WRC (World Rally)

(13-04-2023 21:32 )Tumble_Drier Wrote:  I've caught countless Rally Crashes on camera, helped pull crews out of wrecked cars and helped put them back on their wheels when they've finished upside down in a flooded ditch or 2 but thankfully I've never been present at a serious injury or fatality. News like this always reminds me that it's a fine line between walking away from a crash and being carried away.

Thierry Neuville posted this on Facebook. I think it says everything that needs to be said right now...

"It’s with a very heavy heart that I post this message. Today I’ve lost a team mate but more than anything, I’ve lost a friend.
Craig, your passion for rallying was immeasurable, your joy behind the steering wheel was beyond any of ours, your emotional stage end comments on a league of it’s own,….
You were the first to bring English tea to Hyundai Motorsport, you made last our debriefs for 3h and more, we had endless conversations about our private rally cars,….
All this will stay deep in my memories.
I will miss you!
Rest easy my friend."

Yep rally is nuts out real world!! All motorsport is dangerous by definition, but rallying is a particular reality check given the environment in which it takes place. After the end of GP B cars, and the madness of spectators at the time (although totally understandable that they would get so worked up - awesome days) - thankfully incidents like this are relatively rare!!

Sobering first day in Croatia, with nobody really seeming to give much of a damn about the outcome. Shakedown was just a 'going through the motions' exercise, with all thoughts and words from the drivers involved for Craig Breen!

It is right - just about - that the event goes ahead, as nobody more than Craig himself, would have expected - and I think it is fair to say - demanded it would, given his all too clear and transparent love and enthusiasm for the sport! So nice to see that Toyota have changed the designated drivers listed as points winners to take account of the circumstances!

Have missed posting for most of the season for some reason! Anyhow, congrats to K Rovanpera for another title. The bigger news is that he is to be another one stepping back to a part time role next season, he needs a break! This says a lot, and shows the crossroads WRC is at! The drivers and teams themselves (all 3 of them which speaks to the biggest issue) recognise some of the issues behind Wrc's decline, but the FIA (fixated with F1) are the ones who can address it. They are the ONLY ones that can fix things in fact, unless the teams break away to form their own series independently, and entice others to join?? The finances required to make that happen, make it a non - runner in reality unfortunately! If Malcolm Wilson sees the writing on the wall at M Sport, and pulls out (no indication of that) it is likely game over, fold tent!

Indeed hornball congrats to rovanpera
Otherwise it's just a farce having 3 manufacturers battling for the constructors championship they should allow the our drivers of that manufacturer break out into a team b just to make it more exciting
Whilst the fia need to find a way to get more manufacturers to join the wrc 2 seems more exciting at times

(21-11-2023 22:33 )Geriisgreat Wrote:  Indeed hornball congrats to rovanpera
Otherwise it's just a farce having 3 manufacturers battling for the constructors championship they should allow the our drivers of that manufacturer break out into a team b just to make it more exciting
Whilst the fia need to find a way to get more manufacturers to join the wrc 2 seems more exciting at times

Maybe the answer is to scrap WRC 2, and have one championship - obviously with one spec car rather than rally 1 which - by definition - are more powerful?? at least until such time as the sport can determine a solid way forward that includes securing the commitment to join from a greater number of marques! It is very sad to see the state rallying at this the top level is in, given the glory days and the legendary names - both driver and manufacturer!

Absolutely 1 million percent I miss the manufactures ford Subaru Citroen Peugeot Mitsubishi even Skoda

2024 Season begins in Monte! The main change is the new (and totally ludicrous/stupid) points system Look it up, too convoluted and ridiculous to go in to here! Suffice to say, Saturday may as well not happen apparently? Oh and the winner of each rally could potentially 'well not be'

I found it a pretty good start to the new season credit to neuville jumping ahead of Evans when he couldn't keep his good start going
Whilst pleased that ford showed a bit more promise than what I was expecting given there line up it's weaker than both Toyota and Hyundai

The 'Monte' is always good value! (Side note: almost zero snow/ice - not good at all for any of us. 'Torini' historically banks of the stuff, bone dry now!) Yes a great start to the season, Neuville deserving of getting the win - relieved it counted as such!

True there was far more flares etc especially on Thursday night
Anyway bring on the snow and ice in Sweden next then we will see the fun drifting off snowbanks etc