2008 Rallye Deutschland - official thread

[Salist]

Rally web site: http://www.rallye-deutschland.de/v2/index_e.php

Based: Trier

Surface: Asphalt

Stages: 19

2007 winner: Sebastien Loeb / Citroen C4 WRC



Itinerary

Thursday, 14. August

08.00 hrs Shakedown
20.00 hrs Ceremonial Start in Trier

Friday, 15. August

08.30 hrs Start in Trier
09.13 hrs SS 1 Ruwertal / Fell 1 (21.22 km)
10.26 hrs SS 2 Grafschaft Veldenz 1 (23.04 km)
11.19 hrs SS 3 Moselland 1 (9.82 km)
12.34 hrs Regrouping / Service in Trier
14.52 hrs SS 4 Ruwertal / Fell 2 (21.22 km)
16.05 hrs SS 5 Grafschaft Veldenz 2 (23.04 km)
16.58 hrs SS 6 Moselland 2 (9.82 km)
18.13 hrs Service in Trier
19.08 hrs Parc fermé in Trier

Saturday, 16. August

06.15 hrs Restart / Service in Trier
08.18 hrs SS 7 Bosenberg 1 (19.12 km)
08.51 hrs SS 8 Freisen/Westrich 1 (16.16 km)
09.26 hrs SS 9 Birkenfelder Land 1 (14.22 km)
09.58 hrs Remote Service Birkenfeld
10.44 hrs SS 10 Arena Panzerplatte 1 (30.38 km)
12.19 hrs Regrouping/Service in Trier
14.57 hrs SS 11 Bosenberg 2 (19.12 km)
15.30 hrs SS 12 Freisen/Westrich 2 (16.16 km)
16.05 hrs SS 13 Birkenfelder Land 2 (14.22 km)
16.37 hrs Remote Service Birkenfeld
17.23 hrs SS 14 Arena Panzerplatte 2 (30.38 km)
18.58 hrs Service in Trier
19.43 hrs Einfahrt Parc fermé in Trier

Sunday, 17. August

06.15 hrs Restart/Service in Trier
07.28 hrs SS 15 Dhrontal 1 (22.22 km)
08.03 hrs SS 16 Moselwein 1 (18.08 km)
09.08 hrs Regrouping/Service in Trier
10.41 hrs SS 17 Dhrontal 2 (22.22 km)
11.16 hrs SS 18 Moselwein 2 (18.08 km)
13.08 hrs SS 19 Circus Maximus Trier (4.37 km)
13.31 hrs Service Messepark Trier
16:15 hrs Ceremonial Finish Porta Nigra Trier

[Salist]

Here is Duval's livery:

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2008/nemecko/duval1.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2008/nemecko/duval2.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2008/nemecko/duval3.jpg

[teufel]

Great looking car! :up:

[Donney]

Indeed!

[Simmi]

7th Heaven for Loeb this weekend I feel. But hopefully Duval's car will run as good as it looks. Anyone got any idea what the weather forecast will be? Rain would shake things up a bit but that would probably just play into Loebs hands even more.

Germany is always one of my favourite rallies of the year and hopefully this year will be no exception.

[bluuford]

weather is going to be lottery.. as far as I can see from my weather model.. (I am hobby meteorologist). There is a chance of rain showers every day and it is unusually cold at least on Friday (16-17 degrees). The best weather looks to be on Thursday and maybe on Saturday as well.

[White Sauron]

What a strange and boring rally! It's wednesday already, but still no photos of the new Focus are available. Seems like all service-park and journalists are dead. Even in this thread is there just 6 posts. Argh...

[Koppomsbo]

What a strange and boring rally! It's wednesday already, but still no photos of the new Focus are available. Seems like all service-park and journalists are dead. Even in this thread is there just 6 posts. Argh...

Well maybe the journalists dont bother do go there, they all think Loeb will win so they use last years headlines :D

[HaCo]

LOL Koppo...

I'm also looking forward to the new nose of the Focus, but I heard they would just use decals to make the lights bigger because they had to do to much aero development!?! Don't know if it's true, but we'll see. :)

I will leave for Germany in a few hours, so I hope the rally won't be boring White Sauron. ;)

[White Sauron]

I will leave for Germany in a few hours, so I hope the rally won't be boring White Sauron. ;)

Hopefully it reall won't. Have a good time there!!

[AndyRAC]

Well maybe the journalists dont bother do go there, they all think Loeb will win so they use last years headlines :D

That's probably closer to the truth than we realise.

Anyway, Germany doesn't really change much does it? First day in the Mosel vineyards, second day in Baumholder - where is the variety?

[wrc_flipper]

Itinerary in BST for people lazy like me to work out the times! :)

Itinerary

Thursday, 14. August

08.00 (07.00 BST) hrs Shakedown
20.00 (19.00 BST) hrs Ceremonial Start in Trier

Friday, 15. August

08.30 hrs (07.30 BST)Start in Trier
09.13 hrs (08.13 BST)SS 1 Ruwertal / Fell 1 (21.22 km)
10.26 hrs (09.26 BST)SS 2 Grafschaft Veldenz 1 (23.04 km)
11.19 hrs (10.19 BST)SS 3 Moselland 1 (9.82 km)
12.34 hrs (11.34 BST)Regrouping / Service in Trier
14.52 hrs (13.52 BST)SS 4 Ruwertal / Fell 2 (21.22 km)
16.05 hrs (15.05 BST)SS 5 Grafschaft Veldenz 2 (23.04 km)
16.58 hrs (15.58 BST)SS 6 Moselland 2 (9.82 km)
18.13 hrs (17.13 BST)Service in Trier
19.08 hrs (18.08 BST)Parc fermé in Trier

Saturday, 16. August

06.15 hrs (05.15 BST)Restart / Service in Trier
08.18 hrs (07.18 BST)SS 7 Bosenberg 1 (19.12 km)
08.51 hrs (07.51 BST)SS 8 Freisen/Westrich 1 (16.16 km)
09.26 hrs (08.26 BST)SS 9 Birkenfelder Land 1 (14.22 km)
09.58 hrs (08.58 BST)Remote Service Birkenfeld
10.44 hrs (09.44 BST)SS 10 Arena Panzerplatte 1 (30.38 km)
12.19 hrs (11.19 BST)Regrouping/Service in Trier
14.57 hrs (13.57 BST)SS 11 Bosenberg 2 (19.12 km)
15.30 hrs (14.30 BST)SS 12 Freisen/Westrich 2 (16.16 km)
16.05 hrs (15.05 BST)SS 13 Birkenfelder Land 2 (14.22 km)
16.37 hrs (15.37 BST)Remote Service Birkenfeld
17.23 hrs (16.23 BST)SS 14 Arena Panzerplatte 2 (30.38 km)
18.58 hrs (17.58 BST)Service in Trier
19.43 hrs (18.43 BST)Einfahrt Parc fermé in Trier

Sunday, 17. August

06.15 hrs (05.15 BST)Restart/Service in Trier
07.28 hrs (06.28 BST)SS 15 Dhrontal 1 (22.22 km)
08.03 hrs (07.03 BST)SS 16 Moselwein 1 (18.08 km)
09.08 hrs (08.08 BST)Regrouping/Service in Trier
10.41 hrs (09.41 BST)SS 17 Dhrontal 2 (22.22 km)
11.16 hrs (10.16 BST)SS 18 Moselwein 2 (18.08 km)
13.08 hrs (12.08 BST)SS 19 Circus Maximus Trier (4.37 km)
13.31 hrs (12.31 BST)Service Messepark Trier
16:15 hrs (15.15 BST)Ceremonial Finish Porta Nigra Trier


World Rally Radio time
Friday: 9am (08.00 BST)
Saturday: 8am (07.00 BST)
Sunday: 7.15am (06.15 BST)


Stage Times
http://www.vysledky-rally.cz/vysledky/
http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=405&season=2008&rally_id=D

[wrc_flipper]

What a strange and boring rally! It's wednesday already, but still no photos of the new Focus are available. Seems like all service-park and journalists are dead. Even in this thread is there just 6 posts. Argh...

Some free wine was being handed out with the media passes - perhaps this is being sampled before the event ;)

[MartijnS]

Some pics of the servicepark yesterday, but no new Focus ;)

http://www.rallyebild.de/2008Rallye/WRCDeutschland2008/wrcdeutschland2008Service.htm

[ShiftingGears]

Lets just say my pickems are based on the speculation that the Subaru is much better in tarmac spec!

[Salist]

Some pics of the servicepark yesterday, but no new Focus ;)

http://www.rallyebild.de/2008Rallye/WRCDeutschland2008/wrcdeutschland2008Service.htm


Nice pictures, thanks.

[jbmarcus21]

Program, Google Earth Map .. Here : http://planetemarcus.free.fr/deutschland08.htm

[bluuford]

well.. I am the first one during this rally:-) so, here is the question: any news about shakedown times?

I was looking my weather models and it looks that there is high possibility of rain overnight and little bit lower possibility in the morning and almost no possibility in the afternoon :-) So, we are going to see damp or wet roads in the morning and dry roads in the afternoon. Saturday seems to fine and almost no possibility of rain. Sunday is still quite unsure.. at the moment it looks like that rain just misses the Saarland region but this forecast will be more clear by tomorrow!
Temperature forecast is little bit better than it was a few days ago. But Friday it will be nearly 20 degrees, Friday night it will be as cold as 9-10 degrees only. and on saturday it will be 17-19 degrees highest. On Sunday it will be near to the 20 again.

So, it looks like this year we are going to see dry and cold Baumholder stages:-)

[stmoto]

Any news from Shakedown??

I think Mikkelsen will be fast on this rally as its forst time with a 07 Focus :) !

Duval will be fastest Focus... :) !

[White Sauron]

Duval will be fastest Focus... :) !

He wasn't in Monte, he won't there neither. The only reason he was so fast last year is that he was driving the car he'd got used to. But this time will be only his 2nd outing in the Focus. The highest placed Ford will depend on how Mikko will feel on tarmac.

[bluuford]

He wasn't in Monte, he won't there neither. The only reason he was so fast last year is that he was driving the car he'd got used to. But this time will be only his 2nd outing in the Focus. The highest placed Ford will depend on how Mikko will feel on tarmac.

He had only very little testing before Monte. And it was almost completely on snow. This time he had more testing and really on tarmac :-) And Duval has never done very well in Monte. The only problem might be the low starting position for the first day. In the other way. if it rains overnight and rain stops in the morning, then Duval has 22 minutes dryer asphalt than Loeb :-)

[jparker]

He wasn't in Monte, he won't there neither. The only reason he was so fast last year is that he was driving the car he'd got used to. But this time will be only his 2nd outing in the Focus. The highest placed Ford will depend on how Mikko will feel on tarmac.

To be honest I can't see how Duval can help Ford, except maybe pushing Loeb to make mistake and then backing up. If that doesn't happen, then I can't see Duval in front of Mikko or JML, just doesn't make sense.

[ttiirika]

He had only very little testing before Monte. And it was almost completely on snow. This time he had more testing and really on tarmac :-) And Duval has never done very well in Monte. The only problem might be the low starting position for the first day. In the other way. if it rains overnight and rain stops in the morning, then Duval has 22 minutes dryer asphalt than Loeb :-)

I think that Monte 2008 was almost completely on dry tarmac, only very little snow there.

[bluuford]

I think that Monte 2008 was almost completely on dry tarmac, only very little snow there.
I mean his testing was completely on snow and rally itself was on tarmac. Sorry my mistake. I wrote too shortly. I should have mentioned that rally was almost on dry tarmac.

How Duval can help Ford? If he wins, then Loeb wont get 10 points, then maximum number of points for Citroen is 8+6 is 14 and lets say fords are 4th and 5th then they get 9 points.
If loeb wins and Sordo is second and fords are 3rd and 4th then Ford gets 11 points and Citroen 18 points So, manufacturer difference will be in first case 14-9=5 point in second case 18-11=7 points. So, Ford can win 2 points on that way.
If Duval happens to be behind Hirvonen and Sordo happens to be behind Duval then there will be benefit again :-)

[Simmi]

Ford have Duval because he is the ONLY person that can challenge Loeb, but even then Duval would have to be having a very good day. He isn't all that familiar with the car, but at least he has the ability.

Obviously this all overlooks Sordo, who is arguably in the worst position as Loeb's team-mate. He will not be allowed to win the rally if Seb is behind him and Quesnel has confirmed this to the media.

Unfortunately if order is Sordo, Loeb, Duval, Mikko going into the final loop, you can be fairly sure there will be some mandatory switching of positions.

The main question for me on this event is whether Loeb has a mistake in him in Germany?

[maevad]

Result of shakedown?

[bluuford]

Ford have Duval because he is the ONLY person that can challenge Loeb, but even then Duval would have to be having a very good day. He isn't all that familiar with the car, but at least he has the ability.

Obviously this all overlooks Sordo, who is arguably in the worst position as Loeb's team-mate. He will not be allowed to win the rally if Seb is behind him and Quesnel has confirmed this to the media.

Unfortunately if order is Sordo, Loeb, Duval, Mikko going into the final loop, you can be fairly sure there will be some mandatory switching of positions.

The main question for me on this event is whether Loeb has a mistake in him in Germany?

Loeb has made one huge mistake in Germany when he spun off the road in a very fast speed. I don't remember the year. He was very lucky not to hit something. you can see the video.. it is about on 50th second: http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=310&featureid=646&desc=Germany%20Preview

[spudrsca]

He had only very little testing before Monte. And it was almost completely on snow. This time he had more testing and really on tarmac :-) And Duval has never done very well in Monte. The only problem might be the low starting position for the first day. In the other way. if it rains overnight and rain stops in the morning, then Duval has 22 minutes dryer asphalt than Loeb :-)

In Monte the first two days were stages he had never driven and with a not very good co-driver, it wasn't Pivato.
Here he has Pivato as his co-driver.

And for the first stage of the rally, the driver that open the roads and check the notes of the driver for Duval had a problem with the car and could not drive the stage and thus could not say how the roads were for Duval.

[Simmi]

Loeb has made one huge mistake in Germany when he spun off the road in a very fast speed. I don't remember the year. He was very lucky not to hit something. you can see the video.. it is about on 50th second: http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=310&featureid=646&desc=Germany%20Preview

Yeah I think if I remember rightly it was maybe the year of his first win in 2002. But even then he got a nice slice of the luck he would become famous for. He is yet to make an error with real consequences.

[DonJippo]

He is yet to make an error with real consequences.

In Germany you mean? Because he has made errors even this year with consequences, like Sweden.

[Catiocha7]

Result of shakedown?

[Simmi]

In Germany you mean? Because he has made errors even this year with consequences, like Sweden.

Yeah sorry I meant Germany DJ. This season and definately last season Loeb has shown he has a mistake in him. That has to give his rivals hope even when they go to a Loeb stronghold like Germany.

[Gard]

1 D. Sordo 3:31.1
2 F. Duval +4.4
3 S. Loeb +5.5
4 M.Hirvonen + 5.7
5. H. Solberg + 6.1
6 G. Galli +7.1
7 P. Solberg + 7.7
8 J-M Latvala +8.8
9 C.Atkinson +10.0

[bennizw]

I got some early results from servicepark.org by mail for half an hour ago. I guess these are early times:

1 D. Sordo 3:31.1

2 F. Duval +4.4

3 S. Loeb +5.5

4 M.Hirvonen + 5.7

5. H. Solberg + 6.1

6 G. Galli +7.1

7 P. Solberg + 7.7

8 J-M Latvala +8.8

9 C.Atkinson +10.0

[Simmi]

Looks like the 08 evolution of the Focus does indeed have the new shape grill/lights etc.

[jbmarcus21]

Where the pics about new focus ?

[teufel]

The Fabia S2000 as zero car in Germany?

http://href.hu/x/6nd8

[PLuto]

The Fabia S2000 as zero car in Germany?

http://href.hu/x/6nd8

No, on Barum Rally - http://www.barum.rally.cz/2008/press_detail.php?cont=37&sec=4&lng=en

[Simmi]

Where the pics about new focus ?

Teeny tiny picture on the official site of Al Qassimi. Thats the only one I've found as yet.

http://www.rallye-deutschland.de/gallery/show.php?SID&flash=&lg=d&st=317&id=3628

[c4]

http://rallybuzz.stagetimes.com/ford-focus-08-wrc-rally-germany-shakedown/

[jbmarcus21]

thanks !!!

[Simmi]

I think it is an improvement as it looks more aggressive IMO.

[teufel]

No, on Barum Rally - http://www.barum.rally.cz/2008/press_detail.php?cont=37&sec=4&lng=en

It was probably a mistake of the journalist, the first part of the article was about the Fabia S2000, but they corrected it now...

[White Sauron]

You can clearly see from this photos, that the headlights on the Focus are still old. They just used black stripes to stylize them as the new ones.
The same with the grill. They just used a patch below to close it's narrow part, and painted it.
Doesn't impress me honestly, looks very cheap.

http://www.worldrallypics.com/fotoweb/FWbin/download.dll/File/38A9B03539D16001ABB21A904DF7CEE83A9E2C5C66D8DD1BC3 5562D27967F6F94E5867573BB9D42F26E0A86FDFD12CA69215 08A8AB5A84DDEBC3D7336A82B5699C0DA0E70A4331D19FA15E C2C747BC677B0E59CFF1260FDF32E2DFF572DABF2CEB78C40D B84DDD2C8E14DB7FBB8C5397/12967.jpg

[User]

Looks weird.

[bluuford]

Correct shakedown times are here:
1. Duval: 3:35.5
2. Sordo 0.6
3. Hirvonen 0.8
4. Loeb 1.1
5. Henning Solberg 1.7
6. Galli 2.1
7. Latvala 2.3
8. Petter Solberg 3.3
9. Atkinson 3.8
10. Aava 4.3
11. Mikkelsen 4.8
12. Gardemeister 6.7
13. Andersson 8
14. Rautenbach 8.2
15. Van Eldik 8.9
16. Wilson 9.7
17. Al Qassimi 12.4
18. Wevers 13.4
19. Jones 15.3
20. Van Merksteijn 24.5

[mdesign]

I know it's just a shakedown, but i didn't expect to see henning up there!

[DonJippo]

I know it's just a shakedown, but i didn't expect to see henning up there!

He drives so many times the sd stage that it would be more surprising not to see him up there.

[Tom206wrc]

Well maybe the journalists dont bother do go there, they all think Loeb will win so they use last years headlines :D



And also the same week-end is the LMS 1000km of Nürburgring ;)


Anyway, can't wait to see if Loeb and Citroën can pass Hirvonen and Ford in their respective championship after that coming week-end :bounce:

[jonkka]

Anyway, can't wait to see if Loeb and Citroën can pass Hirvonen and Ford in their respective championship after that coming week-end :bounce:

Aye. It might seem that it'll be plain sailing for Seb - and probably it will too if he's got no problems. But having said that, he's gunning for seven out of seven and that's getting a bit long in the odds. Plus, I watched review of last year's rally and in the beginning when all drivers were still pushing, Mikko posted some relatively good times. He might surprise us, as well some other drivers - especially Dani.

[luca]

hires gallery from shakedown

http://www.rajdy.v10.pl/Rajd,Niemiec,2008,shakedown,galeria,747.html

[Simmi]

You can clearly see from this photos, that the headlights on the Focus are still old. They just used black stripes to stylize them as the new ones.
The same with the grill. They just used a patch below to close it's narrow part, and painted it.
Doesn't impress me honestly, looks very cheap.

http://www.worldrallypics.com/fotoweb/FWbin/download.dll/File/38A9B03539D16001ABB21A904DF7CEE83A9E2C5C66D8DD1BC3 5562D27967F6F94E5867573BB9D42F26E0A86FDFD12CA69215 08A8AB5A84DDEBC3D7336A82B5699C0DA0E70A4331D19FA15E C2C747BC677B0E59CFF1260FDF32E2DFF572DABF2CEB78C40D B84DDD2C8E14DB7FBB8C5397/12967.jpg

I think its clever what M-Sport have done. To the passing fan it looks like the new shape car, and thus fullfils the marketing aspect of a new road car. But by doing it this way the team do not need to fabricate a whole batch of new bodywork panels, and it also allows them to use existing shells. Hopefully all the cooling and whatnot will work but its not like the team have a huge budget to do things like this. So well done to them I say.

[playmo]

Decals, painted, hell, even the real thing!, i still HATE that new "face" for the focus, i'm quite traditional with desing but it looks like they tried to copy the front of the corolla, yuk!
On the important matter: don't think it'll be all that intersting event, hope Dani can push seb (though i doubt it) and i think Duval will make his usual move: out of the road or something nasty (like beating only the ford boys haha). By the place Atko finished on finland, it will be wise to watch him out.
Later fellows....

[Simmi]

It looks possibly like privateer Gareth Jones has switched his entry from a Focus to a white Impreza S12. I've seen a picture which looks like it could be him from SD, not sure if anyone can confirm, or actually cares lol.

[c4]

It's him alright in an S12B reg KT07 SRT, car run by Dom Buckley, plans to do Catalunya as well.

http://rally.ie/downloads/080813_234725/resized_Jones_CIMG0057.JPG

Image from www.rally.ie (http://www.rally.ie)

[AndyRAC]

And also the same week-end is the LMS 1000km of Nürburgring ;)


Anyway, can't wait to see if Loeb and Citroën can pass Hirvonen and Ford in their respective championship after that coming week-end :bounce:

I would think the race at Nurburgring will be more entertaining than the Rally. But we live in hope.

[Tigger9232]

Garreth Jones was one of the drivers who was the busiest in shakedown.
It looked good what he did.
Ok first lap he had a little off, but the rest was not bad. ( in my eyes) ;) )

Here is a picture from him:

http://rallyeheart.ra.funpic.de/components/com_ponygallery/img_pictures/originals/20080814_1909339216_shakedown_2008_140_kopie.jpg

Regards Tigger9232

[Langdale Forest]

Should be a very intresting rally with Duval back.

[cut the b.s.]

Garreth Jones was one of the drivers who was the busiest in shakedown.
It looked good what he did.
Ok first lap he had a little off, but the rest was not bad. ( in my eyes) ;) )

Here is a picture from him:

http://rallyeheart.ra.funpic.de/components/com_ponygallery/img_pictures/originals/20080814_1909339216_shakedown_2008_140_kopie.jpg

Regards Tigger9232

Interesting sponsor!! Am I missing something here?
http://www.vicari.com/

[cut the b.s.]

Really looking forward to this event, will be very interesting to see how Duval goes here, also should be interesting to see how Ogier compares to Meeke in the Clio, my feeling is that to date mini Seb has had a good year amongst a weak field, Meeke is a great benchmark for him to be judged against this weekend

[MJW]

Interesting sponsor!! Am I missing something here?
http://www.vicari.com/ this is the person who is the sponsor,
http://www.andrew-vicari.com/biography.php
interesting concept sponsor.

[playmo]

....should be interesting to see how Ogier compares to Meeke in the Clio, my feeling is that to date mini Seb has had a good year amongst a weak field, Meeke is a great benchmark for him to be judged against this weekend

I haven't looked at the entrylist for this event and you are right, though i think Ogier will be on top, since he's had plenty km's on the C2, but surely Kris will give him a good run for the money.

[Buzz Lightyear]

I haven't looked at the entrylist for this event and you are right, though i think Ogier will be on top, since he's had plenty km's on the C2, but surely Kris will give him a good run for the money.

Meeke showed his pedigree in shakedown.. 5 seconds fastest in 5 km. Hopefully this translates to stages also. Go MEEKE!

[ZequeArgentina]

Meeke has plenty more experience, so a close fight is already an excellent result for Ogier.

the problem with him is that he has shown so quick and solid excelletn results, that people tends to forget his absolute lack of experience in each rally, and as a wrc driver as a whole!!

Anyway, I would tip him as the candidate for Germany also.

[Koppomsbo]

Good morning All, lets hope for an exiting day. :D

[Brother John]

Good morning rally freaks. ;) We stil have to wait 2 hours for some action. :s mokin:

[Koppomsbo]

Meeke showed his pedigree in shakedown.. 5 seconds fastest in 5 km. Hopefully this translates to stages also. Go MEEKE!

:up:

[Koppomsbo]

Good morning rally freaks. ;) We stil have to wait 2 hours for some action. :s mokin:

Better put the "busy" sign on my office door today :D

[bluuford]

It is interesting to compare shakedown videos:-) If you compare one place at the end of Duval video and the same in Loeb´s video then you can clearly see that Duval goes inside the hay ball and Loeb goes outside the hay ball :-) Then I remembered that Loeb hates hay balls. One short video about why he hates those things: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uYyQqxo-YM

[Buzz Lightyear]

this is the person who is the sponsor,
http://www.andrew-vicari.com/biography.php
interesting concept sponsor.

so correct me if I am wrong....an artist is sponsoring the car?

[N.O.T]

less than 10 mins to go...

[White Sauron]

I have a strange feeling this year it won't be Loeb's rally...

[Koppomsbo]

I have a strange feeling this year it won't be Loeb's rally...

I have the same feeling.. :s

I hate beeing at work not be able to use wrr.. :(


Mikko on stage !! :)

[Langdale Forest]

SS1 has started!

[jonkka]

Sordo starts fastest...

[N.O.T]

Loeb vs sordo ....

[Viking]

Good morning rallyfans! :)

[Koppomsbo]

Hey, Sordo flat out :D

[N.O.T]

the ford kids should just wait now and let the big boys play....

[Tom206wrc]

I have a strange feeling this year it won't be Loeb's rally...



It certainly won't be Dudu's rally neither :p :

[N.O.T]

Atko on a very good pace as well...

[Brother John]

Sordo and Loeb verry fast this morning!

[N.O.T]

Loeb 6 seconds faster than Hirvonen at finish....

[Buzz Lightyear]

again... subaru over promised and undelivered. they will be 3-4mins back at this rate.

[N.O.T]

Loeb took it easy according to his comments...he said he learns testing the tyres and he can go faster.

[jonkka]

Sordo missing 4th split :eek:

[N.O.T]

no 4rd split for sordo....

[N.O.T]

Sordo safe...

[N.O.T]

Sordo lost a bit of time...heis on soft tyres and he said the car moves a lot and difficult to drive....0.1 faster than Hirvonen

[COD]

So the Loeb-Hirvonen battle was decided on SS1 (unless Loeb has problems)

[Brother John]

Sordo had the soft tyre! :D and lost time at the last 2 splits.

[N.O.T]

the soft tyre is the worng one i guess....

[raybak]

Subaru not too bad, only 0.4 secs a km off Loeb's pace. This looks promising.

Ray

[Brother John]

When is Duval driving?

[N.O.T]

Duval same time as Loeb on split 1.

[Koppomsbo]

Good time by Dudu :)

[raybak]

now

[Brother John]

He´s there and good 1 split! :s mokin:

[Tom206wrc]

Good old Wilslow is back :D

[N.O.T]

Duval on a good pace...but slower than Loeb still

[teufel]

Good old Wilslow is back :D

Luckily he has Rautenbach as close rival :D

[White Sauron]

Duval on a good pace...but slower than Loeb still

Dirty road...

[N.O.T]

Duval lost a lot on the final section he is now slower than Hirvonen

[N.O.T]

some cosmetic damage to tha back of duvals car...

[Brother John]

Exactly what Duval said yesterday, today it would be difficult to follow Loeb if you start as 12de car on the road. Loeb know this and go full speed in the morning, we are not used of that from him. :p :

[Tom206wrc]

Luckily he has Rautenbach as close rival :D



Where's Al Quassimi to complete the three musketeers of WRC ??? :laugh:

[Tom206wrc]

Can't wait for the Jwrc !!!! Go Sébastien(Ogier) !!!! :)

[N.O.T]

Loeb know this and go full speed in the morning, we are not used of that from him. :p :

No he didn't he said he can go faster...he used the first stage to test the tyres and their grip.

[Koppomsbo]

Can't wait for the Jwrc !!!! Go Sébastien(Ogier) !!!! :)

The battle between him and Meeke maybe will be the best thing with the weekend :)

[AndyRAC]

The battle between him and Meeke maybe will be the best thing with the weekend :)

Closley followed by the battle between Wilson and Rautenbach!!

[Brother John]

No he didn't he said he can go faster...he used the first stage to test the tyres and their grip.

He can say what he wants on the radio. :D
Politicians do that also and you cannot nevertheless believe them. :p :

[Koppomsbo]

Closley followed by the battle between Wilson and Rautenbach!!

:laugh:

[Tom206wrc]

Many problems with split times, lots of drivers have split missing :mark:

[Tom206wrc]

Prokop less than 1s slower than Ogier on SS1 :)

Maybe another interesting duel ;)

[Wim_Impreza]

The battle between him and Meeke maybe will be the best thing with the weekend :)

Don't forget Martin Prokop, who is always strong in Germany. ;)

[N.O.T]

Ogier is on a league of his own only prokop comes close...lets see what meeke has to offer

[Tom206wrc]

What an idea from FIA some WRCs(Kuipers, Kleinjan)which go behind the Jwrcs... :rolleyes:

[MikeD]

Prokop less than 1s slower than Ogier on SS1 :)

Maybe another interesting duel ;)

I really hope that Ogier will get a WRC drive this year (perhaps Rally GB?), but latest rumours say that Citroen has no plans of giving him a WRC car :(

Would be really cool to have Ogier to score points for Citroën on gravel and Sordo to score on tarmac. With only two tarmac events next year Citroën really needs a good gravel driver alonside Loeb to be able to fight for the Manu' title. I think Rally GB would be a good test to see how Ogier does in a WRC car on gravel.

[MikeD]

What an idea from FIA some WRCs(Kuipers, Kleinjan)which go behind the Jwrcs... :rolleyes:

On the first released entry list they had priority 2 (which would have made them start in front of the JWRC's), but in the second release they lost the priority. Still a mystery to me...

[White Sauron]

Interesting is that Ogier is almost as fast as the slowest of WRC drivers...

[jparker]

Meeke fastest at split 1

[Tom206wrc]

Very good first split for Chris Meeke(almost 1s faster than Ogier) !!! :)

[bluuford]

P. VAN MERKSTEIJN JUN. is faster than Rautenbach :-) nice one :-)

[COD]

The battle between him and Meeke maybe will be the best thing with the weekend :)


But Ogier has no reason to battle Meeke, only those he is fighting against in the championship

[N.O.T]

Meeke faster than Ogier on split 3 by 2 seconds....

[jparker]

P. VAN MERKSTEIJN JUN. is faster than Rautenbach :-) nice one :-)

At Split 3 he's faster then anyone else in JWRC

[User]

SS2 started.

[MikeD]

P. VAN MERKSTEIJN JUN. is faster than Rautenbach :-) nice one :-)

Definitely an approved first ever stage in the WRC. He will soon be faster than his old man :D

[jonkka]

SS2 on...

[Wim_Impreza]

What an idea from FIA some WRCs(Kuipers, Kleinjan)which go behind the Jwrcs... :rolleyes:

René Kuipers is not fast, he is a real gentlemen-driver and drives for his pleasure. His son, Dennis Kuipers, used for the first time the Ford Focus WRC in competition after he drove a rallysprint in the Netherlands as 0-driver. ;) Kleinjan is normally a bit faster, but has an older car and had not much luck in his WRC events last year (Germany and Wales Rally GB).

[N.O.T]

Meeke faster than Ogier by 1.4 at the end of stage...nice battle.

[Tom206wrc]

SS2 running :bounce:

[A.F.F.]

Good morning folks :wave:

[jonkka]

Long split 3rd one, I was getting worried for Mikko...

[MikeD]

Jesus Christ, Subaru are getting their ass kicked big time in this rally!

[jonkka]

Huomenta A.F.F.

[User]

Where do you guys follow split times? I hate the ones at WRC.com.

[Brother John]

Good morning folks :wave:

Good morning, you can have 30 egs this afternoon. :p : :s mokin:

[N.O.T]

Loeb 5.2 secs faster than Hirvonen....

[MikeD]

Long split 3rd one, I was getting worried for Mikko...

It looks as if the 3rd split is missing all together?!?!? No 3rd split for neither Mikko nor Loeb.

[jonkka]

Mike, you're right. I hadn't noticed that at all...

[A.F.F.]

Mikko seem to have a decent attack this morning :)

[N.O.T]

yes 3rd split is missing wrc.com goes from 2 to 4....

[N.O.T]

soft tyres for mikko...not a good run.

[White Sauron]

My feeling's changed... Now I have another feeling. The feeling of who is for 120% to win this year's championship... Poor Mikko, cry as you try...

[jonkka]

Mikko seem to have a decent attack this morning :)

Yup. I am waiting Sordo's 4th split...

[A.F.F.]

What is that ??

[N.O.T]

Loeb 6.7 faster.....

[N.O.T]

Sordo 2 seconds faster than Mikko on split 4.

[N.O.T]

By the end of the day if nothing happens Loeb will be in cruise mode for days 2-3

[Brother John]

Atkinson say. Something is wrong but I don´t know what! Tell him please that it is the Subaru. :p :

[A.F.F.]

I hope Latvala wouldn't tell his whole lifestory after every stage :mark:

[MikeD]

Bad first split for Duval. Dammit....

[MikeD]

I hope Latvala wouldn't tell his whole lifestory after every stage :mark:

:lol:

[Mauri A]

No driver´s comments on Czech site. Pity!

[Zes]

Bad first split for Duval. Dammit....

Second too. Looks like he is not able to theat Citroens and Mikko. Probably the road is dirty.

[jonkka]

Galli has problems?

[Brother John]

I hope Latvala wouldn't tell his whole lifestory after every stage :mark:

He can write a book maybe? :D :s mokin:

[MikeD]

Nice new guy on WRR instead of the 'Simon the pothead'

[Viking]

Henning "I am growing into a tarmac spesialist now" :D

[jonkka]

Henning "I am growing into a tarmac spesialist now" :D

That's Henning! Always joking... :)

[A.F.F.]

Nice new guy on WRR instead of the 'Simon the pothead'

Yep.

"Want me to open the door?" "Shall I clean your windows?" "Oil change maybe? " " Massage? " :D

[noel157]

Nice new guy on WRR instead of the 'Simon the pothead'

"Don't want to rub it in Matthew but you're very slow"

[jonkka]

Duval might drop some places

[Viking]

That's Henning! Always joking... :)

well seeing Duval just a tad faster... :D

[Tom206wrc]

Yep Dudu almost caught by the Subarus... :s

[Tom206wrc]

Battle between the Suzukis also :p :

[A.F.F.]

How's the weather forecast for the weekend?

This rally has a great chance on turning a boring one....

[White Sauron]

How's the weather forecast for the weekend?

This rally has a great chance on turning a boring one....

Seems like it already has...

[A.F.F.]

Well, I'll tell this would be a heck of funnier if BJ was around with his backpack :up:

[Brother John]

How's the weather forecast for the weekend?

This rally has a great chance on turning a boring one....

I don´t think so Jaani. Something will happen this afternoon. :s mokin:

[MikeD]

How's the weather forecast for the weekend?

This rally has a great chance on turning a boring one....

I think rain was expected today (but right now it's clear sunshine). Rain - I think - is expected for Saturday as well.

[N.O.T]

3rd stage is on and on 1st split Loeb 1 second faster.

[MikeD]

Seem that Simon has left some of the good stuff for Collin :D

[Brother John]

Well, I'll tell this would be a heck of funnier if BJ was around with his backpack :up:

There its too many Belgians on the Rallye Germany. ;)

[Tom206wrc]

This time Prokop was 3s faster than Ogier(SS2) :)

[jonkka]

There its too many Belgians on the Rallye Germany. ;)

If I guessed the contents of your backpack right, those Belgians wouldn't matter a bit.

[jonkka]

It seems that this is shaping up to be 2xCit - 2xFord - 2xSub rally again

[A.F.F.]

If I guessed the contents of your backpack right, those Belgians wouldn't matter a bit.

As a matter in fact, I have some empiric experience on that. Trust me, they would mind.

[Brother John]

If I guessed the contents of your backpack right, those Belgians wouldn't matter a bit.

Question A.F.F. and the Belgians what i had in my backpack in Finland jonkka. ;)
I think It is not what you think. :s mokin:

[N.O.T]

Hmmm seems that Hirvonen can fight for the 2nd place.

[luca]

Old good Meeke is back. He is 1st in FWD after SS1! :)

[A.F.F.]

Mikko is really challenging Sordo :eek: Way to go :up:

[jonkka]

Question A.F.F. and the Belgians what i had in my backpack in Finland jonkka. ;)
I think It is not what you think. :s mokin:

Not Jack? Then it can only be...

[jonkka]

Mikko is really challenging Sordo :eek: Way to go :up:

Will his challenge last but I must admit I am surprised!

[A.F.F.]

I'm not happy about my driving either.

[White Sauron]

Good at least is that Mikko can match Sordo's pace. for now...

[bluuford]

How's the weather forecast for the weekend?

This rally has a great chance on turning a boring one....

According to my model, there is a very small chance rain today about at 5PM but very localized and very light. There is no rain for tomorrow and no rain for Sunday morning.. but I will give U update.. So far, I can put one beer for this that there wont be rain that affects the results :-)

[Brother John]

Not Jack? Then it can only be...

Food, candy, cola and a lot of fun. :D

[jonkka]

I'm not happy about my driving either.

Me neither, yesterday I was entering parking hall in wrong lane... :(

[Tom206wrc]

It seems that this is shaping up to be 2xCit - 2xFord - 2xSub rally again



I would say more precisely "the Master ahead(Loeb)the others behind" ;)

[jonkka]

Food, candy, cola and a lot of fun. :D

Translates to sausage, ecstasy, coca and inflatable barbara?

[Brother John]

I'm not happy about my driving either.

You need another navigater. :rotflmao:

[DonJippo]

Me neither, yesterday I was entering parking hall in wrong lane... :(

You used the Rautenbach lane ;)

[A.F.F.]

According to my model, there is a very small chance rain today about at 5PM but very localized and very light. There is no rain for tomorrow and no rain for Sunday morning.. but I will give U update.. So far, I can put one beer for this that there wont be rain that affects the results :-)

Cheers bluuford.

[Buzz Lightyear]

I can put one beer for this that there wont be rain that affects the results :-)
if it rains overnight...if could affect tomorrow early running ?? :)

[Tom206wrc]

Meeke couldn't stay in front of Prokop and Ogier on SS2 :p :

[garais22]

Why Ostberg did not start?

[MikeD]

Acceptable time from Duval, despite gear change problems.

[Koppomsbo]

Why Ostberg did not start?

Crashed in a test and didnt manage do get the car in order to race.

[FST]

Meeke couldn't stay in front of Prokop and Ogier on SS2 :p :

Yes but you must consider Meeke's situation.

Out dated non-works clio ;)

[N.O.T]

In s1600 seems that we are going to have a 3 way battle...

[Buzz Lightyear]

Meeke couldn't stay in front of Prokop and Ogier on SS2 :p :

According to his blog.. He had an overshoot. http://krismeeke.blogspot.com/

Dropping up to 15s

[A.F.F.]

In s1600 seems that we are going to have a 3 way battle...

In other words, a gangbang :D

[Wim_Impreza]

How's the weather forecast for the weekend?

This rally has a great chance on turning a boring one....

Lucky that I am going to the European Rallycross Championship in Valkenswaard (NL) on Sunday with Marcus Grönholm. Much more spectacle there.

[A.F.F.]

Lucky that I am going to the European Rallycross Championship in Valkenswaard (NL) on Sunday with Marcus Grönholm. Much more spectacle there.

You are? Keep your camera ready Wim. I'll be in touch later on ;)

[N.O.T]

I think that Ogier is trully amazing given his non existent previous experience on the event while both meeke and Prokop have been in Germany numerous times....

[Buzz Lightyear]

I think that Ogier is trully amazing given his non existent previous experience on the event while both meeke and Prokop have been in Germany numerous times....

Prokop was complaining he is getting no help from Citroen. Ogier only driver in works cars, Meeke also spun.

[Brother John]

Meeke couldn't stay in front of Prokop and Ogier on SS2 :p :

Must you now always to laugh with not French drivers or not French cars? Maybe you will cry this afternoon or tomorrow. :rolleyes:

[Tom206wrc]

Must you now always to laugh with not French drivers or not French cars? Maybe you will cry this afternoon or tomorrow. :rolleyes:



Meeke is driving a french car... ;)

True that as a PSA brand(including Citroën then)fan I don't like Renault, though :mark: ...

[Wim_Impreza]

You are? Keep your camera ready Wim. I'll be in touch later on ;)

Yes, I will. :) Last weekend I was also in Maasmechelen (Belgium), but there was so much rain and it was so muddy that I didn't use my camera. For this weekend, it will be mostly sunny by that event. ;)

[N.O.T]

Prokop increases his lead from Ogier i think the situaion will be different in the second run through the stages.

[Wim_Impreza]

I think that Ogier is trully amazing given his non existent previous experience on the event while both meeke and Prokop have been in Germany numerous times....

Don't forget that Ogier drove the Eifel Rally in July in the same region too. ;) He was beaten there by Aaron Burkart in S1600.

[bluuford]

Well it happened! P. VAN MERKSTEIJN JUN. was faster than his old man and faster than Rautenbach in Stage 3. Next traget will be Wilson :-)

[Roy]

Nice times of young van Merksteijn. Not bad for the first time. :up:

[White Sauron]

Well, on gravel Latvala crashes, and on asphalt he's not anywhere close to being called by Martin Holmes "lapsitähti"...

[bluuford]

Well, on gravel Latvala crashes, and on asphalt he's not anywhere close to being called by Martin Holmes "lapsitähti"...

I like that you can be so negative and so critical to everybody and everything... :-) Keep on doing that:-)

[N.O.T]

Latvala iis running under orders from Ford to finish the rally.

[White Sauron]

I like that you can be so negative and so critical to everybody and everything... :-) Keep on doing that:-)

I'm not critical at all.)) I just point at Latvala not proving what he was summoned to Ford for... He's either way too quick (and hence no results) or way too slow (and again no results)...
While at the same time Mikko is showing he has good pace on asphalt too. Though I suppose Marcus would have been about 5 seconds off Seb by the time, had he competed here.

[teufel]

I'm not critical at all.)) I just point at Latvala not proving what he was summoned to Ford for... He's either way too quick (and hence no results) or way too slow (and again no results)...
While at the same time Mikko is showing he has good pace on asphalt too. Though I suppose Marcus would have been about 5 seconds off Seb by the time, had he competed here.

Remember Mikko's year at Subaru, then compare it with JML...

[White Sauron]

Remember Mikko's year at Subaru, then compare it with JML...

Subaru was nowhere as strong as the Focus is now, in addition it was built "around" Solberg, and it was a "one-driver team" for that moment.

[MikeD]

Me neither, yesterday I was entering parking hall in wrong lane... :(


Auch...did that once in an old diesel Renault Megane ... and I had to back the car up a really steap climp out of the parking hall. Damn, there was a lot of smoke after that :D

PS: Quite scary when you drive down, and suddenly you see those white lights comming towards you ... and there is alway only room for one car :D

[John V]

No driver´s comments on Czech site. Pity!
Very sorry for this, but tomorrow should be everything as usually. We lost one person for this Friday, but received info too late and unable to resolve situation with substitute in very short time :-(

[Tom206wrc]

Less than 50 minutes before SS4 to start ;)

[cut the b.s.]

But Ogier has no reason to battle Meeke, only those he is fighting against in the championship


From a championship point of view you are right, from his career side however I think it is important for him to show good pace against a proven opponent. It is reported that right now Citroen have no plans to put him in a C4, this years S1600 is a weaker field, I really think he needs to do something this weekend.
I am unashamedly a Meeke fan, his does know and like this event but remember his testing for this event was the shakedown, and he is in a Clio, which is supposed to be slower than a C2.

Decent early pace from Mikko, impressive so far

[Mauri A]

Very sorry for this, but tomorrow should be everything as usually. We lost one person for this Friday, but received info too late and unable to resolve situation with substitute in very short time :-(

Thanks for information, waiting for tomorrow!

[Xsara Fan]

It is reported that right now Citroen have no plans to put him in a C4

Hm... New information. From what source?

[jonkka]

shouldn't SS4 be underway already?

[MikeD]

shouldn't SS4 be underway already?

Yes, it's underway ... but there are currently no splits ... only those read out by Becks on WRR.

[MikeD]

first split: Loeb 2 sec faster than Mikko ... and Sordo 0.6 sec faster than Mikko

[Tom206wrc]

Normally SS4 has started :confused:

[rus]

Hi guys,

it has been a while. What happened to the estonian splits?

[jonkka]

So I have to listen to WRR... oh well...

[Tom206wrc]

Hi guys,

it has been a while. What happened to the estonian splits?


I don't use them anymore...I use those from WRC.COM :mark:

[MikeD]

Final results SS4: Loeb 3.4 sec faster than Mikko. Waiting for Sordo...

[Viking]

Split time web guy not back from lunch? :mad:

[jonkka]

Split time web guy not back from lunch? :mad:

It's not manual service and besides, we got MikeD here (see above)

[Tom206wrc]

Apparently Loeb was overall faster than Hirvo by 3s... ;)

[DonJippo]

I don't use them anymore...I use those from WRC.COM :mark:

All splits were and are from wrc.com even Estonian ones...

[MikeD]

Final results SS4 - Sordo is 1.0 sec faster than Hirvonen

[ST205GT4]

Will be interesting to see what sort of improvement Subaru get with softer tyres. According to WRC.com they started on hards.

[Vilkavainen]

Any page to follow the split times? Because wrc.com isn´t working.

[Tom206wrc]

2nd best time overall for Sordo :cool:

[jonkka]

Mikko is impressing...

[Tom206wrc]

Will be interesting to see what sort of improvement Subaru get with softer tyres. According to WRC.com they started on hards.



Atko +11s :s

[MikeD]

Final results SS4: Latvala is 4.5 sec faster than Atkinson - which means that overall Atkinson is only 0.3 sec in front of JML

[ST205GT4]

Atkinson must have made a mistake or had a problem

[ST205GT4]

Where are you getting splits from? WRC.coms aren't working

[MikeD]

SS4 - first split for Duval: 0.4 sec slower than Loeb

[MikeD]

Where are you getting splits from? WRC.coms aren't working

WRR :)