|
Post by tfliprex on Nov 12, 2008 7:43:04 GMT
Tipppinnggg.....gg..............g 1. Mikko Hirvonen 2. Sebastien Loeb 3. P. Solberg 4. C. Atkinson 5. H. Solberg 7. Matthew Wilson 8. Duval 9. Gardemeister I might edit this post later on.... instincts sometimes pay off! Flip
|
|
sarah
Chief Marshall
Posts: 79
|
Post by sarah on Nov 12, 2008 8:44:39 GMT
Duval confirms GB and new co-driver 12 Nov 2008 By Stobart Motorsport François Duval has confirmed he will contest next month’s final round of the FIA World Rally Championship – Wales Rally GB – with WRC expert Denis Giraudet on the notes. Duval’s entry now confirms a six-strong Stobart VK M-Sport Ford rally team contingent as he is joined by Matthew Wilson (second nominated point scorer), Henning Solberg, Barry Clark Dave Weston and Steve Perez, all driving Ford Focus RS WRC cars.
Giraudet joins Duval after an accident in Japan saw regular co-driver Patrick Pivato hospitalised and placed in intensive care. Fortunately Pivato recovered from his critical condition and is currently on a flight back to Lyon where he will be transported to hospital for the final operation to set his broken pelvis.
During the ordeal in Japan Giraudet was one of the first on the accident scene and, as a good friend of Patrick’s, did not hesitate to accompany him and Duval to the hospital to help with the situation. Despite all this the Frenchman still managed to rush back to the Sapporo dome to complete the final two super special stages with PWRC driver Eyvind Brynildsen before returning back to hospital where his friend was undergoing surgery.
It is a tremendous showing of admiration to both Pivato and Duval that Giraudet has offered to co-drive for the Belgian driver. Duval began to question whether he was psyhologically fit enough to enter Wales Rally GB after the incident in Japan but the new partnership with Giraudet seems like the most appropriate one for the situation given the events which have affected both of their lives over the past two weeks.
The Stobart team also appreciate the acceptance of the decision by Brynildsen who was set to be partnered by Giraudet on the Welsh event but kindly agreed to let him partner Duval on this rather unique and special occasion.
Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Team Principal Malcolm Wilson said:
“This is a great gesture by Denis and I believe that François couldn’t have a better person sitting next to him for GB considering what they both went through in Japan. Denis will also bring a wealth of experience with him and his presence will give François more confidence than anyone else. I’m also looking forward to him building on his last performance from Rally GB in 2006 which really impressed me.” I've been hearing a lot about how much Denis Giraudet did for Patrick in Japan. Sounds like an absolute top bloke. Hope they bring in a really good result.
|
|
|
Post by Will on Nov 12, 2008 16:43:48 GMT
Just while I am on the internet, here are my picks, I've got no internet at home at the moment so won't be online.. 1 - Hirvonen 2 - Latvala 3 - Loeb 4 - Atkinson 5 - P Solberg 6 - Wilson 7 - Duval 8 - Andersson EDITED on 15 November - changed Rossi to Andersson, Wilson up to 6th, and Duval 7th.
|
|
|
Post by Nick McRae on Nov 12, 2008 18:46:20 GMT
Bart, since Duval has been confirmed I have changed my tipping slightly! So just so you know I've edited my previous post to contain the newer prediction!
|
|
|
Post by Hurricane on Nov 12, 2008 21:17:23 GMT
No problem, as long as you only change it before the deadline! (See my tipping post for that). I only save them afterwards, and look at possible edit times of the post.
|
|
|
Post by Vivski on Nov 13, 2008 6:16:55 GMT
Denis is a legendary co-driver. An icon of the sport and apparently a top bloke. Seems the perfect choice to get Duval through the event.
I can't resist, I have to ask the question... how many Fords will be ahead of Matt Wilson? Surely he will beat Clark and Perez... surely! Henning... can he beat Henning?
|
|
|
Post by Roo on Nov 13, 2008 6:48:06 GMT
I have to ask the question... how many Fords will be ahead of Matt Wilson? Probably three, Hirvonen, Latvala and Duval, certainly the two Finns. But Wilson will finish in the points for sure, how far up depends on whether he can keep the car in shape and that the car doesn't break down on him.
|
|
|
Post by mbmz3 on Nov 13, 2008 17:34:02 GMT
My picks.
1. Latvala 2. Hirvonen 3. Atkinson 4. Petter Solberg 5. Lobe 6. Sordo 7. Toni G. 8. H Solberg
|
|
|
Post by Hurricane on Nov 13, 2008 21:13:43 GMT
Patrick Pivato arrived at the hospital in Lyon. Source: fduval.com
|
|
|
Post by Will on Nov 15, 2008 19:30:04 GMT
Will's back on board ... internet works again ;D
I've changed my picks..
|
|
|
Post by Nick McRae on Nov 15, 2008 21:11:45 GMT
Welcome back Will. Also good to see a thumbs up from Pivato!
|
|
|
Post by ollik on Nov 16, 2008 21:46:59 GMT
Welsh countryside is amazing. I wish I could go back (maybe see the rally). All the green hills and The Big Pit are something everyone should experience at least once. Also, Cardiff is a lovely town to spend a day.
|
|
|
Post by Mixa on Nov 16, 2008 23:11:25 GMT
my picks:
1. Loeb 2. Hirvonen 3. Latvala 4. P.Solberg 5. Aava 6. Atkinson 7. Sordo 8. Duval
|
|
|
Post by Mitch on Nov 17, 2008 11:22:32 GMT
I think I might be optimistic for my tipping!
P Solberg Atkinson Hirvonen Aava Andersson H Solberg Gardemeister Wilson
Dreaming I know! Nick Rowland's co-driver is also entered (Tim Sturla) and Dale Moscatt is also entered again with Evgeny Novikov so best of luck to them to.
|
|
Luigi
Spectator
Posts: 14
|
Post by Luigi on Nov 17, 2008 12:31:40 GMT
1. Hirvonen 2. Loeb 3. Sordo 4. Latvala 5. Duval 6. Atkinson 7. H. Solberg 8. Wilson
|
|