The 2014 WRC Thread

[Alex Langheck]

Slippydiff said:

Just seen Ogier's second day accident
When interviewed Ogier said he had "a lot on his mind at the moment" and "maybe I'm lacking some concentration". Does anyone know what's going on in Sebs life currently ?
Good to see Meeke really enjoying his driving

Ogier was married recently - and going by some of his tweets recently, he's properly 'loved up'......

[Slippydiff]

Yep, saw him getting it wrong on the first corner if the first stage.
He seemed to be trying too hard, almost like he had something to prove.
So, he's just got married. Needs to get his head together smartish or JML will have his crown .......

[Emeye]

SAGTAFF said:

You must be a happy chappy tonight as you have been proven wrong - never in a million years would Matt Wilson win a power stage even if some of the top guys were missing. What a fantastic result for Evans coming in ahead of Ostberg and Hirvonen and looks like he had the pace over Mikkelsson.

Gutted for Meeke - it was on a plate for him today. I think he has proven himeself though. If only Ford would back M-Sport again and they could pair Meeke and Evans together in Fiestas next year. Dream on I guess!

Wilson did win 3 WRC stages.

[epom]

Alex Langheck said:

Slippydiff said:

Just seen Ogier's second day accident
When interviewed Ogier said he had "a lot on his mind at the moment" and "maybe I'm lacking some concentration". Does anyone know what's going on in Sebs life currently ?
Good to see Meeke really enjoying his driving

Ogier was married recently - and going by some of his tweets recently, he's properly 'loved up'......

Women.... the root of all evil....

[Alex Langheck]

Excellent post sanf!! Couldn't agree more.
Trying to have a generic WRC event doesn't work. I still have an issue with the 'cloverleaf' format; on both Friday and Saturday there was a huge gap in the middle of the day with nothing happening; followed by stages in quick succession and they were finished by 17-18:00.... You could fit a few more stages in.

[GravelBen]

I dare say a lot of the road condition issues on some events would be avoided by only having one run through each stage as well.

[Allyc85]

Highlights (Crashes Latvala, Meeke, Ogier) - 2014 WRC Rallye Deutschland - Best-of-RallyLive.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyt5cI5MZ3M&fe...

WRC ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2014 [HD] by JM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdqc99KfR0g&li...

Marshalls getting far too heavy handed here. Lucky not to get a smack IMO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1-9csVeoLc&in...

Edited by Allyc85 on Monday 25th August 12:11

[epom]

Fantastic result for Hyundai btw, regardless. Will at least keep they momentum up and keep them in the game a little longer

[Allyc85]

Yea a brilliant achievment, given the state of Thierry's car after shakedown, and their brave choice to do all their testing in public this season. I am looking forward to seeing what the new I20 WRC can do in 2015.

Rallye Deutschland Day Three - Hyundai Shell WRT 2014

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

ITV4 highlights are on at 6.25pm tomorrow, due to the football.

[Alex Langheck]

Well, seeing as Hyundai have won a WRC event, who is going to rush down to their local dealers to buy an i20??? After all, that's why they're in the WRC.

No, me neither. ;-)

[sanf]

Alex Langheck said:

Well, seeing as Hyundai have won a WRC event, who is going to rush down to their local dealers to buy an i20??? After all, that's why they're in the WRC.

No, me neither. ;-)

Well with the new gen i20 about to be launched - There will be an R spec car which is there performance brand. May well be 4x4 model with 250+bhp. If so may well be the Impreza of the 20 teens. So yes could end up buying up when the new car comes out - which has always been in Hyundai's plan.

[GravelBen]

sanf said:

Well with the new gen i20 about to be launched - There will be an R spec car which is there performance brand. May well be 4x4 model with 250+bhp. If so may well be the Impreza of the 20 teens. So yes could end up buying up when the new car comes out - which has always been in Hyundai's plan.

They've been talking about WRC-inspired performance versions built with fun in mind for a while, it will be interesting to see what they come out with.

[SAGTAFF]

Alex Langheck said:

Well, seeing as Hyundai have won a WRC event, who is going to rush down to their local dealers to buy an i20??? After all, that's why they're in the WRC.

No, me neither. ;-)

I'm not sure marketing is that direct. Sub-consciously you and the rest of the world will be more aware and have more respect for Hyundai now. Its all about creating an image and reputation. You never know, in 5 or 6 years time you may well be driving a Hyundai!

[Cyder]

creationracing said:

I'm raging watching that video of the "marshals" man-handling the spectators trying to get Nasser back on the road. Although they appear to be hired rock-festival security types as opposed to volunteer enthusiast marshals. Wouldn't have blamed any of the speccies for lamping them to be honest.

Amazing to watch wasn't it? I have no idea what they thought they were going to achieve by stopping the spectators helping!

The last WRC round I watched live was Ireland 2007 (wow that long ago?!) and saw loads of shunts. The marshals were positively encouraging us to man handle the cars out of the way.

[anonymous-user]

Watching the shakedown crash, isn't it about time that the FIA made modification to the proddy spec door structure illegal?
Time after time you see doors popping open when these cars crash, and whilst the cage and the carbon crash structure provide the majority of the intrusion protection, having the door there, with it's std door bars (cut out for WRC cars in the name of weight reduction!) could add a significant extra level of side impact protection?

[SAGTAFF]

Emeye said:

Wilson did win 3 WRC stages.

But Evans has a Power stage win to his name and already achieved as many 4th places in 10 outings as Wilson managed in 87!

[Emeye]

SAGTAFF said:

Emeye said:

Wilson did win 3 WRC stages.

But Evans has a Power stage win to his name and already achieved as many 4th places in 10 outings as Wilson managed in 87!

He may be better than Wilson, but will he be a world champion contender or a regular 4th placer when all the others crash out driving slightly closer to the edge type driver? Is he as good as Richard Burns was?

[Emeye]

Saw the ITV4 coverage earlier - I enjoyed it. Did anyone else get slightly moist when they showed that 911 rally car and then feel all let down when they didn't even bother showing it on a stage?!

That is exactly what WRC need - more interesting cars, not a load of kids/housewife/old people superminis that all look way too similar.

Do any of you guys on this thread drive a road version of any of the current crop of WRC cars? I've said this before but even a move just back up to the Focus/Gti segment would make things more interesting and relevant IMO.

So what cars could the other manufacturers race against a Porsche 911 in a WRC GT class to make things interesting? Audi TT or R8? Ford Mustang?! BMW Z4? BMW i8?! Fezza something or other? Lambo Gallardo? Alfa 4C? McLaren whatever? Nissan GTR? It could be more about power to weight ratio - with a bit more variety in the rallies different cars may go better on different events to help mix things up a bit.

I can but dream......

[SAGTAFF]

Emeye said:

He may be better than Wilson, but will he be a world champion contender or a regular 4th placer when all the others crash out driving slightly closer to the edge type driver? Is he as good as Richard Burns was?

Too early to judge. He has been consistent this year and going through a learning process - I guess we will only find out when he is let off the leash next year. Personally I think in 2 or 3 years time, given the machinery then he will be scrapping it with the best or atleast battling for second behind Ogier.

[jonnywishbone]

It is time WRC looked into the reliance on pace notes, There were some silly accidents in Germany that dont do the sport any good. Drivers are not driving to the conditions they are driving to the notes . For all the FIA action for road safety is , they shouldnt be using WRC at the moment to promote that . Either that or remove points from the championship for drivers so they think a bit more . Anyone remember when the challenge of Rally GB was the fact pace notes were not allowed ? Drivers need to show ultimate driving skills and crashing isnt a skill ! Ive been involved in WRC and I dont want to see crashing cars