2014 World Rally Championship

[GHOGH]

Originally Posted by pettersolberg29

Rumours that Petter Solberg is returning to Citroen in 2015... we'll see!

Guessing a WRC car drive for P Solberg might be possible at Rally Sweden, 2015.

[NaBUru38]

Standings after Rally Australia:

1. Sébastien Ogier (Volkswagen), 214
2. Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen), 164
3. Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen), 125
4. Mikko Hirvonen (M-Sport Ford), 83
5. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), 79
6. Mads Østberg (Citroën), 74
7. Kris Meeke (Citroën), 67
8. Elfyn Evans (M-Sport Ford), 61
9. Martin Prokop (Czech Ford), 37
10. Henning Solberg (Henning Ford), 26
11. Juho Hänninen (Hyundai), 20
12. Bryan Bouffier (M-Sport Ford / Hyundai), 18
13. Dani Sordo (Hyundai), 18
14. Hayden Paddon (Hyundai), 16
15. Robert Kubica (RK Ford), 14

[cg7aa]

A milestone win for Latvala and Antilla and not a single post? Not a bad rally overall I thought. Hyundai seemed to lack a bit of pace despite Sordo finishing quite high up.

Very disappointment to see Kubica throw away such a strong performance so close to the end and what about Ogier on the power stage? The onboards looked spectacular, he was on the ragged edge and then some.

Awesome save from Mikkelsen too early in the rally; a small moment as he called it.

Evans quietly impressed with his pace and finished quite well despite the time penalties for impersonating Jack Brabham and his Cooper at Monaco.

[AndyS]

I only got round to watching it last night. Great win by Latvala and such a shame that he threw that win in Germany away. If he hadn't then the title fight would be quite interesting now. I don't think there is enough rallies left for Latvala to overhaul Ogier now.

Such a shame for Evans and Kubica, their woes masked what would have been some poor performances by one or two other drivers. Meeke again seems to have way more pace than the rest, except VW of course. Just feels like a matter of time before he's going to get in among them.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by cg7aa

A milestone win for Latvala and Antilla and not a single post? Not a bad rally overall I thought. Hyundai seemed to lack a bit of pace despite Sordo finishing quite high up.

I posted about it... just not on this forum!

As you say a milestone for Latvala. It has closed the Championship gap down but, to be honest, I'd be amazed if Latvala manages to get any closer to Ogier. Great drive from Meeke again, the only non-VW driver consistently in touch with the front runners. Shame about Evans penalty as he was posting competitive times.

Although its not very good for his Championship campaign, its brilliant for the spectators when Ogier has an off/technical issue: he is fantastic to watch when is going all out to gain time!

[Alex Langheck]

http://www.maxrally.com/2014/10/08/t...s-coming-early

Ah, this just won't go away - and now RallyGB want to help them with a trial. Er, how about saying NO!! IMS/ MSA will do anything to stay onside with either the FiA or RedBull.

[AndyS]

Originally Posted by Alex Langheck

http://www.maxrally.com/2014/10/08/t...s-coming-early

Ah, this just won't go away - and now RallyGB want to help them with a trial. Er, how about saying NO!! IMS/ MSA will do anything to stay onside with either the FiA or RedBull.

I'll reserve judgement until I've seen it in action, but I have to say I'm not keen. Reading the quotes seems to point to more classic promoters and manufacturers/teams existing in their own bubble syndrome and refusing to listen to what anybody else is saying.

[Alex Langheck]

And that is part of the problem with the WRC for the past 10-15 years. They think they know best, and don't listen to what the fans think or want. And what happens? The WRC stumbles from one crisis to another, and they wonder why?

[cg7aa]

That idea is taking artificiality to a whole new level. I'm not all comfortable with this idea.

[leonidas]

Probably the dumbest idea I've seen in a long time.

You might just as well as have a rallysprint over one stage and save your money on the rest of the event.

It is called rallying for a reason. It worked in the past because it took about five days and there was TV coverage every night, maximising sponsor coverage. I can't really see why this would work even in their own narrow commercial terms. A lot of casual fans wouldn't switch on until the final stage.

[AndyS]

Originally Posted by leonidas

You might just as well as have a rallysprint over one stage and save your money on the rest of the event.

.

Don't tempt fate!

[Alex Langheck]

Somebody wrote into MNews describing the difference between WRC and WorldRX; Test Match cricket v T20.
Both can exist and both compliment each other.

However, VW want a 'Test Match' but with a T20 ending. It won't work, it won't bring in new casual fans.
The basic problem is lack of promotion. RedBull have fallen into the trap like all others of thinking selling TV rights is enough. It's not.

[NaBUru38]

Nice analogy, Alex.

[AndyS]

I see on Autosport that the WRC commission have told the promoters to go whistle a second time in relation to the proposed changes. It appears Mr Todt himself has got involved this time.

Sense seems to have prevailed with the promoter suggesting that they have canned the idea of the last day shoot out. I am assuming from this that the FIA were dead set against it and the promoter has finally got the message.

[NaBUru38]

Good news that Jean Todt has intervened to prevent the final stab to the WRC.

[AndyS]

I see Jos Capito is bemoaning the fact the proposed changes didn't happen. He's suggesting that it has made it harder to convince the VW board to stay on board after 2016 and that they will have to look at the TV figures.

I'm sorry but who is this mythical TV audience that all these people think they are suddenly going to tap into by just changing the last day format? It doesn't matter what you do if you don't PROMOTE it nobody knows its there.

[Alex Langheck]

Exactly!! And guess what - RedBull sold a lot of the rights to PayTV, and guess what? The viewing figures are poor. Really! What a surprise. I know it's like a broken record, but it's worth repeating; Promote the sport properly! Let people know about it.
Look at tonight in Barcelona; a city centre SS, and figures of 15-20,000 people. Maybe all WRC events need a Thursday night SS in a major town/ city??

[AndyS]

Or they could have a day of spectator stages on a weekend, oh hang on a minute that's what they used to do.

Anyway, I'll stop moaning as we at least have a rally to look forward to this weekend. I can't see Ogier losing the title as I think Latvala hasn't got enough rally's left in which to make the difference but you never know. Neither of them can afford to hold back really.

[NaBUru38]

The Rally Great Britain will be held next week.

Current standings:

1. Sébastien Ogier (Volkswagen), 242
2. Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen), 211
3. Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen), 150
4. Mikko Hirvonen (M-Sport Ford), 108
5. Mads Østberg (Citroën), 93
6. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), 91
7. Kris Meeke (Citroën), 84
8. Elfyn Evans (M-Sport Ford), 71
9. Martin Prokop (Czech Ford), 42
10. Daniel Sordo (Hyundai), 40
11. Henning Solberg (HS Ford), 24
12. Bryan Bouffier (Ford / Hyundai), 20
13. Juho Hänninen (Hyundai), 20
14. Hayden Paaddon (Hyundai), 18
15. Robert Kubica (RK Ford), 14
16. Ott Tänak (OT Ford), 11

[BertMk2]

I've seen a few preview shots of the stages and they look to be in pretty good shape - should be fast and slippy (like a proper rally GB should be ). I can see Kubica going off the road fairly early on this one

[AndyS]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

I can see Kubica going off the road fairly early on this one

Indeed. I hope he sticks around next year as I'd love to see him get it right. I'm hoping Meeke has a good run next weekend. Despite him clearly being faster and more on top of the car than Ostberg, he's got less points in the championship due to his early season excursions to the scenery! Evans might surprise a few people in his own back yard.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

I can see Kubica going off the road fairly early on this one

Originally Posted by AndyS

I'm hoping Meeke has a good run next weekend. Despite him clearly being faster and more on top of the car than Ostberg, he's got less points in the championship due to his early season excursions to the scenery! Evans might surprise a few people in his own back yard.

Agreed with your points on both Meeke and Evans. It's a shame Meeke has had to wait so long for the full time factory seat, as I think he has really earned this year, especially in the latter half of the season.

Seems that RallyGB will be the final outing for Mikko Hirvonen with M-Sport:

You Tube - Mikko Hirvonen Farewell Video

[Alex Langheck]

I think he’s timed it right. The ‘fire’ seems to have gone out, a good 3rd place in Catalunya notwithstanding.
A very good career, plenty of wins; and 2nd places in the WRC behind Loeb is nothing to feel shame about. Never seemed the same after his BIG off in Finland.

Hope he enjoys his retirement – and gets out in his Escort MkII…and comes over for Mull.

I first remember him on the 2002 Cambrian, ahead of another Finn, called Latvala, what happened to him?

Meeke should have been in the WRC years ago. This is his first full season. He’s now the only one to take the fight to the VW team.

[AndyS]

Sad to see him go but I've felt for the last couple of years that he wasn't enjoying it as much. He always seemed like he was very down and had the weight of the world on his shoulders. I do wonder if after a break he might not re appear again, he's young enough to.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Sad to see him go but I've felt for the last couple of years that he wasn't enjoying it as much. He always seemed like he was very down and had the weight of the world on his shoulders. I do wonder if after a break he might not re appear again, he's young enough to.

I think he realised he was in the wrong car again - he couldn't beat Loeb with a Ford, got a move to Citroen when their star started to fade and then back to Ford when the Volkswagen steamroller hit its stride. So close but yet so far for Mikko - runner up 3 times? Good driver though and a thorn in Loebs side over the years.