Interesting spectator at the shakedown today. According to reports, the reindeer had to stay in the official parking area as they didn't have the right passes.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlFbnZ6KH1Y]Shakedown - 2013 WRC Rally Sweden - Best-of-RallyLive.com - YouTube[/ame]
There was only one 1.9km stage yesterday. Nothing interesting happened so I didn't bother to post. Here's a bit of an update, then I'll be out for the day and catch up later. Loeb leads after Swedish opener (WRC.com) SS2: Ogier and Latvala set pace in day 1 opener (WRC.com) SS3: Ogier edges ahead (WRC.com) SS4: Ostberg fastest but Ogier leads (WRC.com) Hirvonen counts the cost of snow excursion (WRC.com)
Rally drivers are out of their cotton picking minds. We tend to be a little wacky at times. after 24yrs of rallying I still drive it like I stole it. Follow Mini WRC here Motorsport Italia Team
Look out, here comes VW! Polo R pilot stretches Sweden advantage (WRC.com) SS6: Ogier keeps cool though Varmullsasen (WRC.com) SS8: Joy at last for Mikko (WRC.com) Friday wrap: Ogier dominates first leg in Sweden (WRC.com)
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EPPM5IbABE]Super Stage Karlstad - 2013 WRC Rally Sweden - Best-of-RallyLive.com - YouTube[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkr3nH6ou8E]Leg 1 - 2013 WRC Rally Sweden - Best-of-RallyLive.com - YouTube[/ame]
Good to see Ogier leading after the first leg. There is a long way to go, but it appears conditions are suiting Ogier & his Polo.
Crashton, I must be up to nearly 60 rallies in 6 different countries. This would be another topic not wanting to hijack this excellent one.
Mid-day update. The MINIs continue to struggle a bit. Kosciuszko is 17th and that's pretty indicative of his performance in the ice and snow where he has little experience. Nikara lost huge time yesterday and is steadily but very slowly pulling his way up from the very bottom of the order by running stage times in/near the top 10. On Stage 12 he actually finished 3rd, 0.5sec ahead of Ogier. After SS12: Ogier keeping Loeb/Latvala/Ostberg at a safe distance (best-of-rallylive.com)