WRC Rally New Zealand - Hamilton New Zealand

[flying finn]

WRC Rally New Zealand - Hamilton New Zealand

Total Kms : 1218.38 km
Liaison : 863.80 km
SS Kms : 354.58 km
Special Stages : 16

Friday 29.08 > 5 stages (139.54 km)
Saturday 30.08 > 6 stages (130.00 km)
Sunday 31.08 > 5 stages (85.04 km)

Home Page > http://www.rallynz.org.nz/
Itinerary > http://www.rallynz.org.nz/images/sto...tineraries.pdf
Entry List > http://www.rallynz.org.nz/images/sto...eeded%20v1.pdf
Rally Guide > http://www.rallynz.org.nz/images/sto...2_2008_web.pdf

Citroen preview > http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...=304979&FS=WRC
Ford preview > http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...=304992&FS=WRC
Subaru preview > http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...=304456&FS=WRC
Stobart preview > http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...=304984&FS=WRC
Munchi's preview > http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...=304990&FS=WRC

Championship Standings
1. S. LOEB (F) > 76
2. M. HIRVONEN (FIN) > 72
3. D. SORDO (E) > 43
4. C. ATKINSON (AUS) > 40
5. J. LATVALA (FIN) > 34
6. P. SOLBERG (N) > 27
7. H. SOLBERG (N) > 22
8. G. GALLI (I) > 17
9. M. WILSON (GB) > 12

[BertMk2]

Well Hirvonen has to score big points this weekend and hope he gets some support from the other Fords and maybe the Subarus (hey - I can hope ) to take points away from Loeb. I can't really see Loeb finishing out of the top 3 though.

As far as the manufacturers side of things goes - Ford should come out on top I think as I can't see Sordo finishing ahead of Hirvonen or Latvala unless they hit trouble (or a tree). Hopefully Subaru will have at least one car troubling the top 3 as well.

[btcckid]

latavla leading at the moment. surprised to see a new leader in the race. as much as i enjoy loeb wining, it will make it interesting to see loeb really going for it- i hope anyway

[gomick]

15 seconds seperates the top 4 after 2 days .... spewing that Atkinson rolled early on day 1

[flying finn]

WRC Rally New Zealand - Results

1. Sebastien LOEB (F) > Citroen C4 > 3:59:18.9 (+0:00.0)
2. Dani SORDO (E) > Citroen C4 > 3:59:36.4 (+0:17.5)
3. Mikko HIRVONEN (FIN) > Ford Focus RS > 4:00:00.4 (+0:41.5)
4. Petter SOLBERG (N) > Subaru Impreza > 4:02:07.8 (+2:48.9)
5. Urmo AAVA (EE) > Citroen C4 > 4:02:49.6 (+3:30.7)
6. Per-Gunnar ANDERSSON (S) > Suzuki SX4 > 4:06:56.3 (+7:37.4)
7. Toni GARDEMEISTER (FIN) > Suzuki SX4 > 4:07:13.8 (+7:54.9)
8. Federico VILLAGRA (RA) > Ford Focus RS > 4:07:53.9 (+8:35.0)
9. Henning SOLBERG (N) > Ford Focus RS > 4:08:34.1 (+9:15.2)
10. Martin PROKOP (CZ) > Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX > 4:13:07.9 (+13:49.0)
17. Matthew WILSON (GB) > Ford Focus RS > 4:16:34.0 (+17:15.1)

DNF > Jari-Matti LATVALA (FIN) > Ford Focus RS > SS17 accident
DNF > Chris ATKINSON (AUS) > Subaru Impreza > SS15 radiator
DNF > Francois DUVAL (B) > Ford Focus RS > SS17 off road

> disaster for Ford while leading 1-2 > hope that did not hand Loeb the 2008 title
> good to see both Suzukis finish

Championship Standings

1. Sebastien LOEB (F) > 86
2. Mikko HIRVONEN (FIN) > 78
3. Dani SORDO (E) > 51
4. Chris ATKINSON (AUS) > 40
5. Jari-Matti LATVALA (FIN) > 34
6. Petter SOLBERG (N) > 32
7. Henning SOLBERG (N) > 22
8. Gigi GALLI (I) > 17
9. Matthew WILSON (GB) > 12
10. Francois DUVAL (B) > 11

[GolddustMini]

you dont know whether to laugh or cry for the ford drivers, they so very nearly had it in the bag!

[zac510]

'tis not to be for them..
Sordo up in a steady 3rd in the championship, didn't notice that..

[silver bullet]

I think the time has come to replace Wilson. I have always said, he is a young driver, and he should be given a chance to prove himself, but he should be getting some top five results by now. He is still way off the pace and the only time he gets a decent placing it is due to the cars above him dropping out. Time to go Mathew.
I think the time has come to give Mikkelsen a go.

[sethmate]

Originally Posted by silver bullet

I think the time has come to replace Wilson. I have always said, he is a young driver, and he should be given a chance to prove himself, but he should be getting some top five results by now. He is still way off the pace and the only time he gets a decent placing it is due to the cars above him dropping out. Time to go Mathew.
I think the time has come to give Mikkelsen a go.

Or Guy Wilks?

[gomick]

No stopping Sebby, world title #5 on the way

[cg7aa]

I've got to say, I felt for Latvala, that was not at all good for his head considering what had happened on the previous rallies. I was quite surprised to see how well (in front of the cameras anyway) Malcolm Wilson took the costly retirements. I thought he would be spitting fire but he seemed quite calm.

I thought Olivier Quesnel's comments about feeling sorry for Malcolm Wilson seemed quite genuine. A bit of camaraderie in the WRC paddock?

Also, just how uncomfortable did Loeb look about the events of day 2? Apparently, he apologised to Mikko. I guess Seb is a bit of a sportsman.