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Post by Roo on Oct 12, 2009 11:02:38 GMT
A simple question, not so simple to answer. Who will be the 2009 World Rally Champion? Will Mikko Hirvonen finally break through to clinch his first ever world title? Or will Sebastien Loeb win an unprecedented, unbelievable, sixth straight championship? Some Facts and Some Trivia:Hirvonen currently leads the drivers championship by a single point over Loeb. If in the unlikely scenario, both drivers are tied with equal points at the conclusion of the rally, Loeb will be crowned champion as he has won 6 out of the 12 rounds this season. Hirvonen has won four rallies so far this year, so if points are tied, he will lose on count back. Hirvonen will start as the first car on the road, followed by Seb. Traditionally, first car on the road on wet gravel will have a slight grip advantage, as the gravel binds together. However, the tricky nature of the Welsh roads, often poor visibilty, very slippery mud, standing water and sometimes even ice, will pretty much negate any advantage, as these roads are tricky no matter where you start. No point discussing dry gravel strategy, as it is not going to happen. Both Loeb and Hirvonen have won Rally Great Britain only once. Loeb last year, and Hirvonen in 2007. A Ford driver has not won the driver's title for three decades. The only previous time was when Björn Waldegård won the championship in 1979, driving a Ford Escort RS1800.
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Post by Hurricane on Oct 12, 2009 15:18:54 GMT
My guess is Loeb's reign is over
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Post by Will on Oct 12, 2009 16:13:51 GMT
Don't forget this is still only October and not December as with the last two years, so conditions may not be that terrible, for example the roads might be drier - so Hirvonen may have a more of a disadvantage running first on the road than he would if it was December. Then again it is South Wales.... LOL I don't actually know who to pick. I'd say Loeb because he still wants that title again and he'll push like mad, but I wouldn't mind seeing either driver take the win. I'll be there too, loads to look forward to.
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Post by tfliprex on Oct 13, 2009 4:38:21 GMT
Hirvonen and Loeb will be doing the Cambrian Rally, so both will have some "practice" for the Rally GB thus both will come up with some input for their respective cars. Both will push hard and both are good drivers, but I think Loeb will win.
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Post by Mixa on Oct 13, 2009 10:13:13 GMT
It will be very close and Im happy to see both as a champion.. Mikko is from Finland and yes has my forename and is driving for Ford. Also Ford has also been a better car this year at gravel in similar roads than the Rally GB will offer. Also when we go through the whole year,Mikko has been really lucky to actually get back into championship fight and havent been facing big problems but he has still been driving very well even when Seb has been unlucky. What comes to Seb in other way it could be all over to him already if JML would actually been a team player when there was possibility to take down points from Seb. It will be interesting to see can Mikko handle the pressure! Here in Finland, Mikko is getting a lot of pressure before the event.
Still we all know how good Seb really is and in driving man against man for the championship, I think Seb has a slight advantage. He has been on similar situation before a few times already and even at worser conditions. Ok even the biggest champions will fall some day but I think Seb is still very committed to win too even when many will think that he doesnt have anything to win anymore.
BTW I think last driver who has won the drivers championship for Ford is Ari Vatanen at 1981. Ok not a factory car but anyway....
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Post by Hurricane on Oct 13, 2009 14:01:46 GMT
Hirvonen and Loeb will be doing the Cambrian Rally, so both will have some "practice" for the Rally GB thus both will come up with some input for their respective cars. I can't find any confirmation that Loeb will compete in the Cambrian Rally? WRC.com says that it's Hirvonen (safety), Ostberg, Pavlides, Al-Attiyah, Breynildsen and Perez.
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Post by Nick McRae on Oct 13, 2009 15:11:57 GMT
Loeb doing the Cambrian was a rumour, which I don't think is gonna happen! I'll be at the event hopefully, plenty of snaps too I hope!
I really, really, really wanto say Mikko will win but I can't see it!
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Post by loebfan on Oct 15, 2009 16:34:36 GMT
I think if Loeb wins, it will be the last season he's world champion considering the progress Mikko realized this season
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Post by Vivski on Oct 17, 2009 3:40:32 GMT
Sebastien is the master. Every time I bet against him, he shows me up to be the fool that I am. It should be an awesome rally. No prizes for 2nd place... except the 2nd place prize. Team orders: "FLAT OUT!"
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Post by a33i30 on Oct 19, 2009 7:14:47 GMT
probably loeb.... again
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Post by Hurricane on Oct 19, 2009 19:25:34 GMT
This season I've not been this eager for a WRC rally before.. As Vivski said, I love the fact that the only team order for every single driver is "flat out".
Also welcome to the forums a33i30! I hope you enjoy your stay. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Chit Chat section!
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Post by Will on Oct 19, 2009 19:56:30 GMT
I'm too excited for words. This Saturday is gonna rock ;D
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