WRC 2008 Acropolis Rally - Greece

[StockHatch782]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Is the new Subaru still using an H pattern gearbox? The old car was (and was the only "current" WRC to do so).

The Imprezas have paddle shift, don't they? Can you have paddle shift on an h-pattern gearbox? I thought it had to be a sequential box to have that? Otherwise how would it work?

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

It has been known.

[BertMk2]

I thought that all the WRC's had sequential boxes - however, on a trip to Prodrive last year they showed us round the area where they build the gearboxes and were quite open about the fact that the box was an H pattern (in fact they thought it was an advantage). The flappy paddle system worked with the H pattern box. I was wondering if this had changed for the new car and they've gone sequential.

[zac510]

I guess it has different layout of actuators that trigger the shift rods.. If you're using the paddles on the wheel then it's pseudo-sequential.
Only if that fails do you have to use the H-pattern shifter backup?

[BertMk2]

They said the shift was pretty much as quick as a sequential on normal shifting but if the cars spins and needs reverse the H pattern can shift straight into reverse from whatever gear it's in - sequential has to go down through all the gears so the H pattern is quicker.

[Dani Filth]

so don't spin .. easy

[the learner]

ha ha good idea..... did you tell them that....... ha ha ha and i think you are more likely to hit a tree or a bank if you spin so you would be praying for dear life not worrying about where reverse is

[BertMk2]

Apparently the new car does retain the H pattern box (according to MN).

[the learner]

i really dont know if its a great idea but its worked in the past and i take it they only made it better so should work out nice for them

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by garcon

That will certainly have helped. Apparently he has been outstanding as a test driver.

Ford always valued him for his testing ability as well as his obvious speed.

I respect his decision to stand back from the frontline (I think anybody would have done the same) but I sooooo wish Markko would return to a proper full time drive.