Mikko Hirvonen has moved closer to securing the opening round of the 2010 WRC campaign. The Finn has increased his lead to 16 secs after the today’s stages. With only five stages remaining, even the defending series champion admits it will be tough to overhaul last year’s runner up. Hirvonen was able to take advantage when the two front runners opted for new tires at different points. Loeb put on fresh tires on the front while leaving severely worn tires on the rear. The mistake would cost him dearly. Jari-Matti…
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Rally – Sweden Preview
Tonight’s spectator super special will kick off Rally Sweden and the 2010 WRC campaign. Here is a preview of what to expect from the one snow rally of the year. The rally was last run in 2008 with Jari-Matti Latvala taking the victory. This time over half the stages have changed and Latvala’s mission objectives have changed as well. Mikko Hirvonen was runner up in 2008 as he now begins his title bid in an attempt to capture his first ever WRC championship. This week brought news that Jari-Matti will…
Read MoreRally – WRC 2010 Preview
Coming off of what was one of the more exciting WRC seasons in 2009, the world’s premiere rally championship is ready for launch in Sweden this weekend. Below are some of the key additions and changes for the 2010 season. WRC Machines This year is the swan song for the WRC machines as the series will be switching to the S2000 modified as I like to call them. The S2000 chassis will take over with the Ford Fiesta and Citroen DS3 representing the two manufacturers in the series. Unlike the…
Read MoreRally – Hirvonen Strikes Gold at Monte
The third and final day of the legendary Monte Carlo Rally has come to an end and Mikko Hirvonen has won in fine fashion. The WRC driver claimed his first victory in the IRC and made a statement for M-Sport and Ford in the process. The Ford Fiesta S2000 has tasted victory in its very first outing and did it easily after an exciting third day seen some of the best driving to date from Frenchman Sebastian Ogier. WRC Citroen Junior driver Ogier proved why he was be groomed to…
Read MoreRally – Mikko Conducts Clinic
Rally – Hirvonen/Fiesta @ Monte
The World Rally Championship runner up Mikko Hirvonen will compete in the Monte Carlo Rally as he debuts the new Fiesta S2000. Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen will utilize the event as they prepare to take the fight to Sebastian Loeb and Citroen in the 2010 championship. The Finn is a five time veteran of the Monte Carlo event and is familiar with route and conditions. Mikko has been very impressed with the Fiesta to date and looks forward to running it through its first paces in January. Malcom Wilson…
Read MoreRally – End to A Championship Run
Rally – Day 1 of GB!
So it all comes down to this. One point separates the two title contenders and we are at the season finale, Rally Great Britain. Day 1 was everything I was hoping for and then some. The battle to this point is so intense its conclusion may lead to the destruction of planet earth! Sebastian Loeb currently leads day 1 of the rally by a very slim 5.3 seconds. Loeb began the day by winning the opening three stages with Hirvonen performing poorly. The stages were a nice gravel/mud mix with…
Read MoreRally – A Championship Decided
Both WRC championships could be closed out this weekend for the Rally Catalunya. One of those championships was won and Sebastian Loeb and Dani Sordo closed out the manufacturer’s title for Citroen with their dominant 1-2 finish. Mikko Hirvonen made sure that the driver’s title would go to a final round showdown after his podium finish. The Finnish driver did all he could to keep up with the Citroen pair and hold off Petter Solberg in his first competition rally in a C4. The win marked Loeb’s fifth win in…
Read MoreRally – Latvala Leads OZ
The WRC has concluded day 1 in Australia and a bit of a surprise has taken shape at the top of the leader board. The surprises may be short lived because of road conditions, however there is clearly some tactical decision making going on amongst the title contenders. Jari Matti Latvala has put the Ford Focus at the front of the rally after day 1 with a slim lead over Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastian Ogier. Ogier is off to the best start in his WRC career and is only…
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