WRC - Monte Carlo
Discussion
So
WRC 2008 kicks off today.
Question is, is anyone bothered?
The winner is already a forgone conclusion i think, as is the championship.
Quite interested to see how the new Suzuki WRC car goes, although i expect it to be well off the pace of the leaders and ultimatly a boring car to watch.
Subaru are staring the season with the 2007 heap, and to make it worse they havent even done any development on it, they may aswell all go home
although i looking forward to seeing what the new impreza can do when it arrives.
What a dull spectical it has become.
WRC 2008 kicks off today.
Question is, is anyone bothered?
The winner is already a forgone conclusion i think, as is the championship.
Quite interested to see how the new Suzuki WRC car goes, although i expect it to be well off the pace of the leaders and ultimatly a boring car to watch.
Subaru are staring the season with the 2007 heap, and to make it worse they havent even done any development on it, they may aswell all go home
although i looking forward to seeing what the new impreza can do when it arrives.
What a dull spectical it has become.
Wow the season's just started and you've rubbished it already. Your crystal ball must be better than mine as I don't think it's a forgone conclusion at all. Ford have two very exciting and capable young drivers in reliable cars to challenge the humourless French bore.
I do believe that the C4 is the better car but Loeb did stack it a few times last year.
The Suzuki SX4 was actually very impressive to watch on WRGB which I might add both Hirvonen and Latvala pretty much made their own from day one. It's still early days for top results but PG Andersson and Gardemeister should be an interesting watch.
As for MK2 Escorts, great rally cars they may be but after the first ten on any historic rally event I'm bored to tears. 6R4s, Chevettes, Fiat 131 Abarths and the like much more interesting but very expensive to maintain. You can virtually buy escort bits in Tescos.
I do believe that the C4 is the better car but Loeb did stack it a few times last year.
The Suzuki SX4 was actually very impressive to watch on WRGB which I might add both Hirvonen and Latvala pretty much made their own from day one. It's still early days for top results but PG Andersson and Gardemeister should be an interesting watch.
As for MK2 Escorts, great rally cars they may be but after the first ten on any historic rally event I'm bored to tears. 6R4s, Chevettes, Fiat 131 Abarths and the like much more interesting but very expensive to maintain. You can virtually buy escort bits in Tescos.
I will admit I'm bored of Loeb winning virtually every single sealed-surface rally, but the Ford boys should give him a hard time on gravel. It would be nice to see him out of his comfort zone, pusing like hell to match a stage time from the young Finns with nothing to lose. THAT would get me interested in the WRC again, with the cars looking on the ragged edge of control. We only saw that a couple of times last year with Gronholm, and to be frank it's far more interesting than the normal straight-lines-and-no-oversteer that modern WRC demands from drivers.
Damn, I miss McRae.
Damn, I miss McRae.
pixelpimp said:
Wow the season's just started and you've rubbished it already. Your crystal ball must be better than mine as I don't think it's a forgone conclusion at all. Ford have two very exciting and capable young drivers in reliable cars to challenge the humourless French bore.
I do believe that the C4 is the better car but Loeb did stack it a few times last year.
The Suzuki SX4 was actually very impressive to watch on WRGB which I might add both Hirvonen and Latvala pretty much made their own from day one. It's still early days for top results but PG Andersson and Gardemeister should be an interesting watch.
As for MK2 Escorts, great rally cars they may be but after the first ten on any historic rally event I'm bored to tears. 6R4s, Chevettes, Fiat 131 Abarths and the like much more interesting but very expensive to maintain. You can virtually buy escort bits in Tescos.
But WRC cars aren't specaular at all, it's just like watching touring cars even on gravel they barely slide anymore due to the way they have to be driven for maximum speed. They also sound crap, just like they're on tickover as the power band is so low on them now.I do believe that the C4 is the better car but Loeb did stack it a few times last year.
The Suzuki SX4 was actually very impressive to watch on WRGB which I might add both Hirvonen and Latvala pretty much made their own from day one. It's still early days for top results but PG Andersson and Gardemeister should be an interesting watch.
As for MK2 Escorts, great rally cars they may be but after the first ten on any historic rally event I'm bored to tears. 6R4s, Chevettes, Fiat 131 Abarths and the like much more interesting but very expensive to maintain. You can virtually buy escort bits in Tescos.
I also seriously dislike the format. The Irish call Wales Rally GB the RAC still. Rally Around Cardiff.
That just about sums up the crap sprint nature of the championship. And don't even get me started on superally.
Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed it when I went to see it last year, stunningly fast in narrow country lanes but when you know that only one or two cars have a chance of winning (probably only one this season) it's a bit rubbish.
National rallying is a damned site cheaper too!
I have to say I've almost forgotten about the WRC in the last few years, can't remember the last time I tuned in to watch a rally. Why? Well...
1. Television coverage is a shadow of its former self. Even the BBC coverage seemed to me to be higher quality, even if it was delayed by a week (not that you get to watch during the event on terrestial channels anyway). Plus at least they used to do a special for the RAC.
2. The Rallies are massively watered-down (ironically for TV - see above), often consist of less than 10 stages repeated to up the number of miles and barely venture far from the agreed base. I almost fell off my seat when I heard that last year's Rally GB would run stages in darkness...then heard of drivers whinging about it being a 'bit tricky'...
3. Where have all the manufacturers gone if all these changes are to make it easier to compete?
4. And where have all the drivers gone? Just 10 years ago we had Makinen, McRae, Burns, Sainz, Kankkunen, Auriol etc. Sure Makinen took 4 in a row but it wasn't a foregone conclusion by any means. I don't expect any of the above to be competing (and tragically, two of them can't) but where's the succession?
I may just tune in to watch the Monte. At least the Col du Turini's back. But if it's another Loeb/C4 whitewash then I can't see myself getting excited about the other rounds.
1. Television coverage is a shadow of its former self. Even the BBC coverage seemed to me to be higher quality, even if it was delayed by a week (not that you get to watch during the event on terrestial channels anyway). Plus at least they used to do a special for the RAC.
2. The Rallies are massively watered-down (ironically for TV - see above), often consist of less than 10 stages repeated to up the number of miles and barely venture far from the agreed base. I almost fell off my seat when I heard that last year's Rally GB would run stages in darkness...then heard of drivers whinging about it being a 'bit tricky'...
3. Where have all the manufacturers gone if all these changes are to make it easier to compete?
4. And where have all the drivers gone? Just 10 years ago we had Makinen, McRae, Burns, Sainz, Kankkunen, Auriol etc. Sure Makinen took 4 in a row but it wasn't a foregone conclusion by any means. I don't expect any of the above to be competing (and tragically, two of them can't) but where's the succession?
I may just tune in to watch the Monte. At least the Col du Turini's back. But if it's another Loeb/C4 whitewash then I can't see myself getting excited about the other rounds.
i've said it before, but i'll say it again, take the 
ing restrictors off the turbos, give the cars 500hp...
let the rallies travel around the country a bit more, 3 days if you like, but why not cardiff to edinburgh.. day one wales to liverpool, day to liverpool to edinburgh via kielder and the cumbrian stages that i've forgotten the names of ( grizedale ), day 3 southern scotland to finish. seot.
as for tv, i'm going to be a bit controversial here but.... having recently re watched some old footage, i was amazed at how short the films on world of sport/ granstand were, 10-12 mins in the mid 80's to about 20 in the late 80's. (check out dug2511 on youtube) i do wonder whether extending the length of the programm dilutes the impact, dear dave... can we try a 20 min review, all action, no boocks... it just may be that sometimes less is more.
of course in my dream world, we'd have 5 marathon rallies a year of the old 1985 style - rac, 1000 lakes, ( combine sweden and norway into one long event) circuit of ireland ( can't do safari at mo) monte,
then i'd have a mix of 10 ralleis of 3,2 or 1 day format called endurance, sprint or supersprint events.
ing restrictors off the turbos, give the cars 500hp...let the rallies travel around the country a bit more, 3 days if you like, but why not cardiff to edinburgh.. day one wales to liverpool, day to liverpool to edinburgh via kielder and the cumbrian stages that i've forgotten the names of ( grizedale ), day 3 southern scotland to finish. seot.
as for tv, i'm going to be a bit controversial here but.... having recently re watched some old footage, i was amazed at how short the films on world of sport/ granstand were, 10-12 mins in the mid 80's to about 20 in the late 80's. (check out dug2511 on youtube) i do wonder whether extending the length of the programm dilutes the impact, dear dave... can we try a 20 min review, all action, no bo
ocks... it just may be that sometimes less is more.of course in my dream world, we'd have 5 marathon rallies a year of the old 1985 style - rac, 1000 lakes, ( combine sweden and norway into one long event) circuit of ireland ( can't do safari at mo) monte,
then i'd have a mix of 10 ralleis of 3,2 or 1 day format called endurance, sprint or supersprint events.
Edited by stockhatcher on Friday 25th January 12:46
i think the problem is because you can't buy a rally car these days, not for normal money. back in the day the cars you saw going sideways around the forest you could buy from your local dealers and with a few days work it would be rally ready. now you can't, although a brief period in the 1990's where the cars where homoligated (evo, delta integrale, imprezza, cosworth, GT-4, pulsar GTI) you can't buy a WRC for the road, they are sillohette racers now and thats where the appeal is lost, because i can't dream of owning that car i ahve no interest in it.
then there is also the shorter stages that are sprints, bring back 3 day tours of the country that actually test the endurance of the team and the car. including the service crews having to move about daily.
personally bring back the homoligation rules similar to Group A of the 90s.
then there is also the shorter stages that are sprints, bring back 3 day tours of the country that actually test the endurance of the team and the car. including the service crews having to move about daily.
personally bring back the homoligation rules similar to Group A of the 90s.
pixelpimp said:
Wow the season's just started and you've rubbished it already. Your crystal ball must be better than mine as I don't think it's a forgone conclusion at all.
Crystal ball is not doing too badlyTaken from autosport:
Leading positions after SS5:
Pos Driver Car Time
1. Loeb Citroen 1h00:18.8
2. Sordo Citroen + 23.5
3. Hirvonen Ford + 1:04.7
4. Atkinson Subaru + 2:02.2
5. Duval Ford + 2:08.7
6. P Solberg Subaru + 2:18.9
7. Galli Ford + 2:50.7
8. Cuoq Peugeot + 3:42.9
9. Romeyer Peugeot + 5:36.8
10. Al Qassimi Ford + 5:39.5
Full marks to Sordo though, hes really pushing loeb.
In the end you're either a rally fan or you're not.
Club rallying is more varied for the sound of the cars, yes but have you seen the coverage on Men and Motors? David Bloody Winstanley blathering on in between bad camera work and even poorer sound quality!
I bumped into Penny Mallory last week I'd like to see her presenting a rally program or two.
Club rallying is more varied for the sound of the cars, yes but have you seen the coverage on Men and Motors? David Bloody Winstanley blathering on in between bad camera work and even poorer sound quality!
I bumped into Penny Mallory last week I'd like to see her presenting a rally program or two.
As long as this man's in the rally, what more entertainment do you need?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjeaimPXxWE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjeaimPXxWE
team underdog said:
As long as this man's in the rally, what more entertainment do you need?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjeaimPXxWE
Very good, reminds me of a video I saw ages ago of Ari Vatanen on the Manx - sideways about 50 yards before a 90.http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjeaimPXxWE
Can't find it on Youtube but this is very good.
Ari and Terry Harriman (sp) Manx 1983.
Needs the sound on!
skeggysteve said:
team underdog said:
As long as this man's in the rally, what more entertainment do you need?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjeaimPXxWE
Very good, reminds me of a video I saw ages ago of Ari Vatanen on the Manx - sideways about 50 yards before a 90.http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjeaimPXxWE
Can't find it on Youtube but this is very good.
Ari and Terry Harriman (sp) Manx 1983.
Needs the sound on!
team underdog said:
skeggysteve said:
team underdog said:
As long as this man's in the rally, what more entertainment do you need?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjeaimPXxWE
Very good, reminds me of a video I saw ages ago of Ari Vatanen on the Manx - sideways about 50 yards before a 90.http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjeaimPXxWE
Can't find it on Youtube but this is very good.
Ari and Terry Harriman (sp) Manx 1983.
Needs the sound on!
Love the comments about the "Maybe". "Maybe" means to back off a little.
Edited by Jungles on Sunday 27th January 06:26
skeggysteve said:
team underdog said:
As long as this man's in the rally, what more entertainment do you need?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjeaimPXxWE
Very good, reminds me of a video I saw ages ago of Ari Vatanen on the Manx - sideways about 50 yards before a 90.http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjeaimPXxWE
Can't find it on Youtube but this is very good.
Ari and Terry Harriman (sp) Manx 1983.
Needs the sound on!
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