EARLY SURPRISE – IF YOU WERE NOT ON TOP OF THE GAME
When I read a whazzamatter tweet or whatever you call it that said “I see Loeb killed Ogier” it did it for me! I thought there was a gunfight before the rally!
Yes, Loëb beat Ogier and for that matter everyone in SS1 on the Monte Carlo and a great cheer erupted from those who still believe that he can walk back in and win a WRC rally. Loeb had an excellent position on the road and did not experience half the unknowns that Ogier and the other early runners had to deal with.
Of course it was still an exceptional achievement – like it is everytime anyone manages to win any stage on any WRC rally. The cars are very well matched and the pace is of the kind that lands you on the other side of the pearly gates – when you are a mere mortal.
Then came stage two.
Ogier pulled in his neck a centimetre or so, twitched his nose once or twice and dropped the clutch.
First on the road or not – he cut a little in on the corners here and there laying the footwork for the next and the next and the next drivers to follow suit.
Every one of them as they came along pulling a bit more gravel onto the not so snowy and icy roads of the second stage! Now Sebbi with the surname Loeb also had to work with a bit of a handicap as he arrived at corners messed up slightly by a little bit of mud and loose gravel. Ogier banks a stage and Latvala posts second quickest. Wham!
The thirty odd seconds advantage suddenly changed into a 13 second not so odd lead. Now who killed who?
This is going to be a sensational rally if Sebastian Loëb takes the bait, arms himself and give it his all.
Between you, me and I – personally I am somewhat relieved (not too much) that I am too old to be able to land myself in this sort of war!* Just think about the pure squirts of adrenaline pumping through the veins of all those merry men in the snow sliding machines!
Our Henk – that has certainly not grown up in the snow – did us all proud by getting into the rally without a hitch and news is that he is currently lying 7th overall in the WRC2 class.
Easy does it my young friend – Sunday is three weeks away in rally terms.
I now have a better feeling about him as well – if he finishes this one in top 5 of the class – that will be the reward he wants.
More later …..
*(Except of course if you dare criticise any of the local holier than thou’s on Face Book)