The 2014 WRC Thread

[Alex Langheck]

Toyota seem to be testing a few different cars. Maybe they are just evaluating all possibilities. A Yaris WRC/ R5 , a GT-86 CS-R3 and a GT-86 WRC….
Depending on the future 2017 car regs and/or customer programmes for all cars?

I’d hope a 4WD GT-86 was the future Toyota WRCar….

The Manufacturers are in it to sell more cars; in this case Polo, Fiesta, DS3, i20…….
Wow, I must rush down to the forecourt to buy one…… Okay, maybe not….FWD hatches aren’t really doing it for me.
However, the GT-86 has got what those cars haven’t. And harks back to the Celica GT-4/ Turbo 4WD, etc …

[SAGTAFF]

I would say that Meeke seems to be doing a good job so far this weekend but don't want to just in case I tempt fate

[Allyc85]

Yup, I do like the current cars, but they don't inspire the casual fan. Any links to pics of The Gt86 WRC?

Great to see Meek keeping the VWs in check at Rally Finland! JML still leads!

[RyanTank]

this pic is doing the twitter rounds


a few more in this link
https://twitter.com/RallyingUK/status/495164902102...

[Allyc85]

Cheers! Yea that spoiler is a touch tacky isn't it?

I swear WRC.com's splits are getting slower to come through!

[Allyc85]

Onboard with Latvala on SS3. Just silly fast!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN2TN6Pc6tU

And the GT865 off the line..

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1015266419266...

Edited by Allyc85 on Friday 1st August 15:10

[Allyc85]

Meeke passes Ogier, who is bhing about road position into 2nd place!

After SS11
Latvala
Meeke +18.3
Ogier +20.1
Mikkels +1:01.6
Mikko +1:03.9
Ostberg +1:03.9
Paddon +2:02.7
Evans +2:29.4
Hanninen +2:44.7

Edited by Allyc85 on Friday 1st August 21:17

[Emeye]

RyanTank said:

this pic is doing the twitter rounds


a few more in this link
https://twitter.com/RallyingUK/status/495164902102...

That really does bring back memories of one of my fave ever none Group B WRC cars, the Celica. I almost bought the road going version, but at the time my age made the insurance silly.

[moribund]

GT86 looks and sounds great, just sad that's it's Toyota doing this, not Subaru with the BRZ

[confucuis]

I don't think its even funny anymore!
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/august/kubica-resta...

[GravelBen]

Allyc85 said:

...Ogier, who is bhing about road position...

Funny how he didn't complain about the same road position in Poland when he had nice smooth roads and the cars behind were battling through ruts a foot deep!

[Allyc85]

Exactly! I see he is now back inftont of Meeke, while JML has carried on from yesterday!

confucuis said:

I don't think its even funny anymore!
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/august/kubica-resta...

Agreed im pretty bored of it, he needs to spend a few years at a lower level!

Edited by Allyc85 on Saturday 2nd August 15:30

[Slippydiff]

confucuis said:

I don't think its even funny anymore!
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/august/kubica-resta...

Agreed, now officially beyond a joke. He's been rallying long enough to know that pace notes are key and that interpreting what the car does at low speed during the recce compared to when driving at competition speeds, is again key.
Easy to say from the comfort of my keyboard, but RK really needs to start looking at his modus operandi as what he's doing currently clearly isn't working for him, his team or indeed the WRC in general.

Edited by Slippydiff on Saturday 2nd August 14:05

[RyanTank]

RK has done what Kimmi did. jumped straight in at the top end after a few stints in S2000 cars.

Any drivers who have driven both classes will tell you how different the cars are to handle and master!

Craig Breen is a prime example from this weekend. He won the SWRC in a Fiesta S2000 and has been on development IRC/ERC duties for Peugeot the last 2 years. And every event he's had the chance to drive a WRC car all he says is that he's constantly learning the car and adapting what he's use to in the S2000's to the WRC.

I think Malcolm Wilson made the right call in getting him to set up RKRacing instead of putting him in one of M-Sports 'factory' cars. Had he done this he'd have had to bin him and his sponsorship cash by now.

[Allyc85]

Agreed with the above!!

JML has had brake issues after hitting a rock, Ogier has closed to 12.8 off the lead! Game on!

[Allyc85]

Latvala survives the pressure and hangs on for the win from Ogier.

Most importantly a great podium for Meeke, who has 3 events to prove himself for 2015.

[GravelBen]

Good run from Paddon too, holding 6th until his power steering failed this morning. Hyundai team boss seems quite happy with his progress.

[Trophybloo]

Importantly, Meeke had the speed this time and was beaten into 3rd by the best 2 driver / car combos. Think he'd have been up there if he had Mikkelsen's Polo.

[Mini1275]

Great to see Meeke on the podium again.

[Alex Langheck]

This weekend has proved there's nothing too much wrong with the WRC - RedBull just need to actually promote the sport. Gimmicks aren't needed, or shoot outs. This event ran from Thursday to Sunday lunchtime - in fact with only 25miles today, they could have finished it yesterday. If they must run in a Sunday, have some proper mileage.

Finally, well done to JML on a well deserved win; fast and consistent all weekend. Whether he can repeat this for the rest of the season is another matter; there are too many events were he says he hasn't got 'the feeling'. You have to be on it every event.
Ogier takes 2nd and another PS win; he looks nailed on to claim the WRC Title.

A fantastic 3rd for Kris, another podium and sets him up for the rest of the season - with events he knows.