The 2018 Rallying thread..(WRC, ERC, etc)

The 2018 Rallying thread..(WRC, ERC, etc)

Author
Discussion

GravelBen

15,654 posts

229 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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Plenty of drama in the last few stages!

Allyc85

7,225 posts

185 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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Yeah just stumbled back from the pub, taking it all in!

Ogier champ again,a true class apart. He knows when to push and when not.

E34-3.2

1,003 posts

78 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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As soon as the big pressure build up experience talks. Only a mechanical problem would have stopped Ogier being champion. Shame for Tanak. Not surprising from Neuville to be honest.
6 times champion. Will he go to 9 to match Loeb?

GravelBen

15,654 posts

229 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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Maybe if Citroen pull out a big improvement for next years car (which I'm sure his setup knowledge makes more likely), otherwise if the cars relative performance stays similar I think Tanak is firm favourite. Consistency wins championships though, and if the 3 Toyota drivers split wins between them then it could open it up a bit.

Good to see a win for Latvala, he's had some tough luck this year. Well deserved podiums for Paddon and Ostberg too. Hyundai should probably be regretting giving Mikkelsen a full-time drive and dropping Paddon and Sordo to half time if you look at their respective performances this year.


Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 18th November 04:48

ArnageWRC

2,050 posts

158 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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I think questions need asking at Hyundai; two years in a row they've somehow crumbled when in a position to win. In fact, since winning Sardegna in June, Neuville has hardly looked like winning an event - the speed just hasn't been there. Add in the shambles of messing their drivers around, doing events here and there (particularly Paddon), and Mikkelsen being as useful as a chocolate teapot.

I never use the word deserve; the driver/ teams with the most points at the end, wins the Title. Simple. How they get those points is what matters; Ogier/ M-Sport have grabbed every opportunity possible, and made the most of it; Evans & Suninen have also helped when needed - a contrast to Hyundai, who have looked a bit amateur with their 'tactics'.

As for next year, the Tanak/Toyota combo looks the favourite; and they need to hit the ground running, and sort out the niggles that have cost him points.

GravelBen

15,654 posts

229 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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ArnageWRC said:
As for next year, the Tanak/Toyota combo looks the favourite; and they need to hit the ground running, and sort out the niggles that have cost him points.
Tanak himself probably needs to learn when to hold back and take points instead of risking everything for a win too - it was consistency more than outright pace that won Ogier this years and last years championships.

E34-3.2

1,003 posts

78 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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When was the last time a world champ wasn't called Seb again?
Tanak better keep the car on the road next year.
I have heard that Loeb has been working on the new DS3WRC. No sure hope true is that but it sounds promising for Ogier.

thebigmacmoomin

2,795 posts

168 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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How likely is Loeb being at M-Sport in the Fiesta for 2019 ?

DanielSan

18,745 posts

166 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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GravelBen said:
Tanak himself probably needs to learn when to hold back and take points instead of risking everything for a win too - it was consistency more than outright pace that won Ogier this years and last years championships.
Tanak has had nothing to lose second half of the year when he's played catch up to Ogier and Neuville though, his only chance of catching them was to keep winning so that's what he tried to do.

Reset next year with a hopefully reliable Toyota that's still fast and he won't have to be pushing so hard and playing the catch up game again.

epom

11,396 posts

160 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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thebigmacmoomin said:
How likely is Loeb being at M-Sport in the Fiesta for 2019 ?
Not very.

Pericoloso

44,044 posts

162 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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Pericoloso said:
I think Ogier will take the title but not the Aus win.

How about Jarri Matti for the win ?
I thank you.......biggrin

eglf

173 posts

221 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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Surly it's time Malcolm Wilson was knighted for services to British motorsport. Winning the WRC 2 years running with a relatively small private team is an outstanding achievement.

chunder27

2,309 posts

207 months

Sunday 18th November 2018
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As an alternative, huge crowd at Cadwell today, last stage finish for win and some classes, and some damn good driving.

GravelBen

15,654 posts

229 months

Monday 19th November 2018
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DanielSan said:
GravelBen said:
Tanak himself probably needs to learn when to hold back and take points instead of risking everything for a win too - it was consistency more than outright pace that won Ogier this years and last years championships.
Tanak has had nothing to lose second half of the year when he's played catch up to Ogier and Neuville though, his only chance of catching them was to keep winning so that's what he tried to do.

Reset next year with a hopefully reliable Toyota that's still fast and he won't have to be pushing so hard and playing the catch up game again.
Fair point about it being his only option for the second half of the season. Was just thinking overall he tends to be podium or nothing, you don't see many mid points places from him. Has the potential to be another exciting season anyway!

tardelli

338 posts

115 months

Monday 19th November 2018
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chunder27 said:
As an alternative, huge crowd at Cadwell today, last stage finish for win and some classes, and some damn good driving.
It was a great day
Tardelli

RyanTank

2,850 posts

153 months

Monday 19th November 2018
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what an exiting and somewhat disappointing end to the season. I had a feeling that it wouldn't be the all out battle billed as SO & TN were never going to be troubling for the win with their road positions and fully expected team orders to come in. Elfyn and Teemu fully co-operative as usual allowing Seb to climb the rankings. I think had Thierry not had the puncture he would've binned it about the point he did too.
Happy Jari got a win too.

The second half of the season has been enthralling. clearly the Tanak/Toyota package is the strongest and should only get better next year, as will the whole Toyota team. Tanak for '19 champion and Toyota for the win again.
Hyundai need a good look at their tactics and selections before Monte I think as the team simply wasn't there to support as M-Sport's was for Seb. Andreas isn't getting to grips with the car and needs a serious work with himself and the engineers.

Lots of drivers in the last 2-3 events have been driving for their careers too, Elfyn, Craig, Hayden and Mads are but a few I feel. If Hayden could bring the sponsorship I could see him jumping to M-Sport for a full season. He's shown again he has the pace.
I do have concerns for M-Sport and a lot of chatter on social media about them not having a full programme next year and possibly running Teemu in the R5 championship. He's the only one confirmed with a M-Sport seat next year but as VW shows its not a given!

Interesting to see the announcements over the coming weeks and I hope to be there for the 2019 launch at Autosport in January.

Allyc85

7,225 posts

185 months

Monday 26th November 2018
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Talking of announcements, Skoda rally team have a press conference tomorrow. Really trying to not get my hopes up about a return to the top class! hehe

KillianB4

150 posts

110 months

Tuesday 27th November 2018
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Allyc85 said:
Talking of announcements, Skoda rally team have a press conference tomorrow. Really trying to not get my hopes up about a return to the top class! hehe
How great would that be!

Allyc85

7,225 posts

185 months

Tuesday 27th November 2018
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Just the unveiling of their new motorsport facility and upgraded R5 car unfortunately! We can keep on dreaming!

chunder27

2,309 posts

207 months

Tuesday 27th November 2018
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Apparently 75 R5 cars booked in for Monza Rally show!!
That is fairly astonishing