Showing posts with label wrc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wrc. Show all posts

Monday, February 19, 2024

WRC 2024: Rally Sweden

The 2024 World Rally Championship continues with the Rally Sweden where drivers brave through the snow-capped battlefields as they continue their battle for the top.


Screengrab from WRC

From the shakedown to the final stage, Hyundai's Esapekka Lappi showcased his dominant win in Sweden at the rate of 2:33:04.9, 29.6 seconds faster than second-placer Elfyn Evans. Ford driver Adrien Fourmaux completes the podium with a third-place finish.

The next event is the WRC Safari Rally Kenya this March 28-31.

Sunday, January 28, 2024

WRC 2024: Rallye Monte-Carlo

The 2024 World Rally Championship has officially begun with the Rally Monte-Carlo. With tactical twists to the points structure, driver line-up shuffles, and more, this season opener is a thriller from start to finish.

As Ott Tanak topped the shakedown on his return to being a Hyundai driver, Elfyn Evans defied the freezing odds to score his lead until his drama with Sebastien Ogier gave Thierry Neuville, a Hyundai driver, a chance to slip into the lead.

 

Screengrab from WRC


In the end, Thierry Neuville drew first blood with his 20th WRC career win at the rate of 3:09.30.9, 16.1 seconds ahead of Ogier. Elfyn Evans completes the podium with a third-place finish.

The next event is the Rally Sweden from the 15th to the 18th of February, 2024.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

WRC 2023: FORUM8 Rally Japan

The 2023 World Rally Championship returns to Japan for the season finale, the FORUM8 Rally Japan. All bets are off as the winners are going to be set to stone in this grueling finale set at the Land of the Rising Sun.

As Hyundai's Thierry Neuville performed great results at the Shakedown, he surged into the early lead while hometown hero Takamoto Katsuta, Dani Sordo, and Adrien Fourmaux faced disaster in the opening stages. As the rainy conditions took a toll on the competitors, Toyota Gazoo Racing's Elfyn Evans gave him the chance to bring Toyota's win to its home turf.

Screengrab from WRC

In the end, Elfyn Evans won the season finale at the rate of 3:32:08.8, 1:17.7 quicker than second placer Sebastien Ogier, while Kalle Rovanpera's world champion status was set to stone after finishing 3rd. It's a 1-2-3 finish for Toyota Gazoo Racing for the first time on its home turf.

With the 2023 season finished, Kalle Rovanpera's world champion title as well as Toyota Gazoo Racing's team champion title have been officially set in stone.

This concludes the 2023 World Rally Championship.

Sunday, October 29, 2023

WRC 2023 - Central European Rally

The 2023 World Rally Championship continues with the first-ever Central European Rally which spans across Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. With Kalle Rovanperä leading 31 points ahead of Elfyn Evans, the question now is, which of these two will win the title?

As Thierry Neuville delivered promising results at the Shakedown as well as the opening stages, Kalle Rovanperä is charging through his title hopes following a crash from Elfyn Evans that ended his hopes for a title, despite a major setback that cost Rovanperä's lead to Neuville.

Screengrab from WRC

With Thierry Neuville winning the Central European Rally, Kalle Rovanperä, who finished 2nd, was crowned the WRC champion for the second time. Ott Tanak completes the podium by finishing third.

The 2023 World Rally Championship will conclude this November 15-18 with the FORUM8 Rally Japan. Don't miss it!

Monday, October 2, 2023

WRC 2023 - Rally Chile Bio Bio

The 2023 World Rally Championship continues with the Rally Chile Bio Bio and with Toyota Gazoo Racing leading the constructor's championship, this event could mean the chance to clinch the title.

As Elfyn Evans delivered promising results in the shakedown, Esapekka Lappi's Chilean campaign ended in a brutal roll, giving Evans the early lead during Friday morning stages until Ott Tanak surged his way through the lead and managed to stay through the rest of the rally weekend.

Screengrab from WRC


Ott Tanak ended Ford's winless drought by winning the Rally Chile Bio Bio, beating the likes of Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans. With Evans finishing third, it's more than enough for Toyota Gazoo Racing to clinch the constructor's championship title.

After Chile, Kalle Rovanpera is leading 31 points ahead of Evans. The question now is, which of these two will win the title with only two races left this season?

The next event is the first-ever Central European Rally which spans across Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic this October 26-29.

Sunday, September 10, 2023

WRC 2023 - EKO Acropolis Rally Greece

The 2023 World Rally Championship continues with the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece as the drivers going Olympic Gold, surviving by driving by all means from Athens to Lamia.

As Kalle Rovanpera drew first blood in the opener in Athens, Thierry Neuville emerges through the Friday stages while in the middle of a grudge match against Sebastien Ogier. However, their rivalry came to a bitter end when both of their cars sustained damage, giving Kalle Rovanpera the chance to shine.

Screengrab from WRC

Kalle Rovanpera wins the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece at the rate of 3:00:16.7, 1:31.7 ahead of Elfyin Evans while Dani Sordo completes the podium with a third-place finish.

After Greece, Rovanpera leads with 170 points, 25 points ahead of Evans while Neuville is in third with 134 points.

The next event is the Rally Chile Bio Bio this September 28 - October 1.

Monday, August 7, 2023

WRC 2023: Secto Rally Finland

The 2023 World Rally Championship continues with the Secto Rally Finland, situated in the city of Jyväskylä, where the drivers are surviving through the odds in a middle of a gloomy Scandinavian outlook.

As Kalle Rovanpera delivered promising results in the shakedown, Ott Tanak made an early surge through the opening stages until power loss ended his hopes for a victory defense while Esapekka Lappi crashed in the climax of the opener. With two unhopeful drivers left behind, not to mention the crumbling end of Lappi as he crashes out at Myhinpaa, Elfyn Evans stormed his way to the lead and stays that way.

Screengrab from WRC

In the end, Elfyn Evans wins the Secto Rally Finland at the rate of 2:33:11.3, 39.1 seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville while Takamoto Katsuta finished 3rd.

The next event is the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece this September 7-10.

Sunday, July 23, 2023

WRC 2023: Rally Estonia

As Europe is battling a vicious heat wave, the WRC 2023 continues in Estonia for the Rally Estonia and amid a scorcher of a weekend, the drivers are trying to stay cool as they try to tackle Estonia's worsts.

Before the event kicked off, homegrown hero Ott Tanak faced an early heartbreak when he was slapped with a five-minute penalty after a technical issue during shakedown. Amid Tanak's disappointment, Thierry Neuville made some bold moves on the opening stages until Kalle Rovanpera takes over the weekend.

Screengrab from WRC

Kalle Rovanpera, despite all odds, managed to win the Rally Estonia at the rate of 2:36.03.1, 52.7 seconds quicker than Thierry Neuville, while Esapekka Lappin finished in 3rd.

After Estonia, Rovanpera leads with 170 points while Elfyn Evans is in second place with 115 points and Thierry Neuville jumps to third place with 112 points.

The next event is the Secto Rally Finland this August 3-6.

Sunday, June 25, 2023

WRC 2023: Safari Rally Kenya

The 2023 World Rally Championship continues in the African wilderness for the legendary Safari Rally Kenya.

As the reigning champion Kalle Rovanpera ignites hopes for a victory in the safari after winning the shakedown, the opening stages saw Ott Tanak setting an early pace by setting the fastest time through the Kasarani super special stage. Come Friday, Sebastien Ogier became much of a safari survival story as he gained momentum amid his minor mistakes and it gets even more interesting on the Saturday stages where Ogier barely survived tire damage and going all-out on Rovanpera.

Screengrab from WRC

In the end, Sebastien Ogier led a full podium sweep for the Toyota Gazoo Racing team with Rovanpera finishing 2nd and Elfyn Evans finishing 3rd.

The next event of the 2023 WRC will be the Rally Estonia this July 20-23.

Sunday, June 4, 2023

WRC 2023: Rally Italia Sardegna

The 2023 World Rally Championship continues with the Rally Italia Sardegna and the drivers are going all-out to survive and dominate Sardegna's most challenging rally stages.

With Esapekka Lappi delivering promising results in shakedown, he gained a commanding lead in Friday stages while Dani Sordo got rolled over in a middle of a Friday morning bout. On Saturday stages, Thierry Neuville outlasted Lappi while Sebastien Ogier went out of bounds in SS14, costing him valuable time.

Screengrab from WRC

Thierry Neuville nailed his first win of the season at the rate of 3:40:01.4, 33 seconds ahead of Esapekka Lappi while Kalle Rovanpera completes the podium with a third-place finish.

The next event will be the Safari Rally Kenya this June 22-25.

Sunday, May 14, 2023

WRC 2023: Vodafone Rally de Portugal

Reeling from the loss of Craig Breen and with the Croatia Rally behind them, the WRC 2023 season continues with the Vodafone Rally de Portugal.

After a promising result from Elfyn Evans in the shakedown, Ott Tanak grabs an early lead until Kalle Rovanpera surged his way to the lead in the opening stages while Pierre-Louis Loubet had a miserable day when his car caught mechanical problems that prompted his surrender on Saturday stages.

Screengrab from WRC

Kalle Rovanpera called it a comeback because he nailed his first win of the season at the rate of 3:35:11.7, 54.7 seconds ahead of Dani Sordo, and he's now jumped to the top of the drivers' standings at the rate of 17 points ahead of Ott Tanak, 98 vs 81.

The next event of the WRC 2023 will be the Rally Italia Sardegna this June 1-4.

Sunday, April 23, 2023

WRC 2023: Croatia Rally

This is known to be the most controversial moment in WRC history because before this season's Croatia Rally began, the WRC mourn the loss of Craig Breen, a Hyundai rally driver who was killed in an accident during a pre-event run last week.

As the rallying world pays respects to the late Craig Breen, the WRC decided to carry on with the Croatia Rally event as a tribute for the Irish rally driver gone too soon.

As Kalle Rovanpera delivered promising results at the shakedown, Thierry Neuville charges through the opening stages while Sebastien Ogier was slapped with a penalty for not having his safety harness correctly fastened while in motion. With, Neuville's surrender caused heartbreak for Hyundai's tribute to Breen. Elfyin Evans saw an opening opportunity to charge his way to the top of the event.

Screengrab from WRC

Elfyin Evans wins the Croatia Rally at the rate of 2:50:54.3, 27 seconds ahead of M-Sport Ford driver Ott Tanak, which is known to be the best podium finish for the said team this season. Hyundai driver Esapekka Lappi completes the podium with a third-place finish.

After Croatia, Ogier and Evans are now tied with 69 points while Rovanpera's a point behind them.

The next event is the Vodafone Rally de Portugal this May 11-14.

Monday, March 20, 2023

WRC 2023: Guanajuato Rally Mexico

The 2023 World Rally Championship continues in the scorching gravels of Mexico for the Guanajuato Rally Mexico as the drivers are out from the cold and into the heat of the rally.

As Kalle Rovanpera and Esapekka Lappi delivered promising results in shakedown, Ott Tanak charges to the lead in the early stages of the event. However, approaching El Chocolate, Ott Tanak got dropped to dead last following turbo problems with his Ford Puma rally car and if that wasn't enough, all three M-Sport Ford contenders met their doom at El Chocolate.

Following the disaster for M-Sport contenders at El Chocolate, Lappi storms into the lead while Takamoto Katsuta's Mexican campaign ended in a disaster when he rolled off the side of the road. Come Saturday stages, Lappi's victory road met his fiery end when his Hyundai rally car caught fire, meaning the ideal opportunity for Sebastien Ogier to snatch the lead.

Screengrab from WRC

In the end, Sebastien Ogier nicked his seventh Rally Mexico win at the rate of 3:16:09.4, 27.5 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville. Elfyn Evans finished 3rd.

The next event is the Croatia Rally this April 20-23.

Sunday, February 12, 2023

WRC 2023: Rally Sweden

The 2023 World Rally Championship continues in the snowy regions of Sweden for the Rally Sweden event, where drivers are braving sub-zero temperatures to survive and thrive in this freezing rally weekend.

Following a promising shakedown result from Kalle Rovanpera, the opening stages are on him until the Friday stages see a resurgence from Ott Tanak while Takamoto Katsuta gets rolled out of the race. As Rovanpera got spun in the middle of the Saturday stages, followed by a disaster for Esapekka Lappi, Tanak and Craig Breen are locked in for a heated battle to the finish.

Screengrab from WRC

With Craig Breen getting slapped with a 10-second penalty, Ott Tanak ended Ford's winless streak by winning the Rally Sweden event with an overall time of 2:25:54.5, 28.7 seconds ahead of Breen. Thierry Neuville finished third.

The next event will be the Guanajuato Rally Mexico this March 16–19.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

WRC 2023: Rallye Monte-Carlo

The 2023 World Rally Championship has kicked off with a freezing season opener, the Rallye Monte-Carlo. With Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai the only carmakers battling in the Rally1 class, this season is going to be a three-way fight for the three carmakers while driver and team shifts made the 2023 season interesting.

WRC 2023: Rallye Monte-Carlo
Screengrab from WRC

From shakedown to the final day, Sebastien Ogier of Toyota Gazoo Racing drew the first blood of the 2023 season as he claimed his ninth Rallye Monte-Carlo win at the rate of 3:12:02.0, 18.8 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanpera, a fellow Toyota driver. Hyundai's Thierry Neuville finished 3rd.

The next event of the WRC 2023 will be the Rally Sweden this February 9-12.

Sunday, November 13, 2022

WRC 2022: FORUM8 Rally Japan

After over a decade, the World Rally Championship has finally returned to Japan for the FORUM8 Rally Japan and this is the time the champions-elect of Toyota Gazoo Racing will shine at the Land of the Rising Sun. Even though this is Toyota's home turf, it's everybody's game now.

The opener saw Sebastian Ogier deliver a promising lead, only before Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans spoiled the Japan party following Friday's shortened opening loop that saw Dani Sordo catch fire. As the Toyota driver Evans stormed through the lead, it didn't take long until Neuville upset the Japanese crowd with his climactic blitz play.

Screengrab from WRC

In the end, Hyundai shocked the Japanese crowd with a 1-2 finish with Thierry Neuville the winner and Ott Tanak the second placer. Homegrown hero Takamoto Katsuta completes the podium with a third-place finish.

The 2022 WRC season has finally finished. Kalle Rovanpera and the rest of the Toyota Gazoo Racing team are now officially champions. What a way to end a rather dramatic season.

This is the end of the 2022 WRC. See you next season.

Sunday, October 23, 2022

WRC 2022: RallyRACC Rally de Espana

The WRC 2022 continues with the penultimate event of the season, the RallyRACC Rally de Espana. Following Kalle Rovanpera's championship win in the previous event, all eyes are on Toyota Gazoo Racing as they're itching for another manufacturer's championship title.

After promising results from Sebastien Ogier in the wet shakedown, the rally legend stormed through Kalle Rovanpera in the Friday stages. On the Saturday stages, following the morning crash from Gus Greensmith that red-flagged SS11, Ogier kept his cool under pressure and fought his way to the very end of this Catalunyan drama.


Screengrab from WRC

Ogier made history once again in Catalunya with his latest win ahead of Hyundai driver Thierry Neuville and a third-place finish from Kalle Rovanpera earned Toyota Gazoo Racing the right to be crowned this season's Manufacturer's Champions. The first in the hybrid era of the WRC.

The WRC 2022 ends in the brand-new FORUM8 Rally Japan event this November 11-13. Don't miss it!

Sunday, October 2, 2022

WRC 2022: Repco Rally New Zealand

The WRC 2022 continues with the Repco Rally New Zealand, situated from the Whaanga Coast stage, marking the return of the WRC's down under action after a decade. The return of Rally New Zealand could be the break Kalle Rovanpera's waiting for as this could be the moment Rovanpera becomes the champion.

The opener saw Ott Tanak edging Craig Breen and still going on strong after Breen slid off on Whaanga Coast. As Tanak reclaimed the lead from the struggling Sebastian Ogier, bad news hit hard as Tanak and Thierry Neuville were slapped with a five-second penalty. The same goes to Kalle Rovanpera. As Elfyn Evans lost his lead after the spin, followed by accidental damage that forced him out of the race, Kalle Rovanpera storms to the lead despite the penalty.

Screengrab from WRC

In the end, Kalle Rovanpera made headlines by not only winning the Rally New Zealand but becoming the youngest WRC champion at the age of 22. Sebastian Ogier finished 2nd while Ott Tanak was demoted to 3rd place following a penalty.

Rovanpera has been crowned the champion but there are two events left of the season and the next one is the RallyRACC Rally de Espana this October 20-23.

Sunday, September 11, 2022

WRC 2022: EKO Acropolis Rally Greece

For the first time after almost a decade and a half, the World Rally Championship returns to Athens for the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece as the new era of rally cars is primed and ready to tackle through Greek dirt by all means necessary. Not only that, the legendary Sebastien Loeb staged a comeback with M-Sport Ford for his Greek campaign.

The shakedown has shown potential for Ott Tanak but Thierry Neuville storms an early lead on Greek soil. Just as Loeb blasts to an early lead, he suddenly surrendered from the race due to an alternator belt failure after Saturday's opening stage. Worse, championship leader Kalle Rovanpera is facing drama following rear damage after clipping a tree, and then after, Esapekka Lappi's out of the race. Such misfortunes from behind gave Neuville the upper hand to get through Greece's worst.

Screengrab from WRC

Hyundai made headlines in Greece with a full podium sweep with Thierry Neuville the winner, Ott Tanak the second placer, and Dani Sordo the third placer.

The next event of the WRC 2022 season is the Repco Rally New Zealand this September 29 - October 2.

Sunday, August 21, 2022

WRC 2022: Ypres Rally Belgium

The WRC 2022 season continues with the Ypres Rally Belgium as narrow farm lanes and deep ditches put the rally drivers to the test.

As hometown hero Thierry Neuville delivered his outstanding results in the shakedown, Neuville delivered an impressive comeback in the opener following the rolling out of Kalle Rovanpera that forced him out of the race. That success came with the price as following his clash with Ott Tanak, Neuville shockingly surrendered during the penultimate stage as his car went to the ditch, giving Ott Tanak the chance to take the lead.

Screengrab from WRC

After all the heartbreak-laden incidents that occurred in the Ypres Rally Belgium, Ott Tanak is named the winner at the rate of 2:25:38.9, five seconds faster than Elfyn Evans, while Esapekka Lappi finished 3rd.

Despite his crash, Rovanpera's lead remains unchanged with 203 points while Ott Tanak is in 2nd place with 131 points and Elfyn Evans got promoted to 3rd place with 116 points.

The next event is the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece this September 8 to 11.