The 2014 WRC Thread

Author
Discussion

RyanTank

2,850 posts

153 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Allyc85 said:
Latvala testing for Rally GB, in his boring, modern WRC car...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFwKG-240JE
OMG, that's so boring I certainly didn't have a little bit of excitement wee coming out in anticipation of WRGB next week wink

These current gen WRCar are so boring, I mean I've done faster bigger drifts in my mrs fwd 1.6 Hyundai Coupe, than that amateur JML did at the 2:00 minute mark rolleyeswink




RE: Running order - I guess were only going to find out how much of an advantage/disadvantage the new rule is going to be by maybe Mexico & Argentina next year, Monte first which is primarily tarmac so no disadvantage to being first for 2 days, then Sweden in the snow which can be all over the place regardless of where you start on the road.

RyanTank

2,850 posts

153 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Mikko will retire after Wales Rally. http://www.mikkohirvonen.com/mikkothfb/

http://www.m-sport.co.uk/m-sport-news/fiesta-rs-wr...

I've no doubt had Mr Loeb not come onto the scene when he did. Mikko would have at least on Championship title under his name. and its a shame he never got one, despite coming close to it a few times.

I personally like Mikko and he use to have a great attitude to the championship, but feel the last few seasons the missed opportunities got to him and his confidence dipped.

So that's one driver definitely not in a Fiesta next year, wonder when M-Sport will announce the line up?

Alex Langheck

835 posts

128 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
I think he’s timed it right. The ‘fire’ seems to have gone out, a good 3rd place in Catalunya notwithstanding.
A very good career, plenty of wins; and 2nd places in the WRC behind Loeb is nothing to feel shame about. Never seemed the same after his BIG off in Finland.

Hope he enjoys his retirement – and gets out in his Escort MkII…and comes over for Mull.

I first remember him on the 2002 Cambrian, ahead of another Finn, called Latvala, what happened to him?

Jerry Can

4,424 posts

222 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
so Hirvonen finishes his wrc career at 34 years old, approx 1 year younger than Meeke starts his

hope he has a happy retirement, dakar, rally cross, and historic's beckon methinks

Allyc85

Original Poster:

7,225 posts

185 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Agreed that its the right time for Mikko to stop. There have been a couple glimpses of the old form this year, but its not really worked out for him. He seems like a decent guy, so can only wish him the best for the future.

Many people seem to be tipping Tanak to be his replacement, but im not sure he can still be relied on, and would be quite a risk with him and Elfyn making it quite a young team.

Pwig

11,956 posts

269 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Mikko is going to do Mull next year in his Escort which will be awesome!

RyanTank

2,850 posts

153 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
So this year not only do we have Perez in the almighty sounding Stratos, contesting Jimmy McRae in this V8 Firenza!! I think it's being powered by Thor this year!! thumbup

http://youtu.be/hqq7eqXYRu4

Will defo be setting up my GoPro for start line launch vids!! smile

Alex Langheck

835 posts

128 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Perez is also doing the RAC, 2 weeks after Rally GB. Let's hope it gets through both events.

GravelBen

15,656 posts

229 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
I just read that the longest stage of Rally GB this year is about 20km. How pathetic is that?

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
I have to say whilst I don't mind the cars (the group A/WRC era is when I was growing up, so will always have the most affection for that era) I have to say the actual rallies themselves are getting a little....tame? 10-12 mile stages, and based over 5 or 6 roads repeated ad infinitum

Pwig

11,956 posts

269 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
The good news is next year the FIA said they want longer stages and events with more character.

So exactly what everyone has asked for.

They just need to add an extra couple of days on for each rally and away we go!

Alex Langheck

835 posts

128 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
GravelBen said:
I just read that the longest stage of Rally GB this year is about 20km. How pathetic is that?
It’s probably more likely to be 20 miles; but it still wouldn’t be great. I think the total stage distance is about 212 miles – hardly endurance, is it? Yet, we’re told the event is on the way back. Rally of GB should be a tough, endurance event; that’s how it got its reputation.
Give the organisers more of a free reign….its not too much to ask?

GravelBen

15,656 posts

229 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
Alex Langheck said:
It’s probably more likely to be 20 miles; but it still wouldn’t be great.
Just checked the rally itinerary on wrc.com - the longest stage is 'Hafren Sweet Lamb' at 23.55km. Thats 14.6 miles.

Edited by GravelBen on Friday 7th November 11:12

sanf

673 posts

171 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
Alex Langheck said:
GravelBen said:
I just read that the longest stage of Rally GB this year is about 20km. How pathetic is that?
It’s probably more likely to be 20 miles; but it still wouldn’t be great. I think the total stage distance is about 212 miles – hardly endurance, is it? Yet, we’re told the event is on the way back. Rally of GB should be a tough, endurance event; that’s how it got its reputation.
Give the organisers more of a free reign….its not too much to ask?
Longest stage this year = 23.55km

Day 1 =
Stage 1+5 14.58km
Stage 2+6 21.90km
Stage 3+7 23.55km
Stage 4+8 12.86km

Day 1 Total 145.78km - BUT 1 - 15 minute remote service clap

Day 2=
Stage 9+14 8.25km
Stage 10+15 13.74km
Stage 11+16 13.87km
Stage 12+17 19.98km
Stage 13 2.06

Day 2 Total 113.74km - 1 30 minute service at main service park

Day 3=
Stage 18&23 10.81km
Stage 19&22 10.04km
Stage 20+21 2.21km

Day 3 Total 46.12km - No service

Going out for the 3 days and really looking forward to it. The WRC is slowly but surely returning to better health - and that is DESPITE the promoters and VW's efforts to ruin it shout

JT and FIA are slowly pushing it down a better more endurance route and this years lack of servicing on GB is quite interesting. The general 2 1/2 day format is still sticking - but longer stages being encouraged, hopefully remote over night halts as well - if we're really lucky. The cars are awesome at the moment - with the potential return of Toyota - lets hope Ford decide to enter properly as well.

Shame to see Mikko calling it a day - but he has lost some of his pazaz recently. Interesting to see who ends up in the second Ford - wonder if MW will go for a more experienced pair of hands along side Evans - possibly Ostberg, or after the rumors last weekend - Solberg. I do hope Kubica stays in - this season has been hard but he has the out and out speed - after 1 full season next year should be the one that he is judged more on.

deadmau5

3,197 posts

179 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
quotequote all
Does anyone have any recommendations for stages/viewing places for the Saturday? I went to Chirk last year (I was on top of the castle so had a great view) and want to do it properly this year. I think we're going to the iRobot Brenig stage on Sunday.

jj48

17 posts

183 months

Sunday 9th November 2014
quotequote all
Re driver replacing Hirvonen i've heard that it's to be Ott Tanak. I'll be out carrying out Marshall duties this week and am on the power stage on Sunday.
Regards
Richard

ArnageWRC

2,050 posts

158 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116690

Did anybody follow this event? The FiA ERC Tour de Corse....final round of the ERC, and a win for factory Toyota WEC driver Sarrazin, and a 5th place for Porsche ace Dumas in the 911 GT3.

GravelBen

15,656 posts

229 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
ArnageWRC said:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116690

Did anybody follow this event? The FiA ERC Tour de Corse....final round of the ERC, and a win for factory Toyota WEC driver Sarrazin, and a 5th place for Porsche ace Dumas in the 911 GT3.
I'd be more inclined to think of Sarrazin as 'former Subaru WRC tarmac specialist' than 'Toyota WEC driver'! winkhehe

Sounds like a good rally though smile

Edited by GravelBen on Monday 10th November 03:14

Allyc85

Original Poster:

7,225 posts

185 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Good to see that car safety is being looked at for the 2017 regs..

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116716

All sounds positive, and another reason for bigger cars is good to me smile

ArnageWRC

2,050 posts

158 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
http://www.quattroworld.com/wp-content/uploads/201...

I presume they mean something like this, as used in the DTM? Will be expensive, but can they afford NOT to improve the safety? It might explain the thinking behind the bigger segment D cars.