The 2016 Rallying thread (WRC, ERC, RX, etc)
Discussion
It's fine coming out with positive news about the supposed health of the WRC- but if the action on the stages and results don't change - and we have yet more VW walkovers, etc People just won't be interested. There's plenty of other series out there people are far more interested in.
Personally, too many in the WRC have their heads in the sand. The sport needed revolution - not evolution.
Personally, too many in the WRC have their heads in the sand. The sport needed revolution - not evolution.
Agreed with the above! Rallying needs to try and get back in while F1 self destructs...doubt it will make the most of it though!
Bit of Saturday evening entertainment..
Frank Kelly - Fast, Sideways and Mental 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYw1UzIoHHw&in...
Bit of Saturday evening entertainment..
Frank Kelly - Fast, Sideways and Mental 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYw1UzIoHHw&in...
I think it's too late for the WRC to try and make ground whilst F1 self destructs. The WEC seems to be the flavour of the month - and seems to be doing most things right.
I'd recommend people listen to the latest AbsoluteRally podcast; another excellent interview with Mark James - about the new for 2017 WRCars, and event formats following the Mexico 'endurance' stages....
I'd recommend people listen to the latest AbsoluteRally podcast; another excellent interview with Mark James - about the new for 2017 WRCars, and event formats following the Mexico 'endurance' stages....
We're currently considering a trip to the World Rallycross at Catalunya in September as it coincides with my birthday. Seems like a nice excuse for a long weekend in Barcelona. Did anybody go last year? Was the track any good? I've only been to Croft and Lydden to watch rallycross previously so I'm no expect. I did call in at Hockenheim last year as its World Rallycross track was being constructed and the view in the stadium looked fantastic.
NZ Championship kicks off with my local round this weekend, looking forward to it.
A few new AP4 class cars out for their first competitive run, including Hayden Paddon in a locally built Hyundai wearing spare panels from the 2015 WRC car.
Markko Martin should be entertaining in a BDA Escort too, good to see him competing again.
A few new AP4 class cars out for their first competitive run, including Hayden Paddon in a locally built Hyundai wearing spare panels from the 2015 WRC car.
Markko Martin should be entertaining in a BDA Escort too, good to see him competing again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUYQDK6fm3U
The Circuit of Ireland is being streamed live. They're about to televise a section of the last stage (?) now. Breen's around 10 seconds ahead of the man in second with 14 km to go!
The Circuit of Ireland is being streamed live. They're about to televise a section of the last stage (?) now. Breen's around 10 seconds ahead of the man in second with 14 km to go!
GravelBen said:
NZ Championship kicks off with my local round this weekend, looking forward to it.
A few new AP4 class cars out for their first competitive run, including Hayden Paddon in a locally built Hyundai wearing spare panels from the 2015 WRC car.
Markko Martin should be entertaining in a BDA Escort too, good to see him competing again.
Well Paddon dominated even more than expected, setting new records for every single stage! The new car obviously has some pace too.A few new AP4 class cars out for their first competitive run, including Hayden Paddon in a locally built Hyundai wearing spare panels from the 2015 WRC car.
Markko Martin should be entertaining in a BDA Escort too, good to see him competing again.
Good in-car vid here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PScjE2GuZbw&fe...
confucuis said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUYQDK6fm3U
The Circuit of Ireland is being streamed live. They're about to televise a section of the last stage (?) now. Breen's around 10 seconds ahead of the man in second with 14 km to go!
I thought the coverage was extremely good - the question is why can't other rounds do similar? That is how all events need covering. The Circuit of Ireland is being streamed live. They're about to televise a section of the last stage (?) now. Breen's around 10 seconds ahead of the man in second with 14 km to go!
A shame there is so little interest on many forums/ websites in modern day rallying.
GravelBen said:
Well Paddon dominated even more than expected, setting new records for every single stage! The new car obviously has some pace too.
Good in-car vid here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PScjE2GuZbw&fe...
Did you get over to see it Ben? Been meaning to the last couple of years now and never made it. Promise myself next year I'll make it.Good in-car vid here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PScjE2GuZbw&fe...
Just uploaded an album of my photos from Otago here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskxKuuiW
DSC_5146 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_5617 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_6653 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_6688 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_6892 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_6928 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_7258 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_7191 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_6877 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_6898 by Ben, on Flickr
DSC_5146 by Ben, on FlickrDSC_5617 by Ben, on FlickrDSC_6653 by Ben, on FlickrDSC_6688 by Ben, on FlickrDSC_6892 by Ben, on FlickrDSC_6928 by Ben, on FlickrDSC_7258 by Ben, on FlickrDSC_7191 by Ben, on FlickrDSC_6877 by Ben, on FlickrDSC_6898 by Ben, on FlickrGravelBen said:
Is that a Mazda 2?...looks lovely. Are these cars (AP4) the equivalent to R5? It would be great if somehow Mazda could be persuaded back into the WRC.In the BRC National's the Mitsubishi Mirage seems to be similar...really lovely car but a little under the main radar.
Great pics
sanf said:
Is that a Mazda 2?...looks lovely. Are these cars (AP4) the equivalent to R5? It would be great if somehow Mazda could be persuaded back into the WRC.
In the BRC National's the Mitsubishi Mirage seems to be similar...really lovely car but a little under the main radar.
Great pics
Cheers - Yep, its an AP4 class Mazda2 (well AP4+ really, they aren't following AP4 engine rules yet). The Hyundai and Skoda in the photos are also AP4 chassis wearing WRC and R5 bodywork.In the BRC National's the Mitsubishi Mirage seems to be similar...really lovely car but a little under the main radar.
Great pics
The AP4 class is intended to give similar performance and characteristics to R5 but much lower purchase and running costs with local suppliers, seems to be working well so far. The Suzuki Swift in the gallery is based on an Argentinian Maxi car and the Mitsi Mirage is a proto car from Europe, the rules have been left open enough for cars like those (and Group N, R4 etc) to compete in NZRC as well.
Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 19th April 07:08
Allyc85 said:
Superb shots! 
I saw something about the Australian WRC round losing it's title sponsor this morning. Maybe New Zealand will get it's round back!
Thanks - I hope so! I've heard a lot of comments from competitors/media/spectators that the Australian WRC event has far less spectators than an NZRC round, and we have much better roads too. Funny enough a good number of the classic entries here are Australians...I saw something about the Australian WRC round losing it's title sponsor this morning. Maybe New Zealand will get it's round back!
On that theme... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyR7VrYCgQY
Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 19th April 11:26
Allyc85 said:
It looks great, how did you get on?
It went very well. It was my fathers first competitive event in 25 years, and the car/him had done no testing for it whatsoever 
So considering that we were never going to be setting fastest times or anything. We went to have the craic and thats what we did. I was just delighted to see the car he and I built from the ground up driven in anger after 4 years of building (I think it's been more on 10 lol). Onwards and upwards from now on anyway. Next thing is for me to get driving it!!Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff