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WRC 2012 Germany Day 1 Highlights
WRC Season ArchiveRally
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Not really, no. It's enough to win, certainly, but tomorrow's stages are some of the most difficult of the season. The Arena Panzerplatte is 46.50km long, and most of it runs through an old army proving ground. They used to practice tank manoeuvres there, and the end result is that the tarmac has been repeatedly torn apart. It's not unhead of for chunks the size of a tyre to be pulled free, and they can wreak havoc on the cars. If Loeb were to get a puncture, he could lose his entire lead in the space of a kilometre.
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Well, that being said, Loeb does not make mistakes. He will occasionally fall victim to bad luck - as he did in Germany last year - but even that is rare. Especially on tarmac; when he started with Citroen back in 1999, he had a reputation as a tarmac specialist. He will almost certainly win here, and that will all-but seal his ninth consecutive World Championship (which will also possibly be his last; he's talked about retiring).
That said, if anybody can catch him, it's the chasing pack. Solberg, Latvala and Hirvonen are all brilliant in their own right, while Tanak, Neuville and Ostberg are all stars in the making. The chase pack is stronger than its ever been, but as Latvala said after one of the stages, you have to fight every kilometre just to stay in touch with Loeb.
That said, if anybody can catch him, it's the chasing pack. Solberg, Latvala and Hirvonen are all brilliant in their own right, while Tanak, Neuville and Ostberg are all stars in the making. The chase pack is stronger than its ever been, but as Latvala said after one of the stages, you have to fight every kilometre just to stay in touch with Loeb.
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Massive shakeup on the leaderboard after the first run through Panzerplatte - Solberg (broken wheel), Neuville (off the road), Sordo (stopped on stage) and van Merksteijn (stuck in fifth gear) have all run into trouble.
And a dose of Russian humour from Evgeny Novikov: "Nothing special. There were a hundered and eighty junctions, and we only missed two."
And a dose of Russian humour from Evgeny Novikov: "Nothing special. There were a hundered and eighty junctions, and we only missed two."
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WRC 2012 Germany Day 2 Highlights
WRC 2012 Germany Day 3 Highlights
WRC 2012 Germany Day 3 Highlights
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At this rate, I do believe that the earliest Loeb can win his ninth title is in France.
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- richiem2282
I reckon he'll go for the 10th Title and retire. I wonder who'd be the next World Champion besides Loeb, who ever it will be, it'll be a great year for the WRC, no disrespect to Loeb and his genius, but the WRC needs a new Champion, and sooner rather than later...
WRC ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2012 HD
Review Rally Germany 2012 Ford WRC
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10th title might be tricky (finally) for Loeb what with Ogier and VW on the horizon. Although the VW might have some teething issues. Seeing how Ogier has been flying in that S2000 Skoda its hard to imagine him being held back by the VW very much.
It would be amusing (but very sad) to see Loeb retire and Ogier replace him as the unstoppable frenchman. The Loeb-Ogier battle is probably the only thing WRC can rely on as everyone else is too weak.
It would be amusing (but very sad) to see Loeb retire and Ogier replace him as the unstoppable frenchman. The Loeb-Ogier battle is probably the only thing WRC can rely on as everyone else is too weak.
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The rules would allow for it.
Under "Rally2" regulations (formerly known as "SuperRally"), a driver can re-enter the rally the next day if he retires, taking a five-minute time penalty for his troubles. Solberg retired on the first pass through the Arena Panzerplatte stage, so Ford had all afternoon and Saturday night to work on the car. Since the car is out of the event, the usual parc ferme rules don't apply.
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Sorry for the double post, but I've heard some chatter about proposed rule changes for 2013 that I thought I'd share, because I think they will do a lot for the sport. These remain unconfirmed for now, and to be perfectly honest, I don't see them getting approved. Nevertheless, they do make for some interesting reading.
The first proposal would see manufacturers being elegible to run three-car teams, though I'm not sure whether this would be on a full- or part-time basis. Andreas Mikkeslen allegedly let slip Volkswagen's plans, stating that he and Kevin Abbring would share a third Polo R in 2013, though I can't track down a source.
The second proposal is a total overhaul of the championship. We currently have the WRC, Super 2000, Group N production cars and the WRC Academy. The proposal would streamline these into feeder series a la Moto GP, with Super 2000 becoming "WRC2", Group N being rebranded "WRC3" and WRC Academy styled as "WRC4". This would make for more linear progression from the junior categories up to the top tier of the sport. Furthermore, Ford have been making versions of the Fiesta that can be entered in any of the series, and I've heard Volkswagen are planning a Super 2000-spec Polo R, to be known as the Polo R2. There is no word on what Citroen might do, but they really need something, because at this rate, Ford and Volkswagen will poach all the young talent early and Citroen will really have to work on getting good drivers in - especially when Loeb leaves. Mikko Hirvonen is competitive enough to fight for the title, but a bad result here or there will leave him at the mercy of everyone else.
The first proposal would see manufacturers being elegible to run three-car teams, though I'm not sure whether this would be on a full- or part-time basis. Andreas Mikkeslen allegedly let slip Volkswagen's plans, stating that he and Kevin Abbring would share a third Polo R in 2013, though I can't track down a source.
The second proposal is a total overhaul of the championship. We currently have the WRC, Super 2000, Group N production cars and the WRC Academy. The proposal would streamline these into feeder series a la Moto GP, with Super 2000 becoming "WRC2", Group N being rebranded "WRC3" and WRC Academy styled as "WRC4". This would make for more linear progression from the junior categories up to the top tier of the sport. Furthermore, Ford have been making versions of the Fiesta that can be entered in any of the series, and I've heard Volkswagen are planning a Super 2000-spec Polo R, to be known as the Polo R2. There is no word on what Citroen might do, but they really need something, because at this rate, Ford and Volkswagen will poach all the young talent early and Citroen will really have to work on getting good drivers in - especially when Loeb leaves. Mikko Hirvonen is competitive enough to fight for the title, but a bad result here or there will leave him at the mercy of everyone else.
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WRC 2012 Round 09 Germany Review in HD-720p with commentary by Paul King
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IRC 2012 Barum Czech Rally SS2 Coverage
IRC 2012 Barum Czech Rally SS4 Coverage
IRC 2012 Barum Czech Rally SS12 Coverage
IRC 2012 Barum Czech Rally SS4 Coverage
IRC 2012 Barum Czech Rally SS12 Coverage
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Mads Ostberg has vowed to prove that he's worthy of the works seat.
Full story on the WRC website can be found here.
If the rumours are true that works teams will be able to run three-car teams, this would be a great chance for Ostberg. But I doubt Latvala is thinking of leaving Ford soon, and Solberg is only on his first season with Ford. It would be a shame if Mads had to pull out of the WRC due to financial issues, and he's a very good driver with a lot of talent. Unless, of course, another team pops up and offers him a seat.
WRC Site
Full story on the WRC website can be found here.
If the rumours are true that works teams will be able to run three-car teams, this would be a great chance for Ostberg. But I doubt Latvala is thinking of leaving Ford soon, and Solberg is only on his first season with Ford. It would be a shame if Mads had to pull out of the WRC due to financial issues, and he's a very good driver with a lot of talent. Unless, of course, another team pops up and offers him a seat.
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Next up on the WRC Calender, Rally GB:
Round 10
13 - 16 Sep 12
Categories:WRC, SWRC
Based:Cardiff
Surface:Gravel with some asphalt sections
Website:www.walesrallygb.com
Britains World Rally Championship counter has been a qualifying round of the series every year since the WRC was established in 1973. This years event will mark a move away from its end-of-term slot to a mid-September date, which it last occupied in 2005.
Wales Rally GBs origins date back to 1932 and, for many years, it was known as the RAC Rally in deference to the organiser, the Royal Automobile Club, before the advent of commercial sponsorship brought about a change of name.
While the event used to roam around England, Scotland and Wales, making it a test of endurance rather than a demonstration of all-out speed, since 2000 the action has been contained in Wales, specifically in the south, prior to the inclusion of stages further north into mid-Wales in 2008.
The 2009 edition expanded even further afield into Wales and took in the famous and ultra-fast Radnor stage, which is less than one hour by road from Birmingham, Britains second largest city.
There was also a move towards a mixed surface format in 2010 with some asphalt sections creeping in to the predominantly gravel runs, while the Cardiff Bay special stage ran entirely on asphalt roads close to the main service area in the Welsh capital.
The format of this years Wales Rally GB is set to mirror the route trialled for the first time in 2011. Starting in the seaside town of Llandudno in the north of Wales and finishing in the capital Cardiff in the south three days later, last seasons rally incorporated several stages not used for a number of decades.
It event began with two runs over the Great Orme toll road followed by a spectacular ceremonial start in Conwy. Builth Wells, in the centre of the country, housed the permanent service park although crews were required to return to Cardiff for overnight parc ferme and the ceremonial finish.
But its the gravel-based forest stages that Wales Rally GB is most famous for. Fast and undulating, the roads are often made slippery by rainfall, ice and even snow although slightly more hospitable conditions are expected this year following the rallys move to a mid-September date from its traditional November slot.
Jari-Matti Latvala - Wales Rally GB Test
Round 10
13 - 16 Sep 12
Categories:WRC, SWRC
Based:Cardiff
Surface:Gravel with some asphalt sections
Website:www.walesrallygb.com
Britains World Rally Championship counter has been a qualifying round of the series every year since the WRC was established in 1973. This years event will mark a move away from its end-of-term slot to a mid-September date, which it last occupied in 2005.
Wales Rally GBs origins date back to 1932 and, for many years, it was known as the RAC Rally in deference to the organiser, the Royal Automobile Club, before the advent of commercial sponsorship brought about a change of name.
While the event used to roam around England, Scotland and Wales, making it a test of endurance rather than a demonstration of all-out speed, since 2000 the action has been contained in Wales, specifically in the south, prior to the inclusion of stages further north into mid-Wales in 2008.
The 2009 edition expanded even further afield into Wales and took in the famous and ultra-fast Radnor stage, which is less than one hour by road from Birmingham, Britains second largest city.
There was also a move towards a mixed surface format in 2010 with some asphalt sections creeping in to the predominantly gravel runs, while the Cardiff Bay special stage ran entirely on asphalt roads close to the main service area in the Welsh capital.
The format of this years Wales Rally GB is set to mirror the route trialled for the first time in 2011. Starting in the seaside town of Llandudno in the north of Wales and finishing in the capital Cardiff in the south three days later, last seasons rally incorporated several stages not used for a number of decades.
It event began with two runs over the Great Orme toll road followed by a spectacular ceremonial start in Conwy. Builth Wells, in the centre of the country, housed the permanent service park although crews were required to return to Cardiff for overnight parc ferme and the ceremonial finish.
But its the gravel-based forest stages that Wales Rally GB is most famous for. Fast and undulating, the roads are often made slippery by rainfall, ice and even snow although slightly more hospitable conditions are expected this year following the rallys move to a mid-September date from its traditional November slot.
Jari-Matti Latvala - Wales Rally GB Test
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I'm not impressed with the route of this year's Rally GB. They've gotten rid of the good stages like Clocaenog and Gartheniog and the Dyfis and replaced them with some really bland stull - like the Hafren-Sweet Lamb merger that cuts out the (good) back half of Hafren, and instead runs through Sweet Lamb, across the old liason section and then through the first half of Hafren.
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I went to Rally GB last year and it was a blast. Unfortunately, I can't go this year, as I'm going to the Gymkhana GRID final instead. But hopefully I'll go again next year. It seems quite sad that they cut out the good ones, but personally I quite like Sweet Lamb - brilliant spectator stage! Great Orme is brilliant too, so I'm glad they haven't cut that out. I drove down Great Orme back in April. I'm hoping one day to do it again in the seat of a rally car! 
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Sweet Lamb might be a great spectator stage, but the first half of Hafren was never great, and the roads connecting the two have never been used before, but still don't blow me away.
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- richiem2282
Preview Wales Rally GB Ford WRC
Jari-Matti looks ahead to the weekend
Citroën WRC 2012 - Wales Rally GB - Wednesday
Wales Rally GB 2012 - Qualifying - Chris Atkinson
Shakedown - 2012 WRC Wales Rally GB - Best-of-RallyLive.com
Jari-Matti looks ahead to the weekend
Citroën WRC 2012 - Wales Rally GB - Wednesday
Wales Rally GB 2012 - Qualifying - Chris Atkinson
Shakedown - 2012 WRC Wales Rally GB - Best-of-RallyLive.com
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As disappointing as Rally GB is this year, Rally France-Alsace is looking good, with twenty-one WRC entries.
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WRC 2012 Wales Rally GB Preview
Jari-Matti at remote service is morning
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WRC 2012 Wales Rally GB Day 1 Highlights
WRC 2012 Wales Rally GB Day 2 Highlights
WRC 2012 Wales Rally GB Day 3 Highlights
Jari-Matti at remote service is morning
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WRC 2012 Wales Rally GB Day 1 Highlights
WRC 2012 Wales Rally GB Day 2 Highlights
WRC 2012 Wales Rally GB Day 3 Highlights
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There's a lot of new WRC news being released today with the Paris Motorshow and all. I've heard rumours that Red Bull may be the sport's next promoter, being given a 10 year contract. One of the main issues with this year's season has been a lack of promoter, so having big names such as Red Bull carrying the face of the WRC, 2013 looks to be a promising year. More information about the Red Bull rumour and other news can be found here.
I'm glad more manufacturers are taking part for the 2013 season. I'll be keeping an eye on the VW Works team and any Hyundai teams that may appear before 2014. Toyota are also making a return, however I'm not entirely sure if they will be a Works team in 2013. This year wasn't a very good year for rallying, as mentioned above it struggled for a promoter, events struggled for TV coverage, and teams have been treading on eggshells with sponsors. Hopefully 2013 will give us a much better season! 👍
I'm glad more manufacturers are taking part for the 2013 season. I'll be keeping an eye on the VW Works team and any Hyundai teams that may appear before 2014. Toyota are also making a return, however I'm not entirely sure if they will be a Works team in 2013. This year wasn't a very good year for rallying, as mentioned above it struggled for a promoter, events struggled for TV coverage, and teams have been treading on eggshells with sponsors. Hopefully 2013 will give us a much better season! 👍
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Toyota back in WRC? What?
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Just read that they're not returning as a full bore team, but they've still got a rally spec Yaris out, and it raced in Germany this year. There's a lot of news about it if you search around on Google.
http://www.rallyworldnews.com/2012/08/toyota-returns-to-rally-with-tmg-yaris.html
Hopefully they'll develop a Yaris to take part as a Works team in 2014/15.
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