2023 rallying thread (WRC, ERC, national and historics)

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

thepawbroon said:

The planned first South Yorkshire Stages Rally has been called off, due to (presumably residents') objections:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=...

donkey owners up in arms about noisey rally cars doing a close pass.

[ArnageWRC]

I always feel for organisers - they have to bend over backwards to meet all requirements; and sadly the NIMBYs can't be silenced......Some sports would carry on, but rallying can't afford to.

[df76]

Opening WRC Japan stages look properly challenging. Will be some huge gaps, and a few missing cars by the end of the day.

[Ranger 6]

It's the Wyedean tomorrow and R.A.C. next week - who's out on these?

[Beethree]

Ranger 6 said:

It's the Wyedean tomorrow and R.A.C. next week - who's out on these?

Taking my boy to watch tomorrow afternoon, good luck anyone out driving/navigating!

[thepawbroon]

df76 said:

Opening WRC Japan stages look properly challenging. Will be some huge gaps, and a few missing cars by the end of the day.

You were not wrong! Evans with nearly 2 mins gap, I'm amazed Rovenpera has lost so much time, he's normally good in the challenging conditions. I wonder if Toyota treated him to too many parties this week

[egomeister]

Katsutas pace was phenomenal, a real shame he went off which I don't hold against him too much as Sordo and Formaux also had issues in the same place. To come back from repairs and set fastest times all afternoon was impressive.

[thepawbroon]

egomeister said:

Katsutas pace was phenomenal, a real shame he went off which I don't hold against him too much as Sordo and Formaux also had issues in the same place. To come back from repairs and set fastest times all afternoon was impressive.

There's a realistic prospect of a Toyota 1-2-3-4 if Taka can keep up that pace over the next 2 days, he only need to be 1 sec/km quicker than Mikkelsen et al - he's previously been more than 2 sec/km quicker.

I bet the Toyota corp would love that!

[Beethree]

3 drivers crashing on the same corner, pretty unbelievable!

[egomeister]

thepawbroon said:

There's a realistic prospect of a Toyota 1-2-3-4 if Taka can keep up that pace over the next 2 days, he only need to be 1 sec/km quicker than Mikkelsen et al - he's previously been more than 2 sec/km quicker.

I bet the Toyota corp would love that!

Yeah I think Tanak could be the tricky one if his car is running properly. Even though Lappi is a minute up the road it seems like he has no pace at all this weekend.

A home 1-2-3-4 would go down very well!

[ArnageWRC]

So, a 1-2-3 for Toyota, with Elfyn leading home Seb & Kalle.....


And now the bombshell news ( but was rumoured) Kalle doing a part-time season, along with Seb, and EP......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thv9vTydm_8


What will it take for the Promoter to 'wake up' and take action....??

[Beethree]

ArnageWRC said:

So, a 1-2-3 for Toyota, with Elfyn leading home Seb & Kalle.....


And now the bombshell news ( but was rumoured) Kalle doing a part-time season, along with Seb, and EP......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thv9vTydm_8


What will it take for the Promoter to 'wake up' and take action....??

I think that’s actually a good thing for the championship battle, definitely makes it wide open for Neuville, Tanak or Evans and should be a competitive title fight.

[greeny12]

Beethree said:

I think that’s actually a good thing for the championship battle, definitely makes it wide open for Neuville, Tanak or Evans and should be a competitive title fight.

Certainly feels like a pretty sensational opportunity for one of those, especially Elfyn in what's sure to be the strongest package...

[Captain Obvious]

ArnageWRC said:

What will it take for the Promoter to 'wake up' and take action....??

They're incapable because they don't see a problem. IMO the whole management team who oversee the championship need to go.

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

Captain Obvious said:

They're incapable because they don't see a problem. IMO the whole management team who oversee the championship need to go.

I think they are fully aware that there are problems, they just don't have the money, nor can get the investment to fix them.

[flatlandsman]

In very basic terms they care less than they might if sat Oli Solberg was winning rallies and championships. why? Because Solberg is a Monster athlete most of the front-runners in WRC are red Bull, and the series is promoted by a company that is a subsidiary of red Bull.

Loeb, Citroen, VW, Ogier, Kalle Neuville, Evans, pretty much anyone doing the winning other than perhaps Tanak is a Red Bull man, for very many years, so you are publicising your own product winning just by showing the events!

Hence they see little reason to try anything much more than showing events.

[fttm]

On a brighter note , Killarney Historic this weekend ,great entry as usual .

[ArnageWRC]

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/fia-creates-wor...

Ah, another working party to try to solve the sport. And the same DR whose TV inspired changes decimated events over 20 years ago.......What could go wrong?

[epom]

Another season for Sordo, jez he's had some innnings.