WRC (World Rally)

Only the first stage - and a super special for the fans - but conditions are as I would have hoped for Rally GB. Lorenzo's (storm) timely appearance will - it seems - provide the type of conditions that Rallying should always have (or at least variations on a theme) with wind, rain, slippery roads etc, and difficult choices to make as a result! GB wasn't prepared to accept quiet conditions, as was the intention of the move from November - Great!!!!

Fucking idiots standing on the outside of a bend filming & taking photos. This is one of the reasons that stopped me watching & shooting Rallies which i enjoyed doing for years...Dickheads like this are the reason the sport will die.

Real excitement ( and no little drama) on the first full day of Rally GB! K.Meeke, the current leader(home boy has to be done) Latvala can't catch a break, and has crashed out already!

Conditions are perfect for rallying (if you aren't putting it all on the line Inside the car) Rain, mud slippery forest roads...………..brilliant watch!!

(04-10-2019 17:04 )Tumble_Drier Wrote:  Fucking idiots standing on the outside of a bend filming & taking photos. This is one of the reasons that stopped me watching & shooting Rallies which i enjoyed doing for years...Dickheads like this are the reason the sport will die.
{snip}

If they aren't supposed to be there, then they have defied the marshal's instructions! Maybe should treat such people as they do at the TT in the IOM. Prosecute, and time behind bars for the duration of the event - plus banned from returning to watch Rally GB! Jesus they hadn't a prayer had Latvala not rolled and kept coming at them! Were they journos by any chance??

Tanak taking an 11 second lead over Ogier into the final day (unless a mechanical issue hits - too short a day to overturn his lead - mind you, this is Wales!) Assuming Ogier secures 3rd - but within touching distance of 2nd - (and without factoring in power stage points) Tanak will have a lead in the Championship of some 24 pts! Two rounds to go!!

Could be the last WC rally in Wales for a while, if the FIA turn the event into a UK wide round, with next years coming here to NI I cannot wait for that prospect!

I bet T Makkinen and the crew back at Toyota base, didn't send Tanak out to the Power Stage to risk it all in pursuit of all 5 bonus points! He did it anyway, and was driving on the edge to get them! Like a man possessed! Walks away with maximum points, and has now made himself firm favourite for the title!!

Perhaps a definitive first day in Spain!! Ogier way out of it, and despite Neuville sitting in first place - the only remaining competition for Tanak - Ott himself is comfortable in 4th which means - at worst, he will be - if the finish is the same - still holding a double digit lead going to the final event down under!

The news, however, is Tanaks - apparently confirmed move - to HYUNDAI (yes HYUNDAI) next season! Nobody saw that coming!! Fair play to him, that he is willing to take up the challenge of pushing Hyundai forward, rather than have a better opportunity to defend his title (looks like it is a done deal - bar incredible turn of events)) by staying put! Ogier speculation is for Toyota switch for his final season before retirement!

Congratualtions New World Champion : OTT TANAK

Shame the season had to end with an abandoned event in Australia! Completely understandable though (the correct decision) - and not, as the drivers themselves said - just because the stages couldn't be run, but because of the overall situation that has impacted upon so many, and has lead to fatalities!! As K Meeke said - a motorsport event isn't important, when set against peoples lives/personal loss!

Now Citroen pull the plug on their participation! Such a shame - particularly their reasoning that there is nobody available who could replace Ogier! Seb himself has said that is nonsense, and ''Disrespectful'' towards those currently without a drive! Will WRC survive to see the new electric era take hold?? Many believed that if Citroen walked (they have) Malcolm Wilson would pull M-SPORT. That really would be the end!!