Rally Japan

429CJ · 3 Sep 2004, 16:59 (Ref:1086106)

After 1st day:

1. Petter Solberg Subaru 1.30.35,1
2. Sebastien Loeb Citroen + 12,7
3. Marcus Grönholm Peugeot + 17,8
4. Markko Märtin Ford + 1.01,7
5. Carlos Sainz Citroen + 1.06,8
6. Francois Duval Ford + 1.25,7
7. Mikko Hirvonen Subaru + 1.54,0
8. Harri Rovanperä Peugeot + 3.19,2
9. Achim Warmbold Ford + 6.47,6
10. Toshio Arai Subaru + 7.31,7

It seems to be a three-way battle so far, anyone on top 3 can still win this one.

luke · 3 Sep 2004, 17:39 (Ref:1086155)

Comon Solberg!

Dose anyone know what time the 1st days highlights are on tonight! -Eurosport!

429CJ · 3 Sep 2004, 18:05 (Ref:1086173)

If I remember right, it was 00:00 CET on Eurosport, but there's tennis before that, so it is most likely late.

luke · 3 Sep 2004, 18:10 (Ref:1086176)

Cheers mate..

Back to the rally....
Looks like it could be a good battle between Solberg and Loeb and of course Gronholm.

Cryos · 3 Sep 2004, 18:49 (Ref:1086199)

Subaru have the advantage cos the late great possom bourne done the rally in the imprezza (s8 i think) and won it as far as i know, so my money as always is on solberg

strider · 4 Sep 2004, 00:51 (Ref:1086478)

I'd love Solberg to win - it would be such a great comeback after Germany, but I think Loeb did the rally or something very similar last year. But then he doesn't need to win, does he?

Cryos · 4 Sep 2004, 11:02 (Ref:1086648)

he dosent need to win but i think over the next rallys he has to be withing the top 4/5 ?

strider · 4 Sep 2004, 11:45 (Ref:1086667)

Exactly, that's what I meant. A comfortable second to Solberg will do nicely thank you. Still hugely impressed by Petter's efforts in the rally so far, though.

Cryos · 4 Sep 2004, 11:48 (Ref:1086669)

will have to calculate all the possibilities but solberg can do it if loeb gets unfortunate

429CJ · 4 Sep 2004, 18:39 (Ref:1086863)

After 2nd day:

1. P SOLBERG 2:38:31.6
2. S LOEB +1:09.2
3. M MÄRTIN +1:40.3
4. C SAINZ +2:06.2
5. M GRÖNHOLM +2:17.8
6. F DUVAL +2:26.4
7. M HIRVONEN +4:07.3
8. H ROVANPERÄ +5:20.4
9. A WARMBOLD +13:16.6
10. T ARAI +13:37.9

It seems, that this rally is Solbergs to grab, over minute lead of the second place, I think only mechanical problems or driving error can rob a victory from Norwegian.

Both Peugeots had have problems with their gearboxes, car could have same colours like Ferrari, but reliability is that of McLaren...

429CJ · 5 Sep 2004, 19:18 (Ref:1087565)

Final standings:

1. Petter SOLBERG
2. Sébastien LOEB +1:13.3
3. Markko MÄRTIN +1:43.3
4. Marcus GRÖNHOLM +2:17.9
5. Carlos SAINZ +2:31.0
6. Harri ROVANPERÄ +7:26.2
7. Mikko HIRVONEN +9:06.5
8. Antony WARMBOLD +18:14.7
9. Toshihiro ARAI +18:15.4
10. Takuma KAMADA +21:51.2

Problem - free victory for Solberg, witch also got him the second place on points table.

1. Sébastien LOEB 84 Pts
2. Petter SOLBERG 54 Pts
3. Markko MÄRTIN 53 Pts
4. Carlos SAINZ 50 Pts
5. Marcus GRÖNHOLM 47 Pts
6. Francois DUVAL 39 Pts

Cryos · 5 Sep 2004, 19:34 (Ref:1087581)

Solberg is gona keep that championship title!! he is on a rampage that lad!

luke · 5 Sep 2004, 19:35 (Ref:1087583)

Good on ya Solberg!

strider · 5 Sep 2004, 23:35 (Ref:1087752)

Quote:

Originally posted by rxie
Solberg is gona keep that championship title!! he is on a rampage that lad!

Really hope you're right, but Loeb is gonna have to have two or three no-scores for that to happen. And the trouble is that he is a bit like rallying's version of Alain Prost. Kinda sneaks through the event and always ends up at the sharp end.

**BertMk2** · 6 Sep 2004, 07:39 (Ref:1087867)

That was a really impressive drive from Solberg - he just blew everyone else away completely! I know Loeb didn't need to win so may not have been at 100% but what about everybody else?

I still think the championship will go to Loeb, that gap is just too big for Solberg to close.

Dani Filth · 6 Sep 2004, 10:12 (Ref:1087961)

Loeb will win the championship with three races to go .. that's my prediction ..
it was nice to see Solberg in front

Cryos · 6 Sep 2004, 19:01 (Ref:1088396)

solberg all the way!

luke · 6 Sep 2004, 20:40 (Ref:1088472)

It's a shame really because well if Solberg had of won the races he should of may be Loeb had more bad luck you would see a thrilling battle to the end just like last year.
Anyway although I'am a big Solberg fan I still feel Loeb deserves to win the title this year.

Cryos · 6 Sep 2004, 21:13 (Ref:1088500)

no he dosnt solberg dose !! the man has been in wrc longer and has had the most misfortune!

Matti Alamaki · 6 Sep 2004, 21:35 (Ref:1088525)

Quote:

Originally posted by rxie
no he dosnt solberg dose !! the man has been in wrc longer and has had the most misfortune!

******, Loeb has been the most consistant driver on all surfaces all year. Some of Solbergs misforune have been his own doing. Don't get me wrong, I'm a massive fan of Solbergs but Loeb deserves the title this year and has it in the bag.

Roll on next year...

Cryos · 6 Sep 2004, 22:10 (Ref:1088557)

:P solberg deserves a 2nd title

Dani Filth · 7 Sep 2004, 11:02 (Ref:1088897)

maybe he does . but not this year ..

Cryos · 7 Sep 2004, 12:57 (Ref:1088984)

Exactly

but he still deserves one

Matti Alamaki · 7 Sep 2004, 13:52 (Ref:1089025)

Quote:

Originally posted by rxie
Solberg is gona keep that championship title!! he is on a rampage that lad!

No he's not

**BertMk2** · 7 Sep 2004, 14:37 (Ref:1089045)

Looks like you're outnumbered rxie

Solberg put in a cracking drive but it's too little too late for the title. Loeb can just cruise and collect now whilst Solberg has got to go balls out for big points in every round and hope Loeb screws up somewhere.

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