WRC question.....

[BigB007]

I was just wondering what makes sebastian loeb and marcus gronholm so good. They seem to dominate every rally and I would consider petter solberg one of the top drivers but he can't seem to win or even have a podium spot. Is this because of the cars are the focus and citroen c4 better then the sti or is it more of a driver difference?

[Weasel 555]

its basically down to car reliability, if your car is 100% no mech issues etc you can focus on driving 100%.

if you have issues with your car then you cant focus 100% on getting the job done.

[BigB007]

its basically down to car reliability, if your car is 100% no mech issues etc you can focus on driving 100%.

if you have issues with your car then you cant focus 100% on getting the job done.

which has been subaru's major problem through 2006 and most of 2007

[WRXelent]

its basically down to car reliability, if your car is 100% no mech issues etc you can focus on driving 100%.

if you have issues with your car then you cant focus 100% on getting the job done.

You rarely see a Citroen with mechanical issues. So all Loeb has to do is drive clean (no mistakes) stages. Granted its not easy to do, but all of the top drivers are pretty close in ability (taking luck out of the equation) so car and setup are crucial. Marcus seems to have found a car suited to his style and has done well with Ford. IMO.

[YBNormal07]

The reliability likely stems from the current platform slowly becoming more and more uncompetative, and thus engineering changes to make it more competitive are also making it more unreliable. A bit of vicious cycle. Hopefully, the new platform will resolve this and hopefully, Petter will still be with Subaru when this happens.

[Not-EWRX]

<<<<Engineers for the win

[mike05STi]

The reliability likely stems from the current platform slowly becoming more and more uncompetative, and thus engineering changes to make it more competitive are also making it more unreliable. A bit of vicious cycle. Hopefully, the new platform will resolve this and hopefully, Petter will still be with Subaru when this happens.

Do you have any more details about that? I'm curious as to what aspect (engine, drivetrain, suspension, etc.) is causing the WRX to become uncompetitive.

[YBNormal07]

Do you have any more details about that? I'm curious as to what aspect (engine, drivetrain, suspension, etc.) is causing the WRX to become uncompetitive.

No details...just pure logic since changes to a WRC car are kept so close to the vest. The current platform used to be a winner. It now isn't. The other mfr's have had new models introduced and the current subaru model was no longer competitive. Drivers did not change. Cars did. Suddenly, the Subaru model was no longer reliable? And no longer competitive too? I don't think so. Something had to change. The other mfgrs stepping up their game forced Subaru to make some changes. It wasn't the driver, so what is left?

[mike05STi]

No details...just pure logic since changes to a WRC car are kept so close to the vest. The current platform used to be a winner. It now isn't. The other mfr's have had new models introduced and the current subaru model was no longer competitive. Drivers did not change. Cars did. Suddenly, the Subaru model was no longer reliable? And no longer competitive too? I don't think so. Something had to change. The other mfgrs stepping up their game forced Subaru to make some changes. It wasn't the driver, so what is left?

So it was more of a matter that the other cars became more reliable/competitive rather than the Subie becoming less competitive?
That's what puzzled me because I've always heard/known Subies to be reliable, tenacious and very robust.

[Weasel 555]

Scoobies are robust n tough, just a combination of pure bad luck and mech errors or inefficiences have stopped Petter from been 100% commited.

I mean imagine yer flying down yer local roads in your own car and yer cel keeps flashing or the boost /power keeps differing when on the gas pedal, you'd end up backing off.

[mike05STi]

Scoobies are robust n tough, just a combination of pure bad luck and mech errors or inefficiences have stopped Petter from been 100% commited.

I mean imagine yer flying down yer local roads in your own car and yer cel keeps flashing or the boost /power keeps differing when on the gas pedal, you'd end up backing off.

Oh I agree totally. Not to mention I'd be super pissed at the pit crew and more notably, STi for not ensuring the car was in running order.

[Weasel 555]

I say Petter should do a thorough search of the car to find where someone painted a #13 or #666 on it.

since Chris's WRC Scooby seems to be fine !

oh noes "A Conspiracy"

[YBNormal07]

heh...I sometimes wonder about this too. Maybe it is a combination of the other cars being so much quicker that Petter is having to drive that much harder and this, either overdriving (as seems to be happening a lot) or breaking (also seems to be happening a lot). Chris has been semi-competitive, but not enough to be a true threat. Maybe the level of punishment is showing up by which has the most failures? It is hard to discuss this without actualy being there and driving ourselves though.

My firm belief (and hope) is that the new platform will resolve a lot of issues. If anything, it will help to isolate the "true" issues.