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Post by Mitch on Apr 23, 2006 2:30:05 GMT
Quote from Mitch:
"Yes!. Finally the car has held up. First day we though 'Oh not again' as we had a minor gearbox glitch. We worked on the car between stages and somehow the problem rectified itself. 2 Fast stage times really helped us.
We are still looking for team consistency as rarely do both FTRS and I finish in the points together."
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Post by chrisfinch on Apr 23, 2006 9:56:46 GMT
I'm happy at last. Maybe we can still win the manufacturers championship and congratulations to Mitch on his win.
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Post by Vivski on Apr 23, 2006 10:08:38 GMT
I had a great start and it looked like a podium was on the cards but then it all came apart on Ouninpohja. I was pushing hard and picked up a puncture. It was a shame because had I set the same time as my teammate, Nicole, I would've been up with Mitch on the podium. Good pace form the car though and an enjoyable rally.
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Post by Grenville on Apr 23, 2006 18:33:30 GMT
*Suzuki Rally Report* A good rally for us reliabillity wise but the car just doesn't have the top end speed for a fast rally like this. Our stage times were good on day 1 and 2 but on Ouninpohja we were left in the dust. Overall I think the car is where it needs to be reliability wise but we need to start getting more peformance out of it. I have a feeling that our early success was due to a lot of luck and raised our expectations to much. We will begin testing for Japan which will be a home event for us so we must do well.
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Post by Grenville on Apr 27, 2006 17:54:28 GMT
**Rally Japan Preview** With just 3 days left lets take a look at the Rally of Japan. The stages twist through the forests of Japan. The ground is very soft which allows for a lot of grip but the trees are always just inches away from the cars. It is a rally that requires a lot of concentration and precise lines. Going into the rally the competition is still VERY tight. Curt and James are leading with 32 points but Nick, Matt and Vivski are very close behind. ReduBull Skoda seems to have overcome their early season woes and are now 2nd in the manuf. championship, behind Kronos Citroen. Shakedown will take place tommor. which will give us an idea of who will be strong in Japan. This will be a home rally for Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Subaru so expect them to give 110%.
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Post by mattwrc on Apr 27, 2006 19:59:35 GMT
I'm really looking forward to this event as with the majority of my early years in rallying spent in the forests it good to be back in that sort on environment however i really hope i dont mimic the Petter Solberg incident previously on the event
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Post by Grenville on Apr 29, 2006 20:11:46 GMT
**Shakedown Results** 1. Tumbo Škoda 2:29.0 2. Matt Konos-Citroen 2:29.2 3. Vivski Ford 2:30.0 4. Curt Subaru 2:30.2 5. Mixa Kronos-Citroen2:30.4 6. CFinch RedBull Skoda 2:30.9 7. Danii Subaru 2:31.9 8. Lita Škoda 2:32.8 9. Nicole Ford Focus 2:33.4 10. R83 Suzuki 2:33.5 11. SWolf 2:33.6 12. Nick Mitsubishi 2:33.7 13. RJ OMV-Peugoet 2:35.5 14. Igor OMV-Peugoet 2:36.9 15. FTRS Stobart-Ford 04 2:37.6 16. EvoSpi Mitsubishi 2:37.8 17. James RedBull Skoda 2:38.1 18. Mitch Stobart-Ford 04 2:42.3
A good run from Tumbo who proved to be the best of the rest but barely squeaked past Matt of Kronos-Citroen.
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Post by Grenville on May 2, 2006 22:01:31 GMT
*DAY 1* After a delayed start Rally Japan finally got underway. Vivski and SWolf took first blood on day one by getting the fastest times. The FIAT showing that it does have speed after a less than perfect debut. Down the leader board R83 had turbo issues dropping him to 18th. Curt's Subaru didn't went well as he ended the day in 2nd place. FTRS's tyre choice hindered him and he was only able to manage 17th. *Day 2* Day 2 was all about Citroen's Mixa as he got the fastest time giving him the rally lead. 1 second behind him though was Skoda's Tumbo who was showing that he wasn't going to be easily beaten. Lower down the leader board a great fight was in prospect as Matt, Vivski, and RJ were fighting for 6th place. Only 1 second separates the 3. Vivski was leading the rally but dropped down the leader board after gearbox problems. Ford's Nicole has been struggling all rally, apparently still coming to terms with the narrow Japanese roads. *Day 3* Day 3 was on that would surprise many as Mitsubishi's Nick drove a solid rally and took the win. Nick hadn't been in the thick of the fight, but drove well and took joint fastest time on the last day. Curt was also a driver who let the others make mistakes and got 2nd place. He now has the overall lead in the driver's championship. Mixa held on to his nerve after a late scare and drove to another points finish, thus helping Kronos-Citroen take the manuf. lead.
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Post by tumbo on May 2, 2006 22:17:26 GMT
Quote from Tumbo
"Since the involvement of Audi the car has been a dream to drive. The team have been putting in the hard yards and providing both Lita and I with a rally winning car. Unfortunately I have been unable to turn the speed and handling into a top step podium result. With a fantastic 2nd day I had the chance but a spin on a hairpin during the second run of stages on the last day cost me. All I can say is that i'm sorry to the team and hope that I can pull it all together for a win. After my earlier complaints with the car, I can only hope that Skoda will have me back for next season."
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Post by Curt on May 2, 2006 23:11:31 GMT
Great result . The overall lead in the championship clearly gives me a good advantage, and has helped boost the manufacturers points.
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Post by Mixa on May 2, 2006 23:51:55 GMT
It seems I am back on the title fight after that hard part of the season where I retired at every race or just was deem slow. Still this isnt the funniest part as I see the bad luck has gone for my team mate. Offcourse I wish Matt would do well and gain points to team also but still Matt you can keep the bad luck,I have got enough of it . Still happy to see Citroen to be still in the lead and I wish to see that also at the end of the season.
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Post by Grenville on May 3, 2006 1:50:10 GMT
*Suzuki Report* Quote: "17th!! What the @#*! is wrong with this car. I don't understand what has changed from when we 1st entered. We have hit an all time low. I will work hard with the team to get a turnaround but I am not happy. The mechanical aspects are just not improving."
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Post by Grenville on May 3, 2006 4:23:12 GMT
*NEWS* Citroen have announced that Rally Cyprus will be the last outing for the Xsara. They are planning on continuing the last rallies in the new C4 which will make its full season debut next year. The Xsara was definitely one of the great rally cars of all time. It stands up there with the Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Lancer VI, Subaru Impreza, etc. A tribute to a legend!
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Post by mattwrc on May 3, 2006 7:15:55 GMT
Well after a dissapointing weekend i hope that is the news that may keep my championship hopes alive for the remaining events of the season
at least on a good note we still have a good lead in the manufactors championship
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Post by OverSauron on May 3, 2006 13:05:50 GMT
Why never any news about Peugeot team?(((
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