Wrc 2008

[audir8fan]

What do you think of the upcoming season? Seems like the wrc is continuing its downward spiral. Hardly any privateers (non M2) so I probably won't watch. That and the fact the Lancer WR05 wont be tearing up the stages this year.

Prediction for Monte Carlo

One of the Peugeot 307 drivers, Cuoq and Delecour to score a point.

[Gralski Vitez]

I would love if some of Ford's can beat Loeb but thats very hard task

[daanbanaan]

well, the Subaru will do it a lot better, hopefully...

Jari-Matti Latvala will drive in the Ford team

and Suzuki will come in the WRC with the SX4:D

sounds like some new things, but no great changes like in the F1 :(

[Gralski Vitez]

Subaru haven't done good job for ages.. after 5 years,its time to see something much better from them

[rasfigjohn]

In Monte Carlo tonight after SS2 Loeb leads Sordo (12.7 s) and Hirvonen (44.0 s).
Unlucky Latvala lost 4 minutes because of a puncture in SS1...

Pos Driver Car Time
1. Loeb Citroen 23:38.4
2. Sordo Citroen + 12.7
3. Hirvonen Ford + 44.0
4. Atkinson Subaru + 58.6
5. Duval Ford +1:13.5
6. P Solberg Subaru +1:14.5
7. Galli Ford +1:26.1
8. Gardemeister Suzuki +1:53.1
9. Cuoq Peugeot +2:09.2
10. Romeyer Peugeot +2:50.7

[GeForce06]

hey guys

on Eurosport you can see the first day on the night from friday to sunday 00:55am :up::up:

[rasfigjohn]

Well.... looks like this year again this thing will be a bit boring:
After SS5

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 1hour 00mins 18.8secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 23.5secs M
3. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07 +01mins 04.7secs M
4. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2007 +02mins 02.2secs M
5. Francois Duval Stobart Ford Focus WRC 07 +02mins 08.7secs M
6. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2007 +02mins 18.9secs M
7. Gigi Galli Stobart Ford Focus WRC 07 +02mins 50.7secs M
8. Jean-Marie Cuoq Peugeot 307 WRC +03mins 42.9secs A8
9. Frederic Romeyer Peugeot 206 WRC +05mins 36.8secs A8
10. Khalid Al-Qassimi BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07 +05mins 39.5secs A8
11. Henning Solberg Stobart Ford Focus WRC 07 +05mins 41.5secs A8
12. Matthew Wilson Stobart Ford Focus WRC 07 +05mins 43.1secs A8
13. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +05mins 45.3secs M
14. P-G Andersson Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +05mins 50.2secs M
15. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07 +06mins 02.6secs M
16. Ales Broccoli Renault Clio +08mins 56.9secs A7
17. Olivier Burri Subaru Impreza +09mins 08.8secs N4
18. Patrick Artru Mitsubishi Lancer +09mins 45.4secs N4
19. Laurent Carbonaro Peugeot 307 WRC +09mins 50.2secs A8
20. Eddie Mercier Renault Clio +10mins 39.9secs A7

[Gralski Vitez]

what went wrong for Jari-Matti Latvala??

[rasfigjohn]

what went wrong for Jari-Matti Latvala??

As I said above he had a puncture in SS1... first victim of the new tire rule... :(

[GEISHA]

You can't beat Loeb on tarmac and/or the RMC unless he encounters
mechanical trouble or makes a mistake.
He has proven that for so many years that the RMC is just a foregone conclusion.
Knowing that Sordo will back him up it is only a question who comes 3rd.

Sweden will be entirely different.

[GEISHA]

Overall times after SS8 / Day 2 - Top 20:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 1hour 36mins 44.9secs M
2. Daniel Sordo Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 56.6secs M
3. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07 +01mins 22.8secs M
4. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2007 +02mins 28.6secs M
5. Francois Duval Stobart Ford Focus WRC 07 +02mins 42.6secs M
6. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2007 +03mins 09.6secs M
7. Gigi Galli Stobart Ford Focus WRC 07 +05mins 21.1secs M
8. Jean-Marie Cuoq Peugeot 307 WRC +05mins 27.9secs A8

9. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07 +06mins 55.8secs M
10. Henning Solberg Stobart Ford Focus WRC 07 +06mins 58.7secs A8
11. P-G Andersson Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +07mins 26.1secs M
12. Matthew Wilson Stobart Ford Focus WRC 07 +07mins 43.2secs A8
13. Frederic Romeyer Peugeot 206 WRC +08mins 21.3secs A8
14. Toni Gardemeister Suzuki WRT SX4 WRC +08mins 38.4secs M
15. Ales Broccoli Renault Clio +13mins 08.4secs A7
16. Olivier Burri Subaru Impreza +13mins 58.4secs N4
17. Laurent Carbonaro Peugeot 307 WRC +14mins 42.6secs A8
18. Patrick Artru Mitsubishi Lancer +14mins 55.1secs N4
19. Eddie Mercier Renault Clio +15mins 36.2secs A7
20. Ludovic Cluzel Mitsubishi Lancer +16mins 20.7secs N4

[rasfigjohn]

Knowing that Sordo will back him up it is only a question who comes 3rd.

Sweden will be entirely different.

Dani's out....
not sure Sweden will be entirely different... :rolleyes:

[GEISHA]

not sure Sweden will be entirely different

Well Loeb knows his way in Sweden, no sweat, he could just as well win over there, but I believe Scandinavians are much stronger on their home turf/snow and ice, i.s.o. tarmac. It will be closer I guess.

[vrmx]

Safety not ok...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgyZHYRGpTY

[rasfigjohn]

Safety not ok...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgyZHYRGpTY

:eek:
Ah... french cops!

[doo]

What are you talking about? The guy has plenty of time to make the crossing! I had a much closer call in Portugal last summer. :D

Anyway, Hirvonen will be stronger than Loeb on snow, guaranteed. Loeb has never won in Finland and Japan is North Europeans' turf as well. Rest of the gravel is anybody's game. But when it comes to tarmac, Loeb is the man.

I don't think it will be a boring season. But we'll see.

[vfr]

Loeb will have problems on tarmac if Duval is present, knows the stages and have some backup from ford. Remember Germany 2007. I feel he did quiet well and pickup some maturety.

PS he's the only one we got in Belguim wiht that speed so I like to see him back in the WRC.

[doo]

Loeb will have problems on tarmac if Duval is present, knows the stages and have some backup from ford. Remember Germany 2007. I feel he did quiet well and pickup some maturety.

PS he's the only one we got in Belguim wiht that speed so I like to see him back in the WRC.

Duval is too hot-headed to have a realistic shot against Loeb, unless he has gone through a huge characteristic change recently. :-/

[HR186S]

I think Duval has been excellent in the last few tarmac rallies. He should be especially threatening now he has a Focus.
Well done to Chris Atkinson. A Nice job of handling the blowtorch that Duval was applying. Nice to see Subaru on the podium again also. Also well done to Suzuki for getting in the points at the first Rally of the year.
I think this year will be great :)

[rasfigjohn]

Loeb rolled his car in Sweden SS4... He might have to abandon. (he was third behind Hirvonen)
Latvala still first...

[GEISHA]

After SS 8
1. LATVALA, J-M
2. HIRVONEN, M. +48.2
3. SOLBERG, H. +56.3
4. GALLI, G. +1:02.0
5. SOLBERG, P. +1:45.2
6. ØSTBERG, M. +2:15.1
7. WILSON, M. +2:59.6
8. GARDEMEISTER +3:21.6
9. MIKKELSEN, A. +4:05.8
10. SANDELL, P. +5:14.6

Jari Matti by a country mile then......

[rasfigjohn]

Loeb will sart again tomorrow on superrally rule...

wouldn't it be great if Latvala wins?

and

Why would Petter stay there except for the money?
I mean... his brother is leading him! :eek:

[alex291190]

Does anyone know where i can get highlights of the wrc?

[GEISHA]

Why would Petter stay there except for the money?

Petter is off the pace for quite some time (years) now, and it has been whispered also many, many times that he blames all, except himself.

The fact that his elder brother is leading him is like the master showing his pupil the way. (Petter learned it all from his bro).

[rasfigjohn]

Does anyone know where i can get highlights of the wrc?


you mean on tv? Every leg's night on Eurosport... 30 minutes highlights
or it's always available the next day on edonkey network or via torrent at http://www.racing-underground.com

[rasfigjohn]

The fact that his elder brother is leading him is like the master showing his pupil the way. (Petter learned it all from his bro).

I can hear your point but I'd like to see that master with the crappy Impreza instead of the constructor's world champion Focus...

[rasfigjohn]

That's funny because Autosport gives theses results after ss8
Pos Driver Car Time
1. Latvala Ford 1h33:33.3
2. Hirvonen Ford + 48.2
3. H Solberg Ford + 56.3
4. Galli Ford + 1:02.0
5. P Solberg Subaru + 1:45.2
6. Ostberg Subaru + 2:15.1
7. Wilson Ford + 2:59.6
8. Gardemeister Suzuki + 3:21.6
9. Mikkelsen Ford + 4:05.8

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65050

and eurosport
1J. Latvala (http://www.eurosport.fr/rallye/personnews_prs27326.shtml)Ford WRT 1:03:33.3
2M. Hirvonen (http://www.eurosport.fr/rallye/personnews_prs25002.shtml)Ford WRT 1:04:21.500:48.2
3P. Solberg (http://www.eurosport.fr/rallye/personnews_prs2502.shtml)Subaru WRT 1:04:29.600:56.3
4G. Galli (http://www.eurosport.fr/rallye/personnews_prs12701.shtml)Ford Stobart 1:04:35.301:02.0
5H. Solberg (http://www.eurosport.fr/rallye/personnews_prs28242.shtml)Ford Stobart 1:05:18.501:45.2
6M. Ostberg (http://www.eurosport.fr/rallye/personnews_prs88358.shtml)Subaru Adapta AS 1:05:48.402:15.1
7M. Wilson (http://www.eurosport.fr/rallye/personnews_prs32210.shtml)Ford Stobart 1:06:32.902:59.6
8T. Gardemeister (http://www.eurosport.fr/rallye/personnews_prs2480.shtml)Suzuki WRT 1:06:54.903:21.6
9A. Mikkelsen (http://www.eurosport.fr/rallye/personnews_prs140085.shtml)Ford Ramsport 1:07:39.104:05.8
10M. Sandell (http://www.eurosport.fr/rallye/personnews_prs21889.shtml)Peugeot 1:08:47.905:14.6

http://www.eurosport.fr/rallye/rallye-de-suede/2008/livefullpage_mtc226091.shtml

[rasfigjohn]

Crash.net chooses the elder brother on the podium too

and so does sport auto.fr
http://sport.sportauto.fr/Latvala-domine-Loeb-abandonne

[GEISHA]

After stage 13

1 J. Latvala Ford WRT Pirreli 1:38:44.0
2 M. Hirvonen Ford WRT Pirreli 1:39:37.9 00:53.9
3 G. Galli Ford Stobart Pirreli 1:40:06.3 01:22.3
4 P. Solberg Subaru WRT Pirreli 1:41:18.0 02:34.0
5 M. Wilson Ford Stobart Pirreli 1:42:41.7 03:57.7
6 A. Mikkelsen Ford Ramsport Pirreli 1:43:07.7 04:23.7
7 T. Gardemeister Suzuki WRT Pirreli 1:46:44.8 08:00.8
8 M. Ostberg Subaru Adapta AS Pirreli 1:51:20.5 12:36.5
20 C. Atkinson Subaru WRT Pirreli 1:58:39.6 19:55.6
23 S. Loeb Citroën WR Pirreli 2:03:24.5 24:40.5

[GEISHA]

POSSIBLE SPOILER

The Winner
http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=310&featureid=244&desc=Latvala%20wins%20Swedish%20Rally
http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=310&featureid=243&desc=End%20of%20Swedish%20Rally%20interviews

[rasfigjohn]

Yesterday in the shakedown in Mexico, Loed had a problem with his engine. Citroen decided to change the power plant unit thinking they would not get the 5 minutes penalty.
As the stewards said they would get the penalty they finally decided to switch back to the original one... :rolleyes:

BTW Petter and Atkinson were the fastest in this shakedown

[doo]

Yesterday in the shakedown in Mexico, Loed had a problem with his engine. Citroen decided to change the power plant unit thinking they would not get the 5 minutes penalty.
As the stewards said they would get the penalty they finally decided to switch back to the original one... :rolleyes:

BTW Petter and Atkinson were the fastest in this shakedown

Mexico is always Mexico... With going back to deflatable tyres this year, anything can happen...

[GEISHA]

Mexico day 1:
1 J. Latvala Ford Focus RS WRC 07
2 S. Loeb Citroen C4 WRC 9.600
3 C. Atkinson Subaru Impreza WRC 2007 22.400
4 P. Solberg Subaru Impreza WRC 2007 1:01.400
5 M. Hirvonen Ford Focus RS WRC 07 1:10.600
6 10 H. Solberg Ford Focus RS WRC 07 2:43.600
7 16 M. Wilson Ford Focus RS WRC 07 2:52.900
8 12 F. Villagra Ford Focus RS WRC 07 5:30.000
9 6 R. Trivino Peugeot 206 WRC 8:18.600

[GEISHA]

Standings after Stage 9 today
1. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07 1hour 42mins 23.8secs M
2. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC +00mins 00.1secs M
3. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2007 +00mins 19.6secs M
4. Petter Solberg Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2007 +01mins 02.4secs M
5. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07 +01mins 04.8secs M
6. Henning Solberg Munchi's Ford Focus WRC 07 +02mins 58.3secs M
7. Matthew Wilson Stobart Ford Focus WRC 07 +03mins 24.4secs M
8. Federico Villagra Munchi's Ford Focus WRC 07 +06mins 26.4secs M
9. Ricardo Trivino Peugeot 206 WRC +10mins 33.2secs A8

[rasfigjohn]

After SS11 Loeb has taken the lead for 5s....

Latvala is doing good....
Marcus who? :D

[Raikku]

Damn Loeb, where is that engine-problem what they talked a moment ago...

[GEISHA]

Petter is out.

[rasfigjohn]

Petter is out.

:mad:
I hate that Impreza.
the new one might be ugly but I look forward to her.

[GEISHA]

Day 2 standings:

Latvala developed a busted pipe on his turbocharger and fell way off the pace.

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT C4 WRC 3hours 08mins 39.8secs M
2. Chris Atkinson Subaru WRT Impreza WRC 2007 +01mins 01.4secs M
3. Jari-Matti Latvala BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07 +02mins 06.4secs M
4. Henning Solberg Munchi's Ford Focus WRC 07 +03mins 51.6secs M
5. Mikko Hirvonen BP Ford Focus RS WRC 07 +04mins 07.5secs M
6. Matthew Wilson Stobart Ford Focus WRC 07 +06mins 10.6secs M
7. Federico Villagra Munchi's Ford Focus WRC 07 +18mins 14.3secs M
8. Ricardo Trivino Peugeot 206 WRC +19mins 31.1secs A8

[doo]

I'm surprised how well Latvala has been able to put it up against Loeb this year. Go Jari-Matti! :)

[GEISHA]

I'm NOT surprised how well Latvala has been able to put it up against Loeb this year.

Just by a single glance at his face, he is THE rally driver.
Hail the Flying Finns.

If there is one big compliment I can make to the country of Finland, motorsport wise.....

Their rally drivers have kept me on tippy toes for decades, whilst F1 has gone down the sewer.

[GEISHA]

Mexico finished:
1. Sebastian Loeb, France, Citroen Total WRT, 3 hours, 33 minutes, 29.9 seconds.

2. Chris Atkinson, Australia, Subaru World Rally Team, 1:6.1 seconds behind.

3. Jari-Matti Latvala, Finland, BP Ford, 1:39.7.

4. Mikko Hirvonen, Finland, BP Ford, 3:38.7.

5. Henning Solberg, Norway, Munchi's Ford WRT, 4:57.9.

[HR186S]

Wow, what a great rally for Chris Atkinson. Strange how the car was extremely competitive here, but not so on the other smoother gravel rallies.
Looking forward to Argentina, which is always spectacular. :)

[HR186S]

and... Chris gets another Second place. :D
Very treacherous conditions in Argentina some guy called Loeb won for the 4th time in a row.
But none of that matters, because now Chris is 3rd in the points! Only 3 behind Hirvonen, and in front of Latvala. :)
David Richards comes back to lead Subaru, and already they are looking better...
Next is the Jordan Rally, I guess no-one knows what can happen there.

[GeraArg]

Leave some pictures of the rally of Argentina.

SS La Cumbre - Aguas de Oro

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/8828/26498578fa5.jpg
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/8286/97851073ec5.jpg
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5394/84361793qv6.jpg
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/9247/73956995fb7.jpg
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2316/62539530zb6.jpg
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/2735/13720533iz3.jpg

[GeraArg]

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/2751/29475771op8.jpg
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/4809/95426576ui8.jpg
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6828/95832556sj3.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/1569/10li4.jpg
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/4047/11ui3.jpg
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/3595/12kn3.jpg
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/6795/13ph2.jpg
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2464/14qr8.jpg

If they want, then get more photos of other SS :)

[rasfigjohn]

Leave some pictures of the rally of Argentina.

SS La Cumbre - Aguas de Oro


Thanks :up: