European News!

[chunder]

Ahaha okay

Well I am presumign Jenny is using the same car as last year. Jussi must eitehr have sold his or cant afford to run it as the oen Liam is using is the Brack one.

And what of Minnikhanov? His was the first C4 yes? So I read that, 4 C4's built by Kenny? Who is gonna use the Pinomaki one?

[The Eye]

The new Stecka Clio. From the first test at Höljes.

http://yfrog.com/5jsteckaj

[1975DCS]

Originally Posted by The Eye

The new Stecka Clio. From the first test at Höljes.

http://yfrog.com/5jsteckaj

I don't think it looks good...

[Adam Walker 36]

Well i like it

[rx-guru]

Originally Posted by chunder

And what of Minnikhanov? His was the first C4 yes?

New Tatarstan President Minnikhanov had or has two C4. The first, used by him in 2007, was the one Hansen drove in 2006. The second one, used in 2008 and 2009, was a brand new one built for him by Hansen.

[AndyS]

Does anybody know if the ERC is on Motors TV in the UK this year?

[rich_cooper]

I hope so

[chasing cars]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Does anybody know if the ERC is on Motors TV in the UK this year?

Yes motors tv are again covering the ERC,highlights of round 1 are scheduled to be shown on Sat 8th May at 8.45pm,no doubt there will be further showings.

[The Eye]

Originally Posted by rx-guru

New Tatarstan President Minnikhanov had or has two C4. The first, used by him in 2007, was the one Hansen drove in 2006. The second one, used in 2008 and 2009, was a brand new one built for him by Hansen.

One of them is for sale and TT motorsport in Latvia are building a new C4 for him.

Pics of Isachsen’s new livery http://isachsenmotorsport.no/

And Smerud’s http://www.smerudrallycrossteam.no/

[AndyS]

Originally Posted by chasing cars

Yes motors tv are again covering the ERC,highlights of round 1 are scheduled to be shown on Sat 8th May at 8.45pm,no doubt there will be further showings.

Thanks

[Adam Walker 36]

Right then who's brave enough for any predictions for this weekend?? Round 1!

[bigdick1977]

1st - Andreas Errikson
2nd - Isachsen
3rd - Hansen

[BertMk2]

Hansen
Isachsen
Jernberg

[Hickey]

1. Isachsen
2. Hansen
3. Doran (yeah, that's right, I am dreaming!)

Also, really hope that Tohill does well, without doubt the most eventful drive at Lydden on b/h Monday!

[HrRACING]

We wont be there this weekend, had some big problems with the car and hoping to be out in france next weekend.

Its not for lack of trying and a really late call not to go but nothing else we could do

Hal

[BertMk2]

Unlucky Hal Hope you get it sorted out soon.

[The Eye]

Bad news from Frode Holte. He has a new Volvo C30 in his garage but not enough money to do a full ERC. He will do the RC Norden and a few selected ERC races this year.

[schanche]

Portugal
1,Jernberg
2,Hansen
3,Hunsbedt
4,Isachsen
5,Eriksson
6,Kuypers

[rs 200]

Jernberg
Stig-Olov Walfridsson
Hunsbedt
Eriksson
Hansen

[The Eye]

A translation from an interview with Kenneth Hansen for Aftonbladet:

“Despite fourteen European Championship titles Citroen driver Kenneth Hansen is still hungry for more titles.
- Although I have been doing this for so long I still have much to learn, "he says.

The premiere is in Montalegre in Portugal and Kenneth Hansen would like to measure the forces with the other top drivers. His car, a Citroën C4 is updated and the team are doing the final tests before the car is ready for the race.

- Material-wise, we spiced up since last year. We have a bit more power in the car and we have worked a lot with the driveability, the car should have a wider register, explains Kenneth Hansen for Sportbladet.

Difficulties with engines
Last year, Hansen finished third in the Championship. He was 22 points behind Michael Jernberg who was second and Sverre Isachsen who won, it was another nine points. There were two eleventh places that put Hansen off, which meant that he could not fight for the title.
- Last year, we had no reliability of the engines. We hopefully have that now. We have also worked a lot with the chassis to ensure a smooth car. When to have all this power down to the ground the cars are often “hard to tame” and a bit “square” and rugged”, this is the case for all. We have tried to do our C4 more like a regular car, "said Hansen.

Last year's third place still stings a bit, reveals the champ.
- It was my worst result in many years. But it was probably pretty fair, we were not better than that. We won the first race and then we probably thought we were at a higher level than we actually were, he sums up.

Technology is a carrot
Despite the mountain of European Championship gold; Kenneth Hansen has not had enough. This year, he also has 23-year-old Liam Doran in the team, which is a spur.

- To get better you have to work forward with the material. It is the biggest risk if you win, to settle down. You might not make as many improvements to the car and you dare not take risks, then it is difficult to defend you’re title. I am also improving personally to work with the technology around the car and get a young driver in the team. Although I have a lot of experience, there is still much to learn. The hardest thing is to maintain the hunger, for it is perhaps not as easily justified as before.

The premiere in Montalegre will be tough for Hansen. The course has rarely suited him.
- It has often been better for me on the faster tracks. Montalgre is bumpy, it changes a lot and you can use the kerbs and cut the corners a lot. The height also influence the output of the engine and it is easy to get too much speed into the turns and some of it does not pay for good lap times. You have to take it easy and do not charge too hard.

The Joker lap may also play a key role.
- There is no record when to play the “Joker card”, but it is often an advantage to take it early. Especially in the Final where it happens a lot on the first lap. But it varies a lot depending on what position you've got, "said Hansen.”



In an interview at SVT play Hansen got a question of how nervous he was as for how much better all his competitors have been this last winter. “Well said Hansen, We where in England and drove the first round of the British Championship. Not me but the other driver in the team, Liam Doran. There we got a bit of a taste of the competition level. That race showed that we still needed to improve a lot and we have used this last month sense Easter to work very much with the car and have done some big improvements.

The Supercar final win of Liam was not sufficient For Hansen!!

Yea I think Liam are at the right place!! Do You?

[schanche]

Ludvigs Interview regarding 15 sec penalty! always one to not mix his words but should the decision be made on contact with the same driver at the same circuit in 2007 seems harsh. To me Powers that be bowed to king Isachsen?
First corner Contact Typical Rallycross surely

http://www.rallycross.hu/15hunsbedt.html?category_id=1

[chunder]

I ahve no issue with the penalty, Hunsbedt has for a long time been stupidly aggressive and over the top. Some of the moves he makes are borderline stock car moves in honesty.

Forcing a guy to go over a kerb and miss part of the track for me deserves a penalty! Simple as

[Adam Walker 36]

Boy o boy am i glad im going to Kerlabo this weekend! And just focus on rallycross for the weekend! What a cracking entry list it is and plenty of Brits to support! Its mine and my dads 1st french round and we will be flying the St. George's Cross high! If theres any more brits going please get in contact as we can all get together and support the brits! We will also be camping.

Just seen on rallycross.hu that theres a new corner (re-done). Any idea which corner it is as i cant work it out from the pics?!

Adam

[WJM]

Originally Posted by Adam Walker 36

Just seen on rallycross.hu that theres a new corner (re-done). Any idea which corner it is as i cant work it out from the pics?!

The news title says all:
Awesome entry list for Kerlabo! Changes on the fisrt corner.

The fisrt corner used to be gravel, now they tarmaced it over.

[Mad Mark Watson]

Originally Posted by WJM

The news title says all:
Awesome entry list for Kerlabo! Changes on the fisrt corner.

The fisrt corner used to be gravel, now they tarmaced it over.

Excellent news less likely to get rammed into barrier twice this time and better for person into the corner first too!

See you all there !!!!