Showing posts with label Mikko Hirvonen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mikko Hirvonen. Show all posts

March 16, 2013

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...


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January 24, 2013

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.




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...



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November 1, 2012

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...


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September 23, 2012

2012 WRC Rally Germany Review

Sébastien Loeb driving in 2012 ADAC Rallye Deutschland. Photo via WRC.com.

From August 24 through August 26, 2012, WRC team competitors participated in the 2012 Rally Germany. It was the ninth rally of the current season. Based in the very ancient and historic city of Trier, Germany, this outing was mostly done on sealed hard-top surfaces that ran through beautiful wine vineyard covered areas near the banks of the Mosel River.

The final results found the following three drivers at the top: Sébastien Loeb (France) of Citroën Total World Rally Team won the rally, Jari-Matti Latvala (Finland) from factory Ford World Rally Team came in second, and Mikko Hirvonen (Finland) of Citroën Total World Rally Team was third.

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


Sunday wrap: Loeb strikes back in Germany
Posted at WRC.com on August 26, 2012

Sebastien Loeb marked the 10th anniversary of ADAC Rallye Deutschland's elevation to the FIA World Rally Championship by winning the asphalt event for a ninth time in the Citroen DS3 WRC he shares with co-driver Daniel Elena...


The wrc.com review: ADAC Rallye Deutschland
Posted at WRC.com on August 31, 2012

Sebastien Loeb says he has an "emotional" connection with ADAC Rallye Deutschland, as you'd expect from the event where he took his first victory in 2002 and has made his own ever since, apart from last year when a puncture intervened...


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August 28, 2012

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?...


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July 29, 2012

2012 WRC Rally New Zealand Review

Sébastien Loeb in 2012 Rally New Zealand on June 24, 2012. Photo via WRC.com.

The 2012 World Rally Championship Season passed the halfway mark during Rally New Zealand, which happened June 22 through June 24, 2012 (Qualifying on June 21st). Based in Auckland, NZ, the mostly gravel (with some asphalt portions) event, was this year's seventh round.

The three top finishers were: Sébastien Loeb (France) of Citroën Total World Rally Team - first, Mikko Hirvonen (Finland) of Citroën Total World Rally Team in second, and Petter Solberg (Norway) with factory Ford World Rally Team - third.

I've posted a link to the official WRC.com total rally review post here, and highlights videos.


The wrc.com review: Brother Rally New Zealand
Posted at WRC.com on June 25, 2012

...So it wasn’t so much that Loeb was untouchably quick in New Zealand: far from it as Hirvonen was able to keep pace with him and had Petter Solberg not been on hard tyres for Friday’s soft stages, dropping a minute a half, he would have been right with Loeb at the finish too. Not to mention an on-form Latvala, who is probably faster than all three of them in terms of raw speed...


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July 1, 2012

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...


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June 1, 2012

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...




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...




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...




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...




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April 30, 2012

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...

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March 25, 2012

2012 WRC Rally México Review

Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena in 2012 Rally Guanajuato México.
Photo from Rally México.

From March 8 through March 11, 2012, the 2012 Rally México took place. Based in León, this gravel surface run was the third round of the 2012 World Rally Championship. Sébastien Loeb and Citroën Total World Rally Team co-driver Daniel Elena won in México for the sixth time.

After the completion of the rally, which included a mixture of high-altitude and street stages, along with some time on temporary courses, Loeb's Finnish teammate Mikko Hirvonen had ended up second. Following him in third place was Ford World Rally Team driver Petter Solberg, of Norway. The current championship standings now coincidentally reflect these three holding the same order overall.

This list (in chronological order) of links to some daily reviews, podcasts and highlight videos, will help you to review this rally.


Rally Guanajuato Mexico: Pre Event Podcast
Posted at WRC.com on March 9, 2012

Listen to the pre-event podcast for Rally Guanajuato Mexico 2012.

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Although it's listed as the pre-event (preview) podcast, this is actually a recording of the World Rally Radio event crew reporting the action during the first stage of the rally - SS1 / Guanajuato Street Stage.


Friday wrap: Loeb heads Mexican thriller
Posted at WRC.com on March 9, 2012 - Updated March 10, 2012

With two runs of the superspecial at Leon's race circuit remaining prior to the completion of day one of Rally Guanajuato Mexico, the overall classification has a familiar look to it with Sebastien Loeb leading in a factory Citroen...


Press Conference - End of Leg 1 (Day 2)
Posted at RallyMexico.com on March 9, 2012

Present:
Yves Matton – Citroën Total World Rally Team manager
Malcolm Wilson – Ford World Rally Team director
Derek Dauncey – Monster World Rally Team

Sébastien Loeb – Citroën Total World Rally Team, 1st o/a
Mikko Hirvonen – Citroën Total World Rally Team, 2nd o/a
Mads Østberg – Adapta World Rally Team, 3rd o/a...


Rally Guanajuato Mexico: Day 2 Podcast
Posted at WRC.com on March 10, 2012

Listen to the day 2 podcast for Rally Guanajuato Mexico.

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: This is World Rally Radio event crew reporting the action during second full day of Rally México - SS18 / Super Special 3 to start of SS20 / Comanjilla 2.


Saturday wrap: Loeb on course for glory
Posted at WRC.com on March 10, 2012

Sebastien Loeb will start the final day of Rally Guanajuato Mexico on course for his sixth-straight victory in Leon after he completed day two with a margin of 36.2s over his Citroen team-mate Mikko Hirvonen...


Press Conference - End of Leg 2 (Day 3)
Posted at RallyMexico.com on March 10, 2012

Present:
Yves Matton – Citroën Total World Rally Team manager
Malcolm Wilson – Ford World Rally Team director
Sven Smeets – Volkswagen Motorsport

Sébastien Loeb – Citroën Total World Rally Team, 1st o/a
Mikko Hirvonen – Citroën Total World Rally Team, 2nd o/a
Jari-Matti Latvala – Ford World Rally Team, 3rd o/a...


BREAKING NEWS: Loeb makes it six in Mexico
Posted at WRC.com on March 11, 2012

Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena have extended their lead of the FIA World Rally Championship ... with victory on Rally Guanajuato Mexico, their sixth straight success on the demanding gravel contest...


Rally Guanajuato Mexico: Day 3 Podcast
Posted at WRC.com on March 11, 2012

Listen to the day 3 podcast for Rally Guanajuato Mexico.

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: This is a recording of the World Rally Radio event crew reporting action during the third full day of the rally - SS24 / VW Power Stage.


SS24: Power Stage joy for Solberg
Posted at WRC.com on March 11, 2012

...Petter Solberg has completed Rally Guanajuato Mexico, round three of the FIA World Rally Championship ..., by gaining three bonus points for winning the event-closing Power Stage in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC...


Sunday wrap: Loeb's six appeal
Posted at WRC.com on March 11, 2012

Sebastien Loeb has made it six wins in succession on Rally Guanajuato Mexico following a controlled drive through the event's final four stages today (Sunday)...


Post-event Press Conference
Posted at RallyMexico.com on March 11, 2012

...Present:
1st - Sébastien Loeb, Citroën Total World Rally Team
1st - Daniel Elena, Citroën Total World Rally Team
2nd - Mikko Hirvonen, Citroën Total World Rally Team
2nd - Jarmo Lehtinen, Citroën Total World Rally Team
3rd - Petter Solberg, Ford World Rally Team
3rd - Chris Patterson, Ford World Rally Team...



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March 11, 2012

2012 WRC Rally Mexico Preview


Rally México is going on this weekend, March 8 through March 11, 2012. It's the third rally of this year's World Rally Championship. Drivers are flying across gravel in the León based battle.

As a preview of this event, I've posted links (in chronological order) to articles leading up the rally and what was suppossed to be the pre-event (preview) podcast, from WRC.com.


WRC.com preview: Rally Guanajuato Mexico
Posted at WRC.com on March 2, 2012

Following the Monte-Carlo asphalt and the snow and ice of Sweden, the dusty gravel tracks of Rally Guanajuato Mexico provide the next test for crews contesting the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship...


Solberg ready for Mexico despite illness
Posted at WRC.com on March 2, 2012

...The 2003 world champion was struck down by ‘flu during his pre-event test in Spain earlier this week but he insisted he will be fighting fit when he gets behind the wheel of his Ford World Rally Team Fiesta RS WRC on the Leon-based event from 8-11 March...


Hirvonen: Mexico result eagerly anticipated
Posted at WRC.com on March 5, 2012

...With the Leon-based round the first of eight consecutive events on gravel, Hirvonen says the final results on Sunday afternoon will be eagerly anticipated...


Loeb: Mexico final day will be tough
Posted at WRC.com on March 7, 2012

Sebastien Loeb says the battle for victory on Rally Guanajuato Mexico this week won't be won until the completion of the final stage of the third round of the FIA World Rally Championship...


Solberg wins Qualifying Stage
Posted at WRC.com on March 8, 2012

...The Norwegian was close to a second faster than anybody else through the 5.18-kilometre test. Citroen’s Mikko Hirvonen was second fastest with his team-mate Sebastien Loeb, who is chasing a sixth-straight win on Rally Guanajuato Mexico, a further second down. Jari-Matti Latvala was a disgruntled fourth in his Fiesta RS WRC...


Henning a non-starter in Mexico
Posted at WRC.com on March 8, 2012

Henning Solberg has been forced to skip only his second WRC event since the start of the 2007 season after a contractual issue resulted in his no-show on Rally Guanajuato Mexico, round three of the FIA World Rally Championship...


Rally Guanajuato Mexico: Pre Event Podcast
Posted at WRC.com on March 8, 2012

Listen to the pre-event podcast for Rally Guanajuato Mexico 2012.

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Although it's listed as the pre-event (preview) podcast, this is actually a recording of the World Rally Radio event crew reporting the action during the first stage of the rally (SS1). Somebody screwed up, and loaded the wrong audio file.

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March 4, 2012

2012 WRC Rally Sweden Review


Round two of the 2012 World Rally Championship Season, Rally Sweden was held from February 9 through February 12, 2012. This ice and snow covered gravel event was based in the municipality of Karlstad, Sweden. However, stages of the rally had the drivers crossing over into Norway. The winner was Finnish Ford World Rally Team driver, Jari-Matti Latvala.

Latvala's countryman, Mikko Hirvonen {Citroën Total World Rally Team} placed second, while third fastest was Norway's Mads Østberg (M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team).

This review of the rally, includes a list of links (in chronological order) to daily reviews and podcasts from WRC.com. The highlights videos that follow are one that covers the whole event, and then one for each day of the rally, individually.


Friday wrap: Latvala stamps his authority
Posted at WRC.com on February 10, 2012

Day one of Rally Sweden 2012 saw a frenetic lead battle and first position changing hands multiple times - but by the time the leg was done, Jari-Matti Latvala had managed to burst clear of the pack and established a 16.8-second cushion...


Rally Sweden Day 1 Podcast
Posted at WRC.com on February 10, 2012

Listen to the podcast for the first day of Rally Sweden 2012.


Saturday wrap: Latvala in chargee
Posted at WRC.com on February 11, 2012

Despite Mikko Hirvonen throwing everything he had at him, and the need to plot tyre tactics amid a lack of snow on some stages, Jari-Matti Latvala produced an exemplary drive to maintain his Rally Sweden lead through day two...


Rally Sweden Day 2 Podcast
Posted at WRC.com on February 11, 2012

Listen to the podcast for the second day of Rally Sweden 2012.


Breaking news: Latvala triumphs in Sweden
Posted at WRC.com on February 12, 2012


...The Ford team leader pulled clear of a close-fought early lead battle in which Mads Ostberg, Petter Solberg, Sebastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen all featured, and for most of the weekend was in a straight head to head with his former team-mate Hirvonen...



SS24: Loeb salvages Power Stage win
Posted at WRC.com on February 12, 2012

...Sebastien Loeb may have only been able to finish sixth overall in Rally Sweden, but he picked up three handy extra points for his 2012 FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia title campaign by winning the Power Stage...


Sunday wrap: Latvala gets the job done
Posted at WRC.com on February 12, 2012

It wasn't exactly an easy run to the finish for Jari-Matti Latvala, but the Ford number one kept his head through a tense final morning to claim Rally Sweden victory and get his 2012 FIA World Rally Championship ... title challenge properly underway...


Rally Sweden Day 3 Podcast
Posted at WRC.com on February 12, 2012

Listen to the podcast for the final day of Rally Sweden 2012.


The wrc.com review: Rally Sweden
Posted at WRC.com on February 13, 2012

...During the pre-event tests, some teams saw temperatures dip below -30 degrees centigrade. This week in Karlstad, after the rally, locals were predicting the sort of heavy snowfall that is the stuff of ski resort dreams...


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February 29, 2012

2012 WRC Rally Monte-Carlo Review


The 2012 World Rally Championship Season started with a return to Rally Monte-Carlo, for the first time since 2008. It was held from January 17 through January 22, 2012. This extra-long all-asphalt event began and ended a few hundred miles north of Monaco, in Valence. Eight-time WRC champion, French Citroën Total World Rally Team driver, Sébastien Loeb started the year with another victory.

This was the sixth win at Monte-Carlo for Loeb. Following him were former teammate Dani Sordo {MINI John Cooper Works WRC) of Spain in second, and in third place was Norway's Petter Solberg (back with factory Ford World Rally Team), who is no longer a privateer.

As a review of this season opening event, I've posted a list (in chronological order) of links to some daily reviews from WRC.com, and highlight videos.


Monte maestro Loeb in control after day one
Posted at WRC.com on January 19, 2012

Sebastien Loeb will start day two of Rallye Monte-Carlo - the opening round of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia - leading by more than one minute following a dramatic start to the legendary event on Wednesday [January 18, 2012]...


Thursday wrap: Loeb maintains Monte advantage
Posted at WRC.com on January 19, 2012

Sebastien Loeb has completed day two of Rallye Monte-Carlo with his lead of the FIA World Rally Championship presented by Nokia qualifier firmly intact following another impressive display in his Citroen DS3 WRC...


Friday wrap: Loeb grows Monte lead
Posted at WRC.com on January 20, 2012

...Despite his commanding margin of 2m12.4s over second-placed MINI driver Dani Sordo, Loeb said the treacherous conditions that greeted the crews on Friday’s second stage served as a timely reminder of the challenging nature of this rally...


Saturday wrap: Loeb closes on Monte win
Posted at WRC.com on January 21, 2012

...With Loeb continuing to dominate out front, the battle for the final podium places has taken centre stage today. Dani Sordo continues to hold second in his MINI John Cooper Works WRC but Petter Solberg has closed to within 19.1s of the Spaniard in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC after winning three of Saturday’s four stages...


BREAKING NEWS: Loeb wins Rallye Monte-Carlo
Posted at WRC.com on January 22, 2012

Sebastien Loeb has won Rallye Monte-Carlo for a sixth time following a dominant performance behind the wheel of the Citroen DS3 WRC he shares with Monegasque co-driver Daniel Elena...


Sunday wrap: Loeb lands maximum Monte points
Posted at WRC.com on January 22, 2012

...By claiming 25 points for victory plus three bonus points for winning the event-closing Power Stage, Loeb leaves the Principality with a maximum score in his bid to win the FIA World Rally Championship...


The wrc.com review: Rallye Monte-Carlo
Posted at WRC.com on January 23, 2012

...So it’s an incredibly strong line-up, with Solberg seemingly adapting to the Ford a little quicker than Hirvonen has got to grips with the Citroen. It’s not just been a question of learning the car for him: the culture shock for Hirvonen as a Finn in a very French team is going to be far greater than it is for Solberg coming back to Ford, and Citroen have had to alter their working practices too. For example, the team debriefs - which used to be in French during the Loeb-Ogier era - are now all in English...


2012 Rallye Monte Carlo Highlights
By BestOfRallyLive/Michelin - Uploaded to YouTube by Racingdownload




WRC Rallye Monte Carlo 2012 [HD]
Posted to YouTube by SUD Rallye (creators)




Rallye Monte Carlo 2012 [HD]
Posted to YouTube by Rallye Mad (creators)



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