|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
22 Jan 2019, 12:09 (Ref:3877674) | #1 | |
Racer
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 305
|
2019 Rallying....
A thread for all Rally championships...including
https://www.wrc.com/en/ https://www.fiaerc.com/ It would be nice if there was more interest, but for some reason the sport isn't grabbing the general motorsport fan's attention as it once did. |
|
|
24 Jan 2019, 09:31 (Ref:3878141) | #2 | ||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,276
|
I don't know if it's just in the UK that the profile of rallying has really dropped off or is it more widespread than that? Last years WRC was great - I just hope this year can live up to it (although I think the Fiestas will drop off in terms of competitiveness).
It's the Monte this weekend so 2019 is go! Things to look out for - Loeb in the Hyundai, Ogier in the Citroen and Meeke in the Toyota. |
||
|
24 Jan 2019, 09:41 (Ref:3878148) | #3 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,707
|
Quote:
I have high hopes for this season though. Will Ogier regret his move to Citroen (or will he surprise everyone), can Neuville finally find consistency, will Tanak be unstoppable and can Meeke finally deliver on his potential? |
|||
|
24 Jan 2019, 10:27 (Ref:3878162) | #4 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 901
|
I wonder if part of the reason interest is fading is because of the coverage.
Here in the US the coverage isn't as easy to come by, I have to watch WRC/ERC through "unofficial" websites. I think there is some Red Bull TV coverage or something that maybe can be watched in the US, but it's absolutely horrible. Sometimes when the "unofficial" sites can't upload the Eurosport (or whatever it is) coverage of WRC they use the Red Bull stuff and at that point I don't even watch it. Even the "good" WRC coverage comes in 23~ minute highlights, and 10 mins of those highlights are a recap of the day before and talking to the drivers at the service area. There's so many beautiful, exciting sections of the rallies that we don't see, and drivers that won't even get mentioned that it makes the coverage seem disjointed and I think it makes it tough for people to get invested in it. It's kinda the same with Dakar this year. I love the Dakar but the coverage is absolutely horrible. They get the same 23~ mins for a day of coverage, and 8-10 mins of it is just talking about the country/people/area... Which would be interesting except for the fact that it means they have less than 15 mins to cover 5 classes and filled with wonderful machines that you don't even know are running unless they are in the top 5, crash, set on fire, or run over a spectator or something like that. I haven't been able to find the Eurosport coverage this year, and I made it about 4 days in on the terrible Red Bull TV coverage before I just gave up. |
|
|
24 Jan 2019, 13:04 (Ref:3878210) | #5 | ||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,276
|
Top 3 from the shakedown:
1) Meeke (Toyota) 2) Ogier (Citroen) 3) Lappi (Citroen) Interesting! |
||
|
25 Jan 2019, 09:33 (Ref:3878483) | #6 | ||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,276
|
The stages last night looked pretty clear - there was a bit of ice on the first one (seemingly caught out Suninen who ended up off the road) but conditions looked ok. Brave tyre choice from Neuville - the only one to run without studded tyres, it didn't quite work out but it's good to see drivers prepared to take a chance. Loeb also went a slightly different way and only carried one spare to save weight.
Todays first stage has been cancelled as there are spectators in unsafe places |
||
|
26 Jan 2019, 08:30 (Ref:3878738) | #7 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,452
|
Just caught up with the coverage of the first stage, those onboards look absolutely frightening in the dark and at speed in icy conditions! No wonder these guys are paid top dollar. From my own point of view I think the tv coverage, albeit somewhat limited and the competition in general is wonderful viewing, the investment by the organisers and manufacturers is absolutely huge and deserves more exposure.
I always wonder watching some rally footage whether the spectators are even more slightly unhinged than those who take part! I have attended a few rally stages in the UK on occasions but the level of dedication that some of the spectators show on international rallies particularly Sweden, is quite incredible. They trudge miles humping all sorts of gear in freezing conditions and take up position hours before the anticipated stage in order to catch a fleeting glimpse of some sideways action, oh hang on I've been doing this sort of thing for years watching circuit racing but then at least I get to see a whole race! Unfortunately there will always be a certain element of disruptive people seeking a unique viewing vantage point putting not only themselves at risk but causing nightmares for the organisers, 'twas always thus. |
||
|
27 Jan 2019, 21:39 (Ref:3880058) | #8 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,707
|
Well plenty to talk about from the opening round of the WRC! Superb performance from Ogier in a car that many are unsure about, with a very tight fight with Neuville for first. Early delays for the Toyota trio, but a massive push from Tanak and a decent drive from Meeke as well. Loeb not quite on front running pace yet, but given he has came to Monte Carlo on the back of the Dakar, he may not have been on his best form.
A weekend to forget for M-Sport in terms of the upper tier, but a great result for Gus Greensmith and the R5 Fiesta in WRC2. |
||
|
28 Jan 2019, 09:50 (Ref:3880124) | #9 | ||||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,276
|
Quote:
Quote:
Mistakes from Lappi and Mikklesen too - Mikklesen was looking pretty handy until he tore the wheel off. The pressure must be on Mikklesen to deliver this season - he was lacklustre last year and Hyundai need him to score useful points if they're going to win the manufacturers title - they can't rely on Neuville alone (and Loebs occasional appearances). |
||||
|
28 Jan 2019, 14:18 (Ref:3880177) | #10 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,298
|
If you go back, Mikkelsen has had SO many chances now, did rallies in WRC cars ten years ago and still not much to show for it.
No idea how he keeps getting rides, is it because he is pretty? |
||
|
28 Jan 2019, 14:19 (Ref:3880178) | #11 | ||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,276
|
I assume he has backing? There certainly do seem to be better options out there if he's not bringing a sack of cash. He certainly needs to be a lot more consistent.
|
||
|
28 Jan 2019, 14:44 (Ref:3880184) | #12 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 957
|
I looked at his tenure with VW and even if the Polo was the best car he still had some good results, finishing third in the total standings three years in a row. He was after all picked by VW to compete in the third car.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas_Mikkelsen |
|
|
29 Jan 2019, 00:26 (Ref:3880309) | #13 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,298
|
If you think of others like Evans, Wilkes, Duval, PG Andersson, Sola, Kresta, all did OK but had very short careers!!
|
||
|
30 Jan 2019, 13:30 (Ref:3880660) | #14 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,286
|
Quote:
If I was Malcolm Wilson I'd be very happy with a young driver who did what was expected, kept it on the road, and remained competitive throughout. You don't learn anything from a ditch. |
|||
|
30 Jan 2019, 15:58 (Ref:3880692) | #15 | |||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,276
|
Quote:
|
|||
|
7 Feb 2019, 07:45 (Ref:3882340) | #16 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 612
|
Neuville wary of Toyota's "dangerous" pace
Let's see, Tanak lost two and a half minutes due to tyre change and was on 8th place with 2:39 time difference, at the end of the rally he was 2:15 behind and consider the first two were really pushing it and fighting till the very end. It would be an awsome three way fight if not for the puncture. And what about Meeke in a new car, just took the power stage. And about the future direction of WRC cars (>2022), the decision will be revealed this year: FIA plans electric or hybrid WRC rules for 2022 I think it's already 100% percent written in stone, from 2022 there will be hybrd cars in WRC. My take is to go with two front el. motor design and rear combined mechanical and MG drive. Something in the line with Honda/Acura NSX configuration. Toyota and Hyundai will be IMO 100% on board, I just hope the other two don't chicken out of the series. Maybe VW comes back? |
|
|
8 Feb 2019, 16:46 (Ref:3882658) | #17 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,272
|
Quote:
Things haven't improved much in my view. What on earth do they do with all the footage they film? A highlights shows should be an hour an least in my opinion with 50 minutes of pure action. I watch Red Bull TV for the WRC but I've learned to skip the superfluous stuff at the beginning and end. It does nothing for me and I simply don't care for it. It eats into the racing action but they at least cover the super special at length in one of the programs. Sometimes I feel the 'pure sounds' videos fans upload to youtube is far superior. Sure, it can be repetitive and so you'll have to watch lots to take in different stages and so on and obviously there's no commentary but they manage to make the sport exciting visually. |
|||
|
8 Feb 2019, 22:55 (Ref:3882719) | #18 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,298
|
I rare;ly watch any kind of proper tv these days
Mainly for the reasons you say, the whole thing on Red Bull seems to be about the presenters, not the drivers, same on most sports shows, more talk, less action, I couldn't care less about that stuff, endlessly playing to an imaginary audience of new people that are apparently always just switching on, so utterly contemptuous of the thousands that watch and know their thing. |
||
|
9 Feb 2019, 06:49 (Ref:3882756) | #19 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,272
|
Quote:
Anyway, onwards and upwards to Sweden. |
|||
|
11 Feb 2019, 11:55 (Ref:3883207) | #20 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,707
|
Anyone follow the Galway rally at the weekend? Great entry list and some pretty impressive drives, hopefully some raw footage will pop up on You Tube this week.
|
||
|
11 Feb 2019, 12:24 (Ref:3883218) | #21 | ||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,276
|
I saw the entry - as you say it was pretty impressive. I'm not sure if there's coverage on BT this year (previously the Irish championships have been on there). If not I'll have to rustle some up on youtube.
|
||
|
11 Feb 2019, 12:33 (Ref:3883220) | #22 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,707
|
Yeah, I have been relying on You Tube clips the last couple of years, then buying the season review DVD at the end of the year.
|
||
|
14 Feb 2019, 14:57 (Ref:3884150) | #23 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,982
|
Have you tried TG4?
https://tg4.ie/en/player/sport-tv-player/ Follow @SportTG4 and @onthelimitsport for schedule times |
|
__________________
Cromley: "With the margin Gareth has, he doesn't need to play for sheep stations" |
15 Feb 2019, 11:00 (Ref:3884357) | #24 | ||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,276
|
Tanak in charge so far in Sweden - the stages are looking good this year with plenty of snow and some decent snow banks about. Gronholm has already binned it though and is out (I assume/hope he'll rejoin tomorrow).
|
||
|
15 Feb 2019, 12:39 (Ref:3884383) | #25 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 957
|
Very warm here unfortunately. I am worried about how the stages will hold up throughout the weekend. Todays states are the most "Northern" ones too.
Went to the service today (30 euros by the way) and I didn't even need a jacket. Hyundai and Citroën switched dampers for the second run. |
|
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
2019 VASC Silly Season (WITH POLL) | peckstar | Australasian Touring Cars. | 1801 | 9 Jan 2020 05:08 |
IMSA IMSA : 2019 | Matt | North American Racing | 1353 | 18 Dec 2019 03:46 |
[WEC] 2018-2019 WEC Super Season | hondafan37 | ACO Regulated Series | 2143 | 11 Jun 2019 19:03 |
Sebring 2019 | Bill38 | North American Racing | 31 | 7 Jan 2018 14:47 |
Historic Road Rallying/ Endurance Rallying | andy97 | Rallying & Rallycross | 1 | 26 Feb 2009 13:56 |