WRC

Yeah, I know. But why does Mladin get the flak for being the one who's too chicken, RJ? It wouldn't be because you don't like him, would it?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Jan 26 2007, 10:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, I know. But why does Mladin get the flak for being the one who's too chicken, RJ? It wouldn't be because you don't like him, would it?
He gets the flak because he has won so many championships and never moved anywhere else. The general perception amongst motorcycle racing spectators is that MotoGP are the "world's best"... is it not? So for him not to have moved, say after about 2-3 championships, is seen to be "chicken". How else can I explain it to you?

And yes, the guy is a jerk too. (or is my reasoning invalid cuz I don't like the guy?)

Maybe we should question your analysis based on how you feel about Mr. Neil Hodgson since he's not kissing your boy Bayliss' ....

"Jerk" is a matter of opinion, but while I think he should have taken a shot at the world championships, (now take notice of this bit) I don't think he's the most talented man in the AMA. Sure, he looks the best on paper, but I think a lot of that could come down to Yoshimura Suzuki, their money, level of dedication, professionalism, and skill in hiding TC systems from scrutineers. I'm saying if Mladin should have gone to the world championships, DuHamel should have gone with him. And Spies, Zemke, Hayden, and the rest of them should be getting read to pack thier bags, too. I think you'd agree that as far as American-based talent goes, Mat is no orphan.

And as far as Hodgson goes, there a difference between kissing arse and showing a little respect to fellow racers. Don't get me started on him again.

both mladin & duhamel have been in gp's. mladin struggled & miguel broke his leg? i think early in his 1st season & lost his ride & chance at gp glory.

A surprisingly large number of successful superbike riders have at some point in their careers tried and failed in the gp world. Many of them could probably have done a lot better if given a second chance, but the grand prix paddock seems quite unforgiving.

<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%<u>Mikko Suprises at Norway!</u>

Mikko Hirvonen claimed it was one of the best days of his career after the BP Ford man set the pace on the opening leg of Rally Norway, the third round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

The 26-year-old Finn, who battled back from power steering problems in Sweden a week ago to finish on the podium, stormed through the opening stage of the day over eleven seconds quicker than team-mate Marcus Gronholm and then maintained his advantage during the course of the day to overnight with a lead of just over 15 seconds.

Indeed it was the long Loten stage that saw Hirvonen at his best as he set the quickest time on both runs through the 30km test and he was only outside the top three on one occasion during the eight stages as he took the early advantage.

"This was one of the best days of my career," he said at the end of day service. "I drove really hard and I'm fighting with Marcus and Loeb which is a great feeling. I woke up feeling confident and decided to attack hard although I was a little surprised to be leading. I'm driving at my own pace and not looking at the split times of others. I have to continue attacking because Marcus and Loeb are pushing hard but I'm not worried and I can keep this pace up, although it will be easy to make a mistake."

I'm glad i am not the only person been following wrc this year. I am a Hirvonen fan and its made my day to see such a strong performance. I truly hope he can hold onto the lead, or better, stretch it out a bit.

Its gonna take some serious driving for him to move up in the championship though, the guys above him are seriously good. But lets hope he can pull it off.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 16 2007, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'm glad i am not the only person been following wrc this year. I am a Hirvonen fan and its made my day to see such a strong performance. I truly hope he can hold onto the lead, or better, stretch it out a bit.

Its gonna take some serious driving for him to move up in the championship though, the guys above him are seriously good. But lets hope he can pull it off.
He may of taken the stage win/s but I think that Sebastien Loeb for one is just too strong for him, tarmac, mud, gravel, snow, ice he seems to be the man. Gronholm is surely going to be piling on the pressure too so let's just hope he can do something although I must say that i'm a Loeb fan.

There is no doubt that Loeb is the best rally driver out there at the moment. The new citroen looks good, but later in the season things could look different. To have more major success the ford drivers need to aximize their snow advantage (which doesn't seem that big), and for Hirvonen to beat his hugely experienced team mate will be a tall order. I predict another Loeb world title ( i prefer him to grumpy old Gronholm), but i'd like it to go in Mikkos favour.

<span style="color:#3366FF<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%Loeb crashes twice, drops outside top ten.

Sebastien Loeb has taken himself out of the running for victory in the Rally of Norway after crashing off on SS12 at Lillehammar and then again on SS13 as he attempted to make up the time he lost.

Having been running comfortably in third place, Loeb overshot a junction midway through the stage and crashed into a snow bank, but while he suffered no notable damage on his Citroen C4 he was unable to extricate himself and with no spectators around to help his cause, he was forced to concede a massive amount of time.

The loss of time had dropped Loeb down to eleventh place, almost nine minutes off the lead and even some two minutes away from the points paying positions currently occupied by Xevi Pons.

However, in an attempt to make up some lost ground and fight for a possible point, Loeb admits he pushed too hard and went off again, dropping a further nine minutes to put him some 17 minutes off the lead and well outside the top ten.

Gutted mate, looks like your man is getting zero points and is likely to sit third in the title chase. Mikko has been driving excellent all weekend, i will be furious if Ford try any team orders this early in the season. I think they should relax a bit and be safe, Hirvonen leads after 2 days, hes got this.

Outside the big boy world, which solberg is your money on for the podium spot?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 17 2007, 04:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Gutted mate, looks like your man is getting zero points and is likely to sit third in the title chase. Mikko has been driving excellent all weekend, i will be furious if Ford try any team orders this early in the season. I think they should relax a bit and be safe, Hirvonen leads after 2 days, hes got this.

Outside the big boy world, which solberg is your money on for the podium spot?
Well it looks like Henning is out-doing Petter so far this season so i'm going to have to go with him for the higher position, unless he crashes out or Petter goes mad and beats him.
Regarding Loeb: looks like he isn't going to dominate this rally for a change, don't think he's going to be too bothered about it though because if he does have any weaknesses it's on the snow. When he gets back onto the gravel/tarmac/mud i'm sure he's going to dominate most stages and most rallies, we chould still even see him pull off some good runs in the snow too! Hirvonen is definately looking good to take the rally win but let's just hope he can keep a cool head and handle the pressure.
To be honest I don't really support any rally driver like I support Rossi or Alonso/Button for example, but I would rather Loeb won.

Kool, well i think the Ford Finland team will not be as strong once they get off the snow, so this should spice up they next few rallies as Loeb comes from behind, but in the long run it will be a minor blip. I am confident Hirvonen can take the pressure, if ford allow him he wil win this rally.

I think Henning is looking good but he is still a little bit behind, significantly, the forf focus seems to love the snow, i think that could make a difference tomorrow, as could the possibility of one or both of them crashing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 17 2007, 04:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>the forf focus seems to love the snow, i think that could make a difference tomorrow, as could the possibility of one or both of them crashing.
Yeah I agree, final day is always the one where hearts are broken and rallies are lost. Hirvonen has some experience in such pressure but it's sure going to be a big one for him and would hugely boost his confidence for the next few rallies at least. I really do hope they don't give out team orders and give Gronholm the win if he gets close enough to Hirvonen because that just isn't fair. If I was Hirvonen I would go on and win the rallie no-matter what my team says!

I agree with the idea but its an excellent way to get sacked. Just ask Gabor Talmasci. I hope Mikkos confidence runs high anyway, he was running second in mexico last year till he binned it, he need to stay on the podium.

Well Hirvonen has pulled it off, and congratulations to him. The ford guys have moved 1 & 2 in the points as Loeb non scores. Now i can't wait for mexico, its on the same weekend as motogp in qatar.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 18 2007, 12:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well Hirvonen has pulled it off, and congratulations to him. The ford guys have moved 1 & 2 in the points as Loeb non scores. Now i can't wait for mexico, its on the same weekend as motogp in qatar.
Yeah great performance by the Ford guys, especially Hirvonen for pulling off the rally win. Henning Solberg did well at the last didn't he? 19-odd days isn't it till the next rally/start of moto gp season? Can't wait!

Oh, we can talk here about WRC, and not just about Rossi in WRC!! Good!

I'm really glad for Miko, and I don't worry for Loeb, he'll fix all the mess soon! He'll be champion again (although I do prefer grumpy old Gronholm).

I'm sooooo happy they put another snow rally,
too good for just once a year!!!

we get no coverage of wrc here either..... thanks speed the best we get here are clips.

Well not having Eurosport at university means i only get a 1 hour highlights show, but eurosport coverage is pretty good.