Rally News and Rally Finland thread

Some big news in WRC over the last few weeks.

Mitsubishi to withdraw from this years championship after Deutschland Rally. Will cost them in the region of US$250,000 in fines per rally missed :eek: They say it is to concentrate on developing the car - heard that one before haven't we? Wouldn't be surprised if that’s the end of them for good.

Suzuki to run a WRC car! After their success in Super 1600 they are going to make the big leap to the top. Haven't heard any details, will be interesting to see what they can do.

Peugeot sign three-year contract with Pirelli. Sounds like this is part of a big bucks sponsorship deal as well as just tyres and development. Not too bad a choice, given Solberg’s pace on Pirellis. Can't see them matching Michelin on tarmac in a hurry. I guess Peugeot must see Citroen as their target so running Pirelli will place them on a different path to their PSA partner.

And of course Rally Finland begins today!

And of course Rally Finland begins today!
:biggrin: Well, day 1 was unpredictable right to the end - with some major drama even on the last short Killeri stage.

Can't wait for day2! :bananasmi

Yes not a good day for the Subarus :eek:
Seems everybody is making it easy for Loeb to hang back and collect some more points. Peugeot one two is nice but that has happened time and time again this year only for tragedy to strike. Here will probably be the same :(

The first day sure was very exiting with many privateer locals givning the big names a run for their money. A shame Pykalisto among others hit trouble.

Drat. Two stages into Leg 2 and another Peugeot has gone off the road into retirement. Sebastian Linholm's early exit leaves Gronholm and Rautiainen in the sole surviving 307. Comfortably in the lead after 12 stages. But those slow and steady Citroens are picking up valuable points as the contendors drop away. After all their misfortunes and screw ups the past year can Marcus and Peugeot keep things mistake free this time?

The remains of Harri's 307 after he rolled it :eek:

http://rally.racing-live.com/photos/2004/finlande/diapoc_118.jpg

After all their misfortunes and screw ups the past year can Marcus and Peugeot keep things mistake free this time?
Marcus commented on rally radio (after the second stage today) that he was hearing some strange noises from the front part of his Pug... That was before service so hope they can sort it out.

And there was also a huge accident on Ouninpohja (car no 74) - both driver and co-driver were taken away in an ambulance. First news was though that both have only minor injuries.

Marcus just ran the last two and a bit stages with no fourth gear - and he only had four to start with :mad: Incredibly he only lost 15 seconds of his lead to Markko. Now after stage 15 he can finally get to service, hope Peugeot Sport have enough time and resources to fix the problem.

They replaced the gearbox with the one Marcus used yesterday. Not a good sign.

We'll see how this long Moksi-Leustu stage goes.

edit: no problems with the gearbox on the longest stage, but he was concerned about his tyres.

Too bad that Petter went out on first day.
He won many stages today.

This was an interesting day. Marcus had gearbox problems but still managed to keep half a minute lead. Markko looked good too, he's getting faster as the rally progresses despite his eye problems. It is sad that Petter retired yesterday - he was very fast today. Also sad to see Sebastian (Lindholm) retire.

JWRC was good too, Andersson and Katajamäki are very close.

Looking forward to day 3! :biggrin:

Day three petered out with everybody holding position and Marcus avoiding further gearbox gremlins to secure his fourth Finish victory of the last five years! Was a long time coming, but he finally scores that 16th WRC win, only 10 behind Carlos now :) Also the second time the 307 has won it's first rally :sly: Will have to wait and see if this one sticks or whether Marcus and Peugeot will have to try again :eek:

Looking at the points situation it is a real shame Peugeot was disqualified from Cyprus. Otherwise Marcus would be only 10 points behind Seb with a fighting chance, rather than 22 and needing a major miracle to have a shot at a title challenge. Next up, Deutschland in two weeks time. Loix will be back for Peugeot and we’ll get to see how the 307 compares to the Xsara on tarmac. With 3 of the remaining 7 rallies being tarmac, Loeb should be very pleased with his chances.

Yep, Seb has been so consistent this year and his points advantage is so big that it looks almost certain he'll win the title. Kinda sad actually, I was hoping for a good battle between Seb, Marcus, Markko and Petter (and maybe even Carlos). The season is not over yet though... :biggrin:

As for Finland - not as exciting as last year but still very good. Jani Paasonen's run on the Skoda was brilliant, he deserved the Inmarsat award.

Let's see what the next race will bring!

Some big news in WRC over the last few weeks.

Mitsubishi to withdraw from this years championship after Deutschland Rally. Will cost them in the region of US$250,000 in fines per rally missed :eek: They say it is to concentrate on developing the car - heard that one before haven't we? Wouldn't be surprised if that’s the end of them for good.

Suzuki to run a WRC car! After their success in Super 1600 they are going to make the big leap to the top. Haven't heard any details, will be interesting to see what they can do.

Peugeot sign three-year contract with Pirelli. Sounds like this is part of a big bucks sponsorship deal as well as just tyres and development. Not too bad a choice, given Solberg’s pace on Pirellis. Can't see them matching Michelin on tarmac in a hurry. I guess Peugeot must see Citroen as their target so running Pirelli will place them on a different path to their PSA partner.

And of course Rally Finland begins today!

2005 and 2006 will see manufacturers come and go. Mitsu seems to be on an exit while Suzuki is on the verge of entering and rumours are saying Renault might have plans as well. So WRC's future should be secured. Big time thanks to the manufacturers who are holding it together in tough economical times (Pug, Citroën, Ford, Subaru).

That being said, Pug's move towards Pirellis might be a smart one. More and more rallies are gravel ones and yes, they need a differentiator to Citroën. They said they've been looking into it for a couple of years now, but that it is only now that they believe Pirelli is able to deliver what they want.

Good to see Marcus winning his first 'official' one of the year. And even better to see he can still do it. :biggrin: Only a miracle can give him the title, but who knows. Loeb might be hit by some misfortune also this year. He picked up some points this weekend, but not to many.

Yep, Seb has been so consistent this year and his points advantage is so big that it looks almost certain he'll win the title. Kinda sad actually, I was hoping for a good battle between Seb, Marcus, Markko and Petter (and maybe even Carlos). The season is not over yet though...

I gree with Pille, I think that nobody can get Loeb anymore. Solberg lose his last chance this weekend, even he show last 2 days that he was fastest driver.
But this is rally, not F1, and everything is possible...

Jani Paasonen's run on the Skoda was brilliant, he deserved the Inmarsat award.

Yes Paasonen was astonishing, compared to the works Skoda drivers. He has a habit of doing that, as in New Zealand 2002 driving for Mitsubishi. I've said it before and I'll say it again - why does he not have a regular factory drive?