Catalunya 2011

[wwbroe]

Sordo loser again.

What are you talking about?

[N.O.T]

what is the reason behind meekes 10 seconds penalty ? jump start ?

[Francis44]

what is the reason behind meekes 10 seconds penalty ? jump start ?

Started a minute late to avoid bigger problems with dust.

[noel157]

what is the reason behind meekes 10 seconds penalty ? jump start ?

Booked in late on SS1 to get extra minute behind melting Icecube.

[noel157]

Meeke still had dust problems on SS2 and had small spin. So not good time.

[Barreis]

What are you talking about?

I really hoped he'll win once. He also said he's going for a win this time.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95551

[wwbroe]

Also Karl Kruuda retired on first stage when he ripped a wheel off.

[wwbroe]

I really hoped he'll win once. He also said he's going for a win this time.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95551

I think he didn't expect these dusty conditions, and even without those i think it will be very difficult for him to win a non full tarmac event.

[wwbroe]

I suppose Riedeman is also not really "the" driver they are looking for at VW?

[Micke_VOC]

PWRC SS1:
1. Michal Kosciuszko (Pol) 16:33.9
2. Patrik Flodin 16:35.2 +1,3
3. Oleksandr Saliuk (Ukr) 16:40.0 +6,1
4. Benito Guerra (Mex) 16:58.2 +24,3
5. Martin Semerad (Cz) 17:07.4 +33,5

Paddon retire before stage with electronical problems

[Hartusvuori]

Problems for Ketomaki in first stage also?

He finally finished SS1, some 17 minutes behind Kosciuszko. I don't know yet what've been the problem.

[wwbroe]

He finally finished SS1, some 17 minutes behind Kosciuszko. I don't know yet what've been the problem.

Thanks Hartusvuori, i have seen he finished stage 1 indeed, but loosing massive time.

[focus206]

Not a promising start for Mikko... already so much behind :(

[wwbroe]

Now that Tanak is out, Hanninen is taking it rather easy, he is about 10 sec slower as Prokop on second stage.

[Hartusvuori]

Thanks Hartusvuori, i have seen he finished stage 1 indeed, but loosing massive time.

Ketomäki lost breaks, had serious situation , but managed to keep the car on the road, but lost all the time preparing the car on the stage. He's most likely to retire in order to save his car for Wales. This rally is over for him.

Finnish link: http://www.ilkka.fi/urheilu/ylistarolaisen-ketomaen-espanjan-ralli-keskeytyi-tekniikkavikaan-1.1084960

[focus206]

SS3 is on

[wwbroe]

And Hirvonen allready slower as Seb on first split

[rage82]

4 min. gap for the afternoon stages, the organisers want to eliminate the dust factor

[wwbroe]

Second run of the stages will be run with a 4 min interval between the drivers, this because of the hanging dust.

[MikeD]

And Hirvonen allready slower as Seb on first split

If Hirvonen keeps up this slow pace I think Citroën will ask Ogier to stay third behind Latvala. It will make it more difficult for Ford to pull the teamorder.

[rage82]

Craig breen is fluying into the second stage, 11 sec. faster than Prokop

[wwbroe]

Ogier is very fast on splits, but not too big time differences on this one, even not by Mikko.

[wwbroe]

Nasser Al-Attiyah is not doing so bad either in SWRC, being third overall now, behind Hanninen and Breen.

[banksy87]

Craig Breen - 11th OA after ss2 and only +1.5 on hanninen - Enough said!!!

(remember though there is no UK/IRE driver worth VW running.....)

[tolis]

Craig Breen - 11th OA after ss2 and only +1.5 on hanninen - Enough said!!!

(remember though there is no UK/IRE driver worth VW running.....)
Hanninen is slowing down now. :D

[N.O.T]

Blind nationalism is the best thing ever...

i want more....

[wwbroe]

Meeke fastest man at opening split

[noel157]

Meeke held up again by Icecube.

[noel157]

Stopped again, let Meeke past please.

[wwbroe]

Meeke held up again by Icecube.

I think he lost quite some time allready before being in the dust of icecube actually.

[noel157]

I think he lost quite some time allready before being in the dust of icecube actually.

He was held up by Kimi's dust on SS2 and that caused his spin.

[Nornbugger]

Blind nationalism is the best thing ever...

i want more....


I guess being from Greece national pride isnt something you have ever had a chance to experience?

[darkstar]

I suppose Riedeman is also not really "the" driver they are looking for at VW?

i think that was clear before the rallye, i dont know why they gave him this 2nd chance...

[bluuford]

Did they said that Räikkönen had an engine problems? Second engine in two rallies? If I would be teammanager, I would not sleep until the end of rally :-)

[mm1]

Novikov with Citroen same pace as with Ford, don`t think he`s the next big thing.

[darkstar]

novikov this year is really disappointing, his crazyness seems to be gone, still he had some offs and was slow all the time...

[Mirek]

Craig Breen - 11th OA after ss2 and only +1.5 on hanninen - Enough said!!!

(remember though there is no UK/IRE driver worth VW running.....)

For Hänninen 6th place overall is enough to secure the title. In SS1 he was pushing (1 s/km faster than Breen), now no need with Ott out.

[Francis44]

So this rally is the confirmation of all we knew already.

Mikko dosen't have the speed to challenge Loeb.

Ogier is the only real threat but Citroen seems to have taken care of that.

And the first stage pretty much destroyed Sordo hopes of a good result.

[dimviii]

Hirvonen went off in one place, but he is in finish of the stage, not best of times tough, 15.4 sec down from Seb.

Must be the 6th or 7th time this year his has an exit at first day.

[tolis]

Welcome Dimitris! :D
Nice to see Prokop faster than Novikov!

[dimviii]

Make him so strong? Again a free gift for him I think.

Gift of starting throughout the year first?? the other 8-9 times he started at front was an advantage too?
Gift is when you have exit from road without ANY damage.And Ford drivers had plenty of these gifts this year.

[tfp]

What happened to sordo? Work and wrc.com is permitting me from following the rally closer:-(

[Juha_Koo]

JML has the pace. Looking good.

Mikko seems to have totally lost it, game over after first three stages. Shame that he doesn't have the speed, this was a good opportunity. The best second driver in the world I'd say.

[N.O.T]

I guess being from Greece national pride isnt something you have ever had a chance to experience?

you are absolutely right on that one...this is the main reason.

But it has its positives though, for example i am far more worthy person than most because i am proud of what i do, not what others do for me and and wait to take a small credit because we speak the same language and we have the "same" ID card...

However do not take me as an example for all the Greeks the majority of them are very proud of their country.

[Bobcat]

Ogier is the only real threat but Citroen seems to have taken care of that.


Ogier katkerana: Tiimi tukee Loebia enemmän - MTV3.fi - Urheilu - Ralli - Uutiset (http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/2011/10/1415856/ogier-katkerana-tiimi-tukee-loebia-enemman)

http://img.mtv3.fi/mn_kuvat/mtv3/urheilu/1024px/2011/002/1240368-max555x555.jpg

[N.O.T]

my Finnish are not that good what does it say ??

[dimviii]

If Hirvonen keeps up this slow pace I think Citroën will ask Ogier to stay third behind Latvala. It will make it more difficult for Ford to pull the teamorder.

Very clever Mike!!

[N.O.T]

they will never do this...clever if they do, but NO team will ever give orders to fall behind a rival.

[dimviii]

i think that was clear before the rallye, i dont know why they gave him this 2nd chance...

I find you very polemic! :p :

[Doon]

Blind nationalism is the best thing ever...

i want more....

Just because we have some one decent to cheer on, doesn't mean you greeks have to get jealous! ;)

Anyway, Craig is flying as predicted.

[N.O.T]

Just because we have some one decent to cheer on, doesn't mean you greeks have to get jealous! ;)

Anyway, Craig is flying as predicted.

I am not jealous, i am rather sad i must say when i see people jumping to conclusions like that....i lose hope for the intellectual level of the human race.

[Doon]

If you are being genuine thats ok, but it's hard not to think you're being sarcastic most of the time.

[banksy87]

Calm down people....back to the Rallying! All i mentioned was a young driver that happens to be from Ireland doing well. Ive watched Breen on the national scene so its obvious id like to see him go well.

Lemes is also showing impressive pace. We have two young drivers, who have been fastest in academy, both stepping into S2000s and putting in some good times. Its nice to see thats all!

[Doon]

5 hrs between stages? Do the spanish marshals need their afternoon nap even during events?

[N.O.T]

this is one of my main drawbacks (among around other 3.249 things)...people do not know when i am serious and when not.

[N.O.T]

i think if you check the itineraries from the rally in previous years as well the 1st and the 2nd loops have always huge gaps...maybe its tradition.

[tolis]

So, in the 2nd loop drivers will have a 4 minutes gap? Is that confirmed?

[xavier]

they will never do this...clever if they do, but NO team will ever give orders to fall behind a rival.

If the position are like that by Sunday, i think MW will tell JML to drop to 4th. Giving Mikko a few more points. the manufacturer championship would be lost anyway.

[bluuford]

Jari is asked to drive as fast as possible to win the rally in front of Loeb. Manufacturers champ is almost over and he has nearly nothing to risk. If he takes win and Hirvonen is 4th then there will be only 6 points between Loeb and Hirvonen and that is enough (remember, there is 7 points between win and 2nd place).

[focus206]

If the position are like that by Sunday, i think MW will tell JML to drop to 4th. Giving Mikko a few more points. the manufacturer championship would be lost anyway.

Well, I don't think they believe anymore in the Manufacturer Championship...

[bluuford]

Between SS1 and SS2: Between stages, a lorry crashed against Mariusz Wozniczko’s Ford, when stopped in the verge. As a result, he’s now driving without a door, but the Polish driver will be able to continue

[N.O.T]

If the position are like that by Sunday, i think MW will tell JML to drop to 4th. Giving Mikko a few more points. the manufacturer championship would be lost anyway.

i think that would be really disgraceful for everyone involved.....

also bare in mind that the tarmac raly start tommorow with some huge stages....and Sordo might have a few things to prove thre so i would not take for granted that Hirvonen can be 4th....

[OldF]

Interesting comment from Novikov about the car.

"Very good, enjoying the car. But this one is different than old one, so learning too."

Juho Hänninen:

"I took just quite easily and hard to find rhythm after Tanak was out."

Craig Breen driving very well.

[bluuford]

Craig Breen was there last year as well and he is good driver indeed. He just needs some more experience to reach Hänninens etc. level.

[userwave]

is Malcom Wilson the king of team orders?

[Bobcat]

is Malcom Wilson the king of team orders?

The king is Quesnel.

[RS]

Blind nationalism is the best thing ever...

i want more....

You're in the right place mate.

[N.O.T]

The king is Quesnel.

Quesnel NEVER issued team orders to a driver who was CLEARLY faster to let the No1 pass....

[tolis]

Breen faster than Wilson... :P

[N.O.T]

How old is Breen and how old is Slowson ??

[Mintexmemory]

Craig Breen was there last year as well and he is good driver indeed. He just needs some more experience to reach Hänninens etc. level.
Also there in 09 driving the R2 when the event was all tarmac. Expect him to go even quicker tomorrow if there's a chance he can win

[Mintexmemory]

How old is Breen and how old is Slowson ??

Breen 21 Wilson 24
Breen 3 years into his 5 year plan

[N.O.T]

the difference is Breen shows some potential to become a good rally driver.

Wilson never showed anything...

yet i am sure that in 2-3 years the disgrace is going to drive and Breen will not.

[darkstar]

I find you very polemic! :p :

hehe, i´m learning fast you know ;) :p

[Doon]

the difference is Breen shows some potential to become a good rally driver.

Wilson never showed anything...

yet i am sure that in 2-3 years the disgrace is going to drive and Breen will not.


I saw Breen working at MSport when I worked there last year, so I guess he has some good ties there, but not sure if he has an unlimited cashpot?

[N.O.T]

good ties mean nothing to M-sport.....at best you become a test driver for Slowson.

[COD]

Petters incident because of dust? Not IMHO

http://www.wrc.com/video/browse-all/video-spain-2011-petter-out-on-the-opening-stage/?vid=2356

[Doon]

good ties mean nothing to M-sport.....at best you become a test driver for Slowson.

Yes, thats why I hope he has some cash up his sleave. If he can keep his speed up and prove himself on more events (which i'm sure he can), Ford have options of him and Tanak in the coming years. So someone needs to move over....Hirvonen! I like Mikko but his pace is getting worse.

[N.O.T]

Petters incident because of dust? Not IMHO

http://www.wrc.com/video/browse-all/video-spain-2011-petter-out-on-the-opening-stage/?vid=2356

if you take a look at sordos onboard as well the dust doesn't seem too bad also....this is because the human eye is far more sensitive than the camera thus the dust problem that appears in the camera is around 10X worse in reality, same goes for Fog.

[N.O.T]

Yes, thats why I hope he has some cash up his sleave. If he can keep his speed up and prove himself on more events (which i'm sure he can), Ford have options of him and Tanak in the coming years. So someone needs to move over....Hirvonen! I like Mikko but his pace is getting worse.

Breen has alot of work ahead to be considered an option for a manufaturer team....

[uranium]

Petters incident because of dust? Not IMHO

http://www.wrc.com/video/browse-all/video-spain-2011-petter-out-on-the-opening-stage/?vid=2356

Is this dust the reason of accident?? IMHO - absolutely not. IMHO this dust is not so critical as it was said. I thing it is the reason for drivers to justify themselves and their bad driving

[pete c]

Just watched both Petter and Ken's on boards and cant really think that the dust was really the problem, they both just took too big a cut on that corner ,in my opinion of course.

[uranium]

Btw, Block did absolutely the similar mistake in the same place as Petter

[focus206]

is SS4 on?

[N.O.T]

yes...Loeb faster on split 1 by 6 seconds compared to this morning.

[tolis]

Yeah

[N.O.T]

what is the reason of Raikonens retirement ?

[dimviii]

Btw, Block did absolutely the similar mistake in the same place as Petter

And Tanak

[Brother John]

Is this dust the reason of accident?? IMHO - absolutely not. IMHO this dust is not so critical as it was said. I thing it is the reason for drivers to justify themselves and their bad driving

I agree, he have to retire soon IMHO.

[Brother John]

what is the reason of Raikonens retirement ?

He had the car from Loeb in France i think.

[tolis]

He had the car from Loeb in France i think.
Don't think so, according to http://www.ewrc-results.com/carinfo.php?cid=12&spz=265

[N.O.T]

Loeb on cruise mode....

[N.O.T]

the stages of day 2 and 3 are pure tarmac ?

[focus206]

what is the reason of Raikonens retirement ?

I think engine problem.

[dimviii]

i read that was engine the reason of Raikkonen,but can t find it.

[dimviii]

the stages of day 2 and 3 are pure tarmac ?

mixed

[tolis]

mixed
Days 2 &3 are pure tarmac.
http://www.rallyracc.com/2011/ingles/itinerario3.html

[N.O.T]

yes i thought so as well.....If latvala is first on the road he is going to get eaten alive by the citroens....or crash

[dimviii]

Terra Alta was 35,94 km and at 2010. with Loeb 24.17,2 at first pass, and Ogier faster at second pass with a time 23:42.4
Today at first pass 23,49,4 already from first pass.Lets wait to see second pass(next stage)

[dimviii]

Days 2 &3 are pure tarmac.
http://www.rallyracc.com/2011/ingles/itinerario3.html

My bad Tolis,i thought that he asked about ss 2-3

[darkstar]

a pitty that sordo cant seem to take advantage of his late startposition today.

[N.O.T]

Terra Alta was 35,94 km and at 2010. with Loeb 24.17,2 at first pass, and Ogier faster at second pass with a time 23:42.4
Today at first pass 23,49,4 already from first pass.Lets wait to see second pass(next stage)

the difference is too big...almost 1 sec/km faster this year...so either they extended the tarmac section or something else happened....or they managed to find 1 sec/km from Germany until here...because in germany the times in 2010 were better than 2011.

[N.O.T]

Wilson car is fixed !!!! so he just lost 40 seconds....nice.

[johunn]

a pitty that sordo cant seem to take advantage of his late startposition today.

Looks like the Minis are just not that competitive on gravel. Hoping to see Sordo gain a few spots on tarmac tomorrow.

[N.O.T]

Looks like the Minis are just not that competitive on gravel. Hoping to see Sordo gain a few spots on tarmac tomorrow.

"a few" is a bit optimistic..... the only realistic target is Hirvonen.

[darkstar]

i was thinking about that too, but maybe it depends a bit on the drivers too. sordo was always better on asphalt and if i´m not totally wrong meeke is maybe also a bit better on tarmac then on gravel.

[Bobcat]

I think engine problem.
And a fire under the hood, in the car.

http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/2011/10/1416109/kimin-autossa-riehui-tulipalo

[Langdale Forest]

WHY HAS lOEB SLOWED?

[Mintexmemory]

Looks like the Minis are just not that competitive on gravel. Hoping to see Sordo gain a few spots on tarmac tomorrow.

You are drawing a mistaken conclusion; they may be but they are both catching the dust of the guy in front so its less that 2 minutes of clear air in terms of visibility. They will also be on compromise settings to quickly convert for tarmac where I expect Sordo to perform very well and Meeke is likely to catch Hirvonen too.

[N.O.T]

You are drawing a mistaken conclusion; they may be but they are both catching the dust of the guy in front so its less that 2 minutes of clear air in terms of visibility. They will also be on compromise settings to quicly convert for tarmac where I expect Sordo to perform very well and Meeke is likely to catch Hirvonen too.

meeke is 1 minute behind Hirvonen...he is not that fast.

[Mintexmemory]

WHY HAS lOEB SLOWED?

Tyre strategy possibly?

[bluuford]

Loeb is first on the road and this is the worst place to be during the second run. No dust problem for the following cars as well

[Langdale Forest]

Loeb is first on the road and this is the worst place to be during the second run. No dust problem for the following cars as well

why the road has been swept?

[Mintexmemory]

meeke is 1 minute behind Hirvonen...he is not that fast.
Ford will have optimised their set -up for gravel knowing that this is Hirvonens best chance to gain an advantage. I suspect that while Latvala will show pace on tarmac he will be slower than the Citroens and Hirvonen will be slower than the Minis. We shall see, but after the first stage tomorrow we will have a clearer idea

[N.O.T]

or he doesn't want to risk too much especially with the tarmac stages of tommorow following....Latvala cannot drive that fast without following the Brake marks of the guys in front.

[N.O.T]

Ford will have optimised their set -up for gravel knowing that this is Hirvonens best chance to gain an advantage. I suspect that while Latvala will show pace on tarmac he will be slower than the Citroens and Hirvonen will be slower than the Minis. We shall see, but after the first stage tomorrow we will have a clearer idea

i think for meeke 1 minute is too much....especially when his first goal will be to stay on the road and not push like hell.

[dimviii]

the difference is too big...almost 1 sec/km faster this year...so either they extended the tarmac section or something else happened....or they managed to find 1 sec/km from Germany until here...because in germany the times in 2010 were better than 2011.

Agree Greg,just for reference.There are 2 other stages that are same as last year,tarmac ones that we will see tomorow

[N.O.T]

Loeb through split 1 marginally faster than this morning.....

[bluuford]

why the road has been swept?

During the first run the road is covered by thick layer of gravel. It will be swept by 5-6 cars and cars behind those are slower anyway. At the end of pack, there are 2wd cars that use different line and bring thin layer of gravel back on the 4WD line. So, during the next run this thin layer will be problem only for the first car.

[dimviii]

You are drawing a mistaken conclusion; they may be but they are both catching the dust of the guy in front so its less that 2 minutes of clear air in terms of visibility. They will also be on compromise settings to quickly convert for tarmac

Dust is only for Minis?
Why compromise settings,the others why they didn t compromise? Excuses....

[N.O.T]

Loeb 11 seconds faster than this morning on split 3

[dimviii]

Ford will have optimised their set -up for gravel knowing that this is Hirvonens best chance to gain an advantage. I suspect that while Latvala will show pace on tarmac he will be slower than the Citroens and Hirvonen will be slower than the Minis. We shall see, but after the first stage tomorrow we will have a clearer idea

What are you talking mate?? Cars will change to tarmac spec tonight.

[KKS]

Any rain now on stages?

[Mintexmemory]

Dust is only for Minis?
Why compromise settings,the others why they didn t compromise? Excuses....

Wind yer neck in. Ordinarily the teams use either a tarmac car or a gravel car. The will have to adjust the suspension overnight but there will only be so much adjustment available. Not an excuse just a reason. Jesus H Christ, you Greeks are confrontational!
No Dust is democratic, it hangs around only so long. So if you are running at the same pace as the guy in front then you have 2 mins of dispersal time. If however Wilson or Raikonnen is in front of you will have up to 30secs less dispersal time, getting worse as you get near the stage end. You follow?

[N.O.T]

what is the difference between a tarmac car and a gravel car ? (apart from the tyres and the suspension which i bet they can change in service...or they are not allowed to do that ?)

[dimviii]

Wind yer neck in. Ordinarily the teams use either a tarmac car or a gravel car. The will have to adjust the suspension overnight but there will only be so much adjustment available. Not an excuse just a reason. Jesus H Christ, you Greeks are confrontational!

Greekphobia??????????? WHY THIS PROBLEM IS ONLY FOR MINI??????????????????????????????
Mini has 2 minutes from the front car,Fords and Citroen have 4-5 minutes??????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????

[rage82]

Ogier with problems?

[pete c]

ogier stopped on stage, now has started again

[N.O.T]

please do not terrorise members who take part in the EFSF....

we need them to work with a clear set of mind to give us more money to waste on lazy nobodies.

[N.O.T]

1 min 40 seconds lost for ogier....

[White Sauron]

ogier stopped on stage, now has started again

Citroen's tactics to create some dust for Latvala? Make it a 2-min gap instead of 4?))

[dimviii]

what is the difference between a tarmac car and a gravel car ? (apart from the tyres and the suspension which i bet they can change in service...or they are not allowed to do that ?)

of course they allowed.You cant make a gravel suspension to tarmac.Totally different stroke,internals as springs.
Also the preload at differentials.Gravel requires much more.But to change the preload needs time,so they will change them with tarmac ones.Thats why all this about Minis setup are excuses.

[r199]

team orders from citroen?????? slow down JML

[N.O.T]

hmmmm maybe with this delay Latvala will have dust problems ??????

[dimviii]

Citroen's tactics to create some dust for Latvala? Make it a 2-min gap instead of 4?))

We will see from the next Jaris split

[N.O.T]

the problem with Ogier seems temrorary....probably an off and lost time getting the car back on the road.

[noel157]

Puncture?

[N.O.T]

I do not think he slowd down on purpose...something like that would definately result in disqualification and probably exclusion of the citroen team for the rest of the year.....you cannot put a drivers safety (latvalas) at risk just like that.

[dimviii]

Puncture?
like an off it seems...

[N.O.T]

Latvala seems to be ok for the moment no big changes in pace.....

[dimviii]

Jari going faster,so no drama from dust.

[dimviii]

Ogier will fall beside Sordo

[N.O.T]

Latvala lost 2 seconds on split 5....hmmmmm

[darkstar]

what heppened to loeb in the end? or did hirvonen recognize that he can push down the throttle 5cm more?

[noel157]

Ogier's problems will leave him 6th/7th depending on Meeke's time.

[N.O.T]

with such pace Ogier will pass hirvonen tommorow no problem....

[noel157]

Hirvonen 1.2 secs/km slower than Loeb over 35kms?

[N.O.T]

no...just 11 seconds on a 35 km/stage....you are looking at overall lead i guess.

[dimviii]

Hirvonen 1.2 secs/km slower than Loeb over 35kms?

no

[dcr22B]

Hirvonen 1.2 secs/km slower than Loeb over 35kms?

Think you're looking at overall times there Noel.

[noel157]

Ooops, yes, overall rather than stage difference. Thanks.
Thought it was strange.

[dimviii]

change tyre for Ogier
OGIER S. / INGRASSIA J. (st. č. 2) "We had a rear puncture."

[dimviii]

Sordo +15,8 and we have 1 split more....

[Doon]

I hope things stay as they are, Loeb gets a couple of points on the Spain PS, Mikko wins GB and the title goes down to Rally GB PS. Would be great but I have a strong feeling loeb will win in GB.

[darkstar]

if it stays like this, the fight for the title still will be nice, if hirvonen can find some more pace on welsh gravel...

[noel157]

Meeke losing a bucket of time. Hardly intercom as well?

[tfp]

if it stays like this, the fight for the title still will be nice, if hirvonen can find some more pace on welsh gravel...

Fingers crossed! Are you attending this rally, Darkstar?

[bluuford]

About Tänak retirement:
Block cut the corner, hit the rock and spun outside the corner. Car was not blocking the road but co-driver still decided to put triangle out on the road to warn the following cars. Unfortunately he put the triangle on the wrong side of the road (outside) Tänak came and saw the triangle (but did not see the car because it was blind corner) and took the corner as inside as possible and therefore hit that rock. Later Block went to say sorry to Tänak twice.
Really unfortunate accident.
However, Tänak will be back in the rally tomorrow.

Here is the video with the photo of that rock.
http://www.reporter.ee/2011/10/21/vastu-kivi-soitnud-ott-tanak-kaotas-mm-tiitli-sansid/

[Red bull]

if it stays like this, the fight for the title still will be nice, if hirvonen can find some more pace on welsh gravel...

It's too early to predict,expect more suprises on day two.

[dimviii]

About Tänak retirement:
Block cut the corner, hit the rock and spun outside the corner. Car was not blocking the road but co-driver still decided to put triangle out on the road to warn the following cars. Unfortunately he put the triangle on the wrong side of the road (outside) Tänak came and saw the triangle (but did not see the car because it was blind corner) and took the corner as inside as possible and therefore hit that rock. Later Block went to say sorry to Tänak twice.
Really unfortunate accident.
However, Tänak will be back in the rally tomorrow.

Here is the video with the photo of that rock.
http://www.reporter.ee/2011/10/21/vastu-kivi-soitnud-ott-tanak-kaotas-mm-tiitli-sansid/
very unlucky situation.Pitty we lost 2 battles.

[dimviii]

Sordo +15,8 and we have 1 split more....

SORDO D. / DEL BARRIO C. (st. č. 37) "We had problems with intercom."

[dimviii]

stage 6 is live

[White Sauron]

How's Hirvonen supposed to fight for the championship if even in this position (behind Loeb with no dust anymore) he can't challenge his main rival?

[dimviii]

Mikko +8,7

[darkstar]

Fingers crossed! Are you attending this rally, Darkstar?

i´d really like to, but i´m not sure yet. problem is, that none of my friends can come with me, so i would be there completely alone. sometimes that also isnt so bad, because you often meet new people then. but it´s always a bit stressful, driving, reading maps at the same time etc. i will see, got holidays there already, so chances are still good :)

hirvonen pretty pissed because of dust even worse in the dark and latvala stopped, oh nooo!!!!

[MikeD]

JML loses 34 sec.

[White Sauron]

Latvala puncture??

[logic]

I would not put it past citroen to make ogier stop to make the dust worse for JML.

Especially judging on how he is commenting at the stage ends.

[tolis]

Jari-Matti???

[wwbroe]

Maybe he made some mistake or is having puncture? :(

[dimviii]

can t understant why Mikko has problem with night stages.At Acropolis all drivers liked the night stage.Even the decades thousants of people.

HIRVONEN M. / LEHTINEN J. (st. č. 3) "It's very bad idea to drive on gravel in dark. It's really stupid. I hope, it's the last time

[wildsir]

can t understant why Mikko has problem with night stages.At Acropolis all drivers liked the night stage.Even the decades thousants of people.

HIRVONEN M. / LEHTINEN J. (st. č. 3) "It's very bad idea to drive on gravel in dark. It's really stupid. I hope, it's the last time
Pussy

[darkstar]

front right puncture for latvala after some small off hitting some stones, oh damn jari...

[wwbroe]

can t understant why Mikko has problem with night stages.At Acropolis all drivers liked the night stage.Even the decades thousants of people.

HIRVONEN M. / LEHTINEN J. (st. č. 3) "It's very bad idea to drive on gravel in dark. It's really stupid. I hope, it's the last time

Well, driving in day time doesn't show his pace either

[tolis]

it seems the battle is over. :(

[dimviii]

Well, driving in day time doesn't show his pace either

That was under the belt

[dimviii]

it seems the battle is over. :(
you were waiting for fight?lol

[dimviii]

So.........Loeb cleaning the road starts tarmac with 30,6 sec from Jari and 54,2 from Mikko.
Again Latvala mistake at first day as Mikko.

[COD]

Well, driving in day time doesn't show his pace either

Well said. Time for excuses, whatever the better.

The drivers from past must be laughing their a**es off on that comment, they drive alot on dark :)

[darkstar]

almost all drivers complained about the dust, not only hirvonen...

[noel157]

The dust was bad:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzIPAwR02bw

[tfp]

almost all drivers complained about the dust, not only hirvonen...

Exactly...Apparently Loeb complained even complained about the dust from the zero car :s hock:

[dimviii]

almost all drivers complained about the dust, not only hirvonen...
Maybe he prefered to start first???????
he would be again 1 minute behind but from different reason.Seen it plenty of times.
Facts are that Latvala with same car after ss 5 was 16 sec ahead from Loeb,with dust problems as everybody.But for another more time they were out of road.
So the problem is Jaris exit which caused the flat tyre.If not exit he could lead.Also Mikko he could be at Jaris position as Jari didn t benefit from better road,or less dust.
All the other are excuses.

[OldF]

Pussy

And here are there rest of the pu**ies.

VAN MERKSTEIJN P. jr. / MOMBAERTS E. (st. č. 14) "Was a very difficult day. This last stage, Oh my god, it was crazy."

AL QASSIMI K. / ORR M. (st. č. 10) "Really tough day. This stage was just dissaster."

MEEKE K. / NAGLE P. (st. č. 52) "It's unfair this. Nothing we can do."

SOLBERG H. / MINOR I. (st. č. 15) "I listened Ilka, I didn't see anything, but I drove."

SORDO D. / DEL BARRIO C. (st. č. 37) "It's incredible. I didn't see anything."

WILSON M. / MARTIN S. (st. č. 5) "It's just ridiculous to run that stage in the dark. It's really not good way for rally."

ØSTBERG M. / ANDERSSON J. (st. č. 6) "It's absolutely horrible. I didn't see the road. I hit some rocks, walls ... It's little bit stupid."

LATVALA J.-M. / ANTTILA M. (st. č. 4) "It's incredible difficult to drive in dark on gravel. I made mistake on tarmac and we hit some big rock and had a puncture.

OGIER S. / INGRASSIA J. (st. č. 2) "There were lot of dust on the stage."

[Francis44]

One thing is to say there was some dust, other is to say night stages shouldn't exist.

[Juha_Koo]

One thing is to say there was some dust, other is to say night stages shouldn't exist.

No, I believe they're all complaining about the same thing in different words. I don't know if you know, but with whatever particles in the air (dust, snow, fog) and using extralights is total nightmare. Many times in Finland when there's heavy snowstorm and you drive in the dark, it's better to use minimum lights because any more light will create this big white wall 30 cm from the bonnet.

[ste898]

can t understant why Mikko has problem with night stages.At Acropolis all drivers liked the night stage.Even the decades thousants of people.

HIRVONEN M. / LEHTINEN J. (st. č. 3) "It's very bad idea to drive on gravel in dark. It's really stupid. I hope, it's the last time

If you cannot drive in dark what are you doing in WRC

My god what a total wimp as well as a useless driver

[OldF]

One thing is to say there was some dust, other is to say night stages shouldn't exist.

Well, it depends where you draw the line between who’s a pu**y or not. Just complaining about the conditions or saying straight out what you think about it. ;)

But the conditions were the same for all but these “office day” drivers are not used to difficult conditions.

[Bobcat]

"Loeb, however, has been supremely intelligent. In the morning, some suggested that the Frenchman was driving slightly less cleanly than usual, in order to kick up as much dust as possible for his pursuers. In the afternoon, he concentrated on sticking within his limits."

http://www.maxrally.com/features/entry/drive_of_the_day_sebastien_loeb3/

[dimviii]

No, I believe they're all complaining about the same thing in different words. I don't know if you know, but with whatever particles in the air (dust, snow, fog) and using extralights is total nightmare. Many times in Finland when there's heavy snowstorm and you drive in the dark, it's better to use minimum lights because any more light will create this big white wall 30 cm from the bonnet.

Compare time of Hanninen-Prokop with times from Sordo Meeke Ostberg Villagra Wilson Al Quassimi.....

[dimviii]

"Loeb, however, has been supremely intelligent. In the morning, some suggested that the Frenchman was driving slightly less cleanly than usual, in order to kick up as much dust as possible for his pursuers. In the afternoon, he concentrated on sticking within his limits."

http://www.maxrally.com/features/entry/drive_of_the_day_sebastien_loeb3/

Max rally is association with M-sport.Don t read rubish sites.

[noel157]

Morning of day one from RallyLive:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr0j12RLaYw

[Rallyper]

Dust for everyone except for Loeb. That´s the difference my friends. Hirvonen is a very good driver on highest WRC level no matter what you amateurs thinkers say.

Yes everone should be able to tacle all conditions but let´s be fair - it must be sam for everyone.

Only driver able to drive fastest in dust or fog was Richard Burns. My favourite WRC driver ever.

[dimviii]

Dust for everyone except for Loeb. That´s the difference my friends. Hirvonen is a very good driver on highest WRC level no matter what you amateurs thinkers say.

Yes everone should be able to tacle all conditions but let´s be fair - it must be sam for everyone.

Only driver able to drive fastest in dust or fog was Richard Burns. My favourite WRC driver ever.

Loeb started first at all gravel rallies.....
Next year with change of regulations of starting order,will be no excuses.No excuses because everybody will see the real difference without handicap for the faster.

[userwave]

Only driver able to drive fastest in dust or fog was Richard Burns. My favourite WRC driver ever.


Richard was ALWAY very consistent no matter what the elements/conditions were

[COD]

Here is some proper bad visibility for the crybabies of today. See from about 6min onwards...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6tsom37SHU

[Barreis]

Max rally is association with M-sport.Don t read rubish sites.

like.

[Juha_Koo]

Here is some proper bad visibility for the crybabies of today. See from about 6min onwards...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6tsom37SHU


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYM2kYQd52o

[Barreis]

well gronholm is in the class of his own.

[dimviii]

photos
http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=1241&fotograf=35&all=1

[N.O.T]

Very interessting day tommorow.....

Loeb will cruise to victory if no drama is involved.

Lets see if Ogier will push the fords...

[Jafry]

http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2011/950/950_rallyracc_catalunya_costa_daurada_2011_7ea52dc 78c.jpg

http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2011/950/950_rallyracc_catalunya_costa_daurada_2011_3d8ce0d c23.jpg

http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2011/950/950_rallyracc_catalunya_costa_daurada_2011_10afc4b 569.jpg

http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2011/950/950_rallyracc_catalunya_costa_daurada_2011_ac3f26f 193.jpg

http://www.rally-mania.cz/fotogalerie/2011/950/950_rallyracc_catalunya_costa_daurada_2011_e15b2bd b92.jpg

More photos from DAY 1 HERE (http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=950&fseason=2011)

[logic]

Interesting to hear all the armchair racers in this forum talking about the drivers complaining about dust and calling them crybabies .

[N.O.T]

the armchair racers are not getting payed millions though....these crybabies do.

And when you are payed millions to do a job you either SHUT THE F### UP and deal with it.....

or quit.

[Barreis]

Dust was good for Novikov, he had to slow down.

[uranium]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYM2kYQd52o


Here is some proper bad visibility for the crybabies of today. See from about 6min onwards...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6tsom37SHU

And what is that for? What is clear, that quality of picture shows nothing. But even from that bad picture it is clear that e.g. Markus has at least 50 meters visibility in front of it. It is more than enough in most cases.
What about Burns? Did I miss his words: "Oh, it is really beautiful to drive in such conditions" ?

[dimviii]

Interesting to hear all the armchair racers in this forum talking about the drivers complaining about dust and calling them crybabies .

half of these crybabies were equal with s2000 cars at 18,5 km stage.Dust was for s2000 too. mini wrc with Sordo is 5 sec faster than Prokop at 18,5 km.....

[AndyRAC]

Part of being a Rally driver is making pace notes - Burns went quick in foggy conditions because his notes were so detailed - therefore he trusted them implicitly.
I'd hate to think night stages were banned because of this.
Maybe a compromise needs to be thought of - such as night stages for Tarmac, or wet/winter gravel stages....and not dusty gravel stages.

While I respect all of the guys out there - they have got it 'easy' compared to the guys from the previous eras.

[tolis]

Some more photos: http://www.rallyracc.com/2011/ingles/fotos.html
Btw, Turan didn't start in Catalunya due to health problems of his co-driver, but he's excluded from SWRC 2011.

[Barreis]

Better for him, he's much better in wrc car.

[raybak]

Part of being a Rally driver is making pace notes - Burns went quick in foggy conditions because his notes were so detailed - therefore he trusted them implicitly.


I know when doing your notes, you need to make accurate distances, this helps in fog and dust and at night. i know a few times when we have been in a rally and the fog has come in or the dust and we have improved our position because of the notes and the driver being able to trust them.

Ray

[MartijnS]

Another small selection of photos of the first day online at http://facebook.com/rallymedia ! Great day! :)

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310952_172944939460150_102597653161546_370828_2035 817254_n.jpg

[COD]

And what is that for? What is clear, that quality of picture shows nothing. But even from that bad picture it is clear that e.g. Markus has at least 50 meters visibility in front of it. It is more than enough in most cases.
What about Burns? Did I miss his words: "Oh, it is really beautiful to drive in such conditions" ?

Have seen all conditions, fog, dust, night, sun behind the windscreen. And CAN say that the drivers today cry for nothing

[Priorat]

Some photos from today:
http://ralliaire.blogspot.com/

[gravelman]

I know when doing your notes, you need to make accurate distances, this helps in fog and dust and at night. i know a few times when we have been in a rally and the fog has come in or the dust and we have improved our position because of the notes and the driver being able to trust them.

Ray
It's very hard in the dark in fog, recently I was navigating for a frien an we hit a wall at 60mph, such wa the thickness of the fog, distances in my notes became meaningless as there were 800 yard straights with 1 right then 200 yards to a 1 left (1 being just barely off being straight). I would go straight back out and d it again, but to ignore the fact that conditions like this are dangerous is silly. I don't wan to compare our level to that o th wrc competitors, but I can relate to their concerns.

[tfp]

Dust for everyone except for Loeb. That´s the difference my friends. Hirvonen is a very good driver on highest WRC level no matter what you amateurs thinkers say.

Yes everone should be able to tacle all conditions but let´s be fair - it must be sam for everyone.

Only driver able to drive fastest in dust or fog was Richard Burns. My favourite WRC driver ever.

:up: :up: :up: Where has the "like" button gone?

[pete c]

Damn i was hoping that it was going to be a big fight today, but it now seems that (unless Loeb has more bad luck) Loeb will just disappear off into the distance.
That will only leave only the fight for the minor places as the interest.
Team orders again for Ford if it stays as it is?

[pete c]

No superrally for Solberg or Block but Tanak is on the start list
Shame for the Solberg and Block fans

[wildsir]

Can we draw a distinction between dust and fog. Driving quickly in fog is skill.. Driving quickly in dust maybe skill, but can be dangerous, as you don't know if the dust is from car 2 minutes earlier, or someone immediately in front who has a problem and maybe stopped, if you attack 100%, that's fine, but u are risking yourself and possibily the driver infront of you.

Fog would be most consistent, dust would be patchy depending on breeze. Fog is usually the same for everyone, dust favours leading driver as he runs in free air.

[GigiGalliNo1]

So lets say next yr in 2012 new rules regarding Shakedown. Fastest chooses their preferred position in road order for first day. We now know Loeb if he is fastest in Shakedown, undoubtedly he will be :) He'll choose FIRST to run due to now, knowledge of advantage of the DUST :D

[AP-Racing]

why Raikkonen didn't start today? New season M.D. House starting and he go to home?

[GigiGalliNo1]

lmao

[wildsir]

half of these crybabies were equal with s2000 cars at 18,5 km stage.Dust was for s2000 too. mini wrc with Sordo is 5 sec faster than Prokop at 18,5 km..... could it be the case that dust from van merkstien is not the same as the dust from eg. Ogier I'd imagine! :) also, s2000 would have less dust also. I'm just applying reason. Prokop is not as a good a driver as Sordo, dust or no dust.

[bluuford]

why Raikkonen didn't start today? New season M.D. House starting and he go to home?

Broken engine

[noel157]

Don't forget that with Sordo ("I no say Matthew is slow") he had an extra 30 secs of Wilson's dust to contend with rather than a full 3 minutes. Must make a difference.

[rage82]

stage 7 is live, the longest in the rally. are you awake guys

[dimviii]

Yeap! Good morning to everybody!

[noel157]

Hirvonen going backwards I'm afraid, split wise.

[pete c]

Sure am......its nearly 5.50pm so i hope i'm awake

[dimviii]

lets see how fast is Mini,with Ogier pushing and not playing cat and mouse.

[N.O.T]

Hirvonen still sleeping...Ogier is pushing.

[N.O.T]

The splits indicate that none will push too much...the rally is over as far as driving goes.

[pete c]

Seems that Hirvonen is not awake

[rage82]

ogier stopped

[pete c]

Ogier stopped.....now started again

[rage82]

maybe puncture for ogier with possibly 1 spare

[pete c]

puncture now just in front of Sordo

[Miika]

So 2nd place secured for Hirvonen now.

[6789]

Good pace by Latvala through the stage so far

[dimviii]

maybe puncture for ogier with possibly 1 spare

like this it seems.

[Brother John]

Maybe Ogier already helping Ford?

[Miika]

Latvala still a champion in the making, with VW that is.

[wildsir]

Even I hadn't thought of that!

[pete c]

Excellent stage for Latvala, only 4.3 slower.....wow

[rage82]

I have some thoughts in that direction, but again it's conspiracy theory :)


:

[6789]

Hirvonen amazed by his time. I'd say especially surprised of the time by Car 4

[HarriK]

Did Citroen used 2 different recce cars?
http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=950&fseason=2011

There is evo7 maybe for gravel and evo9 for tarmac? See how's suspension is different in that photo.

[dimviii]

Good result for Jari.fingers crossed to keep like that.

[dimviii]

Did Citroen used 2 different recce cars?
http://www.rally-mania.cz/photogallery.php?id=950&fseason=2011

There is evo7 maybe for gravel and evo9 for tarmac? See how's suspension is different in that photo.

Evo 7 is Ogiers recce car,while evo 9 is Loebs recce car

[COD]

Maybe dust :) Or just too dark? Fof Hirvonen that is...