Rally New Zealand 2010

[luieluv]

SS8: Cassidy. 22.20km Started now

Just 400 metres after the end of Bull is the start of Cassidy. Like Bull this one has a very mixed character, but it seems generally busier. There are several flat out sections - some of which are more than 3km long - and then some slower, technical sections to negotiate. This stage - and Bull before it - will be where the time is won and lost in Friday's competition.

[luieluv]

S. LOEB - 12:16.6

[luieluv]

Ogier is in and he is now third overall. He is 5.2s behind Solberg. Ogier and his co-driver are in an argument. WHen asked what is wrong Ogier said : "Nothing to say, just a problem between me and my co-driver. It was a good start to the day, but the rally is very long."

[luieluv]

Times so far in SS8:

P. SOLBERG - 12:15.2
S. LOEB - 12:16.6
D. SORDO - 12:18.7
M. HIRVONEN - 12:20.6
J. LATVALA - 12:20.8
S. OGIER - 12:22.3
H. SOLBERG - 12:22.4
M. WILSON - 12:30.3
X. PONS - 12:52.9
F. VILLAGRA - 12:55.9

[Dracaena]

Yay, Solberg, Latvala and Ogier leading ! Looks like a great battle. Do you know if the drivers tried to slow down on SS8 to keep away from 1st place or did they drive flat out?

And what's with Wilson being 2nd on SS2 ? And about Loeb, I feel sorry for him but happy for the rally that he's down the list. I know he'll probably make up a lot of time since he won't be sweeping anymore but I'll enjoy this situation for now...

[Dracaena]

Do you know if the drivers tried to slow down on SS8 to keep away from 1st place or did they drive flat out?

Okay, just heard on Rally Radio that Latvala crawled to the finish line trying to keep behind Petter...

[luieluv]

Do you know if the drivers tried to slow down on SS8 to keep away from 1st place or did they drive flat out?

Okay, just heard on Rally Radio that Latvala crawled to the finish line trying to keep behind Petter...

Thats so annoying, i wanted latvala to lead day 1 as i had him in my predictions

Anyways, SSS is one more chance..

[luieluv]

And yes Drivers do slow down. Thats allowed. The rules says they cannot stop. So i guess slowing down is the tactics so that they dont be the road sweepers the following day.

Petter said that he could not do anything about it and hence went flat out.

And in SS2 both ogier and wilson had a superb run. Not that others would have tried any lesser but i guess likes of hirvo and loeb wanted to be trailing by about 15 to 20 seconds from the leader by the end of the day so that they are comfortably placed in 4th odd position and below and get a clean road tomorrow,

Also i heard collins say before the Loeb mistake that he expected Loeb to end the day some 40 seconds behind the leader of day 1.


But then that mistake by loeb ended his tactical play in this rally. It would be great fun to see what loeb does tomorrow.

[Dracaena]

In an MTV3 interview Latvala says that he didn't lose 1st place on purpose on SS8. (But he does admit that it's better to start 2nd on Saturday instead of 1st).

- I came at full speed, maybe I made a small mistake at the end of the stage, said Latvala.

http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutise ... 05/1117639

[sleenster]

Some cool pictures here on the Rally NZ website:
http://www.rallynz.org.nz/photo-gallery

I especially like the ones of the drivers bungy-jumping

[Sébastien Loeb]

good morning

[Sébastien Loeb]

What happened to Loeb in SS4

[apple]

What happened to Loeb in SS4

He made a little driving error in right hand corner and hit the railing of the bridge. His front door damaged and he couldnt close it.

[Sébastien Loeb]

thx
but loeb said "podium finish is still possible "
good job loeb

[Sébastien Loeb]

can you give me video for SS9