WRC Argentina
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WRC - Argentina: Prokop is the slowest car through so far, with an 18m12.7s.
He had anti-roll bar issues yesterday.
"Its a very rough stage," Prokop repeats the sentiments of most of the drivers through so far. Rough is the word of the day.
He had anti-roll bar issues yesterday.
"Its a very rough stage," Prokop repeats the sentiments of most of the drivers through so far. Rough is the word of the day.
WRC - Argentina: Meeke is next up, and he's 21s down on Ogier, 17m52.1s overall.
"It's very dusty and I just got mixed up with my braking," Meeke explains about his spin.
"We had to stop and reverse."
He's only lost 15s or so to second placed man Ostberg.
"It's very dusty and I just got mixed up with my braking," Meeke explains about his spin.
"We had to stop and reverse."
He's only lost 15s or so to second placed man Ostberg.
WRC - Argentina: Al Qassimi is the last WRC runner through with a 18m34.6s. He had a nice uneventful day yesterday.
WRC - Argentina: The stage result:
1 Ogier
2 Mikkelsen
3 Latvala
4 Ostberg
5 Paddon
6 Sordo
7 Evans
8 Meeke
9 Neuville
10 Bertelli
1 Ogier
2 Mikkelsen
3 Latvala
4 Ostberg
5 Paddon
6 Sordo
7 Evans
8 Meeke
9 Neuville
10 Bertelli
WRC - Argentina: And overall:
1 Meeke
2 Ostberg +53.5s
3 Latvala +1m06.3s
4 Sordo
5 Evans
1 Meeke
2 Ostberg +53.5s
3 Latvala +1m06.3s
4 Sordo
5 Evans
WRC - Argentina: The WRC2 runners are coming through now.
Protasov is through and comforatbly faster than overall leader Al-Kuwari.
The problem for the Ukranian is the 15+ minutes of penalties he incurred yesterday for driving on the road section without a wheel, and with his co-driver sat on the bonnet for counterweight.
That penalty is another thing that's made Malcolm Wilson pretty cross.
Protasov is through and comforatbly faster than overall leader Al-Kuwari.
The problem for the Ukranian is the 15+ minutes of penalties he incurred yesterday for driving on the road section without a wheel, and with his co-driver sat on the bonnet for counterweight.
That penalty is another thing that's made Malcolm Wilson pretty cross.
WRC - Argentina: Just over an hour until SS8, there will be three minute gaps between cars, allowing for better visibility with dust causing problems this morning.
Breaking news
FR3.5 - Aragon: While we await SS8 in Argentina, it's time to catch up with the other goings on from around the racing world.
Matthieu Vaxiviere reinforced his pre-season form with pole-position at Aragon in FR3.5.
Matthieu Vaxiviere reinforced his pre-season form with pole-position at Aragon in FR3.5.
NASCAR - Richmond: Joey Logano continued his brilliant form with another pole position for this weekend's Richmond race.
Former team-mate Denny Hamlin wasn't far behind, and he bounced back to winning ways in the Xfinity series last night - after missing the last Sprint Cup race with a neck injury.
Former team-mate Denny Hamlin wasn't far behind, and he bounced back to winning ways in the Xfinity series last night - after missing the last Sprint Cup race with a neck injury.
Quote
FR3.5 - Aragon: Polesitter Matthieu Vaviviere is confident over his race prospects:
"The wind in qualifying was different today. On my first lap I pushed, but only to about 95 per cent, as I knew I was not on the best set of tyres to do the pole position.
"The second run I pushed like I know how ,but it was really tight. I am happy to be on pole, now we need to win.
"I am really confident for the starts, I have done a lot of practice. If everything goes normally we can win the race."
"The wind in qualifying was different today. On my first lap I pushed, but only to about 95 per cent, as I knew I was not on the best set of tyres to do the pole position.
"The second run I pushed like I know how ,but it was really tight. I am happy to be on pole, now we need to win.
"I am really confident for the starts, I have done a lot of practice. If everything goes normally we can win the race."
Matthieu Vaxiviere, Lotus, Aragon FR3.5 2015
Green flag
FR3.5 - Aragon: Everything did not go "normally" for Vaxiviere. Team-mate van Buuren has squeezed ahead at Turn 1 to take the lead from third on the grid.
FR3.5 - Aragon: Vaxiviere lost ground running wide and is fifth on lap two. An incident at Turn 5 has resulted in both Tech 1 cars being delayed.
Aurelien Panis, son of Oliver, has pitted, along with Beitske Visser who stopped at the end of the formation lap. Egor Orudzhev has been wheeled into the Arden garage, while sixth starter Tom Dillmann is 16th.
Aurelien Panis, son of Oliver, has pitted, along with Beitske Visser who stopped at the end of the formation lap. Egor Orudzhev has been wheeled into the Arden garage, while sixth starter Tom Dillmann is 16th.
WRC - Argentina: Next up in around 30 minutes is San Marcos to Characato - SS8. it runs shortened today thanks to the Argentinian weather.
Those of you who have followed Live through the weekend will be well aware of the man bringing us previews on Rally Argentina's stages. He just so happens to be rally leader, Kris Meeke.
"For me this is the trickiest stage of the rally – even with the first 14 kilometres cut out of it. We never got to look at that part of the road, but from the pictures I’ve seen, you would have struggled to get a tractor through there.
"But the rest of it is definitely not easy. The corners are quite tight, there’s lots of tall grass either side and it’s so narrow in places. You’re coming into stuff at high speed and you’re immediately into a short corner with no margin at all.
"And, don’t forget, we have no split times this year, so you really have to be able to gauge your own rhythm to try and feel how close to the pace you are. When you’re in the car on these stages for 30 minutes or so, it’s not easy. On this rally, though, we’re looking for our own rhythm – we just have to drive our own event. I’m not chasing a win here.”
Those of you who have followed Live through the weekend will be well aware of the man bringing us previews on Rally Argentina's stages. He just so happens to be rally leader, Kris Meeke.
"For me this is the trickiest stage of the rally – even with the first 14 kilometres cut out of it. We never got to look at that part of the road, but from the pictures I’ve seen, you would have struggled to get a tractor through there.
"But the rest of it is definitely not easy. The corners are quite tight, there’s lots of tall grass either side and it’s so narrow in places. You’re coming into stuff at high speed and you’re immediately into a short corner with no margin at all.
"And, don’t forget, we have no split times this year, so you really have to be able to gauge your own rhythm to try and feel how close to the pace you are. When you’re in the car on these stages for 30 minutes or so, it’s not easy. On this rally, though, we’re looking for our own rhythm – we just have to drive our own event. I’m not chasing a win here.”
FR3.5 - Aragon: Race leader van Buuren is under investigation for a jump start.
It's difficult to tell from the replay, but it was certainly an impressive getaway.
It's difficult to tell from the replay, but it was certainly an impressive getaway.
FR3.5 - Aragon: Race officials have handed van Buuren a 20s penalty for jumping the start. The Dutchman is leading by 4.2s on the road.
The decision leaves a Fortec one-two at the front. Oliver Rowland has a 0.840s margin over Jazeman Jaafar.
Dean Stoneman is third, but under pressure from pole man Vaxiviere.
The decision leaves a Fortec one-two at the front. Oliver Rowland has a 0.840s margin over Jazeman Jaafar.
Dean Stoneman is third, but under pressure from pole man Vaxiviere.
WRC - Argentina: Despite the shortening of SS8, it's still comfortably the longest of the day.
Reports coming in from the stage say there is a mud bath around a mile or so into the stage. Should make things interesting.
Reports coming in from the stage say there is a mud bath around a mile or so into the stage. Should make things interesting.
FR3.5 - Aragon: Gustav Malja, the first Swede in FR3.5 for nine years, is making good progress from last on the grid and is challenging Roberto Merhi for 10th.
FR3.5 - Aragon: Leader van Buuren is in effect P8, when his time penalty is applied.
WRC - Argentina: Another thing to keep in mind for this stage is the lack of onboard splits.
Drivers have no idea were they are in terms of pace relative to other cars, so finding a key rhythm is key, but also extremely difficult.
All will be revealed in 15 minutes time.
Drivers have no idea were they are in terms of pace relative to other cars, so finding a key rhythm is key, but also extremely difficult.
All will be revealed in 15 minutes time.
World RX - Montalegre: Wet and changeable conditions for open practice at Montalegre as the 2015 World Rallycross season gets going..
Reinging champ Petter Solberg initially set the fastest time, before being headed by Swede Timmy Hansen. The pair maintained their positions at the top of the order for most of the session, before Mattias Ekstrom took top spot in the closing minutes. Solberg dropped to sixth.
Times:
1. Mattias Ekstrom 41.102s
2. Timmy Hansen 41.513s
3. Johan Kristoffersson 41.525s
4. Reinis Nitiss 41.689s
5. PG Andersson 41.776s
6. Petter Solberg 41.858s
7. Timur Timerzyanov 42.059s
8. Toomas Heikkinen 42.154s
9. Anton Marklund 42.346s
10. Andreas Bakkerud 42.427s
Reinging champ Petter Solberg initially set the fastest time, before being headed by Swede Timmy Hansen. The pair maintained their positions at the top of the order for most of the session, before Mattias Ekstrom took top spot in the closing minutes. Solberg dropped to sixth.
Times:
1. Mattias Ekstrom 41.102s
2. Timmy Hansen 41.513s
3. Johan Kristoffersson 41.525s
4. Reinis Nitiss 41.689s
5. PG Andersson 41.776s
6. Petter Solberg 41.858s
7. Timur Timerzyanov 42.059s
8. Toomas Heikkinen 42.154s
9. Anton Marklund 42.346s
10. Andreas Bakkerud 42.427s
Lights out
WRC - Argentina: San Marcos - Characato is go, with Lorenzo Bertelli first to get underway.
WRC - Argentina: Not only will the long stage provide natural gaps between split times, the cars set off at three instead of two minute intervals for this stage.
This should help the drivers complaining with being caught up in dust this morning.
This should help the drivers complaining with being caught up in dust this morning.
WRC - Argentina: Our first stage winner from this morning - running under Rally2 - Sebastien Ogier, is into the stage.
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: We're still waiting for Bertelli to hit the first split at 5 miles.
Just as we type, he reaches it and gives us our first benchmark. 6m18.8s.
Just as we type, he reaches it and gives us our first benchmark. 6m18.8s.
Checkered flag
FR3.5 - Aragon: Oliver Rowland kicks off the FR3.5 season with a victory.
WRC - Argentina: The first five cars to come through - including Ogier - are all running under Rally2 after issues yesterday.
Neuville is the first 'proper' runner in the order.
Neuville is the first 'proper' runner in the order.
FR3.5 - Aragon: Rowland headed Fortec team-mate Jazeman Jaafar by 2.117s.
DAMS racer Dean Stoneman demonstated strong pace from mid-race to complete the podium.
1 Rowland; 2 Jafaar; 3 Stoneman; 4 Vaxiviere; 5 Van Buuren; 6 Fantin.
DAMS racer Dean Stoneman demonstated strong pace from mid-race to complete the podium.
1 Rowland; 2 Jafaar; 3 Stoneman; 4 Vaxiviere; 5 Van Buuren; 6 Fantin.
WRC - Argentina: Bertelli also through the second split now, 9m32.4s.
No sign of a time for Ogier through the first split, we'll bring you that when we get it.
No sign of a time for Ogier through the first split, we'll bring you that when we get it.
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: Mikkelsen is through the first split, 19.6s up on Bertelli.
Ogier is moving on the tracker, so we're blaming timing screen issues for the absence of a time for the reigning champion.
Ogier is moving on the tracker, so we're blaming timing screen issues for the absence of a time for the reigning champion.
WRC - Argentina: The order on the stage is Bertelli, Ogier, Mikkelsen, so theoretically we should have had Ogier's split first.
WRC - Argentina: We have Mikkelsen's second split time, and it's a 9m01.6s, 30.8s up on Bertelli.
Still nothing on the timing screens for Ogier, but he is moving on the tracker.
The third Volkswagen, Jari-Matti Latvala is into the stage now.
Still nothing on the timing screens for Ogier, but he is moving on the tracker.
The third Volkswagen, Jari-Matti Latvala is into the stage now.
WRC - Argentina: FINALLY a split time for Ogier!
Through the third split, he's 38.8s up on Bertelli.
Through the third split, he's 38.8s up on Bertelli.
WRC - Argentina: Mikkelsen comes through the third split, and he's up on Ogier.
The Norwegian is around 8s up on the Frenchman.
The Norwegian is around 8s up on the Frenchman.
WRC - Argentina: Neuville is the first non-Rally2 car through the first split. He sets a 6m04.9, down on Mikkelsen's split.
Stopwatch
WRC - Argentina: Ogier's timing, or lack there of, seems to have been fixed.
At the fifth split, he's 47.7s up on Bertelli.
Ogier is down in 32nd at the moment though after his engine trouble yesterday.
At the fifth split, he's 47.7s up on Bertelli.
Ogier is down in 32nd at the moment though after his engine trouble yesterday.
WRC - Argentina: Second placed man Ostberg is through the first split, 1.6s down on Mikkelsen's benchmark.
Speaking of Mikkelsen, he's around 10s up on Ogier through the penultimate split.
Speaking of Mikkelsen, he's around 10s up on Ogier through the penultimate split.
WRC - Argentina: Through the final split, Ogier is 55.3s up on Bertelli.
It's Mikkelsen we are watching though, the Norwegian has been quickest through every split so far.
It's Mikkelsen we are watching though, the Norwegian has been quickest through every split so far.
WRC - Argentina: Evans is through the first split, 6m07s. That's around 10s off Mikkelsen.
Next through that split is Meeke, then Latvala.
Next through that split is Meeke, then Latvala.
WRC - Argentina: Mikkelsen is through the final split, 10s up on Ogier still.
Ostberg is around 2s down on Mikkelsen's pace so far. The under-the-weather Citroen driver will be pleased if he can keep up that pace.
Latvala has gone through the first split, around 8s down on Mikkelsen. He isn't really racing his team-mate, though.
Ostberg is around 2s down on Mikkelsen's pace so far. The under-the-weather Citroen driver will be pleased if he can keep up that pace.
Latvala has gone through the first split, around 8s down on Mikkelsen. He isn't really racing his team-mate, though.
WRC - Argentina: Ogier's overall time is a 27m30.1s.
"I expected quite a difficult stage. It's really demanding," he said.
"I expected quite a difficult stage. It's really demanding," he said.
By: David Evans, Jack Benyon, Matt Beer, Peter Mills, Mitchell Adam
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