[WRC] Rally Mexico 2023

[AnttiL]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FjpaeO7XEAENEY-?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

A new stage El Mosquito on Saturday. Las Dunas super special also likely new, possibly same that was driven in the Rally of Nations?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcG2_Augakw&ab_channel=MTMMotorsport

And nice to have a 35 km Sunday stage for tyre saving :D

[AnttiL]

https://www.rally-maps.com/Rally-M%C3%A9xico-2023

Turns out El Mosquito is familiar roads, same as Alfaro 2019 for example. But the Rock and Rally super special extends now to a park, seems nice

[Andre Oliveira]

So Ogier confirmed.

[Gregor-y]

El Mosquito does not sound spectator-friendly.

[Jajá]

Actually, it is not that bad... there are a couple of good spots with not so bad access (I am planning to go to the rally this year and my 'google maps' analysis found a couple of good spots not far from the access roads to the stage).

[AnttiL]

Actually, it is not that bad... there are a couple of good spots with not so bad access (I am planning to go to the rally this year and my 'google maps' analysis found a couple of good spots not far from the access roads to the stage).

I thought he just referred to the stage title

[Jajá]

I thought he just referred to the stage title
Haha, sorry... that makes sense... :)

[Tauri_J]

8 superspecials has to be a record

[Essaj]

For the first time in over a year Kalle won't be starting first to a WRC friday

[AnttiL]

For the first time in over a year Kalle won't be starting first to a WRC friday

First gravel event since Finland 2021 where Kalle is not first on the road

1. Tänak
2. Rovanperä
3. Neuville
4. Evans
5. Ogier
6. Lappi
7. Katsuta
8. Loubet
9. Sordo

[macebig]

If M-Sport can reach a deal with Loeb, it's time to deploy him. Last on the road has big potential to cut some points out of Tanak's opposition. Albeit, Loeb will never agree to team orders to help the Estonian which may be detrimental to the whole effort.

[skarderud]

If M-Sport can reach a deal with Loeb, it's time to deploy him. Last on the road has big potential to cut some points out of Tanak's opposition. Albeit, Loeb will never agree to team orders to help the Estonian which may be detrimental to the whole effort.Mikkelsen then.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[seb_sh]

Looks good for Ogier, he was very fast here usually but hampered by road position.

[Tauri_J]

Looks good for Ogier, he was very fast here usually but hampered by road position.

I have a feeling Mexico might be a Pirelly lottery

[AnttiL]

Also first Mexico with Rally1 cars

[Morte66]

I have a feeling Mexico might be a Pirelly lottery

Yep. If Corsica was the rally of ten thousand corners, Mexico is the rally of ten thousand punctures.

[mknight]

Also first Mexico with Rally1 cars
I wonder how much they can adopt the hybrid strategy for it.

On most gravel rallies the hybrid is a bit of an overkill and doesn't seem to have a big effect since they also risk a lot of wheelspin (Sordo was complaining about it last year).

In Mexico with much reduced engine power it might have a bigger effect.

[Tauri_J]

I wonder how much they can adopt the hybrid strategy for it.

On most gravel rallies the hybrid is a bit of an overkill and doesn't seem to have a big effect since they also risk a lot of wheelspin (Sordo was complaining about it last year).

In Mexico with much reduced engine power it might have a bigger effect.

With thin air, comes worse cooling for hybrid.

[bandit12]

With thin air, comes worse cooling for hybrid.

Good old times, when all cars had some cooling issues on mountain stages.

[mknight]

With thin air, comes worse cooling for hybrid.

Cooling (of the hybrid) has not been a issue yet even with very high temps in Portugal and Sardinia.

Toyota even reduced the air scoops cause they had too much cooling.

[dimviii]

With thin air, comes worse cooling for hybrid.

i dont think that thin air will not cool hybrid.Engine is something different with thin air.

[sinepikohv]

Being 1st vs. 2nd on the road in Mexico between 2016-20 as I wasn't arsed to look up more info and in 2015 Ogier won while starting first anyway.

I wanted to revisit those rallies and how 1st on the road fared in comparison to 2nd on the road to get an indication whether Rovanperä really needed to leave some points on the table in Sweden.

TL;DR is that it's mightily difficult to win in Mexico regardless whether you're 1st on the road or 2nd and the odds of a good result with a pretty much pure drive are rather similar. "Elementary, my dear Sinepikohv," you might say. Sure, go ahead, but I found this interesting nonetheless. I just hope I didn't leave anything out even though I checked everything multiple times but I'm a human being not ChatGPT...

2016

Ogier was 1st on the road and was 32,1 seconds behind JML after the first full day in 2nd position. Finished 2nd losing 1.05.

Mikkelsen was 2nd on the road and finished the first full day 4th but had problems with the brakes and the car started acting weird after he overshot a junction. So not the best example to measure how he fared being 2nd on the road.

2017

JML was 1st on the road and finished the first full day 8th, but had many problems. Overheated engine, issues with central diff, had to drive a part of a stage in road mode and with brakes that didn't operate how they should. Was "lucky" that almost 75 km of stages got cancelled. Finished the rally in 6th.

Ogier was 2nd on the road. Finished the first full day 2nd and was 2nd after Sunday as well.

2018

Neuville started 1st on the road. Had problems with the engine and steering, was 7th after the first full day but was behind the leader Sordo by 2.01,9. Finished the rally 6th.

Ogier was 2nd on the road and was 5th after the first full day. Managed to win the event beating Sordo by over a minute.

2019

Tänak was 1st on the road and finished the first full day 4th, 37,1 second behind Ogier. Finished the rally 2nd, lost 30,2 to Ogier.

Neuville started 2nd, but he suffered a puncture in the first full day. Was 6th at the end of the day and 4th at the end of the rally.

2020

Evans was 1st on the road and finished the first full day 3rd losing 33,2 to Ogier. A stage (17,24 km) was cancelled in the first day so would've lost a bit more. Finished the rally 4th.

Neuville was 2nd on the road but retired. Was 3rd before that losing 19,3 second to Ogier.

[AnttiL]

https://itgetsfasternow.com/2023/02/16/route-preview-rally-mexico-2023/

Route preview. Mostly familiar, the new sections on Sunday were left undriven in 2020. Two new super specials which look really nice!

[Tom206wrc]

Does someone know when the entrylist is published :confused:

[PLuto]

Does someone know when the entrylist is published :confused:

Tomorrow

[Jajá]

Anyone has access to the Rally Guide 2? Would you mind to share in pvt? TIA!

[AnttiL]

https://twitter.com/AnttiL_WRC/status/1628737019525447680

WRC2 names include Greensmith, Solberg, Fourmaux, Lindholm (Fabia Evo), Gryazin (Fabia Evo), Kajetanowicz and Prokop. Only Dominguez in WRC3.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://twitter.com/AnttiL_WRC/status/1628737019525447680

WRC2 names include Greensmith, Solberg, Fourmaux, Lindholm (Fabia Evo), Gryazin (Fabia Evo), Kajetanowicz and Prokop. Only Dominguez in WRC3.

WRC.com explains why Nikolay Gryazin and defending WRC2 champion Emil Lindhom are reverting back to older-specification Fabia Rally2 Evos for the event.
“We are using the Rally2 Evo for Mexico since it was logistically the only option,” Lindholm explained. “The cars have travelled straight from Japan to Mexico by ship along with all the parts needed. This was simply the easiest way of doing it.”

[pettersolberg29]

WRC.com explains why Nikolay Gryazin and defending WRC2 champion Emil Lindhom are reverting back to older-specification Fabia Rally2 Evos for the event.
“We are using the Rally2 Evo for Mexico since it was logistically the only option,” Lindholm explained. “The cars have travelled straight from Japan to Mexico by ship along with all the parts needed. This was simply the easiest way of doing it.”

Might be a good tactical move too - still a lot of questions over the performance of the new Fabia on gravel, so it might well be that the older spec is as fast if not faster in Mexico!

[J4MIE]

Anyone has access to the Rally Guide 2? Would you mind to share in pvt? TIA!

It’s a bit strange that nothing is available in public, usually there would be. Would appreciate a copy as well.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Might be a good tactical move too - still a lot of questions over the performance of the new Fabia on gravel, so it might well be that the older spec is as fast if not faster in Mexico!

Sounds like a purely logistical decision in terms of transporting the cars, but there is also the issue of parts for the new Fabia RS which aren't available in good numbers.

I'm sure Skoda/Toksport know what's best for this tough event.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Hybrid power more effective in Mexico than ever says Neuville....

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/neuville-hybrid-will-be-more-effective-than-ever-at-wrc-rally-mexico/10437869/?filters%5Bevent%5D%5B0%5D%5Btitle%5D=Rally+Mexico&filters%5Bevent%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D=276030

[Rallyper]

Hybrid power more effective in Mexico than ever says Neuville....

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/neuville-hybrid-will-be-more-effective-than-ever-at-wrc-rally-mexico/10437869/?filters%5Bevent%5D%5B0%5D%5Btitle%5D=Rally+Mexico&filters%5Bevent%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D=276030

For sure... no aspiration needed :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

For sure... no aspiration needed :)

It'll be interesting to see who makes the most of their electric power and has the best mapping. And if the WRC+ commentators finally give it some attention after virtually ignoring this aspect since early last season.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Electric battery cooling could be a problem at altitude though...

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/an-engineers-perspective-on-the-conundrum-of-hybrid/

[EstWRC]

7 days to go

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230309/dc7c96bb96ee5df51e17f1533ea60960.jpg

[AnttiL]

Route preview video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqVFuf0MCXk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

New Fabia RS' cars arrived safely in Mexico for Oliver and Gus...

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

[Jarek Z]

Test sessions have started in the fields of agave:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl302OHD3nM

[EstWRC]

Dirtfish recce interviews https://youtu.be/J6jQCVQlLbY

[EstWRC]

Dirtfish team talk https://youtu.be/XMxTXYF9SmQ

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanak on the challenge of Mexico for the hybrid cars:

“But from the other side for the hybrid, the temperature and altitude and low cooling effect, it will definitely affect. So how we can manage it we need to find out.

“It’s probably going to be one of the most challenging ones for the hybrids.

“The hybrid doesn’t like the temperature, it doesn’t like the compressions and the G-forces which in México you get many with all the compressions and things.

“So let’s see, it will be a proper challenge.”

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/mexico-will-give-hybrid-units-its-biggest-challenge-yet/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Pirelli tyres...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FrWGB8GaUAMbn9s?format=jpg&name=large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

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

[Rallyper]

So. Here we go again, fellows. Time for Rally Mexico.

[Rallyper]

There´s a righthander only a couple of hundred meters from start. Tanak seemed to go wide there...
But the All Live clipped just before when Kalle was almost there...
No feeling at all.

[Rallyper]

Sound not even synchronized...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No interviews either.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier is back.

[Eli]

Feels good coming back here, last time was so depressing (obviously), glad to see Mexico back on the calendar.

[EstWRC]

Gus just 2 secs from Tänak

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good run by Gus vs the WRC2 field.

[TypeR]

Seems like Fourmaux broke the 2022 budget so bad, since he has used the ,,old'' puprle livery helmet all this year (and suit also on Wilson's rally) :D

[Rallyper]

Pickems closing tonight at 2300 hrs CET. Remember!

[AnttiL]

Good run by Gus vs the WRC2 field.

Gus with soft tyres.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gus with soft tyres.

And the highest road position of the WRC2s and its his first WRC event with the new car/team.

[meh]

So, what to expect?

For Rally1 - the main concern probably is, how the hybrid or rally1 car in general handles those conditions.

I think it's quite painful to watch on Friday - the road-cleaning is huge, Friday heroes can shine again (this time Sordo, Loubet, Katsuta, Lappi) and then there is question, are Tänak and Rovanperä in the attacking position after Friday or it's lost game and "grab what you can" for small points. Entry list is so small, that you may grab some points even with super-rally.

In Rally2 category is interesting, how Rally1 drivers from last year (Greensmith, Solberg, Fourmaux) can fight each other - they all have a lot to prove, and they are nice targets for others, like Lindholm and Gryazin.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The 2023 look for Gus....

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FrXrSsKWAAMlu9n?format=jpg&name=large

[EstWRC]

Stage win for Tänak on SS1 with quite a margin I would say considering it’s just 1.12km

[AnttiL]

Stage win for Tänak on SS1 with quite a margin I would say considering it’s just 1.12km

And SS2. Getting all the seconds he can get to be ahead of someone come Saturday.

Also good runs from Lindholm, although Solberg and Fourmaux must have suffered from start position.

[Sal yet again]

Just got to love the atmosphere on those 2 street stages even though the proximity of the crowds would probably have scared the shit out of organisers in countries like the UK! With the previous use for the Gymkhana vids as well just adds to the mystique.

[Jarek Z]

Highlights from the street stages:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsDNQH-tXu4

[SubaruNorway]

Is there not a service with tire change this morning, they said it wasn't on wrc+? Weird doing donuts if not.

[PLuto]

Is there not a service with tire change this morning, they said it wasn't on wrc+? Weird doing donuts if not.

This is new rule this year - no morning service on gravel events. For me it is stupid decision...

[AnttiL]

But here they have a morning service on Friday. Probably everyone on softs for super special and hards for gravel stages.

For example in Rally Finland they will instead have a service after the Thursday super special, but no morning service. Normally there would be no evening service on Thursday.

[J4MIE]

57.2

service parks service parks – general throughout the rally there shall be one main service park. Organisers may, however, submit to the fia and the promoter promotional justification to support relocation during a rally.

Service park schedules the schedule for each car in the service park is as follows:

57.2.1 except for events run on gravel, 15 minutes before the first ss following an overnight regroup. For the final day of the rally, an organiser may replace this service with a tfz, as per art. 60, if stipulated in the supplementary regulations.

– technical checks may be carried out within the parc fermé.

57.2.2 40 minutes between two groups of stages – preceded by a 3-minute technical zone which may be within a regroup.

57.2.3 45 minutes at the end of each section before an overnight regroup.

– 10-minute technical checks to be carried out in the parc fermé preceding flexi-service.

57.2.4 optional 10-minutes prior to the finish.

– preceded by a 10 minute technical zone.


fyi

[EstWRC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230317/40c5bd239903e784a6ff2f963c9f729b.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Come on Ott... arriba, arriba ! ;)

[Sergiow]

Come on Ott... arriba, arriba ! ;)

No hybrid boost for Ott?

[Tauri_J]

Oh dear

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Uh-oh !

[Tauri_J]

No turbo boost

[er88]

Msport gremlins again......, disaster

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nightmare. :(

[EstWRC]

That lasted long

Lol

[Tauri_J]

Lot of peep monents in estonian

[er88]

New year, same old shite from Msport.

[meh]

Tänak's assumption before going out from car: some turbo-related (turbolõdvik) thing is loose/opened.

Anyway, fuckedup and lost game.

[NOT]

thats what you get when you put an errand boy as your team manager to save a few pounds....

[meh]

and... Rovenperä based on his own statements gave some points in Sweden away to not start 1st on the road. And now. He is first on the road. Without those theoretical points.

[EstWRC]

Ott said: “dejavu from 2019”

[NOT]

and... Rovenperä based on his own statements gave some points in Sweden away to not start 1st on the road. And now. He is first on the road. Without those theoretical points.

yes but just 40kms of cleaning

[Sergiow]

Very sportmanslike from Ott to get out of the way ...

[NOT]

enjoy your women end stage commentators all.... don't you just love diversity ?

[EstWRC]

To my surprise. Lappi seems to have gelled well so far with the Hyundai.

[Tauri_J]

Disaster for M Sport

[er88]

Disasterclass

[meh]

Taka with angry face does not seem like this always kind and polite Japanese anymore, more like a proper warrior :)

[Sulland]

That should be the last time M Sport waists more time on Loubet.
new man in!

[Tauri_J]

I think its time for Sordo to retire

[Tauri_J]

What is going on looool

[meh]

So, how many mintues it took to get rid of 3 M-Sport rally1 cars?

[Kras]

Tanak should have gonne with a campaign in a rental toyota. Loubet is.... well pretty shit

[er88]

Absolutely embarrassing this for Msport

[NOT]

enjoy your fat old and useless drivers everyone... don't you just love it when handless tourists stop the stages because of their incompetence ?

what a joke the sport has become...

[Sergiow]

Can't remember, but for my money, first time ever Serdiridis not ending stage in WRC 1? Thought they hired him in the first place to bring the car home at least in every rally he was participating ...

[EstWRC]

I wouldn’t want to be a msport member today.

All 3 cars out with 10kms

[Kras]

Boomer fart destroying rallies globaly...

[Sergiow]

Absolutely embarrassing this for Msport

and even embarassing for Gus to be blocked by an Msport ;)

[TypeR]

Gus must be thinking.. Fkn hll, I left M-Sport, but still pushing that Puma on stage :D

[EstWRC]

Anyway, Tänak is at the start for next stage

[jonkka]

Thought they hired him in the first place to bring the car home at least in every rally he was participating ...

Hired? Serderis is self-paying gentleman driver, nothing more.

[doubled1978]

I think that goes down as a bad start for MSport. On the Tanak side if it’s a turbo failure, that’s potentially unlucky as they have been pretty bullet proof in recent years, but with them you do wonder if it’s old parts or something…

[meh]

Stage 4 delayed.

Meanwhile Tänak can build new turbo.

[Sergiow]

Hired? Serderis is self-paying gentleman driver, nothing more.

Probably the right wording here would be 'Msport loaned their car' ?

[Tauri_J]

Still points in play for Ott

[dnb]

Probably the right wording here would be 'Msport loaned their car' ?

'rented out for big bucks'

[Hackinator]

Thanks Serderidis

[AnttiL]

Thanks Serderidis

Yes, so nice that he can be there enjoying :D

[Kras]

Ye hes fabricating new maifold seals out of a nearby cactus

[Sergiow]

Can't remember, but for my money, first time ever Serdiridis not ending stage in WRC 1? Thought they hired him in the first place to bring the car home at least in every rally he was participating ...

Wrong, Serdiridis the hired hand who loaned the MSport car for big fat bucks made it to the stage finish :D

[EstWRC]

Still points in play for Ott

Definitely. I guess they didn’t repair it but decided to bring it home with the next two stages which together are as long as El Chocolate was alone.

[dnb]

Are the cars still stopped?

[Kras]

Imagine the pr nightmare if out of touch boomer mows down the crowd at some event

[Hackinator]

Are the cars still stopped?

Yes, SS4 Ortega 1 has been delayed.

[greencroft]

At this rate, Ott Tanak will be cleaning the road on Saturday instead of today.

[TypeR]

BREAKING NEWS*: Team orders in M-Sport. Loubet and Serderidis asked to interrupt the stage in order to give Tänak more time to repair on liaison and start in front of Tänak on Saturday.




*not confirmed information :D

[meh]

Are the cars still stopped?

no, rally2 gans is crawling to the finish

[Hackinator]

Tanak should just get a Studebaker Commander loaner from Benito Guerra and beat everyone.

[jonkka]

Imagine the pr nightmare if out of touch boomer mows down the crowd at some event

Huh, what?

[becher]

So what happened with Loubet? Crash?

[EstWRC]

Warrior Tänak!

[Tauri_J]

In 2019 and 2020 6th placed car finished over 10 minutes down.

[TypeR]

Tänak already saving tyres for PS..? :D

[Hackinator]

Tänak has started SS4 Ortega 1 and the Puma is not repaired. He's limping along

[Tauri_J]

At this rate, Ott Tanak will be cleaning the road on Saturday instead of today.

Loubet

[dnb]

What about Serderidis?

[EstWRC]

What about Serderidis?

Loubet retired earlier I think

[Sergiow]

I wonder if there is no way that Ott should enforce something that Kalle, Thierry, Elfyn and Seb should start ahead him? By opening the road his is simply cleaning up for his nearest competitors ...

[dnb]

Loubet retired earlier I think

Same stage = same time loss at the end of today. But after SS2 Loubet was ahead of Serderidis. Reverse order means Serderidis first. Am I wrong?

[EstWRC]

Same stage = same time loss at the end of today. But after SS2 Loubet was ahead of Serderidis. Reverse order means Serderidis first. Am I wrong?

I hope so. At the moment Tänak would start behind Serderidis tomorrow which isn’t good

[Sal yet again]

Imagine the pr nightmare if out of touch boomer mows down the crowd at some event

Age it would seem is the last taboo. Irrelevant what age someone would be if a crash happened.

[jonkka]

I wonder if there is no way that Ott should enforce something that Kalle, Thierry, Elfyn and Seb should start ahead him? By opening the road his is simply cleaning up for his nearest competitors ...

No, unless he's really late (and thus incurs OTL penalties) or regroup comes along.

[Tauri_J]

Neuville almost somersaulted

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Naughty making that speed-bump after recce.

[meh]

Let's talk about tomorrow's starting order in the evenint, other guys are not at the finish of the day yet as well.

[EstWRC]

Ogier not smashing it like I predicted SO FAR

[Hackinator]

Ogier not smashing it like I predicted SO FAR

He'll sit back and watch the churn in front of him

[Sergiow]

Warrior Tänak!

By the looks of it, seems like Lappi is the true warrior ;)

[EstWRC]

Interesting that apart from kalle and Thierry the others haven’t mentioned the speed bump

[Dontcut]

Interesting that apart from kalle and Thierry the others haven’t mentioned the speed bump

Maybe Neuville smashed it.

[Kras]

I don't understand the universal praise for Taka. Hes not a great driver and I don't see him becoming one

[meh]

Interesting that apart from kalle and Thierry the others haven’t mentioned the speed bump

Maybe they watched all-live or got warning from teams.

[meh]

Solberg also doing something interesting already? 7sec down from Greensmith at split1

[EstWRC]

Go Fourmaux!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gus was not happy with his run or the soft tyres.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Shame no comment from Solberg after being 9s slower.

[TypeR]

Go Fourmaux!

Buttt.. Fiesta Rally2 was supposed to be crap..

[meh]

based on no-movements on maps - Grazin stopped?

[Jarek Z]

based on no-movements on maps - Grazin stopped?

It seems that Gryazin rolled. Will this stage be stopped as well?

[Jarek Z]

I don't understand the universal praise for Taka. Hes not a great driver and I don't see him becoming one

You are right. Don't let the others fool you.

[Tauri_J]

Its been a while since Gryazin had a crash

[Jarek Z]

Its been a while since Gryazin had a crash

That's true. His last crash was on Rally van Staden back in July 2022:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/71063-nikolay-gryazin/

[meh]

Yaris seems big like a schoolbus on that road.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Phew Tanak got through.

[meh]

Really nice scene when heli flew on the same level with Neuville, awesome

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Shame no comment from Solberg after being 9s slower.

Oliver Solberg
@OliverSolberg01
·
5m
Very slippery through SS4 - unfortunately had a spin and lost around 10s early on in the stage, but after that it was okay! One more stage before service ��

[EstWRC]

Kalle lost the hybrid

[EstWRC]

Lappi absolutely on it!

[TypeR]

wanted to say that, he is on fire.. but wouldn't sound right in regard of 2020 Mexico :D

Anyway.. nice to see Lappi on good pace!

[EstWRC]

I counted at least 3-4 moments for him

[meh]

Taka off

... quite some off the road and down-hill

[Kras]

Taka off

... quite some off the road and down-hill

Shocker

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So as it stands do Loubet, Serderidis & Katsuta start ahead of Tanak tomorrow ?

[meh]

wanted to say that, he is on fire.. but wouldn't sound right in regard of 2020 Mexico :D

Anyway.. nice to see Lappi on good pace!

... and for Tänak are not suitable water-related phrases in Mexico (#TiTänak).

[EstWRC]

So as it stands do Loubet, Serderidis & Katsuta start ahead of Tanak tomorrow ?

At the moment yes

[EstWRC]

“First,” he said, “we need to get it fixed and, for sure, we should keep going. It’s my first time driving on gravel and my first feedback was not great when we did the first 15 kilometers of the stage, so we have plenty of job to do.”

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/only-hybrid-kept-tanak-in-rally-mexico/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Having hybrid power saved Tanak ! :)

[satnav]

SPEED BUMP ON SS 4/7 ORTEGA
The unexpected bump on SS 4/7 at km 5.1 is now removed

https://app-cdn.sportity.com/b0486362-43b3-4ed6-bf04-a35907e67945/8df9066f-ff91-4415-a13e-5829a30953aa_COC%20Communication%207.pdf

[Fast Eddie WRC]

M-Sport has ruled out purposefully dropping Ott Tänak down the Rally México running order after his Friday morning problems.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/m-sport-rules-out-playing-tactical-games-with-tanak/

[EstWRC]

If trusting the graphics then it seems the hybrid isn’t working for Tänak

[Fast Eddie WRC]

If trusting the graphics then it seems the hybrid isn’t working for Tänak

I thought that but the display is slightly different.

[meh]

I wonder how long Neuville using the side of the road without having any hit back from there...

[meh]

If trusting the graphics then it seems the hybrid isn’t working for Tänak

Let them have all the problems with the car now. And then fix them all for the rest of the season.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The comms havent made anything of watching the hybrid, even though its so crucial here. :rolleyes:

[EstWRC]

Ott didn’t say a thing but something isn’t working 100% imo and he didn’t tell the truth

The gap is too big with Kalle and Thierry. I know it’s cleaning but still

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Strange... Loubet says the obstacle he struck was actually in the middle of the road.

“I think a rock, but under the car, because it was in the middle of the car,” he told DirtFish, “it was not a wheel touch or something like that. I didn’t lose any wheel.”

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Greensmith up on the splits to the other WRC2s...

[EstWRC]

Lol lappi saying it was clean run from him with a good moment again

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Let them have all the problems with the car now. And then fix them all for the rest of the season.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FrcXW3gWAAYvitu?format=jpg&name=medium

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great time by Greensmith and he was losing power at the end !

[RS]

Greensmith rather surprisingly impressive so far.

[SubaruNorway]

Yup, Greensmith was beaten by 4 Norwegian drivers in Numedalsrally 2022 with the Fiesta Rally2 so i didn't expect this pace.

[EstWRC]

Tänak losing a lot again. Definitely things aren’t right, seems some other parts aren’t working either

[Rallyper]

Yup, Greensmith was beaten by 4 Norwegian drivers in Numedalsrally 2022 with the Fiesta Rally2 so i didn't expect this pace.

Well, it´s gravel now. Not snow and ice. GG also on one spare.

[dimviii]

yeap 26 sec at 15,7 km stage are a lot for just cleaning.

[meh]

Tänak has nothing to win with pushing, just to loose even those possible points when he can stay on the road.

Actually - if someone ruins (causing dust, blocks the road) your run then you can claim your time back. But if you stop for letting someone else to go without ruining their run, can you claim your time back as well? When doing that you don't win anything but the sport does. I'm talking Tänak staying and letting Neuville to go.

[er88]

Sordo in trouble

[wwbroe]

What happened with Sordo?

[dimviii]

What happened with Sordo?

full of dust inside the car

[EstWRC]

Tänak has nothing to win with pushing, just to loose even those possible points when he can stay on the road.

Actually - if someone ruins (causing dust, blocks the road) your run then you can claim your time back. But if you stop for letting someone else to go without ruining their run, can you claim your time back as well? When doing that you don't win anything but the sport does. I'm talking Tänak staying and letting Neuville to go.

He is slower than rally2 cars in this stage. There is something wrong with the car

[matija_1988]

What happened with Sordo?

Puncture

[dimviii]

full of dust inside the car

SORDO
He's carrying rear-left damage and the car is filling with dust - and a lot of it! It's a big distraction for the Spaniard.

[Rallyper]

Any pics from Taka roll?

[dnb]

In 2020 (with covid) there were just 5 WRC cars in finish before Rally2 cars, same in 2019 (though 5th lost over 6min), basically the same in 2018 - the 6th place lost over 9min.

Is the roughness of this rally interesting for you? IMO they don't have enough top cars for this kind of event. I also don't understand why they give out points for top10, so you could get points by losing more than 20min.

[becher]

Greensmith rather surprisingly impressive so far.

He won Monte in a Rally2, he's no world champion, but not a total muppet like some people act.

[meh]

Sordo after SS7
https://twitter.com/PowerslidePod/status/1636853403413258241

[meh]

Grazin SS4 (sorry if it is repost, too lazy to recheck)
https://twitter.com/DiegoteSimracer/status/1636842299966496772

[EstWRC]

And they don’t ask at all from Tänak what’s wrong

Amateurs

[meh]

And they don’t ask at all from Tänak what’s wrong

Amateurs

And what could be difference, if they ask? :)

[Humber]

Bring back mousse for the tyres. (rear tyres at least)

There are former firefighters on permanent disability from exposure to burning lithium batteries.

[EstWRC]

And now they asked Evans can you fight for podium even though he is in third

Lol

[Kras]

EP really impressive so far. I hope he wins

[Rallyper]

It´s very nice to see Lappi happy.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Lappi said he felt he found how to drive fast here in 2020 but then had the fire. Seems he really had !

[Rallyper]

Problems for Oliver...

Edit: puncture... now lost more than one minute.
Edit 2: lost around 1 min 40 secs

[meh]

Greensmith and Fourmaux can find to fight with each other, old good M-Sport times...

[Eli]

In 2020 (with covid) there were just 5 WRC cars in finish before Rally2 cars, same in 2019 (though 5th lost over 6min), basically the same in 2018 - the 6th place lost over 9min.

Is the roughness of this rally interesting for you? IMO they don't have enough top cars for this kind of event. I also don't understand why they give out points for top10, so you could get points by losing more than 20min.

They should've referred back to the old scoring point (up to 2010) where we got top 8 (10-8-6..etc.) with points, but then it would mess with their power stage points.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Very impressive job by Greensmith in the new car. Imagine if he had the seat time to really learn it (like Solberg's had)..

[Rallyper]

Very impressive job by Greensmith in the new car. Imagine if he had the seat time to really learn it (like Solberg's had)..

Yeah. For sure he´d been even more than a minute faster... :( ;)

[EstWRC]

In 2020 (with covid) there were just 5 WRC cars in finish before Rally2 cars, same in 2019 (though 5th lost over 6min), basically the same in 2018 - the 6th place lost over 9min.

Is the roughness of this rally interesting for you? IMO they don't have enough top cars for this kind of event. I also don't understand why they give out points for top10, so you could get points by losing more than 20min.

No it isn’t interesting, every time this rally takes place I just hold my breath how many cars will survive

Also, the itinerary is basically the same every year

I would prefer Argentina instead of it or second winter rally somewhere

[meh]

Yeah, early days, but provisional standings:

1. Rovanperä 48
2. Ogier 44
3. Neuville 44
4. Evans 44
5. Tänak 41
6. Lappi 40

[PLuto]

Bring back mousse for the tyres. (rear tyres at least)

There are former firefighters on permanent disability from exposure to burning lithium batteries.

It should make the tyres more expensive (mainly for privateers). And thanks to the punctures (and possibility of punctures), it is more interesting.

[cali]

Yup, Greensmith was beaten by 4 Norwegian drivers in Numedalsrally 2022 with the Fiesta Rally2 so i didn't expect this pace.Key word here is the Fiesta Rally2

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

At least the next SSS is gravel so worth watching.

[dnb]

It should make the tyres more expensive (mainly for privateers). And thanks to the punctures (and possibility of punctures), it is more interesting.

They could use it in Rally1 only

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great time by Lappi... taking more on this little stage than some of the proper ones !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Big time taken by Solberg... 3rd fastest o/a.

[RS]

Big time taken by Solberg... 3rd fastest o/a.

Impressive drive, but i guess he answered whether the new Skoda could be good on the tight and twisty stages too.

Also shout out to Formaux for being within touching distance of the WRC2 lead with the Fiesta.

[EstWRC]

Yeah, early days, but provisional standings:

1. Rovanperä 48
2. Ogier 44
3. Neuville 44
4. Evans 44
5. Tänak 41
6. Lappi 40

TIGHT!

Seems there is a lot of things to work on to improve the car, not a single stage without a problem according to Ott https://twitter.com/msportltd/status/1636921443370803201?s=46&t=AWria8OgC1kV5QC61vX5Xg

[EstWRC]

Seems the only points Tänak can get is from PS stage. He is currently 9 minutes from Kajito who has lost 4.53 so far to fastest car aka Lappi, even if Tänak takes like 6 minutes from Kajito today it will be still 3 minutes for tomorrow with only 60kms


Great rally from Lappi so far. Doing really amazing IMO

[AnttiL]

Seems the only points Tänak can get is from PS stage. He is currently 9 minutes from Kajito who has lost 4.53 so far to fastest car aka Lappi, even if Tänak takes like 6 minutes from Kajito today it will be still 3 minutes for tomorrow with only 60kms


Great rally from Lappi so far. Doing really amazing IMO

But someone likely retires. But yeah, 1 or 2 points at most and then PS

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Any info appeared on Tanak's slow pace on the 2nd loop ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

GREENSMITH SETS THE TEMPO ON FRIDAY IN WRC2

Gus Greensmith wasted no time getting to grips with his all-new Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, building an 8.5sec advantage over former team-mate Adrien Fourmaux on Friday at Guanajuato Rally Mexico.

Despite having limited testing time prior to the event, Greensmith appeared well-acquainted with his Toksport-prepared machine. He consistently posted top-three stage times throughout the morning and reached the mid-leg service just 3.0sec down on overnight leader Emil Lindholm, who drives a Fabia Rally2 Evo.

It put the Brit in prime position to pounce in the afternoon when Lindholm dropped 14 seconds on the second passage of El Chocolate, demoting the Finn four positions and leaving Greensmith on top, where he remained for the rest of the day."

[COD]

They could use it in Rally1 only

More cutting and horrible lines for Rally 2,3,4 etc and more punctures for them

[AnttiL]

And even bigger gap for a new driver to get from Rally2 to Rally1.

[focus206]

Good job by Lappi so far, but let's see if he can continue with pace and no mistakes. Same for Greensmith.
First major reliability problem for a title contender. You can afford very few of those against Toyota...

[AnttiL]

Very impressive job by Greensmith in the new car. Imagine if he had the seat time to really learn it (like Solberg's had)..

He's had a decent amount of testing. Solberg hasn't done more on gravel either.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

He's had a decent amount of testing. Solberg hasn't done more on gravel either.

Dont agree. Solberg has been in the car way more, even if not on gravel, which can only help. And the one event Greensmith did was opening the road in snowy conditions !

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Start list Saturday:

Serderidis
Loubet
Katsuta
Tänak
Sordo
Rovanperä
Neuville
Evans
Ogier
Lappi

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Any info appeared on Tanak's slow pace on the 2nd loop ?

The Estonian confirmed that it wasn’t his road position that was to blame for his lack of speed.

“It has been a tough day,” said Tanak. “It was not really much to do with the road position it was generally some other issues which I didn’t notice this morning.

“We are struggling to match the R5 [cars] so it would be nice if we could find more pace.”

[Fast Eddie WRC]

More like it from Ott so far...

'Issue is fixed' but still not too happy.

[er88]

Tanak saying issues are fixed, but he claims he still can't drive the car fast....

[EstWRC]

Tanak saying issues are fixed, but he claims he still can't drive the car fast....

Seems to me he is referring to the setup and or car not being like he wants

Sordo lost a lot in the end to Tänak

[Tauri_J]

So, do we have any video/picture evidence that what the hell happened with Serderidis yesterday?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Oof ! Kalle hit the bank quite hard.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Decent time by Tanak given his road position - faster than Sordo & Rovanpera.

[meh]

Lappi off.

edit 1: I guess Rally2 will have red-flag now. (it is now)

edit2: and we have Lappi's car on fire. Again.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Shame but looked ragged beforehand.

[Rallyper]

This clearly a red flag situation.

[EstWRC]

Such a shame but I was afraid of this with this speed

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FrgpACJXoAY-xcJ?format=jpg&name=large

[TypeR]

Ogier cruising to win and going to lead the WDC.

I bet he will be thinkibg doing whole series then :D

[Rallyper]

Yes. He hasn´t learned a thing. It´s a shame needed to say that, but honestly he didn´t manage that speed.

[EstWRC]

What times the rally2 are given now?

[Rallyper]

What times the rally2 are given now?

Fastest... :)

[NOT]

Ogier cruising to win and going to lead the WDC.

I bet he will be thinkibg doing whole series then :D

dead sport

lol...

disgraceful.

[EstWRC]

Ogier cruising to win and going to lead the WDC.

I bet he will be thinkibg doing whole series then :D

Yeah he would be leading at the moment with 51 points against Kalle 50

[rp]

It´s too difficult situation to fight with Ogier. Lappi is not at the the same level than World Champions. We will see if he is allowed to continue with Hyundai. The new team boss is able to do big decisions.

[meh]

Probably next stage will be delayed as well, as rally2-gang can not get to the start