NZ Rally, Rossi in Subaru spoiler

Rossi came 11th in the NZ Rally. Over 20mins behind the winner.
http://www.crash.net/news_view~t~Rossi-finishes-11th-in-Rally-NZ-~cid~6~id~140485.htm

Doesn't seem bad until you read that article: no. of top spec
WRC cars in the race, 11.

An improvement on his effort last year though.

 

Not entirely accurate.

There were 15 'top spec. WRC' cars in the rally - that is, cars which
comply to group A specification. Rossi's car was to last year's spec,
entered privately, and finished ahead of at least one group A 'works'
car.

 

There are two differnces between circuit racing and rallying,
Even with notes the road is blind i.e. Not 'known and practised'
and events are held on various different surfaces. Tarmac, gravel
and snow.

In circuit racing (bikes, cars, aeroplanes, boats) the track can
be practiced repeatedly until perfected. A key skill is using
the information learned from a lap to improve the next one. In
rallying I suspect that the unknown-ness is still a critical factor.

Quite a few circuit racers have found to their apparent
embaressment that rallying is not exactly like circuit racing.
I have no idea if The Doctor can deal with it but I have the
idea that if he is not already up to speed then he will find it
very difficult or impossible to get there. He clearly will have the
judgement to deal with any 'known and practised' route and
I would be astonished if F1 was not within his grasp
however his ability to deal with the unknown aspect of rallying
is yet to be proven.

To me his Moto GP exploits are completely beyond my
understanding and I admire his capability on a bike more
than I can explain.

I will not think any less of him if blind road driving
is not exactly his thing since it is a different skill.

Comparing circuit racing and rallying is like equating
cricket and golf since they both utilise Small Balls.

Perhaps we shall see? Hopefully!

PS. Among F1 world champions the only one who has coped
reasonably with rallying was I understand Jim Clark.

However I somehow doubt that Fangio would have been out of his depth
either and the famous Stirling Moss Mille Miglia exploits indicate
that he was not in the least uncomfortble with blind roads too.

Bollocks contradicted myself. Is that OK on usenet?

 

I've read a few times that he's been a "rally-er" for some time, so although
he's not world class, he's not a novice either.



--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

This is not really a response just a statement.

The reason that this piques my interest is that I have
observed my own decline from being a blind roads junkie
(and maybe wizard) to being unable to make any
reasonable attempt to drive a blind road at all.
Well I mean that I can get to the end, but the brakes
and tyres will not be even getting interested never mind
being worn out:-(( At the same time I am reasonably convinced
that I could still hack it on known roads e.g. circuits and this
has been demonstrated on the odd bit of corporate karting)
Bbbbbbbut an old f**ker like you can't possibly be in front!!!
Knowing grin))))))


It has not been a pretty sight but it was reasonably quick
and it was clear that I could not do it any more many years
ago.

Anyway, good luck to the Doc and I hope he brings further
entertainment and above all survives the exprience.

More importantly what, exactly, was in his head when he fell OFF!!!

PS If I fancied a Moto GP trip next year (for the first ever)
has anyone a particular favourite? (in Europe I suppose).
I have been to two F1 races and know that I hate Silverstone
and love Brands, if that helps. I don't presently own a
suitable vehicle so some sort of package trip would be
attractive.

 

Moss was never F1 champion, but I take your point. I can just imagine
Jenks [1] in the navigator's seat making hand signals for him.

De rigeur around here usually.

[1] The late Dennis Jenkinson, who was still doing speed hill climbs on
his Tribsa well into what would be dotage[2] for most folk.

[2] Outdone by Ossie Neal who was still competing on his Scott outfit at
eighty something.

--

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Me and the boy-chic were invited to a corporate karting evening along with a
pal who did work for the firm (McVities was the firm). The firm had 27 staff
and they needed 30 to get a deal, hence our invites.

After 5 heats, the 1/4'2, semi's and the final, my boy won, I came 2nd and
Tony (our pal) came third. No-one at McVits got a look in and the miserable
buggers didn't invite us back to defend our positions.

Yeah, we need more rally drivers who can barely speak English.

More than likely it was "****".

Assen seems to be the one to go to on the Continent.

It's possible to go on a bike y'know.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19