Round 4: WRC Rally Of Turkey

**Pixx** · by **Pixx** on Fri 19 Mar - 20:52:36

I know, I know, it's too early to start this thread, but I thought I could keep you updated with the news. mrgreen

This year, Rally of Turkey will take place in Istanbul, between April 15-18. Which is great news for me. Very Happy

Anyway...

Here's the official website: http://www.rallyofturkey.org/
Here's the second website -for spectators (unfortunatelly only Turkish ATM): http://www.turkiyerallisi2010.com/
Facebook page of the event: http://www.facebook.com/RallyofTurkey2010
Twitter page of the event: http://twitter.com/Rally_of_Turkey
Where you can buy the tickets: http://www.biletix.com/static.htm?page=sp36

Rally HQ

**lightmas** · by **lightmas** on Tue 23 Mar - 11:52:31

so your off to watch it then Question

**Pixx** · by **Pixx** on Tue 23 Mar - 12:18:33

lightmas wrote:so your off to watch it then

definitely! mrgreen

**Pixx** · by **Pixx** on Mon 5 Apr - 10:56:03

Some videos albino

**Gary** · by **Gary** on Mon 5 Apr - 12:22:48

I wish I had money, would spend couple weeks in Turkey and see both Rally and F1, do beaches and cities between.

**Zonked** · by **Zonked** on Tue 6 Apr - 13:30:00

...good for turkey Smile

I bet pixx will have a blast!

**Schumacat** · by **Schumacat** on Fri 9 Apr - 8:00:11

Gary wrote:I wish I had money, would spend couple weeks in Turkey and see both Rally and F1, do beaches and cities between.

Yeah and have some adventures in between too Laughing

.

**Rus-Evo** · by **Rus-Evo** on Fri 9 Apr - 9:32:09

Gary wrote:I wish I had money, would spend couple weeks in Turkey and see both Rally and F1, do beaches and cities between.

You can go to that pub you visited when you were young and had a good time!! Twisted Evil

You know the one!!!

**Gary** · by **Gary** on Sat 10 Apr - 14:27:29

LOL, was it fun? Basketball

**Pixx** · by **Pixx** on Sun 11 Apr - 20:30:44

New horizons for the Citroën Junior Team

Just 10 days after the finish of the Jordan Rally, the Citroën Junior Team goes to Turkey for the fourth round of the FIA World Rally Championship. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia and Kimi Räikkönen/Kaj Lindström will drive the two Citroën C4 WRCs on this new event based close to Istanbul.

A few days after the Jordan Rally, the Citroën Junior Team embarks on one of the three brand new events scheduled for the 2010 season. Prior to Bulgaria and Alsace, the team will contest the all-new Rally Turkey, based in Pendik on the outskirts of Istanbul. The event will take place on two continents with a start ceremony outside the Hagia Sophia mosque and stages on the Asian side of the Bosphorus River.

In total, 12% of the 358.84 kilometres scheduled will be on asphalt. During the second day, the 18.17-kilometre Göçbeyli stage (SS10 and SS14) will feature 13.49 kilometres of asphalt. The final section of Bozhane (SS12 and SS16) is on asphalt as well, and parts of the Riva and Ballica stages are also run partly on sealed surfaces.

Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia have consistently challenged the frontrunners since the start of the season, and showed their ability to be competitive on all sorts of different surfaces. On the Rally of Turkey, which is a new event for everyone, the 2008 Junior World Rally Champions will be able to fight on equal terms. “As was the case in Jordan, it’s going to be important not to make any mistakes,” said Sébastien. “This is a brand new rally for all the crews, so for the first time this year we start on a level playing field against the other WRC drivers. The recce will be extremely important. We’re going to try and fight with the leaders on this event just as we did in Sweden, Mexico and Jordan. The whole team has done a great job since the start of the season, which our good results have proved.”

Kimi Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström scored their first WRC points in Jordan by finishing eighth overall. “It was important to get to the finish of this particularly difficult event,” said the former Grand Prix champion. “It was only my eighth-ever rally, but also the most difficult one I have seen so far.”

In Turkey, the Finnish crew will face another totally new route and surface. “I’ve no real idea of what to expect from the stages in Turkey,” added Kimi. “We’re going to need to do a lot of work during the recce in order to start off the rally well. Our goal is to be at the finish again, and to gradually reduce the gap to the other WRC drivers.”

**Pixx** · by **Pixx** on Sun 11 Apr - 20:37:51

Armchair Guide to the Rally of Turkey 2010

The 4th round of this season's FIA World Rally Championship is the Rally of Turkey, which takes place from Thursday 15th until Sunday 18th April 2010.

This year’s Rally of Turkey is the sixth in the event’s WRC history and for the first time will take place on two different continents. Rally Headquarters, the Service Park and special stages are all based in Asia, while the ceremonial start will take place across the Bosphorus on the European side of the country in Ayasofya. The start will be attended by Minister of State for Youth and Sports, Mr. Faruk Nafiz Ozak and Minister of State, Mr. Hayati Yazici.

While these stages have been used before in other championships, as this is the first time the WRC event has been based in Istanbul all the stages will be new to the WRC crews. The gravel roads are fast, wide and smooth, and one of Istanbul’s most modern developments - Kadiköy - will host the super special stage on Friday evening.

The event is also the first outing for the 2010 Pirelli Star Drivers. The drivers and co-drivers have already undergone a training and testing programme and are now ready to contest the first of their six-round WRC programme. The Pirelli Star Driver launch takes place on Wednesday 14 April at 18:45 hrs at the Pirelli Hospitality Unit in the Service Park.

Who’s going to win?
Sebastien Loeb, the six-time world champion, heads the drivers’ standings after three events. With back-to-back wins in Mexico and Jordan under this belt, the Citroen C4 ace will be vying for victory number three. However, Turkey brings bitter-sweet memories for the 36-year-old.

He won in 2004 and repeated his victory the following year before jetting off to take part in pre-qualifying for the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race. But he was absent in 2006 after breaking his shoulder falling off his mountain bike during training. In 2008, he could manage no better than third after being forced to run first on the road for much of the event when Ford used tactics to ensure a one-two finish for Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala.

Loeb has suggested that his victory last time out in Jordan has removed a degree of pressure. His lead over Ford’s Latvala stands at 25 points, which is the same amount awarded for a victory under the new-for-2010 scoring system. It means that if things go awry for Loeb in Turkey he still can’t be overhauled at the top of the drivers’ table.

Prior to the start in Jordan, Dani Sordo admitted to being under pressure to achieve a good result following his disappointing start to the season, which culminated in a crash in Mexico. Fourth place in the Middle East might not have been the podium he craved although he was still relieved to go the distance.

Hirvonen knows he must score well in Turkey in order to get his world championship challenge back on track following his crash in Jordan. He won in Turkey on the WRC’s last visit to the country in 2008 and needs a similar result this year to not only get back on terms with Loeb but also move back ahead of team-mate Latvala, who is six points ahead in the championship reckoning.

Henning Solberg landed his first podium finish in Turkey after steering his Peugeot 307 to third place back in 2006. The Norwegian is now armed with a semi-works Ford Focus and keen to improve upon his seventh place in the WRC drivers’ standings. His younger brother Petter, who drives a Citroen C4 for his eponymous team, will be chasing his third consecutive podium finish of the year.

Sebastien Ogier, who partners ex-Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen in the Citroen Junior Team, will also be in contention for a top-three result in his C4 WRC after a frustrating final day in Jordan when he was instructed to check in early for a stage to clear the road for team leader Loeb. The resulting time penalty restricted him to sixth overall behind Britain’s Matthew Wilson.

Turkey marks the return of Ken Block in his Monster World Rally Team Ford Focus. The American, who has achieved widespread fame through his Gymkhana stunt driving videos, still has much to learn as he adapts to the rigours of driving a World Rally Car.

Rally of Turkey will forever be remembered for being Colin McRae’s last world championship outing before his untimely death in a helicopter accident less than 12 months later. The legendary Scot was deputising for the injured Sebastien Loeb but retired on the final day when his Citroen Xsara suffered alternator failure.

Useful information
Round: 4 of 13
Surface: Gravel
Location: Istanbul
Practical information: There is a one-hour time difference between Turkey (GMT 2) and central Europe (GMT 1).
Sunrise / Sunset: Friday 16 April, the sun will rise at 06:23 and set at 19:44.
Average Temperatures: April, the temperature varies between 10°C and 20°C.
Currency: The local currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY). 1 € = 2,02 TRY.

Technical
The engines used in Turkey will be used again in Portugal and Bulgaria. The spare parts (gearboxes, differential sets, front and rear subframes, steering racks and turbos) are being shared with
the Jordan Rally, which has already taken place.

Tyres
The 43 crews will use a total of 36 hard-compound Pirelli Scorpion gravel tyres will be at the disposal of each crew, including six for the shakedown.
Pirelli Star Driver
Among those crews in action in Turkey will be the five Pirelli Star Drivers, who begin their six-event WRC campaign in a fleet of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Xs, their reward for their respective performances in FIA regional rally championships last season.

Route
Total length of 1104.15 km, of which 358.84 km are competitive. There are 23 special stages (13 different stages).

Itinerary
Thursday 15 April: Ceremonial start
Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 17.30

Day 1 – Friday 16 April: 431.81 km of which 98.42 km are competitive (9 stages, 5 different stages).
Start Pendik 08.00
SS1 Darlik 1 15.66km 09.03
SS2 Karabeyli 1 8.23km 09.46
SS3 Bozgoca 1 13.52km 10.14
SS4 Halli 1 9.60km 10.57
Serv A Pendik (30 mins) 12.27
SS5 Darlik 2 15.66km 14.00
SS6 Karabeyli 2 8.23km 14.43
SS7 Bozgoca 2 13.52km 15.11
SS8 Halli 2 9.60km 15.54
SS9 SSS Istanbul 2.20km 19.57
Serv B Pendik (45 mins) 21.30

Day 2 – Saturday 17 April: 389.72 km of which 145.82 km are competitive (8 stages, 4 different stages).
Serv C Pendik (15 mins) 09.00
SS10 Göçbeyli 1 18.17km 09.56
SS11 Ulupelit 1 12.98km 10.34
SS12 Bozhane 1 14.59km 11.27
SS13 Riva 1 27.17km 12.00
Serv D Pendik (30 mins) 13.55
SS14 Göçbeyli 2 18.17km 15.06
SS15 Ulupelit 2 12.98km 15.44
SS16 Bozhane 2 14.59km 16.37
SS17 Riva 2 27.17km 17.10
Serv E Pendik (45 mins) 18.53

Day 3 – Sunday 18 April: 282.62 km of which 114.60 km are competitive (6 stages, 3 different stages).
Serv F Pendik (15 mins) 08.00
SS18 Deniz 1 16.76km 09.13
SS19 Mudarli 1 21.32km 09.51
SS20 Ballica 1 19.22km 10.39
Serv G Pendik (30 mins) 11.44
SS21 Deniz 2 16.76km 13.12
SS22 Mudarli 2 21.32km 13.50
SS23 Ballica 2 19.22km 14.38
Serv H Pendik (10 mins) 15.41
Finish Pendik 16.11

**Pixx** · by **Pixx** on Sun 11 Apr - 20:41:29

WRC Highlights: Turkey 2008: 52 Minutes

**Pixx** · by **Pixx** on Sun 11 Apr - 20:47:10

Rally of Turkey entry list

Forty-three crews are gearing up to do battle on Rally of Turkey, round four of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Eleven World Rally Cars, led by the Citroen C4 of Sebastien Loeb, head the entry as Turkey returns to the WRC schedule for the first time since 2008.

Loeb, the winner of the last two WRC events, will be joined, as ever, by long-term co-driver Daniel Elena in the French Citroen Total World Rally Team. The Franco-Monegasque pairing have now won 56 of the 128 world championship rallies they have started.

Joining them in the factory Citroen squad will be Spaniards Dani Sordo and Marc Marti, currently sixth in the standings.

Two further C4 WRCs will be entered under the Citroen Junior Team banner for Sebastien Ogier and ex-Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen, while Norwegian Petter Solberg will campaign a privately-entered C4 alongside British navigator Phil Mills.

Ford’s challenge is fronted by Finns Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala, currently third and second in the title race following round three in Jordan.

Their Ford Focus RS WRC 09s are prepared by works Ford team M-Sport, which also runs the sister machines of Matthew Wilson, Henning Solberg, Federico Villagra and Ken Block. As ever, American Block will carry his favoured number 43 on the side of his Focus.

The FIA Junior World Rally Championship gets underway in Turkey with eight young stars of the future lining up to do battle in their two-wheel drive machines. Germany’s Aaron Burkart, third in last year’s standings, heads the list in his Suzuki Sport Europe-run Swift Super 1600. He is likely to enjoy a close fight with Dutchman Kevin Abbring and Bulgaria’s Todor Slavov, who will both pilot Renault Clio R3s.

Turkey also marks the first event of the season for the five Pirelli Star Drivers, Nick Georgiou, Peter Horsey, Hayden Padden, Alex Raschi and Ott Tanak. They will use identical Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Xs as they begin their six-event campaign.

A cluster of Super 2000 machines will also be taking part in Turkey with Istanbul-based Burcu Cetinkaya, a TV presenter and former model, expected to create a flurry of interest in her Peugeot 207. The host nation will also be represented in the class by Yagiz Avci, who will drive a Ford Fiesta S2000. Avci finished second overall on this event last year, when it ran as the Istanbul Rally.

Follow this link to see the complete entry list.

**Pixx** · by **Pixx** on Thu 15 Apr - 20:31:58

so.... i saw Kimi and Seb and other drivers several times today, got pictures taken with both, and got their autographs... it was a good day mrgreen

i'm feeling a little selfish about pictures right now. i might change my mind later on... very butchered and shrinked photos by me mrgreen

and who was the one that said "make Kimi smile" Laughing

there you go! picture is shot by me mrgreen

**Pixx** · by **Pixx** on Fri 16 Apr - 8:12:48

**Schumacat** · by **Schumacat** on Fri 16 Apr - 9:00:23

Awesome stuff Pixx. More pics please Very Happy

.

**f1-cobra** · by **f1-cobra** on Fri 16 Apr - 15:25:51

Cool!!!

I want to see more pics also. Smile

**moonraker** · by **moonraker** on Fri 16 Apr - 19:53:11

Pos Driver Car Time/Gap
1. Sebastien Ogier Citroen 53m36.4s
2. Dani Sordo Citroen +2.8
3. Mikko Hirvonen Ford +9.2
4. Petter Solberg Citroen +18.3
5. Sebastien Loeb Citroen +25.3
6. Jari-Matti Latvala Ford +26.1
7. Federico Villagra Ford +1:33.8
8. Kimi Raikkonen Citroen +1:48.0
9. Matthew Wilson Ford +1:57.6
10. Ott Tanak Mitsubishi +4:45.9

Some fun and games going on in the top 6, now that the stewards have warned teams about slowing down to avoid sweeping the road the following day.

**Gary** · by **Gary** on Sat 17 Apr - 0:21:40

Kimi 8th, nice to see. rendeer

**moonraker** · by **moonraker** on Sun 18 Apr - 0:11:15

Pos Driver Car Time/Gap
1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen 2h19m13.5s
2. Petter Solberg Citroen + 16.2s
3. Mikko Hirvonen Ford + 17.3s
4. Dani Sordo Citroen + 22.4s
5. Sebastien Ogier Citroen + 3m21.0s
6. Kimi Raikkonen Citroen + 4m37.5s
7. Federico Villagra Ford + 5m10.1s
8. Matthew Wilson Ford + 6m16.6s
9. Ott Tanak Mitsubishi + 14m33.6s
10. Dennis Kuipers Ford + 17m16.2s

Will be close between the top 4 for the win

**Gary** · by **Gary** on Sun 18 Apr - 4:18:13

Wow, Kimi 6th, I hope he keeps it on road! This would be great result so early in rally career!

**moonraker** · by **moonraker** on Sun 18 Apr - 18:48:03

Pos Driver Car Time/Gap
1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen 3h01m38.7s
2. Petter Solberg Citroen + 54.5s
3. Mikko Hirvonen Ford + 1m43.4s
4. Sebastien Ogier Citroen + 3m46.0s
5. Kimi Raikkonen Citroen + 6m44.3s
6. Federico Villagra Ford + 7m56.7s
7. Matthew Wilson Ford + 8m29.8s
8. Jari-Matti Latvala Ford + 19m44.2s
9. Dennis Kuipers Ford + 23m22.2s
10. Aaron Burkart Suzuki + 27m04.7s

The FIA need to give Loeb a super licence and let him go play at F1 as he is far too good for the WRC boys.

Well done on Kimi keeping it on the road again Smile

**Pixx** · by **Pixx** on Sun 18 Apr - 19:48:45

i'm back from 4 days of rally adventure. i'm really very tired, so i'll summerize for now... i'll give you some details later on mrgreen

here's the summary mrgreen

**Rus-Evo** · by **Rus-Evo** on Mon 19 Apr - 9:44:21

Not good enough Pixx. Get your rest then TELL ALL!

**Schumacat** · by **Schumacat** on Mon 19 Apr - 10:01:35

Congrats to Kimi on finishing 5th, although i heard it only happened coz 2 drivers made mistakes. Let's hope he finishes consistently in the points from now on. He was only around 6 min slower than Loeb which should be considered an achievement i guess.

Round 4: WRC Rally Of Turkey

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