[IRC] Circuit of Ireland Rally 2012

[Mirek]

The safety foam is mandatory for all S2000 cars since the beginning of last year. If I'm not mistaken Škoda has it in both front and rear side door ;)

[uranium]

Result wise it was right decision. Frontal impact would have meant almost 100% sure retirement on that speed.

Maybe for rally continuation is ok, but for health it was not so wise decision... They were lucky

[Mirek]

Updated gallery of Miroslav Knedla: Autosport : IRC - Circuit of Ireland Rally (IRC) (http://www.autosport.cz/zavody/fotogalerie.php?id=64&id=1019&autor=62)

http://www.autosport.cz/img/fotografie/add46de039c9de998a8499fb0d953265.jpg

[wrchirek]

It is interesting to compare top IRC times vs. Irish WRC times. I think this race was a big slap in the face for locals, wasn't is?

[Mirek]

Some great photos of Petr Lusk here:
All: eWRC.cz - Fotogalerie Circuit of Ireland 2012 (http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=3534&fotograf=2)
Škoda Motorsport: eWRC.cz - Fotogalerie Circuit of Ireland 2012 (http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/fotogalery.php?events=3534&fotograf=151)

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2012/irc/ireland/dak10623.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2012/irc/ireland/udak10604.jpg
http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2012/irc/ireland/udak10179.jpg

[Nornbugger]

Ta, wasn't sure if they had side impact foam in the doors, thankfully they probably did.

Bit concerned about the speed he was travelling at and how close spectators were.


dont worry too much, the bales did there job well and spectators were at a safe distance

I'd advise turning the sound off before watching...

IRC Ireland - Mikkelson Crash SS13 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yru0X5hNkyM)

[Nornbugger]

It is interesting to compare top IRC times vs. Irish WRC times. I think this race was a big slap in the face for locals, wasn't is?


I thought Gass's times were respectable for an amateur who hasnt got a lot of WRC experience and was driving a 8/9 year old car, he was driving on dirtier roads and had no pressure from behind in the National section. Jennings drove well in the EVO9 too, other than them I'd say the locals did less than they'd have had us expect from them.

[Mirek]

Full stage onboard of Juho from the night SS4:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsmFogqY6QQ&feature=relmfu

[bt52b]

The safety foam is mandatory for all S2000 cars since the beginning of last year. If I'm not mistaken Škoda has it in both front and rear side door ;)

All new S2000 but don't have to retro fit?

[bt52b]

It is interesting to compare top IRC times vs. Irish WRC times. I think this race was a big slap in the face for locals, wasn't is?

None of the locals had works S2000's and some wouldn't downgrade WRC's because of the expense

[noel157]

All new S2000 but don't have to retro fit?

Think all the Fabias had to upgrade to Evo spec.

[BlackMotorsport]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGue1xx0YYQ

[Sulland]

Not bad from the two Peugeots + Fisher and Barrable on Pirelli and DMack, Imguessing the Michelins are faster. Is Pirelli sponsor of the Irish championship btw?

[Mirek]

All new S2000 but don't have to retro fit?

All including old ones. If I remember well this mandatory safety upgrade cost around 3-5 thousand Euro for one car.

[Crocone]

In my opinion Hanninen it's still the best driver from IRC (at least for the moment) and he would deserved the title in 2011. Maybe Mikkelsen will be beter in future, but for now Juho still have something to say in this competition. A pitty that he will have a restrained calendar for 2012.

[RS]

In my opinion Hanninen it's still the best driver from IRC (at least for the moment) and he would deserved the title in 2011. Maybe Mikkelsen will be beter in future, but for now Juho still have something to say in this competition. A pitty that he will have a restrained calendar for 2012.

Kind of agree with that. In 2011 I think Juho would have won with a full programme, but in 2012 I think Mikkelsen can/would take it as he has improved a lot.

Let's see what happens with Juho. He has only missed one round so far and has one first and one second. It's still possible with the best-of-8 scoring.

Even though Skoda are dominating, I'm glad they are allowing their drivers to fight. Keeps it interesting for us.

[RS]

Juho teasing Jan:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPCfzkOr16o

[Mirek]

Spectacular video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4KZ4t5pnZo&list=UUdSQkdW6tr2eENkW79PiwsQ&index=1&feature=plcp

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Some great action there... pity the S2000's sound so strained and rough.. :(

The Mini, Subaru's and old Escorts sound like proper rally cars ! :)

[WRCS14]

I think it was a good event except for the Mikkelsons accident with the heyballs but thankfully all appears well. Andreas driving has come on a lot in recent years. Even when in WRC cars few years ago I never thought that much but to be able to fight with Juho over the weekend shows to me excellent progression. To my opinion he is now proper professional driver able to go fast from special stage 1.

I expected more from Arzeno and Breen. OK Arzeno has not so much experience and combine this with no being in Ireland and and the 207 the result did not come. Breen did not produce the results I thought he would, ok I didnt think he would take victory but still I am disapointed, he is not at same level as Juho or Andreas, ok I wouldnt have thought Juho as being world class driver on tarmac or that he compete much in Ireland but right from the start he go and is fast. Ok Skoda is good car but Juhos abilitiy comes through.

[RS]

Quote from Breen, fairly play for his honesty: "There’s no point beating about the bush, they (IRC drivers) came here and beat us, fair and square. We has some problems on the event and I’d like to think things will be different next time.”

[Pinto]

i think breen would have went better in his feista,talk from the test on the tuesday was he wasnt getting to grips with the car and was having set up issues,and then the fuel pump/lack of petrol in the car upset things big time and it wasnt untill the last few stages that he settled back down.

[Pinto]

It is interesting to compare top IRC times vs. Irish WRC times. I think this race was a big slap in the face for locals, wasn't is?

dont know where your going with this slapstick comment hope your not trying to stir things now thats not nice,but as some one said allready darren gass was in a s10 eugeen donnelly was in a corolla kenny mckinstry a S8 while Magarrity ya in a Mini but he hasnt really been on the pace here in a while,also conditions were totally diffrent for the ITC lads i saw that first hand myself,often road conditions were diffrent to the IRC runners.

so its ok to cast oppions from a keyboard may miles away but theres more justice in an oppinon formed on first hand information.

the only man id reckon would have been near the pace would have been Tim McNulty but tim wasnt out then again he's a S12c and the newer car would be added performance plus he is the current Irish Tarmac Champion and Dunlop national champion

[Mirek]

dont know where your going with this slapstick comment hope your not trying to stir things now thats not nice,but as some one said allready darren gass was in a s10 eugeen donnelly was in a corolla kenny mckinstry a S8 while Magarrity ya in a Mini but he hasnt really been on the pace here in a while,also conditions were totally diffrent for the ITC lads i saw that first hand myself,often road conditions were diffrent to the IRC runners.

so its ok to cast oppions from a keyboard may miles away but theres more justice in an oppinon formed on first hand information.

the only man id reckon would have been near the pace would have been Tim McNulty but tim wasnt out then again he's a S12c and the newer car would be added performance plus he is the current Irish Tarmac Champion and Dunlop national champion

Sir, get down to Earth, even S10 if not in totally disasterous shape is faster car than any S2000 not speaking about Mini or Focus 07. The S10 has active diffs, hydraulic gearbox, at least 30 Hp more, 2,5x more torque, 30 km/h higher top speed. Such huge difference 1-3 s/km we saw in CoI can't be explained just by road position. It was sure mostly down to driving skills and the risk works drivers can afford to take. Yes, the condition weren't same but also not always worse for national drivers, sometimes it was drying out or even it was same for all. It's normal the professionals are on different level than national drivers, get use to it.

[Juha_Koo]

Excellent comments by Mirek. :up: Some guys just don't understand the word "professionals".

[WRCS14]

I dont know why pinto is getting so annoyed, the Irish drivers were not on the pace, ok maybe some roads were dirtier but there was not 120 cars in the international either. Plus Irish cars are WRC cars, one of them was even a Mini.

Craig was not as quick as I hoped even in the Peugeot 12. He inherited victory in Monte Carlo, I feel he must now take outright victory using pure speed alone this year to continue.

My advice is not to take it so personaly. It would be like American person coming onto the forum telling us Ken Block lost time against Loeb due to road position or his car had 10bhp less and so on.

Not every person in every country can be the best at rally. Juho from Finland came to Ireland and beat everyone with little mistakes to make a victory on Tarmac. Well done to him. He show with SWRC wins last year on gravel and tarmac he is now full profesional driver.

[Andre Oliveira]

Anybody have pictures of car #108, #126 and #145?

[noel157]

Anybody have pictures of car #108, #126 and #145?

I haven't looked but you might find them on one of these sites:

Latest Events - Graham Chambers Photography (http://www.grahamchambers.com/latest-events/)

Circuit of Ireland IRC 2012 - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21030370@N02/sets/72157629752715303/)

Circuit of Ireland 2012 (http://www.industryimage.com/portfolio253884p1.html)

Gallery (http://www.philpics.net/gallery.html)

IRC Circuit of Ireland 05_07.04.12 (http://www.neillpics.co.uk/stock/english/gallery/208-0-IRC-Circuit-of-Ireland-05_07.04.12.html)

Circuit of Ireland IRC Rally 2012 (http://www.msportimages.com/circuit-of-ireland-irc-rally)

Circuit of Ireland Rally 2012 IRC - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/salmix_ie/sets/72157629411130848/)

IRC Circuit Of Ireland Rally 2012 (http://www.markbreenphotography.com/irc-circuit-of-ireland-rally)

Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland 2012 (http://www.kgrallypics.com/portfolio253889.html)

Circuit of Ireland 2012 (http://hasrallypics.com/?page_id=269)

Should keep you busy for a few weeks.... :) But some fantastic images in that list.

[tolis]

Inside IRC: IRC Mag: Photographing the series - Video Gallery - IRC Intercontinental Rally Challenge - Eurosport (http://www.ircseries.com/videogallery/detail/id/295)

[wrchirek]

Sir, get down to Earth, even S10 if not in totally disasterous shape is faster car than any S2000 not speaking about Mini or Focus 07. The S10 has active diffs, hydraulic gearbox, at least 30 Hp more, 2,5x more torque, 30 km/h higher top speed. Such huge difference 1-3 s/km we saw in CoI can't be explained just by road position. It was sure mostly down to driving skills and the risk works drivers can afford to take. Yes, the condition weren't same but also not always worse for national drivers, sometimes it was drying out or even it was same for all. It's normal the professionals are on different level than national drivers, get use to it.

That's what I'm talking about, thank you Mirek.

When IRC comes to any country, I think it is a good mirror for the national championship's level.

[darkstar]

great onboard from arzeno:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYQxy4w7wXs&feature=g-u-u&context=G2294b44FUAAAAAAADAA

[WRCS14]

Arzeno drives very well, when he leaves the junction he stays flat for very long times. I think he did very well first time on ireland tarmac. I think maybe he will take Breen to school in Corsica on more traditional european tarmac.

[noel157]

Arzeno drives very well, when he leaves the junction he stays flat for very long times. I think he did very well first time on ireland tarmac. I think maybe he will take Breen to school in Corsica on more traditional european tarmac.

Would agree, Arzeno should be faster than Breen but will be interesting all the same.

[Kielder]

His onboards from Monte are amazing. It was a pity his first day's accident.