Monday 21st November 2016

Hyundai WRC mechanic's tale: PH Ad Break

As Neuville bags WRC runner-up spot Hyundai ad celebrates unsung spannering heroes in amusing style

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Who says the Germans have no sense of humour? Not Hyundai Deutschland, whose very funny take on the life of a WRC mechanic transcends the brand (and indeed sport) and will raise a smile from any car nut. Or, fair to say, anyone who lives with one. A worthy inclusion to our occasional PH Ad Break series, suffice it to say.

And it comes off the back of a successful weekend for Hyundai in the closing round of the 2016 WRC in Australia. OK, so VW locked out a 1-2 in a valedictory farewell to the championship with Mikkelsen/Jager taking the win over champions Ogier/Ingrassia. But the third place of Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul was sufficient for them to take the runner-up spot for the season, complementing Hyundai's second place in the manufacturer title race. Obviously it would have been nice to have beaten the VWs but Hyundai is clearly delighted enough to have pushed them hard to the finish, Hayden Paddon and John Kennard taking fourth after a fightback following a damaged rear tyre earlier in the event.

Anyone thinking modern WRC drivers aren't as exciting to watch as their predecessors needs to keep an eye on Paddon too - his onboard in his Mk2 Escort made for a spectacular Time For Tea and he's not shy of getting his Hyundai sideways when required either, as you'll see from the following clip from last year's San Marino round. That's sideways as in the literal definition of the word...

Watch the video here

 

[V8 FOU]

Really loved that!
Would apply to me I think....

[thurleigh5]

I've been fascinated by the mechanicals for the past few decades. We don't get anywhere enough. They actually make the cars perform miraculous feats, but are confined to the background.
I'd watch the pit crews and the fettling of vehicles' hours. WRC stage action is pretty uninvolving the way they show on TV these days. There's not much swashbuckling or charisma like the good old days of Subaru or live RAC special stages with speed traps, and men of passion like Murray Walker, Tony Mason or even Barry Gill.