2016 World Rally Championship

[Alex Langheck]

A shame for the organisers, but there’s not a lot they can do.
Common sense would tell you to run it as a gravel rally – using gravel tyres, but this can’t be done – as it’s designated as a snow event, and only spiked tyres are allowed.

In future a move north would seem the only option – but where? The Swedish organisers are already struggling financially – what about Canada/Russia/USA???


In other news;
http://www.speedcafe.com/2016/02/09/...wrc-struggles/

Good to see some realism - far too many in the WRC have their heads in the sand. Other series have overtaken the sport.

[crossfades]

Canada and Japan are currently pushing to get back in the WRC calendar and before Sweden got the new three-year deal Russia was also pushing to get an event, don't know if they are still pushing now. The organizers are aiming to sign a new deal after this one expires to keep Rally Sweden going.

The organizers are definitely not struggling financially, the only problem about the rally is down to the weather. Usually 200 000 visits Rally Sweden and in Värmland where the rally is mostly driven it is very popular, yet the interest for WRC in general is not that big.

Moving the rally further up north could be a solution but since the organizers are based in and works around or close to Värmland there would need to be a new kind of organization that can operate further north, but it feels a unlikely unfortunately sine the rally is very rooted in Värmland. In the north it is very good winter conditions though, Kall for example where many teams goes for testing is situated up there.

[S griffin]

What proper sense talked by Mr Wilson, he doesn't blame one thing, he looks at all factors that are wrong. Shame we can't go back to the popular days as he said

[WolfsburgRS]

Good talking points about rally Sweden over on Racer - covers a lot of info, including moving the event north or to another country

http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoints...ns-in-jeopardy

[BertMk2]

Interesting stuff in Sweden so far - the conditions are catching a few people out, even Ogier has had a moment and damaged the car (but still has a healthy lead). Looks like Meeke is out though - hit a rock in the road - I had to double check as that sounded exactly like the Monte Carlo retirement but apparently it's correct!

Paddon is closest to Ogier now, Latvala has had a nightmare and is way down the order - broken driveshaft I think that was. Ostberg running 3rd now so 3 different manufacturers in the top 3.

[crossfades]

"Unbelievable!!! Identical to Monte Carlo. I follow the line in a slow corner and a stone buried in the road."
I feel very sad for him. He was on his way to take the lead from Ogier who has a steering problem and then this happens.

Neuville is struggling with mechanical problems and have lost a lot of time, not his fault though. Latvala is also out, with broken driveshaft I think

Otherwise the conditions are okay for now and there is going to be some more snow according to forecasts. I am going out tomorrow near Colin's Crest so it will be interesting to see the conditions. Hopefully Paddon, Østberg, Sordo, Tänak and Mikkelsen keeps the speed up. They will need to be within range of Ogier if he gets some more trouble.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by crossfades

"Unbelievable!!! Identical to Monte Carlo. I follow the line in a slow corner and a stone buried in the road."
I feel very sad for him. He was on his way to take the lead from Ogier who has a steering problem and then this happens.

It's incredible isn't it? What are the chances of that happening to the same driver twice?

Originally Posted by crossfades

Neuville is struggling with mechanical problems and have lost a lot of time, not his fault though. Latvala is also out, with broken driveshaft I think

I thought Latvala was still running (but a long way down) - maybe he's parked it to save the car?

Originally Posted by crossfades

Otherwise the conditions are okay for now and there is going to be some more snow according to forecasts. I am going out tomorrow near Colin's Crest so it will be interesting to see the conditions. Hopefully Paddon, Østberg, Sordo, Tänak and Mikkelsen keeps the speed up. They will need to be within range of Ogier if he gets some more trouble.

I think they said it was snowing heavily earlier - so with any luck there will be more overnight. I'm really envious of you being able to go out to the stages! Sweden is one of the events that I'd love to go and see in person. Enjoy and keep us posted!

[crossfades]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

It's incredible isn't it? What are the chances of that happening to the same driver twice?

Very odd, this time I think he was unlucky though. You never know what hides under the snow.

Originally Posted by BertMk2

thought Latvala was still running (but a long way down) - maybe he's parked it to save the car?

That is correct, on SS9 or SS6 now with less stages. Saw a clip of him from the first stage, did not sound well and was very, very slow ...

Originally Posted by BertMk2

think they said it was snowing heavily earlier - so with any luck there will be more overnight. I'm really envious of you being able to go out to the stages! Sweden is one of the events that I'd love to go and see in person. Enjoy and keep us posted!

Thanks, will do! Fun info, Ogier has been stopped by police for going 120-130 km/h on a 80 road, he will be able to finish the rally though. Don't know if he got a ticket or lost his license but it won't affect his rally anyways if I understood correctly.

[chunder]

And the worlds interest n WRC fades back to where it usually is.

Nowhere. Such a shame

[Alex Langheck]

Originally Posted by chunder

And the worlds interest n WRC fades back to where it usually is.

Nowhere. Such a shame

Is anybody really surprised?

Coverage is appalling, the timing on the WRC site hardly ever works, promotion is non existant.

But nobody wants to make the changes needed.

You get the sport you deserve!!

[crossfades]

Good day out in the woods! Ogier is on another level that cannot be matched and has pushed very, very hard today. For example he was 46 seconds faster on his second run on Vargåsen compared to the first ... The conditions on Vargåsen was very good actually with hard and frozen surface. The other stages seemed to be okay although there was muddy at places I heard.

Paddon has impressed the most. Had he pushed a little bit harder he would be closer to Ogier but he seems to just be aiming for second place. Mikkelsen has disappointed a bit according to me, he has spun twice. He would definitely have been in the lead or within reach of Ogier had he stayed on the road. Meeke as well could have matched Ogier unless he had cut the corner yesterday. But good action overall despite Ogier going towards another victory.

[Starfish Primer]

Originally Posted by Alex Langheck

Is anybody really surprised?

Coverage is appalling, the timing on the WRC site hardly ever works, promotion is non existant.

But nobody wants to make the changes needed.

You get the sport you deserve!!

Last year I went to Wales and I was surprised how poor the service area at Teeside was. It looked like a clandestine race in an abandoned industrial state, except Hyundai none of the manufacturers brought anything.

[cg7aa]

What about that save from Ogier! Puts me in mind of a similar fast twitch save from Auriol in a 206 in Corsica from back in the day.

[NaBUru38]

Rally México Guanajuato is underway.

Results after SS19

1. JM Latvala (VW) 3:27'22
2. S Ogier (VW) + 1'35
3. D Sordo (Hyundai) + 2'40
4. M Ostberg (Ford) + 4'48
5. H Paddon (Hyundai) + 5'42
6. O Tanak (Ford) + 7'50

[Alex Langheck]

You have to be honest - this event has been a real yawn fest; Ogier was always going to struggle running first on the road for two days - that he looks like getting 2nd place is a great result.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Alex Langheck

You have to be honest - this event has been a real yawn fest; Ogier was always going to struggle running first on the road for two days - that he looks like getting 2nd place is a great result.

It wasn't the best event was it? Latvala was given a golden opportunity to win with Ogier sweeping the road and he took full advantage. Everyone else just left scrapping over the pieces. I see that Sordo has been given a 2 minute penalty for using too many tyres so Ostberg gets 3rd.

[crossfades]

Sure the event was not too exciting but what can one expect really? No Citroens made it feel kind of empty and the Hyundais seems to be struggling with some technical difficulties. It is a VW party indeed

Østberg is just staying on the road pretty much. Others will be retiring sooner or later so he gets some good results but I doubt he will be challenging for a win this season.

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by crossfades

Sure the event was not too exciting but what can one expect really? No Citroens made it feel kind of empty and the Hyundais seems to be struggling with some technical difficulties. It is a VW party indeed

Østberg is just staying on the road pretty much. Others will be retiring sooner or later so he gets some good results but I doubt he will be challenging for a win this season.

Agreed. I hope TN's road position helps to challenge in Argentina, but that also requires his head to be in the right place and the car setup to be perfect. Oh, and for it not to rain.

Østberg and Sordo, both doing the perfect "number 2" driving right now. Finishing rallies, grabbing manufacturer points. Sadly, for both M-Sport and Hyundai, these are currently to top points scorers for their respective teams, not challenging for overall victory.

On the rallies the Citroens are there, I think M-Sport will be in 5th or 6th, tops. Of course, the Citroens can go off the road.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

On the rallies the Citroens are there, I think M-Sport will be in 5th or 6th, tops. Of course, the Citroens can go off the road.

Going on events so far there's a fair chance one of the Citroens will hit something and tear the sump guard off

[cg7aa]

Gents,

Not a single word after such an exciting rally? I'm beginning to think Haddon is the real deal and could really challenge when he gains more experience. Gutted for Latvala though, he seemed exasperated in his interview and what about Ogier's attack on Mina Clavero?

For UK viewers, was it me or was there no daily highlights on Motors all weekend? Also, regarding the C5 highlights program, is it me or has the production gone up a notch this year? Some of the classic stages were really brought to life with the camera angles, helicopter shots and 'drone' shots too; beautifully shot. The south Americans love their rallying judging by the volume of people trying to keep warm in the fog.

[BertMk2]

I didn't manage to catch any of the coverage over the weekend but did follow to broad overview of what was going on. Really pleased for Paddon to get a win, he really does seem to have stepped up a notch this year - and the Hyundai looks a more competitive proposition too. We're still not at the point where there is a serious challenge to VW in terms of the championship but it does look like there will be events where it's not as straightforward for them.

Motors TV appears to be dying - there's not much of anything on there now.

[tbtstt]

Great rally and a real battle to the end. Very impressed by Paddon (and the Hyundai). I think it's too early to jump any conclusions, but I really hope this is a sign of another serious contender for next year.

I watched the TV coverage and actually commented to the missus about the drone shots! I often think that drone shots are just in there for the sake of using one, but the way they were used was really impressive.

[Alex Langheck]

Great performance from Paddon, and it looks like the Hyundai could be a regular threat to the VW, but I wouldn’t get carried away just yet. We have to see this on all events.
And remember that Ogier ran first on the road for 2 days, and was 30 seconds down on the final day. It seems Ogier ruined his tyres on the penultimate stage, and had nothing left for the Power stage – but probably didn’t expect Paddon to handle the pressure – and to blitz him.
With Ogier & Paddon running 1st/ 2nd on the road for the next round – we should see if Paddon’s pace is real – or if it was down to his position on the road.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

I often think that drone shots are just in there for the sake of using one, but the way they were used was really impressive.

It's because they are cheaper than full-size helicopters.

[NaBUru38]

In other news, FIA wants to restrict which drivers enter the WRC main class:

Originally Posted by FIA's rally director Jarmo Mahonen

"Those cars will only be used by drivers entered by a manufacturer and approved by us. This gives us control."

"Today, you can put down the money and drive the car and we have no control over that."

"Do we want the so-called gentleman drivers coming with these cars? No, we don't."

Yeah, because there's too many WRC drivers today...