Rallye Monte Carlo - 14th - 19th Jan

[WTF]

Rallye Monte Carlo
14 - 19 Jan 14
Categories:WRC, WRC-2, WRC-3
Based:Gap and Monaco
Surface:Mountainous asphalt, susceptible to ice and snow
Most Recent Winner:Sebastien Loeb (2013)

Just as in 2013, the Monte's route has changed considerably again 12 months on but it remains a classic with all its usual breathtaking backdrop, panache and pizzazz right up to the finish in the principality.

As if by magic this year’s Monte starts from reigning champion Sebastien Ogier’s hometown of Gap – that’s around 300km north-west of Monaco.

Unlike Sebastien Loeb’s hometown of Haguenau, there’s no stage in Gap but still expect Ogier to receive a hero’s sending-off when he departs the start line on the Thursday. And, if all is going to plan, a hero’s welcome as well when the cars return after the opening day of action for an overnight halt.

Six stages in all on the Thursday total more than 125 of the day’s 500-plus kilometres. Friday’s route, though, consists of more familiar territory – notably the Sisteron stage name is on the itinerary – and leads to an overnight halt in Monte Carlo.

Significantly the first four of the day’s five stages are sizeable in length with two runs each of the 49km Vitrolles-Faye and 37km Sisteron-Thoard tests. But it’s the closing four stages on Saturday that pose the biggest challenge of all. At 23km and 17km respectively, they are by no means the longest but names such as La Bollene Vesubie-Moulinet and Sospel-Breil sur Roya will strike fear into most crews.

This is the stretch known as the Col de Turini – one of the all-time legendary sections of road used in the WRC with a reputation for making and breaking reputations. Two runs through each stage – first in daylight and then by night – complete the rally and it’s the final pair in particular that will play a pivotal role in the outcome.

It has become nicknamed the ‘Night of the long knives’ thanks to the image of headlights searching through the darkness as the cars wind their way up high round numerous hairpin bends until reaching the summit at close to 1600 metres above sea level and descending once more.

Depending on a driver’s hero or villain status – often dictated by their nationality or that of the car they are in – thousands of fans line the stage side, all ready with catcalls, jeers, cheers and whistles. It’s an intoxicating and intimidating yet totally unmissable end to the most prestigious event on the calendar.

[WTF]

Ostberg prays for snow

The Norwegian will join his team-mate Kris Meeke in making his debut for the French squad when the opening round of the FIA World Rally Championship gets underway on Thursday. He hopes the asphalt roads that will greet the crews are nice and slippery.

He said: “I haven’t done a lot of miles in the car yet, but I had a good feeling in testing. The test gave me the chance to experience just about everything that might be thrown at us during the rally and I think I fared pretty well with slick tyres on the snow – although it was sometimes more a question of survival than of racing. If I could choose the weather, I’d ask for as much snow as possible.”

Meeke, meanwhile, is only focusing on getting to Saturday night’s finish.
“Understanding the road, being able to read the surface conditions and reacting accordingly, is the best way to do well here,” the Briton explained. “It’s pointless aiming for a particular result. The goal is to be consistent, not make any mistakes and focus on the main priority, which is to make it to the finish. If everything goes well, your efforts will be rewarded by a good result.”

[GlennM]

Kris Meeke emerges in 2nd position after Day 1

16 January 2014 | Rallye Monte-Carlo - Leg 1

Rallye Monte-Carlo lived up to its reputation, as the first leg proved particularly difficult to manage. In spite of the testing conditions, the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team crews made a strong start to the 2014 World Rally Championship.

Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle chose their tyres well and produced a flawless performance to end day one in second position in the overall standings, 38.8s behind the leader. On their first day of competitive action in the Citroën DS3 WRC, Mads Østberg and Jonas Andersson made it back to the service park in fifth overall.

Long before sunrise, each crew tried to predict the conditions they would face on the day’s first three stages in order to choose the best possible tyre set-up. Sixth on the road, Mads Østberg opted for five Michelin Pilot Sport SS2 supersoft tyres, suitable for dry and wet tarmac. Twelve minutes later, armed with new information about the conditions, Kris Meeke set off with four Michelin Pilot Sport SS2 supersoft tyres and two Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 tyres (non-studded for snow and ice) in the boot.

Although the first two stages were mainly wet, the third – and especially the section through the Col de Perty where there was a lot of snow – handed a significant advantage to the crews that had taken winter tyres. Third after SS2, Kris Meeke moved into second after SS3, stealing a march on his rivals by making the right tyre choice. With his supersoft tyres, Mads Østberg managed to stay on the road whilst losing as little time as possible.

In the afternoon, both drivers went for four Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 tyres and two Michelin Pilot Sport SS2 tyres. Kris Meeke won his battle with Robert Kubica to end the first leg in second place. Mads Østberg took advantage of the afternoon loop to add to his experience and move up into fifth position in the overall standings.
QUOTE, UNQUOTE

Kris Meeke: “Clearly, running twelfth on the road was a bit of a disadvantage and I had trouble finding the right pace in the early part of the afternoon, because the racing line was covered in mud. I also felt it was better to be very cautious, even if that cost us some time. On such difficult stages, finishing the day in second place is obviously a good result. I’ll have to make sure I get plenty of sleep tonight, because we’ve a very long ahead of us tomorrow.”

Mads Østberg: “It was a positive day. We learned a lot in the conditions which were especially complicated. We didn’t make the best tyre choice in the morning, but we managed not to lose too much time. And although we made a few mistakes, none of them were serious enough to put us out of the rally. We’ll be able to work with the team now to try and continue to improve tomorrow. We know that we have the potential to go faster, but we have to be careful.”

Yves Matton (Citroën Racing Team Principal): “Unusually for us, our two cars set off this morning having made different tyre choices. This decision was due to their starting positions. The option taken by Kris was the better one. And that is the main reason for the gap between the two drivers. They both drove well, very much in line with what we asked them to do. They were not to take any risks when the conditions were tricky and then try and push when things were a little easier. They managed the day well. Kris is second overall, and has a good road position for the rest of the rally; Mads is very close to the podium places.”
HOW THE ACTION UNFOLDED

SS1 – Orpierre – Saint-André-de-Rosans 1 (25.49km) – Thierry Neuville was the first driver to be caught out by the very slippery conditions. Robert Kubica set the fastest time, despite sections of the stage being covered in snow. Mads Østberg and Kris Meeke finished in fifth and sixth positions.

SS2 – Rosans – Sainte-Marie – La Charce 1 (17.98km) – No snow on this second test. Robert Kubica extended his lead at the front, as Kris Meeke moved up into third overall. Mads Østberg held onto fifth position.

SS3 – Montauban Sur l’Ouvèze – Laborel 1 (19.34km) – The section through the Col de Perty handed a significant advantage to the crews that had opted to take winter tyres. Bryan Bouffier set the fastest time and moved into the overall lead ahead of Kris Meeke, who was also fast on this stage. Mads Østberg did his utmost on his supersoft tyres but slipped back to eighth overall.

SS4 – Orpierre – Saint-André-de-Rosans 2 (25.49km) – Jari-Matti Latvala went fastest as all the crews opted to fit winter tyres. Kris Meeke defended his second position. Mads Østberg clocked the fourth fastest time to move up into sixth overall.

SS5 – Rosans – Sainte-Marie – La Charce 2 (17.98km) – Dani Sordo was forced retire on the road section before the start of the stage. Sébastien Ogier won his first stage of the rally. Kris Meeke lost a place in the overall standings (down to third) whilst Mads Østberg gained one (up to fifth).

SS6 – Montauban Sur l’Ouvèze – Laborel 2 (19.34km) – The conditions were very different compared to the morning loop. The roads were wet and the snow was melting. Sébastien Ogier claimed his second consecutive stage win. Mads Østberg and Kris Meeke finished third and fourth respectively in their Citroën DS3 WRCs. Thanks to this performance, Kris reclaimed second position overall.
STANDINGS AFTER DAY 1

1. Bryan Bouffier / Xavier Panseri (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) 1:25:36.6
2. Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle (Citroën DS3 WRC) +38.8
3. Robert Kubica / Maciej Szczepaniak (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +39.5
4. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) +47.3
5. Mads Østberg / Jonas Andersson (Citroën DS3 WRC) +1:20.7
6. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +1:38.6
7. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) +2:20.8
8. Mikko Hirvonen / Jarmo Lehtinen (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +2:46.9
9. Andreas Mikkelsen / Mikko Markkula (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) +4:06.2
10. Olivier Burri / Fabrice Gordon (Ford Fiesta S2000) +4:47.4

FASTEST TIMES
Robert Kubica and Sébastien Ogier, 2 – Bryan Bouffier and Jari-Matti Latvala, 1.

LEADERS
SS1 and SS2: Robert Kubica
SS3 to SS6: Bryan Bouffier

[James78]

moving companies determine their costs based on a variety of factors, including distance, weight, additional services, and time of year. By understanding these factors and considering them when choosing a moving company, you can ensure that your move is as cost-effective and stress-free as possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3ElrfvMUrk