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Rally Portugal 2009

Started by Taxi , Apr 02 2009 17:43

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35 replies to this topic

#1 Taxi

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Posted 02 April 2009 - 17:43

Shivers down in my spine: Marcus Gronholm driving the subaru wrc. :clap:

#2 daishi255

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Posted 02 April 2009 - 22:06

After SS1 (a super special stage on Thursday evening):

Pos Driver Car Time
1. Henning Solberg Ford 2m09.6s
2. Dani Sordo Citroen + 0.1s
3. Mikko Hirvonen Ford + 0.2s
4. Sebastien Loeb Citroen + 1.2s
5. Jari-Matti Latvala Ford + 2.9s
6. Marcus Gronholm Subaru + 4.5s
7. Federico Villagra Ford + 5.6s
8. Petter Solberg Citroen + 5.9s
9. Mads Ostberg Subaru + 7.0s
10. Sebastien Ogier Citroen + 7.3s

Seems that both Abarth Grande Punto S2000's crashed during the shakedown & were unable to start the rally. No serious injuries though.

#3 Taxi

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 10:17

Mikko Hirvonen seems very strong. Loeb will have to work hard this weekend. Lets hope Marcus gets the 3rd place or 4th

#4 Cinquecento

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 11:48

Latvala rolled.

Gronholm in 2nd place after SS4.

#5 Taxi

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 11:57

Latvala: LOOOLLL ... yesterday he was saying like...

"i have a new aproach. Taking it easier in technical parts, I try to much bla bla... going for the points..."

When this guy setles down he will be champion for sure. For now he's just entertaining. hope he's ok. Cos it was a violent accident.

#6 K-One

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 12:00

Latvala is the new McRae

#7 GT Racing Online Magazine

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 12:02

I'm rather flabbergasted by Marcus' pace. I did not think he could come out of retirement in a Subaru and be second, 3.2 seconds off the lead. Just goes to show that the Ford boys are nowhere near his level.

#8 daishi255

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 12:06

1. Dani Sordo Citroen
2. Marcus Gronholm Subaru + 3.2s
3. Mikko Hirvonen Ford + 6.4s
4. Sebastien Loeb Citroen + 22.7s
5. Petter Solberg Citroen + 38.4s
6. Matthew Wilson Ford + 48.9s
7. Evgeny Novikov Citroen + 50.1s
8. Sebastien Ogier Citroen + 56.1s
9. Henning Solberg Ford +1m03.6s
10. Mads Ostberg Subaru +1m57.4s

Marcus is running 11th or 12th on the road, so that'll help him a bit.

Rally Radio

#9 MortenF1

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 14:20

Grönholm's performance is just amazing. What a driver! :up:

#10 ezequiel

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 14:20

Tight rally so far: less than 2 minutes from first to tenth. And now we realize how much we miss Gronholm. And this guy, Nobikov, is a very nice surprise. He already showed very interesting pace at Cyprus and now he's fighting there on the top eight...

#11 Taxi

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 15:58

Hirvonen took control now.

Marcus... that's the level the subaru should be. The car has potencial. And the farmer... still as insane as ever.

#12 kismet

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 16:25

Sounds like Latvala is not only about to get the axe but actually expecting it himself.

Anyway, Grönholm seems rather speedy. I love how the guy can make seemingly arrogant statements about how he expects to be an instant frontrunner and up there with the apparently superior Fords, and then you see him do just what he said he'd do and you realise it's not arrogance but confidence backed up by genuine skill and ability. Brilliant.

Now that I've typed that, he'll probably roll the car or something but...

Edit: Damn, I'm good. :lol:

#13 Gilles4Ever

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 16:58

Not to take anything away from Marcus' brilliant return . . . but . . . he is running 12th on the road.

He should be able to hang onto 4th. Any better is going to take a mistake or mechanical problem.

#14 Taxi

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 16:59

Latvala does not deserve to be saked. he's as fast as any other front runner. Just to mistake prone. On the other hand if they put that car in Solberg's hands...

#15 Taxi

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 17:00

Originally posted by Gilles4Ever
Not to take anything away from Marcus' brilliant return . . . but . . . he is running 12th on the road.

He should be able to hang onto 4th. Any better is going to take a mistake or mechanical problem.

he lost a lot of time behind a ford in the last spec of the day. He should be running second.

#16 vicksplum

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 20:27

Just seen Latvala's accident.

No injuries? Just proves how safe these cars are! Really looking forward to the rest of the weekend.

#17 noikeee

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 21:05

The laws of physics must've been bent there, because in a shunt like this someone usually dies:

#18 Taxi

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 21:26

jesus! even knowing that nothing happened seeing that car rolling I sensed death...

#19 krapmeister

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 21:33

Originally posted by paranoik0
The laws of physics must've been bent there, because in a shunt like this someone usually dies:

Blimey!

I bet that rung his bell...

#20 alexbiker

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Posted 03 April 2009 - 21:39

Modern world-class cars are so strong that spectacular crashes are rarely lethal. It's the seemingly innocuous ones where the car just stops where basal skull fractures occur, aortas dissect and c-spines fracture.

That does not go for historical crashes or lower-level motorsport.

#21 GerardF1

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 01:16

Originally posted by alexbiker
Modern world-class cars are so strong that spectacular crashes are rarely lethal. It's the seemingly innocuous ones where the car just stops where basal skull fractures occur, aortas dissect and c-spines fracture.

That does not go for historical crashes or lower-level motorsport.

I understand what you are saying - to look at Dale Earnharts accident it seemed so minor - but the visual of that Focus just not stopping doesn't do my gut any good.

#22 Tomerell

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 06:10

Originally posted by alexbiker
Modern world-class cars are so strong that spectacular crashes are rarely lethal.
It's the seemingly innocuous ones where the car just stops where basal skull fractures occur, aortas dissect and c-spines fracture.

Reminded me of the Marko Märtin's accident when his co-driver died...

#23 Taxi

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 09:10

175 meters down the hill and rolling 17 times....

And I'm sorry felow finns, but the guy who filmed the accident seemed just morbid " ei.... ei.... eeei... ei"

#24 Taxi

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 09:35

gronholm is out. Mec problems it seems.

#25 primer

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 10:21

Originally posted by paranoik0
The laws of physics must've been bent there, because in a shunt like this someone usually dies:

Another video, with onboard shots.

#26 Taxi

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 11:17

LOEB leading now.

Rumours say that Malcom Wilson might just try to replace Jari Mati Latvala with Marcus Gronholm.

Jari Mati has been destroing Fords Focus since he's 18....

#27 klyster

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 11:22

Originally posted by paranoik0
The laws of physics must've been bent there, because in a shunt like this someone usually dies:

Great testament to the design of these cells.

He seemed to only have a small cut on cheek, lucky guys eh?

#28 HP

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 13:03

If Ford want to beat Loeb and his Citroen, they need Gronholm back.

Latvala's confidence must be at new lows. Too bad, he looked wild and fast. Glad for them that they got away more or less unhurt after this shunt.

#29 Atreiu

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 13:10

That's the scariest WRC crash I've seen in a long while.

#30 alfista

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 13:16

Originally posted by HP
If Ford want to beat Loeb and his Citroen, they need Gronholm back.

Latvala's confidence must be at new lows. Too bad, he looked wild and fast. Glad for them that they got away more or less unhurt after this shunt.

Hmm... Grönholm last time beat Loeb at 2002 when the latter contested only eight rallies. After that Loeb has been always in front of Grönholm in the end of season. And I guess Grönholm 2003 was in much better form than now at the age of 41. Loeb may well be beyond his peak already but IMHO gap between him and Grönholm is now larger than ever and it's growing. Simply put there's nobody on the horizon who could beat Loeb right now.
But yes, Marcus had a wonderful first day at Portugal considered his preparation and the car he was driving.

#31 HP

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 13:32

Originally posted by alfista

Hmm... Grönholm last time beat Loeb at 2002 when the latter contested only eight rallies. After that Loeb has been always in front of Grönholm in the end of season. And I guess Grönholm 2003 was in much better form than now at the age of 41. Loeb may well be beyond his peak already but IMHO gap between him and Grönholm is now larger than ever and it's growing. Simply put there's nobody on the horizon who could beat Loeb right now.
But yes, Marcus had a wonderful first day at Portugal considered his preparation and the car he was driving.

You have a point there. Though IMO the Citroen was often the better car since years. Would be fun to have them race the same car make and see how that develops.

But otherwise, yes Loeb is simply better than everybody else. The way he recovered to 1st after losing 20 seconds yesterday is simply impressive.

#32 alfista

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 13:52

Originally posted by HP
Though IMO the Citroen was often the better car since years. Would be fun to have them race the same car make and see how that develops.

That's absolutely true. But being in the right team in the right time is as important skill as driving fast. Marcus probably wasted three of his very best years remaining faithful to Pug - one with ancient 206 and two with hopeless 307.

#33 Teapot

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 14:18

Originally posted by Taxi
175 meters down the hill and rolling 17 times....

And I'm sorry felow finns, but the guy who filmed the accident seemed just morbid " ei.... ei.... eeei... ei"

Mate..it means "no..no..nooo...no" in finnish...

#34 Gilles4Ever

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 14:38

I think the only way to beat Loeb is put him in a Skoda. He would probably still win if you put him in Petter's Xsara.

#35 Taxi

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 14:41

Originally posted by Teapot

Mate..it means "no..no..nooo...no" in finnish...

it's the way they were saying it... it was like a death crying song...

#36 niallmckiernan

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Posted 04 April 2009 - 14:45

Originally posted by Taxi
175 meters down the hill and rolling 17 times....

And I'm sorry felow finns, but the guy who filmed the accident seemed just morbid " ei.... ei.... eeei... ei"

Check out from 1:10 on