloody hard it is to be a rally driver in the top level!
The guy needs a very good co-driver to control him. Clearly when he's behind the wheel the red mist takes over and he loses the ability to control his ultimate speed. A decent co-driver would be able to temper the speed and ensure he finishes events.
We've all seen in car footage with the like's of Grist, Ringer, Reid and others saying, "keep it tidy", "caution", "concentrate", "listen to me" etc etc.
RK is fast becoming a laughing stock, one sensed that Juho Hänninen was both bemused and annoyed (but most likely not that surprised) to find RK's car blocking the stage.
What's interesting were RK's comments after the crash in Portugal. He said something along the lines of "This one was my fault", the inference being that all the others weren't .......
They say God/everyone loves a trier (and I guess Colin was testament to that) but as I've said before, for all the cars that Colin turned into balls of scrap, how many WRC titles did he win? Compare and contrast that with the likes of Loeb, Makinen and Sainz.
Something needs to change with regards to Kubica's approach, and soon.
Slippydiff said:
They say God/everyone loves a trier (and I guess Colin was testament to that) but as I've said before, for all the cars that Colin turned into balls of scrap, how many WRC titles did he win? Compare and contrast that with the likes of Loeb, Makinen and Sainz.
Didn't someone look at the data and find that Colin's crash rate was actually no higher than most other drivers?Agreed about Kubica though - if he doesn't sort his head out and start finishing rallies soon he may find himself without a car to drive. That said, the sponsors are still getting plenty of screen time from him!
GravelBen said:
Slippydiff said:
They say God/everyone loves a trier (and I guess Colin was testament to that) but as I've said before, for all the cars that Colin turned into balls of scrap, how many WRC titles did he win? Compare and contrast that with the likes of Loeb, Makinen and Sainz.
Didn't someone look at the data and find that Colin's crash rate was actually no higher than most other drivers?Agreed about Kubica though - if he doesn't sort his head out and start finishing rallies soon he may find himself without a car to drive. That said, the sponsors are still getting plenty of screen time from him!
As for Kubica - his talent and pace are not in question; however something isn't working. Is he listening to the pace-notes? That is usually the problem that racing drivers have - they still drive 'on sight'. He is still learning his craft - should he have stayed in a lower class car to fine tune his driving?
While it's great to see him in the ERC/ WRC - if this carries on, then somebody needs to advise him to go DTM/ GT racing.
I agree that Kubica could do with a better, more stronger co-driver. I also think a few national events could be good for him too.
What can you say about Ogier though, another class win and already can afford a dnf and still lead the championship.
Great to see Hirvonen on good form too. You could see from the onboards just how much more committed he seemed, especially over the blind crests.
What can you say about Ogier though, another class win and already can afford a dnf and still lead the championship.
Great to see Hirvonen on good form too. You could see from the onboards just how much more committed he seemed, especially over the blind crests.
SAGTAFF said:
Great to see Hirvonen and Ford back on the pace. If only he had some soft tyres left, could have put some pressure on Ogier but bodes well for future gravel rallies
....and that was the issue. Ogier was going at a pace where he knew he would have enough rubber to be quickest on Sat / Sun. Mikko was leading a) because Ogier was letting him and b) by using up his best tyres in the process. So on Saturday was it any surprise that SO won 5/6 stages and then had enough in hand to win the power stage on Sunday. Trophybloo said:
....and that was the issue. Ogier was going at a pace where he knew he would have enough rubber to be quickest on Sat / Sun. Mikko was leading a) because Ogier was letting him and b) by using up his best tyres in the process. So on Saturday was it any surprise that SO won 5/6 stages and then had enough in hand to win the power stage on Sunday.
Indeed but there are future rallies which are not so harsh on tyres so hopefully Hirvonen can fight for the winWe all knew Ogier was going to take the lead, was just a matter of when and how much by. He is too good! It was just good to see Hirvonen putting in a long ocer due top drive 
I see all is STILL not well with the teams and promotors!
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/113364
Not surprised in a way as we have barely heard from them, and all they seem to have done is got live coverage on a pay channel, and fail in their changes to the website.
I see all is STILL not well with the teams and promotors!
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/113364
Not surprised in a way as we have barely heard from them, and all they seem to have done is got live coverage on a pay channel, and fail in their changes to the website.
Just needs someone with authority who will slow him down when he gets too wild, or remind him of where he has previously had a moment...if he gets to the second running of a stage!
GravelBen said:
Not shy is he? Looks like he is settling into the car well!Allyc85 said:
Not shy is he? Looks like he is settling into the car well!
Certainly not one to be scared of a car! He will be enjoying the chance to actually do some testing - when he drove the WRC Fiesta last time he only had one short tarmac test beforehand, and the first time he drove it at all on gravel was on the second day of the rally 
He's back down my way in a couple of weeks time for a classic rally - should be a good battle with him and Didier Auriol in Mk2 Escorts, Neal Bates in a very quick Celica and a bunch of other fast Aussies and locals. Time to dust off the camera...
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