WRC (World Rally)

Just been watching some of the pre season testing videos! Tanak is flying already in the Hyundai, while Ogier, Evans seem to be getting to grips with the Toyota nicely. Only 3 weeks to wait for legendary season opener - The Monte,

A bit of a farce this coming season to be honest, with only three teams chasing the crown, and so much world class driving talent being mere spectators with the rest of us in 2020!!

Lets hope the hybrid models due in 2022 (if wrc survives that long) brings with it, an interest among more manufacturers to get involved. Look at the number of prestige marques that have thrown their lot in with Formula E (understandable - a more than decent watch)

And we go again with the Monte!! All change in driver/teams, and unfortunately for this season, a lot of world class driver talent sitting it out!

No little interest on the first stage, with Ogier showing he has got to grips with the Toyota, with fastest time. Determined to finish a stellar career with another drivers title for yet another team.

Incredibly poor start for Malcolm Wilson and M -SPORT! Way of the pace, with high water temperature issues, due to an apparent design flaw in the front aero which has allowed the radiator to suck up countless leaves leaving the engine struggling to 'breathe! Not a good look for the team, when the others - while collecting leaves also, had much less problem!!

Welcome back the worlds greatest - (despite the drop in works teams competing) - motorsport championship!! May be better than I thought, despite the withdrawal of Citroen!!

Big turn around - stage two, with T Neuville opening up a comfortable lead over S Ogier!! A cracking opener on our hands here!!

Day one proper over with S Ogier leading the way!! The big take away from the day though, is the incredible escape from any - let alone - major - injury (or worse) of Ott Tanak and his co driver, from a truly horrific accident! Look it up on youtube, or wherever! I warn you, it is spine chilling!!

Fantastic opener to 2020! Was on for one of the closest finishes ever, until Neuville stormed through the penultimate stage, and ultimately sealed a comfortable gap to take the win! Next round can't come soon enough on this evidence! To be fair, didn't have the feel of only a 3 - way manufacturer battle for the championship!

Feel the need to acknowledge the great effort from Elfyn Evans and his co-driver this year. Such a strange season and for him to come so close is great credit to him! Ultimately though, same old same old with Ogier managing things just that little bit better (with huge help from Evans' co driver warning about the line to take on the same stage that caught them out) to register #7. He is in a different class. We will never know what a full uninterrupted season may have brought, but hats off to Ogier once more. Roll on January and the start of hopefully a complete season.

2021 starts off with the unpredictability that is often the hallmark of the WRC. The 'Monte' sorting the 'men from the boys'. Ogier seemingly comfortable then- no!! Evans takes over, all the while, Tanak has his issues! If we can get a full season (coronavirus will always be the only show in town - so no selfishness in seeking to have a championship at any cost) - but if we can, it should be a fitting send off for the WRC cars before electric/hybrids take over from next year!

Is it really 15 years since the WRC car spec took the place of the never to be forgotten Group B super cars - an era when rallying was in its' pomp?? New gen cars will hopefully bring back familiar names (and new ones??) from the manufacturers stable

(23-01-2021 16:51 )hornball Wrote:  Is it really 15 years since the WRC car spec took the place of the never to be forgotten Group B super cars - an era when rallying was in its' pomp??

The final Group B World Championship year was 1986, it was replaced by Group A in 1987. The WRC cars were introduced in 1997.

(23-01-2021 17:06 )Tumble_Drier Wrote:  

(23-01-2021 16:51 )hornball Wrote:  Is it really 15 years since the WRC car spec took the place of the never to be forgotten Group B super cars - an era when rallying was in its' pomp??

The final Group B World Championship year was 1986, it was replaced by Group A in 1987. The WRC cars were introduced in 1997.

I stand corrected Tumble! Season starts with the' inevitable' Ogier win! Can he sign off with another championship??
!
Whatever about the timeline from Group B to Group A to WRC, I hope that over time the next gen hybrids attract additional manufacturers. Hard to get my head around the fact that they are supposedly even faster than the WRC version

I'll be honest, i haven't watched WRC in years. I got bored when Loeb was winning everything.

I'm happier trekking miles into a Forest to watch a Club Rally