Rally WRC Most liked posts in thread: WRC - 2017

minirab · Apr 27, 2017

Or Zappa's.

RallyMini370 · Apr 28, 2017

Meanwhile down in Argentina:Looks like Meeke is on a roll....and Hayden too!

Steve · Apr 28, 2017

On a roll...like this?

[ame]https://twitter.com/CitroenRacing/status/858035050016907264[/ame]

Steve · Apr 28, 2017

The surprise today was Elfyn Evans winning 6 out of 8 stages.

Standings at the end of the day:

Steve · Apr 28, 2017

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVQigArJZsc"]Water Splashes - 2017 WRC Rally Argentina - Michelin Motorsport - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVrfYqs32SQ"]Top Moment Day 1 - 2017 WRC Rally Argentina - Michelin Motorsport - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Apr 28, 2017

Friday in Argentina: Evans dominant in South America (WRC.com)

29 APR 2017

Elfyn Evans dominated a brutal Friday at YPF Rally Argentina to build a surprise but commanding lead.

Rock-strewn gravel roads wrecked the hopes of many frontrunners, but Welshman Evans prospered to win six consecutive speed tests in his Ford Fiesta and lead the similar car of Mads Ã˜stberg by 55.7sec.

FIA World Rally Championship leader SÃ©bastien Ogierâ€™s slender lead after last nightâ€™s curtain-raising street test in Cordoba was wiped out by Evans once the rally hit gravel roads this morning in the Calamuchita Valley.

He won all four morning special stages to lead Jari-Matti Latvala by 30sec at mid-leg service. Two more wins, one shared with Hayden Paddon, stretched his advantage as Norwegian Ã˜stberg came through to grab second on his return after a two-round absence.

â€œIt was pretty tough at times but we can be happy with today,â€ said Evans. â€œWe have to remember thereâ€™s a very long way to go tomorrow and Sunday is a tough day too. We have to carry on in the morning like today didnâ€™t happen.â€

Ã˜stbergâ€™s patient strategy paid dividends. Like Evans, a low start position offered cleaner and faster roads this morning and he avoided the rocks to climb the order, despite brake problems which induced a couple of small mistakes late on.

A fierce four-car fight for the final podium place ended with Thierry Neuville in third. A broken front damper and a puncture delayed the Belgian, who struggled further when dust found its way into his holed Hyundai i20 Coupe and into his eyes. He was 5.0sec behind Ã˜stberg.

Road opener Ogier struggled in the dry conditions. He slid into a ditch this morning and later bent his Ford Fiestaâ€™s steering after landing on a rock after a crest. He was 6.0sec behind Neuville and 4.6sec ahead of team-mate Ott TÃ¤nak, who punctured in the penultimate test.

Despite his Toyota Yaris bottoming out on the rough tracks, Latvala held second until the engine overheated and dropped him a place. A penultimate stage puncture cost a further 30sec and the Finn plunged to sixth.

Paddon rolled his i20 in the opening stage but was rejuvenated after lunchtime repairs to share a stage win with Evans and win another outright as he charged back to seventh.

Lorenzo Bertelli was eighth in a Fiesta, ahead of Juho HÃ¤nninen, whose Yaris lacked power all morning. WRC 2 leader Pontus Tidemand completed the leaderboard.

It was a disastrous day for CitroÃ«n C3 drivers Kris Meeke and Craig Breen. Meeke was second until caught out by a bump which launched his car into the scenery. It was heavily damaged and he retired. Breenâ€™s C3 jammed in fifth gear and he too was sidelined.

Dani Sordo plunged down the order from third after hitting a rock and breaking his i20â€™s steering arm.

Competitors journey north-west of the rally base of Villa Carlos Paz on Saturday for the longest leg of the event amid stunning pampas scenery. They face two identical loops of three stages covering 160km.
Click to expand...

Steve · Apr 29, 2017

Saturday in Argentina: Troubled Evans hangs onto lead (wrc.com)

29 APR 2017

Elfyn Evans clung onto the lead of YPF Rally Argentina on Saturday after a troubled run that allowed Thierry Neuville to rein him in and set up a thrilling finale.

After stretching his advantage to more than a minute this morning, Evans watched the Belgian whittle it down to just 11.5sec, with one of the toughest days of the WRC season waiting on Sunday.

The Welshman won the opening speed test in his Ford Fiesta, his seventh victory in 10 stages. A slow puncture in the next test, followed by another when a pace note mix up sent him into a bank, reduced his advantage to 44sec at the midpoint.

In the afternoon his carâ€™s aerodynamic rear diffuser was ripped off in a heavy landing, affecting its handling, especially in the high speed sections. A final stage spin allowed a charging Neuville to close.

â€œWe had no major problems, just a lot of niggly things,â€ he said. â€œThere was something strange with the rear, the car was soft and oversteering and I didnâ€™t feel comfortable. We didnâ€™t come here to finish second after all this work, so if he wants the win, heâ€™s going to have to bloody fight for it!â€

Neuville punctured when his Hyundai i20 Coupe hit a bank after he was blinded by early morning sun. Mid-leg gearbox and front differential changes briefly disrupted his rhythm, but victories in the final two stages turned the pressure on Evans.

Ott TÃ¤nak was just 8.4sec behind Neuville after a strong day in his Fiesta. The Estonian saw off team-mate SÃ©bastien Ogier and Mads Ã˜stberg before cementing third with two afternoon stage wins.

Ã˜stberg couldnâ€™t match yesterdayâ€™s pace and second place became fourth as his diffuser was also torn off. The Norwegian eventually retired after damaging his suspension against a rock in the penultimate stage.

Ogier trailed TÃ¤nak in fourth by 18.4sec after a series of problems. He spun in a watersplash and had little confidence in his ill-handling car. The team made major changes at the rear which improved his afternoon speed.

Jari-Matti Latvala and Hayden Paddon filled the top six. Latvala played with the set-up of his Toyota Yaris while Paddon broke the anti-roll bar in his i20.

Juho HÃ¤nninen was seventh, despite similar power problems to yesterday, while Lorenzo Bertelli, Dani Sordo and WRC 2 leader Pontus Tidemand filled the leaderboard.

Kris Meeke restarted after rolling his CitroÃ«n C3 yesterday. He won two stages before rolling out for a second time in the penultimate stage.

Sundayâ€™s finale is one of the WRCâ€™s classic days. Two passes through the famous hanging bridges of El Condor sandwich the lunar-like landscape of Giulio Cesare, both high in the Traslasierra mountains. The three rocky stages cover 55.28km, with the second pass through El Condor offering Power Stage bonus points to the fastest five drivers.
Click to expand...

Steve · Apr 29, 2017

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD5tTv9rPMM"]Top moment Day 2 - 2017 WRC Rally Argentina - Michelin Motorsport - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Apr 30, 2017

Evans nearly did it. Look at that 0.7sec final margin.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KHunohqWxU"]WRC - YPF Rally Argentina 2017: Highlights Power Stage SS18 - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Apr 30, 2017

Sunday in Argentina: Neuville wins a thriller (WRC.com)

30 APR 2017

Thierry Neuville snatched one of the closest FIA World Rally Championship wins in history at YPF Rally Argentina on Sunday afternoon.

He edged out longtime leader Elfyn Evans by just 0.7sec in a pulsating final speed test when the Welshman clipped a bridge, ending his dreams of a maiden victory. Only two rounds have been decided by a smaller margin in the WRCâ€™s 45-year history.

The Hyundai i20 Coupe driver trailed Evans by 11.5sec heading into the last leg of the four-day dirt road encounter. Brake problems for Evans combined with Neuvilleâ€™s attack sent the pair into the final 16.32km test at the famous El Condor separated by just 0.6sec.

Both drivers threw caution to the wind on the rough mountain tracks, and early split times showed Evans more than three seconds ahead. But as his grip lessened near the finish, his Ford Fiesta swiped a bridge and that handed Neuville a second consecutive success.

â€œWatching that was the worst time in my life,â€ said Neuville, after viewing Evansâ€™ run from the finish. â€œI gave it everything I had but I didnâ€™t have the best tyres because I had been pushing hard for two stages already.â€

An emotional Evans, who led by more than a minute yesterday, said: â€œIâ€™m gutted to lose by such a fine margin after so many issues. I hit a bridge and that was probably the difference. Itâ€™s difficult to take now after holding such a big lead, but part of it is my own doing and I need to come back stronger to win in the future.â€

Rock-strewn roads took a heavy toll and merely surviving Fridayâ€™s opening leg became the aim of many. Ott TÃ¤nakâ€™s patient strategy paid off as he steered clear of trouble and thrived on the smoother weekend roads to finish third in another Fiesta, a further 29.2sec back.

Reigning champion SÃ©bastien Ogier made it three M-Sport World Rally Team cars in the top four, and the Frenchman increased his championship lead to 16 points after five of 13 rounds.

Jari-Matti Latvala was Evansâ€™ closest challenger early on but the Finn slipped back to finish fifth in his Toyota Yaris. Broken power steering completed a torrid weekend for Hayden Paddon, who claimed his maiden win in Argentina 12 months ago. He was sixth.

Juho HÃ¤nninen, Dani Sordo, Mads Ã˜stberg and WRC 2 winner Pontus Tidemand completed the leaderboard.

Vodafone Rally de Portugal hosts round six of the championship in Matosinhos, near Porto, on 18 - 21 May.
Click to expand...

Steve · Apr 30, 2017

RallyMini370 · May 2, 2017

There must have been some mixed reactions in the teams. CitroÃ«n had 2 "jesus Christ Kris" moments. Craig's gearbox issues, M-Sport OMG we're winning until the bridge and Hyundai "ooops we did it again" Looking at the stages I'm glad we did not venture down there in the Mini.

Next stop: Portugal!

Steve · Jun 7, 2017

Mikkelsen is now driving for Citroen.

Steve · Jun 7, 2017

Italy this weekend.

Rally Italia Sardegna

Info
Rally Italia Sardegna
Start Date: 08.06.2017
End Date: 11.06.2017
Timezone: UTC 2
Category: WRC3
WRC2
WRC
JWRC
Stages: 19 (312,66 km)
Distance: 1.495,36 km
Servicepark: ALGHERO
Website:
http://www.rallyitaliasardegna.com

Route

Rugged and sun-baked gravel tracks offer gruelling conditions amid stunning scenery on the Mediterranean holiday island.
Rally base and service park are in the west coast town of Alghero with special stages in the north of the island.
After a super special near Alghero on Thursday evening, crews overnight in Olbia on the opposite coast.
Friday features four stages run twice for a total of 125.46km, bringing the return of two classic rough and rocky tests - Terranova and Monte Olia.
Saturday is the longest and toughest leg with 143.16km divided over six stages in the Monte Acuto region.
Sundayâ€™s finale is identical to 2016, featuring two repeated stages covering 42.04km on the coast north of the host town.

Challenge

Fast but narrow roads lined with bushes, trees or rocks right on the edge leave no room for error.
Hard base roads covered by a sandy surface, which is swept away during the first pass to leave rougher and rutted conditions for the second run.
Thin layer of slippery gravel on the surface disadvantages early starters in the opening leg.
Temperatures approach 30Â°C so it will be uncomfortable in the cars with higher than normal stress on engines and transmissions.

Quicklinks

Live Section
Tickets - Gold Pass
Entry List
Itinerary
Highlights 2016

Car spec

Gravel suspension.
Drivers raise the ride height for rutted roads during the second pass of stages.
Hard and soft compound tyres available.

History

Italyâ€™s WRC counter was formerly a mixed surface event based in Sanremo, and known as the Rally of the Flowers when it was first held in 1928.
It formed part of the WRC from the championshipâ€™s beginning in 1973.
MichÃ¨le Mouton became the first and only woman to win a WRC round when she triumphed in 1981.
The rally moved to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia in 2004.

Whatâ€™s new for 2017?

That overnight stay in Olbia on Thursday night. Organisers added it to allow the return of the tough Terranova and Monte Olia stages nearby.

Donâ€™t miss

Fancy an ice cream? As well as hosting one of the championshipâ€™s most picturesque service parks, Algheroâ€™s historic harbourside is rammed with a mouth-watering selection of Italian gelateria.
Mickyâ€™s Jump. This extremely steep jump about two-thirds of the way through the Monte Lerno stage attracts huge crowds. The steepness of the take-off, combined with the proximity of a sharp left-hander shortly after, make it a Sardinia must-see. See what we mean here:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNO284EPoZA"]WRC - Rally Italia Sardegna 2016: MickyÃ‚Â´s Jump Special - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Jun 11, 2017

We have our 5th different winner in only 7 rounds. (final (power) stage left, overall results right)

Not sure but I think 5th position is as high as Ogier got all rally. He lost 2min on one stage and the rest is due to finishing no stage higher than 3rd.

Crashton · Jun 11, 2017

Not sure if anyone knows this, ESPN2 showed rally Mexico followed by rally Corsica yesterday morning. I turned the tube on & was searching for something & stumbled on them. I couldn't find them listed anywhere. I hope they continue to show the WRC rallies & I hope I find them when they're on.

minirab · Jun 11, 2017

Good to know.

Steve · Jun 12, 2017

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQslURV2zfw"]WRC Rally Italia Sardegna 2017 | HIGHLIGHTS - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Jun 20, 2017

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm3xRvN_rWM"]DJI - WRC Sardegna 2017 - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Jul 28, 2017

The WRC is in Finland this weekend. Meeke topped the Shake-Down time sheet but the the rally proper started yesterday with Tanak winning the now typical single, short, first day stage.

SS1: TÃ¤nak wins Finland opener (wrc.com)

27 JUL 2017

Ott TÃ¤nak was the early leader of Neste Rally Finland after winning Thursday nightâ€™s opening speed test.

The Ford Fiesta driver was quickest through the 2.31km street stage in the centre of JyvÃ¤skylÃ¤ by 1.1sec from Thierry Neuville.

The Estonian delighted the legions of fans who have made the short journey to Finland to cheer him on and sported a broad grin at the finish of the mixed surface test.

â€œItâ€™s the kind of event where you can smile,â€ said TÃ¤nak, ahead of three days of furious action on blisteringly fast rollercoaster gravel roads. â€œI have big respect for these roads. They are very challenging, but when you have a good feeling, it can be so enjoyable.â€

Neuville and SÃ©bastien Ogier are engaged in a fierce duel for the title with five rounds remaining, and first blood went to the Belgian Hyundai i20 driver, who edged Ogier by 0.4sec.

â€œItâ€™s going to be a difficult event. The main thing is to enjoy it, stay in a close battle with Seb and finish ahead of him at the end,â€ said Neuville.

Craig Breen was fourth, the Irishman delighted with the performance of his CitroÃ«n C3 after a dismal weekend at the previous round in Poland earlier this month. Jari-Matti Latvala and Hayden Paddon were fifth and sixth in a Toyota Yaris and i20.

Esapekka Lappi clipped some tyres with his Yaris at a chicane that was tighter than expected. Team-mate Juho HÃ¤nninen was safely through after smashing through a chicane during this morningâ€™s shakedown, requiring a new radiator to be fitted before the start.

Drivers face a marathon of almost 16 hours tomorrow as the rally enters the forests for the first time. They tackle 12 stages covering 145.71km, the day ending with a repeat of Harju.
Click to expand...

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