who is/ was the best rally driver
22 January 2008 | 10:42 AM
#1
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From: peterborough
who is/ was the best rally driver
who do you think is/ was the best rally driver of all time?
people who say loeb wind me up as he has only had to compete against a couple of top class drivers where mcrae, burns, sainz etc have had real though battles. dont get me wrong loeb is a great driver but i have to say:
1st: mcrae
2nd: kankkunen
3rd: makinen
4th: burns
plus what is the best rally car.
mine are:
escort mk2
and subaru impreza wrc from 1997 year.
people who say loeb wind me up as he has only had to compete against a couple of top class drivers where mcrae, burns, sainz etc have had real though battles. dont get me wrong loeb is a great driver but i have to say:
1st: mcrae
2nd: kankkunen
3rd: makinen
4th: burns
plus what is the best rally car.
mine are:
escort mk2
and subaru impreza wrc from 1997 year.
22 January 2008 | 10:50 AM
#2
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define best???
It all depends on what era we are talking about. Loeb is the best of the current era regardless of who he has to compete with.
McRae was certainly the most exciting of his era, but whilst Colin (who was my hero i must admit) won the world title once, Tommy Makinen won it 3 or 4 times during the same era. so my view would be that Tommi was the best during that time....
I really don't think its possible to compare drivers of different era's, as all had different competition, cars and events to content with.
It all depends on what era we are talking about. Loeb is the best of the current era regardless of who he has to compete with.
McRae was certainly the most exciting of his era, but whilst Colin (who was my hero i must admit) won the world title once, Tommy Makinen won it 3 or 4 times during the same era. so my view would be that Tommi was the best during that time....
I really don't think its possible to compare drivers of different era's, as all had different competition, cars and events to content with.
22 January 2008 | 11:59 AM
#6
Agreed... Juha Kankunen and Tommi Makkinen
Loeb may not be the out and out fastest ever... but give him his due, he just does not make mistakes and that is why he has so many titles and wins!
McRae was aguably the fastest ever, but he did spend a lot of time in the scenery. I wondered if the film Taladega Nights was done after him... (if you're not first, you're last)...
Car has to be Lancia Stratos...
Loeb may not be the out and out fastest ever... but give him his due, he just does not make mistakes and that is why he has so many titles and wins!
McRae was aguably the fastest ever, but he did spend a lot of time in the scenery. I wondered if the film Taladega Nights was done after him... (if you're not first, you're last)...
Car has to be Lancia Stratos...
22 January 2008 | 12:15 PM
#7
As much as we love him, Colin was certainly not the best. For entertainment value, yes. Too many wrecked cars blotted his record.
Who remembers Paddy Hopkirk and Eric Karlsson (Drove a 3 cylinder 2 stroke Saab back in the '60's and married Stirling Moss's sister, Pat)
JohnD
Who remembers Paddy Hopkirk and Eric Karlsson (Drove a 3 cylinder 2 stroke Saab back in the '60's and married Stirling Moss's sister, Pat)
JohnD
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22 January 2008 | 12:15 PM
#8
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Loeb for me, without a doubt
The Citroen has never always been the best car in its field. Look where his team mates have been in the different championships. Way way behind (including McRaie in 2003).. In 2006 he was not even driving a factory car yet trounced the oposition
People he has beaten are pretty good drivers: Burns, Solberg, Gronholm, Sainz...
But then we will have to wait a bit longer before we can really judge his legacy.
From the past, Kankunen or Makinen are the men. McRaie was spectacular, highly promoted thanks to the video games but is not there with the greatest!
Ok special mention then to Burns and McRaie for getting their title with an impreza... we are on scoobynet.com after all... not xsaranet.com
The Citroen has never always been the best car in its field. Look where his team mates have been in the different championships. Way way behind (including McRaie in 2003).. In 2006 he was not even driving a factory car yet trounced the oposition
People he has beaten are pretty good drivers: Burns, Solberg, Gronholm, Sainz...
But then we will have to wait a bit longer before we can really judge his legacy.
From the past, Kankunen or Makinen are the men. McRaie was spectacular, highly promoted thanks to the video games but is not there with the greatest!
Ok special mention then to Burns and McRaie for getting their title with an impreza... we are on scoobynet.com after all... not xsaranet.com
Last edited by Xia; 22 January 2008 at 12:17 PM. Reason: mistake
22 January 2008 | 12:19 PM
#9
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From: Northants
Makinen
And the car, either the Audi Quattro or the Ford Sierra Cosworth
The reason I didn't choose the Impreza/Legacy is because these were the cars that imprinted Rally on me and made it exciting when I was young....
And the car, either the Audi Quattro or the Ford Sierra Cosworth
The reason I didn't choose the Impreza/Legacy is because these were the cars that imprinted Rally on me and made it exciting when I was young....
Last edited by knobby_2000; 22 January 2008 at 12:22 PM.
22 January 2008 | 12:24 PM
#11
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From: Here, There, Everywhere
I'd have to say Loeb.
He is soo fast, yet very consistant. The record speaks for itself. 4 times World Champion.
By rights, he should be 5 times World Champion but Citreon told him to slow down in Rally GB. Solberg won the event and the World Championship.
Gronholm was is only real competition in the last few years. Now he's gone, Loeb is going to win every Rally this year bar mechanical faliure or driver error. As he has no real competition this year, driver error is very unlikely.
I honestly believe if you put Loeb in any car in any era, he'd still win.
He is soo fast, yet very consistant. The record speaks for itself. 4 times World Champion.
By rights, he should be 5 times World Champion but Citreon told him to slow down in Rally GB. Solberg won the event and the World Championship.
Gronholm was is only real competition in the last few years. Now he's gone, Loeb is going to win every Rally this year bar mechanical faliure or driver error. As he has no real competition this year, driver error is very unlikely.
I honestly believe if you put Loeb in any car in any era, he'd still win.
22 January 2008 | 12:39 PM
#13
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Loeb may be the "best" driver, but he's too much like a machine. I wouldn't want to go and watch him as there's just no excitement.
Car has to be the Audi Sport Quattro.
Not the best of that era, but it has that something special. Hmmmm how do ve make our car go zat bit qvicker. Ah, ve could cut out a big chunk from ze middle
Car has to be the Audi Sport Quattro.
Not the best of that era, but it has that something special. Hmmmm how do ve make our car go zat bit qvicker. Ah, ve could cut out a big chunk from ze middle
22 January 2008 | 12:52 PM
#14
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From: Warrington
Henri Toivonen
Youngest driver ever to win a world rally
Died at the wheel (causing the end of the Group B era)
Really exciting to watch; and drove the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, the first rally rep roadcar that I lusted after.
Best rally car = Audi Quattro Sport.
(But 6R4 and 205T16 also rock my boat).
Youngest driver ever to win a world rally
Died at the wheel (causing the end of the Group B era)
Really exciting to watch; and drove the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, the first rally rep roadcar that I lusted after.
Best rally car = Audi Quattro Sport.
(But 6R4 and 205T16 also rock my boat).
22 January 2008 | 12:55 PM
#15
RS200 - absolutely dead cert, the Sport Quattro was an arrow, great in a straight line, no damn good in corners!
Jean Ragnotti, anyone who can be quicker than a Delta in a Renault 11 (1.4) turbo has to be pretty special, as for watching him in a 5 Maxi turbo - awesome suddenly becomes an inadequate and overused adjecttive!
Simon
Jean Ragnotti, anyone who can be quicker than a Delta in a Renault 11 (1.4) turbo has to be pretty special, as for watching him in a 5 Maxi turbo - awesome suddenly becomes an inadequate and overused adjecttive!
Simon
22 January 2008 | 12:55 PM
#16
He's still pretty popular in Sweden and does appear on TV every so often.
22 January 2008 | 12:58 PM
#17
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They're also taught ice driving, which is compulsary. That teaches you skidding and car control.
I'm glad i never had a car when living there. I'd of caused chaos.
22 January 2008 | 01:04 PM
#18
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From: Tellins, Home of Super Leagues finest, and where a "split" is not all it seems.
22 January 2008 | 01:06 PM
#19
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Just turn off any main road about an hour north of Helsinki and you're onto your very own Super Special Stages.
They're also taught ice driving, which is compulsary. That teaches you skidding and car control.
I'm glad i never had a car when living there. I'd of caused chaos.
They're also taught ice driving, which is compulsary. That teaches you skidding and car control.
I'm glad i never had a car when living there. I'd of caused chaos.
Last edited by andythejock01wrx; 22 January 2008 at 01:08 PM.
22 January 2008 | 01:15 PM
#20
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From: 'Nuneaton' - Home of The Stealth Scoob
Mcrea / Burns = 1st
Juha Kankunen - 205 T16
Henri Toivonen - Manta & Lancia S4
Timo Salonen - 205 T16
Hannu Mikkola - Mk11 & Quattro
Michelle Mouton - Quattro
Walter Rhol
Juha Kankunen - 205 T16
Henri Toivonen - Manta & Lancia S4
Timo Salonen - 205 T16
Hannu Mikkola - Mk11 & Quattro
Michelle Mouton - Quattro
Walter Rhol
22 January 2008 | 01:19 PM
#21
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From: 'Nuneaton' - Home of The Stealth Scoob
Do you not think that the drivers who fought their way round to win in the old group B car's were a different breed....
Litrally point & squirt & hold on tight.....
Litrally point & squirt & hold on tight.....
22 January 2008 | 01:26 PM
#22
1. Roger Clark
2. Stig Blomqvist
3. Bjorn Waldegaard
4. Ari Vatanen
Best car: MkII Escort
Best looking car: Lancia Stratos
WOULD have been best car ever: Ford RS200.
Alcazar
2. Stig Blomqvist
3. Bjorn Waldegaard
4. Ari Vatanen
Best car: MkII Escort
Best looking car: Lancia Stratos
WOULD have been best car ever: Ford RS200.
Alcazar
Last edited by alcazar; 22 January 2008 at 01:29 PM.
22 January 2008 | 01:31 PM
#24
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From: From the roads of South East Essex....
As for "best cars" - more difficult to say, as the current cars have technologically evolved in a huge way (in a way a human driver can not), but you've simply gotta respect the classic cars of old such as the Audi Quatro, Delta, Escort & SAABs...
22 January 2008 | 01:59 PM
#26
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Agreed. All of the "safety" measures, as good & well deserved as they are, have "sanitised" the world of rallying. I remember when events lasted a whole week, including night stages, driving unruley 500bhp beasts.... Without taking anything away from the current drivers, I think the past masters must head the table marked "best".... As for "best cars" - more difficult to say, as the current cars have technologically evolved in a huge way (in a way a human driver can not), but you've simply gotta respect the classic cars of old such as the Audi Quatro, Delta, Escort & SAABs...
As for "best cars" - more difficult to say, as the current cars have technologically evolved in a huge way (in a way a human driver can not), but you've simply gotta respect the classic cars of old such as the Audi Quatro, Delta, Escort & SAABs... Agreed...
You really need to have stood near a forest track at 2am in the morning to appreciate this era, then all hell brakes loose as the group B's hurtled past...and vanish into the distance with the only visible sign of it passing was the orange glow from the tail pipe & stones falling out of the air for some seconds later....awesome simply awesome
Last edited by pnbond007; 22 January 2008 at 02:01 PM.
22 January 2008 | 03:57 PM
#27
Agreed...
You really need to have stood near a forest track at 2am in the morning to appreciate this era, then all hell brakes loose as the group B's hurtled past...and vanish into the distance with the only visible sign of it passing was the orange glow from the tail pipe & stones falling out of the air for some seconds later....awesome simply awesome
You really need to have stood near a forest track at 2am in the morning to appreciate this era, then all hell brakes loose as the group B's hurtled past...and vanish into the distance with the only visible sign of it passing was the orange glow from the tail pipe & stones falling out of the air for some seconds later....awesome simply awesome
Alcazar
22 January 2008 | 04:27 PM
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Indeed....
tell you what I thought was funny! standing in the middle of a dark, wet & cold forest, then all of a sudden whistles would sound then you would see many watt's of lighting approach the corner, then realise good god there's 1000's of people standing here...then darkness once more....
Those were the day's of real rallying....not the cosmetic scene's you sometimes see today.
Though, today's WRC spectacle has equal commitment. The group B's would come past wheel spinning there way down the stage, where as today there is equal speed and less spin.....
tell you what I thought was funny! standing in the middle of a dark, wet & cold forest, then all of a sudden whistles would sound then you would see many watt's of lighting approach the corner, then realise good god there's 1000's of people standing here...then darkness once more....
Those were the day's of real rallying....not the cosmetic scene's you sometimes see today.
Though, today's WRC spectacle has equal commitment. The group B's would come past wheel spinning there way down the stage, where as today there is equal speed and less spin.....
22 January 2008 | 04:29 PM
#30
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its impossible to say as the regs change over time.
The current cars due to their tyre/diff/suspension set ups have to be driven neatly to be quick, hence you dont see them throwing them around like the 10 yrs ago and before.
The best rallydrivers can/could drive anything on any surface and always be quick
Henri Toivenen
McCrae
Vatinnen
Loeb (has to be included on here if you saw how well he did at LE Mans and on a mixture of rally's.)
The current cars due to their tyre/diff/suspension set ups have to be driven neatly to be quick, hence you dont see them throwing them around like the 10 yrs ago and before.
The best rallydrivers can/could drive anything on any surface and always be quick
Henri Toivenen
McCrae
Vatinnen
Loeb (has to be included on here if you saw how well he did at LE Mans and on a mixture of rally's.)