WRC (World Rally)

(24-01-2021 20:11 )Tumble_Drier Wrote:  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

That is where it all starts with the club events. Like all sports, no grassroots = no elite!! I didn't have an issue with Loeb winning every year (same with Ogier now) so long as there is tight competition to the finish line! Last year for example Evans should have won it, but with rallying it is never over until it is over (survival of the fittest) and he cracked and Ogier didn't. At least the driving team have all the 'hard yards' to do themselves - no radio to the pits, or the ludicrous situation of the pit crew dialing in set up changes to the car to save the driver any bother as in F1

Awful accident for Takamoto Katsuta in Belgium. not the best camera angle, but gives a fair indication of what went on. 16 G Force felt in the car. Thankfully both driver and co walked away!! Big boys playground the WRC.

Elfyn Evans is so close now in Finland!! Just the power stage left!! A real feather in his cap to take out the 'GP of rallying' given the overall speeds should he get there!!

Elfyn Won!! Always heart - in - the - mouth stuff waiting for the power stage to finish. This is rallying, and you just never know!!

Ogier reacting very badly after final stage!! I guess he didn't disclose what the issue with the car was, but he was bleeding time at the end. No points in Finland for him, so the championship still alive...........just!!

Bad news potentially for the Championship - even with the switch to hybrids!! Maybe one new manufacturer (not guaranteed) but Hyundai perhaps stepping away, and M -Sport not committing to a full season!! Can't surely run with just one team in the main championship, with just WRC 2 for company. How did it come to this, when other brands - Formula E etc are attracting premium names?? WRC has become mis managed by the FIA, and needs urgent attention.

Seb Ogier signs off (full time anyway) from WRC with yet another title, and rally win! Superior all round again, although pushed again this year by Elfyn Evans who didn't 'bottle it' this time round, but was just 2nd best when it mattered.

Roll on 7 weeks time and the Monte again in the new hybrid cars. Still no word of interest from other manufacturers in joining the championship! Simply has to happen given how Formula E etc has grown, or the WRC will be left behind! Such a difference from the halcyon days of being more popular than Formula 1

My step dad was into Rally, and has boxes of video tapes of the Group B stuff from 80’s

(22-11-2021 00:56 )gazcraw77 Wrote:  My step dad was into Rally, and has boxes of video tapes of the Group B stuff from 80’s

They never get old!! Could binge watch over and over (have done to a large extent). My passion was for the 'greatest' rally car of all time - Audi Quattro. Unmatchable among what were many greats!

New season, and immediately the legend comes to the front by winning all but one stage today! Never too old, when you have the skills of the 'Master' Seb Loeb. Awesome driving from him - wonder though whether he will be asked/ordered to drop back for Breen etc as they are competing for the championship while he is not!! Kudos too to Gus Greensmith for taking out his very first stage win, His reaction to it was what this great sport is all about!!

Don't know if any of you saw A Fourmeux crash?? Hide behind the sofa when you do. Horrendous, although both he and co driver walked away unscathed. A realithy check for the 'can only happen in F1' similar line to that we hear fromfootball. I have no idea what the G - Forces there would have been, but scary stuff for sure!! Still want to do it myself (as a co driver) once as a bucket list tick before I kick it though

Class is permanent, and Seb Loeb proved that to be true once again with his win on the Monte. Seb (of the Ogier variety) didn't exactly help himself by the jump start to the penultimate stage, for which he earned a 10 second penalty. I can't recall that happening before, and I am damn sure Ogier wont let it happen again, in how ever many events he chooses to enter this season.

Good first outing for Chris Breen - once more on the podium - in the the new Ford Puma. I couldn't help thinking though that, but for the 'guest' appearances of Loeb/Ogier, he would obviously have won. Maybe Loeb/Ogier shouldn't have been designated points scorers given they wont do a full season, as the championship contenders may suffer for the points 'dropped' here in the first event, come the season's end. I hope they don't prove pivotal!

Congrats Kalle Rovenpera Rally Sweden Winner!!!!!!!!