WRC
January 26th, 2002, 10:44
Well, here we go with Round Two..... Sweden. http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/wwwthreads/images/icons/smile.gif Here is a run down.
In many countries snow would be the signal for everything to grind to a halt, but it's manna from heaven for the rally boys. Instead of slowing things down, snow makes this event even faster. Instead of ditches to trap the unwary, hard packed snowbanks build up, and that turns each stage into the rallying equivalent of the Cresta Run. Unless you burst through the bank itself (as happened to Richard Burns and Colin McRae last year), you can use the banks to keep you on the road, and at speeds of up to 200kph that's a big help.
On the face of it the Swedish Rally should be a fairly straightforward event, but the recent trends in global weather patterns have made this second only to Monte Carlo in the challenge for tyre companies. In between full snow the event has frequently been run on little more than frozen gravel and that has placed higher demands than usual on the crucial issue of tyre studs.
Pirelli rally manager Fiore Brivio explains: "If the event was simply full snow then it would be quite easy because there would be just one tyre choice to make. However, now we usually have to find the right tyre and stud option and that means we have five to six tyre combinations.
"If you have full and fresh snow then you can have the studs at their maximum protrusion for maximum grip," he explains. "However, if there is a lot of ice and gravel then this will simply break the studs or pull them out of the tyres and of course then you lose the performance. In those conditions we must use tyres with studs that are not protruding so much and where there is more stud held inside the tyre so that it doesn't come out.
"People talk about long and short studs but this is wrong. The length is always the same - it's the protrusion that changes, with more or less stud inside the tyre as a result."
Form guide
Sweden is a very fast and spectacular rally for both the drivers and the spectators. High speeds and poor grip is a perfect combination for mutual enjoyment, but if you try to walk on this surface you'll soon find yourself flat on your backside...
For the past two seasons, Peugeot has sprung a surprise win in Sweden. In 2000 it was Marcus Gronholm who won his first WRC event and began the charge that took him to that season's title. Last year it was Harri Rovanpera's turn and both drivers must fancy their chances this time out.
Those two aside, Tommi Makinen has bagged three wins in the past six events, with Kenneth Eriksson (then at Subaru) mixing it with the winners. Eriksson's Skoda shouldn't be discounted this weekend and certainly you'd be foolish to bet against Makinen adding a second 10-pointer to his 2002 tally if his Monte Carlo form was anything to go on.
Colin McRae, along with Burns, was the class act of last year's rally. Apart from that one moment of foolhardiness that cost them any chance of a win, both could easily have broken the one remaining stranglehold that the locals have on world rallying, for Sweden is the one event that has not been won from outside Scandinavia. Carlos Sainz has repeatedly been the closest to ending that drought so will the perennial bridesmaid finally get to walk down the aisle this time?
After its controversial tactics in Monte Carlo, Citroen can expect a hostile reception in Sweden for its first snow event. Sebastien Loeb could be right out of his depth this time, but the team will rely heavily on Thomas Radstrom's local knowledge. However, if the team hits trouble this weekend there won't be much sympathy from their rivals, especially anyone in the Subaru camp...
Sounds fun! http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/wwwthreads/images/icons/wink.gif
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://wrcss@hotmail.com>Sean R.</A>
In many countries snow would be the signal for everything to grind to a halt, but it's manna from heaven for the rally boys. Instead of slowing things down, snow makes this event even faster. Instead of ditches to trap the unwary, hard packed snowbanks build up, and that turns each stage into the rallying equivalent of the Cresta Run. Unless you burst through the bank itself (as happened to Richard Burns and Colin McRae last year), you can use the banks to keep you on the road, and at speeds of up to 200kph that's a big help.
On the face of it the Swedish Rally should be a fairly straightforward event, but the recent trends in global weather patterns have made this second only to Monte Carlo in the challenge for tyre companies. In between full snow the event has frequently been run on little more than frozen gravel and that has placed higher demands than usual on the crucial issue of tyre studs.
Pirelli rally manager Fiore Brivio explains: "If the event was simply full snow then it would be quite easy because there would be just one tyre choice to make. However, now we usually have to find the right tyre and stud option and that means we have five to six tyre combinations.
"If you have full and fresh snow then you can have the studs at their maximum protrusion for maximum grip," he explains. "However, if there is a lot of ice and gravel then this will simply break the studs or pull them out of the tyres and of course then you lose the performance. In those conditions we must use tyres with studs that are not protruding so much and where there is more stud held inside the tyre so that it doesn't come out.
"People talk about long and short studs but this is wrong. The length is always the same - it's the protrusion that changes, with more or less stud inside the tyre as a result."
Form guide
Sweden is a very fast and spectacular rally for both the drivers and the spectators. High speeds and poor grip is a perfect combination for mutual enjoyment, but if you try to walk on this surface you'll soon find yourself flat on your backside...
For the past two seasons, Peugeot has sprung a surprise win in Sweden. In 2000 it was Marcus Gronholm who won his first WRC event and began the charge that took him to that season's title. Last year it was Harri Rovanpera's turn and both drivers must fancy their chances this time out.
Those two aside, Tommi Makinen has bagged three wins in the past six events, with Kenneth Eriksson (then at Subaru) mixing it with the winners. Eriksson's Skoda shouldn't be discounted this weekend and certainly you'd be foolish to bet against Makinen adding a second 10-pointer to his 2002 tally if his Monte Carlo form was anything to go on.
Colin McRae, along with Burns, was the class act of last year's rally. Apart from that one moment of foolhardiness that cost them any chance of a win, both could easily have broken the one remaining stranglehold that the locals have on world rallying, for Sweden is the one event that has not been won from outside Scandinavia. Carlos Sainz has repeatedly been the closest to ending that drought so will the perennial bridesmaid finally get to walk down the aisle this time?
After its controversial tactics in Monte Carlo, Citroen can expect a hostile reception in Sweden for its first snow event. Sebastien Loeb could be right out of his depth this time, but the team will rely heavily on Thomas Radstrom's local knowledge. However, if the team hits trouble this weekend there won't be much sympathy from their rivals, especially anyone in the Subaru camp...
Sounds fun! http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/wwwthreads/images/icons/wink.gif
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://wrcss@hotmail.com>Sean R.</A>