Evans was unlucky not to win in Corsica over the weekend, taking an eleven second lead into the final stage, before suffering a puncture and dropping to third overall.
Neuville, who had been a close challenger all rally, leading at times, picked up the win, from a recovering Ogier. Dani Sordo took fourth , despite final day brake problems, fending off Teemu Suninen by 6.2sec.
Ott Tänak completed the top six, unable to recover from yesterday afternoon’s puncture which cost the lead and a potential second victory of the season.
Esapekka Lappi and Sébastien Loeb were seventh and eighth, with Kris Meeke and Jari-Matti Latvala completing the leaderboard.
It is quite tight at the top of the championship now, with Neville Ogier and Tanak all covered by 5 points, and with Hyundai now leading the manufacturers.
Next round takes them to the gravel-road Xion Rally Argentina, based in Villa Carlos Paz on 25 - 28 April.
Cheeveer wrote: ↑5 years ago
Ott Tänak: first WRC champion not named "Sebastian" since 2003
you read it first here
I stand by this
Reliability will let him down if anything does. WHen on song he is blisteringly fast. Great to watch. And a nice guy to boot. Would be a worthy winner.
Re: 2019 WRC and Off Road Discussion Thread
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 06:47 am
by SBan83
Yes, if Toyota can keep from stumbling, I don't see anyone stopping Tanak this year but that's a big if. Maybe he needs to change his name to Sebastian Tanak. Maybe then the rally gods will spread some of that luck Loeb and Ogier have enjoyed over the past two decades.
FWIW, I'm not saying the two Sebs aren't two of the best rally drivers in history but they have been very lucky too.
Also, Neuville's crash. That could be a title-losing moment right there. Just glad they came off okay from that.
Re: 2019 WRC and Off Road Discussion Thread
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 12:15 pm
by Everso Biggyballies
WRC Rally Australia cancelled due to bushfires
The final round of this years championship, due to be held in NSW this weekend, has now been cancelled as Northern NSW goes into a state of emergency for the bushfire crisis it is experiencing.
A revised route was put together yesterday to try to ensure the event ran, but today those plans have been axed as the situation worsens.
The severity of the conditions had already seen the Australian Rally Championship component of the event cancelled.
CAMS wrote:“Kennards Hire Rally Australia, including the final round of the 2019 FIA World Rally Championship, will not go ahead this week as a result of serious bushfires that continue to affect much of northern NSW,” read a statement from organisers.
Organisers announced the cancellation today after extensive consultation with the NSW Government, the international motor sports governing body FIA, emergency services and the local community.
The State is experiencing its worst ever bushfire conditions, which have resulted in the declaration of a State of Emergency, a statewide total fire ban and conditions in some regions classified as “catastrophic”.”
Event Chairman and CAMS president Andrew Papadopoulos said the cancellation was the only course available, considering the safety of the more than 1000 people involved as officials, competitors and in support roles.
“Considering the best interests and safety of everyone involved in the rally, and of course the wider community, it is not appropriate to conduct the rally,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with the NSW community, especially the people who have lost loved ones, livelihoods and homes as a result of the fires in northern NSW, and we thank the Rally community for your support and understanding.”
As a result of the cancellation, Hyundai has been crowned the manufacturers’ champions, with Ott Tanak already having wrapped up the drivers title.
That could be a title-losing moment right there. Just glad they came off okay from that.