Monte Carlo Rallye has been a classical rally event since the beginning of automotive history itself. Late 1960 and seventies series have unique events which are held during the night time. Treacherous icy and narrow winding road in combination with high speed demon cars are perfect yet rare entertainment scene. Cars of those years are not equipped yet with sophistication of road holding technology such as the four wheel driven one that has emerged in 1980s.
Mass produced cars which have been subsequently modified into rally cars are the well known Escort BDA (mid seventies) along with Celica and even Citroen CX (late seventies). At one time the modification only touches its engine alone with minor uprated suspension, no special braking system nor even chassis strengthening let alone roll bar. That's the year when Mini storm in taking many wins.
The 2009 IRC is held on 23rd January is a reminiscent of the night event of three decades ago. The scenes depicting co-driver reiterates “No cuts, caution icy road!” is a fascinating rally sport to watch. Today technology allows us to watch a live relay from the camera inside each car, with every word spoken by the navigator to his driver. More over the lighting technology also allows driver to have artificial illumination as if in the daylight condition or very close to it during a night race. We too have enjoyed such technology today by the invention of HID technology in the lighting system. For implementation on your every day car a HID conversion kit H4 H/L 8000K Flex Bixenon
Over three decades the road-holding department have also improved as such that the balance of speeding demon are followed by equally balanced braking effort. Safety is the paramount rally event features! Take example of F1’s ability to achieve its cruising speed and immediately stop at equal split time, all within 3 point something seconds. This is indeed an engineering feat to sporting advantages!
This year official contenders for Monte Carlo Rallye are Peugeot 207, Skoda Fabia and Fiat Abarth Grand Punto. The high profile drivers are among others ; Experienced T. Gardemister, S. Sarrazin, S. Ogier (the youngest), F. Loix and J. Kopecky on Pugs and Skoda respectively.
As it progress into SS 3 these five drivers have already scored consistently in the top ten ranks with Ogier leading the pack as a whole. The rally consists of 14 stages with highlight of a night race at among other SS 3 Colder Turini. However on SS 4 for some reason Gardemister pull out of the race, evidently as drivers rely heavily on their lighting some Pugs have developed electrical malfunctions.
Some drivers have opted for snow tyres without studs, but regretfully doing so as lots of ices are right in the middle of the road on some sections. Regardless of their tyre choices, most drivers are seen to be careful on attacking those icy and narrow roads. Ogier while being cautiously navigating steep rising as high as 1,070 meter altitude, is still trying to adapt to his new car which he just getting the hold on for a mere 7 days.
By the end of SS 14, it has been cleared for Peugeot team to score the top three placements. Ogier, Loix and Sarrazin are being in those ranked respectively in that order!
No comments:
Post a Comment