Jeremy Clarksons view of rallying, and the new Impreza

[turves]

This may not belong in here, but it did make me chuckle...

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article3209571.ece

[A.F.F.]

Clarkson is a funny guy who unfortunately was left out of any love as a child.

[Josti]

This may not belong in here, but it did make me chuckle...

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article3209571.ece

From what I understand, Jeremy is not up to date on Rallying these days and he only sees it from one perspective. All his negative points on Rallying is something a rallyfan could see as a positive thing. His points are pretty cliché in my opinion.

I kind of share his feelings on the new Impreza though.

[Tomi]

About what you can expect from a guy who test the differences of rallycars on a racetrack.

[AndyRAC]

About what you can expect from a guy who test the differences of rallycars on a racetrack.

Yeah, was watching Dave on Friday and they were racing old 'Racing' cars against new road cars. So we had the Escort RS Mk1 v Focus RS Road car, Audi Quattro v Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII. And guess what, both the modern cars won - In my view it was slightly unfair, both those cars weren't known for the brilliance on Tarmac, they were Gravel cars - so the race proved nothing.
As for the Impreza, I know what he means, years ago the only time you saw one was in a Rally car park, now they're everywere, mainly driven by chavs who think they're cool. As for Rallyfans, well a lot of people think that, when I tell people I spent the weekend in a forest at a Rally, they think I'm mad, stupid or strange.....

[Magnus]

I think it was quite funny actually. Besides, he is a mediapersonality, and he wouldn´t be one if he wasn´t mean sometimes or had a tendency of over simplifying different aspects of cars and motorsport.
We shouldn´t take it all that to serious. Besides, the rallyinterested community in sweden tends to slide around in old Volvos...so did Petter before Subaru got hold of him 8inc Ford...)

[sal]

As Richard Burns was well known to the Clarkson family I think a lot of what JC wrote was tongue in cheek. But the new Impreza is a minger and it always rains in Wales when I go so tend to agree with him!

[AndyRAC]

As Richard Burns was well known to the Clarkson family I think a lot of what JC wrote was tongue in cheek. But the new Impreza is a minger and it always rains in Wales when I go so tend to agree with him!

Yeah, I knew he was a mate of Richard's.
I agree about standing in a cold wet Welsh forest, and the going home to find out who has won; as there is no way of knowing the result while stuck in the middle of a forest.

[Larry_Japan]

Yeah, I read this on Sunday in the paper. Hilarious and, of course, like everything Clarkson writes/says, deliberately provocative. Made me laugh and slightly humiliated at the same time...

[GruppoB]

As for his points on rallying I took it as a backhanded compliment. His only explanation for people who choose to drive in sport that is arguably the most dangerous in the world and get considerably less money than say an F1 driver has to be stupidity in his eyes.

Just as his view on Americans he likes to think were all from Alabama and talk with a drawl and/or have a gun rack in our pickup truck because we all drive pickups.

Hes a good writer/funny guy that sounds like an angry child half the time =)

[mdesign]

As long as you don't take him seriously this is funny. If he really thinks that about rally fans, well he must never spectate a true rally stage.
What I find weird is he's reference to the escort cosworth as a rival to the subaru. the ford is what? 15 years old? I guess his opinion must been formed at the time, and never though about it again.

[J4MIE]

He sums up Wales perfectly :D :up:

I think you have to read it for what it is, I don't think it is deadly serious and he is probably right that nobody with any sense would stand in the cold and rain for hours on end to watch cars go past :p :

[PuddleJumper]

He's got a point. I sometimes think, when standing in the cold and wet, that I must be mad. But when that first car comes through the stage the adrenalin kicks in and the discomfort is soon forgotten.

It's typical Clarkson ramblings, partly true, but mostly just cheek. Deep down I'm sure he has a lot of respect for rally drivers and can well understand why the true fans love the sport so much.

As for chavs driving round in strobe-effect Imprezas; most of them have probably never even seen a World Rally Car in action, let alone know what rallying is really about.

[urabus-denoS2000]

Well I think I understand him,because hes not a rally-head like all of us.Those things that he said about spectating a stage are all true,but THAT IS WHAT MAKES RALLY SPECIAL!!!When I tell my friends I spent my weekend on a rally in the middle of nowhere,they all think im crazy,and I understand them.
Im a bit embarassed with that Subaru jacket part,because I wear my Subaru jacket everywhere!!!
Besides,Clarkson is that type of person and you just have to understand him.

[J4MIE]

He's got a point. I sometimes think, when standing in the cold and wet, that I must be mad. But when that first car comes through the stage the adrenalin kicks in and the discomfort is soon forgotten.

As I often say, adrenaline is a wonderful thing! :bounce:

[Doon]

He's obviously never seen Andy Burton driving the 306 in anger!!

His angle on reporting is always about winding someone up and thats what makes him funny. Unfortunately, he has chosen Rallying this time, a subject he probably knows little about in real terms. He can't even drive properly, he should become a comedian and let some rally drivers review the cars!

I found it mildy amusing and it didn't offen. I just feel sorry for the people who actually take notice of what he says......they don't know what they're missing!

Fresh from the Collins Dictionary;

Jeremy Clarkson - An amusing bullsh*tter, who is scared of Rallying and its loyal followers. ;)

[MartijnS]

I love it, great column :D

[Doon]

Oh yeh check out the youtube video where he goes for a ride with Burnsie. He compares Rallying to concentration camps, and the proceeds to mess his trousers! :)

[PuddleJumper]

What a haircut!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF2xoyCCrRY&NR=1

[Doon]

I know what a goon!!

[WRXedUSA]

Don't get too up in a bunch over Clarkson.

He's the same idiot that did this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7174760.stm

And, the thought he could run for PM. While this style of writing is very entertaining, I think he forgets how heavy of a tool it is when he starts swinging it around wrecklessly.

Anyone who is interested in automobilia knows what rally is, or is a rally fan. Most of those types make up the majority of people that watch Top Gear, read his columns or nerd around boards like this.

[Frozzy]

heh i find it funny mos tof the "bad points" clarkson points out are for me what makes rallying rallying standing out in the freezing cold morning waiting for a glimpse of your fave driver roaring past through the winding forest roads

[Anti-Lag-Rocks]

I agree about standing in a cold wet Welsh forest, and the going home to find out who has won; as there is no way of knowing the result while stuck in the middle of a forest.

I would have normally agreed with you, but last Rally GB I was up with the times and was amazed to be able to go to all the results sites using an iPhone I just bought (while standing deep in the forest) - that was very helpful..!

[AndyRAC]

I would have normally agreed with you, but last Rally GB I was up with the times and was amazed to be able to go to all the results sites using an iPhone I just bought (while standing deep in the forest) - that was very helpful..!

Rally GB is different, you can listen to Rally Radio and there's the Text message service. At National Rallies I wait till I get home, maybe that's one of it's charms, getting drenched and not knowing who won.

[cosmicpanda]

I don't usually get drenched at NZ rallies. :p

However I did decide to take precautions once to avoid getting wet and wore a raincoat religiously to every stage. Needless to say, it was rather hot and not raining at all, so I looked a bit of a fool.

So the next morning to was daring and didn't wear my raincoat, and I promptly got drenched.

Rallying :up:

[urabus-denoS2000]

Now thats rallying

[MrJan]

Last year my brother had an internet phone and some guys at North East Rally Services (or something like that, the website starts with NERS anyway) put up times to a fair few events. Nothing beats being in the middle of Epynt and actually be able to check stage times. The best part? It was a work phone and none of us had to pay :D