2020 Rallying thread (WRC, ERC, other series)

Edited by Danyy, 25 January 2020 - 09:52.

Edited by messy, 25 January 2020 - 10:49.

Would be really nice to see Evans winning this. His performance really has been impressive so far. Fingers crossed!

Evans has been super impressive so far as others have said. In the last few years he has shown himself to be a very good tarmac driver. Out of curiosity when was the last time a driver from the UK won the Monte? Don't remember Colin or Richard winning it?

According to Wikipedia... Vic Elford in 1968!!

According to Wikipedia... Vic Elford in 1968!!

Yes, for Porsche - and a week later won the Daytona 24 Hours, again driving a Porsche. He was one of the great 'all rounders'. And still with us....

According to Wikipedia... Vic Elford in 1968!!

My name is Elford, Vic Elford...

Edited by Danyy, 25 January 2020 - 13:47.

Edited by Amz964, 25 January 2020 - 15:07.

I'll be surprised if Ogi doesn't take this.

He's best out there in the best car.

I expect there will be team orders in favour of Ogier.

I expect there will be team orders in favour of Ogier.

I wouldn't like that.

I wouldn't like that.

Nor would I, nor would Elfyn, i suspect. 

But Ogier was signed as the superstar and Tommi wouldn't want to see his big investment beaten by the humble #2 driver.

But Ogier was signed as the superstar and Tommi wouldn't want to see his big investment beaten by the humble #2 driver.

How about we complain if and when this actually happens? I don’t believe Ogier would want win like that, and I doubt Toyota would enjoy the negative publicity. Remember when Ogier won in Poland after Tanak lost what would’ve been his 1st win due to a last stage puncture? And did this:

Edited by tormave, 25 January 2020 - 18:10.

I'm sorry, I've come here to complain. I'd really like to follow wrc.. I fell in love with it by downloading eurosport coverage from racing underground. I miss those highlight shows. I didnt think that red bull TV could get much worse, but these past 2 days have proved me wrong. We now get 15 minute highlight shows with 1 minute of actual highlights and 14 minutes of talking. I know I shouldn't complain because it's free, but I need the stage by stage highlight that we used to get.

Edited by Amz964, 25 January 2020 - 22:01.

No idea, but the youtube stuff have taken a dive as well. Feels like they are trying to force people over to WRC+

I’m subscribed to both WRC+ and F1TV. WRC+ is just way better. It’s miles ahead of anything Eurosport was able to put together. I can sympathize with them racheting down the free offering, because producing entertainment at this high quality level must cost a ton. So you have to choose between views and paid subs. They have live helicopter footage from almost every stage in addition to the in-car cameras and camera crews on the special stage, actually not annoying commentary, and interviews of every driver after almost every stage.

90 euros for 13 rallies is pretty reasonable in my opinion. As a point of comparison, it’s the price of one cheapest top shelf seat to go see an NHL ice hockey game where I live. I think I watched every stage of every rally last year. It’s a no brainer to me at least.

Tired of watching catchups and daily highlights so I'm going WRC+ this year.. Anyone got a promo code for some % off? 

No idea, but the youtube stuff have taken a dive as well. Feels like they are trying to force people over to WRC+

This is clearly the chosen marketing strategy. Starve them and they will come...

This is clearly the chosen marketing strategy. Starve them and they will come...

That doesn't work for me; tempt me, and I might spend my money, but hide everything away and I'll just not bother.

Edited by Danyy, 26 January 2020 - 08:52.

Edited by Amz964, 26 January 2020 - 10:42.

Neuville has been on fire today so far. 

Also I am impressed with how Lappi has been getting there with the Fiesta.

The fight is now on who gets second and wins the power stage

Neuville can not afford any mistakes, though.

See what happened to Loeb in the first run of this stage earlier today.

No idea, but the youtube stuff have taken a dive as well. Feels like they are trying to force people over to WRC+

Exactly. But to me it's fine 15 minutes. Longer is boring. It's highlight got to be short.

Lol, Østberg doing a donut on hairpin at the end of the stage!

No idea, but the youtube stuff have taken a dive as well. Feels like they are trying to force people over to WRC+

That's quite a 'ballsy' thing to do - is there really the audience for it? I personally think it's a mistake, and will backfire on them. If anything, there should be more free to air coverage, not even less.

Neuville took it...

Great win for Neuville and the margins of the seconds at the Power Stage in his favour too!

Suninen getting 3rd on Power Stage also huge.

Ford over 3 minutes slower at the end. Embarrassing.

Ford over 3 minutes slower at the end. Embarrassing.

I don’t think that’s representative of their pace, even if they probably are a bit behind Hyundai and Toyota. They lost the battle for the podiums already on Thursday night with the cooling issues, and their Monte test had been bone dry, so Lappi had never driven the car with studded tyres. He was pretty slow whenever there was snow. Suninen had the gearbox issue DNF on SS2 and only had a reason to push on the power stage, where he lost 2 seconds to the winner.

I’m excited about what the Finnish pair can do in the Fiesta this year, I think podiums definitely and maybe the odd lucky win. 

And the first Toyota team order of the year is delivered.  Expect many more.

And the first Toyota team order of the year is delivered.  Expect many more.

Really?

I think rather that Tommi would have been pleased to see either of them to beat Neuville at the end.

And the first Toyota team order of the year is delivered.  Expect many more.

Seriously? I didn't noticed. Must watch 22:00 highlight on red bull tv.