2015 World Rally Championship

[Alex Langheck]

Don't test, so don't expect decent results. Are they trying to save money? At the moment, the WTCC seems to be their main focus.
If you don't put adequate resources into a motorsport programme, don't expect to win. And don't blame your drivers for having to overdrive a car lacking in performance.

[1975DCS]

In my opinion the change in restrictor to have more power is much needed! But the WRC's are already wide and "pretty" enough... But thankfully those already relative small engines are now not so restricted!

[cg7aa]

Does anyone know what Lorenzo Bertelli's 'fnckmatie' branding is all about?

[cg7aa]

It was interesting hearing Kubica imply his physical limitations has been a contributory factor to some of the incidents he's had. He said he didn't think he was trying any harder than anybody else but that because of the limitations he has, the risk of losing control was higher especially when driving over ruts which dictates where the car goes to a large degree. I wonder if he hasn't always got the movement or flexibility or even quickness of movement to recover from a wayward trajectory.

Perhaps some of us were a little harsh on his numerous crashes in the early days, maybe too much was expected.

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by cg7aa

It was interesting hearing Kubica imply his physical limitations has been a contributory factor to some of the incidents he's had. He said he didn't think he was trying any harder than anybody else but that because of the limitations he has, the risk of losing control was higher especially when driving over ruts which dictates where the car goes to a large degree. I wonder if he hasn't always got the movement or flexibility or even quickness of movement to recover from a wayward trajectory.

Perhaps some of us were a little harsh on his numerous crashes in the early days, maybe too much was expected.

Absolutely! He mentioned at stage end during Poland after he had a small spin that he could have potentially saved the slide without turning around if he had more movement in his arm.

I recommended watching this video, not for the crash, but keep an eye on his right arm from 1:15 on https://youtu.be/aozohKhh1-k

He's basically driving one handed and does well to mask how little movement he has.

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by Alex Langheck

Don't test, so don't expect decent results. Are they trying to save money? At the moment, the WTCC seems to be their main focus.
If you don't put adequate resources into a motorsport programme, don't expect to win. And don't blame your drivers for having to overdrive a car lacking in performance.

It's a tad crazy. But others testsed before Poland and Citroen did in 2014. I wonder why the call was made and I wonder why Matron has been critical in public.

If he wanted someone to finish every rally, he already has that in Ostberg. It sounds like they don't want to challenge for podiums. VW issued a statement backing Latvala after another crash, while Yves likes to air his dirty laundry.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

It's a tad crazy. But others testsed before Poland and Citroen did in 2014. I wonder why the call was made and I wonder why Matron has been critical in public.

If he wanted someone to finish every rally, he already has that in Ostberg. It sounds like they don't want to challenge for podiums. VW issued a statement backing Latvala after another crash, while Yves likes to air his dirty laundry.

Is this Citroen putting in the groundwork for an exit from the WRC? They've said they're going to pull out of the WRC or WTCC - and all this negativity around the WRC program isn't encouraging is it? Maybe if they bad mouth it enough it'll give them all the excuses they need to walk away. It looks like they are finding reasons to leave rather than looking for reasons to stay.

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Is this Citroen putting in the groundwork for an exit from the WRC? They've said they're going to pull out of the WRC or WTCC - and all this negativity around the WRC program isn't encouraging is it? Maybe if they bad mouth it enough it'll give them all the excuses they need to walk away. It looks like they are finding reasons to leave rather than looking for reasons to stay.

It saddens me, but I agree. Makes it easier to leave.

[Alex Langheck]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120145

Not sure about this. Yes RallyGB has heritage, but that was as the 'RAC' - a mega 'National' event; which was a true challenge. The current incarnation is just another 'identikit' WRC event. It would be a bit sad, but not a major loss.

[kurski]

Toyota will start building WRC prototype cars Finland Puuppola confirmed Tommi Mäkinen.

[NaBUru38]

I thik that the WRC should be held close to large cities in Europe. Llandudno and Deeside are not.

[cg7aa]

Finland is such a fantastic rally. Love it, love it! I can't wait for the onboards and the fan-made 'pure sounds' clips on that video sharing site. Not a bad rally overall either. The driving was spectacular at the top of the leaderboard. Gutted for Meeke - again.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by cg7aa

Finland is such a fantastic rally. Love it, love it! I can't wait for the onboards and the fan-made 'pure sounds' clips on that video sharing site.

Agreed! The official video clips are handy during the event for keeping up to speed, but the pure audio clips from the stages are far more enjoyable to watch.

Originally Posted by cg7aa

Gutted for Meeke - again.

Yeah. He was the only driver who seemed capable of matching the pace of the Polos, bloody shame he didn't have a better finish to the rally.

[mikuni]

His off was quite anticlimactic, much the same as Sordo's. Just running a little wide at lower speed, and going off seemingly in slow motion. You have to feel for them.

At least Paddon and Kubica did it properly!

[cg7aa]

Originally Posted by mikuni

...

At least Paddon and Kubica did it properly!

They certainly did. Very nasty shunts, it's a relief the cars are so strong and well built these days.

[cg7aa]

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/augus...2--12-12-.html

[S griffin]

But it seems VW aren't putting a good driver down:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120338

[Alex Langheck]

Rallye Deutschland has come and gone without any comments. A VW 1-2-3....
I think that's says it all. VW have to mess up for any others to win.

They've even started testing the 2017 'wide body' car....

[NaBUru38]

Non-VW drivers have collected 9 podiums in 9 races.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Alex Langheck

Rallye Deutschland has come and gone without any comments. A VW 1-2-3....
I think that's says it all. VW have to mess up for any others to win.

Pretty much! I saw some of the highlights and it was just too easy for the VWs, they looked to have pace to spare whilst the others were on the edge (or over it) just trying to stay with them.

[chunder]

Sadly as a passing itnerest fan, events appeal to me more than cars and drivers.

I watched a lot of footage from Finland on youtube, and will from germany as it is an event where fans get good footgae from.

But the results I care nothing about really. It is just lke it was for years with Loeb.

You just take it for granted he was going to win and for alot of passing fans that means they are not at all interested, and also for the media, there is literally nothing interesting to write about or to engage fans with. Very tricky situation.

I think I have found I tend to watch Monte, Finland, Germany and France. Not at all interested in the Rally Wales, which again is a shame.

I watch Belgian, Irish, german, Italian and French events on youtube more than WRC stuff.

[thlbtcc]

If the result was harder to predict then the sport would be in a much better place I feel. The gaps between M-Sport, DS and Hyundai are really close and the results are all over the shop from 3rd/4th down.

But with a VW winning every rally but one, it feels a little dull.

[leonidas]

You've got that right. One of the problems with the WRC is that some drivers and teams want to completely remove any unpredictability.

Did anyone see the nonsense last week about some drivers complaining they had to drive gravel stages at night? Fortunately Michele Mouton basically told them to stop being so soft. Apparently she reminded them that driving a Group B Quattro on those long stages in the 80s was a bit more difficult than peddling what passes for WRC cars and events today...

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by leonidas

You've got that right. One of the problems with the WRC is that some drivers and teams want to completely remove any unpredictability.

Did anyone see the nonsense last week about some drivers complaining they had to drive gravel stages at night? Fortunately Michele Mouton basically told them to stop being so soft. Apparently she reminded them that driving a Group B Quattro on those long stages in the 80s was a bit more difficult than peddling what passes for WRC cars and events today...

I disagree with you there. Night stages are cool but not on dusty gravel rallies. Monte? Sure. Sweden? Sure. Wales. France, Germany etc. All gravy.

Night stages where there is hardly any visibility thanks to dust hanging? Hmmm.

Everyone seems to have forgotten that they stopped doing night stages on dry gravel events in the 90s due to safety concerns when they were raised by Sainz, McRae, Burns et al.

Here's a screen cap from the stage in Spain.

[leonidas]

There may be extreme cases where stages have to be stopped because of dust but I don't think this was one of them. How do we account for the fact that some following drivers did a faster time on the controversial stage in the dark than in daylight? If they were a lot slower they might have a case...

For me, rallying is supposed to be a tough sport. Would you stop stages in fog, heavy rain, snow or other forms of poor visibility too? One of the great skills of rallying is the ability to read and adapt to the changing conditions.