[WRC] COPEC Rally Chile 2019

[AnttiL]

Route here https://www.rally-maps.com/Rally-Chile-2019

Only a month until the rally but we don't now much about it. I managed to find some onboards from the 2017 rally of stages that are driven this year

SS1 2:27 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAn8QBVJvZU&feature=youtu.be&t=147
SS9 0:47 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUABH_EJFhU
SS16 2:21 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upvHLHQ3i18

The first one is really narrow and technical amid vegetation, a bit like the "jungle" stages on the Sunday of last year's Rally Australia. SS9 meanwhile is like a Mid-Wales stage with cambered corners and occasionally narrower part. The fog and rain help with the association to Wales, although the pine trees could be straight from Finland!. SS16 is yet another story, quite wide and fast-flowing roads like New Zealand or Nambucca in Australia.

For sure this will be nothing like Rally Argentina, and quite different to what the current calendar offers. I'm really excited about it!

[Co-driven]

First round of RallyMobil was this weekend. On Sunday, 3 stages were cancelled. Apparently, some drivers had problems during refuelling in a Copec gas station. The top 3 couldn't start one stage (in Chile, the start order is inverse, first the 2wd cars and last the R5 drivers).

So, because of all the delay, the organisers decided to cancel 3 stages in order to run the power stage on the scheduled time, with live coverage on local television and through the internet.

[flykas]

Route here https://www.rally-maps.com/Rally-Chile-2019

Only a month until the rally but we don't now much about it. I managed to find some onboards from the 2017 rally of stages that are driven this year

SS1 2:27 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAn8QBVJvZU&feature=youtu.be&t=147
SS9 0:47 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUABH_EJFhU
SS16 2:21 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upvHLHQ3i18

The first one is really narrow and technical amid vegetation, a bit like the "jungle" stages on the Sunday of last year's Rally Australia. SS9 meanwhile is like a Mid-Wales stage with cambered corners and occasionally narrower part. The fog and rain help with the association to Wales, although the pine trees could be straight from Finland!. SS16 is yet another story, quite wide and fast-flowing roads like New Zealand or Nambucca in Australia.

For sure this will be nothing like Rally Argentina, and quite different to what the current calendar offers. I'm really excited about it!

Oh that looks really interesting. It will be exciting to see this new round.

[AnttiL]

The itinerary was updated. Initially the plan was to have 3 + 3 stages in Friday with only a tyre change in between, but instead they dropped the second repeat of SS1 and went to a proper service in between. It would have been quite outrageous to do 6 stages on a new rally without being able to change the setup. And according to the video I posted above SS1 will be the one of the trickiest stages of the rally, if not the most. But this change means now there are three forest stages in the rally which are to be driven only once.

[pantealex]

Early info says that there will be lot of RC2/R5 cars ;)

[pantealex]

4.1. closINg DatE for ENtrIEs
competitors wishing to take part in the 2019 rally copec chile must submit their entry form duly completed before tuesday april 09th 2019, at 18.00hrs (gmt -4 hours)

so entry is closed.
RallyGuide 2 will be out later this week.

[Co-driven]

Early info says that there will be lot of RC2/R5 cars ;)

At least 16 cars from National Championship + all the other WRC2 competitors...

I am curious to know how these drivers from Chile will do with tyres. On RallyMobil they must use Cooper Tires.

[AnttiL]

Bertelli is doing the event https://twitter.com/fuckmatie37/status/1117724516560580609

[Jarek Z]

Early info says that there will be lot of RC2/R5 cars ;)

One of them will be Kajto's VW Polo R5. He announced today that right after Rally Argentina, he is going to Chile:
http://kajto.pl/en/news/argentina-and-chile-new-challenges-for-kajetanowicz-and-szczepaniak/

[AnttiL]

Kalle was also planning on doing the event

[Andre Oliveira]

63 entries: https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/54463-copec-rally-chile-2019/

[AnttiL]

https://itgetsfasternow.com/2019/04/29/route-preview-rally-chile-2019/

Route Preview. Looks like an interesting rally. The overall character of the roads is the same throughout the rally (opposed to a rally like Argentina where each day is different) but the speed and level of technicality changes from stage to another.

[Rallyper]

Anyone know - will Marco Bulacia Wilkingson drive in Chile ?

[arko5]

Kajetanowicz will not start becouse of problem with Polo's suspension
https://www.facebook.com/KajetanKajetanowicz/posts/2582673391765913?__tn__=K-R

[Kaps]

It's Wilkinson, not WilkinGson

You better fix that for pick'ems, if the system automatically recognizes Wilkingson, whoever picks Wilkinson, and writes him correctly, will have a problem.

[Rallyper]

It's Wilkinson, not WilkinGson

You better fix that for pick'ems, if the system automatically recognizes Wilkingson, whoever picks Wilkinson, and writes him correctly, will have a problem.

My bad, but I haven´t started Pickem yet. And for Pickems I will have list of entries reread several times.

But does he start, or is it a non question... ;)

[racerx1979]

Anyone know - will Marco Bulacia Wilkingson drive in Chile ?

They're waiting for the JB Weld to dry on his repaired cage. Should be good to go! ;)

[dimviii]

https://rallysportmag.com/accommodation-scandal-hits-rally-chile/

[bomber21]

Not a good start for Rally Chile...

[AnttiL]

Hyundai press preview https://motorsport.hyundai.com/new-challenges-chile/

[tommeke_B]

https://rallysportmag.com/accommodation-scandal-hits-rally-chile/

I thought this was quite common with big rallies...

[the sniper]

I thought this was quite common with big rallies...

Yeah, look at the prices in Jyvaskyla for any week other than the week of the rally! The bad part is cancelling Booking.com reservations that were made before the prices went up... But that isn't what the article highlights.

[racerx1979]

What's happening in Chile is the hotels are just now realizing there is a huge event taking place. They are now canceling bookings made previously so they can charge 5 times the rate. Horrible, but what do you accept from a 3rd world nation....

[Rallyper]

Yeah, look at the prices in Jyvaskyla for any week other than the week of the rally! The bad part is cancelling Booking.com reservations that were made before the prices went up... But that isn't what the article highlights.

Not more than 100% rise.

[EstWRC]

Toyota preview https://youtu.be/ZwrNCvHe2To

[AnttiL]

Citroen preview https://media.citroenracing.com/en/c3-wrc-tastes-chile-first-time

[AnttiL]

Fresh pictures from today. It has rained heavily during the weekend but the forecast for next week is dry.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D50Y-MVW0DsYrpS.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D50ZBHWWAAAroAh.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D50cDR7X4AQyw0p.jpg

https://twitter.com/rockollector/status/1125086348468207621

[EstWRC]

the first picture looks like rally finland stage

[Allez Andruet]

Fresh pictures from today.
Chile doesn't look like that. That's Wales if anything.

[OHL]

Chile doesn't look like that. That's Wales if anything.

That's definitely Chile. Maybe we should call it Rally Chales.

[mknight]

With smooth roads without much loose on top Toyotas should do very well in first passes and Citroens struggle. How rough the roads get for second pass is a very good question. Also that downwards camber on the last picture is typically problematic for Hyundais, but it's just on one pic.

[EstWRC]

more pics on this account https://twitter.com/rockollector

[mknight]

Looks much more rough:
https://twitter.com/rockollector/status/1125122435035086848

[the sniper]

The road surface there looks similar to that found in mid-Wales, not just the topography.

[steve.mandzij]

It reminds me of the current Australia event, at least in scenery.

[AnttiL]

Looks much more rough:
https://twitter.com/rockollector/status/1125122435035086848

Not really rough, just loose stones on top of a firm road surface. That picture also points towards the edge of the road and there's typically a clear path on the road and the edges have loose stuff.

[AnttiL]

More pics

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D52W8qOWsAEazQD.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D52W8qOWAAAVRcF.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D52W8qOXoAAuwrC.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D52W8qMWkAAUU0q.jpg

https://twitter.com/Omar_AvilaARG/status/1125221660511080448

[Eli]

It looks (imho) a bit like Wales if Wales were high up in the mountains.

[AnttiL]

It looks (imho) a bit like Wales if Wales were high up in the mountains.

Yeah. Some stages have sections like in Mexico or Turkey where you climb up through a series of hairpins or you drive stuck between a bank and a ravine. There's a lot of ascending and descending in almost all of the stages.

[KiwiWRCfan]

Livestream
WRC2 and WRC2pro test day
https://www.facebook.com/mundorallycl/videos/2244911005574520/

[er88]

Looks like Scottish forests roads when they're dry.

[Barreis]

looks nice

[AnttiL]

https://twitter.com/rockollector/status/1125476328000643072

Some footage from the WRC2 test today

And results

http://anarerally.cl/Resultados/tiemposPrime.php?date=1557171998&cboPrueba=20&cboClase=-#

[wrc2017]

Looks very much like Chile

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nothing like the Chile desert used in the Dakar so no knowledge to be passed on by Loeb to the Hyundai drivers.

[Rallyper]

Proper rallystages looking good for, - Latvala.

New stages for all drivers makes me also think Latvala could be succesful in Chile...

[AnttiL]

Proper rallystages looking good for, - Latvala.


True. I'm just afraid it will take five years for him to find the golden setup for Chile, and it's not certain whether Latvala himself or Rally Chile will stick around for long enough. It's more of a question whether he can just focus on the driving like in Sweden 2017.

[Rallyper]

True. I'm just afraid it will take five years for him to find the golden setup for Chile, and it's not certain whether Latvala himself or Rally Chile will stick around for long enough. It's more of a question whether he can just focus on the driving like in Sweden 2017.

Setup issues is for all drivers. Latvala should know.

[AnttiL]

Just drove ss1, my only thought is: why the hell im not driving this rally. Just a great stage with a mix of everything. There was also some mud and a watersplash after last weeks rains. Interesting to see how it changes for the rally. Next SS2.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5-uWS2WsAEpXiu.jpg



https://twitter.com/Krisse_Sohlberg/status/1125810136189153280

[EstWRC]

im really loving what ive seen so far, like you guys said, proper fast, flowing, very nice looking stages.


Since its a new rally i dont know what to predict here, Toyotas should be very good on these type of stages and Hyundai maybe struggling a bit?

I just really dont know.

Exciting!

[AnttiL]

im really loving what ive seen so far, like you guys said, proper fast, flowing, very nice looking stages.


Since its a new rally i dont know what to predict here, Toyotas should be very good on these type of stages and Hyundai maybe struggling a bit?

I just really dont know.

Exciting!

Exactly. I would also think it will be slippery for the first cars with no rain all week, but difficult to know how damp it will be in the forests. And Fords should suit this event, having even tested in similar conditions.

[racerx1979]

Nueville will struggle... Loeb not a big fan of fast rallies (ie Finland). I think Hyundais might struggle, but you never know. Toyota's will do well along with MSport. I'm curious how Citroen will do... Mads did well in Finland last year.

[er88]

With the cleaning I think Loeb and Mikkelsen will be huge challengers for the win, or should be.

Just because Hyundai aren't great in Finland means nothing in terms of this event. In other fast gravel events (and Sweden) they've been on the pace, like Wales, Poland, Australia etc. Portugal is nice and flowing in places as well and they've gone well there too. Finland is unique

[EstWRC]

SS2. Lost in words really. Just an amazing stage. Wow! There was something that reminded me about New Zealand, something of Australia, something of Finland and also GB. An amazing stage. Now even more im just kicking myself. #wrc #chile #rally

SS3 continues the same, surface changes many times and also grip level because of this. There was some fog today, would make it even more interesting. #wrc #chile #recce


https://twitter.com/krisse_sohlberg/status/1125837135624404992?s=21

[EstWRC]

https://scontent.fhen1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/59837207_2192456910834199_7089695660739395584_o.jp g?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent.fhen1-1.fna&oh=8f45034aec800f367aaa466237ff0167&oe=5D61F9A7
https://scontent.fhen1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60124092_2192456864167537_8498930024613675008_o.jp g?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent.fhen1-1.fna&oh=8c31dea818e8f887c42188e6558d7f3b&oe=5D731786
https://scontent.fhen1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/59562917_1209698949185618_2128039399043104768_o.jp g?_nc_cat=103&_nc_ht=scontent.fhen1-1.fna&oh=1191a426827cc3f0a74546e6be161238&oe=5D2E353E
https://scontent.fhen1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/59609569_1209698959185617_8721270362584645632_o.jp g?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent.fhen1-1.fna&oh=d6ef167afd889eed30250ccc2395b6d1&oe=5D2ACC9E
https://scontent.fhen1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/59699851_1209699015852278_6377321634721693696_o.jp g?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent.fhen1-1.fna&oh=debf710e4d6c2d39a9263b54e9d858ef&oe=5D5D2823


credit https://www.facebook.com/atWorldphotography/
https://www.facebook.com/timoanisphotography/

[AnttiL]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5_sX-lWAAEy13C.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5_sX-3WsAEFV67.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5_sX-bXsAEdftG.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5_sX9LXkAE3Tyf.jpg

https://twitter.com/Becsywecsy/status/1125878367805419521

[AnttiL]

Some rain forecasted for Thursday! could be enough to pack the loose gravel with some sections already being damp.

[Gevin]

Some rain forecasted for Thursday! could be enough to pack the loose gravel with some sections already being damp.

Shows a bit rain on thursday to SS1 on friday. So i bet we will see a bit damp conditions for first pass.

https://www.upload.ee/image/9932039/Screen_Shot_2019-05-08_at_08.59.51_1.png

[EstWRC]

it just all comes together this year for Neuville, isnt it ?

[er88]

Stages and scenery look absolutely beautiful. Can't wait for this rally to start.

Would be a shame if the rain comes, was sort of hoping to see a bit of cleaning so the likes of Loeb/Lappi/Latvala etc could get right up the front and challenge for a great result. Maybe they'll do that anyway

[AnttiL]

Would be a shame if the rain comes, was sort of hoping to see a bit of cleaning so the likes of Loeb/Lappi/Latvala etc could get right up the front and challenge for a great result. Maybe they'll do that anyway
Yeah, at this point no one knows how the surface will react to conditions. Or who has the best setup and pace notes for the roads.

[EstWRC]

doesnt seem to be much to be honest (if i have the right region) https://www.yr.no/place/Chile/B%C3%ADo-B%C3%ADo/Concepción/long.html

E: friday and saturday stages are more in south https://www.yr.no/place/Chile/B%C3%ADo-B%C3%ADo/Laraquete/

[AnttiL]

Just go to my blog ;) and see automatically updating 48 hour forecasts for each stage location from yr.no https://itgetsfasternow.com/2019/04/29/route-preview-rally-chile-2019/

For example this is for the long Friday stage El Puma

https://www.yr.no/place/Chile/B%C3%ADo-B%C3%ADo/Curanilahue/meteogram.png

[Gevin]

Well, im just looking weather forcast and now it shows even more rain on thursday, and raining almost all day. So it will be damp stages for sure.


https://www.upload.ee/image/9932409/Screen_Shot_2019-05-08_at_12.19.56.png

[racerx1979]

Even rain gods scared of Adamo...

[EstWRC]

something happened with Loeb on the recce

E: Loeb'S Little accident
Slight clash against a truck in the acknowledgments. Without consequences

https://twitter.com/victorlopez_wrc/status/1126112784213848064

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6DBmd_XoAAW-Ua?format=jpg&name=small
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6DQmwxXkAAytCP.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Get a taste of what the Chilean stages will be like - onboard the Ford Fiesta R5 with @GreensmithGus and @EAERallying at their pre-event test... https://t.co/BVQ2msgIMn

[Fast Eddie WRC]

@ SebastienLoeb 2 minutes ago
Rest assured, everything is fine. It happened on the road. A truck was coming in the opposite direction and we hit it. Nothing serious. We continue the day as planned!

[wrc2017]

Get a taste of what the Chilean stages will be like - onboard the Ford Fiesta R5 with @GreensmithGus and @EAERallying at their pre-event test... https://t.co/BVQ2msgIMn

Seem very sandy.. will cut up badly?

[AnttiL]

Seem very sandy.. will cut up badly?

That stage sure seemed soft. It was also run up to 19 times by 20 R5 cars

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Bertelli's Fiesta for Chile

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5-03OJW4AA53LF.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Teemu Suninen Racing

We finished the recce already but still need to watch ten stages from the onboard videos. Quick lunch and the work continues. I know there are many comparisons already but somehow these Rally Chile stages remind me of hard-based roads in Poland.

[EstWRC]

"Im hearing the roads are like in Finland and Poland"

https://cdn-5.motorsport.com/images/mgl/6zlWzrJ2/s8/wrc-rally-finland-2018-ott-tanak-toyota-gazoo-racing.jpg

[mknight]

There is actually quite a difference between Finland and Poland. Some drivers that were very fast in Finland have struggled in Poland (Meeke, Østberg), while Mikkelsen was the opposite.
Similar stuff with the cars as well, Hyundai was the fastest car in Poland 2017 and slowest in Finland the same year.

So while it's interesting to fill time with speculation it's very much wild guessing atm.

[EstWRC]

Beginning of ss1 https://twitter.com/paulking_11/status/1126160249851908097?s=21

Miikka Anttila

Recce ✅
The stages are nice! It’s a combination of Wales, Finland, Australia and New Zealand. Roads are fast and flowing and the risk of tyre damage is low in this rally, which is good!

#WRC #RallyChile #TOYOTA #YarisWRC

[AnttiL]

There is actually quite a difference between Finland and Poland. Some drivers that were very fast in Finland have struggled in Poland (Meeke, Østberg), while Mikkelsen was the opposite.
Similar stuff with the cars as well, Hyundai was the fastest car in Poland 2017 and slowest in Finland the same year.

In my view the fast parts of Chile resemble Poland by having these long round crests and long fast sections with only slight corners, which you don't get often in Finland. SS14 is also run on fast, uncambered and narrow roads which is maybe a bit Poland-like. It's difficult for me to say about the surface without being there.

The biggest difference to Finland and Poland is the mountain like terrain, you go often long sections ascending or descending. Meanwhile, Finland has more sharp crests which send the car airborne all the time without being bumpy or rough, something that Poland and Chile, or actually all other rallies lack.

[AnttiL]

Today's weather forecast gives still some rain for the Friday stages for today but less than yesterday. I think we'll soon hear reports from the location how it really turns out.

[EstWRC]

ShaKedown is at 16.00 European times ,yes ? 17.00 Estonian and Finland time

10.00 am local time.

[AnttiL]

ShaKedown is at 16.00 European times ,yes ? 17.00 Estonian and Finland time

10.00 am local time.

Yes, should be like that

[EstWRC]

Yes. Many sites have this wrong with an hour. Mostly Estonian sites but I’m not surprised and I don’t know why I even bother with them.

[tc10a]

Yes. Many sites have this wrong with an hour. Mostly Estonian sites but I’m not surprised and I don’t know why I even bother with them.

Start time of shakedown was changed from 11.00 to 10.00 local yesterday.
https://www.copecrallychile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1.3-Bulletin-3-2.pdf

Also some starttimes of stages have changed in new itinerary.

[EstWRC]

Start time of shakedown was changed from 11.00 to 10.00 local yesterday.
https://www.copecrallychile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1.3-Bulletin-3-2.pdf.

No, it wasn’t. It was 10 am already on Monday or Tuesday when I checked it.

[tc10a]

No, it wasn’t. It was 10 am already on Monday or Tuesday when I checked it.

Official only since yesterday, dont get an argument.

But some pages had from the beginning a error in their time zone calculation, maybe thats why.

[tc10a]

Wet surface at the shakedown stage

[lnvs]

But some pages had from the beginning a error in their time zone calculation, maybe thats why.eWRC has GMT+1 behind every time but it should be GMT+2, they are still living winter time. (and they should't even use GMT anymore, it's UTC)

[EstWRC]

its like looking a wales gb rally not chile at the moment

[Rallyper]

Yes. Many sites have this wrong with an hour. Mostly Estonian sites but I’m not surprised and I don’t know why I even bother with them.

WRC.com said 11.00 local time on the Itinerary from March...

[TypeR]

Gus and Mads with pretty good times, in comparison with WRCs

[dimviii]

"After Argentina, I went on a trip to America with a friend. We went to Los Angeles and Las Vegas for example. It allowed to change the ideas and stay more or less in the same time difference, "said Neuville at the microphone of our colleague Olivier Gaspard, special correspondent of RTBF in Chile.

"The Chile Rally is a mix of the event in England, Australia and some fast games like in Finland. It's a good mix. The specials look nice: some sections seem pretty winding, others may be too fast. The reconnaissance was difficult, there was a lot of fog. It may be hot! I think this is a field that can suit us. The Friday specials are not too penalizing from the point of view of the sweep. Friday will be the key. Being first on the road, we may discover some pitfalls first. We want to start on a good rhythm from the first stage. The final podium? I will say Tanak, Neuville and Ogier, "then analyzed the Hyundai driver.

https://www.rtbf.be/sport/moteurs/rallye/wrc/detail_neuville-le-chili-est-un-bon-melange-ca-risque-d-etre-chaud?id=10215747

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Local fans enjoying Tanak !

https://twitter.com/victorlopez_wrc/status/1126494575181352968

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Finn Mafia ! ;)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6IjpwJU8AAMVPI.jpg

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6ImKSwUIAEv36K.jpg

[dimviii]

Ogier
https://twitter.com/RallyingUK/status/1126503980387848193

https://twitter.com/victorlopez_wrc/status/1126497174618038272

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Loeb is still 8.5s slower than Meeke after 3 runs of SD ...

[Co-FIN]

..

[TypeR]

But Kalle was faster tho..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

by now yes! he has good pace

interesting that Latvala, Tänak and Mikkelsen hasn't done 3rd round

[racerx1979]

Loeb is still 8.5s slower than Meeke after 3 runs of SD ...

Way off pace... Even though it's only shakedown he's putting up WRC 2 times

[er88]

Loeb is irrelevant on shakedown. Don't read anything into it, he's set some horrible SD times in the last year since he's returned.

[EstWRC]

It has dried up a lot it seems. Mikkelsen, Tänak and latvala just did their third runs and way faster than the guys who did it an hour ago

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Loeb is irrelevant on shakedown. Don't read anything into it, he's set some horrible SD times in the last year since he's returned.

Loeb SD ends 7.5sec down on team-mate Mikkelsen. Let's see how he goes on the rally proper.

[denkimi]

Loeb SD ends 7.5sec down on team-mate Mikkelsen. Let's see how he goes on the rally proper.

4,5 seconds now.

[mknight]

I wouldn't read much into it. Loeb has bever been fast on SD if he didn't need to (SD was qualifying for road positions at one point). Also last year on Mexico SD he was one of the slowest then fought in the top during the rally. This is somewhat comparable situation since he said he has not driven on wet gravel for 6 years.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Thats what I was thinking. A new rally is a level playing field and Loeb could've took on the rest for the win.

But then years away from wet gravel seems could penalise him.

Hopefully the rally stages may be drier.

[EstWRC]

shakedown re-live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rl7-q5xWyQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbdskj9ho5E

[dimviii]

But Kalle was faster tho..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6JREDEXkAAZFED.jpg

[Allez Andruet]

Just imagine how good this J. Martínez Fontana is, if he's able to beat both Kalle and Mads. Maybe he'll be the one replacing either Latvala or Meeke in 2020!

[dimviii]

Mads Østberg
‏ @MadsOstberg


Wet & slippery at SD today, Wales'ish almost. As in Sweden, not the most favourable surface for us, but this rally is the last rally before udated version for Portugal. I'm still confident regarding our chances to do well here in @RallyMobilChile #WRC2PRO #C3R5

[mknight]

Just imagine how good this J. Martínez Fontana is, if he's able to beat both Kalle and Mads. Maybe he'll be the one replacing either Latvala or Meeke in 2020!
He set the time on a drying road after the 45ish minute break while Kalle and Mads did theirs before. Just like Mikkelsen, Tänak, Latvala, Evans and Loeb set their fastest times.

[racerx1979]

He set the time on a drying road after the 45ish minute break while Kalle and Mads did theirs before. Just like Mikkelsen, Tänak, Latvala, Evans and Loeb set their fastest times.

He will crash on day one...

[dimviii]

https://scontent.flgg1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/59768645_1185214398330606_916342100214153216_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent.flgg1-1.fna&oh=f94aa896b109901bcf565cabc6fbd546&oe=5D5B5C41
https://scontent.flgg1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/59934466_1185214414997271_685305999657009152_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent.flgg1-1.fna&oh=06ce7dd2bf067e58c2f0ba810ecfc6fc&oe=5D5E8DF0
https://scontent.flgg1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60095340_1185214374997275_8217028832528433152_n.jp g?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent.flgg1-1.fna&oh=2f81f2d492d00775de014f4a0d86c455&oe=5D7192D2

[Rally Power]

Just imagine how good this J. Martínez Fontana is, if he's able to beat both Kalle and Mads. Maybe he'll be the one replacing either Latvala or Meeke in 2020!

After the PRO split, WRC2 series are a sort of elimination races, quite boring to follow. Having local crews fighting with regulars can spice it a bit. Btw, according to eWRC Fontena is a former Chile rally champ.

[EstWRC]

incredible atmosphere at the ceremonial start https://twitter.com/richmillener/status/1126655351296811008
https://twitter.com/thierryneuville/status/1126650095750066176
https://twitter.com/OttTanak/status/1126673807622721537


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6KMzV4WkAABVaS.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6KvPCHWAAAhRTb.jpg

[AnttiL]

Apparently FIA has given a warning to the Rally Chile organizers because spectators were on prohibited areas on the shakedown. There was also a weird incident where a police rode his motorcycle on the stage while it was still live and an R5 car passed him quite close.

https://twitter.com/___AndresG/status/1126531270664650753

[steve.mandzij]

incredible atmosphere at the ceremonial start https://twitter.com/richmillener/status/1126655351296811008
https://twitter.com/thierryneuville/status/1126650095750066176
https://twitter.com/OttTanak/status/1126673807622721537


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6KMzV4WkAABVaS.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6KvPCHWAAAhRTb.jpgI'm getting the impression that there's some sort of contractual obligation for everyone to be reeeeeeeeeally positive about Chile and everything that has to do with it to make it appealing. I don't recall the same excitement and volume of media posts and thank yous for Turkey last year.

[JUF]

I don't recall the same excitement and volume of media posts and thank yous for Turkey last year.

I think there are mainly two reasons for this:

1. Chile does have a lively local rally scene and the Chileans are really enthusiastic about rallying.
2. Chile is politically a lot less problematic than Turkey. Chile has a democracy while Turkey´s political system reminds more of a dictatorship.

[EstWRC]

Michelin Motorsport
‏
Verified account

@Michelin_Sport
16s16 seconds ago
More
#Tyre info - Day 1 morning

All the Michelin @OfficialWRC drivers with 5 MICHELIN LTX Force Medium (M6)

[AnttiL]

Michelin Motorsport
‏
Verified account

@Michelin_Sport
16s16 seconds ago
More
#Tyre info - Day 1 morning

All the Michelin @OfficialWRC drivers with 5 MICHELIN LTX Force Medium (M6)

Apart from Monte, we haven't seen a lot of variation within tyre choices this season...

[EstWRC]

and we are gooooo

[AL14]

Finally back to action. Good rally everyone :)

[AL14]

IS it me or sometimes it's darker than that episode of Game of Thrones?

[mknight]

Apart from Monte, we haven't seen a lot of variation within tyre choices this season...

Maybe this is also caused by the addition of the new Medium compound last year. Before it was quite a large step from Soft to Hard now Medium works ok in all but the most extreme conditions both ways.

[AnttiL]

Ogier is down by a tenth at first split

[AnttiL]

Tänak flying already!

[Ljuke]

There is no Live text ?

[Ljuke]

Nevermind, it works now

[EstWRC]

Tänak and Ogier both stalling after the bridge

thats why the loss

[AL14]

That bridge is going to make victims

[satukata]

Cant find michelin splits? Can you help?

[mknight]

Cant find michelin splits? Can you help?

https://michelinmotorsport.com/Evenement/COPEC-Rally-Chile

[AnttiL]

That bridge is going to make victims

Nah, last drivers already saw it on All Live

[AnttiL]

88,1 km/h of average speed for Neuville. I believe this will be the slowest forest stage of the rally.

[EstWRC]

Tänak has taken 1.6 secs back now,

[AL14]

Nice stage though. I liked the roads

[AnttiL]

Nice stage though. I liked the roads

Yes. Although this rally will be overall as awesome.

[EstWRC]

nah, shame about the stall from Tänak, would have beaten Ogier and Neuville with 5-6 secs

E: Tänak not happy with the car at all, some issue

[AnttiL]

nah, shame about the stall from Tänak, would have beaten Ogier and Neuville with 5-6 secs


He'll get that on the next one

[AnttiL]

Latvala with decent splits, Lappi losing a lot

[EstWRC]

Mikkelsen also losing a lot in the end now

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Decent start by the Brits.

[EstWRC]

Toyota 1-2 after this stage

[AnttiL]

Toyota 1-2 after this stage

will be 1-2-3 after the next one

[mknight]

Interesting how up and down the splits are for multiple drivers. They can be fast on one split then slow on the next one and the other way around.

Much more interesting than watching the same progression trough the stage.

[er88]

Messy again from Lappi.....

[Tauri_J]

a lot of grip changes, thats why

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lappi struggling with confidence I expect.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Loeb well down like in shakedown.

[steve.mandzij]

Awesome to see Latvala immediately on the pace :D

Suninen should throw some more caution to the wind.

[Tauri_J]

Loeb well down like in shakedown.

what did you expect? we knew he would be slow

[satukata]

88,1 km/h of average speed for Neuville. I believe this will be the slowest forest stage of the rally.

We hope faster stages :)

[satukata]

Great to see JM leading rally!!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

what did you expect? we knew he would be slow

Others said ignore his shakedown.

[AnttiL]

We hope faster stages :)

It gets faster...tomorrow!

[AnttiL]

https://www.rallit.fi/mm-rallin-lahtoseremonioissa-hammentava-tilanne-paikallista-tahtikuljettajaa-sylkaistiin-kasvoihin/

Another weird Chile incident from yesterday. Someone spat in the face of Pedro Heller. Apparently it has something to do with Pedro's father Carlos stepping out as the chairman of a local soccer team after receiving death threats. Pedro is also a part of the board of that team. The random guy had a shirt sporting the soccer team logo.

It's clear that behaviour like this doesn't belong to rallying, but is common within other sports...

[Rally Power]

Ostberg and Rovanpera pretty close; fingers crossed for a proper figth in WRC2 Pro.

[Allez Andruet]

soccer
Football!

[Allez Andruet]

Did Suninen have some issues or was it just a shitty time?

[AnttiL]

Did Suninen have some issues or was it just a shitty time?

Misted windscreen.

Pedro Heller already out

[EstWRC]

Next is SS2 El Puma, the longest #RallyChile test at 30.72km.

@sebmarshall: "It starts off really fast and wide, quite Finland-like with lots of crests. Then you turn left and it becomes a bit narrower, and as the stage goes on it seems to get more technical."

[Allez Andruet]

Pedro Heller already out
Retirement caused by saliva. That could be a first.

[wrc2017]

Lappi struggling with confidence I expect.

Well.. he did get the dreaded vote of confidence from Budar

[AnttiL]

Sun is shining now.

[Esko]

Next is SS2 El Puma, the longest #RallyChile test at 30.72km.

@sebmarshall: "It starts off really fast and wide, quite Finland-like with lots of crests. Then you turn left and it becomes a bit narrower, and as the stage goes on it seems to get more technical."

I bet Latvala will be fast on SS2 El Puma

[TypeR]

3min gaps?

[AnttiL]

Next is SS2 El Puma, the longest #RallyChile test at 30.72km.

@sebmarshall: "It starts off really fast and wide, quite Finland-like with lots of crests. Then you turn left and it becomes a bit narrower, and as the stage goes on it seems to get more technical."

Quoting myself:


The stage begins quite fast on a medium wide and slightly bumpy road in the forest. At 5.5 km it turns onto a more technical road. At 9 km it gets more fast and flowing for a while before a tricky downhill section.

A pair of wooden bridges leads into a slightly narrower and very technical section with continuous crests. There are also wooden structures in the ditches which don’t advocate cutting.

At 19.4 km a combination of a wooden bridge and a tight but wide junction takes the stage back onto a firm medium wide road. The stage remains technical but a bit faster, ascending occasionally through hairpins.

[EstWRC]

sage cancelled?

[AnttiL]

Red flag

[Esko]

Arh, red flagged

[TypeR]

ffs

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Bad having this already.

[Tauri_J]

waiting for NOT comment...

[EstWRC]

what a shit!!!

waiting for an hour and then cancelled...

[TypeR]

longest stage of the day and sweeper gets thru with no time loss.. rally god is from belgium

[AnttiL]

I managed to notice it was 2:40 until the junction, meaning an average speed of 123 km/h

[er88]

Why is it fucking cancelled. Spectators all look in safe places from what we've seen

[Esko]

I believe, spectators on wrong Place. Challenge of first rally.

[EstWRC]

longest stage of the day and sweeper gets thru with no time loss.. rally god is from belgium

and at the moment he is the only one driving it through as others still stand at start

[Fast Eddie WRC]

New clampdown ?

[er88]

Do they want fans or not? Jesus

[AnttiL]

and at the moment he is the only one driving it through as others still stand at start

Well this means Ogier sweeps if the stage restarts.

Also, consider that they already got a warning for the shakedown

[er88]

Why red flag it as soon as Neuville starts...

[polomayu]

Do you think it can be for the guys next to the downhill??

[racerx1979]

Does this have to do with FIA's new spectating rules??

[BigWorm]

I rushed home for this?

[er88]

If they run the stage, how would they decide a time for Neuville?

[EstWRC]

dont tell me the others now will start the stage while Neuville can cruise it and then get a nominal time afterwards?

[Tauri_J]

dont tell me the others now will start the stage while Neuville can cruise it and then get a nominal time afterwards?

would be ridicilous

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Neuville was only 3km in - should've told him to stop and turn back.

[satukata]

they red flagged the stage because Fia safety delecate had not cleared the stage

[er88]

Just be like it if Ogier or Tanak retire in this stage now....

[Fast Eddie WRC]

WRCcom news: The stage 2 was red flagged as the FIA safety delegate had not cleared the stage. It will restart with Sebastien Ogier once the safety delegate is clear of the test. Thierry Neuville will receive a notional time.

[satukata]

it will restart with ogier once the safety delegate is clear of the stage

[Tauri_J]

they red flagged the stage because Fia safety delecate had not cleared the stage

lmao

what an idiots

[EstWRC]

WRCcom news: The stage 2 was red flagged as the FIA safety delegate had not cleared the stage. It will restart with Sebastien Ogier once the safety delegate is clear of the test. Thierry Neuville will receive a notional time.

ARE YOU FOR REAL????

man i cant believe this

[Doon]

Isn’t driving the stage in the wrong direction a big no-no under any circumstances?

[tc10a]

dont tell me the others now will start the stage while Neuville can cruise it and then get a nominal time afterwards?

What else should they do - two options cancel or let the others drive and give neuville a nominal time.
Cancelling for sure the worse option.

[satukata]

really sorry for rally chile. not good for the future!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier wont be happy sweeping the long stage.

[Tarmop]

Probably there will be more, as Ogier an Citroen and FIA are all French...

[er88]

ARE YOU FOR REAL????

man i cant believe thisHow can they possible decide what time to give him? It's laughable. These Muppets have fucked up here, terrible communication of they didn't know the safety delegate hadn't gone through yet

[tommeke_B]

dont tell me the others now will start the stage while Neuville can cruise it and then get a nominal time afterwards?

Having a nominal time is always a bad thing indeed, hard to be fair. But to say it will favour Neuville, I'm not so sure. Before the "all-live era", the stage would have been cancelled completely, to give a clear signal to all spectators...

[EstWRC]

Having a nominal time is always a bad thing indeed, hard to be fair. But to say it will favour Neuville, I'm not so sure. Before the "all-live era", the stage would have been cancelled completely, to give a clear signal to all spectators...

of crouse it favours him, he drove it through with no risks!

[Tarmop]

And it should have been cancelled. How does this not favor Neuville? He gets a good time, has more rubber left, doesn`t have to risk, doesn`t have to clean...

[er88]

I guess they have to give Neuville a time in the position he finished SS1??

[racerx1979]

Yup... Neuville has fresher tires due to this and ue gets to double check his notes at road speeds...

[EstWRC]

Tänak +2.3 in split 1


thats ahuge loos after 4kms

[dimviii]

And it should have been cancelled. How does this not favor Neuville? He gets a good time, has more rubber left, doesn`t have to risk, doesn`t have to clean...

yeap but at second pass he will be the only one with not corrected notes at a new rally.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Neuville still hasnt finished the stage !

[EstWRC]

and now suddenly he has taken all the time back

splits jo-joing

[Tarmop]

yeap but at second pass he will be the only one with not corrected notes at a new rally.

A bit, yes, though he is still running through it in his rallycar, so he can improve...

[er88]

Meeke slow

[EstWRC]

Ogier has been mighty on the first very fast part

[dimviii]

Tanak took some difference at 4th split

[Mirek]

Neuville was only 3km in - should've told him to stop and turn back.

Not sure if serious.

[EstWRC]

Neuville second fastest in first split, im really wondering what time they will give for him

[krissucool]

Neuville and Tänak attacking on this one.

[wia5958]

Neuville will get ogiers time as the first car to go through the test at speed. Or at least that's how it should be

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Not sure if serious.

Half-serious. Such a shame to drive the rest of the 27km at road speed.

[EstWRC]

Tänak takes massive time out of everyone between split 3 and 4

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Mikkelsen is sooo slow.

[er88]

Christ Mikkelsen is horribly slow.

[EstWRC]

Tänak sayin it felt bad and not pleased at all with his driving

well it doesnt seem so Ott

[AnttiL]

This stage was slower than I expected, slightly slower than SS1. But no way calling this the Ouninpohja of Chile like WRC has done on their website.

[AnttiL]

Quite big time differences on this stage

[EstWRC]

Meeke sayin the same as Tänak...horrbile stage and not pleased with his driving

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Big struggle for Meeke in this one.

[Augury]

Brilliant drive from Tänak.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier and Tanak in a different class here.

[er88]

Bad time from Meeke, he's not happy with his driving at all

[AnttiL]

Ogier and Tanak in a different class here.

Road getting more slippery?

[EstWRC]

Evans saying the same


everybody sayin tt was horrible and difficult!

[steve.mandzij]

Meeke and Latvala equal on splits for most of the stage.

[Legendaarne]

These kind of stages separate the real talent from the rest

[Mirek]

Half-serious. Such a shame to drive the rest of the 27km at road speed.

FYI it's absolute no go to drive a stage in the opposite direction. Even for ambulance or fire brigade.

[er88]

Mikkelsen turns into a snail when he's not comfortable

[EstWRC]

Hyundais struggling big time

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lappi, wow what a disaster.

[EstWRC]

the stage is definitely getting worse for back starters, no way they should lose so much as they do

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Latvala, Evans & Loeb showing their class and experience in these conditions.

[EstWRC]

nice time for Loeb considering his starting position

[er88]

nice time for Loeb considering his starting position20s faster than Mikkelsen!!!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Neuville given Ogier's time ?

[er88]

Lappi is totally lost as well, Budar is going to be on his case

[mknight]

Neuville given Ogier's time ?

Not yet, ewrc guy just decided to give him that time himself for now.

[Mirek]

Ostberg and Rovanperä in 0,1 seconds at 6th split. Change from 5th to 6th is 0.

[AnttiL]

Seems that SS3 is also delayed

[EstWRC]

Neuvilles time +6.6 to Tänak

[AnttiL]

My description of SS3


The 22 km stage Espigado is the third stage of the day. It starts quite wide and quite fast but has some surprising blind corners. At 4.5 km one of those blind corners turns onto a narrower and more angular road. One and a half kilometre later another junction takes the stage onto a yet smaller and bumpy road.

The turn at 10.4 km makes the road smoother and wider. A narrower and rougher spot appears at 11.6 km but after that it becomes faster with only some ascending hairpins jarring the flow.

A junction at 16.4 km starts a fast section. Two kilometres later another one makes the stage a bit narrower but nicely flowing with some descending hairpins at 19 km.

So it's still quite technical but not as much as the first two ones.

[Gevin]

Seems that SS3 is also delayed

+15min

[er88]

Stage seemed more favourable for the first runners but still great times by Seb and especially Tanak.

[stefanvv]

Neuville given Ogier's time ?

A bit too much.