Sainz

[ales]

Surely, he's fast and a great driver, but who thinks he can still win another championship?

[Guido]

I do.

But like with all drivers who become champion (exeptions nont mentioned), a certain level of luck should also be on his side. He certainly missed one or two crowns because luck let him down.

If he does, it would be magnificent, beating the younger generation drivers.

[Focus2000]

I think he could do it. It might require a bit of good fortune but he has the experience to know when to push, and when to be cautious and ensure a good finish. He deserves an award for being Mr Consistent, he's always near the top of the finishing list, always picking up useful points.

Compare his approach to that of Colin McRash - who's had more success?

[Marco_Wrc]

It depends on how long he stays in rally.
He'll surely can win another few rallies, but I don't think he can win another championship.

The same question goes for Tommi Mäkinen.

[freakray]

Originally posted by Marco_Wrc


The same question goes for Tommi Mäkinen.

Last time I heard the rumor mill, they rumor was Tommi was possibly retiring at the end of the season and Subaru are hoping to convince Burns to return......

[Tso]

convince?

i was under the impression Burns wanted to return.

one of the reasons being that it was a Subaru he had gotten his title in.

he is also unhappy at Peugeot so to speak. i'm not to sure he can feel that car properly.

also, i do not think Burns is properly able to realize his fulll potential at Peugeot.
mind you, they got upset with Burns for not winning. saying that he is paid to win. he retort was something to the effect of.... -i could win if i had the means of Gronholm-... don't quote me on that one. but it's close.

i hope Tommi doesn't retire. i like seeing him out there. i think Tommi is just getting frustrated.

[RallyRaider]

Just to get this thing back on topic, Carlos' retirement must be close. If the FIA implements their young driver policy he won't be able to fulfil the third driver role he currently is with Citroen. Although if I was Guy Frequelin and had to choose between McRae and Sainz to drive one of my cars, the loser could dry his tears on a tartan handkerchief!

This year Carlos has to be one of the favourites for the title. The new points system favours his consistency and the Xsara has proven to be a very strong car. Capable of staying to the end and collecting the regular points needed this year. If the Peugeots and Fords keep self destructing as they have been then Carlos will be the man again. I don't think Subaru will be able to stop him, especially on the Pirellis.

That would be a hell of a way to retire - at the very top, collecting his third title over ten years after his second.

[z33guy]

I think if he would push alittle more he could win another championship. To me, on tv, it just seems like he waits to long to make a move.

[freakray]

Originally posted by Tso


i was under the impression Burns wanted to return.

I believe the statement by Mr Lapworth was that Richard Burns was definitely an option if Tommi Makinnen chose to retire at the end of the season. Richard Burns was later asked about the comment from Mr. Lapworth and responded that he was flattered that the comment was made. He also stated Subaru is a consideration for 2004.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ly/2851863.stm

I agree with Burns not being able to realise his potential at Peugeot, but they had spent 3 years tayloring the car to Gronholm, what did we expect?

Considering before Subaru he drove the Lancer and before that another Subaru, he is likely better adapted to driving the bigger car.

[Tso]

i concur.

to me, Burns seems to be a wee bit more relaxed in the slightly larger shells.
i do recall a rather nasty shant back in 1996 (Lancer Evolution) when Burns had mistaken a pace note. a "6 right" was called, and he misunderstood. the bend following the right was a "6 left." he went left instead of right, and he became very intimate with a tree.
fortunately he has grown out of those mistakes.

i do think it's a bit -unfair- that so much of the budget has been put towards Gronholm. it was however a sound investment for Peugeot.
what will they do when(if) Marcus leaves.... or will he spend his entire career behind the wheel of a peugeot???

as far as Carlos, i believe he is game for another championship. he is consistant because he holds off his "attacks." that is why i like him. he is always there, or there abouts. waiting his turn so to speak. it's not too often we hear of him being caught out. but we always here of him in the top three.
if he were to attack a bit sooner, and not tread SO softly he would win... more.

[RallyRaider]

Originally posted by Tso
i concur.

to me, Burns seems to be a wee bit more relaxed in the slightly larger shells.
i do recall a rather nasty shant back in 1996 (Lancer Evolution) when Burns had mistaken a pace note. a "6 right" was called, and he misunderstood. the bend following the right was a "6 left." he went left instead of right, and he became very intimate with a tree.
fortunately he has grown out of those mistakes.

If he's grown out of those kind of mistakes then it is very recently. Remember his shunt in NZ last year or his unginly end on the RAC? He is only relitively mistake free this year because he is so far from the ultimate pace. Be that premeditated due to the points system of for some other reason I wouldn't know. Fail to see how the size of body shell is relevent, he made his name driving Peugeots in the English fog. So he should be familiar with the company and smaller chassis, more so than Gronholm anyway who spent many years in the big Toyota Celica (along with anything else he could get his hands on)

Originally posted by Tso

i do think it's a bit -unfair- that so much of the budget has been put towards Gronholm. it was however a sound investment for Peugeot.
what will they do when(if) Marcus leaves.... or will he spend his entire career behind the wheel of a peugeot???

What a load of bollocks, Peugeot have not invested in Gronholm they have invested in the car. Burns has had every chance and Peugeot have accomodated his every wish. At the end of the day Burns is a great driver, but Gronholm has his measure. The same would be the case in just about any car. How may rallies would Burns have won last year if he didn't have Gronholm and Panizzi in front of him at the finish? Must have been four or five. Marcus has signed a long term contract with Peugeot, as long as they keep winning together why would he ever want to leave? A few more rallies like the last two however...

Originally posted by Tso

as far as Carlos, i believe he is game for another championship. he is consistant because he holds off his "attacks." that is why i like him. he is always there, or there abouts. waiting his turn so to speak. it's not too often we hear of him being caught out. but we always here of him in the top three.
if he were to attack a bit sooner, and not tread SO softly he would win... more.

Carlos' only fault is that he cannot seem to 'attack' as you say. Must have been six or seven years since he has come out on top in a last leg showdown.

[Tso]

all i said was Burns has seem to have grown out of misunderstanding his pace notes

[Tso]

my opionion anyhow........

shant in NZ was by fault of him getting off line and getting on the soft bits. plain too fast.

i never said Marcus wanted to leave. i said -IF-. that's all. just hypothetically speaking.

the 206 is tailored to Marcus.

'bout Carlos, i just said what he does.

[RallyRaider]

Pace notes are a two way thing. Surely it is not a case of growing out of misundertandings, rather working on communication to minimise and ultimately eliminate them. Don't quite get your point, if he is more confident in his pace notes and Reid's ability to deliver them then shouldn't he be going faster? And how is the type of car he drives relevant?

There is that 'shant' word again, how is that differnt to shunt? And I don't mean spelling.

Tailored to Marcus again. You are persistent with that line aren't you. Panizzi must be a bloody moster to put him in the shade on tarmac then. Marcus has been fast in everything he has driven, including Loix's Carisma while he was waiting for the 206 program to hit the stages. In fact it was his performance driving the new Corolla in late 1997 that brought him to the attention of Peugeot. I suppose the Corolla was tailored to him too

For the sake of Carlos' championship you better go and get in contact with him in a hurry. Sounds like all he needs is a quick pep talk from you so he 'attacks' as per you schedule and he is set.

[Tso]

people drive certain types of cars better than others.

if you've got talent and you're fast, then you'll be fast no matter the machine or surface.

you're annoying... stop going in circles... your attempts to sound intenlligent are feable.

end of conversation