Monte predictions?

leonidas · 17 Jan 2007, 12:05 (Ref:1817416)

So any predictions for the Monte this weekend? Not sure how the move to Valence will work out. It may cut down on spectator numbers - as its only a flying visit for us we'll probably just do the the superspecial in Monaco. The move might shake things up with lots of new stages giving people like Matt Wilson more of a chance of points.

One thing I don't get: what's the point of these 'parc ferme transfers' - it means that cars can be transported to Monaco from Valence on the back of a trailer. What's the point of that? Isn't the point of a rally that you drive from one place to another...?

Roundy Mooney · 17 Jan 2007, 12:49 (Ref:1817468)

Don't think you could look any further than loeb for a win, new car or not. Marcus will push hard at the start to see if he can keep him honest but I think by day two you could see him back of and just take the points. Third will definatley be more intresting with Hirvonen, Stohl, Sordo and Lattliva all to close to call. The dark hourse in the pack of course is Solberg if they can shake off the terrible run of luck they have been having.

I think the only reason Wilson will be picking up points is that others don't finish. I think you could say the same for McCale who I think will trading times with Boland at best.

**BertMk2** · 17 Jan 2007, 13:16 (Ref:1817496)

I'll go for Gronholm. Purely because Loeb isn't 100% yet and the C4 is new (obviously they've tested it extensively but the Ford has well proven reliability). Hopefully the Subarus will be back on the pace but I can see Solberg crashing out if the Impreza isn't quick enough - he always tries to make up for the cars deficiencies by pushing harder. Lattvala will be the quickest of the Stobart cars.

phunky_monkey · 17 Jan 2007, 23:55 (Ref:1818040)

I'd like to see Solberg get back up there, but I think I'd be putting my money on Loeb, despite the new car. Gronholm can never be underestimated though, and I'd like to see him get up there too.

M.Lowe · 17 Jan 2007, 23:58 (Ref:1818046)

Loeb, Gronholm but not sure about Slowberg :-)
Did Matthew have a crash in the recce car then?

Jimmy Magnusson · 18 Jan 2007, 09:34 (Ref:1818245)

Regardless if that's Wilson (it's in French!); is it just me or does he seem to have a habit of crashing? Luckily for him we have superrally-rules.

**BertMk2** · 18 Jan 2007, 10:09 (Ref:1818280)

It translates (via Babelfish) as:

"Ford of the young English would have taken the too broad turn and thus strikes the coming Fiat opposite"

GolddustMini · 18 Jan 2007, 14:16 (Ref:1818485)

havent they altered the superrally regs this year?

429CJ · 18 Jan 2007, 15:25 (Ref:1818534)

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.Lowe

Loeb, Gronholm but not sure about Slowberg :-)
Did Matthew have a crash in the recce car then?

A Ford?
But that car is Volvo S60 AWD, which Ford uses as recce car, because there's no 4WD Fords, except SUVs.

leonidas · 18 Jan 2007, 16:38 (Ref:1818577)

Oops - sorry for cursing Matt by predicting a big weekend for him... Still, if you're going to crash its best to do it on the recce!

Roundy Mooney · 19 Jan 2007, 14:19 (Ref:1819393)

Overall after ss5
1 S. LOEB 1:11:10.7
2 D. SORDO +6.6
3 M. GRÖNHOLM +36.2
4 C. ATKINSON +1:34.1
5 M. STOHL +1:36.8
6 T. GARDEMEISTER +1:38.9
7 M. HIRVONEN +1:51.3
8 P. SOLBERG +2:03.1
9 J. KOPECKY +2:06.9
10 J. CUOQ +2:39.5
11 J. LATVALA +2:44.7
12 G. MAC HALE +4:09.5
13 M. WILSON +5:25.4
14 F. ROMEYER +5:47.4
15 H. SOLBERG +6:33.2
16 E. BOLAND +7:20.2

GolddustMini · 20 Jan 2007, 10:09 (Ref:1820119)

anyone else noticed that wrc.com now dont let free members read the news reports, dunno if its a glitch in the system because you definetly could yesterday!

Hazard · 20 Jan 2007, 14:49 (Ref:1820340)

Sordo keeping Loeb on his toes is keeping it slightly exciting, since no one else is near him.

Be a shame if team orders turn up already though.

It's also a shame the C4 is so competitive straight away.

HrRACING · 20 Jan 2007, 18:53 (Ref:1820433)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

Sordo keeping Loeb on his toes is keeping it slightly exciting, since no one else is near him.

Be a shame if team orders turn up already though.

It's also a shame the C4 is so competitive straight away.

Agree.

Great drive from Atkinson though!

chunder · 21 Jan 2007, 11:49 (Ref:1820842)

I think form what I have seen on tv that the tyre rules have favoured Citroen a bit.

Marcus was going on about his team thought it was going to me warm yes, but also a lot wetter, so the dry tyres they were allocated were not as good as Loebs.

Nit sure if this is excuse making as surely at least Gronholm would be allowed to say "hey I want the same tyres as Seb", surely??

WJM · 21 Jan 2007, 13:37 (Ref:1820924)

I hoped the tyre nonsense would stop now everybody drives BFGoodrich, but it keeps on going

It's irritating to see how much effect tyre choices now have on the outcome of the rallies.

Perhaps they should do like at the superspecial this morning. They forced every driver on gravel tyres because it would look better on tv

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunder

I think form what I have seen on tv that the tyre rules have favoured Citroen a bit.

Marcus was going on about his team thought it was going to me warm yes, but also a lot wetter, so the dry tyres they were allocated were not as good as Loebs.

Nit sure if this is excuse making as surely at least Gronholm would be allowed to say "hey I want the same tyres as Seb", surely??

The tyre rules favour Citroen not one bit over the others. The teams/drivers decide a few days before the rally which sets they will bring. For every team this is the same sort of gamble. Citroen got it right, Ford got it wrong.

Knowlesy · 21 Jan 2007, 15:30 (Ref:1820974)

Well, new car and nothing changes. Argh!

Be interesting to see how the Citroen goes on a proper rallying surface though. Will it be so good on loose surfaces? Still, a 1-2 at Monte Carlo is strong stuff.

Watching the special stage this morning on Eurosport.... Wilson's driving style is, err, strange with the result he finished less than three seconds ahead of his stalled opponent who took about half an hour to start his car.

GolddustMini · 21 Jan 2007, 16:51 (Ref:1821015)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunder

Nit sure if this is excuse making as surely at least Gronholm would be allowed to say "hey I want the same tyres as Seb", surely??

no because actual tyre choices of compounds/cuts would not be information passed between teams by BFgoodrich, each team will be given a selection of compunds and told to pick the ones they want for the stages. so each team might be able to share info between drivers i.e between seb and dani as to whcih tyres they're using, but this info would not be presented to ford or subaru.

GolddustMini · 21 Jan 2007, 16:53 (Ref:1821017)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Well, new car and nothing changes. Argh!

Be interesting to see how the Citroen goes on a proper rallying surface though. Will it be so good on loose surfaces? Still, a 1-2 at Monte Carlo is strong stuff.

Watching the special stage this morning on Eurosport.... Wilson's driving style is, err, strange with the result he finished less than three seconds ahead of his stalled opponent who took about half an hour to start his car.

yeh i dont think anyone ever doubted the c4's ability on sealed surfaces, citroen themselves said it was quicker than the xsara on tarmac, and lets face it the xsara was quicker than the foci on the smooth stufflast year!. onwards to sweden, norway and mexico to see how the cars go on snow and gravel!

**BertMk2** · 21 Jan 2007, 22:40 (Ref:1821293)

I really hope that the C4 isn't as good once it's off the asphalt - if it performs on other surfaces like it did on tarmac we're in for a very predicatable year.

sihorton · 22 Jan 2007, 08:56 (Ref:1821517)

It was good to see subaru being more competative against the fords on tarmac, guess the new tyres must be help level the playing field.

The new C4 looks like it's going to take some catching though!

si

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