WRC WRC - 2015

Crashton · Jul 30, 2015

Looks like he took the tree with the right rear wheel. Has to be a whole lot of bent parts there to replace. I'm wondering if the tub is bent badly too.

Steve · Jul 31, 2015

Latvala flies to Finland lead (WRC.com)

31 Jul 2015

Jari-Matti Latvala delighted his home fans by leading Neste Oil Rally Finland on Friday night after an enthralling leg in which the lead changed hands three times.

He headed Volkswagen Polo R team-mate SÃ©bastien Ogier by 2.6sec after almost 160km of flat-out action south-west of JyvÃ¤skylÃ¤. Kris Meeke completed the top three, the Ulsterman 21.4sec further back in CitroÃ«n’s DS 3.

Almost half the rally’s competitive distance was crammed into nine gravel speed tests. With no opportunity for service, drivers had to avoid problems as well as adapt to the rollercoaster jumps which make this the fastest round in the FIA World Rally Championship.

Ogier lost his overnight lead to Meeke in the opening stage but regained the advantage in the next test to end the morning 5.3sec clear. Latvala was hot on his heels before moving ahead by literally flying through the rollercoaster Ouninpohja, where cars leap into the air more than 70 times, to claim his 400th WRC stage win.

“I have never driven that stage so fast. I almost made myself scared in a couple of places because I had so much air over the jumps. It was the best stage of an afternoon that went extremely well,” said Latvala.

Road opener Ogier initially struggled for grip in the forests following yesterday’s torrential rain. Then the unusual lines taken by local competitors, who followed the WRC through the morning stages, left plenty of loose gravel to disadvantage him when they were repeated.

Meeke’s hopes were hampered by a transmission issue which left his car ‘wandering all over the road’. But the Ulsterman remained close to the Volkswagen duo until a 10sec penalty for checking in late at the penultimate stage dropped him back.

He led CitroÃ«n colleague Mads Ã˜stberg by 10.1sec, the Norwegian enjoying a troublefree day after a slow start, and the quartet were already well clear.

Thierry Neuville was fifth in a Hyundai i20. The Belgian struggled for confidence after yesterday’s shakedown crash with pace notes that were too slow, but climbed the order as drivers around him hit problems.

He headed team-mate Dani Sordo by 2.7sec, the Spaniard overcoming an exhaust issue. Juho HÃ¤nninen, Martin Prokop, WRC 2 leader Esapekka Lappi and Ott TÃ¤nak completed the leaderboard.

TÃ¤nak was fourth in a Ford Fiesta RS until breaking a front left damper against a rock in SS3 and struggling through the rest of the day. It was a similar story for team-mate Elfyn Evans who hit a rock in SS4 and damaged the rear suspension. He lost almost 10min.

Andreas Mikkelsen rolled heavily in SS5 and the damage to his Polo R was too great for him to restart tomorrow. Hayden Paddon crashed his i20 out of fifth and Robert Kubica retired his Fiesta RS with alternator problems.

Saturday’s action comprises two identical loops of four stages west of JyvÃ¤skylÃ¤ covering 131.04km.
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[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm5Zmz094XI"]Leg 1 - 2015 WRC Rally Finland - Best-of-RallyLive.com - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Jul 31, 2015

Elfyn Evans hit a big rock and broke his suspension, he and his co-driver had to try to fix it themselves on the stage.

Comment from M-Sport:

We always knew Elfyn Evans was a genius! This is how he fixed his broken suspension for SS5-10!
Click to expand...

Steve · Jul 31, 2015

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayFfRoLeR68"]Neste Oil Rally 2015 Shakedown :: Neuville Crash & Ogier Close Call - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Jul 31, 2015

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xyCdh--rwg"]WRC - Neste Oil Rally Finland 2015: Stages 1 - 4 - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIve6U9sV70"]WRC - Neste Oil Rally Finland 2015: Stages 5 - 7 - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Jul 31, 2015

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH1f7R7XfRI"]WRC Rally Finland 2015 Ouninpohja CRAZY JUMPS - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Aug 1, 2015

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLpskd5Ijms"]Rally Finland 2015 - Jari-Matti Latvala - Triple Jump - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Aug 1, 2015

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=255mTkjVdGg"]WRC - Neste Oil Rally Finland 2015: Stages 8-13 - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Aug 1, 2015

Finland (WRC), after Leg 2: grizzly Latvala! (best-of-rallylive.com.com)

01/08/2015 6:43 pm

Three bears were spotted on SS13 this morning. Perhaps that explains why Jari-Matti Latvala, who enjoys an overnight lead of 13.2s over SÃ©bastien Ogier, has been performing like a grizzly all day. Sundayâ€™s programme features just two attempts at â€˜MyhinpÃ¤Ã¤â€™, but itâ€™s arguably the toughest stage of the event.

Spectators have had value for money on todayâ€™s loop near JyvÃ¤skylÃ¤, with entertainment including the ongoing duel that has been opposing Latvala and Ogier.

Just as it seemed like one of them had gained the upper hand, the other responded immediately and the VW duo was split by no more than three seconds at the lunchtime break.

But then it rained on JukojÃ¤rvi (SS16) where the Frenchman went slightly too wide, hit a rock and punctured. His Michelin LTX Force S4 withstood the impact, but not his rimâ€¦

The world champion dropped 3.3s in the process, which allowed Latvala to go 6.2s clear, the biggest gap that had separated the two men until then.

The Finn pushed home his advantage on the next stage where he beat Ogier by 5.2s after what he described as a good run. By the end of the afternoon, and after another stage win for Latvala, the gap stood at 13.2s.

â€œI had an opportunity on SS16 but I didnâ€™t take it; too bad,â€ acknowledged Ogier this evening.

â€œWhen I saw it was raining at the start of SS16, I thought the stage would be decisive,â€ observed his Finnish rival.

Latvala consequently seems to be on target for a repeat Rally Finland victory. Sundayâ€™s â€˜MyhinpÃ¤Ã¤â€™ (14.13km) is a new stage but part of it has been used in the opposite direction in the past. In 2010, it was the fastest test of the rally and was won at an average speed of 133.2kph.

This afternoon was also marked by problems for several drivers: Dani Sordo (Hyundai) spent more than five minutes in a ditch on SS15, Kris Meeke (CitroÃ«n) hit a tree and ripped off a wheel on SS16 while lying third, and Robert Kubica rolled his Ford on SS18.

Mads Ostberg (CitroÃ«n) is consequently on the overnight podium, ahead of Thierry Neuville (Hyundai). Ott Tanak (Ford) has recovered from his Friday woes to figure in fifth place after passing Prokop (7th, Ford) and Hanninen (6th, Ford) during the day.

Itâ€™s been another trouble-free run for the factory Skoda Fabia R5s in the WRC2 category. Esapekka Lappi is heading for his first Rally Finland class win and Pontus Tidemand is likely to make it a one-two finish for the Czech make.

StÃ©phane Lefebvre will probably join them on the podium to celebrate his first real attempt at Rally Finland (he crashed out early in 2014). Yuri Protasov (Ford) looks good for fourth, ahead of the surprising Scott Pedder (Ford). The DMack Ford Fiestas of Brynildsen, PÃ¤rn and Nikara dropped out practically simultaneously.

Quentin Gilbert still tops the Junior standings, but Finn Haapamaki has closed to within 22.8s. Tom Cave is on target for his first Fiesta Trophy win of the season.
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Steve · Aug 1, 2015

It's a real shame – Meeke (crash.net)

1 August 2015

Kris Meeke: After a few kilometres, there was a right-hand bend which tightened over a jump. I stayed in the middle, like I did on the first run, but when I turned into the corner I was already in the mud...

Britain's Kris Meeke says it is a “real shame” he crashed out of Rally Finland on Saturday, while seemingly on course for third.

Meeke got caught out in the wet conditions on a right-hand bend in Jukojarvi 2, when he ran wide and clipped a tree, damaging the front axle on his DS 3 WRC.

It brought to an end a positive showing from the Ulsterman, who had been the only one anywhere near the lead Volkswagen's of Jari-Matti Latvala and Sebastien Ogier.

“With the rain, we had changed the set-up before setting off on Jukojarvi 2. After a few kilometres, there was a right-hand bend which tightened over a jump. I stayed in the middle, like I did on the first run, but when I turned into the corner I was already in the mud,” Meeke recalled.

“I tried everything to keep control of the car despite the aquaplaning, but the car hit a tree on the outside of the corner, breaking the front left-hand suspension. It's a real shame, because we were on course for a good result,” he added.

“We had an excellent feeling in the car. I wasn't under pressure and I felt good, but that's just how it goes sometimes.”

It was Meeke's third crash in a many events, after he also crashed in the shakedown in Poland and early on in Sardinia.

It also comes at time when the Ulsterman's future is far from certain. Indeed team boss Yves Matton said as much prior to this weekend's event, noting in an interview with Autosport that Meeke's recent form has “completely destroyed” his maiden victory in Argentina.

Asked if he is starting to feel the pressure in the pre-event press conference, Meeke replied: “Nothing's really changed, there's always been pressure on my shoulders to keep my job and to be honest my future has never been secure for more than six or eight months at a time. It doesn't change much for me; I'll continue to do the best job I can.”

Citroen says Meeke 'should' now be able to re-join on Sunday under Rally 2, albeit having dropped down to 21st position.
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Steve · Aug 1, 2015

Kubica made it to about 300 meters from the end of the last stage today, then...

Steve · Aug 1, 2015

Dani Sordo:

Steve · Aug 1, 2015

Hayden Paddon:

Steve · Aug 1, 2015

How to jump a rally car in Finland (MaxRally.com)

by Anthony Peacock / 1st August 2015

Itâ€™s Rally Finland time and that means jumps, jumps and more jumps. According to several WRC aces, flying through the air in Finland is the most fun you can have in a rally car. But thereâ€™s an art to getting it rightâ€¦

Confidence is essential

According to Volkswagenâ€™s top Finn Jari-Matti Latvala, youâ€™ve got to be sure in yourself and your car before you take off at close on 200kph. â€œYou need to get the set-up right to know what the car is doing. The worst thing is if the rear is kicking or the front is lifting. The car has to be balanced when it jumps.â€

Take off is crucial

Braking is required to get the car stable before take off and Latvala takes a different approach depending on the size of the jump: â€œFor the small jumps I go full throttle and just give a little bit of brake so it will not lift so much. For the big jumps itâ€™s one brake, come off the brake and then full throttle.â€

Rally drivers do it sideways

Many jumps on Rally Finland have to be taken sideways because the jump is positioned on a corner. Latvala again: â€œWhen you come sideways over the jump the main thing is you brake and you turn but after you are turning and going to the jump the wheels need to be straight, otherwise you will go off the road and have a big crash if the wheels are in the wrong position when you land.â€

Pacenotes play a key role

Former Finland winner Mikko Hirvonenâ€™s co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen says experience helps to get the jumps right in Finland. â€œSometimes we donâ€™t use the word jump in the pacenotes, we just describe how the jump throws the car. Some jumps are obvious but itâ€™s what happens after the jump thatâ€™s important because you might need to have your steering done before the corner.â€ Latvala adds: â€œMy pacenotes are based on position â€“ middle, left or right over the jump. I also have â€˜little brake, brake and brake a lotâ€™ because there are different levels of much you have to reduce your speed for the jump. Normally it works.â€

Prepare to have fun

Hirvonen, who won Rally Finland in 2009, says jumping is best. â€œThereâ€™s no better feeling on a stage flying sideways in the air. But if you are still in the air and see the road is ending then itâ€™s scary.â€ CitroÃ«n driver Kris Meeke says: â€œItâ€™s the ultimate experience but you have to really anticipate the speed. If youâ€™re 5kph too fast and you have no steering then it can create a problem. But the aero on the car and the rear downforce means you tend to fly quite well.â€

And get your car right

M-Sport engineer Mathieu Horsky says suspension set-up makes a big difference: â€œYou need to have quite stiff suspension in order to absorb the big jumps. If your suspension is too soft, for instance, your car will hit the ground as you land. You donâ€™t have special suspension dampers for Finland because everything has been calculated and analysed to performwell. In fact, it might be easier on the car to have a big jump than a rock hitting a wheel.â€
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Steve · Aug 2, 2015

Latvala wins fastest WRC rally ever (WRC.com)

02 Aug 2015

Jari-Matti Latvala won the fastest event in FIA World Rally Championship history when he claimed his third victory at Neste Oil Rally Finland on Sunday afternoon.

The Finn triumphed in an event affectionately known as the ‘Finnish Grand Prix’ at a remarkable average of 125.44kph, eclipsing the previous best of 122.89kph set at the same rally in 2012 by SÃ©bastien Loeb.

Latvala headed Volkswagen Polo R team-mate SÃ©bastien Ogier by 13.7sec after a thrilling duel over rollercoaster gravel roads near JyvÃ¤skylÃ¤. The win, his second of the season and 14th of his career, promoted Latvala to second in the championship behind Ogier.

Ogier and Kris Meeke both led before Latvala moved to the front midway through Friday. But Ogier refused to allow the Flying Finn to break clear by more than a handful of seconds, and only when he took a chunk out of a wheel against a rock on Saturday afternoon could Latvala breathe more easily.

This was one of the greatest drives of my life,” said a delighted Latvala, who was greeted at the end of the final stage by father Jari. “I’m proud to be a Finn today. I’ve had a tough season but winning my home event is like winning half a world championship.

“I’ve focused fully on this rally for three weeks. After my disappointment at the last round in Poland, I decided my title hopes had gone and concentrated fully on preparing for Finland. It paid off today,” he added.

Ogier, who took the maximum three bonus points by winning the final live TV Power Stage, extended his championship lead to 89 points and could clinch a third title at ADAC Rallye Deutschland later this month.

It was an amazing battle and the show we delivered this weekend was fantastic for the sport. I have no problem being beaten by Jari-Matti when he is this strong,” he said.

CitroÃ«n’s Mads Ã˜stberg secured his third podium of the season in third, 1min 23.1sec behind Ogier. The Norwegian inherited the place when team-mate Kris Meeke broke his car’s suspension yesterday after hitting a tree.

Thierry Neuville finished fourth in a Hyundai i20, a feat that seemed impossible shortly before Thursday’s start when his team faced a race to rebuild the car after the Belgian crashed heavily in the warm-up stage.

Fifth went to Ott TÃ¤nak, who recovered well after driving most of Friday with a broken damper on his Ford Fiesta RS after clipping a rock. Juho HÃ¤nninen completed the top six in another Fiesta RS.

Martin Prokop was seventh and headed WRC 2 winner and runner-up Esapekka Lappi and Pontus Tidemand, with Lorenzo Bertelli taking his first point of the season in 10th.

The first pure asphalt round of the season comes next, when Trier hosts ADAC Rallye Deutschland on 20 - 23 August.
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[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyl6fXWK5fs"]Highlights - 2015 WRC Rally Finland - Best-of-RallyLive.com - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Aug 2, 2015

Some good footage in here.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UlkeZEe5jo"][HD] WRC Rally Finland 2015 - @BunningsVideo - YouTube[/ame]

Justa Jim · Aug 3, 2015

Steve, I've been out of the loop. Is anyone still running a MINI?????

Steve · Aug 3, 2015

Yes, a bunch of them are active but nearly all are in non-WRC rallies now that there's no works WRC team or support.

There's one still running in WRC2. It's hard to keep track because typically in WRC2 only the top one or two runners get any coverage. A driver called Valeriy Gorban owns and drives the Ascania Racing MINI. Best result so far this year was 3rd in Sweden.

Steve · Aug 3, 2015

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pa5mOEkqz8"]Best of WRC Rally Finland 2015 Highlights HD Pure Sound - YouTube[/ame]

Crashton · Aug 3, 2015

Justa Jim said: ↑

Steve, I've been out of the loop. Is anyone still running a MINI?????
Click to expand...

Hi Jim how ya doing?

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