2010 IRC Cyprus Rally

[Mirek]

Official web: http://www.cyprusrally2010.com/

Golden Stage web: http://www.goldenstagerally.com/html/

There are big prize money from organizers in overall standings but also in separate Gr.N and 2WD competition.

I heard about Thiery Neuville, Andreas Mikkelsen, Nasser Al Attiyah or Khalid Al Quassimi to compete. I can also promise several Czech drivers. First of them officially confirmed are Roman Kresta with Gr.N Evo IX and Jaromír Tarabus with Fiesta S2000. More to come soon ;)

[tolis]

Local hero, Nicos Thomas will drive his new car, a Peugeot 207 S2000!!!

[PLuto]

Yes, Kresta and Tarabus told it in interviews today...

http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=11228

[Leon]

Franz Wittmann is also expected to participate

[Tom206wrc]

Would be very strange a better entry in Cyprus than in Scotland, I wouldn't understand it at all :s

[Honza H.]

Also Prokop with his Fiesta S2000 is confirmed!

[Mirek]

Still some more Czechs may come :)

[RS]

Are these Czech names doing the main rally too or just the "Golden Stage"

[Mirek]

Whole rally. I think that it's not possible to enter only Golden stage.

[bluuford]

Well, jut checked the website and found that there is no itinerary. There is no information about the length of the special stages. There is no information about the surface... sounds like secret rally :-P

[Tom206wrc]

Who will replace Meeke at Peugeot UK for this event :confused:

[Leon]

Well, jut checked the website and found that there is no itinerary. There is no information about the length of the special stages. There is no information about the surface... sounds like secret rally :-P

There is no secrecy. The itinerary was published yesterday in the local edition of top gear magazine. Entry list is expected late today.

[Mirek]

There is no secrecy. The itinerary was published yesterday in the local edition of top gear magazine.

That's ok for national event but doesn't help foreigners at all...

[tolis]

That's ok for national event but doesn't help foreigners at all...
Indeed, why don't they have the itinerary published in their website? It's only 10 days before the event... :confused:

[bluuford]

Well, my point was actually very simple. If there is possible international entrant. He wants to rent a car for this rally. He needs to know at least the length of the SS-s, the surface etc. (To calculate your approximate costs, discuss with the sponsors etc.). Complete itinerary is not so important, but you even dont know how many kilometers are there 100? 200? 300? 1000? Is it fully on gravel/tarmac? Mixed surface? How can you plan your budget? What kind of setup or spears you need etc.? Now you just know that there is a rally.. on the island.. there is possibility for accommodation.. you know how much is the entry fee.. and that is pretty much all. Ok, now we know that there is at least two superspecials 2*2.45 km.. probably on tarmac :-)

For international event it is not the way it should work.

[Tom206wrc]

On the rally website they write "entrylist available after the 25th october"...does this mean we will get it on 26th october(tomorrow) :confused:

[Barreis]

No Meeke here?

[bluuford]

No, Scotland was his "good bye" event with Peugeot.

[RS]

Sounds like the entry for Cyprus may be better than expected according to press info from IRC:

"The IRC is gearing up to a spectacular end of season finale at the 2010 FxPro Cyprus Rally (4-6 November) as well as at the inaugural Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally (7 November).

The final round of the season will form an IRC swansong for Peugeot UK's defending champion Kris Meeke, who was recently supplanted by Skoda's Juho Hanninen. Skoda though is unlikely to make the trip to Cyprus, having recently sealed both championships, which gives an opportunity for some other stars of the championship to end the year on a high.

Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah will be a strong candidate for victory with Ford, while Belgium's Thierry Neuville will be looking to score another podium in his impressive debut IRC season. PROTON is also considering an entry on the IRC series finale, having shown great promise so far.

Other provisional entries include the Bryan Bouffier, Daniel Oliveira, Franz Wittmann and Burcu Cetinkaya, all driving Peugeots. Andreas Mikkelsen and Martin Prokop will drive M-Sport Fords, while a number of local drivers will be at the wheel of Mitsubishis"

[Wim_Impreza]

while Belgium's Thierry Neuville will be looking to score another podium in his impressive debut IRC season.

Another podium? He was only once on the podium until now in an IRC rally. In my opinion his debut IRC season isn't so impressive as he had also a lot of tests.

[Tom206wrc]

Bouffier at Cyprus too ???? :eek:

[PLuto]

Yes, he will be there.

[HaCo]

This will be an interesting rally :)

[Barreis]

To watch on Eurosport also.. :)

[Mirek]

Timetable: http://www.autosport.cz/zavody/soubor.php?f=c91e6a3778a2ca3b72ef126dc275efd5

[Leon]

Main entries (from press release):

Peugeot 207 s2000
Nicos Thomas ex PSD
Burcu Centingaya
Daniel Oliveira
Bryan Bouffier
franz Wittman

Ford Fiesta
Nasser Al Attiyah
Andreas Mikkelsen
Martin Prokop
Tarabus
Harri Hunt

Roman Kresta Lancer Evo
Karl Kruuda Suzuki S1600
Roger Feghali Skoda S2000
a local driver with lada S1600

and loads of Mitsu Evo and Subaru

[RS]

Is Harry Hunt in a Fiesta S2000?

Decent number of S2000 cars but with fairly weak drivers compared to normal IRC events.

[tolis]

No Al Qassimi?

[rsmith16]

Is Harry Hunt in a Fiesta S2000?

Decent number of S2000 cars but with fairly weak drivers compared to normal IRC events.

Assume Hunt will be in one of his usual R2 Fiestas as I think he can still win the 2wd award in teh championship...

[Tom206wrc]

What to expect from Nicos Thomas :confused:

[cvhi]

The entry list is not on official site ?

[WRC1]

The entry list is not on official site ?

NOTHING!!!! is on the official site.... :(

very poor and not a good sign for organisation...no timetable, no maps, no entry list....zero information!

[Ondra WRC]

Entry list will published tonight.

[hari]

Entry List:
http://www.cyprusrally2010.com/images/uploads/pdf/fxpro_cyprus_rally_2010__list_of_entries.pdf

[RICARDO75]

Very strange...
Kruuda with #6, Oliveira #5, Wittmann #38, Feghali #39 and Bouffier #40?!?

[Mirek]

Those are no start numbers.

Does anyone know why Khalid al Quassimi isn't on the list? It's MERC...

[Tom206wrc]

Nicos Thomas finally in Mitsu :confused:

[Ondra WRC]

Nicos Thomas finally in Mitsu :confused:
Why? :(

[atsiotras79]

Nicos Thomas finally in Mitsu :confused:

From what he told me 2 mins ago, it is 207 S2000. Where did you hear that?

[VFTS]

Nicos Thomas finally in Mitsu :confused:

He will drive a Peugeot 207 S2000 from the italian Munaretto Team.

[Tom206wrc]

Look at official entrylist, he's with the Mitsu on it :mark:

[pucky54]

Look at official entrylist, he's with the Mitsu on it :mark:

I see him without a car on the list

[Walach]

Tarabus will start in Elan livery, which should be very similiar that he had on Rallysprint Kopná :
http://www.autosport.cz/img/fotografie/c_9de0df1059f614e3699e2b4e29bcf3f9.jpg

[pettersolberg29]

Haven't payed much attention to this event, but looking at the entry list I am hoping, if not expecting, a win for Mikkelsen in Cyprus. If he replicates his Scotland pace he should win easily surely.

[Tom206wrc]

Haven't payed much attention to this event, but looking at the entry list I am hoping, if not expecting, a win for Mikkelsen in Cyprus. If he replicates his Scotland pace he should win easily surely.


"Easily" is a word Bryan Bouffier doesn't let to his contenders :rolleyes:

[pettersolberg29]

True-but what is Bryan's pace like on gravel? I only know of him as a tarmac driver.

[pucky54]

True-but what is Bryan's pace like on gravel? I only know of him as a tarmac driver.

He is several times polish champion, so he also has to be fast on gravel ;)

[Mirek]

Bryan won't drive factory car this time. He will be a team-mate of Franz Wittmann in German Romo team.

I wouldn't underestimate Nasser. He knows Cyprus like no-one else from top drivers.

[fegh]

hi guys,
you must count on Nasser al Attiyah and on Roger Feghali, Roger is an excellent tarmac driver and he has very good experience on gravel too.

[morganmilan]

hi guys,
you must count on Nasser al Attiyah and on Roger Feghali, Roger is an excellent tarmac driver and he has very good experience on gravel too.
And you aren´t really R. Feghali, are you? :p Anyway a lot of luck in that case :) . Skoda is such a good and fast car ;)

[fegh]

No morganmilan (http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/member.php?u=103450) I'm not Roger but his cousin, I'm sure Roger will be flat out in this Rally, and thanks anyway :)

[VFTS]

Nicos Thomas tested his Peugeot 207 S2000 for the first time yesterday.

The Munaretto-Team arrived friday with all the equipment. "The car is fantastic" he said.

He tested close to a place called Orkontas.

http://caa.com.cy/caa/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Thomas.jpg (http://caa.com.cy/caa/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Thomas.jpg)

[Mirek]

Bouffier is driving car of Radik Shaymiev

[tolis]

37 crews will take part in the Golden Stage. Official entry list is not published yet.

[Tom206wrc]

37 crews will take part in the Golden Stage. Official entry list is not published yet.


Official entrylist is published, but non with seeded order numbers yet :p :

Thanks for the pic VFTS ;)

[tolis]

Official entrylist is published, but non with seeded order numbers yet :p :

Thanks for the pic VFTS ;)
I mean entry list of the Golden Stage Tom! :p

[RICARDO75]

Golden Stage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EulR61-egSA

[fegh]

Roger Feghali testing ...

http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2678&stc=1&d=1288783519

[noel157]

Any sign of a seeded entry list for the rally yet? And a Golden Stage entry?

[Leon]

1. Al Attiyah
2. Prokop
3. Mikkelsen

I think they will post it today. there are two more cars to run the golden stage.

I was at scrutineering last night. All 42 entrants were present.
anybody knows more about the Lada S1600 and why it has german registration numbers?

[RICARDO75]

anybody knows more about the Lada S1600 and why it has german registration numbers?

http://www.rally24.com/res/img/products/rally-cars-1277_1l.jpg
This car raced in Germany on 2003 championship with Sven Haaf

[PLuto]

ONLINE results from the rally will be here: http://www.irc-results.com/2010/irc/cyprus

[PLuto]

Entry list with correct starting numbers - http://www.irc-results.com/2010/irc/cyprus/prihlasene.php

[PLuto]

I was at scrutineering last night. All 42 entrants were present.
anybody knows more about the Lada S1600 and why it has german registration numbers?

Your info isnt completely right, three cars will be missing...

[tolis]

Your info isnt completely right, three cars will be missing...
Do you know which ones?

[PLuto]

24, 27 and 34

[tolis]

Thanks PLuto! ;)

[PLuto]

And start list into day 1 - http://www.irc-results.com/2010/irc/cyprus/1etapa.php

[Mirek]

According to team of Kresta crews are allowed to use tarmac tyres on SSS tonight although it isn't allowed in supplementary regulations. Team of Kresta will start on gravel tyres as they don't have slicks with them.

[Luis Pacheco]

The stages are all at Greece side of the island?

[hari]

The stages are all at Greece side of the island?

yes, they are

[garais22]

First day results
http://sportacentrs.com/motoru_sports/rallijs/04112010-kipras_rallija_pec_pirmas_dienas_vadiba_d
Go Mikkelsen, Go!!!

[PLuto]

Few pictures from SSS by Josef Petru - http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=11308

http://www.autosport.cz/img/fotografie/c_6fe74c0c8b51451aa56099047530222e.jpg
http://www.autosport.cz/img/fotografie/c_5ae306cbd76624d4d3f8b3a040961ab3.jpg
http://www.autosport.cz/img/fotografie/c_70f54020b94ac54a80d152ae2c16a05d.jpg
http://www.autosport.cz/img/fotografie/c_d3d387e32fb26baaa754760a59b9fdb0.jpg

[wwbroe]

Retirements for Mikkelsen and Bouffier allready. :confused: What the hell, the rally just started and looses allready two of the main contenders for victory. :(

[Sulland]

Mikkelsens engine emptied itself from all the oil, not sure how yet.

GB next Andreas !

[fegh]

Roger feghali in second overall after ss3 (11.6 s behind Nasser) despite having to drive with a bent rear arm from yesterday SSS. :)

[wwbroe]

Great images from Eurosport, beautifull scenery in helicamera. Pitty that Mikkelsen is no more there.

[wwbroe]

Really pitty that Brian Bouffier lost so much time on this morning's first stage when he hit a rock on the road. He is setting some very decent times now.

[hari]

Great coverage from Eurosport! very nice stages

[PLuto]

Yes, I agree with Hari. I was surprised that I have heard voice of Petr Gross during stage and it was correct with the picture. I think that Martin Prokop was on this stage more time on TV than in whole SWRC season...

[wwbroe]

Yes Pluto, i agree with you, he had several minutes of TV time, i don't think he has got that in SWRC. ;)

[RS]

Ohhh, poor Andreas. They really need to work on the reliability of the Fiesta.

[rage82]

Andreas Mikkelsen will do superrally tomorow, so he can show what is capable even not in battle for the win.

[Mirek]

Really? Andreas said on the radio that there was a blue smoke from the exhaust which means oil in combustion chamber. That could indicate very serious damage to the engine.

[rage82]

Bulgarien commentator said that on first live Eurospot coverage, but I'm not so sure how inform is he and what are his sources.

[aykutbilir]

Andreas Mikkelsen will do superrally tomorow, so he can show what is capable even not in battle for the win.

I heard that he is working on engine to enter the Golden Stage on sunday. Nothing about tomorrow.

[vino_93]

Is there Super Rally like in WRC here ? i see that Oliveira, Wittmann, and others N4 are lose 5 minutes in the last stages :confused:

[Mirek]

Is there Super Rally like in WRC here ? i see that Oliveira, Wittmann, and others N4 are lose 5 minutes in the last stages :confused:

In IRC that depends on supplementary regulations of each event. It's very rare but if organizer wants, he can establish superally. I remember that from Rally Russia for example.

Roman Kresta will return to Pirelli tyres tomorrow after a short experiment with Hankook.

[ProRally]

In IRC that depends on supplementary regulations of each event. It's very rare but if organizer wants, he can establish superally. I remember that from Rally Russia for example.

Roman Kresta will return to Pirelli tyres tomorrow after a short experiment with Hankook.

So Roman did not like the 'other' make .... ? :hot:

[Mirek]

So Roman did not like the 'other' make .... ? :hot:

As far as I know he wasn't satisfied with them on tarmac parts. Anyway it seems he may use them tomorrow for second loop for another comparison.

[RS]

Just watching today's live footage from Cyprus, really nice pictures from Eurosport as always :up: Making me look forward to Monte even more!

[pucky54]

Just watching today's live footage from Cyprus, really nice pictures from Eurosport as always :up: Making me look forward to Monte even more!

You recorded it?

[RS]

You recorded it?

Yes, I was at work earlier.

I wonder who the "name" is who may turn up for the Golden Stage? Meeke maybe?

[pucky54]

Yes, I was at work earlier.

I wonder who the "name" is who may turn up for the Golden Stage? Meeke maybe?

Hänninen ;)

[OldF]

What I noticed today watching the live footage was how much more suspension travelling the S2000 cars has compared the N4 cars. If the suspension travelling for a N4 car was 10 cm, it was for a S2000 at least 20 cm. It’s difficult to assess the real suspension travelling but I think this is near the real ratio between N4 and S2000.

[Mirek]

Hänninen ;)

Probably Manfred Stohl

[Luis Pacheco]

Go Feghali Go!

[hari]

A lot of drama happening on the morning stages.
will be a interesting battle between Al-Attiyah and Feghali in the afternoon!

[Sulland]

Impressed by Feghali, never heard of him, but after checking him out he has been around for a while, and is fast - maybe we will see the Lebanese in IRC more in 2011.

What tyres are Kresta on today ?

[Luis Pacheco]

Feghali is a name well none from Middle East Rallye Championship.

I remember is performance some years ago with the Deltona.

[atsiotras79]

I also remember him in my home rally Elpa Halkidiki Rally - ERC in 2001 where in the downhill sections in the stages was very close to Vovos. Vovos was with Impreza WRC and Feghali with Evo6 Gr.N!

[PLuto]

What tyres are Kresta on today ?

Pirelli

[Catiocha7]

Great Pics from Cyprus Rally

http://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=25993359

[hari]

Congratulations to all finishers.
The live coverage from cyprus was the best so far. Incredible shoots from the helicopters.

[Catiocha7]

Congratulations Nasser ...
:)

[Valets]

IRC season is over.. :(
http://sportacentrs.com/motoru_sports/rallijs/06112010-irc_sezona_gala_kipra_pirmo_uzvaru_irc_ra
Congratulations Al-Attiyah for the 1st win ir IRC! :)
Poor Mikkelsen... :(

[Mirek]

The live coverage from cyprus was the best so far. Incredible shoots from the helicopters.

And I couldn't watch a single minute of it. Hopefully tomorrow...

By the way great drive by Roger Feghali. I haven't thought he would be able to fight with Nasser!

[hari]

Thumbs up for the golden stage.
Really a nice spectacle.

Looking forward to the second run of this selective stage.

[pettersolberg29]

Mikkelsen showing what could have been in Cyprus - people must be starting to really take notice now of him. He may have had a quiet two years before 2010, but he's now getting recognition he deserves.

[Sulland]

Mikkelsen showing what could have been in Cyprus - people must be starting to really take notice now of him. He may have had a quiet two years before 2010, but he's now getting recognition he deserves.

Yes, will be interesting to see his speed in GB in a S2000, and with same rubber as the rest ! No doubt that the test role of Hankook in IRC have showed a picture that is a bit strange, even if Hankook have developed big time in 2010 !

[pettersolberg29]

Is it possible to watch the Eurosport coverage online?

[Allar]

online stream anywhere?

[pettersolberg29]

Yes, will be interesting to see his speed in GB in a S2000, and with same rubber as the rest ! No doubt that the test role of Hankook in IRC have showed a picture that is a bit strange, even if Hankook have developed big time in 2010 !

I agree - can't wait to see him at GB. I think he should aim to win S2000 class; maybe a bit slower than Ketomaa but nobody else. The Hankook role has been good for him in terms of sponsorship etc but they simply aren't good enough tyres to consistently get the top stage times - whoever the driver.

[Sulland]

I agree - can't wait to see him at GB. I think he should aim to win S2000 class; maybe a bit slower than Ketomaa but nobody else. The Hankook role has been good for him in terms of sponsorship etc but they simply aren't good enough tyres to consistently get the top stage times - whoever the driver.


The plan is for him to present his 2011 program in Wales, according to his manager !

[pettersolberg29]

Any online streams anybody?

[pettersolberg29]

Mikkelsen wins 40,000 euros!

[Mirek]

Yes, will be interesting to see his speed in GB in a S2000, and with same rubber as the rest ! No doubt that the test role of Hankook in IRC have showed a picture that is a bit strange, even if Hankook have developed big time in 2010 !


I think that Mikkelsen used Pirelli in Golden Stage.

If I noticed right on TV, Feghali's left rear suspension finally broke down. It lasted quite long since Thursday accident.

[pettersolberg29]

I think that Mikkelsen used Pirelli in Golden Stage.


Yes he did, but that further shows what could have been this season if Hankook had tyres at the same level as Pirelli.

[alleskids]

I noticed the absent of Hankook logo's on Mikkelsen Cyprus car.

[Sulland]

I guess since Golden Stage was not a part of IRC, and the Hankook was for IRC, he was free to choose for GS I guess. And he wanted to test Fiesta/Pirelli before Wales.

[alleskids]

He got his answer :) Hankook may have provided the budget for Mikkelsen, but it's tyres have kept his talent locked up. It has been a charachter building period. The golden stage rally win will hopefully be the startpoint of a very succesful period... with Pirelli tyres, or BFGoodriches... anything but Hancooks :lol:

[Salist]

Great Pics from Cyprus Rally

http://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=25993359

Thanks.

[RJM]

I've been really suprised with Bryan bouffier, he's really fast on Tarmac and gravel, I hope he gets a full season next year, he was a similar pace to meeke on barum and he set some really fast times here, seems to be very unlucky though!

[Mirek]

It looks like he really will drive more IRC next year :)

[bluuford]

I've been really suprised with Bryan bouffier, he's really fast on Tarmac and gravel, I hope he gets a full season next year, he was a similar pace to meeke on barum and he set some really fast times here, seems to be very unlucky though!

Yeah, actually he was the most impressive of them all for me. He was driving with Radik Shaymievs car? Isn't it one of the oldest 207 S2000 cars? something like from 2007? I am not sure about the updates of that car but is there any?

[Valets]

Yes! Great win for Mikkelsen in ''Golden Stage'', especially after retiring from Cyprus IRC! + 40,000 euros :)
http://sportacentrs.com/motoru_sports/rallijs/09112010-sogad_talsu_rallija_redzetais_mikelsens_s

[RS]

He got his answer :) Hankook may have provided the budget for Mikkelsen, but it's tyres have kept his talent locked up. It has been a charachter building period. The golden stage rally win will hopefully be the startpoint of a very succesful period... with Pirelli tyres, or BFGoodriches... anything but Hancooks :lol:

We also need to remember though that the top IRC guys were not present on Cyprus or the Golden Stage so it is pretty hard to compare. Will be interesting to see how Andreas does next weekend in Wales and what his 2011 programme will be. I would like to see him in IRC again, he has unfinished business there I think.

[PLuto]

Ron, Skype or MSN?

[muratgunarslan]

any news about burcu cetinkaya? she rolled at golden stage.

[WRC1]

any news about burcu cetinkaya? she rolled at golden stage.

burcu is fine, i met her and her codriver yesterday on larnaca airport!

she looked very sad but physically she was ok!

[Mirek]

Yeah, actually he was the most impressive of them all for me. He was driving with Radik Shaymievs car? Isn't it one of the oldest 207 S2000 cars? something like from 2007? I am not sure about the updates of that car but is there any?

Guys from Tarabus wrote on facebook that there were some Peugeot Sport guys with Bouffier with some new upgrades for the car.

[Catiocha7]

Videoes from Cyprus rally 2010

http://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=26027006

from an arabian rally fourm

:)

[Catiocha7]

Thanks.

;)

[WRC1]

my pictures from cyprus:

atmosphäre > http://www.rallyepics.at/bilder/rallye2010/29cyprusatmo/gallery.html

action >
http://www.rallyepics.at/bilder/rallye2010/30cyprusaction/gallery.html

enjoy

reg

wrc1

[bluuford]

Guys from Tarabus wrote on facebook that there were some Peugeot Sport guys with Bouffier with some new upgrades for the car.

Thanks!
Yeah, sounds logical. I think that there might be quite a big differences between 2007 car (close to the original package) and end of the 2010 car. The car looked much better in Cyprus than I have seen it in Estonia, fore sure the driver was also from different level.

[Mirek]

Complete gallery of Josef Petrů: http://pepafotorally.rajce.idnes.cz/101105_FxPro_Cyprus_Rally/

Onboard Kresta SS2: http://www.mediasport.cz/rally-cz/video/10_cyprus_kresta2.html

[Mirek]

Onboard Tarabus SS9: http://www.mediasport.cz/rally-cz/video/10_cyprus_tarabus_rz9.html

SS11: http://www.mediasport.cz/rally-cz/video/10_cyprus_tarabus_rz11.html