WRC in Wales 2007

[Harakimi]

Last rally of the season starts tomorrow in Legendary Wales. It's 75th time when they arrange this rally there. The title is going to be settled with Loeb and Grönholm. Loeb needs only to finish 5th even if Grönholm wins, because he has more 1st places (8 against 5). Even he is a tarmac specialist, in the past 2 years he has shown huge improving in gravel also, so it's going to get close. If Loeb wins it will be his 4th consecutive one, and he will join the club of 4 titles with Tommi Mäkinen and Juha Kankkunen.

[saltysurprise]

If Loeb DNF's then (not likely, but a possiblility), would Grönholm then still manage to claim the Championship? And what would be the worst finish he could have to do so?:confused:

Valentino Rossi was supposed to be racing this weekend with the rest of the WRC guys, but I haven't found any info about it since back in the spring:wonder:

[Harakimi]

Marcus needs atleast P2 to take the title if Loeb DNF's. And what it comes to Rossi, I've read some time ago that he won't attend the rally because they need him to test new Yamaha or such.

[Harakimi]

Day 1 has now been driven. Ford's Hirvonen leads Grönholm by 39 seconds, and Loeb is 3rd 57 seconds behind the leader. Loeb had problems with fog lights on the last super stage of the day and he lost some 30 seconds there.

Two spectators were send to hospital when amateur driver Simon Harraway went off the road and hitted them, everyone is luckily ok.

Weather is basic british, cold and foggy and the roads are very slippery.

[Harakimi]

After second day and total of 12 super stages the top three remain at same positions. Jari-Matti Latvala (Finn:cool:) of Stobart Ford team made fastest time for all the 6 SS's today, but he is running 12th since he got 10min penalty yesterday.

Loeb is close of his 4th consecutive title...

[JoelManiac]

What did Latvala get a penatly for?

Loeb will win the title. He finished nearly every event he enters.

[Harakimi]

What did Latvala get a penatly for?


He had to DNF the last SS on friday because his windscreen wipers didn't work. He continues driving under the "super rally" regulations so that's why he got the penalty. I bet he is going to drive like hell on sunday aswell because he is in the speculations of who will take Grönholms seat at 2008...Last change to show his potential. :thumbsup:

[JoelManiac]

Damn small thing like windsreen wipers put you out of a rally.lol
Im definately watching this in a couple of weeks. Sounds like a fair bit of action.

[Harakimi]

Latvala is continuing doing good, he has done fastest times for 1st and 2nd SS's of the day. :lol: Loeb has slowed down now, only 4 stages to go and he could slow down by 5 minutes and still get the title so without technical problems he will be the champion.

[JoelManiac]

Latvala is continuing doing good, he has done fastest times for 1st and 2nd SS's of the day. :lol: Loeb has slowed down now, only 4 stages to go and he could slow down by 5 minutes and still get the title so without technical problems he will be the champion.
Loeb usually wins by as much as he can all the time. I dont think ive seen him deliberately slow down before.lol

[hk77]

Loeb usually wins by as much as he can all the time. I dont think ive seen him deliberately slow down before.lol


i think he is taking it easy and trying to stay risk free.

[Harakimi]

Loeb finishes 3rd and is the WRC champion of 2007! :finishfirst:

Hirvonen won the rally of Wales and Grönholm finished second in his last race. Latvala indeed made fastest times for all super stages held on saturday and sunday, thats very impressive! :thumbsup: Without his 10min penalty on friday he most likely would have finished as 3rd, but thats just another IF. :lol:

It was entertaining season all to the very end. Next Season will start at Monte Carlo in January.

[WRCfan]

Well done Loeb, would of been nice for Gronholm to win this season because its his last, but he done well.

I went to watch Wales Rally GB this year, went to Resolfen and Crychan. It was great fun, I love going to this event, best weekend of the year for me.

[JoStream]

Well done Loeb, would of been nice for Gronholm to win this season because its his last, but he done well.

I can't believe he lost the title. He was doing very well, but the retirements in Japan and Ireland really pulled him down :wonder:

[JoelManiac]

I can't believe he lost the title. He was doing very well, but the retirements in Japan and Ireland really pulled him down :wonder:
Loeb only retired once didnt he?

I have a question. Where did Sordo finish?

[saltysurprise]

Loeb only retired once didnt he?

I have a question. Where did Sordo finish?

They were talking about Gronholm's crashes.

www.worldracingforum.com/showthread.php?t=2468 shows his second crash in Ireland:wonder:

[JoelManiac]

Yeah, I know I'm just saying that to Gronholm's two, Loeb only retired once.

[saltysurprise]

Yeah i know im just saying that to Gronholm's two Loeb only retired once.

Ooops, my bad. I miss-read what you were meaning because of the quote refence:thumbsup:

[JoelManiac]

Latvala did a great job. Check this out
http://www.wrc.com/page/Overview/0,,10111,00.html

[Harakimi]

Yea he did, spectacular! I though he made best times from SS7 to SS17, but seems that Marcus got one at SS13. At SS14 Latvala and Hirvonen got same time ;)