Rally Bulgaria

[Elgin Man]

Hello,

I was looking to travel over from Scotland for this rally and also include it in a summer holiday.
Does anyone have recommendations about going to this event?
Is it well run? etc etc

Thanks Daniel

[atsiotras79]

I have been there in the last 2 editions for the ERC (2008, 2009) and will be there again this year.

Extremely fast SSs' with really bad quality tarmac and sometimes a lot of gravel on it!
I have a funny feeling that it will be very spectacular event for a tarmac one!!!

[bluuford]

Time to take up this old topic again :-)

So, entries?

WRC:
1. Loeb C4WRC
2. Sordo C4WRC
3. Hirvonen Focus WRC
4. Latvala Focus WRC
5. Wilson Focus WRC
6. Räikkönen C4WRC
7. Ogier C4WRC
8. Solberg P C4WRC
9. Andersson Focus WRC
10 Cuoq 307WRC

S2000
1. Kuipers Ford
2. Henning Ford?????

JWRC
1. Slavov, T
2. Valdes, E.L.
3. Mattei, L ????
4. Broccoli, A.
5. Neuville, T.
6. Abbring
7. Weijs
8. Kruuda, O
9. Lemes, Y
10. Hunt, H.
11. Arzeno

The rest of the list is blank for me.

And the funniest is the fact that I really wanted to visit this rally.. but guess what? I cannot! Why? I am on a meeting on that time. Where? In Varna, Bulgaria:-P Its a little bit too ironic to be true, but it is :-)

[Mirek]

Also Dimitar Iliev with Fabia S2000 should start.

[vino_93]

If Cuoq comes, Carbonaro will come too ;)

[VFTS]

Eyvind Brynildsen will participate in a Rene Georges- Skoda Fabia S2000. To get experience with the rally.

After Bulgaria he will decide if he will continue with RG or not.

[Ramore]

]Also Dimitar Iliev with Fabia S2000 should start.

+ Krum Donchev 207 S2000

It will be round of the bulgarian championship as well. But we have only 2 S2000 cars. If that's what you are interested in.

Anyone going to rally Bulgaria?

[Mirek]

I thought that Rally Bulgaria wasn't counted for Bulgarian Championship. Something changed?

[atsiotras79]

As usual I 'll be there.

I heard a rumour a few months ago about Kozlekov doing the rally with 207 S2000 from Balbosca. Is this still on?

I wonder if Popov gets something "special" for this event...

Any good watching points at "Peshtera"? Heard a lot about this ss! Especially the downhill section...

It also suprises me that on 2nd day that really bad road from last year is used for Sestrimo stage! Was there any work done?

[Ramore]

Our federation decided a week ago that it will count for the Bulgarian Championship as well.

I haven't heard anything about Kozlekov at all. But my info is based only on Bulgarian rally websites. I think Jasen Popov will drive his own evo 9, but with a new co-driver, his son.

[RobertS]

http://forum.rally-club.bg/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8402&sid=ac62eb8c98276467f3f8c507cf28a70c

[txl]

Downhill part of Peshtera SS has good road surface and is wide so it will be very fast downhill. But also there will be many many stones on the road from Day 1 when it is run uphill as part of Batak Lake stage. You can get idea how the road looks like from this short clip:
http://vbox7.com/play:d6fe89c8

[pettersolberg29]

Did anyone hear PG confess on WRR that he accepted Wilson's offer of a Focus on Rally Bulgaria, thinking it was a gravel rally!? He only realised about a week later that it was a tarmac rally!

[Boris Ivanov]

The tickets prices:

50 lev - 3 days and access to all areas and the service park;
10 lev - car parking for 3 days;
10 lev - for one stage;
5 lev - car parking for one stage;
200 lev - VIP.

1 EUR = 1.95 lev

[N.O.T]

its going to be my first time there...some questions

can i buy tickets from service park on shakedown day ??

what are the best stages to spectate on friday/saturday (i am interested in fast setions not retarded 10kms/hr hairpins)

[Fri]

If Cuoq comes, Carbonaro will come too ;)

Frigyes Turán will participate with Bozian 307 WRC

[V.Gatev]

If you want fast section, the stages for you are SS 1/3 Batak Lake and 6/9 Peshtera. The part around the lake of SS Batak lake is very fast with middle and hight speed turs, whitch after first 4x4 cars will be all with gravel. First part of SS Peshtera is uphill, but is fast and the tarmac is very slippery.

[N.O.T]

great thanks....

i checked the google maps of the site and most spectating spots lead to hairpins unfortunately. Will i be able to ride through the stage if i get there early and find a spot by myself or that isn;t allowed?

[Verso Travel BG]

Hello Daniel,

We are travel agency from Bulgaria, and also a rally fans. We can help you in organisation of your stay for the event. We can offer You a places where to spend Your summer holiday. Our web is http://www.versotravel.bg There You can find our prices for the rally. Also you can write us on our e-mail :o ffice@versotravel.bg

Best Regards

[Verso Travel BG]

Hello Daniel,

We are travel agency from Bulgaria, and also a rally fans. We can help you in organisation of your stay for the event. We can offer You a places where to spend Your summer holiday. Our web is www.versotravel.bg (http://www.versotravel.bg/) There You can find our prices for the rally. Also you can write us on our e-mail: [email:1lonel7m]office@versotravel.bg[/email:1lonel7m]

Best Regards

[N.O.T]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67eOE27h19I&feature=related

is this place included in sestrimo this year ??

[atsiotras79]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67eOE27h19I&feature=related

is this place included in sestrimo this year ??

Υes, on day 1 but the other way round!

[N.O.T]

BAAAAAh !!!

i think i will have to ride through the stages on shakedown day to find something worth watching....

[atsiotras79]

Υes, on day 1 but the other way round!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwhin43DfPg

The other way around from 0'52'' of the video! Actually I think it is exactly the same part!

[N.O.T]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J73CHcmrno

is this part of dobra voda from hebros rally included as part of the ss01 (as i see the ss01 in the official maps in the site is refered as dobra voda http://www.rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0037&n=23&vis= )??

[N.O.T]

another question on the official site it says maps are for illustrative purposes only and for detailed direction to the stages we should se the road book...where are they? in rally guide 2 it only shows roads to SP,HQ,SD and RZ 1 and 2...where are the rest ?

[ARF]

Rally Guide is for competitors and competitors get their roadbooks by mail or at the recce registration. SP, HQ, SD, RZ etc roadbooks are in RG2 for technicians and other team-personnel.

[N.O.T]

i know that...but in the spectator info it says for more detailed information refer to the road books...

[harriswrc]

http://www.rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0052&n=&vis=

Preliminary Entry List

[Viking]

http://www.rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0052&n=&vis=

Preliminary Entry List

Henning and Kuipers in Stobart run Fiesta S2000 :up:

[harriswrc]

http://www.rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0052&n=&vis=

Preliminary Entry List No Petter, no Brynildsen, no Carbonaro, no Turan, no Bulgarian crews yet. 29/6 is the deadline for the entries.

[PJRevs]

Serbian Vladica Rabrenovic with Renault Clio N3 will be there too

[jbmarcus21]

Program http://planetemarcus.free.fr/bulgarie10.htm and Google Earth Map online http://planetemarcus.free.fr/googleearthmap.htm

[MJW]

No Petter, no Brynildsen, no Carbonaro, no Turan, no Bulgarian crews yet. 29/6 is the deadline for the entries.

Petter's entry doesn't have to be in until next week. The entry will include the name of the new co- driver.
Bulgaria was not on Brynildsen's original schedule but I am not sure if Bulgaria was added by RGMS as some kind of compensation for their previously letting the team down.
One think Henning and Ilka are on the entry list in an S2000 Fiesta, so I guess that rules Ilka out as Petter's new co-driver.

[txl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J73CHcmrno

is this part of dobra voda from hebros rally included as part of the ss01 (as i see the ss01 in the official maps in the site is refered as dobra voda http://www.rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0037&n=23&vis= )??
Yes, this is part of SS1 Batak Lake.


another question on the official site it says maps are for illustrative purposes only and for detailed direction to the stages we should se the road book...where are they? in rally guide 2 it only shows roads to SP,HQ,SD and RZ 1 and 2...where are the rest ?
In Rally Guide 2 you can see detailed maps of stages.

[N.O.T]

thanx for the reply...about he maps everything is downloaded and printed/saved...very good job by the organisers...hotel is already booked so now its just the painful countdown of days before i attend my first tarmac WRC event.

About the place in batak lake , do you know where exactly (which km) is about ?

and some more questions...will i be able to if i go 3 hours before the start of that stage to enter the ss and find the spot ?

any suggestions about peshtera ? the 5 corner complex around 1 km into the stage is a nice place? do you have good visibility ?

Anything else that will make my trip more enjoyable and spectating more exciting ?

Thank you in advance.

[atsiotras79]

On Day 1, SS Belmeken at the base of the dam, the route seems a little bit different than last year. The road does not go along the base of the dam with the left corner-straight-left corner but looks to be doing a hairpin left going down to last year's "parking" and then going up again on the main road! Did they make new road there? From "parking" going up on the main road it was 20m steep cleef and we went up from there using some steps. I did not see any road there. Can somebody help?

[PeteD]

Hi - it seems I am the only person travelling from the UK for this rally.
I arrive friday afternoon, depart sunday 16:00hrs
I am planning to goto stages on Saturday & Sunday - and I need some advice please about spectator access...

How do I approach the stages - is the only way in from the start or finish ?
Or can I access Sestrimo stage halfway along from Kostenets ?
What does the 200lev VIP pass provide which is not included in the 50lev event pass ? is the VIP pass worth it - I think not ?
Lyubnista stage...can you approach north from the A1 to mid-stage ?

Excellent thread - thank you for any help

PeteD, York

[harriswrc]

Hi - it seems I am the only person travelling from the UK for this rally.
I arrive friday afternoon, depart sunday 16:00hrs
I am planning to goto stages on Saturday & Sunday - and I need some advice please about spectator access...

How do I approach the stages - is the only way in from the start or finish ?
Or can I access Sestrimo stage halfway along from Kostenets ?
What does the 200lev VIP pass provide which is not included in the 50lev event pass ? is the VIP pass worth it - I think not ?
Lyubnista stage...can you approach north from the A1 to mid-stage ?

Excellent thread - thank you for any help

PeteD, Yorkhttp://www.rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0037&n=38&vis=
Here you can find spectator access and also google maps for the rally.

[PeteD]

Hi - thanks for the reply.

We are hiring a car - what type is recommended to get to the stages mid-point ? Is a 4x4 needed ?

thanks
PeteD

[N.O.T]

today the entry closes so we are going to have a clear picture soon....

[bluuford]

So, then we should get Picems up soon as well. I hope it will be before Sunday when I leave to Bulgaria :-)

[nikolay]

Here are the detailed stage descriptions: http://www.rally-club.bg/RallyBulgaria2010_SS_notes.pdf

[N.O.T]

GREAT guide !!! Thanx

[N.O.T]

Here are the detailed stage descriptions: http://www.rally-club.bg/RallyBulgaria2010_SS_notes.pdf

can we have a same guide from a spectators point of view ???

it would be nice to know all the tricky and spectacular places to watch.

[PeteD]

ticket help please !

I see people are questioning the tickets on forum http://forum.rally-club.bg/viewtopic.php

Can someone please reassure me :
Is the event pass for 50 LIV will give access each day ?
We can buy a ticket from Service Park when we arrive ?
What does an event pass look like so I know what I am buying ?

Thanks
PeteD, York

[PJRevs]

http://www.bgnrc.info/images/stories/00BGWRC/BG-WRC-Tikets.jpg

[PJRevs]

And yes, with this ticket U can watch all SS and shakedown and enter service park

[PeteD]

thank PJRevs.

Where is the best place to buy the ticket - is it at the service park ?
We are departing from Sofia airport at 13:00hrs Friday (I have to work at Sofia during the morning !)

Thank you for your help
PeteD, York

[PJRevs]

http://www.ticketpro.bg/jnp/en/sport/447250-rali-bulgaria.html

[N.O.T]

any other places we can get tickets ??

[PJRevs]

U can buy it at almost every newspaper shop in Sofia, Kostenec, etc

[N.O.T]

ah great thanx !!

[SubaruNorway]

What's the reason the local drivers are boycotting their own rally?

[V.Gatev]

Nobody boycotting the rally. The entry list with bulgarians and other crews will be published tomorrow or on next days.

[SubaruNorway]

Nobody boycotting the rally. The entry list with bulgarians and other crews will be published tomorrow or on next days.

Oh i see, well it's not giving the rally great publicity when everyone thinks there will only be 21 cars.

[bluuford]

What's the reason the local drivers are boycotting their own rally?

The deadline for entering the round for non priority drivers was (not in WRC, WRC Team and JWRC) 29th of June, that was yesterday. The list of priority drivers was published earlier. So, they did not want to publish it before the deadline. They only published those whose deadline was expired.

[PJRevs]

I expect 50, maybe 55 crews. Everything over that number will be big suprise

[txl]

About the place in batak lake , do you know where exactly (which km) is about ?
No, I don't know exactly but looks like close to the end of the stage.


and some more questions...will i be able to if i go 3 hours before the start of that stage to enter the ss and find the spot ?
The stage is long, you will enter probably from start and have to reach close to finish, in usual case you should make it if you enter 3 hours before start. But my advise is to add a little more time just to be sure.


i think i will have to ride through the stages on shakedown day to find something worth watching....
If you have time to do it, this is always a good option, you will get impression what the stages are.


On Day 1, SS Belmeken at the base of the dam, the route seems a little bit different than last year. The road does not go along the base of the dam with the left corner-straight-left corner but looks to be doing a hairpin left going down to last year's "parking" and then going up again on the main road! Did they make new road there? From "parking" going up on the main road it was 20m steep cleef and we went up from there using some steps. I did not see any road there. Can somebody help?
You don't see any road there because there is no road there :) I guess you are looking at the map in Google Maps and it is really wrong - there is no such road to go from the "parking" to the other side of the wall. So it is like last year.


We are hiring a car - what type is recommended to get to the stages mid-point ? Is a 4x4 needed ?
No, you don't need 4x4 to move through the stages, this is for sure. However, if you plan to go inside stages with car, with 4x4 will be easier to find place for parking. I don't know how many spectators to expect, if there are many, finding place for parking can be a problem and will be easier with 4x4.

[V.Gatev]

WRC Rally Bulgaria 2010 - Enry List:
http://www.rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0052&n=&vis=

49 crews: 12 WRC, 10 Juniors, 5 S2000, 5 Evo 9

[handbrakes&hairpins]

I wonder how Petter Solberg will cope with his new co-driver Chris Patterson... Petter's used to Phil Mills ways for 11 years!

I wish the new pairing all the best of luck in Bulgaria.

[N.O.T]

No, I don't know exactly but looks like close to the end of the stage.


The stage is long, you will enter probably from start and have to reach close to finish, in usual case you should make it if you enter 3 hours before start. But my advise is to add a little more time just to be sure.


If you have time to do it, this is always a good option, you will get impression what the stages are.


You don't see any road there because there is no road there :) I guess you are looking at the map in Google Maps and it is really wrong - there is no such road to go from the "parking" to the other side of the wall. So it is like last year.


No, you don't need 4x4 to move through the stages, this is for sure. However, if you plan to go inside stages with car, with 4x4 will be easier to find place for parking. I don't know how many spectators to expect, if there are many, finding place for parking can be a problem and will be easier with 4x4.

thank you very much and every bulgarian friend that helped me...i am very excited already !!!

[dimviii]

thank you very much and every bulgarian friend that helped me...i am very excited already for going to have a signed hat from Kimmi and Wilslow.!!!

fixed by sickdogs.not.com :D

[bluuford]

WRC Rally Bulgaria 2010 - Enry List:
http://www.rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0052&n=&vis=

49 crews: 12 WRC, 10 Juniors, 5 S2000, 5 Evo 9

How can you see it?

[harriswrc]

How can you see it?http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php?id=14454&title=seznam-prihlasenych-na-bulharskou-rally

[bluuford]

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php?id=14454&title=seznam-prihlasenych-na-bulharskou-rally

Thank you!

[Hipo1990]

without SUBARU :eek: :confused:

[N.O.T]

maybe rally drivers finally decided to use only rally cars and not garbage with wheels.

[V.Gatev]

Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo WRC Rally Show in Sofia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qfTffax1IQ&feature=related
http://forum.rally-club.bg/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=186909

Pictures from service park:
http://ivomirchev.com/2010/07/%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B0%D 0%BD-%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BE%D0%B1-citroen-wrc/

Petter Solberg World Rally Team test:
http://forum.rally-club.bg/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=186864

[René]

maybe rally drivers finally decided to use only rally cars and not garbage with wheels.

How !!! With chosen words these things there should be said.... :laugh: :laugh:

[vkangas]

Finnish online TV service katsomo.fi is broadcasting Rally Bulgaria live stages for free. I don't know does it work outside Finland but it's worth checking... :)

Direct link: http://www.katsomo.fi/?treeId=213

[V.Gatev]

Today Henning Solberg, Denis Kuipers, Hans Waijs-Jr., Yeray Lemes and Kevin Abbring make test runs on one special stage near to Borovetz. Some pictures here:
http://forum.rally-club.bg/download/file.php?id=10150
http://forum.rally-club.bg/download/file.php?id=10151
http://forum.rally-club.bg/download/file.php?id=10152
http://forum.rally-club.bg/download/file.php?id=10153
http://forum.rally-club.bg/download/file.php?id=10145
http://forum.rally-club.bg/download/file.php?id=10146
http://forum.rally-club.bg/download/file.php?id=10147
http://forum.rally-club.bg/download/file.php?id=10148
http://forum.rally-club.bg/download/file.php?id=10149

[V.Gatev]

More pics from SP and tests:
http://forum.rally-club.bg/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=187362
http://forum.rally-club.bg/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=187395

[jbmarcus21]

Program - EntryList - Google Earth Map - Mobile Live Results
http://planetemarcus.free.fr/bulgarie10.htm

[J.Lindstroem]

The links with the pictures of the SP doesn't work for me! :(

[PJRevs]

First galery from service park

http://www.automagazin.rs/galerije.php?tg=wrc&kat=Fotografije%20WRC%20sezona%202010

[V.Gatev]

Pictures from today recce runs :)
http://forum.rally-club.bg/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=187773&g2_page=1

[N.O.T]

Yay !! 1 day remaining...i decided to ditch the useless 1 straight and 2 turns shakedown and go straight to recce the stages to find interesting spectating spots...

How is the weather there ? Its pretty unstable in the north of greece at the moment and thats around 200 Kms from the stages.

[Aquagen]

Here is one more gallery from Bulgaria:

http://www.reporters.com.ua/gallery/1/92/

[bluuford]

Finnish online TV service katsomo.fi is broadcasting Rally Bulgaria live stages for free. I don't know does it work outside Finland but it's worth checking... :)

Direct link: http://www.katsomo.fi/?treeId=213

Is there any TV channels in Bulgaria that brodcast rally live? I must research on Bulgarian Balck Sea coast till Sunday and maybe I can spend some time behind TV. It would be nice if you can help me with the link or TV channel name :-)

[René]

Is there any TV channels in Bulgaria that brodcast rally live? I must research on Bulgarian Balck Sea coast till Sunday and maybe I can spend some time behind TV. It would be nice if you can help me with the link or TV channel name :-)

Have look here: http://wwitv.com/portal.htm

Maybe that you are going to find what you search...

[PJRevs]

New gallery from service park

http://www.automagazin.rs/galerije.php?tg=wrc&kat=WRC%20-%20Rally%20Bulgaria%202010,%20Scrutineering

[Hartusvuori]

According to Finnish MTV3's rally news P-G Andersson crashed heavily with a truck when returning from recce yesterday. Recce car was pretty much destroyed, crew's fine though, some scars only. It was said the truck came behind a tight turn half on Andersson's side.

http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/ralli/2010/07/1153105 (Finnish)

[N.O.T]

well i am off to bulgaria....see you saturday !!!!

[Viking]

Good to see codrivers name in bold print again :up:

http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/wp-content/uploads/20100707-130509-1.jpg

[snellman]

Yay !! 1 day remaining...i decided to ditch the useless 1 straight and 2 turns shakedown and go straight to recce the stages to find interesting spectating spots...

How is the weather there ? Its pretty unstable in the north of greece at the moment and thats around 200 Kms from the stages.
weather is not the only unstable thing i the north of greece

[jonkka]

any shakedown times from the "useless 1 straight and 2 turns" -stage?

[Barreis]

Good to see codrivers name in bold print again :up:

http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/wp-content/uploads/20100707-130509-1.jpg

I agree..

[Mirek]

any shakedown times from the "useless 1 straight and 2 turns" -stage?

http://www.rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0030&n=30&g=

[Hartusvuori]

]http://www.rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0030&n=30&g=

Sordo fastest, Loeb and Räikkönen shares the second fastest time. This will be fuel to the fire for Kimi dudes. Let's see how it is after the 31,77 km 1st stage tomorrow.

[sp0+]

weather is not the only unstable thing i the north of greece

Meaning???

[6789]

Meaning???

Greece has "slight" internal and external balance issues lol. Good performance by Sordo in shake, hope he wins

[Aquagen]

Some new photos from shakedown added:

http://reporters.com.ua/gallery/1/92/

http://www.reporters.com.ua/gall_img/9aa74cd95bf525a424042029255f308f.jpg

[jbmarcus21]

Petter Solberg ahead and wins shakedown !! 1.39.4 :)

[RICARDO75]

1º Petter Solberg CITRÖEN C4 WRC 1m 39,4s
2º Daniel Sordo CITRÖEN C4 WRC 1m 39,8s
3º Sébastien Ogier CITRÖEN C4 WRC 1m 39,9s
4º Sébastien Loeb CITRÖEN C4 WRC 1m 40,5s
5º Kimi Räikkönen CITRÖEN C4 WRC 1m 40,5s
6º Mikko Hirvonen FORD FOCUS MK2 WRC 1m 41,3s
7º Jari-Mati Latvala FORD FOCUS MK2 WRC 1m 42,2s
8º Matthew Wilson FORD FOCUS MK2 WRC 1m 42,6s
9º Per-Gunnar Andersson FORD FOCUS MK2 WRC 1m 42,6s

[Barreis]

I like two names on the car.. :)

[pettersolberg29]

Early prediction - no Ford's will beat any of the top 5 Citroen's. Loeb-Sordo-Petter-Ogier-Kimi before any Ford driver.

[Rallytourist]

Early prediction - no Ford's will beat any of the top 5 Citroen's. Loeb-Sordo-Petter-Ogier-Kimi before any Ford driver. I hope you're Joking :p

[Sulland]

Early prediction - no Ford's will beat any of the top 5 Citroen's. Loeb-Sordo-Petter-Ogier-Kimi before any Ford driver.

Agree !

[GigiGalliNo1]

It looks so weird with co-driver names but it sure is good that they have put them back on! Now those retarded big numbers! Are blood types still on the side of the cars too?

[Barreis]

They (FIA) don't know what to do anymore so any kind of changes are wellcome.. How less percentage of TV audience is this year 'cos there's no more WRC on Eurosport?! Personaly, I don't have Motors TV and was watching WRC on friend's site http://www.rally-emotions.com
Few days ago Impreza diesel (N3 I guess) hit him badly on Rally Maribor (Slovenia) - broken hands, legs, fracture of head, some inner wounds.. So where to watch it now except to buy Motors TV package which is kinda bad..

[pettersolberg29]

I hope you're Joking :p

No joke - I maybe mad but I think it's true. The only Ford driver who could get in amongst them is Mikko, but I think the Ford is so poor on tarmac that it would need retirements for Mikko to beat any of the Citroen five.

[nr7wave]

Petter Solberg ahead and wins shakedown !! 1.39.4 :)

I just saw the video at wrc.com from Petters fastest run on todays shakedown. I must say that the roads looks to be quite demanding with a lot of surface changing. And the shakedown road had more than two turns and a long straigt. In fact I did'nt see one pice of straight road on the footage. This could be an interesting weekend :)

[Juha_Koo]

Kimi looking incredibly smooth through the shakedown...

[Barreis]

That's only shakedown..

[N.O.T]

so i just got back from the stages !!! IT WAS RAINNING LIKE HELL in all of them...i doubt so much rain can dry...the rain stopped falling about 30 mins ago but heavy clouds remain above... probably a 100% wet rally at least tommorow...

the stages are very demanding ....lots of crashes is my guess, especially if it rains...from a spectating point of view most of the stages are in the woods so not many choices however i found some very interesting ones. hope they deliver and hope it doesn't rain tommorow.

interesting shakedown times very appropriate for useless conclusions as always.

[ProRally]

Rumors grow that Kimi might go back to F1 ....

[Rallyper]

Shakedown results verifies the difference between Citroen and Ford engine power.

Only new cars will change that. We´ll have to wait for 2011 before equalness is achieved.

[dimviii]

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=934&fotograf=100&all=1

[sp0+]

Shakedown results verifies the difference between Citroen and Ford engine power.

Only new cars will change that. We´ll have to wait for 2011 before equalness is achieved.

....or the gap grows further.....

[Barreis]

Rumors grow that Kimi might go back to F1 ....

Good for him.. In F1 it was all about 1st place and in WRC is about 7th place (podium is for dreaming)..

[ProRally]

Good for him.. In F1 it was all about 1st place and in WRC is about 7th place (podium is for dreaming)..

A Major sponsors wants him to partner Kubica at Renault, money talks and he will name his price and if he gets it, good for him.

[dimviii]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkdgUPeBjg8

[dimviii]

http://rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0059&n=&vis=

http://rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0059&n=5&g=

http://rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0059&n=2&g=

http://rallybulgaria.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0059&n=4&g=

[Barreis]

A Major sponsors wants him to partner Kubica at Renault, money talks and he will name his price and if he gets it, good for him.

I agree..

[bluuford]

Very nice! Bulgarians have made really good effort to their WRC round. There was a short overview about Sofia roadshow and then ceremonial start was shown live in Bulgarian National television. They showed all WRCars, all S2000 cars, a few local stars and some JWRC cars. Very good publicity (and very good for me). And everything was just before Bulgarian Brazilian volleyball game (that was held less than 500 meters from my hotel :-)
Little off topic, who won the volley? I had to leave when Brazil was leading 2:1

[tolis]

Very nice! Bulgarians have made really good effort to their WRC round. There was a short overview about Sofia roadshow and then ceremonial start was shown live in Bulgarian National television. They showed all WRCars, all S2000 cars, a few local stars and some JWRC cars. Very good publicity (and very good for me). And everything was just before Bulgarian Brazilian volleyball game (that was held less than 500 meters from my hotel :-)
Little off topic, who won the volley? I had to leave when Brazil was leading 2:1
3-1 Brazil won. Have a nice rally!!!

[tolis]

Photos from the rally here (including ceremonial start): http://www.motorsport.bg/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=38&Itemid=0

[danon]

Mark my words – first place for Petter and Chris in Bulgaria!

[PJRevs]

Galery from shakedown and ceremonial start

http://www.automagazin.rs/galerije.php?tg=wrc&kat=WRC%20Rally%20Bulgaria%20-%20Shakedown,%20Ceremonial%20start

[Red bull]

Mark my words – first place for Petter and Chris in Bulgaria!
do me a favour,wake me up when ur done losing. :p :

[6789]

Mark my words – first place for Petter and Chris in Bulgaria!
They might be a long shot, have to wait and see

[hari]

Which stages are shown live on katsomo.fi?


Finnish online TV service katsomo.fi is broadcasting Rally Bulgaria live stages for free. I don't know does it work outside Finland but it's worth checking... :)

Direct link: http://www.katsomo.fi/?treeId=213

[Hartusvuori]

Rally is live.

[vkangas]

Which stages are shown live on katsomo.fi?

I'm sorry to admit, but I think MTV3 has fooled me (again).... In Finnish language it was written "live" but it only means that they are broadcasting normal rally broadcasts at the same time online and TV. So no live stages I suppose...

[Langdale Forest]

WRC website not working.... how very professinol....

[6789]

WRC website not working.... how very professinol....
So its not just my net?

Loeb very fast through the first stage

[Langdale Forest]

where do you get the splits from??

[jonkka]

wrc.com - if we get...

[jonkka]

vision-platform.co.uk is sucking...

[Langdale Forest]

an epiK fail for wrc.com already...

[jonkka]

oh well, I wouldn't have had any interest towards the results, it's loeb-loeb-loeb anyhow...

[Langdale Forest]

any news of the kimmi kid star yet?

[Hartusvuori]

Glad we have rally radio. WRC.com more or less out right now. Big gaps already, which was expected with so long stages.

[jonkka]

Loeb finished...

[Hartusvuori]

Ogier + 9,1s to Loeb
Hirvonen +18,0s to Loeb
Latvala +21,3 s to Loeb
P. Solberg +14,5s to Loeb
Sordo +8,6 to Loeb
Wilson +59,9s to Loeb
Räikkönen +17,2 to Loeb

[Hartusvuori]

any news of the kimmi kid star yet?

On 3rd split faster than Fords.

[Xsara Fan]

Kimi currently is 4th!

[6789]

Sordo came in second, Petter 5th i think

[Viking]

PG much faster than...Slowson, ok maybe not to fast.

[jonkka]

Thank god for vysledky... :)

[jonkka]

Citroen 1-2-3-4-5

[Xsara Fan]

I think that Henning with S2000 will beat Slowson :)

[Hartusvuori]

Citroen, Citroen, Citroen, Citroen, Citroen, Ford, Ford, Ford, Ford...

[6789]

SS1

Loeb - Scratch
Sordo - 8.6 sec
Ogier - 9.1 sec
Petter - 14.5 sec
Kimi - 17.2 sec
Mikko - 18 sec
Jari - 21.3 sec
Mathew - 59.9 sec

[Langdale Forest]

Wrc.com Back... Wahoooooooo

[Viking]

Thank god for vysledky... :)

wrc.com somewhat working here now.

[Viking]

I think that Henning with S2000 will beat Slowson :)

Henning seems to be just as fast in the s2000 as he is in the Focus on tarmac :)

[jonkka]

wrc.com somewhat working here now.

Either it's really "somewhat" or really "there" because here it's not working at all now.

[Langdale Forest]

5 year plan guy - almost a minute down aftewr just one stage....

[jonkka]

I wonder why official Citroen WRC team's results section shows little nationality flags only for Finns and a Swede?

[satukata]

splits not working wrc.com?

[6789]

I have splits working, but it doesn't cut and paste too well

[garais22]

Henning seems to be just as fast in the s2000 as he is in the Focus on tarmac :)
:D :D :D

[Viking]

Citroen, Citroen, Citroen, Citroen, Citroen, Ford, Ford, Ford, Ford...

Citroen, Citroen, Citroen, Citroen, Citroen, Ford, Ford, Ford, veteran Peugeot ,Ford :D

[Langdale Forest]

Wilson should consider leaving the WRC, he is a total waste of money for the Ford team.... The results after SS1 for him are a joke, he is almost 1 minete behing Loeb, and a Hungarian driver in a Peugout 307 WRC is ahead of him...

[Xsara Fan]

Wilson should consider leaving the WRC, he is a total waste of money for the Ford team.... The results after SS1 for him are a joke, he is almost 1 minete behing Loeb, and a Hungarian driver in a Peugout 307 WRC is ahead of him...

I`d say 'five years old Peugeot 307 WRC'! Fantastic result! :)

[Sulland]

Wilson should consider leaving the WRC, he is a total waste of money for the Ford team.... The results after SS1 for him are a joke, he is almost 1 minete behing Loeb, and a Hungarian driver in a Peugout 307 WRC is ahead of him...

He should do the same thing as Henning, go S2000, but on both surfaces - I think he will enjoy that more as well !

[Hartusvuori]

SS2 is live.

[jonkka]

and no splits...

[Hartusvuori]

and no splits...

There are some. At 1st split Ogier down +0,1 and Hirvonen +0,6.

And on 2nd split Loeb and Ogier are equal. Latvala +0,9s down on 1st split.

[Motorsportfun]

What a Kimi Raikkonen, in front of BP Fords too! Can't wait to see him in Catalunya!

[garais22]

and no splits...

S.Loeb 34.0
S.Ogier +0.1
M.Hirvonen +0.6

[jonkka]

All I see is blank page

[Hartusvuori]

Hirvonen already 6,8s down on the second split.

[nr7wave]

All I see is blank page
same here :(

[Hartusvuori]

Hirvonen 10,2s down on 3rd split, Ogier 1,5s down on 4th. Mine splits refresh every now and then...

[jonkka]

Argh... wrc.com works IF you use IE...

[Xsara Fan]

wrc.com works for me with Firefox (MAC OS X)

[jonkka]

but on my Firefox which runs on XP Pro

[nr7wave]

Argh... wrc.com works IF you use IE...
Not for me... Argh!

[jonkka]

maybe if I'd quit all Firefox windows and restart it but I don't want to re-login to all of those sites

[jonkka]

Kimi faster than Loeb on 1st split :eek:

[muscrae]

OMG, Raikkonen is faster than Loeb in Split 1...! :)

[Hartusvuori]

Hirvonen seems to loose another 20 seconds. Latvala on par with Mikko. Kimi fastest on the 1st split by 0,1s ;-)

[Viking]

This will be one frustrating weekend for Ford...

[Hartusvuori]

How high up are these stages? Ford seems to loose more than they should, I think and that could be due to altitude. I would've though Mikko would be on the same pace or at least closer as Petter is.

Mikko 23,6s down on Loeb. Oh my...

[Mintexmemory]

Hirvonen seems to loose another 20 seconds. Latvala on par with Mikko. Kimi fastest on the 1st split by 0,1s ;-)
Looks like the guy has been working at it during the six week break.

Good thing FORDD has been pounding the asphalt on the tests, Hirvonen taking driving lessons from a coach in England... I see all that money spent is really paying off.
They are totally unable to compete with Citroën on the tar. Amazing.
Just imagine how it will be with michelin back in the game, when they start their french mafia collaboration again.

And Wilson 2sec/km behind on first stage, new for everyone. Pathetic. I would be afraid to show my face if I was him.

[Hartusvuori]

Kimi's clearly faster so far on SS2 than Fords.

How high up are these stages? Ford seems to loose more than they should, I think and that could be due to altitude. I would've though Mikko would be on the same pace or at least closer as Petter is.

Mikko 23,6s down on Loeb. Oh my...


Maybe but the PIPO engine people know about altitude. I can't believe it's a power problem.

[Xsara Fan]

May be during Rally Bulgaria M-Sport testing 1.6L engines at all Focus RS WRC? :)

[ridder]

split 5

Loeb
Solberg +2.9 :eek:
Ogier + 3.3
Sordo + 4.7'
Hirvonen and Latvala +15

[Viking]

Petter second fastest on this one and fastest between split 4 and 5. New codriver seems to be working :up:

[Sulland]

Good thing FORDD has been pounding the asphalt on the tests, Hirvonen taking driving lessons from a coach in England... I see all that money spent is really paying off.
They are totally unable to compete with Citroën on the tar. Amazing.
Just imagine how it will be with michelin back in the game, when they start their french mafia collaboration again.

And Wilson 2sec/km behind on first stage, new for everyone. Pathetic. I would be afraid to show my face if I was him.

How far back do we have to go before we reach a point where Ford and Citroen was an even match on asphalt ?

[Sulland]

Henning 3,7 behind Wilson on the last split, not bad !

[jonkka]

How far back do we have to go before we reach a point where Ford and Citroen was an even match on asphalt ?

Catalunya 2004 when Märtin won?

[Hartusvuori]

Kimi seems to loose most of the seconds at end of stages. Perhaps too long for him to keep the rhythm? It was said before the rally that he can keep tyres in good condition, but this seems to be against it.

[6789]

Henning 3,7 behind Wilson on the last split, not bad !
2.8 secs slower on the stage

How far back do we have to go before we reach a point where Ford and Citroen was an even match on asphalt ?

I think, never. The 03 and 04 Focus was good on tar, and they won with Märtin in Corsica and catalunya. Catalunya was even fight with Loeb on first stages until loeb cracked the sump guard in a cut and lost all the oil... unlucky for him. In Corsica Loeb was taking it easy as he only needed a few points to be champion, so no risk taking at all.

So I think never, really.

2.8 secs slower on the stage

Congrats for Henning. This stage had a lot of downhill, so a real driver with balls will take on Wilson, even without a turbo.

[Finni2]

I think people can see now how impossible task Grönholm had when he was competing against Loeb and C4. It's now unquestionably visible that C4 is clearly superior asphalt car against Focus. I remember when some said that Loeb and Sordo are just much faster than Grönholm. In the hindsight it's now clear that it was masterful performance from Grönholm to match Sordo's tarmac pace with the Focus.

[ridder]

Catalunya 2004 when Märtin won?

a) Ford was better than Citroen on Tarmac in 2004

b) Catalunya with new Focus and Citroen with Xsara, Gronholm was clearly faster

c) Even last year I'd say Ford was close to even match with Citroen on Tarmac tbh. The drivers weren't.

This year it's both car and drivers.

[nr7wave]

Hennig said the fiesta is much easier to drive on tarmac than the focus. And his times today is proving his point. He is more or less at the same times he would have been in the focus(probably).
Henning: "The fiesta is my tarmac car!"

[Xsara Fan]

At the second split Turan (307 WRC) is faster than both Stobart drivers! :)

[Sulland]

Hennig said the fiesta is much easier to drive on tarmac than the focus. And his times today is proving his point. He is more or less at the same times he would have been in the focus(probably).
Henning: "The fiesta is my tarmac car!"

Yes he said directly that he liked asphalt, but did not like the Focus on asphalt. Seems to be the case with the rest of the Ford team as well....

[Viking]

How far back do we have to go before we reach a point where Ford and Citroen was an even match on asphalt ?

Well Mikko was much closer in Spain last year +0,26s/km day1, +0,12s/km day2 and +0,06s/km day3. And I think some of that difference is down to the drivers (Loeb v Mikko)

They (Ford and Mikko) has really gone backwards.

[6789]

Well Mikko was much closer in Spain last year +0,26s/km day1, +0,12s/km day2 and +0,06s/km day3. And I think some of that difference is down to the drivers (Loeb v Mikko)

They (Ford and Mikko) has really gone backwards.
Ford probably haven't gone backwards, just not gone forward at the same pace at Citroen into 2010

[Karukera]

Last time isn't very far away : 2008, Duval and Hirvonen scored big points. Grönholm outpaced Sordo fairly and squarely in Corsica 2007. The Ford was actually up to the tarmac challenge that year, even back in 2006 and 2005.

The car performs well on this surface, they just need drivers.

[Francis44]

I think people can see now how impossible task Grönholm had when he was competing against Loeb and C4. It's now unquestionably visible that C4 is clearly superior asphalt car against Focus. I remember when some said that Loeb and Sordo are just much faster than Grönholm. In the hindsight it's now clear that it was masterful performance from Grönholm to match Sordo's tarmac pace with the Focus.

The question is....

Was the C4 in 2007 so developed as today?!

Surely no.

I'd say they were pretty equal in 2007.

[nr7wave]

Well Mikko was much closer in Spain last year +0,26s/km day1, +0,12s/km day2 and +0,06s/km day3. And I think some of that difference is down to the drivers (Loeb v Mikko)

They (Ford and Mikko) has really gone backwards.

But remember that Spain is a much easier rally than Bulgaria(acording to Sordo, among others), so I think Miko and Latvala will be closer to Loeb in Catalunya.

[br21]

But remember that Spain is a much easier rally than Bulgaria(acording to Sordo, among others), so I think Miko and Latvala will be closer to Loeb in Catalunya.

but don't forget that this years catalunya will be very mixed event, not pure tarmac rally like in previous years...

[Barreis]

Maybe Crashvala will win like in New Zealand..

[ProRally]

Why is BRYNILDSEN so slow ?

[Mirek]

Maybe but the PIPO engine people know about altitude. I can't believe it's a power problem.

It's for sure not only in the engine but I believe that Citroën's advantage in more powerful engine is the bigger the higher is the altitude. Also 5-speed gearbox of Focus may not be ideal when engine doesn't run in optimal conditions.

Of course it's just one piece of puzzle. When You watch these cars on tarmac You can clearly see that Citroën is more nimble while Focus looks quite slow in cornering. It may be down to Focus gravel nature. I heard more people saying that it's easier to make winning tarmac car good on gravel than vice versa.

There are more questionable features like spare wheel behind rear axis which for sure has negative effect on car's polar moment of inertia which is the most important thing when it comes to cornering agility.

I think that it's a lot of small issues which altogether makes the difference.

[nr7wave]

Why is BRYNILDSEN so slow ?
I read on a norwegian forum that he went out on soft tires, wich claerly was a bad decision. We will se if he improves after service.

]It's for sure not only in the engine but I believe that Citroën's advantage in more powerful engine is the bigger the higher is the altitude. Also 5-speed gearbox of Focus may not be ideal when engine doesn't run in optimal conditions.

Of course it's just one piece of puzzle. When You watch these cars on tarmac You can clearly see that Citroën is more nimble while Focus looks quite slow in cornering. It may be down to Focus gravel nature. I heard more people saying that it's easier to make winning tarmac car good on gravel than vice versa.

There are more questionable features like spare wheel behind rear axis which for sure has negative effect on car's polar moment of inertia which is the most important thing when it comes to cornering agility.

I think that it's a lot of small issues which altogether makes the difference.

Very good point about the gearbox, Mirec. And you are right also, there is a lot to say when you simply watch the differences between the two cars when they corner.
I think, generally speaking, the Citroën engineers concentrate more on making agile car, which gives incredible feeling to the drivers, allowing them to push in safety and control.
While Ford engineers, in my opinion are concentrating on the theoretical only "on the paper its better so driver just has to adapt".
the Citroën has always looked to me like it was a bit "stiffer and more reactive" than the Ford. For sure a Ford engineer will say "softer = more traction = better on paper" but is it worth it if the driver's feeiling is hampered ?

[JRodrigues]

Looking at the 5th place, I guess this will the headline in tomorrow's bulgarian newspapers: "Greek turist comits suicide" :D :D :D :D

[6789]

Looking at the 5th place, I guess this will the headline in tomorrow's bulgarian newspapers: "Greek turist comits suicide" :D :D :D :D
Haha, maybe a heart attack

[Red bull]

ford cant be a very bad car as it looks now its those ford drivers who are useless just bcause they pay to drive and have nothing to lose,time ford recruited payed drivers to do the job professionally and send the current ones to where henning solberg has headed to....S2000 fiesta.

[6789]

Ogier stopped!!

[pettersolberg29]

Ogier stopped

[Hartusvuori]

Ogier stopped!!

Back on the move. Lost almost a minute.

[6789]

Back on the move. Lost almost a minute.
Maybe run off the road?

[TMorel]

Ogier stopped for a minute?
I wonder if Quesnell hit the remote stop button and made Sebs management team apoligise for talking to Ford

[6789]

Ogier stopped for a minute?
I wonder if Quesnell hit the remote stop button and made Sebs management team apoligise for talking to Ford
Haha

[Hartusvuori]

Ogier stopped for a minute?
I wonder if Quesnell hit the remote stop button and made Sebs management team apoligise for talking to Ford

This all made Ogier look more a fit for Ford, I think ;-)

It's reported that Kimi was only of the top guys to leave service with soft compound. Interesting to see how he performs.

[nr7wave]

Petter is quick! Only 0.9 behind Loeb at the third split.

[JRodrigues]

It's reported that Kimi was only of the top guys to leave service with soft compound. Interesting to see how he performs.

He has nothing to loose, so no problem in taking a little risk..

[sal]

Nice to see the WRC exciting the fans in Bulgaria..

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/image_browse.php?id=50006

[Francis44]

Nice to see the WRC exciting the fans in Bulgaria..

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/image_browse.php?id=50006

Too much beer.

[ttiirika]

Nice to see the WRC exciting the fans in Bulgaria..

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/image_browse.php?id=50006

Not enough beer.

[jonkka]

too much beer.

Like in Poland but in that part of the globe it's water (=voda).

[Viking]

Wonder if Petter is on soft as well, slower from mid-stage and in.

[jonkka]

Kimi may lose out to Mikko...

[Viridian Black]

Kimi may lose out to Mikko...
nope.....just

[satukata]

kimi is driving softer tyre than others? is there raining? any other drivers soft tyre?

[Francis44]

kimi is driving softer tyre than others? is there raining? any other drivers soft tyre?

According to rally radio he is the only one with soft tyres, and it's not raining, atleast till the last stage.

[vkangas]

Kimi said in MTV3's interview that he's going to take fridays carefully and try to attack saturday later if everything seems to go without problems. One good thing about Kimi is that he is always very realistic about his pace, so he will definately go faster tomorrow.

[Viking]

Another French kid, Mathieu Arzeno seems to be fast on tarmac...

[Viridian Black]

wasn't Arzeno fast in a round of the IRC this year? or was it WRC

[Mirek]

He was leading Monte Carlo before he went off. And I think that he won Tour de Corse among 2WD cars some year.

[Barreis]

Some guy Turan faster then the Stobards..

[Francis44]

Some guy Turan faster then the Stobards..

Yeah he drives a 307 dosen't he?!

[Viking]

Henning: "I think I am fast on tarmac myself, but nobody else seems to believe that" :D

[Red bull]

Another French kid, Mathieu Arzeno seems to be fast on tarmac...
hope wilson snr reads this. :cool:

[Barreis]

Yeah he drives a 307 dosen't he?!

Stobards boys can retire..

[Viking]

Stobards boys can retire..

PG from hero to zero in 3 stages?? :)

[Ondra WRC]

Guys and what happened Ogier?

[Viking]

Guys and what happened Ogier?

wrong note?, went off, back on, car ok...

[Hartusvuori]

Guys and what happened Ogier?


Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier dropped from second to seventh place on the third stage of Rally Bulgaria after missing a junction and getting his C4 WRC stuck for one minute.
The Frenchman misheard a pace note and went straight on a junction 5.1km from the start of the repeated Batak Lake stage. His car collected panel damage to its right-hand front corner but seems unscathed mechanically.
http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=101&id=8213&desc=SS3%3A+Junction+overshoot+costs+Ogier+second+ place

[Bobcat]

Ford counting on rain in Bulgaria http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85106

[JRodrigues]

First time I see a finnish rally driver quicker on tarmac than on gravel.. :confused: :confused: :confused:

[jonkka]

Sordo speeding up

[jonkka]

And as soon as I mentioned him... :eek:

[JRodrigues]

First time I see a finnish rally driver quicker on tarmac than on gravel.. :confused: :confused: :confused:

Fastest on 2nd sector :cool: :cool:

[pettersolberg29]

Kimi fastest after 2nd split.

[satukata]

kimi attack now!

[Ondra WRC]

wrong note?, went off, back on, car ok...
Thanks. :)

[Halvis]

Anyone else that thinks Petter is doing extremely well on his first rally with new codriver? Only second on tarmac in the C4 also, if i recall correctly.