Wrc (8 Viewers)

[venom]

Anyone? New season starts tomorrow, so discuss :devil:

Favorites for Monte Carlo must be Loeb, and add to that Märtin, Solberg and Grönholm and we have a group which contains the world champion -04. I don't see Solberg as a big favourite in the roads of Monte, Märtin's propably got what it takes to challenge Loeb. Peugeot's has been miserable last years in Monte, but I hope 307 works fine and gives Grönholm that last needed kick. And you can't count Sainz out.

 

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[venom]

Though no one's interested :devil:

Standings after day 1:

1. S LOEB 1:26:38.7
2. M MÄRTIN +18.3
3. M GRÖNHOLM +18.7
4. C SAINZ +46.5
5. F DUVAL +1:00.6
6. P SOLBERG +1:52.4
7. R KRESTA +2:54.0
8. M HIRVONEN +2:54.8
9. F LOIX +2:59.8
10. N VOUILLOZ +4:05.7

 

[flieeeekke]

sadly burns is out this year. he was supposed to rejoin subaru :sob:

 

[venom]

Even though I don't like the lad at all, I hope he'll be back next year. And that there will be more seats next year also. More Finns you know

And I forgot to add that on Super1600 or whatever that's called nowadays Kosti Katajamäki leads after the first day (16th overall).

 

[Zlatan]

Has McRae retired from WRC for good?

 

[flieeeekke]

he didnt manage to find a team. i heard he'll be back next year.

 

[Zlatan]

I wonder if he'll take part in the Dakar next year... he said he quite enjoyed it

 

[venom]

I doubt McRae will find a proper factory seat for next season. Well mostly that depends on FIA and what they'll invent on rules. Wondering will Hyundai and Skoda be able to come back full-time next season. That would be at least two factory teams more to the current five.

 

[Sid]

Collin McRae is my fav. rally driver......I heard his son gonna follow his footsteps, is it true?

 

[venom]

I don't remember if his son is about to follow, or if he's even got one

On a related note though, here in Finland names Mikkola and Alén are back in business, sons of Hannu and Markku respectively are driving national junior championships.

 

[venom]

Some results again. After 2nd day:

1. S LOEB 2:54:22.6
2. F DUVAL +1:28.7
3. M MÄRTIN +1:41.7
4. M GRÖNHOLM +1:57.9
5. P SOLBERG +3:31.8
6. F LOIX +4:34.1
7. G PANIZZI +7:49.0
8. A WARMBOLD +10:04.5
9. O BURRI +12:37.7
10. J BERES +14:18.2

 

[Febrina]

Thanks for starting this thread, Venom

GOOD START, LOEB! :thumb:
It's like a dejavu, he won Rally MonteCarlo last year. In 2003, three Citroen drivers (Loeb, McRae, Sainz) on the podium :strong:

 

[Febrina]

++ [ originally posted by -Z- ] ++
I wonder if he'll take part in the Dakar next year... he said he quite enjoyed it

Yea, his courage admires me, he tried something new in rally Dakar and he likes it, no wonder he'd like to take part as well next year.
Not bad for him, eventhough there are so many differences between WRC and Dakar, he's done a good job.
I wonder if Peterhansel wanna tried to join WRC

 

[venom]

And those overalls:

1. S LOEB 4:12:03.0
2. M MÄRTIN +1:12.6
3. F DUVAL +1:19.6
4. M GRÖNHOLM +1:26.8
5. F LOIX +8:16.9
6. G PANIZZI +10:11.6
7. P SOLBERG +10:42.2
8. O BURRI +17:49.1
9. J BERES +19:43.1
10. N BERNARDI +23:38.1

Crap, Grönholm just 4th, but at least that's better than year ago. Now Peugeot just need to create top end from somewhere and that car can do it. Duval was somewhat surprise of this years Monte.

++ [ originally posted by Febrina ] ++
I wonder if Peterhansel wanna tried to join WRC

Nah, I think he'd probably hit the ALMS or similar

 

[venom]

So it's time for Rally of Sweden.

Grönholm's favourite to get the win IMO. Solberg and Märtin the main contenders. Names I'm looking forward to see are Sohlberg and Tuohino and what they are able to do, now that they have real factoryseats, Mitsubishi and Ford respectively. Tuohino would be my pick outside the biggest names to fight for top spot. He's got already some competetive experience this year on these conditions, last weekend's Arctic Rally that is, altough he had to retire in the end.

factoryteams:
1. Solberg / Mills
2. Hirvonen / Lehtinen
3. Loeb / Elena
4. Sainz / Marti
5. Grönholm / Rautiainen
6. Loix / Smeets
7. Märtin / Park
8. Tuohino / Aho
9. Panizzi / Panizzi
10. Sohlberg / Lindström

Oh, and group N will be interesting, but I'll have to deal with that in greater detail.

 

[Wings]

I can't believe I missed out on this thread. Great job venom & it's fantastic to see another rally fanatic. Sweden is looking increasingly like a Loeb victory. Am happy though finally Petter will get on the podium in Sweden!

 

[venom]

Loeb seems to be the first non-Finn/-Swede to win this rally. Too bad Grönholm had that powersteering problem in the longest stage and lost around 60 seconds b/c of that. Tuohino's been as good as I expected. And Paasonen is on his own class in group N, group which has suffered lots of retirements.

 

[Wings]

I'll be viewing it tomorrow night and am absolutely delighted Petter is on the podium. And the WRX 2004 will debut in Mexico so it will only get better. I think this warrants some sort of celebrations
Touhino has been brilliant too but poor Marko he had a commanding lead. Looks like this year will be a battle supreme between Loeb, Petter & Marko. Am also expecting Marcus to get into the act too. Bring it on!

 

[Febrina]

SEBASTIEN LOEB, he first non-scandinavian driver who won in Sweden! :thumb:

 

[venom]

That's what I was not hoping to happen, damn that power steering unit. And Tuohino's now officially my favourite driver, his interviews were hilarious.

But at least Paasonen was unstoppable in group N.