WRC: Rally Finland (2013)

Steve · Jun 29, 2013

The next rally is still over a month away but there's Kris Meeke news I wanted to post while still timely.

Neste Oil Rally Finland (WRC.com)

Round 8

01 - 03 Aug 13

Categories:WRC, WRC-2, WRC-3, JWRC

Based:Jyvaskyla

Surface:Gravel

Most Recent Winner:Sebastien Loeb (2012)

Website:Neste Oil Rally Finland

Sisu is a Finnish word that loosely translates into English as â€˜having gutsâ€™. On the flat-out, tree-lined straights, endless yumps and blind crests of Neste Oil Rally Finland, drivers will need plenty of â€˜sisuâ€™ if they are to stand a chance of winning one of the World Rally Championshipâ€™s most famous events.

Known affectionately as the Finnish Grand Prix, the rally turns the student city of Jyvaskyla into a motorsport Mecca on the first weekend of August as fans converge in their tens of thousands to savour the dramatic action on the compacted gravel stages and lap up the party atmosphere.

Few non-Finns have triumphed on the event due to the specialist nature of the stages with their endless series of twists, corners and jumps. Marcus Gronholm, a seven-time Neste Oil Rally Finland winner, famously said: â€œYou need courage but the pace notes have to be perfect because they tell you where to place the car on the road before taking off flat-out over a blind crest. You have to have maximum trust and faith in your co-driver.â€

When Sebastien Loeb won the event for his first time in 2008, the multiple world champion said he had never taken such huge risks to defeat Mikko Hirvonen and revealed prior to the 2010 rally that he would never do so again. However, Loeb won in both 2011 and 2012.

This yearâ€™s rally edges closer to a more traditional three-day event with increased competition during Thursdayâ€™s opening leg. After taking advantage of the long, light days to schedule practice and qualifying on Wednesday evening, the first day journeys south towards Lahti, welcoming back the Torittu test for the first time since the 1980s and Himos.

A second pass through Himos on the way back to Jyvaskyla will be a novelty as cars start the stage at 30 second intervals.

Friday is the longest day with more than 150km of action over familiar stages. However, all is not as it seems as the well-known Jukojarvi and Lankamaa tests are used in the opposite direction to last year.

The final day is packed with Finnish classics, including the awe-inspiring roller-coaster Ouninpohja, which many drivers rate as the WRCâ€™s ultimate test of skill and bravery.

The 23 stages add up to 332.14km of fast and furious competition.
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Wonder whether this is related to rumors Citroen are thinking about changing their driver lineup for 2014...an opportunity to evaluate another option?

Meeke secures works drive for Finland (racer.com)

Matt Beer | June 29, 2013

Kris Meeke will return to a factory World Rally Championship seat in Finland to stand in for Khalid Al Qassimi at Citroen next month.

Al Qassimi has to miss the event due to business commitments, leaving a vacancy in the car Citroen runs under the Abu Dhabi banner.

Meeke, the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion, has not had a top WRC seat since the Prodrive Mini programme was cut back at the end of 2011.

"This is an incredible opportunity for us," said Meeke. "Taking part in Rally Finland in a DS3 WRC is a dream that I didn't think would become reality one day.

"We're going to benefit from the advice and expertise of a team that has won the world championship eight times. We therefore have every chance of securing a good result."

Al Qassimi said he was excited to see what Meeke achieves in Finland.

"Kris has real potential as a driver and has the maturity you need to enjoy a sensible and efficient race," he said. 'I'd like to give him the chance to express himself fully at this unusual event. I hope he is very successful there."

Meeke's main program this season is testing with Peugeot ahead of its return to top-level rally with its new R5 car. He is driving the R5 as a course car on the European Rally Championship round in Ypres this weekend.

This article originally appeared in Autosport.com
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Steve · Jul 5, 2013

The record-breaking 101 car entry list includes 4 MINIs for the event, Nikara and Takho in WRC and Kikireshko and Gorban in WRC2.

101 entries for Finland (best-of-rallylive.com)

04/07/2013 7:09 pm

The organisers of the Neste Oil Rally Finland (July 31-August 3), round eight of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship, have received 101 entries.

When entries for the Finnish event closed on July 1, 100 applications had been received, which makes it the biggest entry of the WRC season to date.

Mikko Hirvonen and Dani Sordo have been confirmed at CitroÃ«n-Total Abu Dhabi, despite rumours on the social media that SÃ©bastien Loeb might attend. Also, as announced last week, Kris Meeke and Chris Patterson will compete in Abu Dhabi CitroÃ«n WRTâ€™s CitroÃ«n DS3 WRC.

There are no surprises at Qatar M-Sport WRT Ford which will have cars for Mads Ostberg and Evgeny Novikov, while Thierry Neuville will be Qatar World Rally Teamâ€™s only representative in the absence of Al-Attiyah. Martin Prokopâ€™s car will be in the colours of Jipocar Czech National Team.

Although Volkswagen Motorsport â€˜IIâ€™ hasnâ€™t posted an entry for the Norwegian, Andreas Mikkelsen figures on the list in a VW Polo R WRC. P-G. Andersson and Juho Hanninen will be in Michelin-equipped Ford Fiesta RS WRCs, and there will be Mini John Cooper Works WRCs for Jarkko Nikara and Riku Tahko.

There is a strong entry in WRC-2, with Yazeed Al-Rahji returning to the competition in a Ford Fiesta RRC after his injury on a cross-country event earlier in the year. The hero of last yearâ€™s rally, Esapekka Lappi has been entered in a Skoda Fabia S2000, as has the 2011 PWRC champion Hayden Paddon. Robert Kubicaâ€™s rallying apprenticeship will continue with a taste of the Finnish stages in a CitroÃ«n DS3 RRC, while the new Ford Fiesta R5 will make its competitive debut in the hands of Elfyn Evans, Robert Barrable, Jari Ketomaa, Karl Kruuda and Eyvin Brynildsen.

The entry list continues with 11 WRC-3 runners and 10 â€˜Juniorsâ€™.

The programme will begin with Wednesdayâ€™s Qualifying Stage (July 31), followed by six short stages on the Thursday. Ouninpohja (33.01km) stars on Saturdayâ€™s menu, before the finish in JyvÃ¤skylÃ¤ at 6:43pm local time.
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Steve · Jul 5, 2013

Entry list is here.

Steve · Jul 5, 2013

Prodrive Mini returns with Nikara (eurosport.com)

05/07/2013 at 20:08, updated on 05/07/2013 at 20:52

Prodrive's Mini will return to the World Rally Championship in Finland with Jarkko Nikara driving an upgraded John Cooper Works WRC.

The 27-year-old Finn has competed on his home WRC round six times previously, but this year's August 1-3 event will be his first time in a frontrunning car capable of troubling the podium places.

In preparation for the event, Nikara will contest the Kouvola Rally in a fortnight's time.

Prodrive's Richard Taylor said the firm is excited to see Nikara show the Mini's potential.

"The whole team here is eager to get back to a full WRC event and to see how the improved Mini performs in the hands of a driver who likes these roads and we know is capable of setting top-10 stage times even in such a strong field," said Taylor.

Former Pirelli Star Driver Nikara made his debut in the Mini with fifth in Spain last year. He also drove the car on its last WRC appearance in Sweden earlier in 2013, where he fought back to 25th from last place after going off the road on SS3.

"I have been waiting a long time to get back behind the wheel of the Mini, and to do it on my home event will be extra special," he said.

"The car is easy to drive, so I do not think it will take me long to find my pace and rhythm.

"Unlike previous events, I will have more practice time in the car and with the extra power on this fast rally, I think we can really push for a good finish."

The Mini has been absent from the WRC in recent rounds after Michal Kosciuszko ended his programme with Motorsport Italia.
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Steve · Jul 12, 2013

Q&A: Kris Meeke on Rally Finland (WRC.com)

12 Jul 13

Northern Irishman Kris Meeke has every reason to feel pretty happy right now.

Today, Friday, he is getting married, and in a fortnight heâ€™ll be off to Finland to drive a factory DS3 World Rally Car as Khalid Al Qassimiâ€™s stand in at the Abu Dhabi CitroÃ«n Total World Rally Team.

â€œ[Citroen Racing boss] Yves Matton gave me the best wedding present of anyone!â€ explained Meeke when he talked to wrc.com earlier this week about his WRC return.

Q: How did you get to hear about this drive?

KM: â€œIâ€™ve had a long association with PSA, testing and developing Peugeot and Citroenâ€™s customer programme rally cars, and through this work I talk a lot with Yves Matton. Some months ago he mentioned that Khalid might not be able to do Finland and that my name was on the list of several drivers under consideration to take his place.

"So Iâ€™ve known for a few months that there was a possibility, but the decision was only made at the beginning of the month. Itâ€™s an absolutely incredible opportunity and now I have to concentrate and make the best use of it."

Q: It must help that you already have a good understanding of the Citroen team

KM: â€œYes. We go way back to when I drove a Citroen C2 S1600 in the JWRC in 2005 and 2006. In fact, back then Yves was my team manager at the Junior team, so my relationship with him goes back quite a few years.â€

Q: How much experience do you have with the DS3 World Rally Car?

KM: â€œIâ€™ve done a few tests in it over the years. I did one of the initial development tests before it entered the championship in 2010 and also some general testing towards the end of last year. Iâ€™ve also been involved in the DS3 R3 and the upcoming R5 version, so itâ€™s been a busy year with a lot of kilometres on the test roads. Iâ€™ll get another day of testing in the World Rally Car in Finland before the recce.

â€œAs a driver you always want to be testing but itâ€™s not the same as competing. I want the adrenaline and buzz of competing - thatâ€™s what Iâ€™m here for â€“ and that will hopefully change in the coming months.â€

Q: Youâ€™ve driven a lot of different rally cars over the years, how do you rate the DS3 World Rally Car?

KM: â€œIt is fantastic. I remember telling Yves after testing it last year that I would sell my grandmother for an opportunity to drive one on a rally. I had such a good feeling in it, you know? He hasnâ€™t come asking for her yet, but heâ€™s decided to give me an opportunity. I canâ€™t wait to get stuck in.â€

Q: Youâ€™ve tackled Rally Finland five times before, four times in S1600 machines and once in a World Rally Car, with MINI in 2011. What are your impressions of the rally?

KM: â€œWhen it comes to trying to compete at top level speed, Finland is one of the biggest challenges in rallying. Itâ€™s not called the Finnish grand prix for nothing. Itâ€™s absolutely flat-out and itâ€™s so difficult to compete against drivers who go there every year and know the stages so well.

â€œThis year's itinerary looks a bit refreshing, however, and there are some new stages and also some others run in reverse. On the new stages in 2011 I had really good speed against Dani Sordo â€“ who was my team-mate then, as he will be next month. But on the traditional stages I was little bit behind. Itâ€™s normal in Finland to be like this because you have to learn the stages year-by-year and discover where the speed is. This year should be good because a lot of stages will be new to everybody."

Q: What is your objective for the rally?

KM: â€œWeâ€™ll sit down with Yves and Khalid over the next few weeks to come up with a strategy for me to follow. Everyone knows where I am in terms of experience, they have been there many times with new drivers and know what to expect from me. There will be a clear plan to follow and it will be up to me to try and stick to it.

â€œCertainly Finland is a massive challenge, but its one that Iâ€™m relishing. Iâ€™ve been fighting and fighting for an opportunity again for a long time and I canâ€™t wait.â€

Q: Is there a chance weâ€™ll see you on any other WRC rounds this season?

KM: â€œI hope so, Iâ€™m working on that all the time. I want to do as many rallies as possible, whether that is in the WRC or the European Championship. Obviously WRC is the pinnacle - thatâ€™s where I want to try to get to again. At the moment this is a one-off appearance. Itâ€™s up to me to try ad make the most of it, and try to create more interest around myself and the team. If there is ever an opportunity to do something again certainly Iâ€™ll be interested.â€
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MCS02 · Jul 12, 2013

Thanks Steve for the updates. I wish we would see Dani Sordo in a Prodrive Mini.

Steve · Jul 29, 2013

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLO9rcYPrSs]Interview with Robert Kubica ahead of Rally Finland 2013 - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Jul 30, 2013

The WRCâ€™s grand prix on dirt! (best-of-rallylive.com)

30/07/2013 11:37 am

Finlandâ€™s annual grand prix is commonly described as the seasonâ€™s fastest and most furious contest. This yearâ€™s JyvÃ¤skylÃ¤-based event has attracted an entry of 101 crews who face a menu of 23 high-speed stages through the forests of central Finland. This is the 40th time that the country is hosting a round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

It was exactly 20 years ago that the event was called the 1000 Lakes Rally for the last time. However, more than the name, it is the stages â€“ contested at speeds of up to and beyond 120kph â€“ that have truly forged the rallyâ€™s reputation. The fastest event in its history was 12 months ago when SÃ©bastien Loeb and his CitroÃ«n DS3 WRC/Michelin covered the 303.52 competitive kilometres at an average of 122.89kph!

This year is the 63rd edition of Rally Finland and the 40th as a WRC round since the championshipâ€™s creation in 1973 (the 1995 event only counted towards the two-litre series). In the past four decades, 11 Flying-Finns have taken the top prize in JyvÃ¤skylÃ¤ and the record is held by Marcus GrÃ¶nholm (seven victories).

In all, 16 different drivers have won this legendary fixture, including nine world champions. Of those, six were successful in Finland and claimed the title the same year, namely Vatanen (1981), Salonen (1985), Carlos Sainz (1990), Tommi MÃ¤kinen (1996, 1997 and 1998), Marcus GrÃ¶nholm (2000 and 2002) and SÃ©bastien Loeb (2008, 2011 and 2012). Former champions Blomqvist, Waldegard, RÃ¶hrl, McRae, Burns and Solberg never won this rally, though.

In 2011, VWâ€™s SÃ©bastien Ogier came very close to pulling off a surprise success and, this week, he would dearly like to add his name to the list of winners alongside that of former team-mate Loeb.

Meanwhile, the local stars havenâ€™t won on home soil since 2010. The only other time they went two years without a victory was in 1989/1990 (Ericsson/Sainz)! This weekend, Jari-Matti Latvala (VW Polo R WRC) and Mikko Hirvonen (CitroÃ«n DS3 WRC) will be determined to prevent the current barren spell extending to three yearsâ€¦

Action begins with Wednesday eveningâ€™s Qualifying Stage (â€˜RuuhimÃ¤kiâ€™, 4.62km). Serious business will start with six short stages on Thursday followed by Fridayâ€™s busy programme which features eight stages, plus the â€˜Killeriâ€™ super-special. The event ends on Saturday which includes two attempts at the famous â€˜Ouninpohjaâ€™ test (33.01km), before the podium ceremony and, to close festivities, the post-rally party in the streets of JyvÃ¤skylÃ¤.
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MCS02 · Jul 30, 2013

Can't wait to watch it. I wish it didn't take so long for the guy to post them. It will be Wednesday before you can down load it. Anyone know a faster way to see them?

rum4 · Jul 30, 2013

thanks for the updates

Steve · Jul 31, 2013

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w_N_zEEKw4]Skakedown - 2013 WRC Rally Finlande - Best-of-RallyLive - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Jul 31, 2013

MCS02 said: ↑

Can't wait to watch it. I wish it didn't take so long for the guy to post them. It will be Wednesday before you can down load it. Anyone know a faster way to see them?
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What guy?

Also, in case it helps: http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/off-topic-racing/18774-world-rally-championship-rounds-shown-mavtv.html#axzz2afE3wwZD

MCS02 · Aug 1, 2013

I posted this before the season started sorry I thought you had seen it. He post all the Rallys to down load. They are usually on the website a day or two after the weekend.

http://wrc.mirafiori.com/

Enjoy

Steve · Aug 1, 2013

I can't wait to see the videos, etc. It appears to have been a heck of a first day. Stages 2, 3 and 4 each ended with ties in the overall standings. 9 seconds now cover the top 3 and 1 minute covers the top 12 drivers at the end of the first leg! Some stages in very bad shape, rain coming and going mid-stage(s?) and lots of punctures and other drama. Latvala is out (should return tomorrow) and Nikara finished 2nd on Stage 5, 1.3sec off the winning stage time, in his MINI.

End of Day 1: Neuville clear in front (best-of-rallylive.com)

01/08/2013 8:41 pm

Belgian rally fans will be delighted to see one of their own sitting at the top of the leaderboard in Finland this evening. Ford-Michelinâ€™s Thierry Neuville has emerged from the difficult first day in front, chased by SÃ©bastien Ogier (Volkswagen) and his team-mate Mads Ostberg. Early leader Hirvonen has fallen back to fourth for CitroÃ«n, while Jari-Matti Latvala (VW) only completed three of todayâ€™s six stages.

Despite spending 10 hours away from Rally Finlandâ€™s JyvÃ¤skylÃ¤ base, crews only covered 45.51 competitive kilometres in the course of Day 1 of the WRCâ€™s eighth round.

The menu included a long drive south for a 13.68km test (SS3) near Lahti before an equally long journey back to the dayâ€™s sole service park in JyvÃ¤skylÃ¤ after six stages. There was no rhythm to the programme, yet there was still some good action and plenty of drama to keep spectators entertained.

Jari-Matti Latvala was the opening legâ€™s first victim when he crashed on SS2. He managed to limp through SS3 with severe suspension damage but then retired after falling to 90th overall (+8m19.6s).

The Finnâ€™s misfortunes allowed a charging trio comprising Neuville, Ogier and Hirvonen to pull slightly clear at the top of the order, and the surprising Belgian was rewarded for his consistent speed by tonightâ€™s provisional lead. â€œItâ€™s been a good day for me,â€ he commented at the end of SS6 which brought him the second of his two fastest times. â€œNo big risks. I preferred to slow on the rainy stage [SS5, â€˜Himos 2â€™]. In all, I think we played it quite smart and Iâ€™m happy.â€

The rain on SS5 caused Hirvonen to drop 16 seconds because of his late running order. The stage was contested with cars competing in groups of four, starting at 30-second intervals. Following Latvalaâ€™s retirement, the CitroÃ«n driver was 13th on the road which meant he was slightly isolated from his main rivals. As luck would have it, the rain suddenly became much heavier when Mikko got his turn and he was visibly less at ease in the water-filled ruts. Needless to say, he wasnâ€™t pleased with his fate and he trails Neuville this evening by 13.8s.

Ogier (2nd, +5.2s) was relieved to finish with what he described as a â€œreally boring dayâ€ (despite two fastest times!) and he is looking forward to the â€˜realâ€™ rally beginning tomorrow morning (Friday). Meanwhile, Hirvonenâ€™s unfortunate time-loss has promoted Ostberg back into the top three and there have been six different podium configurations since this morningâ€™s start!

Tonightâ€™s top six is rounded off by Juho HÃ¤nninen (+17.0s, Ford) and Kris Meeke (+17.5s) who has shown good speed, despite not contesting a WRC event since the 2011 Wales Rally GB.

The overnight podium in the WRC-2 class is topped by local specialist Jari Ketomaa (Ford), 24 seconds clear of Polandâ€™s Robert Kubica (CitroÃ«n) who is only 2.0s ahead of another surprising Brit, Elfyn Evans (Ford). Finn Esapekka Lappi is fourth in his Skoda.

The dominant force in the WRC-3 battle so far has been Alistair Fisher who has a nine-second advantage over another British CitroÃ«n driver, Keith Cronin.
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Steve · Aug 1, 2013

SS1: Ogier seizes early lead (WRC.com)

01 Aug 13

Stage data: SS1 Himos 1 (5.50 kilometres)

Stage description:

Based at the ski resort of Himos, the opening test takes competitors from the bottom of the slope to the top of the hill via access roads and back down again. The opening kilometre is asphalt, before switching to a double width gravel road to the top. The journey down is via a narrower, more gravelly track.

How the action unfolded:

Championship leader Sebastien Ogier was fastest out of the blocks to win the opening stage of Rally Finland. The Frenchman was quickest by 1.2sec in a Volkswagen Polo R from team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala, with last nightâ€™s qualifying stage winner Mikko Hirvonen in third.

The short spectator stage is far removed from the traditional fast and flowing Finnish stages and Ogier admitted it was tricky.

â€œIt wasnâ€™t so easy, short and slippery,â€ he said. â€œNobody is taking too many risks. In the next one we will have to be in the rhythm. Everyone knows that if you want to win Rally Finland you have to be in the rhythm from the beginning.â€

Latvala received a wake-up call at the first corner on asphalt. â€œI was going too fast into the corner and ran a bit wild and wide,â€ said the Finn.

Hirvonen was just two-tenths of a second behind his fellow countryman. He admitted to a steady opening in his Citroen DS3 but added: â€œNow weâ€™re going to go for it. Every stage is important but now we really have to fight back.â€

Mads Ostberg was fourth in a Ford Fiesta RS, with â€˜Russian Rocketâ€™ Evgeny Novikov and Thierry Neuville rounding out the top six, which were covered by just 2.2sec.

Juho Hanninen arrived at the finish with the front of his Fiesta RS full of dirt. â€œI went somewhere that wasnâ€™t in my plan!â€ the Finn told WRC Live. â€œAt a downhill section over a crest and jump I went off the road and I was lucky my rally didnâ€™t finish there. Luckily there were no rocks underneath.â€

P-G Andersson spun his Fiesta RS at the top of hill, while Jarkko Nikara complained of a lack of power in his Mini John Cooper Works.
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SS2: Latvala hits trouble (WRC.com)

01 Aug 13

Stage data: SS2, Torittu (8.40 kilometres)

Stage description:
The rally moves into the forests at Torittu, a stage last used in 1985. The early sections are narrow and under the trees, on fast and flowing roads with a series of quick corners and crests. After 4.8km, it turns onto wider roads, ending with a series of fast bends across open fields.

How the action unfolded:

Jari-Matti Latvalaâ€™s chances of a home win in Finland this weekend took a big knock on SS2 when he broke his carâ€™s suspension.

The Finn began the stage in second place, just 1.2sec off the lead, but he lost 39 seconds after swiping a roadside rock and damaging the left-hand rear of his Volkwagen Polo R.

â€œIt happened just before the road widened, on a right hand corner over a crest,â€œ Latvala explained when he arrived at the stop control. â€œThe car lifted and went wide and we hit a stone on the outside which broke the rear suspension.â€

With another four stages to run before the next team service opportunity in Jyvaskyla, the Finn risks dropping further back unless he can get the car running properly. Asked if he could repair the damage, Latvala said: â€œI donâ€™t know what we have in the car to fix it. We have to see. Weâ€™ll go now and try.â€

Meanwhile Thierry Neuville became the new joint rally leader after a terrific stage win at the wheel of his Ford Fiesta RS. â€œThe road was very slippery but it went okay,â€ said the Belgian. â€œSometimes my pace notes were too slow and at others they were too fast, so I had to adapt my driving a bit, but otherwise it was a nice one.â€

Jyvaskyla resident Mikko Hirvonen shares the top spot with Neuville after surviving a scary moment in his Citroen DS3 to go third fastest. â€œIt was really, really slippery and we hit a rock in one corner - it can happen easily on these new stages, â€ he said. â€œMy notes were also not great, but we made it okay, so Iâ€™m happy with that.â€

Second quickest on the stage was Ford Fiesta RS pilot Mads Ostberg. The Norwegian holds third overall but wasnâ€™t totally happy with his driving, feeling he had pushed too hard in some sections.

Early leader Sebastien Ogier could only manage fifth-fastest, the Frenchman 3.1seconds slower than Neuville. â€œI heard about Jari-Matti before I started, so I took it a bit easy and then I lost my rhythm,â€ he said.

Citroen substitute driver Kris Meeke was tenth fastest after running more than half of the stage with a problem. â€œI got a puncture about three kilometres in,â€ he explained. â€œThereâ€™s a nick in the front right tyre and it cost us maybe seven or eight seconds. Iâ€™m disappointed but itâ€™s early in the rally, so okay.â€

P-G Andersonâ€™s disappointing start to the rally continued on SS2 when he arrived at the stop control with his Fiesta RS dragging an assortment of forest undergrowth.

â€œWe had another spin at the end,â€ he explained. â€œI donâ€™t know whatâ€™s happening with the car but when I steer into corners itâ€™s fine, and then the rear just snaps. We have to do something, but I donâ€™t know what.â€

Jarkko Nikara was eighth fastest in his Mini, having cured the lack of engine power he experienced on the opening test. â€œWe were missing a part on the engine turbo boost but itâ€™s better now. I went wide in a couple of places, so it wasnâ€™t a clean run, but better,â€ he said.
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SS3: Neuville and Ogier all square (WRC.com)

01 Aug 13

Stage data: SS3 Koukunmaa (13.68 kilometres)

Stage description:

The most southerly stage of the rally was used in both 2011 and 2012. It has a smooth, hard surface with challenging sections that demand precise lines. There isn't a straight worthy of the name, the fast, wide road sweeping from one great corner to another.

How the action unfolded:

The battle for the lead remained as tight as in the previous stage â€“ the difference being that now it is Thierry Neuville (pictured) and Sebastien Ogier who are tied at the top.

Ogier was fastest by 0.9sec in his Volkswagen Polo R, and that was enough to move him level with the Belgian, who was second quickest in his Fiesta RS.

The Frenchman said he was not surprised at Neuvilleâ€™s pace given his speed here last year and added: â€œWe expected a close fight and itâ€™s going to be a good one.â€

Neuville was the epitome of coolness at the finish. â€œIn some places I was maybe a bit careful but we have to check our pace notes. Itâ€™s a new system compared to last year. I could have been quicker, but already weâ€™re driving very fast,â€ he warned.

A superb third fastest was Kris Meeke on his Citroen DS3 debut, just 1.7sec behind Ogier. â€œWe have to be careful because we have no more spare tyres, so I was driving in the middle of the road all the time,â€ said the Ulsterman, who punctured in the previous stage.

Mikko Hirvonen, who was tied with Neuville after two tests, dropped 2.0sec to Ogier but was unperturbed at just 1.1sec off the lead in his DS3. â€œIâ€™m not relaxed enough. Itâ€™s not as flowing as it should be, but the differences are really small, so itâ€™s OK. We are in a good place,â€ said Hirvonen.

Fifth was Mads Ostbergâ€™s Fiesta RS, the Norwegian admitting he couldnâ€™t find a rhythm. â€œItâ€™s a stage I know quite well but I struggled in a few sections. In a few places I lost too much time,â€ he explained.

So what of Jari-Matti Latvala? The Finn and co-driver Miikka Anttila worked furiously to repair their Volkswagen Polo R after breaking the rear left suspension in the previous stage when they hit a rock, dropping almost 40sec.

They started the test 28 minutes late, incurring a 4min 40sec penalty, and dropped three minutes in the stage itself. But Latvalaâ€™s commitment to get the car to the end of the day could not be doubted.

â€œI will really, really try but itâ€™s going to be tough. The suspension was badly damaged but Iâ€™m happy how well our repairs have taken, so I hope to keep going,â€ he said.
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Steve · Aug 1, 2013

SS4: Still tied at the top (WRC.com)

01 Aug 13

Stage data: SS4, Torittu (8.40 kilometres)

Stage description:

The rally moves into the forests at Torittu, a stage last used in 1985. The early sections are narrow and under the trees, on fast and flowing roads with a series of quick corners and crests. After 4.8km, it turns onto wider roads, ending with a series of fast bends across open fields.

How the action unfolded:

After stage four of Rally Finland the competition couldnâ€™t be closer. Mikko Hirvonen and Thierry Neuville are tied in first place â€“ the third stage in succession where two drivers have shared the lead.

Citroen ace Hirvonen was fastest on the repeat of Torittu, but after the passage of 96 cars the soft road surface had deteriorated badly and deep ruts and loose rocks gave the drivers plenty to think about.

â€œI was surprised by how bad that stage was,â€ said Hirvonen. â€œFor the conditions our car was set far too low, but okay, no worries, we got through it with no problems.â€

Neuville however did not get through so cleanly. â€œWe went very wide on a fast left-hander,â€ he explained. â€œWe were in deep ruts, then the car oversteered and slid sideways. I lost three to four seconds. You canâ€™t imagine how rough it was.â€

Leading privateer Juho Hanninen was second quickest, 0.6sec slower than Hirvonen, and another Finn to be surprised by how much the road surface had broken up.

Sebastien Ogier kept out of trouble in the fourth fastest time, to hold third overall. â€œReally bad conditions, but for us no spins and no dramas,â€ he said.

Fifth placed Mads Ostberg was the first of a trio of drivers to be spat off the road by the same deep rut near the stage midpoint. â€œWe went off,â€ he said after throwing his balaclava into the back of his car. â€œWe were braking and turning in for a corner but the car just went straight on in the ruts. I had to stop and go backwards to get going again.â€

Andreas Mikkelsen told a similar story, but also had trouble getting his Polo R into gear. â€œI went straight on at a right-hand junction and was a long time in neutral because it wouldnâ€™t go into reverse. We lost a lot of time,â€ he said.

Evgeny Novikov was the rutâ€™s last WRC victim. â€œI had no chance to put the car sideways or anything. In the end we had to reverse back on,â€ he said.

Kris Meekeâ€™s impressive run continued with the fifth fastest time on SS4 - despite a cautious approach in the treacherous conditions. â€œItâ€™s horrible in there,â€ he said, â€œreally soft and big, big rocks. I got a puncture here earlier and now I donâ€™t have a spare wheel so I took it really carefully. There are massive stones appearing here and another puncture could be the end for me.â€
Click to expand...

Latvala retires in Finland (WRC.com)

01 Aug 13

Jari-Matti Latvala has retired from Rally Finland after the rear suspension damage on his Volkswagen Polo R proved too great to continue.

The Finn, winner of his home event in 2010, stopped after battling through two stages since swiping a rock and breaking the left-hand rear suspension.

His car will now be brought back to the Jyvaskyla service park and repaired before restarting under Rally 2 rules in tomorrowâ€™s second leg, with an additional 10 minute penalty.

Latvala was second through the opening Himos test but dropped almost 40sec in the following Torittu.

â€œIt happened just before the road widened, on a right hand corner over a crest,â€ Latvala explained. â€œThe car lifted and went wide and we hit a stone on the outside which broke the rear suspension.â€

With four more stages to complete without service, Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila worked furiously to repair the car. They started the next test 28 minutes late, incurring a 4min 40sec penalty, and dropped three minutes in the stage itself.

They lost another 2min 30sec in the repeat of the Torittu test, but the writing was on the wall when Latvala admitted the suspension was getting worse. He retired shortly after the finish.
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SS5: Hirvonen fumes over time loss (WRC.com)

01 Aug 13

Stage data: SS5 Himos 2 (10.20 kilometres)

Stage description:

This is a repeat of the opening stage, the difference being that competitors start at 30 second intervals and cover two loops. Based at the ski resort of Himos, the opening test takes competitors from the bottom of the slope to the top of the hill via access roads and back down. The opening kilometre is asphalt, before switching to a double width gravel road to the top. The journey down is via a narrower, more gravelly track.

How the action unfolded:

Mikko Hirvonen was furious after losing 16sec in heavy rain to plunge from equal first to fifth.

Groups of four cars started the stage at 30 second intervals, with a 4min 30sec gap between the groups.

Conditions deteriorated in increasingly heavy rain and Hirvonen was last of the top drivers to start, as the opening car in the fourth group. The ruts created during this morningâ€™s first pass filled with water during the gap between the groups, and the Citroen DS3 pilot was only 12th fastest.

â€œIf we were in the group before it would have been more equal. There is so much water in the ruts that we lost nearly 20 seconds. Really good decision from the organisers. Really, really good decision,â€ complained an upset Hirvonen.

After three stages where two drivers were tied at the top of the leaderboard, there is finally a clear leader. Thierry Neuville was only fifth in his Ford Fiesta RS but it was sufficient to earn a 2.0sec advantage.

â€œI couldnâ€™t see in the rain and there was a lot of fog on the window. I just tried to stay on the road,â€ said the Belgian.

The stage win went to fellow Fiesta RS driver Mads Ostberg. The Norwegian was quickest by 1.3sec to climb to second overall. â€œWe could see the rain coming and it was heavy, especially on the other side of the mountain. On the downhill section the wipers could not cope,â€ he said.

Jarkko Nikara benefited from starting last of the opening group to go second fastest in his Mini John Cooper Works, with Kris Meeke third in his Citroen DS3.

Sebastien Ogier was sixth and complained of a misted windscreen in his Volkswagen Polo R. The Frenchman is now third overall, 2.5sec behind Neuville.

P-G Anderssonâ€™s oversteering problems continued with a half-spin in his Fiesta RS while Riku Tahko dropped almost 13 minutes when his Mini John Cooper Works stopped with a throttle problem. The Finn reconnected a faulty wire before completing the stage.
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Day 1 wrap: Neuville leads tight fight in Finland (WRC.com)

01 Aug 13

Belgium's Thierry Neuville holds the overnight lead of Neste Oil Rally Finland after a thrilling and extremely close battle on this afternoon's opening six stages.

Neuville, who drives a Ford Fiesta RS for the Qatar World Rally Team, was quickest on two of todayâ€™s all-gravel tests, but kept out of trouble in some unusually rough and slippery conditions to end the day 5.2sec clear of championship leader Sebastien Ogier with two days of the rally still to go.

The Volkswagen duel between Ogier and his team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala meant they were the pace-setters on todayâ€™s opening test, run 130 kilometres south of the rallyâ€™s base in Jyvaskyla, but that all changed on the second when Latvala wrecked his Polo Râ€™s suspension on a rock and Ogier immediately backed-off his attack.

Latvala nursed his damaged car through the next two stages before admitting defeat and retiring from the day.

A fastest time for Neuville on SS2 moved him into a joint rally lead with Citroen ace Mikko Hirvonen, and he remained tied at the top after SS3 (with Ogier) and a badly rutted SS4 (with Hirvonen again) before finally pulling clear on SS5, helped in part by a sharp rain shower that hampered Hirvonenâ€™s progess.

Rounding off the day with fastest time at the Killeri Super special, Neuville was understandably delighted with his progress. â€œItâ€™s been a good day, I took no big risks and I think I drove quite cleverly,â€ he said. â€œIn the rainy stage I slowed down in some places and managed my pace quite well. Iâ€™m looking forward to tomorrow.â€

Ogier is keen to restart tomorrow too, when the action shifts to some classic Finland stages, rather than todayâ€™s selection of shorter sprints. â€œI think Friday is the real start of the rally,â€ said the Frenchman. â€œWeâ€™ll need to be awake and Iâ€™m sure weâ€™ll have more fun tomorrow.â€

Ford Fiesta RS driver Mads Ostberg is third overnight, just 3.7 sec behind Ogier, and satisfied to have got through the day in one piece and with just one small mistake when he â€“ like many others - overshot a rutted junction on SS4. â€œItâ€™s been tough and the last stage especially was so, so slippery, but weâ€™re here. It was important to get through today and be in a good position for tomorrow.â€

Hirvonen ended the day 4.9 seconds further back in fourth, and still furious about losing time on SS5 when his place in the start order coincided with a heavy downpour. Can he make up 13.8 seconds tomorrow? â€œWe will see. Iâ€™ll try,â€ is all the Finn was saying at the end of the stage.

Newly appointed Hyundai test driver Juho Hanninen is fifth in a Fiesta RS, 3.2sec behind Hirvonen. â€œOkay, but I cannot be completely happy,â€ said the Finn. â€œWeâ€™ve seen how fast Thierry is in the same car, so thereâ€™s room for improvement for tomorrow.â€

On his first rally in a DS3 World Rally Car, Kris Meeke is an impressive sixth overall - less than four seconds behind factory driver Hirvonen. The Brit was drafted in as a replacement for absent Qatar World Rally Team driver Khalid Al Qassimi and produced one of the stand out performances of the day â€“ with his only problem a puncture on Stage two. â€œI havenâ€™t done a rally for so long and Iâ€™m over the moon. I feel so at home in this DS3, I just want to drive it more and more!â€ he said.

Ford Fiesta RS driver Evgeny Novikov is seventh, but in such a tight race still just 20.7 seconds off the lead. â€œNot the best day for us, with lots of ruts and the rain but there are still two long days to come and we will fight for sure for a better place,â€ said the Russian.

Volkswagenâ€™s Andreas Mikkelsen is eighth, and happy to be close to the pace of the cars ahead, while Dani Sordo is down in ninth after a lacklustre day in his Citroen. â€œTomorrow we start from zero again,â€ said the Spaniard.

Jarko Nikara is ninth, the Finnâ€™s Mini hampered by a faulty turbo solenoid on the opening stage, with P-G Andersson rounding out the top ten in a Fiesta RS with extremely wayward handling. â€œToo many spins today - I just want to get back to service,â€ said the deflated Swede. â€œI donâ€™t know what the problem is, itâ€™s something we have to look at it.â€

Ford Fiesta RS driver Martin Prokop is 12th with Riku Tahko in a Mini JCW the final WRC runner 13 minutes off the pace after a throttle cable problem on SS5.

WRC 2

Jari Ketomaa dominated the WRC 2 category to win four of the six stages in the new Ford Fiesta R5. The Finn, who was an amazing fourth quickest overall in the final test, is 24.0sec clear of Robert Kubicaâ€™s Citroen DS3 RRC, with Elfyn Evans third in another Fiesta R5, a further 2.0sec behind.

WRC 3

Alastair Fisher heads the WRC 3 category, winning the opening three stages to lay a solid platform for the day. The Northern Ireland driver is 9.8sec clear of Irelandâ€™s Keith Cronin, with Finn Jussi Vainionpaa in third, a further 29.0sec back. Cronin and Vainionpaa won a stage each and all three drivers are in Citroen DS3 R3T cars.
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Steve · Aug 1, 2013

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQUkbcxPTWY]Leg 1 - 2013 WRC Rally Finland - Best-of-RallyLive.com - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Aug 2, 2013

Stewards to investigate Meekeâ€™s Novikov delay (MaxRally.com)

by Richard Rodgers / 2nd August 2013

Rally Finland stewards are investigating the time delay Kris Meeke suffered behind Evgeny Novikovâ€™s faltering Ford Fiesta on stage eight this morning.

Novikov crashed into a pile of logs at the top of a right-hand crest earlier in the Palsankyla run, damaging the front of his car in the process. Meeke, in a factory Citroen, quickly caught the Russian but was unable to pass for 10 kilometres.

The Britonâ€™s efforts to overtake resulted in more time being lost when he picked up a front-left puncture three kilometres from the stage finish. To make matters worse, Meeke then trapped a finger between the jack and a door while he was changing the damaged tyre.

Meeke started stage eight 15.7s adrift of the leaders but the delay meant he dropped 39.6s off the pace after posting a time of 7m33.3s. When the stage was repeated this afternoon, Meeke clocked a 7m09.6s.

M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson confirmed that he apologised to Yves Matton, his counterpart at Citroen, and also spoke to Meeke at the regroup in Jyvaskyla. â€œWe sent a message to Evgeny to pull over,â€ Wilson confirmed. â€œHeâ€™s not seen it but in the heat of the moment these things happen. Iâ€™m sorry for Kris.â€

Matton added: â€œItâ€™s really not the fault of [M-Sport], itâ€™s Evgeny. He needs educating.â€

Meeke said: â€œThis shouldnâ€™t happen and I tried to tell him what does he think heâ€™s at. Itâ€™s not up to me [what happens now] but I also went off into a ditch and broke a rim because I couldnâ€™t see where I was going running behind him. I ran out of washer fluid and the wipers were smearing the screen, the screen was broken. With no spare left, I had to be careful not to touch anything. I tried to keep calm."

In his defence, Novikov (pictured) said: â€œAs soon as the text was sent to me I pulled over but I think they sent it to me too late. I am sorry for that of course. I spoke with Kris and told him Iâ€™m sorry and pulled over when I see the message from the team. Otherwise I canâ€™t see whatâ€™s behind me. I have a smashed windscreen and the bonnet is open so I have to see whatâ€™s in front of me.â€

Photo: Julian Porter
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Yup:

Novikov's crash:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W3wP2xthn0]Novikov crash WRC Rally Finland 2013 - YouTube[/ame]

Steve · Aug 2, 2013

Apparently this is Nikara while getting 45 meters of air in his MINI:

Steve · Aug 2, 2013

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnM6RNtqQgc]Leg 2 - 2013 WRC Rally Finland - Best-of-RallyLive.com - YouTube[/ame]

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