Although not a WRC round it's interesting enough to follow the legendary Monte Carlo, first round of the increasing popular International Rally Challenge.

After the first two stages SS1 Mikko Hirvonen -driving Ford's brandnew Ford Fiesta S2000 - surprisingly leading the Peugeots of Sébastien Ogier and ex-F1 driver Stéphane Sarrazin. Robert Kubica (Renault Clio R3) already quit with a broken engine after yesterday's prologue.

Snow is expected in the afternoon.....

Leaderboard:
1. Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Fiesta) 47'05''5
2. Sébastien Ogier (Peugeot 207 + 4.3s
3. Stéphane Sarrazin (Peugeot 207) + 18.8s
4. Juho Hanninen (Skoda Fabia) + 32.5s
5. Kris Meeke (Peugeot 207) + 43.2s [last year's champion]

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"Life is measured in achievements, not in years alone.” (Bruce McLaren)

Ogier is only 4sec behind Mikko so anything can happen... Remember that MH's specialty are not tarmac rallies! Also good stuff from Sarrazin. But what happened to Toni Gardemeister? He was leading at some point...

Edit: Also, what happened to Kopecky?

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If snow starts to fall (which is strongly expected) MH couldn't ask for more!

As for Gardemeister: he dropped out of the top six after struggling with the grip of his slicktyres on SS2. A minor off excursion meant he lost more than one minute.

__________________
"Life is measured in achievements, not in years alone.” (Bruce McLaren)

He lost a massive 3 minutes on SS1 due to a puncture thank you ver much!

__________________
"Life is measured in achievements, not in years alone.” (Bruce McLaren)

Hirvonen takes the 27 km long SS3, pipping Meeke, Kopecky and Hanninen. Gardemeister lost more than 30 seconds, Ogier lost 2 minutes after damaging his wheel and dropped back to 8th overall. Reportedly it was caused after spectators 'spoiled' snow on the road. It happens every year.

Will Hirvonen continue to stamp his authority on the 'Monte" ?

Leaderboard after SS3:
1. Hirvonen
2. Sarrazin + 35.4
3. Meeke / Hanninen + 45.2
5. Vouilloz + 1.09.3
6. Gardemeister + 1.37.5

__________________
"Life is measured in achievements, not in years alone.” (Bruce McLaren)

Hirvonen: in a class of his own in the debuting Fiesta S2000.

Attached Images

 

__________________
"Life is measured in achievements, not in years alone.” (Bruce McLaren)

Follow the Monte LIVE!

__________________
"Life is measured in achievements, not in years alone.” (Bruce McLaren)

Day two starts with a big surprise!

Nicolas Vouillox (Skoda Fabia) takes a surprising win in the 25 km stage while last year's champion Kris Meeke (2nd overnight) crashed out!

Leaerboard after SS5:
1. Hirvonen
2. Hanninen + 0.53
3. Vouilloz + 1.07.4
4. Ogier + 1.48.8
5. Magelhaes + 3.15.8
6. Sarrazin + 3.29.3

__________________
"Life is measured in achievements, not in years alone.” (Bruce McLaren)

Ogier blitzes SS6 in heavy snow and is back in the top three! Hirvonen is still in a quite comfortable lead, but lost more than 40 seconds on Ogier. He has to lift his game to stay in front....

Leaderboard after SS6:
1. Hirvonen
2. Hanninen + 0.44.2
3. Ogier + 1.07.7
4. Vouilloz + 1.14.4
5. Magelhaes + 3.58.1
6. Wittmann + 4.32.2

EDIT:
Hirvonen demolished the opposition in the 29 km SS7 (snowfree!) by a huge margin, runner up Vouilloz trailed him by 23 seconds. His lead exceeds 1 minute.

__________________
"Life is measured in achievements, not in years alone.” (Bruce McLaren)

I am not very faliliar with Rally, but I was a bit surprised to find out that the Rally of Monte Carlo is no longer part of the WRC. Is this comparible with cancelling the Monte Carlo GP from F1? I thought that this rally was one of the most prestigious of the year...

I am starting to develop a an interest in Rally maybe because I want to see how Kimi does, but also how will Ken Block do in the WRC. Could be interesting, no?