2013 WRC Rally México Review

Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia tearing up the hot road at 2013 Rally México March 2013.
Photo © Sophie Graillon via Sebastien-Ogier.com

Rally México was the third stop of the current 2013 World Rally Championship season schedule. The event, which took place from March 7 through March 10, 2013, was based near the industrial city of León, México. This was the first of what will be six straight rallies made-up of mostly gravel driving surfaces.

First up however, was the traditional 1.5-kilometre (almost 1 mile) Street Stage in the city of Guanajuato. Belgian driver Thierry Neuville and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul, of the Qatar World Rally Team, were temporarily the leaders after managing the quickest time on the short Thursday - March 7th evening jaunt.

The Leon Street Stage was included on Friday and Saturday, and there was the Super Special Stage at Leon’s racing course on the itinerary for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Still, gravel spewing action made up most of the 397 kilometre (approximately 246.5 mile) circuit, with a total of 23 stages.

Finishing in the top three spots, were: Sébastien Ogier (France) of team Volkswagen Motorsport won the rally; coming in second, was Mikko Hirvonen (Finland) for Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team; Thierry Neuville (Belgium) from the Qatar World Rally Team took the third spot.

Links to a WRC.com 2013 Rally México recap and post-rally podcast, as well as highlights videos, follow below.


The Big Top 3 Of WRC Mexico! [Podcast]
Posted at WRC.com on March 10, 2013

Check out what Sebastien Ogier, Mikko Hirvonen and Thierry Neuville had to say at the end of the event.


WRC wrap: Ogier reigns supreme
Posted at WRC.com on March 10, 2013

Sebastien Ogier claimed his second consecutive WRC victory today after dominating Rally Mexico in a Volkswagen Polo R...

2013 Rally México - Friday Highlights via WRC.com



2013 Rally México - Saturday Highlights via WRC.com



2013 Rally México - Sunday Highlights via WRC.com

2013 WRC Rally Sweden Review

Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia drive through forest in 2013 Rally Sweden February 2013.
Photo © DPPI - From Bilsport.se .

The second rally of the 2013 World Rally Championship season was Rally Sweden. Official host city of Karlstad, Sweden served as the start and finish point of the ice and snow covered gravel event, which was done February 7 through February 10. The service park was in Hagfors, and the course ran through that region on Friday. They headed East on Saturday, with much of Sunday spent over the border in Norway.

The weather was perfect for what you would hope for in a Swedish rally. Plenty of fresh snow fell just before the start of the event, leaving everything snow covered and beautiful. Even with studded tires, giving the cars 384 studs per corner, there was a good bit of sliding around. This only seems to encourage the competitors to drive more aggressively, spending a lot of time driving sideways through the winding forest roads.

Quite a few cars ended up sliding, and in a few instances, rolling off the road. When you go off, you hope to land in a soft snow bank, rather than one of the harder ones. If your car is still driveable, any spectators nearby are glad to help get the car turned right-side up.

No matter what the weather, this is a breathtakingly beautiful part of the world. Lots of fans who make their way to see the Norway stages like to hangout around the house of rally driver Petter Solberg (2003 Champion), as one stage takes the cars on a road right next to it. Many car jump fans also make their way to the area by Colin's Crest (Named in honor of Colin McRae).

The top three drivers to complete the rally were: Winning driver was Sébastien Ogier (France) from Volkswagen Motorsport; Sébastien Loeb (France) of Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team came in second place; Finishing with third best time was Mads Østberg (Norway) for Qatar M-Sport WRT.

Links (in chronological order) to WRC.com 2013 Rally Sweden recap posts, as well as highlights videos, are to be found below.


WRC wrap: Ogier triumphs on snow
Posted at WRC.com on February 10, 2013

Sebastien Ogier has claimed the first World Championship rally victory for Volkswagen Motorsport following a faultless performance on Rally Sweden, which ended in Karlstad this afternoon...


Capito: “Ogier in a class of his own”
Posted at WRC.com on February 11, 2013

Volkswagen Motorsport boss Jost Capito has paid tribute to Sebastien Ogier for taking his squad's maiden victory in the World Rally Championship on only its second event...


Neuville the high-flyer at Colin's Crest
Posted at WRC.com on February 12, 2013

Thierry Neuville won this year's Colin's Crest Award for recording the longest jump over the famous blind crest on Rally Sweden...

2013 Rally Sweden - Friday Highlights



2013 Rally Sweden - Saturday Highlights



2013 Rally Sweden - Sunday Highlights

2013 WRC Rally Monte Carlo Review

Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elana in 2013 Rally Monte Carlo January 17, 2013.
Photo © Unknown - From Motorsport.com .

The 2013 World Rally Championship season started with Rally Monte Carlo, for the second straight year. The principality of Monaco was the start and finish ceremonies host, but base camp was located a few hundred miles north, in Valence, France. Sixteen lengthy asphalt stages made up this extra-long rally (originally 465 km / 289 mi over 18 stages), which was run in the eastern border regions of Rhône-Alpes and Alpes-Côte d'Azur from January 15 through January 19, 2013, during increasingly severe winter weather. Stages 17 and 18 were cancelled for safety reasons.

The top three drivers to complete the rally were: 2012 WRC champion, Sébastien Loeb (France) of Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT was the first winner of this season; in second was Sébastien Ogier (France) from Volkswagen Motorsport, and finishing third, Dani Sordo (Spain). Sordo has returned to Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT for 2013.

Since I didn't do a season preview for 2013, here are a couple links that provide information on most of the very major (and disappointing) changes for this year. With the lack of manufacturer support from Ford and Mini, there has been some serious rearranging, in the form of team changes and driver changes.

Former WRC champion (2003) driver, Petter Solberg (Norway), will not be participating this year. He drove for factory Ford World Rally Team last year, but they decided not to fund anybody in 2013. Solberg (always one of the top drivers) has said he came close to making a deal with Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team in December 2012, but they didn't quite come to terms.

In the end though, we haven't lost any car brands. In fact, there has been expansion. It's a matter of changes in sponsorship, teams taking on third cars and a few sattilite teams, and Volkswagen entering as a manufacturer team.

This 2013 season opening event review includes (in chronological order) links to WRC.com recap posts and highlights videos.

2013 Rally Monte Carlo - Day 1



2013 Rally Monte Carlo - Day 2



2013 Rally Monte Carlo - Day 3

Loeb claims seventh Monte-Carlo victory
Posted at WRC.com on January 19, 2013

A dramatic final evening of Rallye Monte-Carlo ended with the cancellation of the last two stages to enable Sebastien Loeb to claim his seventh victory in the opening round of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship...


Citroen boss hails Monte winners
Posted at WRC.com on January 20, 2013

Yves Matton, the boss of Citroen Racing, has paid tribute to his drivers for winning this week's Rallye Monte-Carlo and putting four of the firm's DS3 world rally cars in the top five...

2013 Rally Monte Carlo - Day 4



2013 Rally Monte Carlo - Final Day

2012 WRC Wales Rally GB Review

Jari-Matti Latvala driving in 2012 Wales Rally GB. Photo via WalesRallyGB.com.

The tenth rally of the 2012 season of WRC was run from September 13 through September 16, 2012. For the most part, it was done on a gravel surface, but some of the sections were also on asphalt. Base camp for Wales Rally GB was Cardiff, Wales.

In the end, these were the drivers finishing in the top three: Jari-Matti Latvala (Finland) from factory Ford World Rally Team was the overall victor, Sébastien Loeb (France) of Citroën Total World Rally Team ended up second, and Petter Solberg (Norway) from factory Ford World Rally Team took third place points.

WRC.com rally recaps, and four extensive and informative review videos are included below.


Sunday wrap: Latvala returns to winning ways in Wales
Posted at WRC.com on September 16, 2012

Jari-Matti Latvala has done something he hadn't managed for 217 days when he claimed victory on Wales Rally GB this afternoon, his first in the FIA World Rally Championship since Rally Sweden seven months and four days ago...


The wrc.com review: Wales Rally GB
Posted at WRC.com on September 17, 2012

The agonising thing for Ford on Wales Rally GB was not just that it was the first factory win for 217 days, but also that it came frustratingly close to being a perfect one-two: a result that has eluded the works squad since Rally Australia one year ago...

WRC 2012 - Wales Rally GB - Review - Part 1/4
Uploaded to YouTube by MotorsportFunCyprus2

WRC 2012 - Wales Rally GB - Review - Part 2/4
Uploaded to YouTube by MotorsportFunCyprus2




WRC 2012 - Wales Rally GB - Review - Part 3/4
Uploaded to YouTube by MotorsportFunCyprus2




WRC 2012 - Wales Rally GB - Review - Part 4/4
Uploaded to YouTube by MotorsportFunCyprus2

2012 WRC Rally Finland Review

Sébastien Loeb at shady section during 2012 Rally Finland.
Photo via Citroen-WRC.com.

The eighth event of the 2012 World Rally Championship calendar, 2012 Rally Finland, was run August 2 through August 4, 2012. This rally was based in Jyväskylä, Finland, and was another great gravel surface contest.

The drivers who earned the top three spots in the final results were: Sébastien Loeb (France) from Citroën Total World Rally Team in first place, Mikko Hirvonen (Finland) of Citroën Total World Rally Team was second, and in third was Jari-Matti Latvala (Finland) of factory Ford World Rally Team.

WRC.com rally recaps, and four highlights videos are included below.


Saturday wrap: Loeb strikes thrice in Finland
Posted at WRC.com on August 4, 2012

Sebastien Loeb's incredible run success in the FIA World Rally Championship continued today when he won ... Rally Finland for a third time alongside co-driver Daniel Elena...


The wrc.com review: ... Rally Finland
Posted at WRC.com on August 6, 2012

This one was a genuinely intriguing ... Rally Finland: a high-speed chess game that was seemingly decided by seconds, but underpinned by a wider strategic picture that reflected the entire season. So who said that chess was boring?...

WRC 2012 | Neste Oil Rally Finland_Rally Review (Part 1/4)
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC

WRC 2012 | Neste Oil Rally Finland_Rally Review (Part 2/4)
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC




WRC 2012 | Neste Oil Rally Finland_Rally Review (Part 3/4)
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC




WRC 2012 | Neste Oil Rally Finland_Rally Review (Part 4/4)
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC

2012 WRC Rally Greece Review

Sébastien Loeb in 2012 Rally Greece. Photo © BestOfRallyLive.

The Loutraki area of Corinthia, Greece was home base for 2012 WRC Rally Greece, round six of the 2012 World Rally Championship. The gravel surfaced event was held (Qualifying and Rally) from May 24 through May 27, 2012.

French Citroën Total World Rally Team driver Sébastien Loeb claimed his fourth win of the season at this rally. Finnish teammate Mikko Hirvonen was second quickest, while his countryman Ford World Rally Team driver Jari-Matti Latvala was third.

Here's a link to a WRC.com rally review post, and highlights videos.


Sunday wrap: Victory for God-like Loeb
Posted at WRC.com on May 27, 2012

...Piloting a Citroen DS3 WRC alongside co-driver Daniel Elena, Loeb performed faultlessly to secure his 71st career victory after fending off a host of rivals. And by claiming three bonus points for winning the event-closing Power Stage, Loeb’s lead of the WRC drivers’ standings increases to 30 points with seven rounds remaining...

WRC 2012 | Acropolis Rally_Day 1 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC




WRC 2012 | Acropolis Rally_Day 2 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC




WRC 2012 Acropolis Rally Day 3 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC

2012 WRC Rally Argentina Review

Sébastien Loeb in 2012 Philips Rally Argentina.
Photo © GEPA Pictures / Citroen via RedBull.com.

Based in Villa Carlos Paz (near Córdoba, Argentina), the fifth rally of the current World Rally Championship season, 2012 Rally Argentina was held the weekend of April 26 through April 29, 2012. The 312.38 mile gravel run makes this the longest rally of the year.

Overall, the Citroën Total World Rally Team had a great rally, as they took the top two spots. French driver Sébastien Loeb won, and Mikko Hirvonen (Finland) ended up second. Mads Østberg (Norway) came in third for the Adapta World Rally Team.

This is Loeb's 70th WRC career rally win. He held first place in the overall standings, with an 18 point lead over Petter Solberg (Norway) of Ford World Rally Team, after this rally.

I've posted a list (in chronological order) of links to daily review posts from WRC.com, highlights videos and a total event review video.



Loeb tops Qualifying Stage
Posted at WRC.com on April 26, 2012

...Loeb, the winner in Argentina on the last six occasions, completed the 4.59-kilometre test from Villa Garcia to Cabalango in a time of 2m36.9s to earn the right to select his road position for day one’s stages first...


Friday wrap: Loeb completes remarkable turnaround
Posted at WRC.com on April 27, 2012

Sebastien Loeb has reversed a deficit of more than half a minute to lead ... Rally Argentina at the completion of day one as Petter Solberg's bid for victory faltered when the Ford driver suffered a broken steering arm on stage four...

WRC 2012 | Philips Rally Argentina _Day 1 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC

Saturday wrap: Loeb on course
Posted at WRC.com on April 29, 2012

Sebastien Loeb will start the final day of ... Rally Argentina firmly on course for his seventh victory on the event and his 70th in the FIA World Rally Championship ... after Citroen team-mate Mikko Hirvonen was told to hold position...

WRC 2012 | Philips Rally Argentina_Day 2 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC

SS14: Solberg wins the WRC's longest stage
Posted at WRC.com on April 29, 2012

Petter Solberg’s bid to score as many points as possible on ... Rally Argentina remains on course after he cut the gap to Thierry Neuville to less than two minutes by winning the monster 65.74-kilometre Matadero/Ambul run, the longest in the FIA World Rally Championship...


BREAKING NEWS: Loeb wins in Argentina
Posted at WRC.com on April 29, 2012

Sebastien Loeb has made it seven wins in succession on ... Rally Argentina to extend his lead at the top of the FIA World Rally Championship...

WRC 2012 | Philips Rally Argentina_Day 3 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC

SS19: Solberg takes Power Stage win as Sordo hits trouble
Posted at WRC.com on April 29, 2012

Petter Solberg has won the Power Stage on ... Rally Argentina to secure three world championship bonus points...


Sunday wrap: Loeb in seventh heaven
Posted at WRC.com on April 29, 2012

Sebastien Loeb has made it seven wins in succession on ... Rally Argentina to extend his lead at the top of the FIA World Rally Championship...

WRC 2012 | Philips Rally Argentina_Rally Review
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC

2012 WRC Rally Portugal Review

Mads Østberg rounding a bend in 2012 Rally Portugal. Photo via RallyDePortugal.pt.

Round four of the 2012 World Rally Championship Season, a four day gravel event based in Faro, Portugal, was held from March 29 through April 1, 2012. Rally Portugal had more than enough drama to entertain the average fan.

Citroën Total World Rally Team driver Mikko Hirvonen (Finland) was excluded, after event stewards found a couple of his car’s parts were “not in conformity". The first place result he had earned went to the next driver, Mads Østberg (Norway) of Adapta World Rally Team. Russian M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team member Evgeny Novikov landed second place, while third went to Petter Solberg (Norway) with factory Ford World Rally Team. In the end, with Hirvonen out, the top three spots were held by Ford Fiesta RS WRC drivers.

I've posted a list (in chronological order) of links to some daily review posts from WRC.com, and highlights videos.


Latvala fastest on Qualifying Stage
Posted at WRC.com on March 28, 2012

...Driving a Ford World Rally Team Fiesta RS WRC, the Finn set a time of 3m01.884s on the 4.96-kilometre Vale do Judeau stage. It means he will now be able to select his starting position for Thursday’s opening runs...


Drivers miss out in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on March 28, 2012

...Brazilian Nobre rolled his WRC Team MINI Portugal during the Qualifying Stage for ... Rally de Portugal, while “contractual” issues have prevented Norwegian Solberg from taking part in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC...


Matton confirms Loeb exit
Posted at WRC.com on March 29, 2012

Citroen team principal Yves Matton has confirmed that Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena have retired from ... Rally de Portugal following their crash on the third stage of round four of the FIA World Rally Championship...


Thursday wrap: Latvala leads after dramatic start
Posted at WRC.com on March 29, 2012

Round four of the FIA World Rally Championship ... has got off to a dramatic start with eight-time world champion Sebastien Loeb crashing out and five seconds covering the top three after four stages of ... Rally de Portugal...


Friday midday wrap: High drama as Hirvonen leads
Posted at WRC.com on March 30, 2012

Mikko Hirvonen leads ... Rally de Portugal after Friday's opening three stages as fog, mud and rain combined to make driving conditions treacherous and transform the leaderboard on round of the FIA World Rally Championship...


Safety comes first in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on March 30, 2012

Vodafone Rally de Portugal organisers have explained the reasons behind their decision to cancel Friday's three closing stages...


WRC 2012 | Vodafone Rally de Portugal_Day 1 and 2 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC

Saturday wrap: Hirvonen on course in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com on March 31, 2012

Mikko Hirvonen is six stages and 115.08 competitive kilometres away from his first victory in the FIA World Rally Championship ... for the factory Citroen team after he completed the penultimate day of the event leading by more than one minute...


WRC 2012 | Vodafone Rally de Portugal_Day 3 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC

BREAKING NEWS: Portugal joy for Hirvonen
Posted at WRC.com on April 1, 2012

Mikko Hirvonen has moved to the top of the FIA World Rally Championship ... after winning the fourth event of the season, ... Rally de Portugal...


Sunday wrap: Hirvonen lands first Citroen win
Posted at WRC.com on April 1, 2012

Mikko Hirvonen has claimed his first victory in the FIA World Rally Championship ... driving for Citroen following a faultless performance on ... Rally de Portugal, which ended in the Algarve region of the country this afternoon...


WRC 2012 | Vodafone Rally de Portugal_Day 4 Highlights
Uploaded to YouTube by sergioafonso21WRC

Hirvonen exclusion hands Portugal victory to Ostberg
Posted at WRC.com on April 1, 2012

Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen have been excluded from the results of ... Rally de Portugal, round four of the FIA World Rally Championship ..., elevating Mads Ostberg and Jonas Andersson to their maiden WRC wins...