WRC - Changing of the ol guard?

[Izza]

Well Marko finally did it in the weekend and won his first rally. The won he should have won last year, Acropolis.

Are we starting to see the old boys getting kicked out? Over the past year 3 new drivers have each won their first rally - Marko Martin (28), Petter Solberg (29) and Seb Loeb (29). Then there's the likes of Francois Duval (23) (same age as me, lucky bas tard), Mikko Hirvonen (23), Cedric Robert, Juuso PYKÄLISTÖ.

What was the last rally Tommi Makinen won? Monte last year, only because Seb got DQ. And RAC last year at the top fighting it out was Solberg and Martin (only after Gronholm trashed his pug though). And Gronhom, he's fairly young (35) and new to the sport. Are the days numbered for McRae, Makinen, Sainz et al?

I think they are, look at what Ford did this year, sacked they're older drivers (McRae and Sainz) and kept the young guys. This was also a budget issue though, as unknowns dont cost very much esp compared to McRae.

Dont really know where I'm going with this but just wanted to get other peoples opinions.

[Scooby_snax]

Personally I think McRae has had his day. As a return on Citroens investment ie £5m pa it surely is poor.His blocking of Solberg on the final day of the Acropolis was nothing short of scandalous though some may see it as good team tactics preventing Solberg gaining 2nd place from Sainz. The revelation (in old boy terms) this year must be Sainz, considering he only signed up with Citroen at the last minute he has been fast and relatively reliable this year

[tuffer]

McRea washed up.....If it was'nt for the time penalty on day 1 he would have been in second place for most of the rally!!

Stage Postion
1 ......3
2 ......2
3 ......5
4 ......2
5 ......2
6 ......7
7 ......8
9 ......7
10......4
11......4
12......4
13......4
At this point McRea was still in 3rd overall (01:11 behind the leader with a 00:50 penalty).
Not bad for a has been.

[egomeister]

For sure rallying is going through a bit of a transition period at the moment, and I think we will be seeing more new faces appear over the next couple of years. As has been mentioned, I think Solberg, Martin and Loeb will lead the change. Jani Paasonen is also worth keeping an eye on. Some of the driving seen by these guys over the last two years has been incredible Solberg setting second fastest time on a stage last year, while his co-driver was tightening up his steering wheel instead of reading the pace notes, and Martin driving 20km with the bonnet up over the screen spring to mind...

I think Ford are in the best position to capitalise on the new talent - they don't seem to be afriad to stick a young guy in the car and give him a couple of rallies, and have by far the youngest driving pairing at the moment. They can only improve. The car looks very handy too, and it has only begun its development cycle.

[Scooby_snax]

1. Richard BURNS (GB) 4 6 8 8 6 5 37 Pts

2. Carlos SAINZ (E) 6 0 10 0 8 8 32 Pts

3. Marcus GRÖNHOLM (FIN) 0 10 0 10 10 30 Pts

4. Markko MÄRTIN (EE) 5 5 3 0 0 23 Pts

5. Petter SOLBERG (N) 0 3 0 6 4 19 Pts

6. Colin MCRAE (GB) 8 4 5 0 0 1 18 Pts

7. Sébastien LOEB (F) 10 2 0 5 0 17 Pts

League tables don't lie.......lying in 6th place....I rest my case!!!!

and look at last year...how many finishes did he have outside the points
1. Marcus GRÖNHOLM (FIN) 2 10 6 3 10 0 6 0 10 4 6 10 10 0 77 Pts

2. Petter SOLBERG (N) 1 0 2 2 2 6 2 0 4 0 4 0 4 10 37 Pts

3. Carlos SAINZ (E) 4 4 1 0 0 10 4 0 3 0 0 3 3 4 36 Pts

4. Colin MCRAE (GB) 3 1 0 1 1 4 10 10 0 3 0 0 0 2 35 Pts

He finished 2nd in 2001, 4th in 2002 and is presentlyu 6th
I rest my case the guy is going downhill

[rlk500]

So you reckon if Mcrae was in a Peugeot he would be holding them all up............I don't think so...

Argentina - retired due to a stone splitting his exhaust and setting fire to his car.....

Greece - Dropped 2 minutes becasue his car suffered electrical problems.....+ 50 second penalty because his car wouldn't start....

Unlucky, yes. Washed up, no. Gronholm had all the luck last year, it was always Burn's car that expired. This year hasn't quite been the same.....

[mcecm]

Though of the rallies Gronholm has finished, this year, he has won them all....! Agree McRae would still be up there if in a Peugeot. But so would Sainz and Makkinen in all probability

>> Edited by mcecm on Tuesday 17th June 20:02