Rally Portugal 2022

[TypeR]

Kalle is just amazing!
If he continues like that, he will be champion in Finland..

[EstWRC]

This is just unbelievable domination and speed

[Eli]

I should’ve put that prediction before the start of the season.

[meh]

Next stage defines the winner. If Kalle is pushing on this one again, they will be really close to start tomorrow.

[EstWRC]

Neuville into podium with this stage?

[meh]

Well well well, Taka and Sordo quite slower than Neuville on stage. Rain makes some difference here I guess

[meh]

Rovanperä virtually on the rally lead on split3

[dimviii]

Sebastien Ogier says a dashboard distraction following a hybrid issue with his Toyota prompted an uncharacteristic driving error, resulting in a second WRC retirement from Rally Portugal.

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/dashboard-distraction-prompted-rare-ogier-mistake-at-rally-portugal/10308231/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=RSS-WRC&utm_term=News&utm_content=uk

[Eli]

And Rovanperä is now in the lead. Top notch. Also huge well done to Katsuta, hopefully tomorrow he can bag his second podium.

[AnttiL]

I’m speechless once again!

[Allez Andruet]

How about that? In his current form, you just can't bet against this guy.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Amazing drive by Kalle ! Seemingly effortless progress into the lead and again with no issues or punctures.

Maybe we have another brilliant dominant driver in the making who will also get 'lucky' while others fall away?

[jonkka]

Stage end interviews by... Marcus Grönholm! And Breen became a used car salesman, offering a Focus WRC to him.

[TypeR]

Salesman of the weekend - Breen :D

Special price for you, my friend Grönholm :D

Breen's father has the last Ford Focus that Grönholm drove

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Over the jumps the Puma 'lands like a cat' :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Some drive by Sordo to take such time on a SSS.

"Did I do one lap less ?" :D

[meh]

Sordo didn't believe own time over Neuville at the stage end: "are you sure I didn't do one lap less?"

[meh]

If road conditions are improving that fast, we will see WRC2 car winning the stage probably

[TypeR]

Kalle is doing donuts with doctor precision..
Drifting and other categories make sense!

[EstWRC]

The rest of the guys can hang up their helmets. Kalle Will dominate for next 5-10 years

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kalle can even do best on the tricky street stages. Pure talent.

[meh]

If road conditions are improving that fast, we will see WRC2 car winning the stage probably

Done. Suninen fastest so far.

[rp]

The rest of the guys can hang up their helmets. Kalle Will dominate for next 5-10 years

Next 15-20 years.

[Eli]

Next 15-20 years.

Depends when he'll want to retire.

[meh]

Next 15-20 years.

If he will not decide to go to Hyundai or something...

[EstWRC]

Next 15-20 years.

youre getting greedy

[TypeR]

Teemu best Hyundai :D :D

[Eli]

If he will not decide to go to Hyundai or something...

You mean as long as he decides not to go to Hyundai ;)

[rp]

youre getting greedy

Maybe it´s too much. Probably Kalle will want to try also some other series like Loeb & Ogier, but he can decide what to do after 10 WRC titles.

[EstWRC]

Maybe it´s too much. Probably Kalle will want to try also some other series like Loeb & Ogier, but he can decide what to do after 10 WRC titles.

even more greedy

you never know what can happen, the team can leave, he can choose wrong team, lack of motivation etc

[Eli]

Hold your horses guys, we still don't know if we'll get another 'Rovanperä' who will beat him when he's older. Maybe the WRC will die altogether by the end of the decade, way too early to predict anything beyond the next couple of season IMHO.

[meh]

Fast Eddie WRC, put the party on, Ingram beated all WRC guys ;)

[EstWRC]

theres whole bunch of guys faster than rally1 guys

[denkimi]

How on earth did neuville and tanak lose so much in 3 km?

[doubled1978]

Rovanpera really is impressive.
Evans has driven well today, but the lad has just been faster, Brilliant performance.

[Eli]

Rovanperä really is impressive.
Evans has driven well today, but the lad has just been faster, Brilliant performance.

Him & Katsuta, both really stepped up their game here. As for Rovanperä, I think the competition will have a hard time against him in Sardegna to say the least.

[AnttiL]

How on earth did neuville and tanak lose so much in 3 km?

They drove on wet cobbles, it dried and cleaned car by car.

[meh]

Skoda 1-2-3 on stage, mark it down for some trivia :)

and best WRC car is... 10th.

edit: "unmarking"

Hyndai RC2 won the stage, best WRC car 13th.

[WRCStan]

Skoda 1-2-3 on stage, mark it down for some trivia :)

and best WRC car is... 10th.

Now unmark it? ;)

[EstWRC]

Storm at fafe https://twitter.com/fakehinkelstein/status/1528103056671494144?s=21&t=sVS3UZR0XV-NT_6t1_0_Kw

[dimviii]

Speaking to DirtFish, M-Sport team principal Richard Millener explained that there were advantages to the team for not sending Loeb back out on Sunday.

“There’s advantages to if you retire, you get your engine transmission link,” Millener said.

“You have the option of a new transmission link, or your free joker transmission link and engine for the season.”

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/loeb-out-for-rest-of-rally-portugal/

[EstWRC]

Hyundai used the same reason when retiring Tänak at Monte

[Danny0405]

Interesting to see what will happen tomorrow with the rain.

Especially two points:

- what will happen in Toyota tonight? A guaranteed 1-2 with the leader of the championship in the lead. Would clearly be a big hit for Evans if team orders.

- will Katsuta be able to win the battle with Sordo, the Spaniard being back in the game thanks to the Mickey Mouse stage? Even if containing Neuville is important, it is sure that Toyota will let him push. Big opportunity to show he can be in contention for the manufacturer spot next year.

In WRC-2, Suninen and Rossel are doing the job so far. Good drive, at a lower level, for Kajto and Ingram also even if Pietarinen and Cais may limit the loss in WRC-2 Junior thanks to all the withdrawals.

In WRC-3 Junior, big mess that should benefit to Pajari to come back in the championship.

[Danny0405]

Next 15-20 years.

And, after his series of 18 titles,we will have Kalle Jaaskalainen to win the championships between 2040 and 2049, even better than the two Sebs :D

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTTbb29X0AEIqKj?format=jpg&name=large

[AnttiL]

In the end Josh McErlean won the Porto street stage, with 2.7s gap to Gryazin. Robert Virves with Rally3 was faster than Kalle, the fastest Rally1.

Yesterday morning Kalle said he was using two used softs from Friday, so he should have now more fresh ones left than Elfyn? Only 8 are allocated for the whole rally.

[jcevc]

Evans 6S, Kalle 5S+1H.
As AnttiL mentioned maybe will decide who has more new tyres.

[EstWRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTVwVKBWUAElCqB?format=jpg&name=small

[TypeR]

will Ogier do tricks again today?

[Eli]

Have to say this stage really reminds me the stages in Australia when it rained there too.

[EstWRC]

Tänak again with transmission problem ffs….

[Eli]

Tänak again with transmission problem ffs….

Still faster by 13~ seconds.

[EstWRC]

And a lot faster than Breen as well, the gap is down to 32 seconds

[Eli]

And a lot faster than Breen as well, the gap is down to 32 seconds

If M-Sport are on safe mode today Tänak should be able to overtake them both.

[meh]

If M-Sport are on safe mode today Tänak should be able to overtake them both.

with 40km it's a bit too much for fighting back with pure speed

[EstWRC]

He will get Loubet, he said he won’t fight with Ott.

[cali]

Man I'm awe looking those Kalle onboards. So fast, smooth, flowing and aggressive. Impressive!

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[EstWRC]

I think the last time a driver won 3 rallies in row was Ott in 2018 with Finland, Germany and Turkey

[jonkka]

I think the last time a driver won 3 rallies in row was Ott in 2018 with Finland, Germany and Turkey

That is correct.

[Rallyper]

Congratulations to my finnish rallyfans and friends!
Now you got your own "Seb".
Kalle wins WDC 2022. For sure, that is.

[Eli]

I think the last time a driver won 3 rallies in row was Ott in 2018 with Finland, Germany and Turkey

Question is, can anyone stop him in Sardegna?

[TypeR]

Evans faster than anybody else!

Rovanperä: Hold my beer

[dimviii]

Andrea Adamo helping to tow Loebs puma
https://youtu.be/MuA9zhEgbRQ

[EstWRC]

Tänak past Loubet and again taking a chunk out of Breen, the gap now 25.4 secs but i think this is enough

[Rallyper]

So we don´t even get to see Kalle and Evans on SS18 on All Live!!?? What is this?

[haris274]

WTF? They will not show Evans & Rovanpera in Montim????

[meh]

They didn't imagined so many WRC cars started or reach to final day? Just 2 cars too much for planning ;)

[meh]

Wow, Tänak got a stage win for over a long time. But what happened, started raining or something?

[EstWRC]

Wow, Tänak got a stage win for over a long time. But what happened, started raining or something?

he is also pushing today, great to see that there is actually a decent speed with that machine

[Eli]

WTF? They will not show Evans & Rovanpera in Montim????

Bunch of amateurs, honestly, if I had another way of watching it I would, unfortunately, I don’t.

[EstWRC]

Ogier already faster than last years time

[EstWRC]

Ott saying the Toyotas are on another level performance wise

[meh]

Again raining only for late-runners or Tänak and Neuville have found some extra speed?

[EstWRC]

weird talk from Sordo, he is just 0.8 from Taka but he was talking like already need to let Neuville pass

[denkimi]

Ott saying the Toyotas are on another level performance wise
That's pretty clear. Once again, hyundai is both slow and unreliable.

[meh]

That's pretty clear. Once again, hyundai is both slow and unreliable.

Unreliable? Neuville had some road-section incident, but what has been unreliable this time?

[wyler]

Unreliable? Neuville had some road-section incident, but what has been unreliable this time?

incident?
it just broke down...

[Essaj]

That's pretty clear. Once again, hyundai is both slow and unreliable.

Last 2 stages have been 1 - 2 for Ott and Thierry. I just wonder how quick they would be with equal machinery to Toyota :rolleyes:

[TypeR]

Unreliable? Neuville had some road-section incident, but what has been unreliable this time?
Tänak had gearbox issues on friday? and also today

[AnttiL]

Bunch of amateurs, honestly, if I had another way of watching it I would, unfortunately, I don’t.

Bad planning from rally organizers, I’d say. But likely their answer would have been ”we’ll just remove SS18”, is it better this way or not?

[Eli]

Bad planning from rally organizers, I’d say. But likely their answer would have been ”we’ll just remove SS18”, is it better this way or not?

It’s bad either way & doesn’t put the sport in a good light anyhow.

[SubaruNorway]

incident?
it just broke down...

Bolt came loose, couldn't tell if it was the inner one on the wishbone or balljoint to the upright, pulled the driveshaft apart which is not always so easy to put back together.

[meh]

For sure it didn't improve anything, but to say that it damages the sport it's a bit too dramatic overstatement.

[seb_sh]

Andrea Adamo helping to tow Loebs puma
https://youtu.be/MuA9zhEgbRQ

Did he start a towing business after seeing how reliable the new Hyundais are?

[Eli]

For sure it didn't improve anything, but to say that it damages the sport it's a bit too dramatic overstatement.

I expect things to improve and not to go the other way round.

[wyler]

Bolt came loose, couldn't tell if it was the inner one on the wishbone or balljoint to the upright, pulled the driveshaft apart which is not always so easy to put back together.

yep, still technical reliability, not an incident.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

WTF, Breen late and losing time to Tanak.

[meh]

Breen has not started on time

Seems to start before Sordo. Based on team-report some kind of brake issue.

[EstWRC]

Loubet the best Ford

[satnav]

Apparently Breen has a brake issue

[Fast Eddie WRC]

1 min penalty for 6 mins late.

[meh]

So, 2min of coverage of live-stream left. Can not see top4 this time. Let the complaining-festival start :)

[Rallyper]

So logistics with the communication airplane is reason for not showing all WRC: s on Montim...

Had to be refuelled before Fafe 1.

Edit: Seems to be the reason now. Weird!!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

What a shit rally for M-Sport.

[er88]

Fucking joke we can't see the main 2 on stage

[TypeR]

Fucking joke we can't see the main 2 on stage

they are doing their best job :D :D

[satnav]

We'll watch the 70's and 80's while the stage is live !!!!!!! Joke shop

[wyler]

So, 2min of coverage of live-stream left. Can not see top4 this time. Let the complaining-festival start :)

here you are! :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

They should have the proper commentators doing commentary over the tracking at least.

[Eli]

They should have the proper commentators doing commentary over the tracking at least.

They hardly have proper commentators during stages, we’re expecting too much of them.

[EstWRC]

Interesting if it’s because it’s damp today that the Hyundai is fast or Ott has finally found the correct setup

[Oliverk]

pathetic

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kalle through and fastest.

[meh]

For those, who are still blinded by the anger for missing live-coverage, then before last stage:
* Rovanperä increased the lead by 2.4sec over Evans, it's now 9.0sec
* Taka increased the cap by 1.4sc over Sordo, cap is now 2.2sec

[AnttiL]

So logistics with the communication airplane is reason for not showing all WRC: s on Montim...

Had to be refuelled before Fafe 1.

Edit: Seems to be the reason now. Weird!!

Between Montim and Fafe the reason was just that the stages were run so close to each other, When Rovanperä finished Fafe already started, and the aeroplane had to move from Montim to Fafe, and the international broadcast always starts 8 minutes before the stage.

In this case the aeroplane has been up since the first stage of the day with no chance to refuel.

Bad planning from the rally organizers. I don't remember how this went last year? Less top class cars that year?

[EstWRC]

I wonder if Sordo takes time penalty to let Neuville and Tänak through after rally if he doesn’t catch Taka with the last stage

[SubaruNorway]

Maybe they had planned to refuel in the break after Fafe 1 but the airport was to busy?
Heard they just had to wait in line

[AnttiL]

I wonder if Sordo takes time penalty to let Neuville and Tänak through after rally if he doesn’t catch Taka with the last stage

Yeah, if they can do it after the stage. He would need 2:30 to let Tänak past, is that within the limits?

[meh]

Huge fog on Fafe. Still time to have some changes but it's promising to get really "interesting"

[er88]

I wonder if Sordo takes time penalty to let Neuville and Tänak through after rally if he doesn’t catch Taka with the last stageThey surely have to if he doesn't catch Taka

[meh]

Ok, the most important complain now from me - they ruin Quattro sound with interview.

[Eli]

Any news concerning Breen and his ill Puma?

[Eli]

From Craig Breen's twitter account:
'Our day has been a bit in slow motion… with no brakes at all we have lost a huge amount of time & with no fix we won’t be able to challenge for power stage points. A really disappointing end to a very tough rally for us. ☹️'

[satnav]

The plane is back in the air .......

[AnttiL]

Ok, the most important complain now from me - they ruin Quattro sound with interview.

https://youtu.be/0o91YTTGUGc

Here you go, youtube is full of quattro sound

[AnttiL]

This is also the first time that Katsuta is helping Toyota by taking points of Hyundai, since he's now collecting points for the Toyota satellite team.

[denkimi]

Yeah, if they can do it after the stage. He would need 2:30 to let Tänak past, is that within the limits?
That's 15 minutes late, its possible.

[meh]

Sordo can go flat out - if he crashes catching Taka, then Neuville and Tänak is there for backuping team points.

[meh]

WRC LIVE lost image for a second and when returning... Suninen is off.

[EstWRC]

Oh my man Suninen

You just had to cruise

[SubaruNorway]

Didn't Latvala go into here one year also?

[Rallyper]

Technical?

[EstWRC]

Very weird place to go off

Maybe technical?

[JRodrigues]

Let's hope he didn't hit anyone!

[dimviii]

Win for Rossel

[mknight]

Didn't Latvala go into here one year also?

Meeke in 2019 was like 4 corners before. Mikkelsen in 2017 3 corners.

[dupanton]

Let's hope he didn't hit anyone!

It's only a few 100 meters in the stage. The ambulance would have been there in 1 minute.

[Oliverk]

why stop the stage. Car is not on the way.

[Tauri_J]

Why the interruption? Car IS not in a dangerous place

[Essaj]

Lets hope the plane wont run out of fuel now with this delay :crazy:

[Eli]

Don’t they have an onboard replay to show us?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Teemu Suninen Racing
@TeemuSuninenRac
·
30s
OFF ROAD AT SS21 - CREW OK⚠️ It's game over for us. Certainly was not the way I would've wanted to end Rally Portugal as we had all under control before the last stage. I'm sorry for the team and the fans.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Glad the fans were behind the tree line...https://twitter.com/i/status/1528336622659436544

[COD]

They said of Finnish TV that it was very close that Suninen hit some spectators. Just missed them by a few cm’s

[COD]

Glad the fans were behind the tree line...https://twitter.com/i/status/1528336622659436544

Was close for those spectators 😬

[wwbroe]

Ogier three seconds slower then Tanak this morning

[Fast Eddie WRC]

What a nightmare for Suninen, losing the WRC2 win in front of the world rally audience.

[dimviii]

I am sorry for Teemu,an excellent rally ruined at last stage without having pressure.

[meh]

Ogier keep blaming Pirelli for punctures

[Fast Eddie WRC]

All Gus' hopes for his favourite rally turned to dust with 3 punctures. :(

[wwbroe]

Breen still with problems, loosing a lot allready on first split

[EstWRC]

Great job Fourmaux

Finally a trouble free rally

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Proper jump by Fourmaux. Glad for him to get to the end.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Bit of a nightmare for Breen with first the dust into the car, then puncture and now damaged brakes. One to learn from and move on.

[wwbroe]

Tanak faster on first split by 0.9

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Would've been a poor rally normally for Loubet with mistakes and very bad tyre choices... but incredibly he finishes the top M-Sport car !!

[wwbroe]

Now 3 sec faster on split 2

[wwbroe]

3.8 at the end

[wwbroe]

Neuville fastest sofar on first split

[Rallyper]

Tanak: "No power..."

[EstWRC]

Horrible weekend for Ott

Now no power on power stage

[wwbroe]

Neuville missing a lot of pieces in the front

[EstWRC]

Neuville 0.018 faster

[Rallyper]

Nice speach by Neuville!

[wwbroe]

Nice speach by Neuville!
Sure:)

[Rallyper]

Katsuta will never manage Sordo on this!

[Rally Hokkaido]

Superb stage from Danny

[meh]

Respect Sordo, delivering under pressure.

But as Neuville and Tänak didn't drive with correctly working cars, we can expect Evans and Rovanperä make 1-2

Edit: well, Evans 3.0 slower in 1st split

[Rallyper]

Respect for Sordo. A great sportsman and sportsmanship.

[EstWRC]

im so sorry for Taka

the guy was in tears

[Rallyper]

No need for Taka to be sorry. Good performance all weekend.

[er88]

Imagine the next 20yrs with this kind of dominance

[wwbroe]

Kalle is going to add an extra 30 points to his total

[er88]

Incredible from Kalle. Absolutely superb.

[Hüttünen]

It looks like there is one rally driver (Kalle) in WRC and the rest are bunch of clowns.

[TypeR]

CRAZY!!!
Full send again!

[Rallyper]

Congrats to our new World Champions Kalle and Jonne and for the massive win in Portugal! Outstanding performance.

[er88]

im so sorry for Taka

the guy was in tearsHe's such a likeable guy

[Tauri_J]

Its gonna be a boring season.

Btw how long is Tänak's contract? Enough is enough

[dimviii]

Incredible from Kalle. Absolutely superb.

and no moaning about cleaning the road.
Congrats to him amazing rally.

[meh]

It looks like there is one rally driver (Kalle) in WRC and the rest are bunch of clowns.

Kalle is pure talent and got everything working for him this year. Compare for example results from last year. It does not make others clowns.

[EstWRC]

Its gonna be a boring season.

Btw how long is Tänak's contract? Enough is enough

after power stage with his comment, it really seemed his glass is now full of it

it was multi year deal

[EstWRC]

Kalle is pure talent and got everything working for him this year. Compare for example results from last year. It does not make others clowns.

its just some finnish guys getting cocky now, i see it in twitter a lot

have experienced it also during rally finland, i can say the attitude towards us changed massively when Ott dominated there previous years

[Eli]

after power stage with his comment, it really seemed his glass is now full of it

it was multi year deal

What did he say?
By the way, huge congrats to Katsuta, now 3rd in the championship!!!

[meh]

its just some finnish guys getting cocky now, i see it in twitter a lot

have experienced it also during rally finland, i can say the attitude towards us changed massively when Ott dominated there previous years

That is why Rovanperä moved to Estonia? ;)

[seb_sh]

Congratulations to Kalle and Jonne!

[focus206]

Big congrats to Kalle, winning from 1st on the road on gravel. He's world champion already, championship's over.
Toyota almost 1-2-3 and still no reliability problems I recall in 4 rounds, it shows they're lightyears ahead.
As much as Katsuta is a nice guy, I can't feel sorry for him: he lost 3rd place to a rusty Sordo with an inferior car, and would have never been near the podium without Hyundais falling apart left and right.
On the other hand, I'm glad for Dani's podium and that he didn't need to drop places to Neuville and Tanak. It's not like a Hyundai can win the championship anyway.

[cali]

Tanak: "No power..."I don't believe this excuse. With "no power" he had equal time with Thierry and lost only 3 smth sec to Rovanperä.

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[TypeR]

Suninen messed up possible Finnish hat-trick and dominance in all classes..
Could have had rally1, 2 and 3 victories (Pajari lead 5min40)

[Eli]

Big congrats to Kalle, winning from 1st on the road on gravel. He's world champion already, championship's over.
Toyota almost 1-2-3 and still no reliability problems I recall in 4 rounds, it shows they're light years ahead.
As much as Katsuta is a nice guy, I can't feel sorry for him: he lost 3rd place to a rusty Sordo with an inferior car, and would have never been near the podium without Hyundais falling apart left and right.
On the other hand, I'm glad for Dani's podium and that he didn't need to drop places to Neuville and Tanäk. It's not like a Hyundai can win the championship anyway.

And yet if you'd told me 2 years ago, hell, even last year that he'd be fighting for a podium with Dani, one of the most experienced drivers out there, I'd think you're kidding, so huge kudos to him, sure he's still not exactly there yet but he's making huge gains as the time progresses, something you can't yet say about Greensmith for instance.

As for the championship, you could argue it's already in the bag of Toyota & Rovanperä, I think now it's just a matter of when & where they win their titles and not if, hopefully Hyundai can comeback fighting next year with 3 proper drivers & not 2 and a plus one that makes an occasional appearance, it's simply not enough against those Toyotas.

[EstWRC]

I don't believe this excuse. With "no power" he had equal time with Thierry and lost only 3 smth sec to Rovanperä.

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

i guess he meant more like less power, not no power at all

that i believe, look how much faster he was on first run comapred to Sordo and etc

[focus206]

And yet if you'd told me 2 years ago, hell, even last year that he'd be fighting for a podium with Dani, one of the most experienced drivers out there, I'd think you're kidding, so huge kudos to him, sure he's still not exactly there yet but he's making huge gains as the time progresses, something you can't yet say about Greensmith for instance.


I'm not that surprised. If you'd told me he'd fight for the podium driving a fast and bulletproof Toyota against Sordo with a slower and unreliable Hyundai (and getting into the podium fight only because other Hyundais kept having problems), I would have found that entirely possible.
With that said, Katsuta drove very nicely this weekend, good job to him. But he missed the podium while driving the best car, I feel more sorry for Hyundai drivers who deserves much better...

[cali]

i guess he meant more like less power, not no power at all

that i believe, look how much faster he was on first run comapred to Sordo and etcI did get it yes, but if anything he's baffled by Rovanperä's dominance and it' s hard to swallow.

But Ott had proper Sunday, it makes me feel more positive towards the things to come

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[EstWRC]

I did get it yes, but if anything he's baffled by Rovanperä's dominance and it' s hard to swallow.

But Ott had proper Sunday, it makes me feel more positive towards the things to come

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk


yep, today was very promising https://www.ewrc-results.com/leg/73360-vodafone-rally-de-portugal-2022/?leg=3

So you think the radiator filled with sand and missing front splitter didn’t affect the performance?

[Eli]

I'm not that surprised. If you'd told me he'd fight for the podium driving a fast and bulletproof Toyota against Sordo with a slower and unreliable Hyundai (and getting into the podium fight only because other Hyundais kept having problems), I would have found that entirely possible.
With that said, Katsuta drove very nicely this weekend, good job to him. But he missed the podium while driving the best car, I feel more sorry for Hyundai drivers who deserves much better...

Again, not that surprised, that’s exactly my point, he’s starting to impress, I mean last year the Toyota was also better than the troublesome i20 and you still wouldn’t see Katsuta challenging for a podium like that.
I do agree of course that the Hyundai drivers are being over and over again let down by their car for the last couple of seasons now, I can’t stress this enough, I hope Hyundai get their sh*t together, pardon my french.

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTXQQ5LWAAA24vb?format=jpg&name=large

[Danny0405]

Great job by Kalle with a Seb-like performance and puts a big hit to the helmet to Evans and Neuville here.
For Evans, rather good after a bad stint but not enough against Kalle. But big result in the manufacturer championship for Toyota.

On Katsuta, I’ll be a little harsh but it’s only an average result. He was better during the first 2 days last year (team orders on last day) and when you’re competing for a manufacturer job, you have to deliver in that type of situation. A rusty Sordo teaches him a lesson about what it takes to be a real manufacturer driver here whereas he did his first top-3 of the Rallye in the power stage (+ a RC1 Top 3 in the Mickey Mouse stage yesterday). And it is quite coherent with the beginning of the season of the Japanese which is a little lower than last year. The only positive is that he is the best of youngster (except Kalle) and he is 3rd in the championship; but it’s because the others screwed up and I’m not sure it’s a gift with Sardinia and Kenya coming.

For M-Sport, disaster rallie even if 3 cars finished in top 10. Loubet shows some pace sometimes but not regular enough at the moment (but only 2nd race this year). And for Fourmaux, ok, he did it finally to the end but with awful times; reminds me a lot of Camilli.

In WRC-2, excellent and clever job by Rossel even if he was no match for Suninen and Mikkelsen. Big mistake for Suninen and with some consequences: even if he’s fast, why a manufacturer would give a job to someone who screwed a result like this (exactly the difference with Sordo).
Good job by Kajto also.
Ingram a little further but good job also; but not that much points taken to the competitor because of the number of withdrawals.

[WRCStan]

A rusty Sordo teaches him a lesson about...

... what over a decade extra top level experience and 140 extra WRC starts means. One driver is Next Generation and one is retiring.

2.1 seconds is the difference between an average result and a lesson in delivering results? Very harsh.

[cali]

yep, today was very promising https://www.ewrc-results.com/leg/73360-vodafone-rally-de-portugal-2022/?leg=3

So you think the radiator filled with sand and missing front splitter didn’t affect the performance?Everything matters, also air pressure, humidity, road conditions etc.
I just don't find it to have any value as we don't know if there was sand and how much bcs basically every car has some portion of dust/sand in air filter.

The other question is why Rovanperä didn't have any negative comments. I can answer that as well when your confidence level is so high all the small things don't bother you. Been there and done that, so this comes from my own experience, although in a totally different sport.

It was his frustration speaking.

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[Danny0405]

... what over a decade extra top level experience and 140 extra WRC starts means. One driver is Next Generation and one is retiring.

2.1 seconds is the difference between an average result and a lesson in delivering results? Very harsh.

First Rallye for Sordo in the hybrid car and he was clearly rusty; for the Spaniard, it was clearly more preparation for Sardinia.
Katsuta was globally faster than him during the weekend (13 stages above for the Japanese I think).
And Katsuta is not a pure newbie now: more than 40 starts in WRC including more than 20 in RC1, more than 70 starts outside Japan.
So yes it’s harsh but Sordo teaches him what is needed to be a manufacturer driver and to deliver a result (for sure experience matters but when competing for a seat, you must beat old drivers at on moment). At that time of his career, Katsuta must win that type of fight if he wants to deserve a spot in the main team; he might achieve it even without deserving it as he is Japanese but it would not give something good in terms of result.

[meh]

Both made really good performances - why to fight here who did better? They delivered what they could delivered - they fighted for podiums when big guns like Loeb, Ogier, Tänak and Neuville were out. They were not out and took the opportunity. They were away from fight for the win, so they delivered well for their level.

Only 2 weeks to wait, both are hungry for more :)

[WRCStan]

Katsuta must win that type of fight if he wants to deserve a spot in the main team.

I'm not sure that's even the question, unless you mean just for comparison's sake. But they had different aims. No driver's championship for Sordo, he had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain for Hyundai in this particular fight, with Tanak and Neuville behind him. True, Taka could have taken points off Hyundai, but Toyota had 1-2 anyway. Maybe his more important lesson was how to drive with a calm head to go 3rd in the driver's champ?

[WRCStan]

Both made really good performances - why to fight here who did better?

We're discussing, not fighting. It's a good place to do it. If you want me to dumb my posts down to things like "wow that was fast" - nah.

[dimviii]

nice clip with Ott
https://twitter.com/ma_ipp/status/1528443991745826819

[EstWRC]

nice clip with Ott
https://twitter.com/ma_ipp/status/1528443991745826819

taken from here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py1zxR8S8rg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKhpdDP0kL4

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220522/43fa026453ef0b86d9bc0cd0f564c5b3.jpg

[Eli]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220522/43fa026453ef0b86d9bc0cd0f564c5b3.jpg

Question is, can he make it 4 in a row?

[doubled1978]

Great job by Kalle with a Seb-like performance and puts a big hit to the helmet to Evans and Neuville here.
For Evans, rather good after a bad stint but not enough against Kalle. But big result in the manufacturer championship for Toyota.

On Katsuta, I’ll be a little harsh but it’s only an average result. He was better during the first 2 days last year (team orders on last day) and when you’re competing for a manufacturer job, you have to deliver in that type of situation. A rusty Sordo teaches him a lesson about what it takes to be a real manufacturer driver here whereas he did his first top-3 of the Rallye in the power stage (+ a RC1 Top 3 in the Mickey Mouse stage yesterday). And it is quite coherent with the beginning of the season of the Japanese which is a little lower than last year. The only positive is that he is the best of youngster (except Kalle) and he is 3rd in the championship; but it’s because the others screwed up and I’m not sure it’s a gift with Sardinia and Kenya coming.

For M-Sport, disaster rallie even if 3 cars finished in top 10. Loubet shows some pace sometimes but not regular enough at the moment (but only 2nd race this year). And for Fourmaux, ok, he did it finally to the end but with awful times; reminds me a lot of Camilli.

In WRC-2, excellent and clever job by Rossel even if he was no match for Suninen and Mikkelsen. Big mistake for Suninen and with some consequences: even if he’s fast, why a manufacturer would give a job to someone who screwed a result like this (exactly the difference with Sordo).
Good job by Kajto also.
Ingram a little further but good job also; but not that much points taken to the competitor because of the number of withdrawals.

I think Fourmaux was a little unlucky, steady first loop on Friday was understandable, was on for quickest time on the 1st stage of the second loop and got a puncture. With only 1 spare he had to drive slow for rest of the loop and that gave him a crap road position from then on, no sense in pushing hard after that, better to get the KM’s.
It was a bad error from many to only take 5 tyres on that second loop on Friday.
I was more disappointed in Breen, have been all season. It can’t help in the team that Loeb comes back in and is leading straight away and he is nowhere.

[Bigalstosh99]

I was more disappointed in Breen, have been all season.

I also hoped for more from Breen. But maybe that was not a realistic expectation given that Hyundai typically benched him for much of the first half of recent seasons in favour of Sordo. Will be a fairer scorecard for Breen after Estonia/Finland/Belgium rounds.

[Danny0405]

I also hoped for more from Breen. But maybe that was not a realistic expectation given that Hyundai typically benched him for much of the first half of recent seasons in favour of Sordo. Will be a fairer scorecard for Breen after Estonia/Finland/Belgium rounds.

Yeah, after failing in Sweden, it was clear he would have a bad time between Croatia and Safari considering his level on real tarmac and the fact he didn’t made world-level slow gravel rallies for a while. All the more than his road position is not good with Evans and Tanak having bad results and the shared 3rd car in Hyundai and Toyota.

With a better road position, it should be better in Estonia and Finland. Not that sure about Belgium because a lot of drivers now knows a little better this rallie so it will be harder for him than last year.
For the end of the season, it will depend how much he improves on slow gravel after having missed it so long. Then Catalunya should be hard (don’t know about Japan, it will depend a lot on the weather I think).

[flat_right]

Sorry, if it was discussed here already but what the hell happened with Suninen? Was outside the whole weekend and couldn't follow but it was a very strange off...

[Rallyper]

I should say driver error maybe bcs of missing pacenote or smth... slide which he couldn´t return and went off. Heard on Swedish television that one wheel was ripped off. Couldn´t continue.

[EstWRC]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgxa8Kiw9YI

[Eli]

This season reminds me of 2013 when there was the last change of guards, Ogier was pretty much untouchable and it took Latvala another year until he started challenging him. Neuville finished second back then with 114 (I think) points behind, I have a feeling this season will finish the same way.

[Eli]

Colin Clark's Rally Portugal rating: https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/colin-clarks-2022-rally-portugal-driver-ratings/

[AnttiL]

Colin Clark's Rally Portugal rating: https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/colin-clarks-2022-rally-portugal-driver-ratings/

9 for Kalle. For example Elfyn got 10 in Monza 2020.

[Eli]

9 for Kalle. For example Elfyn got 10 in Monza 2020.

Yes I honestly have no clue why Kalle didn't get 10/10 here.

[flat_right]

I thought exactly the same. First on the road and 25+5. What else could he do? And it wasn't like someone was leading and he was lucky. No, he fought with Evans and won it fair and square.

[dimviii]

Sordo smashing the balls
https://twitter.com/nocontext_rally/status/1528834041985785858

[KiwiWRCfan]

Animated schematic showing how Portugal unfolded
https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/10073666/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

ChrisIngramGB

After an incredibly organised rally one thing that took the shine off is holding no podium for WRC2.

There being no trophy for finishing on the podium in WRC2 or for winning the WRC2 Juniors.

P4/P5 overall got a trophy & we got rushed over the ramp. #2ndclasscitizens

[Sardalense]

ChrisIngramGB

After an incredibly organised rally one thing that took the shine off is holding no podium for WRC2.

There being no trophy for finishing on the podium in WRC2 or for winning the WRC2 Juniors.

P4/P5 overall got a trophy & we got rushed over the ramp. #2ndclasscitizens

There is a reason for that and the organisers will take care of that in the next weeks. They received a list of trophies from the promoter to deliver in the podium and the Junior trophy was not in the list, so it was not made. Simply as that.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

There is a reason for that and the organisers will take care of that in the next weeks. They received a list of trophies from the promoter to deliver in the podium and the Junior trophy was not in the list, so it was not made. Simply as that.

Whatever the 'reasons', it's not right that after big field of Rally2 crews entered only the winner got any official recognition.

@ChrisIngramGB
We had to ask security to go stand on the podium at the end to get a photo for our sponsors. :(

No wonder some crews struggle for funding...

[Sardalense]

Whatever the 'reasons', it's not right that after big field of Rally2 crews entered only the winner got any official recognition.

@ChrisIngramGB
We had to ask security to go stand on the podium at the end to get a photo for our sponsors. :(

No wonder some crews struggle for funding...

It was the first WRC2 (Rossel) and the first WRC2 Masters (Raoux) and it was missing the Junior trophy for the reason that I told. The way the podium ceremony is organised comes from the promoter not the local organiser so everyone does what they are told to.

[Oliverk]

This WRC2 Junior Throphy is made up anyway to have throphies for everybody.

[PLuto]

There is a reason for that and the organisers will take care of that in the next weeks. They received a list of trophies from the promoter to deliver in the podium and the Junior trophy was not in the list, so it was not made. Simply as that.

It is same from beginning. It looks like they dont know that there is junior subcategory inside WRC2... But if I understand it correctly, there was no podium/cups also for WRC2 in general (as Chris finished third). Only confirmation that everything is based only and around WRC (pardon, now Rally1) cars...

[pantealex]

This WRC2 Junior Throphy is made up anyway to have throphies for everybody.

No, that's WRC2 Masters

WRC2 Junior is good thing I think

[rallyfiend]

There is a reason for that and the organisers will take care of that in the next weeks. They received a list of trophies from the promoter to deliver in the podium and the Junior trophy was not in the list, so it was not made. Simply as that.

Their own Supplementary Regulations state that it's an event eligible for this category. They shouldn't need outside advice.....

[dimviii]

nice photo of Loeb

https://cdn-8.motorsport.com/images/mgl/6D1K5RJ0/s8/sebastien-loeb-isabelle-galmic-1.jpg

[WRCStan]

This WRC2 Junior Throphy is made up anyway to have throphies for everybody.

The point is they didn't get a throphy. Oprah didn't show up as promised.


Their own Supplementary Regulations state that it's an event eligible for this category. They shouldn't need outside advice.....

It's not correct IMO, but not unusual to not give trophies. Whoever's fault it is, that WRC2 podium gets overlooked with 43 entries when Toyota NG gets one for finishing bottom of WRC Teams every round is a joke.

[Sulland]

If you have invited to a category in a world championship, then you need to treat them with respect, and present them with their prize. Same treatment as for the crews competing in a Rally1 car.

Comparing with Circuit racing on 2 and 4 wheels, all support classes get a price ceremony with bubbley and cups, why should it not be the same in rally?

Same with planning the timelines for the rallies and all live transmissions.
They need to plan for some footage at 50% of the stages also for WRC2 and 3. could also be taped footage from the previous stage, but they deserve to have something to show their sponsors.

Pls find a way, or many will quit support classes and move over to ERC. They gove better coverage!

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTjkIZKX0AMOhR9?format=jpg&name=medium

[EstWRC]

Tänak PS stage onboard https://youtu.be/AYdvzOiHkzc

[dimviii]

“He’s done 100 kilometers of testing on gravel – that’s all – and he comes here, gets in the car and drives it like that. Some boy.”

Hours later, there was the sport’s flip side. Loeb had smacked the wall, whipped the right-rear off and was sitting on a bank out of the lead and out of action.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/m-sport-loeb-proved-the-puma-is-fastest-car/

[Jarek Z]

Chris Ingram is right. WRC2 usually has 3 times as many entries as Rally1 class. They should be treated with bigger respect.

[pantealex]

Toyota NG gets one for finishing bottom of WRC Teams every round is a joke.

Rules say that M/T can have only 1 car...

in Portugal that 1 car did beat 50% of Hyundai and 100% of MSport cars...

Trophy is Joke, yes.

[dimviii]

What Ogier’s poor Portugal told us about Rally1

The eight-time world champion's struggles to get on top of the GR Yaris on gravel was an important signal
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/what-ogiers-poor-portugal-told-us-about-rally1/