WRC season 2005

**cuore sportivo** · 06.06.2005, 00:54

What is WRC?

Preparations for the hard-fought season begin months before the first rally. The governing body, the FIA approves routes, stages and final locations of the 16 rallies around the world, and passes on a copy of the proposals to the manufacturers.

Each rally must allow three days for the reconnaissance (or recce), one day for technical checks (or scrutineering) and three days for competition. The rally is divided into three legs, and typically has between 15 and 25 special stages.

The manufacturer-backed factory teams will enter two or three cars each, and arrive on location weeks before the start of a rally for on-site preparation. The competing World Rally Cars are seeded and start the event according to their ranking, with the leader of the drivers' championship setting off first. Often there are up to 90 cars taking part - the rest of the field made up of the Junior World Championship (smaller, lower-powered cars for younger drivers), or the Production Car World Rally Championship and private teams.

The Recce
Driver and co-driver familiarise themselves with the stages before the start of the event. They drive the leg in a standard road-car (fitted with extra safety equipment) in the three days preceding the rally. It is here that the co-driver jots down detailed pace notes for use on the stage itself.

The Stages
The special stages are the competitive sections of the rally - where the drivers and co-driver drive as fast as possible to achieve the quickest time. They take place on private roads or public roads, which are closed to the general public while the rally is in progress. A typical rally will have about 25 special stages over three days. The stages are linked by public roads - called road sections - on which competitors must obey all local traffic laws. Each day contains about 400km of driving - a third of which are the competitive special stages. Stages vary in length from five to 60kms, with the cars' times being recorded after each stage to the tenth of a second.

The Clock
Forget about 'first across the line'. WRC cars don't race directly against each other. They compete against the toughest opponent of all - time. Cars start at one or two minute intervals, racing against the clock, their times monitored and entered into the FIA computer. Unless they run into trouble, rivals rarely see each other during a stage. At the end of an event, the driver who's taken the least amount of time to complete all the stages is the winner.

The Points
Results achieved during each of the 16 rallies count towards the two FIA world championships - one for the drivers and one for the manufacturers. Drivers get 10 points for coming first, eight points for second place, six points for third, five points for fourth, four for fifth, three for sixth, two for seventh and one for eighth. A manufacturer can add up the points tally from two nominated cars.

The Time Controls
A rally itinerary is governed by a strict timetable. Drivers get time penalties for being late (or early!) to clock in to the start of the special stage and at the entry and exit of service parks. Late arrival at these controls is typically penalised with 10 seconds on every minute over and is added to the overall time of the driver. Drivers can be excluded from a rally if they are 15 minutes late for a time control, 30 minutes late for a leg or 60 minutes for an entire rally.

The Service Parks
After each group of stages is completed, the cars can visit a designated service park where repairs may be carried out by the teams under strict supervision during a 20-minute time period. At the end of each day the crews are allowed a longer 45-minute period to work on the cars before they are locked away in the guarded 'parc fermé' until the following morning's restart. Crews are punished with time penalties for exceeding these alloted times.

**cuore sportivo** · 06.06.2005, 00:55

Rallies 2005

With World Rally Championship events in 16 countries and on four continents, the world really is our stage. From January to November, we take you on a turbocharged tour of the planet, starting in the mountains of Monaco and racing through Mexico, Argentina to conclude in the outback of Australia.

Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo
The oldest and most prestigious WRC event, but also highly challenging, taking in the snowy mountains over the principality.
Distance: 1400kms over 14 stages
Terrain: Asphalt along narrow alpine roads. Occasional snow and ice patches.

The Uddeholm Swedish Rally
Based around snow-bound Karlstad, the cars fly over the frozen roads where temperatures regularly drop as low as -20°C.
Distance: 1700kms over 17 stages
Terrain: Snowy forest, ice over gravel (narrow, studded tyres essential).

Corona Rally Mexico
After making its debut in 2004, Rally Mexico quickly proved to be a hit with drivers and fans alike, with its mountain gravel stages.
Distance: 1,040kms over 15 stages
Terrain: High altitude with smooth gravel roads and stunning backdrops.

Propecia Rally of New Zealand
Based around Auckland, it's the greenest, most verdant and driver-friendly rally - the cars fly over the well-kept gravel roads.
Distance: 1800kms over 26 stages
Terrain: Loose gravel along winding roads and straight, fast forest tracks.

Cyprus Rally
Based in Limassol, this is the slowest, twistiest rally, with car-breaking, rock strewn mountain roads and relentless bends.
Distance: 1300kms over 20 stages
Terrain: Sandy forest and dust tracks across seriously seriously steep mountainous roads.

Acropolis Rally
Based in Central Greece, it's the rally of true heroes and the driving has to be the stuff of the Gods.
Distance: 1200kms over 16 stages
Terrain: Hard, unforgiving, car-ravaging 'rough' gravel and oppressive heat.

Rally of Turkey
New for 2003, this tough gravel rally, based in the mountains around the coastal town of Kemer replaces the Safari Rally.
Distance: 1300kms over 18 stages
Terrain: Bone-shaking rough, stoney gravel on mountain roads.

Rally Argentina
Based around Cordoba, this is the highest rally of the championship, with the stages snaking into the Andes.
Distance: 1450kms over 20 stages
Terrain: Open pampa - a dry, dusty expanse that winds up into the clouds of the Andes. The cars also have to cross many rivers.

Neste Rally Finland
Based around Jyvaskyla, the rally in the country of the 1000 lakes is known as the Grand Prix of the WRC because of its high speeds.
Distance: 1700kms over 22 stages
Terrain: Loose, smooth gravel along roads littered with jumps (or 'yumps') which can see drivers reaching speeds of 200kph.

ADAC Rally Deutschland
Based in Trier, this rally features tight hairpins in the vineyards and the rough concrete of the army proving grounds
Distance: 1200kms over 18 stages
Terrain: A mixture of concrete and asphalt with a fine layer of dust that results in a slippery set of stages.

Rally Japan
Another new event that made its debut in 2004, Rally Japan is an all-gravel affair in the forests of Hokkaido.
Distance: 1430km over 27 stages
Terrain: A mixture of concrete and asphalt with a fine layer of dust that results in a slippery set of stages.

The Wales Rally of Great Britain
Set in Wales, this used to be one of the wettest rallies, but with a September date conditions are now less predictable.
Distance: 1600kms over 17 stages
Terrain: Slippery forest-bound gravel roads. Unpredictable weather and fog.

Rallye Sardinia - Rallye d'Italie
Italy's round of the WRC has moved back to the gravel roads of Sardinia after several years on the asphalty of Sanremo.
Distance: TBA
Terrain: Dusty gravel roads and hoards of WRC-crazy Italian fans make this one for serious concentration.

Rallye de France - Tour de Corse
Based up in the unforgiving mountains above Ajaccio on Corsica, this is only for the most precise and courageous drivers.
Distance: 900kms over 16 stages
Terrain: Gut-wrenching twisty asphalt roads on the side of sheer drops.

Rallye Catalunya Costa Brava - Rallye de Espa?a
Based in Catalonia on the Costa Brava, the crowds spill out of the picturesque mountains to support their heroes.
Distance: 1900kms over 18 stages
Terrain: Asphalt along fast, pitted mountain roads.

Telstra Rally Australia
Based in Perth and around the forests of Western Australia, this is a tactical but incredibly fast rally.
Distance: 1400kms over 21 stages
Terrain: 'Ball-bearing' hard gravel along fast and slippery forest tracks.

**cuore sportivo** · 06.06.2005, 01:19

Kalendar WRC 2005

Kalendar:

21-23 January MC Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo
11-13 February S Uddeholm Swedish Rally
11-13 March MEX Corona Rally Mexico
8-10 April NZ Propecia Rally New Zealand
29 April-1 May I Supermag Rally Italia-Sardinia
13-15 May CY Cyprus Rally
27-29 May TR Rally of Turkey
17-19 June GR Acropolis Rally of Greece
8-10 July RA Rally Argentina
5-7 August FIN Neste Rally Finland
26-28 August D OMV ADAC Rallye Deutschland
16-18 September GB Wales Rally GB
30 September-2 October J Rally Japan
14-16 October F Rallye de France Â? Tour de Corse
28-30 October E Rally de Catalunya Â? Espa?a
11-13 November AUS Telstra Rally Australia

Junior World Rally Championship
21-23 January MC Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo
11-13 March MEX Corona Rally Mexico
29 April-1 May I Supermag Rally Italia-Sardinia
17-19 June GR Acropolis Rally of Greece
5-7 August FIN Neste Rally Finland
26-28 August D OMV ADAC Rallye Deutschland
14-16 October F Rallye de France Â? Tour de Corse
28-30 October E Rallye de Catalunya - Espa?a

Production Car World Rally Championship
11-13 February S Uddeholm Swedish Rally
8-10 April NZ Propecia Rally New Zealand
13-15 May CY Cyprus Rally
27-29 May TR Rally of Turkey
8-10 July RA Rally Argentina
16-18 September GB Wales Rally GB
30 September-2 October J Rally Japan
11-13 November AUS Telstra Rally Australia

**Wiz** · 06.06.2005, 01:46

Moj favorit ove a i proslih godina je LOEB,covek zna kako se vozi na svim terenima,cak i na snegu

**cuore sportivo** · 07.06.2005, 00:24

Sainz agrees to final fling

Spain's Carlos Sainz has been persuaded to stay out of retirement for one more rally after scoring valuable points for Citroen on a 'one-off' comeback in Turkey at the weekend. Citroen said the two times world champion had agreed to team boss Guy Frequelin's request that he do them 'a final favour'.

He will compete in the next round in Greece from June 24-26 as well.

"My mind is made up. I have no intention of staging a comeback to the world rally championship," the 43-year-old told Frequelin.

"This will be my final contribution to what you and everyone at Citroen have built together and which I hope continues to be as successful as possible."

Sainz, winner of more world championship rallies than any other driver, agreed to drive for the champions in Turkey as a replacement for crash-prone Belgian Francois Duval.

The Spaniard finished fourth on Sunday with championship leading team mate Sebastien Loeb winning his fourth rally in succession.

The points allowed Citroen to pile pressure on leaders Peugeot, who have 72 points to their French stable mates' 68.

"What Carlos brought us this weekend was fantastic, especially given the conditions which...were particularly difficult," said Frequelin.

"But that's how you recognise a great driver. On top of that, the team derived such pleasure from working with him again that I naturally asked him to stand-in for us one final time.

"I am aware that I am asking him to make another big effort. But I have sworn to respect his request not to ask him any more to drive a WRC car in the world rally championship."

**cuore sportivo** · 25.06.2005, 04:56

Acropolis Rally Greece

June 24-26, 2005

The Heat Is On

Ready for the rough stuff?
If you thought Rally Cyprus was a car-breaker, then just wait until you see the Acropolis Rally. The mix of rough, twisty mountain stages, blistering heat and choking dust makes the event the toughest on the calendar. Cars have to be built extra-sturdy to cope with the surprisingly fast, but rock-strewn stages, while drivers and co-drivers have to be at peak physical fitness to cope with the pounding terrain and temperatures in the cockpit that top 50C. Just ask Richard Burns' co-driver, Robert Reid, how tough it is - he fainted mid-stage a couple of years ago.

A little bit of history
The Acropolis Rally - at 51 years of age - is one of the longest-standing events in world rallying. A list of Its previous winners reads like a roll-call of rallying legends - Walter Rohl, Bjorn Waldegaard, Ari Vatenen, Stig Blomqvist, Juha Kankkunen and Carlos Sainz (to name but a few) have won this event. Although the Acropolis Rally no longer visits its spiritual home of Athens and the overlooking, 2500-year-old Parthenon temple, it still retains a historic air - you should be sure to check out some of the culture around rally headquarters in Lamia.

Mediterranean medley
A thousand years ago, pilgrims to the ancient oracle of Apollo came to Delphi, a few miles from Lamia, seeking divine knowledge and wisdom. You're unlikely to get a blessed dose of brain-power today, but you'll certainly get a more positive outlook on life, such is the relaxed and tranquil atmosphere. Greece is a major holiday spot thanks to the great weather and calm blue seas, so it's a mecca for rally fans, who appreciate the hotels, bars, restaurants and scenic venue. Make sure you slap on the suncream and drink plenty of water, though - it's hot.

A punishing test
The Acropolis Rally is tough stuff. The twisty, boulder-filled stages place huge demands on engine and cockpit cooling, as natural airflow is limited by the slow cornering speeds. The suspension and underside of the car take a huge pounding from the rocks hurled up by the car, but the big issue is tyre wear. Choose too soft a compound, and you'll suffer excess tyre wear. Too hard, and grip reduces, prompting wheelspin and - you've guessed it - excess tyre wear. As such, additional tyre stops are included on the schedule for the drivers.

Official Site: www.acropolisrally.gr

**Wartburg** · 25.06.2005, 06:04

Najbolje je u turskoj prosao Duval.

**cuore sportivo** · 08.07.2005, 23:42

Generalni posle Akropolisa

S. Loeb 65
P. Solberg 42
T. Gardemeister 39
M. Martin 39
M. Gronholm 37

Detaljnije:

1. Sébastien Loeb (F) 65
2. Petter Solberg (N) 42
3. Toni Gardemeister (FIN) 39
4. Markko Märtin (EE) 39
5. Marcus Grönholm (FIN) 37
6. Harri Rovanperä (FIN) 16
7. Manfred Stohl (A) 11
8. Carlos Sainz (E) 11
9. Roman Kresta (CZ) 10
10. Henning Solberg (N) 9
11. Gilles Panizzi (F) 7
12. Gigi Galli (I) 6
13. François Duval (B) 5
14. Mikko Hirvonen (FIN) 4
15. Daniel Carlsson (S) 4
16. Anthony Warmbold (D) 4
17. Chris Atkinson (AUS) 2
18. Jusso Pykalisto (FIN) 1

Timovi:

1. Citroën Total 84
2. Marlboro Peugeot Total 79
3. Ford BP World Rally Team 57
4. Subaru World Rally Team 47
5. Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports 37
6. Škoda Motorsport 8

**cuore sportivo** · 08.07.2005, 23:43

Dopuna:

Nikakve dodatne kazne neće biti izrečene Subaru-u i Mitsubishiju kojima su automobili lakši od predviđenih 1230kg.Sve je znači ostalo na novčanim kaznama od 60000 eura i 10000 eura.......

**cuore sportivo** · 10.07.2005, 00:04

Lider šampionata, Sebastian Loeb, želi da piše nove rekorde svakog relija. Sa pet uzastopnih pobjeda, Loeb je rekorder. Međutim, Sebastian želi popraviti taj rekord i dodati mu pobjedu na Argentina reliju.

''Izaći prvi na stazu prvog dana relija biće vjerovatno hendikep. Međutim, etapa jedan je ista kao i prošle godine, tada sam bio iznenađen koliko sam izgubio vremena izlazeći drugi jer je pijesak bio rasut od prve vožnje. To znači, moji rivali će biti u sličnoj poziciji kao ja i iskusiće manje više iste uslove. Nakon toga, vidjećemo kako će hladnija temperatura uticati na konkurentnost između timova. Naša misija će biti malo teža za ostvariti, ali ja ću dati sve od sebe.'' - izjavio je Loeb

''Kako je naš cilj šesta uzastopna pobjeda, jedino što mogu reći je da ćemo uraditi sve što je u našoj moći da to uradimo.'' - izjavio je šef tima Frequelin

**cuore sportivo** · 15.07.2005, 03:01

Dvostruki šampion svijeta, Marcus Gronholm, je poslijednji dodan na listi mogućih vozača Forda 2006-e - prema pisanju Motorsport News-a.

Borba za mijesto u Fordu je velika jer povlačenjem Citroena i Peugeota na kraju ove sezone, šampionski vozači ostaju bez posla.

Gronholm je izvan borbe za titulu već dvije godine jer Peugeot nije dovoljno konkurentan. Marcus je najavljivao povlačenje iz WRC na kraju ove sezone, ali u proteklih nekoliko mjeseci promjenio je mišljenje i sada je u otvorenim pregovorima sa Fordom.

Aktuelni šampion, Sebastian Loeb, je takođe na Fordovoj listi. S tom razlikom da je Loeb prvi na listi želja Forda. S obzirom da Ford iduće sezone nastupa sa novim Focusom velike su šanse da to bude dominirajući tim Šampionata.

''Nema još uvjek ništa za reći. Možda u avgust. Sa pravim stvarima mislim da i dalje mogu pobjediti. Sada imam dvije loše godine, što nije ono što sam očekivao. Ako bude nešto dobro, rado ću nastaviti karijeru.'' - rekao Gronholm.

**cuore sportivo** · 15.07.2005, 03:29

Juce je poceo Rally u Argentini.
Loeb je imao problem sa motorom.Zamenjen mu je ali se ne zna da li ce biti kaznjen ili ne.

Rezultati shakedown-a

1 Solberg (Subaru) 2m34.7s
2 Galli (Mitsubishi) 2m35.4s
3 Gardemeister (Ford) 2m35.9s
4 Rovanpera (Mitsubishi) 2m36.0s
5 Atkinson (Subaru) 2m36.1s
6 Duval (Citroen) 2m36.6s
7 Loeb (Citroen) 2m36.9s
8 Stohl (Citroen) 2m37.4s *
9 Kresta (Ford) 2m38.0s
10 Martin (Peugeot) 2m39.1s
11 Schwarz (Skoda) 2m39.7s
12 Paasonen (Skoda) 2m40.1s
13 Gronholm (Peugeot) 2m40.2s
14= Pons (Citroen) 2m40.7s *
14= Carlsson (Peugeot 206) 2m40.7s *
16 Warmbold (Ford) 2m41.5s *
17 Perez-Companc (Ford) 2m43.9s *
18 Ligato (Peugeot 206) 2m48.0s *
19 Raies (Subaru) 2m53.4s *

Rally Argentina

http://www.rallyargentina.com/

**Wartburg** · 15.07.2005, 12:59

Sto bi bilo lepo videti Loeba u Micubisiju.
Kad je onaj WRC Magazin oko 23h na EuroSportu bese?

**Wartburg** · 15.07.2005, 13:02

Vrnuli Duvala u Citroen.

WRC season 2005

WRC season 2005

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment