2008 Jordan Rally - official thread

[StevieWonder]

hello

is there anybody of you goinig to join Rally Jordan at the end of April ?
http://www.jordanrally.com

entry list and maps will only be published one month before - end of March.

do not yet know, if I will be there.

steviewonder
http://www.hirvonen-fanclub.com

[N]

I was thinking of going, I've been to Monte Carlo and Sweden rally this year and I should be in Saudi Arabia during that time, so I can just pop over the border. I'll see in a couple of weeks.

[StevieWonder]

do you going there alone ???

maybe we can get together to see some stages.

[N]

Normally I don't go alone, I always find someone to come to the rally with me. I've been talking to a friend of mine, I just have to see if I can fit it into my schedule. It's still too far away to decide now, I'll see in about two weeks time.

[Camelopard]

My wife and I are going, booked through Per Carlsson's Rally Travels, can't wait!

After the rally we are going up to Syria to visit some of the old crusader castles and go into Lebanon to the Bekka Valley, see you there.

[Tom206wrc]

No François Duval at this rally apparently :(

He will drive a Grande Punto S2000 at the Rally of Portugal(IRC)instead ;)

[MikeD]

On Motors TV there was a rumour that some of the regions local drivers will have WRC cars for Rally Jordan (most likely a Focus). Have any of you heard who that could be?

[WRCfan]

Don't forget to pack your beach umbrella and bucket and spade!

[Tom206wrc]

Don't forget to pack your beach umbrella and bucket and spade!



And your gun in case of terrorist attack :p :

[Camelopard]

Looks like I won't be going to Spain, too much chance of an Eta terrorist attack.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/24/terrorism.spain

[WRCfan]

What's the world coming to!? can't do anything these days without someone wanting to put a bomb into the picture!!!

[harriswrc]

What about entrylist?
They should announce it yesterday... Anyone knows something more?

[harriswrc]

Finally, entrylist is online today.
Not many surprises there, all wrc-regulars are present.
http://www.jordanrally.com/static/pdf/JWRC_2008_Organizer_Entry.pdf

[Camelopard]

Maps online here as well.

http://www.jordanrally.com/static/pdf/Maps.pdf

[KiwiRallyFan]

Does anybody know of any good spectating spots?

[gloomyDAY]

Should this be the official Rally Jordan thread?

No one else has bothered to post anything for this rally.
Hell, barely exists on this forum.

[gloomyDAY]

YEAH! Rally Jordan baby....W00T!

Well, somebody needed to get excited. Anymore cheerfulness over this rally and a funeral will break out.

I was curious about the water placed on the tarmac roads. Pretty cool how the salt crystalized as it dried on the gravel surface. Apparently, you can get as much grip as on a tarmac rally. Many have stated that you can run a tarmac-spec car on this surface. Cool!

[traxx]

Recce :
http://wrc.is.free.fr/posts/2008/04/22/562-premiers-tours-de-roue-en-jordanie
http://wrc.is.free.fr/posts/2008/04/22/563-que-peut-faire-stobart

[J4MIE]

I always look forward to a new event in the championship as it's an unknown quantity. Despite all the previews etc nobody really knows what's going to happen and what the rally will throw up :)

Of course, I expect Loeb to walk away with it as usual but we will see how the other teams can do a bit to challenge him.

[gloomyDAY]

I think Loeb is going to win by a mile!

JML is probably the only hope of seeing Seb in second position.

[pettersolberg29]

Petter could go well! (ignore my name!)

[CEORacingLions]

Head to Head , Hirvonen - Latvala , who won this round ?

[GigiGalliNo1]

Gigi will go well! (ignore my name!) :p

[grugsticles]

I think that if the surface is as they say ( gravel covered with dilt from the Dead Sea which crystalises to be like tarmac, then it will be a Citreon witewash. Loab will win and Danni will be a close second about 20 seconds behind.

[jparker]

No rain this time :)

Long Term Forecast

Wednesday
April 23Thursday
April 24Friday
April 25Saturday
April 26Sunday
April 27 http://www.theweathernetwork.com/common/images/wicons/a.gifhttp://www.theweathernetwork.com/common/images/wicons/b.gifhttp://www.theweathernetwork.com/common/images/wicons/a.gifhttp://www.theweathernetwork.com/common/images/wicons/b.gifHigh (http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/index.php?product=glossary&placecode=joxx0002&pagecontent=hightemperature)35°C32°C29°C28°C24°CCo ndition (http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/index.php?product=help&placecode=joxx0002&pagecontent=helpicons)Sunny
Cloudy periods
Sunny
Cloudy periods
Sunny
Low (http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/index.php?product=glossary&placecode=joxx0002&pagecontent=lowtemperature)18°C25°C18°C20°C17°C
Updated:Wednesday April 23 2008,6:01 EST (http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/index.php?product=glossary&pagecontent=utc) - Amman Airport

[tmx]

I disagree with that speculation, just watch the Khalid's interview on jordan road on wrc.com. FRom what I've learned, there are mixed of stages, some will have hard base, but other are loose. I think it will be soothable for drivers with the best smooth techniques on high speed while able to compensate the lack of grip, it will pobably favor drivers like Loeb, the Fins and Petter.


Head to Head , Hirvonen - Latvala , who won this round ?
If he can stay on the road, but I think we are in for a surprised in this rally, I don't think the Ford will get it that easy, I think the Subaru will be right up there, if they don't break down.

[sp0+]

Goodmorning everyone!!!! Any news from the shakedown?

[desmosedici]

They're running it now, think we've to wait a bit longer ;)

[turves]

Well, it's coming up to 11:30 in Jordan, so hopefully won't have to wait too long...

[Xsara Fan]

Problems for Munchi`s? http://www.rallye-magazin.de/r/wm/d/n/d/2008/04/24/chaos-im-munchis-team/index.html

[euskalteam]

Can anyone translate this?

Thanks

[Viking]

Well, looking at pictures on driver blogs i think there will not be to many water splashes to pass on this one :D

Blogs:
Henning
http://www.vgb.no/blog.php?blog=6339&m=4&y=2008
Petter
http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/index.php/2008/04/
Patrik Sandell
http://www.patriksandell.com/6623.mms_blogg.html

And the wether today will be hot and sunny, tomorrow hot and sunny and rest of the week-end will be…….hot and sunny :p

[Viking]

Can anyone translate this?

Thanks

Google can (well sort of) :)

Because Luis Perez Companc because of political unrest which followed Argentina zurückreisen had tried Munchi's the team now einzufliegen replacement from England.

UNDER PRESSURE: Munchis tried changing the driver shortly before the start
On Wednesday evening, Ford announced sports chief Mark Deans, the news that Luis Perez Companc before the journey home to Argentina had each other. Companc heads main occupation is the food company Molinos. Because of drastic tax increases in agriculture acute conflict between the government and farmers in Argentina, so that Companc in the home right after the must-see.

"The situation just escalated," says brother Jorge, as a passenger by Federico Villagra in Jordan. "The farmers do not have to only 50 percent more taxes on exports abroad pay, but also 35 percent income tax in advance, the estimates are based solely on the government are based."

Even during the Rally Argentina, the farmers on the streets, demonstrating and blocked roads. Two weeks prevailed in parts of the country's petrol shortage, because the tank truck is not achieved their goal. Now the police vehicles partly on farms confiscated for more road blocks to prevent it. Jorge Perez Companc, the business of ice-Munchi's brand, is not affected by the problems. "We have our own farms and do not need to buy milk," says the 42-year-old.

Meanwhile, Ford tries, the Commissioners of the Rally for a special permit so that Barry Clark and his passenger deny the rally. Actually, writes the regulations provide that final entry after only a passenger in the car may be exchanged.

Compancs regular co-driver Jose Maria Volta is in any case only tourists. By the early departure of his drivers, he has only half a rally Aufschrieb can customize. With the Spanish prayer book, the former Fiesta Trophy winner Clark does not begin much. "He is probably in large parts in control," said Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson. Just can withdraw his Munchi's second car. The regulations writes for the M2-mark scoring a two-car team at least ten runs.

[Simmi]

So I think I'm right in saying no Companc and unfortunately no replacement drive from Barry Clark. And that if Munchis want to be a full M2 points scorer team this season they will need to add another round.

If so it is stupid that a perfectly good car will just sit in the service park. The sport should be jumping at the chance to help get young drivers into WRC machinery. Didn't this same thing happen after the crash of Companc's (brother?) in the Indy Pro Series?

[sp0+]

1 Sordo-Marti Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:14.3
2 Hirvonen-Lehtinen Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:14.5
3 Galli-Bernachinni Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:14.5
4 Latvala-Antilla Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:14.8
5 Solberg-Mills Subaru Impreza WRC '07 A/8 1:15.0
6 Atkinson-Prevot Subaru Impreza WRC '07 A/8 1:15.1
7 Loeb-Elena Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:15.2
8 Aava-Sikk Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:15.7
9 H. Solberg-Menkerund Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:15.9
10 Al Qassimi-Orr Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:16.6
11 Wilson-Martin Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:16.8
12 Gardeimeister-Tuominen Suzuki SX4 WRC A/8 1:17.1
13 Villagra-Companc Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:17.2
14 Andersson-Andersson Suzuki SX4 WRC A/8 1:18.4
15 Rautenbach-Senior Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:18.7
16 Clark-Davies Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:21.7

[sp0+]

Suspension set-up problems for Loeb....!!!!????

[wwbroe]

1 Sordo-Marti Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:14.3
2 Hirvonen-Lehtinen Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:14.5
3 Galli-Bernachinni Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:14.5
4 Latvala-Antilla Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:14.8
5 Solberg-Mills Subaru Impreza WRC '07 A/8 1:15.0
6 Atkinson-Prevot Subaru Impreza WRC '07 A/8 1:15.1
7 Loeb-Elena Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:15.2
8 Aava-Sikk Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:15.7
9 H. Solberg-Menkerund Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:15.9
10 Al Qassimi-Orr Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:16.6
11 Wilson-Martin Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:16.8
12 Gardeimeister-Tuominen Suzuki SX4 WRC A/8 1:17.1
13 Villagra-Companc Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:17.2
14 Andersson-Andersson Suzuki SX4 WRC A/8 1:18.4
15 Rautenbach-Senior Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:18.7
16 Clark-Davies Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:21.7


What source do you have these results from? ;)

[mtp123]

wrc.com has maps of the Jordan stages on the site

http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=40a&season=2008&rally_id=HKJ

[sp0+]

What source do you have these results from? ;)

Greek site http://www.rally.gr
But unfortunatelly is only in Greek language...You can read the numbers though... :) :)

[Viking]

Greek site http://www.rally.gr
But unfortunatelly is only in Greek language...You can read the numbers though... :) :)

This is mostly Greek to me :p : but it seems like Barry Clark is running, has he got the permit to replace Companc?

[Viking]

Ok, found it
http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=101&id=919&desc=Briton%20Clark%20replaces%20Perez%20Companc%2 0on%20Jordan%20Rally

[sp0+]

This is mostly Greek to me :p : but it seems like Barry Clark is running, has he got the permit to replace Companc?

:) :) :)

[FST]

Scotsman Barry Clark will drive for the Munchi’s World Rally Team in Jordan in place of Luis Perez Companc who had to withdraw from the event at the last minute.

Clark, 25, winner of the 2007 Fiesta SportingTrophy International, was asked to stand in for Perez Companc after the Argentinean had to return home for business reasons.

Clark had originally expected to be working as a mechanic in Jordan on the Munchi’s team car of Federico Villagra. Instead, he’s trying to get to grips with Perez Companc’s identical car and a new partnership with Jose Dias - the stand-in co-driver for the Munchi’s team.

“When I’m not competing I help the Ford team and I was due to be working on the rear-left of Villagra’s car this weekend, but late Tuesday Malcolm gave me a ring, explained the situation and told me to pack my overalls and licence just in case, ” said Clark. “I was at the airport on Wednesday afternoon when he called again and told me I’d be starting the rally. I couldn’t believe it at first, I was over the moon.”

Clark arrived in Jordan early on Thursday morning and drove his car for the first time at the Shakedown test. With such limited preparation time, he is realistic about his chances on the rally: “With no recce I’ve really been thrown in at the deep end. It’s my first time with Jose, it’s his first time reading pace notes in English and we’re using other drivers’ pace notes. It’s going to be tough. My goals are to get to the finish, and enjoy myself.”

Clark is no stranger to rallying at a senior level and he has driven a Ford Focus WRC once before - although only at a promotional day in the UK. His prize for winning the Fiesta SportingTrophy was a fully funded WRC drive on a round of the series in 2008. But with the additional support of his sponsors Clark has expanded his WRC programme to three events: Turkey, Corsica and Wales Rally GB.

“The opportunity arose on Tuesday night when Luis called me to say he wouldn’t be able to compete,” explained Malcolm Wilson. “So in conjunction with the event stewards I looked at the options and made the call to Barry. The fact that he was coming here anyway, and doing three events in a Ford this year made good sense. I felt it was a great opportunity for him to tick a few boxes before his first rally - so at least when he gets to Turkey it’s not all new to him.”

“It’s a difficult situation because he hasn’t had the opportunity to do the recce, so he’s on a combination of Matthew [Wilson] and Federico’s [Villagra] notes but as long as he uses the rally as sort of high speed recce, it won’t all be new to him in Turkey. If he tries to do anything other than that he’d be silly because this is a difficult and tricky event.”
http://www.rallyforums.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_online.gif http://www.rallyforums.com/forum/images/buttons/report.gif (http://www.rallyforums.com/forum/report.php?p=138200)

[wrc_flipper]

Jordan Stage times:-

Friday 25th
SS1 - Suwayma1 - 08:19 (Local) - 06:19 (BST)
SS2 - Mahes1 - 08:53 (Local) - 07:53(BST)
SS3 - Mount Nebo1 - 09:38 (Local) – 07:38(BST
SS4 - Mai’n 1 - 10:25(Local) – 08:25(BST)
SS5 - Suwayma2 - 12:35(Local) – 10:35(BST)
SS6 - Mahes 2 - 13:09(Local) – 11:09(BST)
SS7 - Mount Nebo 2 - 13:54(Local) – 11:54(BST)
SS8 - Mai’n 2 - 14:41(Local) - - 12:41 (BST)


Saturday 26th
SS9 - Turki 1 - 08:53(local) – 06:53(BST)
SS10 - Erak Elamir 1 - 09:21(Local) – 07:21(BST)
SS11 - Shuna 1 - 10:24(Local) – 08:24(BST)
SS12 - Baptism Site 1 - 11:05(Local) – 09:05(BST)
SS13 - Turki 2 - 13:06(Local) – 11:06(BST)
SS14 - Erak Elamir 2 - 13:34(Local) – 11:09(BST)
SS15 - Shuna 2 - 14:37(Local) – 12:37(BST)
SS16 - Baptism Site 2 - 15:18(Local) – 13:18(BST)


Sunday 27th
SS17 - Kafrain 1 - 07:37(local) – 05:37(BST)
SS18 - Wadi Shueib 1 - 08:10(Local) – 06:10(BST)
SS19 - Jordan River 1 - 09:13(Local) – 07:13(BST)
SS20 - Kafrain 2 - 11:30(local) – 09:30(BST)
SS21 - Wadi Shueib 2 - 12:03(local) – 10:03(BST)
SS22 - Jordan River 2 - 13:06(Local) – 11:06(BST)

Also very good Stage Guide at http://www.jordanrally.com/static/pdf/spectaor_areas_guide.pdf (http://www.jordanrally.com/static/pdf/spectaor_areas_guide.pdf)

[wrc_flipper]

News from Shakedown.
1 Sordo
2. Hivonen
3. Galli

[Viking]

“If he tries to do anything other than that he’d be silly because this is a difficult and tricky event.”

What Malcolm is saying is that if you try to set good stage times your car will very soon have a technical failure :D

[J4MIE]

Scotsman Barry Clark will drive for the Munchi’s World Rally Team in Jordan in place of Luis Perez Companc who had to withdraw from the event at the last minute.

Clark, 25, winner of the 2007 Fiesta SportingTrophy International, was asked to stand in for Perez Companc after the Argentinean had to return home for business reasons.

Clark had originally expected to be working as a mechanic in Jordan on the Munchi’s team car of Federico Villagra. Instead, he’s trying to get to grips with Perez Companc’s identical car and a new partnership with Jose Dias - the stand-in co-driver for the Munchi’s team.

“When I’m not competing I help the Ford team and I was due to be working on the rear-left of Villagra’s car this weekend, but late Tuesday Malcolm gave me a ring, explained the situation and told me to pack my overalls and licence just in case, ” said Clark. “I was at the airport on Wednesday afternoon when he called again and told me I’d be starting the rally. I couldn’t believe it at first, I was over the moon.”

Clark arrived in Jordan early on Thursday morning and drove his car for the first time at the Shakedown test. With such limited preparation time, he is realistic about his chances on the rally: “With no recce I’ve really been thrown in at the deep end. It’s my first time with Jose, it’s his first time reading pace notes in English and we’re using other drivers’ pace notes. It’s going to be tough. My goals are to get to the finish, and enjoy myself.”

Clark is no stranger to rallying at a senior level and he has driven a Ford Focus WRC once before - although only at a promotional day in the UK. His prize for winning the Fiesta SportingTrophy was a fully funded WRC drive on a round of the series in 2008. But with the additional support of his sponsors Clark has expanded his WRC programme to three events: Turkey, Corsica and Wales Rally GB.

“The opportunity arose on Tuesday night when Luis called me to say he wouldn’t be able to compete,” explained Malcolm Wilson. “So in conjunction with the event stewards I looked at the options and made the call to Barry. The fact that he was coming here anyway, and doing three events in a Ford this year made good sense. I felt it was a great opportunity for him to tick a few boxes before his first rally - so at least when he gets to Turkey it’s not all new to him.”

“It’s a difficult situation because he hasn’t had the opportunity to do the recce, so he’s on a combination of Matthew [Wilson] and Federico’s [Villagra] notes but as long as he uses the rally as sort of high speed recce, it won’t all be new to him in Turkey. If he tries to do anything other than that he’d be silly because this is a difficult and tricky event.”

I wish him the best of luck but under the circumstances not expecting anything at all :)

:bounce:

[turves]

I think there are no expectations on him whatsoever, however, if he just plods along a top 10 finish could be feasible if others hit woes...

[GigiGalliNo1]

News from Shakedown.
1 Sordo
2. Hivonen
3. Galli

Already!?


“If he tries to do anything other than that he’d be silly because this is a difficult and tricky event.”

What Malcolm is saying is that if you try to set good stage times your car will very soon have a technical failure :D

lol

[paddocknews]

Shakedown times:

1 Sordo-Marti Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:14.3
2 Hirvonen-Lehtinen Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:14.5
3 Galli-Bernachinni Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:14.5
4 Latvala-Antilla Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:14.8
5 Solberg-Mills Subaru Impreza WRC '07 A/8 1:15.0
6 Atkinson-Prevot Subaru Impreza WRC '07 A/8 1:15.1
7 Loeb-Elena Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:15.2
8 Aava-Sikk Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:15.7 :cool:
9 H. Solberg-Menkerund Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:15.9
10 Al Qassimi-Orr Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:16.6
11 Wilson-Martin Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:16.8
12 Gardeimeister-Tuominen Suzuki SX4 WRC A/8 1:17.1
13 Villagra-Companc Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:17.2
14 Andersson-Andersson Suzuki SX4 WRC A/8 1:18.4
15 Rautenbach-Senior Citroen C4 WRC A/8 1:18.7
16 Clark-Davies Ford Focus RS WRC '07 A/8 1:21.7

[A.F.F.]

Whole new event... nobody knows anything about it....

Surely Al Quassimy knows a bit. Maybe I should fix my pickems and put him to win.

[Viking]

Whole new event... nobody knows anything about it....

Surely Al Quassimy knows a bit. Maybe I should fix my pickems and put him to win.

Phil Mills won it in 94 :) so this will be the second win here for him :D

[GigiGalliNo1]

Solberg, i have a feeling Petter will do well this round. So will Galli and unfortunate luck for Loeb.. Aava even will do good :)

[wwbroe]

You can see the times of all runs on shakedown (i mean every run made by a single pilot) on the official website of Rally Jordan. You will find these under results.
http://www.jordanrally.com/

[jparker]

Solberg, i have a feeling Petter will do well this round....

Yeah, I think I've heard that before.

[pettersolberg29]

These results from SD suggest that later runners are faster as they got faster times as they went on.

Does this mean that drivers like Petter and Sordo will have a better chance as they start later on the road, or were the results like this only due to experience of the stage as they repeated it?

[Donney]

Sordo should have some experience, he did the recce last year.

[Xeroid]

Anyone found any webcam feeds ? Service Park or anywhere ?
I need my gravel fix.

[jonas_mcrae]

wrc.com has some videos now, Al-Qassimi and Clark look very very slow, petter and Loeb much better, and by the way i noticed that Clark's focus has no name on the side window, just the number 10 lol. The gravel is very strage some parts is even black I dont know if it is because of the rubber or something else, it looks quick though...

[A.F.F.]

So they made the roads for this rally ?

The ultimate sandbox :up:

[jonas_mcrae]

So they made the roads for this rally ?

The ultimate sandbox :up:

yeah
I suppose this is the only rally where the roads are not actually used by people to get to places, they have 6 lane highways so who if not rally-crazy-people would like to used those roads lol

[cut the b.s.]

wrc.com has some videos now, Al-Qassimi and Clark look very very slow, petter and Loeb much better, and by the way i noticed that Clark's focus has no name on the side window, just the number 10 lol. The gravel is very strage some parts is even black I dont know if it is because of the rubber or something else, it looks quick though...

Clark went to Jordan as a mechanic, give the guy a break, its a great chance for the lad but be realistic in what you expect.

[J4MIE]

Clark went to Jordan as a mechanic, give the guy a break, its a great chance for the lad but be realistic in what you expect.

Exactly, he arrived on Wednesday with no chance to do recce and is using a mixture of other drivers' pacenotes, it's also his co-driver's first time reading notes in English, and he has only very briefly driven the car before, so I don't know how fast you are expecting him to go :confused:

Hopefully he will just enjoy the experience without having any pressure on him, and get a bit more used to the car in time for Turkey where hopefully he won't have as many nerves :)

:bounce:

[White Sauron]

yeah
I suppose this is the only rally where the roads are not actually used by people to get to places, they have 6 lane highways so who if not rally-crazy-people would like to used those roads lol

Not the only and not the first ;) Look: http://rallystuff.net/article.aspx?id=584

[tmx]

another boring rally.

[ste898]

I predicted that Barry would get slagged off on here by poeple that dont have a clue as soon as I heard about Barry doing Rally Jordan.......

He did a brilliant job with no recce and 1st time in WRC

Some poeple just dont have a clue!!!!

[urabus-denoS2000]

For me the man of the rally is Conrad Rautenbach... :p :

[bowler]

another boring rally.

we can't have been watching the same results :-)

Barry Clark--amazing
Latvala excellent drive, and bad luck
sordo-- great drive

interesting surface, good event

congrats to Mikko

Atkinson on podium again

sure was boring........................

Can't wait for an exciting rally

[Viking]

For me the man of the rally is Conrad Rautenbach... :p :

And to they who said Conrad could do nothing with the podium outcome :laugh:

[J4MIE]

For me the man of the rally is Conrad Rautenbach... :p :

I feel sorry for both of them. It was a dodgy bit of road to have two-way rally traffic on. Should we not be blaming the FIA for having a timing system that means if you lose time in a stage you have to speed up on the road sections to try to avoid further penalties??

[COD]

For me the man of the rally is Conrad Rautenbach... :p :

For sure. I wonder if Citroen still thinks the money they receive for letting him drive is enough to cover all the losses...

Anyway, only four pages on this thread, must be all time low?

[J4MIE]

Oh and have to say unlucky to Latvala's co-driver under the car.... :eek: but I think he shouldn't have been there in the first place.... lucky there was a few people around to lift the car up and that they had put the wheel under it, what if he had stopped in the middle of the desert without anybody around? :s

Anyone going under a car should always check the jack first of all no matter about the situation :s

[Audimadgeoff]

For sure. I wonder if Citroen still thinks the money they receive for letting him drive is enough to cover all the losses...

Anyway, only four pages on this thread, must be all time low? this is the first time I've had the chance to get on the forum and was surprised that it was only 4 pages long. Wasn't surprised to find idiots intent on slagging Conrad off though. same ol same ol really. Do you lot also like to stamp on ants in your spare time??? Had Conrad been in the wrong the FIA would have taken action. He wasn't so shut it!

Well done to Barry for doing the best considering the late notice - nice to know M.W. trusts him enough to give him the opportunity! :D

[Tomi]

Oh and have to say unlucky to Latvala's co-driver under the car.... :eek: but I think he shouldn't have been there in the first place.... lucky there was a few people around to lift the car up and that they had put the wheel under it, what if he had stopped in the middle of the desert without anybody around? :s

Anyone going under a car should always check the jack first of all no matter about the situation :s

Yes good luck that the events all 4 spectators was on that spot.

[Viking]

this is the first time I've had the chance to get on the forum and was surprised that it was only 4 pages long. Wasn't surprised to find idiots intent on slagging Conrad off though. same ol same ol really. Do you lot also like to stamp on ants in your spare time??? Had Conrad been in the wrong the FIA would have taken action. He wasn't so shut it!

Well done to Barry for doing the best considering the late notice - nice to know M.W. trusts him enough to give him the opportunity! :D

Forum has been down since Friday. And sorry, forgot we could not have fun on Conrads behalf, everybody else but not him! I will try and remember, if only he would not make it so difficult...

[urabus-denoS2000]

I feel sorry for both of them. It was a dodgy bit of road to have two-way rally traffic on. Should we not be blaming the FIA for having a timing system that means if you lose time in a stage you have to speed up on the road sections to try to avoid further penalties??

Yes,it was a tricky crest after a corner,neither one of them could see another.They say that Conrad was speeding(because he was entering the stage) and that Loeb was relaxing because he just finished his stage.

[Tomi]

Yes,it was a tricky crest after a corner,neither one of them could see another.They say that Conrad was speeding(because he was entering the stage) and that Loeb was relaxing because he just finished his stage.

But the good thing is that both guys was told to watch out for that place and so was every driver.

[MJW]

Really missed the forum during the rally - server fault?
Anyway just want to say Conrad is cool - that guy should be an honanry member of the FRM!!
Go Conrad - you MADE this rally. A new Rauntenbach fan.

[cut the b.s.]

For sure. I wonder if Citroen still thinks the money they receive for letting him drive is enough to cover all the losses...

Anyway, only four pages on this thread, must be all time low?

forum was down all weekend......

[urabus-denoS2000]

Really missed the forum during the rally - server fault?
Anyway just want to say Conrad is cool - that guy should be an honanry member of the FRM!!
Go Conrad - you MADE this rally. A new Rauntenbach fan.

Lets make a Rautenbach fan club.Im joining!!!
Rautenbach no.1!!!!!!!

[gloomyDAY]

Let me just say that I am a proud Conrad fan after this rally.
His ability to aid team-mates is unrivaled in the WRC. :p

Just kidding! This was a freak accident and no one is to blame.

I thought the rally was pretty cool. First time we saw tactics coming into play (I remember in the silly season a lot of us scowling at the new rule), Subaru gets another podium and another retirement, and Mikko snags the first win of the season. W00T! :)

[J4MIE]

I liked the look of the stages, the drops were unreal and nice views. Gotta be good to be going flat out and dropping a wheel over the edge.... :cool: :up:

[gloomyDAY]

The man of the rally?

Dani. Definitely! Held off the Ford's for as much as possible and got a podium.

[WRC2006]

Why some people says it is Conrad's fault, why not Loeb's fault?
For me only the FIA and organizers to blame using the same road section for entrance and exit.

As I read somewhere, Conrad was 10km/h and Loeb was 7km/h. Who to blame then? It was just a normal accident both of them share the responsability in it.

[A.F.F.]

Even it payed off for Finns, I hate tactics. :down:

I miss the last year's starting system. Fastest man should win, not the smartest. If smartest man wins, I'm not gonna win.. ever. :mark:

[L5->R5/CR]

another boring rally.



Are you sure we were following the same rally?

This year Argentina and Jordan have renewed my interest in the WRC from a viewer stand point...

[Helstar]

I can't wait to hear Daniel's 'new' thoughts about Conrad :rotflmao:

ps. I missed the forum a lot ;'

[tmx]

we can't have been watching the same results :-)

Barry Clark--amazing
Latvala excellent drive, and bad luck
sordo-- great drive

interesting surface, good event

congrats to Mikko

Atkinson on podium again

sure was boring........................

Can't wait for an exciting rally

It was unpredictable some aspect (Sordo being very fast, Rautenbach's big mistake (not his fault, but I have a feeling Citroen team don't appreciate it very much). I think I was complaining because I was hoping for once that none of the drivers would have problems, not too early anyway, especially for a new rally like Jordan, it would reveal a little more about the performance of each drivers compared to each others (even though we have some a good idea about the top three). The leaderboard in the end has such big gap. For a moment the top eights was seperated for less two minutes, I was hoping for a three or four way fight for the win by the end of the rally, when was the last time that happened again?

[L5->R5/CR]

It was unpredictable some aspect (Sordo being very fast, Rautenbach's big mistake (not his fault, but I have a feeling Citroen team don't appreciate it very much). I think I was complaining because I was hoping for once that none of the drivers would have problems, not too early anyway, especially for a new rally like Jordan, it would reveal a little more about the performance of each drivers compared to each others (even though we have some a good idea about the top three). The leaderboard in the end has such big gap. For a moment the top eights was seperated for less two minutes, I was hoping for a three or four way fight for the win by the end of the rally, when was the last time that happened again?



In some aspects you are hoping for the impossible.

In this rally we had tight battles, new challengers for the victory, unexpected twists and turns, a new winner (3rd this season in 5 events, when was the last time we had that?) and a battle going into the last day/ last loop of stages.

The norm for the season has been after day one everybody "will try to push but not take many risks". They are all settled into position and with the availability of splits can sit back and monitor their competition to protect their position. We don't get battles unless someone has a spin, gets a punctures, or has a moment, because everybody is already so spread out. In Jordan the teams were close enough that "tactics" (I'm sorry, I am a fan, I like the intrigue and mental strategy, the struggle to balance risk with reward) impacted the result, it has been almost half a decade since that was even possible...

It was a stunning rally I say...

[ProRally]

What was wrong, forum was down the whole weekend ?

[tmx]

It's always like that as far as I can tell, during a rally the forum is down for sometimes, but you shouldn't take my word for it. My guess is either to save bandwidth or the owner going to the rally.

[cosmicpanda]

They were saying on rally radio that perhaps the tactical gamble by Ford didn't really pay off, since the 40k stage had so much gravel on it that it didn't make much of a difference being first on the road. As such, Ford just dropped 20 seconds for nothing.

[AndyRAC]

I'm sure the organisers wil be pleased to know that here in the UK the event was described as' low key rally' 'low profile rally', to describe Max's visit, as opposed to being in Catalunya and the very important F1 race. Why were they both on the same weekend?

[F1boat]

Even it payed off for Finns, I hate tactics. :down:

I miss the last year's starting system. Fastest man should win, not the smartest. If smartest man wins, I'm not gonna win.. ever. :mark:

Still, congrats for Miko and Kimi, a great day for Finnish drivers :)

[ProRally]

I'm sure the organisers wil be pleased to know that here in the UK the event was described as' low key rally' 'low profile rally', to describe Max's visit, as opposed to being in Catalunya and the very important F1 race. Why were they both on the same weekend?

True, normally no WRC event and F1 on same weekend...

Max to Catalunya and meeting King Carlos in the pitlane... :hot:

[ZequeArgentina]

accident was no very clear wh´s fault was, and probably willnever be known. Obviously we all see Loeb was sent out of he lead and the rally, but being fist do nottake you out your possible respnsibility in the accident.

Sordo did a great rally, I think better than anyone here expected him.
But fr me the most amazing drive was Sebastian Ogier!!
Impressive comeback after losingsome minutes.
He overpassed everyone but Sandell, who went out while leading, but I am sure ogier´s pace had unsettle Patrick.

100% wins for Ogier!!
One to watch for sure, Loeb future replacement in formation!!!

[N.O.T]

I think Citroen should give a xsara to ogier for sure during this season.....he deserves it...

I think Hirovnen winning was a bad thing for ford.....the guy looks hopeless against Loeb....Latvala should be No1 and be given full support on team orders.

[MikeD]

I think Citroen should give a xsara to ogier for sure during this season.....he deserves it...

I think Hirovnen winning was a bad thing for ford.....the guy looks hopeless against Loeb....Latvala should be No1 and be given full support on team orders.

Rumours say that Ogier will have at least one outing in a WRC car this year. Don't know if it will be a Xsara or a C4.

Regarding Hirvonen, then I think he is trying to win the championship by being consistent rather than winning (the Richard Burns way). I hope he fails because I don't think he has shown enough this year to be WC material.

[jonkka]

I think Citroen should give a xsara to ogier for sure during this season.....he deserves it..

Agree fully though Ogier might appreciate some more experience before jumping to Xsara...


Latvala should be No1 and be given full support on team orders.

Except that there are no team orders in Ford team...

[White Sauron]

I think Citroen should give a xsara to ogier for sure during this season.....he deserves it...

I think Hirovnen winning was a bad thing for ford.....the guy looks hopeless against Loeb....Latvala should be No1 and be given full support on team orders.

As for me, in this rally Mikko Hirvonen showed his maturity and capability of being a real winner and possible champion. I explain why. He doesn't rush in things, like for example even Gronholm did. Mikko knows when to push and when to stay calm. Actually in Jordan he reminded me a feline predator: staying in touch and being on the watch for the top to "jump and grab" when this opportunity arised! To triumph you don't necessary have to be the best all the way. Just like former WRC partner Accenture said: "Some wait, some watch, some pounce - go on, be a tiger". That' what Mikko performed there in style. And that's the clever approach he's trying to apply everywhere. For sure, sometimes it doesn't work, but every time he tends to make his style be more perfect, and it really turns out to!!!
"Rally is not chess, you have to think there" - and according to this idiom, Mikko has much more chances than reckless Latvala. And being more cautious doesn't mean Mikko is slower. I suppose he just doesn't give it everything sometimes. And I say Argentina SS1 is where he did this.

[AlfaWRC]

As for me, in this rally Mikko Hirvonen showed his maturity and capability of being a real winner and possible champion. I explain why. He doesn't rush in things, like for example even Gronholm did. Mikko knows when to push and when to stay calm. Actually in Jordan he reminded me a feline predator: staying in touch and being on the watch for the top to "jump and grab" when this opportunity arised! To triumph you don't necessary have to be the best all the way. Just like former WRC partner Accenture said: "Some wait, some watch, some pounce - go on, be a tiger". That' what Mikko performed there in style. And that's the clever approach he's trying to apply everywhere. For sure, sometimes it doesn't work, but every time he tends to make his style be more perfect, and it really turns out to!!!
"Rally is not chess, you have to think there" - and according to this idiom, Mikko has much more chances than reckless Latvala. And being more cautious doesn't mean Mikko is slower. I suppose he just doesn't give it everything sometimes. And I say Argentina SS1 is where he did this.

I fully agree. Mikko always had to cope with critics from different sides. I just remember when he had a difficult season with Subaru, when he got the Ford-drive in 2006, when he took over the no1 position from Marcus and so on....

But Mikko always fighted back and gave his answer on the stages. He considerably helped Ford to win two manufacturers titles, he was not far behind Marcus at the end of the last season and he is leading the championship (in front of a man, who was never beaten - maybe exept 2003) after one third of the running season.

We all know that Latvala is incredibly fast, but as it looks it just needs some more abilities when you want to fight for the championsip - and Mikko has this abilities. And I am sure that Loeb will change his opinion regarding his main rival soon.....

[A.F.F.]

Yes. The best driver isn't necessarily the fastest driver.

[jonkka]

And being more cautious doesn't mean Mikko is slower.

Yes and no. I agree that Mikko is intelligent in his consistency and ability to settle down on certain points especially where a chance to improve position would lead to unacceptable risks.

But Mikko leads championship largely because Seb has had two DNF's in five rallies and that's what hasn't happened before. If Mikko really wants to be champion, he needs to be able to take Seb head-on and win - which was a tall order even to Gronholm. I don't say that Mikko wouldn't be able to do that but once or twice on preferred events (Sweden and Finland) won't suffice.

Loeb was running away from the pack at incredible rate in those few stages he did in Saturday and without the unfortunate crash, he would have scored his fourth win in five events. Latvala seems to be faster of the two Ford drivers but he's not consistent enough to challenge for the title this year, I fear. But given the rise of Latvala, Atkinson and Sordo I think we have much more interesting championship ahead this year even if Loeb will win the title again.

[Tomi]

Yes and no. I agree that Mikko is intelligent in his consistency and ability to settle down on certain points especially where a chance to improve position would lead to unacceptable risks.

He is slow and can not fight for the win, whats so intelligent about that?
The good thing is that he admit it him self and dont make excuses.
Driving the way like he does now he can maybe win a championship, others has won lucky championships before too, but he will never become a great driver.

[jonkka]

He is slow and can not fight for the win, whats so intelligent about that?

Knowing one's limits, knowing when to respect those and when to take the calculated risk and go beyond what is safe.

Some drivers never even come close to their limits, instead they drive safely and slowly to finish. Some drivers are all the time over the limit and crash every other stage. The very few (ie. the best) are exactly on the limit and never crash.

[Tomi]

Knowing one's limits, knowing when to respect those and when to take the calculated risk and go beyond what is safe.

Some drivers never even come close to their limits, instead they drive safely and slowly to finish. Some drivers are all the time over the limit and crash every other stage. The very few (ie. the best) are exactly on the limit and never crash.

i see, you mean common sence.

[cali]

Knowing one's limits, knowing when to respect those and when to take the calculated risk and go beyond what is safe.

Some drivers never even come close to their limits, instead they drive safely and slowly to finish. Some drivers are all the time over the limit and crash every other stage. The very few (ie. the best) are exactly on the limit and never crash.
You have just successfully described Sebastien Loeb :p

[COD]

Knowing one's limits, knowing when to respect those and when to take the calculated risk and go beyond what is safe.

Some drivers never even come close to their limits, instead they drive safely and slowly to finish. Some drivers are all the time over the limit and crash every other stage. The very few (ie. the best) are exactly on the limit and never crash.


If you mean Mikko is like that, you admit that is maximum speed is not enough to challenge Seb or JM, maybe even not Chris and Petter if they finally get a proper car, nor Sordo in short time. So Mikko will allways be a good no.2 driver.

[RS]

So Mikko will allways be a good no.2 driver.

I agree with that. It seemed 'slow and steady' won the race in Jordan, and it could be the case for the championship too if Loeb has some more bad luck. But it looks like the Ford boys (or Mikko at least) won't be able to match Loeb on speed anywhere other than the Scandinavian events.

[N.O.T]

yay !!! i just started a civil war in finalnd !!! I am god among mortals....

I think Miko doesn't have a chance driving like that...he will definately struggle on tarmac against duval sordo and Loeb so that leaves him with gravel where he is slower than Loeb and Latvala and if subaru manages to turn the impreza into a rally can and not a 4 wheeled dustbin then he might have serious problems with others as well....

I am not saying that Ford should give orders to let Latvala be infront of hirvonen all the time but it would be wiser if they would focus their effords on the car of Latvala....

[COD]

I think Miko doesn't have a chance driving like that...he will definately struggle on tarmac against duval sordo and Loeb so that leaves him with gravel where he is slower than Loeb and Latvala and if subaru manages to turn the impreza into a rally can and not a 4 wheeled dustbin then he might have serious problems with others as well....

I am not saying that Ford should give orders to let Latvala be infront of hirvonen all the time but it would be wiser if they would focus their effords on the car of Latvala....

Something I never thought I say, but You seem to agree with me

[jonkka]

You have just successfully described Sebastien Loeb :p

I deliberately avoided pointing fingers and naming any examples. And I continue not to.

[jonkka]

If you mean Mikko is like that, you admit that is maximum speed is not enough to challenge Seb or JM, maybe even not Chris and Petter if they finally get a proper car, nor Sordo in short time. So Mikko will allways be a good no.2 driver.

As I stated above, I am reluctant to put drivers in the boxes or label them. Having said that, I do think that in terms of raw speed, Latvala is faster than Mikko and Loeb is, incredibly enough, faster than just about anyone.

We all know that in current championship standings Mikko is 5 pts ahead of Loeb and Atko just two points behind - which is amazing - but yesterday when I updated my site, I noticed something interesting. How about over past 15 events?

http://www.juwra.com/moving_championship_points.html

[A.F.F.]

We all know that in current championship standings Mikko is 5 pts ahead of Loeb and Atko just two points behind - which is amazing - but yesterday when I updated my site, I noticed something interesting. How about over past 15 events?

http://www.juwra.com/moving_championship_points.html


Whoopsie daizie... mega amazing :up:

[AlfaWRC]

As I stated above, I am reluctant to put drivers in the boxes or label them. Having said that, I do think that in terms of raw speed, Latvala is faster than Mikko and Loeb is, incredibly enough, faster than just about anyone.

We all know that in current championship standings Mikko is 5 pts ahead of Loeb and Atko just two points behind - which is amazing - but yesterday when I updated my site, I noticed something interesting. How about over past 15 events?

http://www.juwra.com/moving_championship_points.html

From the last eight WRC rounds Mikko won 3 and Loeb won 4.
So this is very tight too...

Just let Mikko do his job - and I am confident: some will surely be surprised at year end...

[RS]

We all know that in current championship standings Mikko is 5 pts ahead of Loeb and Atko just two points behind - which is amazing - but yesterday when I updated my site, I noticed something interesting. How about over past 15 events?

http://www.juwra.com/moving_championship_points.html

That is very interesting. Also interesting that Mikko has only scored 9 stage wins this year and four of those were in Jordan.

http://www.juwra.com/season_2008_stats_stage_wins.html

[tmx]

The very few (ie. the best) are exactly on the limit and never crash. Waldergard and Rohrl.

In one of the interview, Jarmo say that Mikko is the most ambitious driver, there may be truth in that the with his calculating approach. Nice contrast in the Ford team with two opposite characters, one reservist and one goes flat out. Personally I feel the reservist tend to come out on top, ofcourse we like to cheer for the go for it drivers. What I like best about his driving is whenever there is very bad weather condition on gravel, he goes faster than anyone.

[Woodeye]

The main point of the championships is to collect points through the year and at the end of the season those points will be summed and whoever has the most points will be the champion. If the season would be over now Mikko would be the champion. No, he might not be the the fastest, but he has lead in points at the moment. If Seb has problems with car, or J-M crashes, that's too bad for them.

To be able to be the champion, use must be quick, consistent and tactical. Why to risk to finish first in every rally if you get only 2 points less being the second? If Mikko wins this year, he deserves it just like everyone else.

[Woodeye]

Having said that, I do think that in terms of raw speed, Latvala is faster than Mikko and Loeb is, incredibly enough, faster than just about anyone.

And this is something we will never know for sure as long as there are different cars in the series. I would love to see Jan Kopecky or Atkinson driving a Citroen or Ford.

[Brother John]

And this is something we will never know for sure as long as there are different cars in the series. I would love to see Jan Kopecky or Atkinson driving a Citroen or Ford.

You forget Loeb and still som others. ;)

[Brother John]

Source:without my personal explanation! :D
http://www.rallye-magazin.de/r/wm/d/n/d/2008/05/02/elena-und-die-diamanten/index.html

[DonJippo]

Source:without my personal explanation! :D
http://www.rallye-magazin.de/r/wm/d/n/d/2008/05/02/elena-und-die-diamanten/index.html

Also shows who he thinks was quilty for the accident but to say "I wonder how much Ford has paid to Rautenbach" is a bit too much even if it was said as a joke.

[Kamikaze]

Maybe the Sun was too hot, or he banged his head at the Crash ? :rolleyes:

[kabouter]

That is very interesting. Also interesting that Mikko has only scored 9 stage wins this year and four of those were in Jordan.

http://www.juwra.com/season_2008_stats_stage_wins.html

Those Pirelli control tyres must be really excellent, winning 101% of the stages this year... ;)

[jonkka]

Those Pirelli control tyres must be really excellent, winning 101% of the stages this year... ;)

Note the explanation on sidebar:
Total percentage can exceed 100 because shared stage wins are credited to more than one driver but stage itself is counted only once in total.

[Camelopard]

So they made the roads for this rally ?


Where did you get that information from? The roads existed before and the Jordanians graded them and packed the surface before the rally, is this not done elsewhere in the world?

The Jordanian Government put a lot into this rally and to be quite honest it is good to see a pro motorsport government involved, unlike most of the governments where traditional rallies are run. Most of the spectators were local but there were also quite a few from Lebabnon, Syria, Saudi and the other Gulf states.

As I said in the spectator thread, I'll be going back, the Jordanians are very friendly people, the food is great and shock, horror, you can even buy alcohol!

My only criticism was that it was so bleedin' hot, although it is not normally that hot at that time of the year, July yes, but not April.

Lack of spectators, imo opinion great, you can get really close to the cars, talk to the drivers and see lot's of action without being stuck in traffic jams like in Germany or walking for kilometres to get a good spot with no-one else around like a lot of other rallies, or being herded around like sheep and treated like children as in the old Rally Australia.

As for sand dunes, didn't see one close to the rally route at all.

[Rani]

As I said in the spectator thread, I'll be going back, the Jordanians are very friendly people, the food is great and shock, horror, you can even buy alcohol!

My only criticism was that it was so bleedin' hot, although it is not normally that hot at that time of the year, July yes, but not April.

Lack of spectators, imo opinion great, you can get really close to the cars, talk to the drivers and see lot's of action without being stuck in traffic jams like in Germany or walking for kilometres to get a good spot with no-one else around like a lot of other rallies, or being herded around like sheep and treated like children as in the old Rally Australia.

As for sand dunes, didn't see one close to the rally route at all.

Completely Agree :up:

[AndyRAC]

Where did you get that information from? The roads existed before and the Jordanians graded them and packed the surface before the rally, is this not done elsewhere in the world?

The Jordanian Government put a lot into this rally and to be quite honest it is good to see a pro motorsport government involved, unlike most of the governments where traditional rallies are run. Most of the spectators were local but there were also quite a few from Lebabnon, Syria, Saudi and the other Gulf states.


Why not disagreeing with you - it could be argued that why should Governments get involved with a 'rich' sport? That is something always brought up every time the British GP is threatened. I certainly can't imagine our Government getting involved with Rallying, although I know the Welsh Assembly are involved with Rally GB.

[KiwiRallyFan]

I went to Rally Jordan as well, and thought it was an excellent rally. The things I really liked were the compact size of it, the ease of access to the stages, the low crowd numbers, and the fact that everything was free including the prgramme/maps. It was great being able to drive straight up to a spectator point and be able to park within 100 metres of a corner five minutes before the first car was due. The one negative comment I have is the lack of a results service. I couldn't find any results anywhere (perhaps I didn't look hard enough). There was also reasonable coverage on local TV, but it was all in Arabic which I couldn't understand a word of.

If anyone is interested in looking at some photos from the event, I have a whole bunch here....

http://kiwirallyfan.smugmug.com/gallery/4907878_8fWe6#293062749_yz7wT