Loeb admits to uncatchable Solberg

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Daniel Darrall

The 7 times champion Sebastien Loeb admits that Solberg is almost uncatchable after the Norwegian set incredable pace on the Acropolis rally’s opening leg.

Photo: D.Darrall

Despite Loeb being in second, he is 51.6 seconds off the lead, he has admitted that he doesn’t expect to get the victory here this weekend in the works Citroen DS3 WRC. Solberg in the non-works car, and run under his private team, the Petter Solberg World Rally Team, has taken 4 out of 6 of todays stages on what is one of the roughest and toughest events on the calendar.

“Petter has had a good day,” said Loeb. ” Really, I think it is nearly impossible for me to catch him. Yes, he is first on the road tomorrow, but I don’t think the surface will clean as much as it did today. We have no big chance for the victory here.”

Loeb may have admited defeat but there are still 16 stages to go, and Greece is a rally that tests the cars reliability to the full. Understandably Solberg remains cirumspect about his chances of victory.

“There is still a hell of a long way to go on this rally. Nothing is done yet. I am happy, this is a good lead but also don’t forget, this is Greece. Really, anything can happen.”

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WRC Greece day 1 – Solberg heads big lead

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Daniel Darrall

Petter Solberg has always been all about going ‘flat out’, and that was his plan from the start of the classic car breaking event on day 1. After taking the first 4 stages of the day, the man dubbed as ‘Mr. Hollywood’ had a lead of 28.6 seconds. His words at the end of the stage were “I’m here to fight. I’m not playing games with starting positions. I go, I go, I go!”

Sebastien Loeb had a few issues with his on-board computer, but his mechanics were able to reboot the system at remote service. Jari Matti wasn’t feeling comfortable, and said that he wasn’t driving very clean, but despite this he was in 2nd. His team mate Hirvonen was sitting in 3rd, although he lost time due to a puncture on the rough stages.

It wasn’t until Stage 5 when Solberg’s Rally Greece stranglehold was broken. And it was by none other than Sebastien Ogier who claimed the stage win. And along with made up 2 places to grab 3rd, as Hirvonen dropped a place.

photo: DDarrall

But it was Stage 6, the final stage of the day where all the action happened .After Loeb and Hirvonen seemed to struggle a little being first on the rock stages, tactics played its part as the crews further down wanted the best road position for tomorrow (day 2). Loeb first through, and drove at good pace, planing on pushing to gain time on Solberg rather than playing the slow game, “We are second on the road and very far behind from Petter in front. Ogier and Hirvonen are doing tactics I think.” Loeb grabbed his first stage win of the weekend to finish day1 in 2nd. Next to reach the stage end was Fords Mikko Hirvonen, and was uncharacteristically curt, was he asked to slow down by the team to play the tactic game? When asked by stage end reporter Julian Porter if he had slowed? all the Fin had to say was, “Well he’s in front” indeed Loeb was in front, but only by 3.7 seconds. Ogier also slowed and came to a complete stop, dropped 16.3 seconds to go behind Loeb and Hirvonen. “I hope it’s ok” he said at stage end. Latvala was one of the big runners to hit trouble, with a front Differential problem, the Ford man only had rear wheel drive for the final stage, and had to stop to let Solberg past. He made it to the stage end but dropped right down to 8th, almost 4 minutes off the lead.

Petter Solberg, the man who was on form and flat out pace all day long kept it that way. The Privateer ended the day with a massive lead of 51 seconds. When he reached the stage end he seemed a little deflated after being held up by Latvala towards the end of the stage, “I was driving a long, long time behind him (Latvala) and it cost me time.” But when told about the size of his lead, his reaction soon changed, albeit slightly confused as to why the others slowed down and made the gap to the lead position bigger.

Solberg will be first on the road tomorrow, how much of an effect will the road sweeping have?Can the cars with stand the tough, hard and rough stages of the acropolis? Was it a mistake to drop time to play tactics? Thats something we can only answer when the crews reach the finish. Anything can happen in the world of rallying and probably will…

Click here for Rally Greece official Overal Results.

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Rally show canned due to lack of crowds

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Daniel Darrall

The rally show, which was held at Cornbury park this year will not run again due to the company that organises it went into liquidation.

Photo: D.Darrall

We attended the Rally show last month and despite it being very well organised and with massive support, it did lack numbers.

The show had been run in the first 4 years at chatsworth in Derbyshire, it was moved to a new venue for this years event to Cornbury park and it was also the UK debut for both the Ford RS and Mini World rally cars, as well as stars such as Henning Solberg and Dani Sordo appearing.

Show boss Malcolm Neill said in a statement that, “The recent Rally show at Cornbury park failed to meet out financial expectations due mainly to the low attendance of spectators, despite a very active promotional campaign and the high quality of participants, including the first UK showing of the Ford and Mini WRC. We very much regret this situation and would like to thank our competitors and spectators who have supported the event for the past five years”.

Photo: D.Darrall

To checkout photo’s from this years Rally Show Click here

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IRC Rally of Scotland details announced

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Daniel Darrall

Details on this years Rally of Scotland, the penultimate round for Eurosports Intercontinental Rally Challenge, which is held weekend of 7-9 October have been announced.

Scotland is one of the most scenic parts of the UK and has been dubbed by many competitors in the past, to have some of the best roads in the world.

The Route.
The route for 2011’s Rally of Scotland was revealed recently – following a ceremonial start at Stirling Castle on the Friday afternoon, the first competitive timed stage mileage will take place on the new Carron Valley stage later that evening.

The event then moves into Perthshire on the Saturday, taking in classic stages such as Craigvinean, Drummond Hill and Errochty before a return on the Sunday to Stirlingshire for another run through Carron Valley as well as two new tests, Loch Chon and the giant 27km High Corrie that will each be tackled twice.

The Rally will then finish late afternoon on the Sunday with its two short final stages through the majestic grounds of Scone Palace near Perth – also the scene for this year’s ceremonial finish.

A route map with stage times is available from the official http://www.rallyofscotland.com website.

Big Points.
This year’s Rally of Scotland could see the crowning of a new IRC Champion as one and a half times the normal points on offer for a win will be up for grabs. That is expected to lead to a first-class overseas entry while also attracting a number of leading domestic crews eager to make a name on the international stage.

In addition to the headlining IRC event and further adding to the entertainment, spectators will see a supporting rally for national crews being held on Saturday’s and Sunday’s stages.

Tickets
The events organisers have announced a change which will see fans pay £20 for per vehicle at entry to each stage car parks. The new Carron Valley stage on the Sunday morning when £10 per vehicle will be charged.

IMS Cheif executive Andrew Coe said “Representing exceptional value for money, this means that four people per vehicle equals just £5 per person to see some of the world’s very finest rally drivers and cars in flat-out action on what are, given the truly stunning surrounding countryside in Stirlingshire and Perthshire, some of the world’s most spectacular stages”.

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