The 2017 Rallying thread

[RyanTank]

Slippydiff said:

To all those above that are fed up that the sport they used to know and love is now but a shadow of its former self, indulge yourself here :

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P09TLSVIOMw

Just don't start watching it at 12.30am on a Sunday night "'cause it looks like it might be good"...
I hope you enjoy it, I know I did. Halcyon days

Antti's stuff is amazing, the guy should be doing TV and movies the way he makes a youtube vid. I've been trying to watch this for almost a week now but when I do get time to watch it it's stupid o'clock in the morning and cant sacrifice 90 mins of sleep for it

[ArnageWRC]

The title of the film is quite revealing. Rally; The Great Adventure....

As the sport was a great adventure; for all who competed, followed, etc. What we have now is still good, despite the naysayers, but it's not an 'adventure'.

[Allyc85]

So the FIA wants national championships to use R2 cars, to provide a clear path up the rally ladder!! Are they nuts? Have they forgotten what R3 did to the BRC?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/130841...

[ArnageWRC]

The FiA aren't particularly concerned about the BRC; they're interested in making their series stronger, and easier to graduate to.

Personally, the BRC should follow the example of the BTCC and concentrate on running the best possible series - and forget about trying to be a stepping stone to the ERC/ WRC. How many BTCC drivers move onto the WTCC, DTM, etc not many as the BTCC is worth staying in. The BRC should aspire to be similar.
Making R2/R3 cars the top class virtually killed the BRC off - a repeat is not wanted.

[GravelBen]

National championships using R2 cars? What a stupid idea!

Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 20th July 02:19

[RyanTank]

Article said:

FIA rally director Jarmo Mahonen is concerned at rallying's inability to offer a clear route to the WRC comparable with the single-seater ladder from national Formula 4 series towards Formula 1.

The WRC has significantly less sponsorship to even consider being at the levels of F4 & F1.
the money men behind wrc drivers don't have pockets as deep as those in F1, as is evident at M-Sport over the last few seasons. Malcolm has been dropping drivers for others with the "potential to be great" which roughly translates as "his sponsorship backers are paying more than the current guys".

The next obstacle facing national events, especially in the UK is the costs of running an event, especially with the forestry commission charging whatever they feel to use often just 6miles of stages, these costs can only then be passed down through to the competitors as again title sponsors don't have enough to fund the whole lot anymore.
The MSN Circuit championship events cost half what forestry does, for instance round in the Motorsport News Circuit championship are between £240-£270.
The entry for the recent Nicky Grist stages was £540 for just Saturdays stages using NRW & MOD forest roads. £1100 for the BRC drivers to do the mandatory 2 days, and £350 for the Sunday stages using just MOD tramac roads.
Saturdays gravel roads was an 8 stage 45 mile event, Sunday was a 12 stage 74 mile tarmac event.

Using R5, R3, R2 or even S1600/Rally First cars are not going to make a difference unless costs come down for events. with 7 events in the calendar assuming the costs are similar as the NG Stages your talking close to 10 grand in just entry fees. god knows the cost to teams for sending the cars and everything over to Ypres either!

[confucuis]

Loeb is back in a WRC car, he's going testing the 2017 car. Could he return?

http://media.groupe-psa.com/en/s%C3%A9bastien-loeb...

[Allyc85]

Surely they need more help on the loose/rough stuff than the tarmac. The car was certainly quick in Corsica.

[daidark]

Loab must be a very brave man to test that ds3 death trap.

[lucido grigio]

daidark said:

Loab must be a very brave man to test that ds3 death trap.

It's the C3 ,DS3 is old car ,which doesn't try and crash on every other corner.

[confucuis]

Go on Breen!

He's in 4th 0.4 seconds off Ostberg in 3rd and 14 seconds of Latvala in 1st after 7 stages! Ogeir and Paddon both crashed out on the 2nd stage I think and Tanak has dropped a lot of time after breaking a wheel.

[Allyc85]

4 finns in the top 4, with Lappi leading JML. Thought the car looked good in testing, but not that good!

Neuville looks slow and can't get the car to work, not ideal timing for that with Ogier out for the day.

Solid jobs by Breen and Evans so far.

[GravelBen]

M-Sports attempts at media spin crack me up, according to them Ogier retired because of 'a suspension issue'.

No mention of that 'suspension issue' being ripping a wheel off by hitting a tree sideways at speed.

[GravelBen]

Just watched Paddons one too, bit unlucky - Tanak was wider on the same corner and got away with a puncture while Paddon had to stop a bit down the road with suspension damage.

Edited by GravelBen on Saturday 29th July 03:04

[ArnageWRC]

On the coverage from the Drome camera, Ogier had a heavy landing and it looks like a right rear damper exploded - as there was fluid left on the stage. So there was a 'suspension issue'. However, he was distracted by this and didn't hear his notes correctly, and went off. And made sure the suspension was properly broken....

[lucido grigio]

Is Ogier out or restarting on WRC2 ?
I always struggle with wrc website.

[Allyc85]

He is due to restart tomorrow, but I feel he shouldn't be allowed due to the lack of distance he has covered this weekend!

Edit: Turns out Ogier can't restart!

Gutted about Latvala, a great drive like that deserves better.

Great job by Breen and Evans, especially the latter who had no PET.

Awful event for Meeke with no confidence and a puncture this afternoon. Described his car as handling like a mk2 Escort earlier!

Edited by Allyc85 on Saturday 29th July 20:00

[GravelBen]

lucido grigio said:

Is Ogier out or restarting on WRC2 ?

Apparently they clocked in for WRC2 restart in case they could continue, but Ingrassia still has concussion from the crash so they withdrew again.

[Allyc85]

No Somerset Stages rally in 2018 Gutted as it's our only local rally, and I can imagine the yocals who hate the event will love it not running for a year and make a stronger case for it not to return.

http://somersetstagesrally.com/2017/07/31/3172017-...

[ArnageWRC]

Oh dear, not good. Yet another event pulling the plug....Just where will it end?? Where is the strong, proactive leadership from the governing body?