Rally Discussion and Bar Talk Thread

[Jarek Z]

Lancia and Audi's 1983 Monte duel has inspired a new movie:
https://youtu.be/EDjImq6gI1A?si=BJH3botI_ny_Krc-

But before that... there is "Ferrari", starring Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz. Has anybody seen it already?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERIBTIlVVJQ

[Jarek Z]

And... did anybody see Lamborghini?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzqwRxorvKE

[SubaruNorway]

Howard at Prodrive, great watch

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1048541099756651

[EstWRC]

Autosport top50 drivers

https://www.autosport.com/topic/top-50-drivers-of-2023/2571/

[Mackie]

Anyone else who think this is a weird list? Hulkenberg ahead of Johan Kristofferson, Bortoleto quite high and Norris ahead of Hamilton, Alonso and Rovanpera. I mean, Lawson ahead of Ogier?!

[ictus]

yeah, and no Loeb

[AndyRAC]

Anyone else who think this is a weird list? Hulkenberg ahead of Johan Kristofferson, Bortoleto quite high and Norris ahead of Hamilton, Alonso and Rovanpera. I mean, Lawson ahead of Ogier?!

It's always heavily biased in favour of F1; and series with a small number of top drivers tend to do poorly......

[denkimi]

yeah, and no Loeb
except getting 2nd in dakar, what did loeb do this year?

[TypeR]

Hulkenberg in that list :D :D lol

[the sniper]

The 'VHS Rallies' project is coming to an end (as expected. Thanks for their efforts), but in their closing statement they say:


Recently, however, I have been made aware that a deal has been struck that will see much of the
footage that originally inspired me released again - in better quality than I could ever aspire to
achieve from old VHS tapes, I expect, and with the potential for additional footage, never before
seen, to be enjoyed at last.

I would have dearly loved to have been a part of this process, of course, but since I could never
hope to bring any of the money required to make it happen, that seems unlikely to be the case. It
looks instead like I'll be waiting for it, like everyone else, and hopefully enjoying it, like everyone else.

https://twitter.com/VHSRallies/status/1741531490532348306

Anybody heard anything? Dirtfish video on demand service? Presumably concerns the Duke Video archive? If it were Rally.TV related, the line in bold wouldn't really make sense.

[lmmjvss]

So.... probably more old school rallying videos going behind paywalls? The world sucks, man hahah

[HKSjbg]

The 'VHS Rallies' project is coming to an end (as expected. Thanks for their efforts), but in their closing statement they say:



https://twitter.com/VHSRallies/status/1741531490532348306

Anybody heard anything? Dirtfish video on demand service? Presumably concerns the Duke Video archive? If it were Rally.TV related, the line in bold wouldn't really make sense.

It is indeed sad to see it shuttered, many dozens, possibly hundreds of hours of mine have been lost to VHSR! Luckily there seems to be a lot more channels doing a similar thing (at least in terms of uploads, not necessarily the work to get those videos digitised) and some of VHSR’s old staples like Burns/Wilson era BRC are now on YouTube through other channels instead.

Recently I have been poring over some cracking WRC reviews of 1994, ‘95 and ‘96

1994: https://youtu.be/e3wmrrcACRA?si=rzCI8lRzgLL6H0bp

1995 rounds 1-7 playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwzQUIg17eBaqIhNuFzfB75DVLIEDWrU1&si=8GTrrOUONGc2cI48

‘95 RAC: https://youtu.be/yzKbNB_WcZI?si=GhtXQF60Qpwt7M_q

1996: https://youtu.be/tQMLOw2AJwY?si=K3cvTPCoREJLnL_h

Hopefully the project VHSR speaks of won’t be too far off, won’t conflate the broad spectrum of rallying with just the WRC, and won’t be obscenely priced. All this hard work costs money and I suppose VHSR has a day job that requires priority :D

[Brynmor Pierce]

The 'VHS Rallies' project is coming to an end (as expected. Thanks for their efforts), but in their closing statement they say:



https://twitter.com/VHSRallies/status/1741531490532348306

Anybody heard anything? Dirtfish video on demand service? Presumably concerns the Duke Video archive? If it were Rally.TV related, the line in bold wouldn't really make sense.

I’d hazard a guess it’s the AMTV archive ( Alastair Miller) as that was for sale recently ?

[Jarek Z]

It's good to see such movie on the official website of Stellantis :)
https://www.media.stellantis.com/em-en/lancia/press/race-for-glory-the-movie-on-lancia-037-victory-at-1983-world-rally-championship-is-out-in-the-united-states-and-canada-on-january-5th-2024

[Brynmor Pierce]

The 'VHS Rallies' project is coming to an end (as expected. Thanks for their efforts), but in their closing statement they say:



https://twitter.com/VHSRallies/status/1741531490532348306

Anybody heard anything? Dirtfish video on demand service? Presumably concerns the Duke Video archive? If it were Rally.TV related, the line in bold wouldn't really make sense.

Seems I was wrong, it’s actually due to Dirtfish buying the BHP Sport archive 12 months ago and looking to make it commercially available.

[HKSjbg]

Ahhh, maybe I can finally re-watch the 1987 British Open Championship finally :D

[lmmjvss]

Just me or all of that Dakar Hype is already dead? I mean, sure, Im interested... but not like the past 2 years.
Weird...

[Eli]

Just me or all of that Dakar Hype is already dead? I mean, sure, Im interested... but not like the past 2 years.
Weird...

No it’s not dead, whilst I wish it would be run over 3 weeks and in more than just one country, the scenery is still beautiful, the fight is still intense and this might be the first time since 2021 that a manufacturer other than Toyota will take the win. Also since 2021 you have the classics category to watch which is always interesting. The biggest shame is that there’s only Eurosport’s highlights of one hour after each day, and in this day & age, you’d expect a lot more coverage, especially from a race that is as unique as the Dakar.

[AndyRAC]

The biggest shame is that there’s only Eurosport’s highlights of one hour after each day, and in this day & age, you’d expect a lot more coverage, especially from a race that is as unique as the Dakar.

Yeah, but more coverage would cost money; and the ASO don't like spending when they don't have to....... #cheapskates #tightarses

[Myrvold]

Anybody heard anything? Dirtfish video on demand service? Presumably concerns the Duke Video archive? If it were Rally.TV related, the line in bold wouldn't really make sense.

I'm actually quite surprised about Duke not going on an attack.

I remember finding some old VHS tapes myself that I uploaded. Loads got taken down by Duke, even stuff they never had (other productions). And the ones that Duke also had, wasn't made by Duke, but was sold to Duke so they could distribute it to other parts of the world. So it should in reality only be geo-locked. Duke used to be extremely takedown-oriented.

[lmmjvss]

What I meant about the Hype about Dakar was "THE HYPE", not the actuaaal race, cuz yep, it is a great racing. But I was feeling that the whole "OH NOW EVERYBODY WANTS TO RACE DAKAR" hype was cooling off, u'know?
Just read that Audi is shutting down their program to focus on F1, for example. Such a shame, that was a really cool and different car. WEC hype will probably also cool off after 2025 (maybe?) Same way Rallycross, TouringCars and FormulaE hypes ended. Motocross is experiencing this huuuuge boom with Stark, Beta, GasGas, Triumph, Ducatti all joining (or at least trying to join) the American and World Championships.
Cycles... motorsport is all about Cycles.

[Rallyper]

Haven´t seen Dimviii for a while now. Anyone did? Would like to share a good cup of coffee with him again. Or beer...

[dimviii]

here i am Per!
will you come at Greece again?

[Rallyper]

here i am Per!
will you come at Greece again?

Aaahhh! Great!! I´d like to. Nothing written in stone yet. We´ll see.

[lmmjvss]

Sudden Thoughts: If we exclude "WRC" from "Rally discussions in life in general", theres no "discussions" anymore.. just good racing, great videos on the internet, great fun for drivers and spectators, rad cars, ugly cars, people trying new weird stuff. MAYBE the WORLD Championship is the problem........... We keep talking about this here and it sucks and we are missing all the great stories happening in every other national championship, local championship...... u'know? We are not sharing local stories, we are not talking bout OUR rally cars... we keep talking about WHAT MILLION EURO CARS THESE RICH COMPANIES SHOULD BE RACING NEXT YEAR? hahaha dammit, WRC is losing me day by day

[Rallyper]

Sudden Thoughts: If we exclude "WRC" from "Rally discussions in life in general", theres no "discussions" anymore.. just good racing, great videos on the internet, great fun for drivers and spectators, rad cars, ugly cars, people trying new weird stuff. MAYBE the WORLD Championship is the problem........... We keep talking about this here and it sucks and we are missing all the great stories happening in every other national championship, local championship...... u'know? We are not sharing local stories, we are not talking bout OUR rally cars... we keep talking about WHAT MILLION EURO CARS THESE RICH COMPANIES SHOULD BE RACING NEXT YEAR? hahaha dammit, WRC is losing me day by day

10+

So I change subject.

Guys, what rallycars did you own and actually drove in (local) rallies? Tell me. Brand, years (wins?) etz.
I promise I will give answers too.
Please, get started!!

[becher]

EPS Motorsport is building a replica of the mid engined quattro mule, one can follow the build on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@EPSDaveRowe?feature=shared

[fiscorpun]

I have a feeling that Toyota will not win WRC and WEC in 2024. Add losing Dakar too.
It could be a "bad" year for the Japanese brand.

[240RS]

Monte Shakedown confirmed what many suspected all along - the drivers' championship is a three-horse race.

If you add the interloopers - Ogier, Rovanpera and Lappi - you get a total of 6 who can realistically win a round outright. Overall, Abiteboul's stated target of 5/6 wins would appear low if he is keen on both championships. It does appear that Toyota and Hyundai will split all 13 rounds between them. Even allowing for a higher ratio of second car placings, the minimum target cannot be less than 7.

On a different note, there is bound to be an intense rivalry between Neuville and Tanak. Some tasty fights worth looking forward to.

[Morte66]

I suppose since I decided on Thursday morning to support Pajari in WRC2 because I like the sound of his name, I should pass some comments on him.

It turns out he's Finnish (I thought he was Hungarian) and drives for Toyota. He looks so young. He has a woman co-driver, Enni Mälkönen, which is nice to see. He won JWRC, I knew I'd heard of him somewhere.

I watched him through the stages in RMC. He... came for snow and ice, and kind of ambled around on the tarmac. I suppose I shall draw comfort from him coming top of the drivers who weren't entered for points. I am also tickled that Ciamin said at one stage end that he was in a battle with Pajari because I don't think Pajari was having a battle with Ciamin.

So, I think he'll do.

The Toyota 3-cylinder, though, sounds like half a V6. Not good.

Roll on Sweden.

[fiscorpun]

It must be very cool for the riders doing the "small" british hard enduro championship and seeing on the entrylist THE CURRENT FIM WORLD HARD ENDURO CHAMPION Mani Lettenbichler... AND multi time champion Jonny Walker.
Cuz, you know, in these championships where the "top class" is just a "regular bike", you may end up facing THE WORLD CHAMPION in a small event. Lots of people still going to the woods to watch those fellas ride, even more when WORLD CHAMPIONS are racing there, "out of nothing", simply because "Oh they are all on the same bike". These feelings push me into "Ok, WRC top class gotta be Rally2. We gotta be closer to these "national" championships. Whats the point on being the PLAYBOY series, u'know? "OH BUT FORMULA 1" shhh, to hell with F1, jeezz haha
(I keep talking way too much with myself...)

[TypeR]

Not rally discussion, but easily bar talk topic..

BREAKING news!

Fan or not, but for sure it shakes motorsport world and fans.

Hamilton joins Ferrari from 2025!

[Eli]

Not rally discussion, but easily bar talk topic..

BREAKING news!

Fan or not, but for sure it shakes motorsport world and fans.

Hamilton joins Ferrari from 2025!

Now all we need is Verstappen in Mercedes lol, but in all seriousness, not really surprised as Ferrari were silent about Carlos for some time and we also know Sainz Sr. is/was with Audi in the Dakar so it was only time before his son followed suit.

[seb_sh]

Now all we need is Verstappen in Mercedes lol, but in all seriousness, not really surprised as Ferrari were silent about Carlos for some time and we also know Sainz Sr. is/was with Audi in the Dakar so it was only time before his son followed suit.

Hamilton said several times he'd like to drive for Ferrari, seems everyone does at some point, all great champions have except for Senna who also said he wanted to do it.

Sainz wanted to stay and was negotiating with Ferrari until a couple weeks ago. In 2025 there are openings at all teams except for Ferrari and McLaren. The Sainz Sr. connection is obvious but I think there are more important things so it could mean something or it could mean nothing. He's shown enough that most teams would want him so in my opinion Red Bull or Mercedes could also be possible destinations. Maybe Audi will bring out the checkbook and offer him a long term deal, who knows. The Silly Season is going to be great this year.

[AndyRAC]

It must be very cool for the riders doing the "small" british hard enduro championship and seeing on the entrylist THE CURRENT FIM WORLD HARD ENDURO CHAMPION Mani Lettenbichler... AND multi time champion Jonny Walker.
Cuz, you know, in these championships where the "top class" is just a "regular bike", you may end up facing THE WORLD CHAMPION in a small event. Lots of people still going to the woods to watch those fellas ride, even more when WORLD CHAMPIONS are racing there, "out of nothing", simply because "Oh they are all on the same bike". These feelings push me into "Ok, WRC top class gotta be Rally2. We gotta be closer to these "national" championships. Whats the point on being the PLAYBOY series, u'know? "OH BUT FORMULA 1" shhh, to hell with F1, jeezz haha
(I keep talking way too much with myself...)

A good prep run for the FIM Hard Enduro round later this year. And we'll also get an EnduroGP round in Rhayader........

[Paul Hudson]

Not Really interested in F1 in this thread, and if i was in a Bar with like minded Rally folk and you started talking F1 , I would leave, so Bye

[WRCStan]

Not Really interested in F1 in this thread, and if i was in a Bar with like minded Rally folk and you started talking F1 , I would leave, so Bye

:D

[fiscorpun]

Not rally discussion, but easily bar talk topic..

BREAKING news!

Fan or not, but for sure it shakes motorsport world and fans.

Hamilton joins Ferrari from 2025!

Haha I had to check to see if it this was true! Weird. From time to time I try to watch F1 but it turns me off soooo quickly. Its the DRS. I cant stand that. Rarely a Ferrari would be in front of Lewis (Pre 2021) or in front of Max (since then), and IT IS already an impossible task to hold the fastest car/driver... but the fight doesnt even last ONE LAP nowadays. Its so dumb. Its honestly unbliveable that everybody is ok with that! haha Thats like... "well, here comes Messi/Ronaldo with the ball, tell the goalie to leave the goal open"

Edit: Just read that the new Formula 2 cars had this new weird super high rear wing (It looks cool tbh) but that will IMPROVE even more the DRS effects haha And they are testing that on F2 before adopting in F1, like with the 18' tires or something like that. So... EVEN MORE effect for DRS. "The drag will slow the leader way more now".... haha WHY!?! FFS, WTF is happening

[DoN_cz]

:)

[seb_sh]

Not Really interested in F1 in this thread, and if i was in a Bar with like minded Rally folk and you started talking F1 , I would leave, so Bye

See you next week!

While he's gone do you reckon Marquez can win MotoGP on a privateer year old Ducati? :p

[AndyRAC]

Not Really interested in F1 in this thread, and if i was in a Bar with like minded Rally folk and you started talking F1 , I would leave, so Bye

No, me neither. And once upon a time I never missed a race......

It's utter garbage, a lack of action - with most of the stories off track. I no longer see the attraction of it. The amount of attention from the media, and the public astounds me. Motorsport for people who know very little about motorsport.......As they don't know of any other series.

[Rallyper]

Not Really interested in F1 in this thread, and if i was in a Bar with like minded Rally folk and you started talking F1 , I would leave, so Bye

I´d only order new beer and change table... :)

[WRCStan]

Politics now then. Topic Milei's Argentina - chances of a WRC round in the coming years?

[seb_sh]

Politics now then. Topic Milei's Argentina - chances of a WRC round in the coming years?

Exactly 0

The MotoGP round just got cancelled and even though they have a contract for next year no one is expecting that to happen.

Meanwhile Dirtfish had an article link about Paraguay in WRC in 2025 buy seems they pulled it before I could read it.

[lmmjvss]

Exactly 0

The MotoGP round just got cancelled and even though they have a contract for next year no one is expecting that to happen..

The World Motocross round in Argentina was also being rumored to be cancelled but it is still up.... so far.

[Sal yet again]

https://rallies.info/webentry/2024/malcolmwilson/entries.php?type=u

Serderidis doing the Malcolm Wilson in the Lake District again in March as a warm up for the rest of the season

[rallyfiend]

Exactly 0

The MotoGP round just got cancelled and even though they have a contract for next year no one is expecting that to happen.

Meanwhile Dirtfish had an article link about Paraguay in WRC in 2025 buy seems they pulled it before I could read it.

There was an article about WRC in Nashville that also seems to have disappeared.

What's going on at DirtFish?

[AndyRAC]

The World Motocross round in Argentina was also being rumored to be cancelled but it is still up.... so far.

It wouldn't be the biggest surprise if that went as well; I think it was last year when it got pitiful entries (might have been 2022) - not a good look. The MXGP promoters are as bad as the WRC's.....

[rallyfiend]

It wouldn't be the biggest surprise if that went as well; I think it was last year when it got pitiful entries (might have been 2022) - not a good look. The MXGP promoters are as bad as the WRC's.....

I think it's the same local promoter for both, isn't it? WRC and MXGP?

[fiscorpun]

It wouldn't be the biggest surprise if that went as well; I think it was last year when it got pitiful entries (might have been 2022) - not a good look. The MXGP promoters are as bad as the WRC's.....

2022 was really weird but Tbh the round in Argentina in 2023 had the biggest number of entries Or something like that. More than 32 riders if I remember correctly. Almost 15 south americans, I think?

MXGP has also being super weird. The grids looks so empty. They keep going to asian countries to race in fake tracks with 14 riders starting the races. I dont understand. Covid is a factor, sure, and they are going to recover. But its weird to see such a simple sport having so little entries. OR MAYBE the promoter WANTS to have just the top facotry teams? Idk. Hope it gets better for 2024, at least on the european rounds.

[AndyRAC]

2022 was really weird but Tbh the round in Argentina in 2023 had the biggest number of entries Or something like that. More than 32 riders if I remember correctly. Almost 15 south americans, I think?

MXGP has also being super weird. The grids looks so empty. They keep going to asian countries to race in fake tracks with 14 riders starting the races. I dont understand. Covid is a factor, sure, and they are going to recover. But its weird to see such a simple sport having so little entries. OR MAYBE the promoter WANTS to have just the top facotry teams? Idk. Hope it gets better for 2024, at least on the european rounds.

Yes, you're right - it was 2022 that was poor - last year was the first round of the championship - and the return of 'The Bullet'.

[lmmjvss]

Jesus Christ, the guy behind Formula-E and Extreme-E is KINDA behind or supporting this NEW AND INCREDIBLE ELECTRIC BOAT RACING that was CREATED TO HELP SAVE THE PLANET.... you know.... by adding RACING BOATS into eco-systems that DIDNT HAD RACING BOATS before... and somehow this will help the local eco-systems....????????
And you can watch the FULL ROUND 1 in SAUDI ARABIA here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgI4aB9xhXY

You see that it is a success when they CLOSE the comments on youtube.

[Rallyper]

Jesus Christ, the guy behind Formula-E and Extreme-E is KINDA behind or supporting this NEW AND INCREDIBLE ELECTRIC BOAT RACING that was CREATED TO HELP SAVE THE PLANET.... you know.... by adding RACING BOATS into eco-systems that DIDNT HAD RACING BOATS before... and somehow this will help the local eco-systems....????????
And you can watch the FULL ROUND 1 in SAUDI ARABIA here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgI4aB9xhXY

You see that it is a success when they CLOSE the comments on youtube.

Hahahahahahaha... And Becs sold out her soul..

[wyler]

Jesus Christ, the guy behind Formula-E and Extreme-E is KINDA behind or supporting this NEW AND INCREDIBLE ELECTRIC BOAT RACING that was CREATED TO HELP SAVE THE PLANET.... you know.... by adding RACING BOATS into eco-systems that DIDNT HAD RACING BOATS before... and somehow this will help the local eco-systems....????????
And you can watch the FULL ROUND 1 in SAUDI ARABIA here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgI4aB9xhXY

You see that it is a success when they CLOSE the comments on youtube.

didn't get the rant about the ecosystem... these boats surely are less dangerous than any other boat already there. i'm not sure, but i guess they race in port envinronment, or at least in some extremely anthopogenic area. so...

[HKSjbg]

didn't get the rant about the ecosystem... these boats surely are less dangerous than any other boat already there. i'm not sure, but i guess they race in port envinronment, or at least in some extremely anthopogenic area. so...

Immjvss can correct me if I’m wrong but I think the nature of the rant is “what is the f***ing point of this?” The ecosystem of the waterways would be in better shape simply by this championship not existing.

You can’t even justify there being some eco-friendly personal transportation message as hydrofoil speedboats are not ubiquitous like cars are. I don’t think FE is doing a good job of convincing a lot of people here that BEVs are the way forward but it at least makes morw sense than E1.

How many people are there honestly out there who would watch that and be convinced to change their ways and change their gas-guzzling speedboat (or perhaps fishing trawler) to a battery electric version because Didier Drogba says its good for the planet? :rotflmao:

[wyler]

Immjvss can correct me if I’m wrong but I think the nature of the rant is “what is the f***ing point of this?” The ecosystem of the waterways would be in better shape simply by this championship not existing.

You can’t even justify there being some eco-friendly personal transportation message as hydrofoil speedboats are not ubiquitous like cars are. I don’t think FE is doing a good job of convincing a lot of people here that BEVs are the way forward but it at least makes morw sense than E1.

How many people are there honestly out there who would watch that and be convinced to change their ways and change their gas-guzzling speedboat (or perhaps fishing trawler) to a battery electric version because Didier Drogba says its good for the planet? :rotflmao:

“what is the f***ing point of this?” totally the correct question! i don't get yours.
i don't get all this argument you both come up with. it's just made up to say electric is sh*t, which is quite off-topic. things you say is very loosely related to this.

"The ecosystem of the waterways would be in better shape simply by this championship not existing." what's the basis of this claim? you have some data? as i told before, the environment of the race is already so anthropogenic that these boats literally don't matter at all.

on the other part, is very loosely related to a marketing strategy that is way more simple. they just claim to do a race with new tech that has a lower impact compared to similar power other tech. sideways they do some nudging and some divulgation, and maybe they finance some environmental small projects. that's it. i really don't see all that argument, unless someone tries to make it up.

anyway, i'm not so interested in motorboat racing and i have no need to defend this thing, i just find that claim wrong.
let's move on!

[Steve Boyd]

… DIDNT HAD RACING BOATS before...Never heard of this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az7zhN5Dk0g

[fiscorpun]

Well.... Cupra, LewisHamilton/Carlin team and ChipGanassi/Chevy are all quitting Extreme-E for 2024.
Rumor is that one more team may quit in the next week. They are all saying they are curious about the plan for next year where the car will use Hydrogen (FIA is backing that too, some say "VW and Toyota" may be behind the move....???), but no commitments so far. Extreme-H will be the new name for 2025. The new car already had its shakedown, but on paved roads only (not sure if they went off road already for testing)

[fiscorpun]

Well.... Cupra, LewisHamilton/Carlin team and ChipGanassi/Chevy are all quitting Extreme-E for 2024.
Rumor is that one more team may quit in the next week. They are all saying they are curious about the plan for next year where the car will use Hydrogen (FIA is backing that too, some say "VW and Toyota" may be behind the move....???), but no commitments so far. Extreme-H will be the new name for 2025. The new car already had its shakedown, but on paved roads only (not sure if they went off road already for testing)

Carl Cox Motorsport left the championship today. Thats FOUR teams.

[rallyfiend]

Seems the almost complete subsidy from Extreme E themselves has been turned off, and with no other forms of income the teams have said ‘adios’….

[HKSjbg]

The 'VHS Rallies' project is coming to an end (as expected. Thanks for their efforts), but in their closing statement they say:



https://twitter.com/VHSRallies/status/1741531490532348306

Anybody heard anything? Dirtfish video on demand service? Presumably concerns the Duke Video archive? If it were Rally.TV related, the line in bold wouldn't really make sense.

Is this what was alluded to possibly? https://youtu.be/0JeYoTTXg_I?si=pshIWchU1tyY8Sbu

[Corcaíoch]

Quick question regarding rally podcasts or similar, I listened to the Gravel Notes preview podcast for Sweden and the Dirtfish one, and some of the Powerslide Podcast. Are there other podcasts out there, in English, worth listening to?

[seb_sh]

Quick question regarding rally podcasts or similar, I listened to the Gravel Notes preview podcast for Sweden and the Dirtfish one, and some of the Powerslide Podcast. Are there other podcasts out there, in English, worth listening to?

I'm afraid that's it for that style of podcasts, there used to be Absolute Rally but it ended a year or two ago. There is also the WRC Backstories podcast, it's more about interviews with certain people similar to F1 Beyond the Grid, there are some nice ones :)

[Gregor-y]

There was an article about WRC in Nashville that also seems to have disappeared.

What's going on at DirtFish?
It wass spiritually an Irish event.

On again, off again, gone again, Finnigan

[Morte66]

Do we know which rounds Ogier and Rovanpera are doing this year? In particular, do we know about Kenya and Croatia?

[Morte66]

I just saw this said about Dani Sordo: "At one point he was the most successful WRC driver without a win to their name." The wording implies that he no longer has that distinction. But I can't think who would have replaced him.

Any offers?

If I were guessing wildly in a pub quiz, I might go for Mikkelsen in his VW years. I don't think he beat Ogier much, but he probably got a few podiums in that dominant car.

[WRCStan]

I just saw this said about Dani Sordo: "At one point he was the most successful WRC driver without a win to their name." The wording implies that he no longer has that distinction.

He probably won a rally since.

[HKSjbg]

I just saw this said about Dani Sordo: "At one point he was the most successful WRC driver without a win to their name." The wording implies that he no longer has that distinction. But I can't think who would have replaced him.

Any offers?

If I were guessing wildly in a pub quiz, I might go for Mikkelsen in his VW years. I don't think he beat Ogier much, but he probably got a few podiums in that dominant car.

He might still hold that record. In terms of active drivers still currently without a win it will be someone else, but the record of rallies without yet scoring your first win is probably still Sordo up until he won Rallye Deutschland 2013

[TypeR]

Can't understand what's the question..?

This is a quote from yesterday's Dirtfish article.
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-five-longest-waits-for-a-second-wrc-win/

It took almost eight years at the top level for Dani Sordo to score his first WRC win. At one point he was the most successful WRC driver without a win to their name.

That wait finally came to an end on Rally Germany 2013.

[denkimi]

sordo had 20 2nd places and 16 3th places in wrc to his name before his first win in 2013. And then another 10 podiums till his second win in 2019.

It's a remarkable carreer, always being completely at the top but never winning.

[Gregor-y]

To be fair it was as a teammate to Loeb at Citroen, an aberration to the WRC that caused plenty of knock-on effects.

[seb_sh]

Also fun fact, in a way Sordo was the perfect team mate to Loeb, he was consistent enough to bring points but not fast enough to really challenge him. But crucially he was fast enough especially on tarmac to slot between Loeb and his rivals, Gronholm and later Hirvonen. In this era the title contenders often finished 1-2 and the points were 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 so if you had just one more position between then the margin was double. Of course this is all hypothetical but you could say Loeb owes Sordo some beers for the following titles:

2006 - title victory margin is 1 point - Sordo finished in P2 behind Loeb but ahead of Gronholm in Spain and Germany - difference of 4p in Loebs favour compared to if Sordo was not there
2007 - title victory margin is 4 points - Sordo finished in P2 splitting them in Monte and Spain plus he finished P3 ahead of Gronholm in P4 in Portugal so that's one more point for a total of 5
2009 - title victory margin is 1 point - Sordo finished P2 in Monte and Spain splitting Loeb and Hirvonen giving Loeb 4p in total

So teoretically if Loeb had some worse team-mate we would have Loeb 6x WDC, Gronholm 4x WDC and Hirvonen 1x WDC.

Now interestingly the reverse combinations (Gronholm-Hirvonen and Hirvonen-Latavala) were less effective:
2007 - Hirvonen took 2 points away from Gronholm by winning Norway when Loeb retired, but the did slot between them once in Finland so total is 0 - you could argue it was too soon for tactics as Norway was round 3
2009 - Latvala never slotted between the title contenders but was allowed to win Italy ahead of Hirvonen even after it was already clear he had no chance at the title - to be fair Hirvonen had not yet won a rally that season but then went on to win 4 in succession

So yeah, this is all hindsight and there are mitigating circumstances, for example in 2009 Wilson let Latvala take the win because he was coming off a bad streak and wanted to boost his morale. Team tactics are hard decisions to take but maybe sometimes you need to be ruthless if you really want the trophy. So let's say MSport declares Gronholm the team leader in 2007 and the switch them already at round 3, and they buy Latvala a beer in Italy 2009 but make him give up the win we have Loeb 7x WDC, Gronholm 3x WDC and Hirvonen 1x WDC.

Now this topic often comes up in the silly season, about having a team-mate to help for the title. I actually went back almost 30 years and I saw no more examples of anyone actually making the difference to decide the title. There are some cases where they helped but in the end it didn't matter. There are a lot of cases like the counter examples above, where team-mates took points away from each other. So it seems the team mate matters very little, maybe in like 10% of cases, the rest it's more important to be good and have a good team and car.

So after I did all this investigating I actually think Sordo is maybe under-rated, by some at least. I'm happy for him that he got 3 wins and not all on tarmac. What do you think?

[PLuto]

Also fun fact, in a way Sordo was the perfect team mate to Loeb, he was consistent enough to bring points but not fast enough to really challenge him.?

He was asked not to challenge him...

[Morte66]

I only know Sordo from 2016 onwards. FWIW... in my time, the most important thing about Sordo was that he was prepared to be a support driver.

I remember when Adamo hired Breen for Wales, specifically with the brief of driving safely and being sure to finish, in case one of the top Hyundai drivers went out. It was public, Adamo said it, and Breen said it, that was his job. Breen did the job for three or four stages then started talking about competing for the win and rolled the car.

Sordo was the opposite of that. And he was quick enough to come 5th or 6th (in a world with VW) whilst driving within himself and finishing reliably.

[seb_sh]

He was asked not to challenge him...

I suppose there were team orders on tarmac but on gravel he was usually behind, so for the championship in that era he couldn't really challenge him. So in that way for the championship it makes sense what they did.

[TypeR]

Happy 50th birthday Maestro Loeb!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHR2i0vWwAIVrHx?format=jpg&name=small

[dimviii]

He was asked not to challenge him...

you really believe that Sordo he could beat him?

[PLuto]

you really believe that Sordo he could beat him?

I have never told it...

[denkimi]

you really believe that Sordo he could beat him?
on some occasions, yes. he could have had a few more wins than he has now.

But sordo was smart enough to not do that, and that's how he managed to stay in the wrc for 18 years.

[focus206]

The only instances I could find in which Citroen could have asked Sordo not to challenge Loeb are Catalunya 2007 and Catalunya 2009. Maybe New Zealand 2008, but was a particular case, as Hirvonen and Latvala threw the rally away at the penultimate stage while they were 1st and 2nd.

[seb_sh]

The only instances I could find in which Citroen could have asked Sordo not to challenge Loeb are Catalunya 2007 and Catalunya 2009. Maybe New Zealand 2008, but was a particular case, as Hirvonen and Latvala threw the rally away at the penultimate stage while they were 1st and 2nd.

I think he was sometimes close on tarmac and that would create some pressure, except both would know that they will hold position. Anyway overall he was under control and never a danger to Loeb in the championship.

[focus206]

I think he was sometimes close on tarmac and that would create some pressure, except both would know that they will hold position. Anyway overall he was under control and never a danger to Loeb in the championship.

The times Sordo was close on tarmac are the ones I wrote, all the other times he was behind Loeb, Sordo was 30+ seconds back pretty soon.
Another time they were close was Ireland 2007, but then Sordo made a mistake and dropped back. Maybe someone can provide other examples, if they exist.

[fiscorpun]

This is just incredible.... and Im NOT a F1 fan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq72S36dJqw
Crazy to think that THESE GUYS are WRC promoters........................... but........ eh......... why bother doing cool stuff with their own series

[saco0o]

long time reader. decided to create an account to comment too.
just wanted to share this weird thing i do. im not into f1 anymore since drs.
but i love watching the qualifying. i almost see it as a rallying event to be honest.
try that if you are also not into f1. the qualys are really fun to watch. like rally sprint.

[AndyRAC]

This is just incredible.... and Im NOT a F1 fan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq72S36dJqw
Crazy to think that THESE GUYS are WRC promoters........................... but........ eh......... why bother doing cool stuff with their own series

I do wonder just how much influence Red Bull actually has within WRC Promoter......

[Rallyper]

What´s the upside of having 3-cyl engine in Rally2 car?

[WRCStan]

What´s the upside of having 3-cyl engine in Rally2 car?

25% saving on spark plugs.

[becher]

25% saving on spark plugs.

If your Pistons start flying out the block you'll also only have to buy three instead of four.

[becher]

What´s the upside of having 3-cyl engine in Rally2 car?

On a more serious note, a reduction in friction for sure and I guess depending on the base engines available by the OEM potentially a more suitable bore/stroke ratio for the restrictor size in Rally2.

[Rallyper]

Today Kai Tarkiainen released the itinerary for Secto Rally Finland. "Best ever" route he says. I tend to agree fully. I will let any of you Finnish guys to start Rally Finland thread, but here is (I hope) correct link:

https://sectorallyfinland.fi/en/itinerary/

[TypeR]

Best ever route...

SUPERHYPER Sunday with total of 41km
and 8km powerstage.. :(

[Rallyper]

Maybe part of the new concept. I don´t know. Sunday always depends on where you are in standings...

Laajavuori will be crowded...

[saco0o]

what are the biggest/best (?) rally sprint championships right now? do any of those have some decent coverage? (like new zealand rally champ or the irish champ)

[EstWRC]

This looks great https://x.com/ewrcresults/status/1769676592479875363?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

[Eli]

This looks great https://x.com/ewrcresults/status/1769676592479875363?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

Now this I would love to see as Toyota's livery next year...0 percent of it happening I know but we can keep on dreaming.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This looks great https://x.com/ewrcresults/status/1769676592479875363?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

Looks great and is great news for the BRC !

The fantastic livery is thanks to MEM and their ongoing connection with Castrol.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBYU6pvXMAAI3sx?format=jpg&name=medium

Nice to see the inspiration there too...
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GI8v7BsWUAAAvTu?format=jpg&name=large

Livery by Keane Design:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C4p8yJWMc55/?igsh=MXN1cjdleWw0Zmlhag==

.

[Sal yet again]

Yesterday sadly saw the passing of 2 names from rallying's past with both Kenjiro Shinosuka and Joaquim Santos leaving this life RIP both

[Jarek Z]

Rest in peace Kenjiro Shinozuka! :(
https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/wrc-and-dakar-winner-kenjiro-shinozuka-dies-aged-75/10588643/

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/amp/2y3qEog6/s1000/kenjiro-shinozuka-pentti-kuuka.webp

[Fast Eddie WRC]

WRC for the UK after all ? ;)

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/satire/potholes-north-london-closed-and-added-permanent-new-wrc-rally-stage

[Eli]

Some tragic news unfortunately on a local Hungarian rally: https://dirtfish.com/rally/four-dead-in-accident-at-hungarian-rally/

[saco0o]

a sega rally game tribute! just stop everything you are doing and watch. cant wait to put my hands on that.
https://youtu.be/2XryAiKvO-o?feature=shared

[seb_sh]

you might also like these 2 retro inspired rally games:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1959280/Over_Jump_Rally/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2824660/Old_School_Rally/

and of course art of rally:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/550320/art_of_rally/

[saco0o]

you might also like these 2 retro inspired rally games:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1959280/Over_Jump_Rally/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2824660/Old_School_Rally/

and of course art of rally:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/550320/art_of_rally/

*o*
!!!!!!!!

[Jarek Z]

40 years of Prodrive!

1984 - Porsche 911:
https://www.facebook.com/prodriveofficial/posts/pfbid0hoNLEDfMQYBJcWUvSDeZ8jJCZ8P8RsBvDmnKR7pmFbQJ ZsH9g2U3Hq6vNvo74ctsl

1986 - MG Metro 6R4
https://www.facebook.com/prodriveofficial/posts/pfbid0jGSfS6bnbyR2ac5fQPSRWZWt6rqm2zNUUz9QZQAYo42i SxSAPdfD9SBSRkAxjeJul

1987 - BMW M3
https://www.facebook.com/prodriveofficial/posts/pfbid02Bmo1B41DGLcGg6kq7eBf8Ak5Tc1vjZNXCMG6U8o5orE eiEELzaaLu7aRsT9hLPmvl

Those were the days! :)

[SubaruNorway]

I wonder which rally1 driver lost their license in Sweden....

[Rallyper]

I wonder which rally1 driver lost their license in Sweden....

You mean drivers license, not rally license?

[SubaruNorway]

You mean drivers license, not rally license?

Yes, but unlike Petter was able to finish the rally within the 48 hours you still have to drive

[Franky]

Liberty Media is acquiring MotoGP for 4,5 billion USD

[saco0o]

Liberty Media is acquiring MotoGP for 4,5 billion USD

i thought there were some european laws impeding that from happening. weird. liberty did a really good job with f1, cannot deny that. the racing in f1 is shitty because of fia tho. motogp has the best road racing on the planet. liberty will have the greatest product ever on their hands.

[seb_sh]

motogp has the best road racing on the planet.

WSBK would like a word with you

[flat_right]

the racing in f1 is shitty because of fia tho.

What? :D How is FIA guilty of RB building a good car and signing the best driver? And I'm not saying that RB is the best car - take away Max and replace him with anyone and we would have an awesome series.

[typhoon]

WSBK would like a word with you

Since Liberty Media bought Dorna (MotoGP), WSBK is in their hands as well.

[flat_right]

I wonder, has FIA or whoever makes the rules in WRC, thought about a Formula 1 like solution where if you win manufacture title, then you get less development time. For example Ford could have 1.5 times of everything (testing, jokers). This would maybe help to bridge the gap or at least give an opportunity to make the team more competitive.

[saco0o]

What? :D How is FIA guilty of RB building a good car and signing the best driver? And I'm not saying that RB is the best car - take away Max and replace him with anyone and we would have an awesome series.

i meant drs. fia's people watched too many motogp racing in 2010 and started with that "we need more overtakes" thrend that took over motorsport. i honestly dont understand how a ferrari holding an already faster redbull (or mercedes back in lewis dominance) for 10 laps on track is less exciting than that already faster redbull passing an already 'slower' ferrari in one straight without a fight. same for when lewis was winning races starting from the back of the grid. it was already the fastest car, but nobody had a chance to fight and hold him because of drs. thats what i meant.

[seb_sh]

Since Liberty Media bought Dorna (MotoGP), WSBK is in their hands as well.

I know, that wasn't the point...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I'm getting this message on eWRC since yesterday (Chrome for Android).

On eWRC site settings there's no option to allow ads. Any ideas ?


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKerun_WcAEYqw9?format=jpg&name=medium

[becher]

I'm getting this message on eWRC since yesterday (Chrome for Android).

On eWRC site settings there's no option to allow ads. Any ideas ?


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKerun_WcAEYqw9?format=jpg&name=medium

Have you installed a add on adblocker?

[WRCStan]

I'm also getting the same. Even in private browsing which disables add-ons. Even when going through the settings disabling the browser features. You cannot even get to login.

If it only works in Edge than I'll choose to lose out.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Have you installed a add on adblocker?

Seems its built-in with Chrome but I've been unable to disable it since yesterday's Chrome update. My phones browser is also now blocking eWRC.

[Katvala]

I miss being able to see overall stats, but an €8 subscription is too much to look at something every few weeks. I'd gladly pay a one time fee to contribute though.

Sent from my M2012K11G using Tapatalk

[becher]

Strange, with Android/Chrome it works fine at my end.

[saco0o]

"bitcoin", anyone? after years i decided to sell 50% of what i have because the price is really high, totally a bubble feeling, to wake up today and see it went 10k up (on my country's currency). its almost like the 3 times i tried to "trade" i get it wrong lol. not into trading, just planning on save it cuz i will be broke when get old, but man, everytime i try, jeezz

[Rallyper]

Every time I open this forum nowadays I always have to log in... Is it same for you guys?
At times it has been like this before but then suddenly disappeared...

[WRCStan]

Every time I open this forum nowadays I always have to log in... Is it same for you guys?
At times it has been like this before but then suddenly disappeared...

I've found I can go to the home page and appear to be logged out, but go into rally or WRC and be logged in, or vice-versa.

[satnav]

Every time I open this forum nowadays I always have to log in... Is it same for you guys?
At times it has been like this before but then suddenly disappeared...

I only go into the Rally section and I've no issues

[Eli]

A question that’s been on my mind since both Neuville & Tänak are drawing near the end of their careers (Evans I think is a little younger than both), who do you think will be the championship contenders beyond 2027? I know it’s a question that’s more for the long run but I was curious since we won’t have the same faces as we have for the past 6-10 years.

[CeskyOndra]

A question that’s been on my mind since both Neuville & Tänak are drawing near the end of their careers (Evans I think is a little younger than both), who do you think will be the championship contenders beyond 2027? I know it’s a question that’s more for the long run but I was curious since we won’t have the same faces as we have for the past 6-10 years.

When I imagine that there won't longer be guys like Neuville Tanak and Evans it makes me so sad :(

[Morte66]

A question that’s been on my mind since both Neuville & Tänak are drawing near the end of their careers (Evans I think is a little younger than both), who do you think will be the championship contenders beyond 2027? I know it’s a question that’s more for the long run but I was curious since we won’t have the same faces as we have for the past 6-10 years.

I think Rovanpera will be dominant for some years if he stays in WRC.

[Eli]

Okay but who will challenge him?

[focus206]

A question that’s been on my mind since both Neuville & Tänak are drawing near the end of their careers (Evans I think is a little younger than both), who do you think will be the championship contenders beyond 2027? I know it’s a question that’s more for the long run but I was curious since we won’t have the same faces as we have for the past 6-10 years.

Both Neuville and Evans were born in 1988, Tanak in 1987, so they're almost all the same age. But they might decide to retire at different times.

[Eli]

Both Neuville and Evans were born in 1988, Tänak in 1987, so they're almost all the same age. But they might decide to retire at different times.

okay, say they're all retired, who do you see replaces them?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

okay, say they're all retired, who do you see replaces them?

All the younger guys in WRC/ WRC2 - Lappi, Katsuta, Fourmaux, Solberg, Suninen, Rossel, etc.

Unless another prodigy comes along...

[denkimi]

okay, say they're all retired, who do you see replaces them?
unfortunately so far, nobody. I fear if rovanpera returns after both neuville and tanak have retired, he might beat all of loeb's records.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

unfortunately so far, nobody. I fear if rovanpera returns after both neuville and tanak have retired, he might beat all of loeb's records.

With his his ability he definitely could, but given he already wanted a break from WRC I doubt he will stay long enough.

He may even be encouraged to try even more Motorsports and allow the WRC to be more competitive without him.

[Backa]

It's wishful thinking but maybe Kalle just reached his peak level very early and will not improve past that too much while guys like Solberg, Sesks and Pajari will keep improving and catch up to him enough to keep things competitive.

Other than that, it's either Kalle dominating or getting bored with WRC and trying something else.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I'm getting this message on eWRC since yesterday (Chrome for Android).

On eWRC site settings there's no option to allow ads. Any ideas ?


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKerun_WcAEYqw9?format=jpg&name=medium

I still have this problem on my phone. I cant find a way to disable Chrome's built-in Adblock. Every other website I access works fine.

Can anyone access the site and if so on which Android browser ?

[Eli]

I still have this problem on my phone. I cant find a way to disable Chrome's built-in Adblock. Every other website I access works fine.

Can anyone access the site and if so on which Android browser ?

Give Firefox a try.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Give Firefox a try.

Nope, same problem for me.

[TypeR]

I tried logging in with chrome and didn't get such problem.. I don't know if the adblock is on by default or not, because I don't use that browser.
Maybe some extra € to the domain would fix it :D

I have used Dolphin for almost 10 years and don't want to change it.. haven't had any problems with ewrc or other sites.

But everybody has their own favourite ofc.

[satnav]

I use Chrome on both PC and Iphone and have no problems with eWRC

[WRCStan]

I still have this problem on my phone. I cant find a way to disable Chrome's built-in Adblock. Every other website I access works fine.

Can anyone access the site and if so on which Android browser ?

Works on Chrome for Android for me. Maybe you have VPN or something blocking it, or need to update the app.


Maybe some extra € to the domain would fix it :D

I had this recently, you can't even get to login if you were paying to avoid the ads.

[saco0o]

was playing v-rally 3 on my game boy advanced emulator here. such a fun game. some stages have reaaally fun elevation changes and some good scenery by the shore (i guess its the french event). you can even feel some little diferences on rainy stages if you choosed dry tires (you can only fix your car and change tires/configs every two stages). really fun, im impressed.

[Morte66]

I was thinking today that Gus Greensmith has found his place in WRC2. Perhaps having a Skoda helps (it seems to be the car that the others are measured against), as does having the budget to do every rally for practice, but he looks fast and professional in this company.

["Username"]

Anyone knows how to join different leagues in WRC Fantasy? I don't see any search button or am I just dumb?

[saco0o]

i just watched the wec race at imola. we keep mentioning how they fixed things and how wrc should find a similar fix (in general) and i gotta say i never got into endurance but it was such a fun watch. lots of brands, which is awesome, but the whole 'vibe' of the series is incredible right now. i think when the championship gets to an exciting point, everything suddenly becomes more fun. interesting. hope to see wrc going back to that fun excitement like in 2017 with the new cars

[saco0o]

have u fellas watched the first race of the new AUTONOMOUS OPEN WHEEL RACING SERIES from abu dhabi, with a 2 million bucks for the winner? man, i regret saying anything positive about this tech.
I AM SORRY for what you are about to watch
https://youtu.be/143MxioL0ns?feature=shared

[Jarek Z]

have u fellas watched the first race of the new AUTONOMOUS OPEN WHEEL RACING SERIES from abu dhabi, with a 2 million bucks for the winner? man, i regret saying anything positive about this tech.
I AM SORRY for what you are about to watch
https://youtu.be/143MxioL0ns?feature=shared

No, I haven't watched it. And don't apologize, mate! It was a great laugh, thank you! :D

[Rallyper]

have u fellas watched the first race of the new AUTONOMOUS OPEN WHEEL RACING SERIES from abu dhabi, with a 2 million bucks for the winner? man, i regret saying anything positive about this tech.
I AM SORRY for what you are about to watch
https://youtu.be/143MxioL0ns?feature=shared

Hahahahahaha.

[Eli]

have u fellas watched the first race of the new AUTONOMOUS OPEN WHEEL RACING SERIES from abu dhabi, with a 2 million bucks for the winner? man, i regret saying anything positive about this tech.
I AM SORRY for what you are about to watch
https://youtu.be/143MxioL0ns?feature=shared

Nothing to be sorry about, was one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a while, thanks for sharing!

[NaBUru38]

The Tennessee Rally USA will be held on June 14-16 in Chattanooga.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/more-details-of-rally-usas-wrc-candidate-event-emerge/

I still don't understand how a 110 km race can be useful to earn a WRC round.

[WRCStan]

The Tennessee Rally USA will be held on June 14-16 in Chattanooga.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/more-details-of-rally-usas-wrc-candidate-event-emerge/

I still don't understand how a 110 km race can be useful to earn a WRC round.

Shows they can organise, it isn't the roads under inspection.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Win a ride in a Hyundai i20 Rally1 car !

Draw on Sunday at Rally Portugal. Proceeds to the Craig Breen Foundation...

https://app.galabid.com/cbf24/items/7acbd757-cd19-4b35-9968-90c86a19a824?backPath=%2Fcbf24%2Fitems&from=7acbd757-cd19-4b35-9968-90c86a19a824&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3KRnHH3di1kVQxGQhyqQH_4 28iNjs7UM2Xs54xSbqAZR_GOVonsW2LScM_aem_AYZdGPWkdFI qzMrGXMsH5vNV1KqHhMaA5UHETuZeRakmzscd4QCoTVIEZAYmO wKHvcQKGH4Sd2DJx0KRQRzk9auT

[BleAivano]

I spent the day today in the Nyköping area spectating the third round of the Swedish rally championship. Lovely weather, superb roads.
Anyway they had the double run of stages that most rallies today has,
but with a twist. Instesd of doing the regular repeat of the morning stages in the afternoon two of the three stages in morning were run again in the morning.
During the morning loop we were at Ss6 and once the last car had passed (about 100 cars) there was less then hour until the first car was due for the second loop.
It was the same thing in the afternoon, 3 stages run twice. This meant that we were able to see all cars three times. For the morning loop we only watched the first 40 cars to be able to make it to SS12 in time. For the second loop we didnt stay to watch all cars because delays (stage start was one hour late) and when we left at around 18.30 only the first 25 cars had come through and there was more delays.

I have never seen this kind of looping of stages before..Why doesnt more rallies use this loop stragegy? With some planning I think you might be able to see the best cars 5-6 times.

[becher]

I spent the day today in the Nyköping area spectating the third round of the Swedish rally championship. Lovely weather, superb roads.
Anyway they had the double run of stages that most rallies today has,
but with a twist. Instesd of doing the regular repeat of the morning stages in the afternoon two of the three stages in morning were run again in the morning.
During the morning loop we were at Ss6 and once the last car had passed (about 100 cars) there was less then hour until the first car was due for the second loop.
It was the same thing in the afternoon, 3 stages run twice. This meant that we were able to see all cars three times. For the morning loop we only watched the first 40 cars to be able to make it to SS12 in time. For the second loop we didnt stay to watch all cars because delays (stage start was one hour late) and when we left at around 18.30 only the first 25 cars had come through and there was more delays.

I have never seen this kind of looping of stages before..Why doesnt more rallies use this loop stragegy? With some planning I think you might be able to see the best cars 5-6 times.

Intresting, in the austrian championship this isn't to uncommon. It's pretty easy access for casual people as they just have a picnic and watch rally cars for an afternoon, no running around endlessly chasing the cars which is probably to much for people who don't really follow the sport.

[dimviii]

World Rally Championship
@OfficialWRC

Michèle Mouton will retire from her role as
@fia
Safety Delegate at the end of 2024 - Last Sunday she took time to say goodbye to the fans in Portugal ❤️

https://x.com/OfficialWRC/status/1791503073925300448

[WRCStan]

Which one of you made this lol

https://i.imgflip.com/8qkhnl.jpg

[saco0o]

the redbull rally channel officialy gave up on wrc, eh? i mean, they have so much great 20min highlights on redbull motorsport (its more about bikes, but its always good!). too bad they dont care that much about wrc. i never understood if wrc promoter IS REDBULL or if its partner companies ("gmbh" whatever, every german-austro-hungarian have that on their brands names) but, eh, sad. their highlights used to be more usefull than wrc's own imo.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I still have this problem on my phone. I cant find a way to disable Chrome's built-in Adblock. Every other website I access works fine.

Can anyone access the site and if so on which Android browser ?

I finally cracked it after weeks of being driven mad and trying loads of different browsers !!

Blocking Javascript for ewrc-results stopped the adblock message... :)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GOCIXF6XcAAe5f0?format=jpg&name=900x900

[Kenneth]

So it's official, Lancia is back in rally

https://www.media.stellantis.com/em-en/lancia/press/lancia-previews-the-ypsilon-hf-the-ypsilon-rally-4-hf-and-is-back-to-rally

[Eli]

So it's official, Lancia is back in rally

https://www.media.stellantis.com/em-en/lancia/press/lancia-previews-the-ypsilon-hf-the-ypsilon-rally-4-hf-and-is-back-to-rally

Okay for now it's just a sister car to the Peugeot 208/Opel Corsa Rally 4.

[Jarek Z]

Okay for now it's just a sister car to the Peugeot 208/Opel Corsa Rally 4.

Still better than nothing :)

[WRCStan]

Why?

Group A isn't set up for EVs, which a Rally4 needs.

They expecting this at WRC/ERC or just in Italy? How is it so great, what's the story?

[Humber]

How is the market for EV cars developing in Italy. I have yet to see a charger station rage story from Italy. "The Lancia Ypsilon Rally 4 HF is powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder 4-valve-per-cylinder engine that delivers 212 hp. Equipped with front-wheel drive with 5-speed mechanical transmission and mechanical limited-slip differential, the high-performance model is the ideal solution for all rally enthusiasts to enjoy but is also a serious candidate for drivers aspiring to victory in the R4 class and in the two-wheel drive championships."

When/ if Tesla make their small ev car some one should make a petrol engine Rally 4 version for a laugh.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

How does a rally car, powered by a petrol engine, promote the 100% EV Ypsilon HF ? Is it just a case of any publicity is good publicity for the brand / car and their rally heritage is just something to make use of ?

[WRCStan]

How does a rally car, powered by a petrol engine, promote the 100% EV Ypsilon HF ?

It's a brand positioning exercise IMO. Guessing with Citroen, Peugeot and Opel already using x% of the parts, and all these motorsports departments under one roof, it's probably easy for them to do it ahead of feasible EV motorsport in the future.

[saco0o]

How does a rally car, powered by a petrol engine, promote the 100% EV Ypsilon HF ? Is it just a case of any publicity is good publicity for the brand / car and their rally heritage is just something to make use of ?

its all b.s.
didnt hyundai just threatened to quit if they couldnt run the car they are stopping producing, with the hybrid package they buy from another maker? (i mean, its not even their stuff). nothing makes sense anymore

[NaBUru38]

The Lancia Ypsilon road car has a 1.2L gasoline engine.

[WRCStan]

The Lancia Ypsilon road car has a 1.2L gasoline engine.

But not the HF one they want to base this on.

[Walach]

They just market it as HF, in a very same manner that Skoda market their product as "Fabia RS Rally2" despite actual road-going Fabia RS not existing since 2014, same as Ford with the "Fiesta RS WRC" without actual RS version of Fiesta ever existing.
What an audacity.

[Eli]

They just market it as HF, in a very same manner that Skoda market their product as "Fabia RS Rally2" despite actual road-going Fabia RS not existing since 2014, same as Ford with the "Fiesta RS WRC" without actual RS version of Fiesta ever existing.
What an audacity.

It’s a bit sad they killed off all the small supermini hot hatches, and I’m sorry an ‘hot’ electric Ypsilon doesn’t cut it for me.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

They just market it as HF, in a very same manner that Skoda market their product as "Fabia RS Rally2" despite actual road-going Fabia RS not existing since 2014, same as Ford with the "Fiesta RS WRC" without actual RS version of Fiesta ever existing.
What an audacity.

But at least they all had the same power source as the rally cars (an ICE) and Ford did have performance versions of the Fiesta (ST) and an RS Focus. Even Hyundai had their N range of road cars to promote by rallying. But now none of these exist to buy. :(

Lancia are going even further though, promoting a future EV with an ICE rally car. Bizarre.

[Franky]

Lancia are going even further though, promoting a future EV with an ICE rally car. Bizarre.

They aren't promoting future EV. They are promoting Lancia. As long as the car looks like what you are selling, no one cares how it moves.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

They aren't promoting future EV. They are promoting Lancia. As long as the car looks like what you are selling, no one cares how it moves.

I get the publicity aspect, but can it work when the only people who will notice are rally fans who generally dont like EVs anyway?

[saco0o]

current 'car segment' used in wrc is the "b-segment small cars / subcompacts", right?
examples: c3, yaris, mini hatch, fiesta, fabia, ibiza, 208, a1...

is this your favorite car segment? cuz I feel we may be moving "up" in the next years, with all the SUV thing.
i think if i were to choose, i'd rather have segment-a cars (fiat500, picanto, up!, twingo, aygo, i10, citigo). i like those smaller cars with big wings, reminds me some of the hillclimb machines.
haha i also love those k-cars from japan. they seem very "oh, this is what road cars should look like". that and those weird "tuk-tuk' taxis they have all over asia haha

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ironically the boom in SUV popularity is just what EVs dont need, as with the batteries they have higher weight to lug around already.

But it seems the Manus dont care as they can make more profit selling big cars than small ones, hence the hatchbacks like Fords Fiesta and Focus dying out and the crossover Puma being the only choice.

[Mirek]

The choice of HF letters for both the rally CE and stock EV makes little sense indeed. On the ohter hand besides the old rally fans I gues nobody else cares and those will not buy the EV anyway.

Also the HF stands literally for "High Fidelity" and I don't remeber ever seeing a HiFi working without electricity :D

[Sal yet again]

The irony of all this for those of us old enough to remember Italian cars of days gone by is that the electrics lack of reliability were on a par with the poor build quality and ability of the car to rust before your eyes! The one thing most remember with passion is the quality of the engines something which is now is most definitely on its way out.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The irony of all this for those of us old enough to remember Italian cars of days gone by is that the electrics lack of reliability were on a par with the poor build quality and ability of the car to rust before your eyes!

In the UK, even in Lancia's rallying heyday, I doubt it encouraged many to actually buy a Lancia given their reputation. Maybe just the wealthy who could afford an Integrale and keep it out of the rain !

[WRCStan]

Europeans need to stop using the term SUV like it means anything other than being too fat/old/lazy/uncomfortable to crouch down into a car. Nothing wrong with being that, it's consumer's choice. But half the time they're neither sporty or utilitarian. Isn't there a better word?

[Katvala]

Europeans need to stop using the term SUV like it means anything other than being too fat/old/lazy/uncomfortable to crouch down into a car. Nothing wrong with being that, it's consumer's choice. But half the time they're neither sporty or utilitarian. Isn't there a better word?As everyone are shifting to SUV's nowadays we might as well start calling them "cars".

Sent from my M2012K11G using Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

At least VW have seen sense...

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/volkswagen-preparing-a-teeny-ps17k-electric-car-2027

[AndyRAC]

Europeans need to stop using the term SUV like it means anything other than being too fat/old/lazy/uncomfortable to crouch down into a car. Nothing wrong with being that, it's consumer's choice. But half the time they're neither sporty or utilitarian. Isn't there a better word?

Yeah, Sh1t Useless Vehicle........

[Sal yet again]

At least VW have seen sense...

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/volkswagen-preparing-a-teeny-ps17k-electric-car-2027

And thats the way EVs are going to have to go to get take up especially in the UK unless the business model moves totally away from purchasing a car outright to leasing/personal contract hire. Not that many can afford north of £35k for a half decent leccy car.

[saco0o]

good. give me an electric wrc class with that new vw, the r5 3e, the honda E and the fiat 500 electric. id enjoy that class if they are 380hp 4wd and race just on sunday's stages
hehehe (but please dont change a thing in ERC ffs)

[WRCStan]

And thats the way EVs are going to have to go to get take up especially in the UK unless the business model moves totally away from purchasing a car outright to leasing/personal contract hire. Not that many can afford north of £35k for a half decent leccy car.

If you can't afford a half decent electric car, you can't afford to facilitate charging a cheap one at home. Unless, perfect car for young twenty-somethings living with Mum and Dad in their new build off a roundabout on the bypass miles away from anything. These can at least facilitate charging at home. Folk in terraces, flats and housing schemes of northern towns cannot.

Might flog a few, not saying it's not worth doing, they've got to do it for now with these blinkered governments until the u-turns come. I wouldn't say price alone is affecting take up.

Also, can we just agree now that these won't be £17k in 2027?

[becher]

Yeah, Sh1t Useless Vehicle........

I'm under the impression the correct term was Stupid Usless Vehicle. I kept wondering why the manufacturers so openly told the consumer that they'd be paying extra for such a shitty product.

[Humber]

How many events does Ogier have left with Toyota for the rest of the season?

Ford are sharing EV platforms with VW, so Ford likely has a small ev on the way too. If the losses in the US don't sink them.

[saco0o]

Ford are sharing EV platforms with VW, so Ford likely has a small ev on the way too. If the losses in the US don't sink them.

i think they built a ford explorer in europe on the vw platform already? but its a suv/crossover.

[saco0o]

this is so rad. i always think "ahh i should watch this championship" but i have no money right now to pay for their broadcast
https://youtu.be/H9vzeZBLv5c?feature=shared

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I'm under the impression the correct term was Stupid Usless Vehicle. I kept wondering why the manufacturers so openly told the consumer that they'd be paying extra for such a shitty product.

Manus are creating the 'demand' for SUVs by pandering to the human instinct that bigger is better.

(If you take two cars to a tribe that's never seen a car, they will choose the biggest of the two.)

It's a crazy situation - manufacturers should be doing everything to educate people that lighter and smaller cars are better for economy and for the planet.

[Mirek]

Manus are creating the 'demand' for SUVs by pandering to the human instinct that bigger is better.

(If you take two cars to a tribe that's never seen a car, they will choose the biggest of the two.)

It's a crazy situation - manufacturers should be doing everything to educate people that lighter and smaller cars are better for economy and for the planet.

It's not that simple. The main thing which goes against the small light cars is the regulations. They are the reason why people prefer to buy large cars and also why manufacturers prefer to sell large cars (manus heavily advertising large cars is a consequence not a reason). It's a paradox but it's true.

The past decades brough two main development areas - safety and emissions. Year after year the regulations have been stricter. Every single car first got mandatory ABS, later ESP, than another stuff and than another. Same goes about the development in emissions. All of that costs money. A lot of money and what is important the mandatory stuff costs basically the same money to develop and to produce regardless the size of the vehicle. So the situation got to a point where these fixed expenses got so high that it was no more profitable to sell any car under certain relatively high price tag. Here goes the reasson why the manus like large cars like SUVs because they can sell them for price which gives them good profit even when they need to cover the expenses of the latest regulations. And it's also the reason why small cars got so expensive.

It's a paradox but less strict regulations about safety and emissions could actually help if they were accompanied with another measures like weight limits. The CO2 emissions are a function of consumption and the real consumption is mainly about weight and drag. Also cheaper smaller cars would likely lead to overall younger car park in most of the countries. Novadays we have great new cars but huge percentage of people still drives 20-30 years old cars and they don't give a shit about some emission limits.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

That sounds like a compelling argument.

But then how come many manufacturers still can and do sell small cars ?

These are just the best-sellers...

Toyota Yaris
Honda Jazz
Renault Clio
Vauxhall Corsa
Peugeot 208
Volkswagen Polo
Hyundai i10
SEAT Ibiza
Dacia Sandero
Kia Picanto
Škoda Fabia
Audi A1
Fiat New 500
Mini Hatch
Renault Zoe
Suzuki Swift
Volkswagen Up
Mazda 2

There's clearly still a substantial market for these cars, so it seems to me that those no longer making them, and just selling and promoting SUVs, are doing so purely for the extra profit to be made.

[Jarek Z]

Yesterday I had a yearly technical verification of my Focus at a local Ford dealer. While I was waiting for my car I had a look at their car showroom. I didn't find any small car. The smallest one was Puma and the cheapest one was 23 300 €. It's ridiculous. I had a talk with one of the employees and he told me that not only Ford gets rid of the small cars. He said that soon Skoda will stop selling Fabia and VW will stop selling Golf (although I'm not sure if I can believe him).

[Eli]

Yesterday I had a yearly technical verification of my Focus at a local Ford dealer. While I was waiting for my car I had a look at their car showroom. I didn't find any small car. The smallest one was Puma and the cheapest one was 23 300 €. It's ridiculous. I had a talk with one of the employees and he told me that not only Ford gets rid of the small cars. He said that soon Skoda will stop selling Fabia and VW will stop selling Golf (although I'm not sure if I can believe him).

Well the VW Polo will probably live until 2030: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/polo/363168/volkswagen-polo-will-live-end-decade-safety-and-tech-updates-planned

And since the Fabia is on the same platform (& the newer car of the two) it would be safe to assume that it would also live until then. Mind you the Polo got it’s facelift back in April 2021 & the new Fabia was introduced the following month in May 2021, so I think talking about their deaths is premature. Based on that I think the Golf would also live until 2030. Truth is, no one really knows what’s gonna go with the electrification process and how long it will actually take to phase out these cars. Yes, I’m aware by 2035 Europe will stop selling ICE cars but if history has taught us anything time and again is that things can always change, and nothing stays permanent. So even if we think this and that will happen in the future, we’re no fortune tellers and we have no way of actually knowing what will happen in the car industry.

[Mirek]

Well the VW Polo will probably live until 2030: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/polo/363168/volkswagen-polo-will-live-end-decade-safety-and-tech-updates-planned

And since the Fabia is on the same platform (& the newer car of the two) it would be safe to assume that it would also live until then. Mind you the Polo got it’s facelift back in April 2021 & the new Fabia was introduced the following month in May 2021, so I think talking about their deaths is premature. Based on that I think the Golf would also live until 2030. Truth is, no one really knows what’s gonna go with the electrification process and how long it will actually take to phase out these cars. Yes, I’m aware by 2035 Europe will stop selling ICE cars but if history has taught us anything time and again is that things can always change, and nothing stays permanent. So even if we think this and that will happen in the future, we’re no fortune tellers and we have no way of actually knowing what will happen in the car industry.

Škoda was selected to be responsible for the ICE cars within VAG in near future (the new Passat was already developed by Škoda as a variant of new Superb) so they will keep producing ICE cars for some time.

Anyway it's no secret that Fabia never was very profitable for Škoda. They always made most of the profit from Octavia and later I believe that Kodiaq must have been a gold mine for them.

@Jarek: Yes, Ford stopped sellling Fiesta in Europe.

I often travel to Bulgaria and it's good to see how EU looks far from Brussels. From what I could see there are virtually no small new cars there. The only new cars I meet there are few big expensive SUVs like Porsche or Mercedes or even some Teslas but all the common people drive old used cars brought from the West.

[Jarek Z]

@Jarek: Yes, Ford stopped sellling Fiesta in Europe.

Yes, I know that. And they will soon stop selling Focus either. But that means that the only cars available in the showroom were either big or super expensive - Ford Focus Station Wagon in RS version, Mustang, Puma, Kuga, Bronco (price: over 100 000 €) and a couple of Transits. There were no cars for "normal people".

[focus206]

Anyway it's no secret that Fabia never was very profitable for Škoda. They always made most of the profit from Octavia and later I believe that Kodiaq must have been a gold mine for them.


Really? I thought it was one of the best sellers, here in my zone of Italy Fabia Mk3 is a pretty common car, Octavia is quite rare. It's full of hatchbacks on the smaller size here, but I guess elsewhere is different.

[Franky]

I've gone through the new car options in Estonia and for me it was a nightmare. Was looking for something that's around 4.5m, at least 400l of boot space, decent fuel economy for city and an hatchback or station wagon/estate. As long as I can sit low, I prefer to be close to the ground.

Most cars with 400+ liter boot are at least 4,6m long. The biggest exception would be the Dacia Jogger but with that I wouldn't even know how to classify it. Size of the cars is one thing but when you go for hybrid, then the price tag makes you think what you get. Toyotas are relatively cheap but I don't like them. Top trim PHEVs are 45k+, the Focus mild hybrid is around 33k. Not convinced about PHEVs really, would rather go for a two car, ICE and electric, route then. And as I've understood mild hybrids are a hit and miss. Heard the new Subaru's are awful when it comes to using hybrid. In the end ended up choosing between Dacia Jogger, felt absurd to even consider a Dacia, and Honda Civic hybrid. I didn't test drive the Dacia but when top trim is 25k, you can't expect anything surprising. I test drove the Civic twice, first time about 100km and second time an hour in the city, seeing if I find a reason not to get it.

Civic has an unusual power train. The sales guys kept telling it has a two liter engine but it's effectively a generator as most of the time it's the electric motors driving you and the engine engages directly with single gear somewhere over 70 kmh. Haven't researched too much into the exact dark magic that goes on there. I liked how it drove, from taking it easy, to mixed driving to pushing it as much as I dared - think it could had gone faster than I dared. On the two times I drove it, the fuel economy was 5.1, 4.7 and 4.0. First one was over 60kms and pushing hard and casual driving. Second was three heavy accelerations to 150 or so and then city stop and go style. Last one was non rush hour city traffic. Anyway, now trying to haggle down the price as the top trim is about 41k.

Currently got a soon 11 year old Impreza hatch. If most of the driving wouldn't be in the city, then would continue with it as it has even gotten me through 4-5 hours of snow storm in full load without any issues. But modern times, need to go for something that likes to drink less.

Sorry for derailing your small car discussion with my head ache of choosing a new small family car :D

[Steve Boyd]

The trend of cars getting bigger & bigger has been continuing for decades.

The current Polo is considerably larger than the original Golf.

I have a current (just discontinued) model Fiesta. It is the same size as the Mk4 Cortina I bought 45 years ago. There was the Escort & the Fiesta that were smaller than the Cortina in those days.

That's why there's no room on the roads in towns. The cars have all got bigger but the roads are all still the same size . . .

No idea what I'm likely to buy next as the Fiesta is about as big as I can get through the garage door - 50 mm clearance each side. Might be time to forget modern cars & start looking at classics.

Maybe it's time for cars to be taxed on their width!

[Mirek]

Really? I thought it was one of the best sellers, here in my zone of Italy Fabia Mk3 is a pretty common car, Octavia is quite rare. It's full of hatchbacks on the smaller size here, but I guess elsewhere is different.

I meant that the profit from a single sold car was much lower with Fabia than with Octavia or Kodiaq.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I meant that the profit from a single sold car was much lower with Fabia than with Octavia or Kodiaq.

But if manufacturers sell many small cars they can still make a good profit as in the past.

The larger car argument is really to maximize profit on each vehicle sold and people are now getting less choice to avoid these needlessly large SUVs for normal road use.

The only possible 'advantage' of these cars over a traditional hatchback is the higher driving position. But in every other driving way they are worse - heavier, slower, less economical, worse handling, worse braking, harder to park etc etc.

[AndyRAC]

But if manufacturers sell many small cars they can still make a good profit as in the past.

The larger car argument is really to maximize profit on each vehicle sold and people are now getting less choice to avoid these needlessly large SUVs for normal road use.

The only possible 'advantage' of these cars over a traditional hatchback is the higher driving position. But in every other driving way they are worse - heavier, slower, less economical, worse handling, worse braking, harder to park etc etc.

I get a bit fed up with hearing the 'higher driving position' excuse. Most people would be better off getting some further training (including Advanced driving), and becoming more aware of what's around them = better drivers. And they'd save money in not having to buy an overpriced SUV......

[Mirek]

But if manufacturers sell many small cars they can still make a good profit as in the past.

The larger car argument is really to maximize profit on each vehicle sold and people are now getting less choice to avoid these needlessly large SUVs for normal road use.

The only possible 'advantage' of these cars over a traditional hatchback is the higher driving position. But in every other driving way they are worse - heavier, slower, less economical, worse handling, worse braking, harder to park etc etc.

Of course the economy of scale works but it's a virtue of necessity and a road to hell. You want to sell what makes you more money because only if you make a lot of money you can invest into technologies, R&D and skilled people. Once you go the road of low profit products you are bound to be run over by the Asian competitors. In Europe we have high expenses and the only way to stay competitive on the market is to sell high quality products.

[mknight]

I get a bit fed up with hearing the 'higher driving position' excuse. Most people would be better off getting some further training (including Advanced driving), and becoming more aware of what's around them = better drivers. And they'd save money in not having to buy an overpriced SUV......

"Higher driving position" is for the majority of older people about getting in and out of the car easier.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I get a bit fed up with hearing the 'higher driving position' excuse. Most people would be better off getting some further training (including Advanced driving), and becoming more aware of what's around them = better drivers. And they'd save money in not having to buy an overpriced SUV......

I totally agree. People seem to like it but mainly because it makes them feel safer and rather superior, not because they can drive any better.

[deephouse]

I totally agree. People seem to like it but mainly because it makes them feel safer and rather superior, not because they can drive any better.

Absolutely true, I think that cars are getting bigger, more tech inside, newer, but people become worse at driving. I'm a lot on road and see literaly everything, it doesn't surprise me anymore.

[Kras]

"Higher driving position" is for the majority of older people about getting in and out of the car easier.

Major reason for everyone wanting an SUV is automotive industry manufacturing demand for SUVs for the better part of the last 2 decades. They can sell you the same car on 2 inches higher springs for a couple thousand more. Thats why for years they intentionaly made non-SUV/non-crossover cars feel cheaper and have less options then their SUV counterparts. They'll skimp on plastic trim just make a Kona look more premium than an i20, even tho its the same fucking car.

All the talk about higher driving position, ease of getting in and out etc. are just excuses. People want SUVs because everyone has them and they are seen as the more premium option.

[mknight]

Major reason for everyone wanting an SUV is automotive industry manufacturing demand for SUVs for the better part of the last 2 decades. They can sell you the same car on 2 inches higher springs for a couple thousand more. Thats why for years they intentionaly made non-SUV/non-crossover cars feel cheaper and have less options then their SUV counterparts. They'll skimp on plastic trim just make a Kona look more premium than an i20, even tho its the same fucking car.

All the talk about higher driving position, ease of getting in and out etc. are just excuses. People want SUVs because everyone has them and they are seen as the more premium option.

I applaud your absolute truth

[/Sarcasm, in case you don't get it]

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It's like with Ford scrapping the classic Fiesta hatch, including the brilliant ST, but making the Puma which is based on exactly the same platform and engines.

And specifically on the Puma ST why would you want a sporty car when it's heavier, uglier and with a higher centre of gravity ?!

[Kras]

I applaud your absolute truth

[/Sarcasm, in case you don't get it]

Like it or not, people are suckers for status and companies are more aware of it than ever. Spend 100 more Euros on fancy trim plastics for wheel arches, flashier headlights and 2 tone side mirrors, lift it by 2cm and you can now sell the car for 2k EURO more.

Added bonus for manufacturers is a lot more women around the world are driving than ever before. Women mostly dont care about cars beyond looks and are in general bigger spenders

[becher]

It's like with Ford scrapping the classic Fiesta hatch, including the brilliant ST, but making the Puma which is based on exactly the same platform and engines.

And specifically on the Puma ST why would you want a sporty car when it's heavier, uglier and with a higher centre of gravity ?!

I agree with you, and I hate the direction the automotive industry is going, but I'm sure the ship has sailed.

Sensible cars and nice cars for enthusiasts are (soon) a thing of the past.

[TypeR]

Grown-up men getting upset about people buying SUV's.. funny.. :D

[becher]

Grown-up men getting upset about people buying SUV's.. funny.. :D
Regardless of your mode of transport, the bigger the cars the worse it is to navigate traffic. Also if you don't want a fat box on 19 inch rims you are out of luck because soon enough you will hardly be able to buy something else even second hand.

To you it might be funny, to someone who navigates traffic for a living it is a mayor annoyance and costs me money on a daily basis as traffic would be much smoother and faster if people wouldn't block the roads because they can't fit their chelsea tractor down the narrow roads or you're unable to see oncoming traffic on a junction because people park their two meter high cars in the junction area and block your vision.

[saco0o]

did someone watched kalle's debut in the porsche cup? i wish he had won in his debut. that would have been rad. interesting but porsche cup is not my thing. not going to watch others race, no no.

[manthey]

did someone watched kalle's debut in the porsche cup? i wish he had won in his debut. that would have been rad. interesting but porsche cup is not my thing. not going to watch others race, no no.

great performance and maybe Toyota just fund a driver also for wec/hypercar. I read Kalle will the top level TS hybrid

[WRCStan]

Anybody know where I can watch Le Mans 24hr for free?

[saco0o]

Anybody know where I can watch Le Mans 24hr for free?

https://www.youtube.com/live/5stdvNFbZf4?feature=shared
Brazilian broadcast tho

[saco0o]

Anybody know where I can watch Le Mans 24hr for free?

this one seems to be ok too, with the english broadcast https://www.youtube.com/live/BRjmBHWcZqU?feature=shared
idk if thats official, so it can be turned off . the brazilian broadcast (link last post) is official. if you filter your YouTube search with "live", theres a few of them in some other languages. and lots of official onboard broadcast from all the brands! #goFerrari

[WRCStan]

https://www.youtube.com/live/5stdvNFbZf4?feature=shared
Brazilian broadcast tho

Thanks but blocked in my country.

€50 for official race feed.

I asked here because I thought I'd been told many times how good the publicity and promotion of WEC is and that WRC should follow their lead, but maybe I'm confusing this with some other form of motorsport I don't normally watch.

I'll leave the dodgy stream and wait for the football instead.

[saco0o]

Thanks but blocked in my country.
.

that second link is open. they have some stuff message in the middle of the image, but its temporary.
euro24? arent u from ceskia?

[saco0o]

More 24h Le Mans open here (at least for me)
English: https://www.youtube.com/live/kreARSgU6Oc?feature=shared

https://www.youtube.com/live/ENWZEIzUkPg?feature=shared

[saco0o]

toyota running pajari, msport's sponsor running sesks... im waiting on hyundai to run someone else too, since they pushed hard for keeping rally1s. need to have space for new guys. oli, lindholm, llarena would the next names for rally1? is there another stronger name than these right now?

[rp]

toyota running pajari, msport's sponsor running sesks... im waiting on hyundai to run someone else too, since they pushed hard for keeping rally1s. need to have space for new guys. oli, lindholm, llarena would the next names for rally1? is there another stronger name than these right now?

llarena! Are you serious?

[saco0o]

llarena! Are you serious?
Sure! Spanish champ, Rally3 champ, ERC champ. Id have him higher than Oli in my list tbh

[SubaruNorway]

Sure! Spanish champ, Rally3 champ, ERC champ. Id have him higher than Oli in my list tbh

...

[saco0o]

is this for real? haha am i missing some rallying's inside joke?
https://youtu.be/UHctk-oiU5k?feature=shared