WRC, Suède : Des conditions idéales / Ideal conditions for Rally Sweden

Les spéciales suédoises sont recouvertes d’une belle épaisseur de glace et bordées de murs de neige d’un mètre de haut. Toutes les conditions sont réunies pour offrir une superbe édition 2015.

Les concurrents engagés à la 63^e édition du Rallye de Suède ont entamé les reconnaissances du parcours aujourd’hui avec les spéciales des 2^e et 3^e étapes, Fredriksberg, Lesjofors, Rammen…

Hier après-midi (lundi), nous étions un peu inquiets quand le commandant de bord a annoncé « Karlstad, +10°C » avant de poser son ATR 72 sur le tarmac.

Après un dîner et une halte nocturne à l’auberge Björn Wardhus de Rada, nous avons pris la direction des spéciales quelques minutes après les concurrents. Au programme de la journée, reconnaissances des classiques suédoises que sont Fredriksberg, Lesjofors, Rammen et Varmullsasen, pour terminer par la célèbre Vargasen et Colin’s Crest.

Au départ de Fredriksberg, à l’Est d’Hagfors, nous étions complètement rassurés sur le fait que ce Rallye de Suède 2015 allait se dérouler dans des conditions parfaites. Une belle couche de glace recouvre la piste sinueuse et rythmée, bordée par des murs de neige d’un mètre de haut sur lesquels les pilotes vont pouvoir s’appuyer allègrement

Dans Lesjofors, à disputer dimanche matin, les pistes sont plus étroites et bosselées, avec quelques ornières par endroits. Nous y sommes restés près de trois heures, le temps qu’un autochtone vienne extirper notre Skoka Yeti d’un mur de neige avec son tracteur… Ben quoi, Seb Ogier y était bien resté plus de 4 minutes l’an passé…

Nous avons parcouru Rammen dans la foulée. Cette spéciale est vraiment magnifique, avec les premiers kilomètres larges et rapides. Ca va vite, très vite même par endroits (117 km/h de moyenne en 2014). Un peu refroidis par notre mésaventure précédente, nous n’avons pas dépassé les 80 km/h…

Varmullsasen, qui servira de Power Stage dimanche, est plus technique, étroite et piégeuse, notamment la descente en vue de l’arrivée, le long des pistes de ski surplombant Hagfors. Nous avons gardé le meilleur pour la fin avec Vargasen, la plus longue spéciale du rallye, classique parmi les classiques, dont le record appartient toujours à Latvala sur Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Là aussi, les conditions sont parfaites avec une pellicule de 3 ou 4 cm de poudreuse qui recouvre la glace. Les murs de neige sont tellement hauts que, sans notes, on a du mal à anticiper le virage suivant. Au jump de Colin’s Crest, tout est déjà en place : arche, panneaux publicitaires, balisage… Dans quatre jours, il y aura foule dans ces bois.

Après cette journée dans le Värmland et un petit saut au parc d’assistance d’Hagfors, on avait bien mérité un sauna au Björn Wardhus. Demain, nous mettrons le cap sur la Norvège.

The Swedish stages are coated in a thick layer of ice and lined with one-metre tall snow walls – the perfect conditions for some spectacular action later this week.

Competitors started recce for the 2015 Rally Sweden today (Tuesday) with visits to the stages that figure on Saturday and Sunday’s menus (Fredriksberg, Lesjofors, Rammen, etc.).

Yesterday afternoon, we were a little worried when our pilot announced a mild 10°C as we approached Karlstad airport.

So, after a welcome dinner and a short sleep at the Björn Wardhus guest house near Rada, we headed for the stages in the wake of the crews. Like them, we visited Fredriksberg, Lesjofors, Rammen and Varmullsasen, before finishing with the infamous Vargasen test.

When we got to the start of Fredriksberg, east of Hagfors, we were completely reassured since the twisty forest track was covered in a nice layer of ice and lined with the snow walls on which the drivers famously ‘lean’ round the high-speed corners.

Lesjofors, which will be tackled on Sunday morning, is narrower and bumpier, and was also rutted in places. We were stuck there for almost three hours before a local tractor owner succeeded in pulling our Skoka Yeti out of one of the aforementioned snow walls.

We then moved on to Rammen which is a truly magnificent stage that begins with a wide, fast portion. The fastest time here last year was posted at an average speed of 117kph. After our earlier misadventure, however, we preferred to stay below 80kph…

Varmullsasen, which will serve as Sunday’s Power Stage, is technically more challenging, narrow and very tricky, especially the last section down the ski slopes that look out over Hagfors.

We kept the best for the end, namely Vargasen, the rally’s longest stage and a Rally Sweden classic, the record for which is still the property of Latvala in a Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Here again, the conditions were perfect, with a three- or four-centimetre covering of powder snow on top of ice. The snow walls are so high that it was tough to see the corners approaching without notes. At the famous Colin’s Crest leap, the arch, all the advertising boards and the long-jump distance markers were all in place. In four days’ time, the woods will be crawling with rally fans.

After our day in the Värmland and a quick visit to the service park, we reckoned we deserved our sauna at the Björn Wardhus. Tomorrow’s plan is to recce the Norwegian stages…

WRC, Suède : Du show dans le Värmland ! / Turning on the heat in the Värmland!

Avec 39 éditions en Championnat du monde des Rallyes FIA, le Rallye de Suède est un des piliers du WRC avec la Finlande et la Grande-Bretagne. La 63e édition s’annonce superbe pour la victoire entre les trois pilotes Volkswagen, Mads Ostberg (DS3 WRC), Ott Tanak (Fiesta WRC)…

Mine de rien, le vainqueur sortant Jari-Matti Latvala pourrait bien se rapprocher des meilleurs performers de l’épreuve suédoise, Stig Blomqvist et Marcus Grönholm avec 5 victoires chacun en Suède depuis 1973.

En effet, le Finlandais s’est déjà imposé trois fois à Karlstad depuis 2008, où il avait d’ailleurs ouvert son palmarès mondial à 22 ans et 313 jours. Ce record de précocité tient toujours. Depuis, Jari-Matti a remporté les éditions 2012 et 2014 et a signé deux autres podiums suédois. Depuis 7 ans, sa plus mauvaise prestation en Suède est une 4^e place…Au volant de sa VW Polo R WRC/Michelin, Jari-Matti fait donc figure de grand favori.

Après leur triplé monégasque, les pilotes Volkswagen – dans l’ordre Ogier, Latvala, Mikkelsen - ouvriront les pistes suédoises jusqu’au dimanche matin, soit sur 262,94 des 309,68 km chronométrés du parcours (85 %). En fonction des conditions, ce sera soit un avantage en cas de glace vive ou de redoux, soit un lourd handicap en cas de neige fraîche. Pour l’heure, les prévisions annoncent un ciel nuageux au-dessus du Värmland pour la course, avec des températures allant de -12° à -1°C…

En 4^e position sur la piste, Mads Ostberg a une belle carte à jour au volant de sa DS3 WRC spec. 2015. Le Norvégien a disputé toutes les éditions du Rallye de Suède organisées depuis 2006 et a signé 4 podiums consécutifs depuis 2011. Si les conditions lui sont favorables, Ott Tanak a lui aussi toutes ses chances au volant d’une Ford Fiesta RS WRC officielle victorieuse en Suède en 2011/2012. Pour son retour en World Rally Car, l’Estonien était 4^e à l’issue de la première étape l’an passé.

Pour les places d’honneur, on ne peut pas oublier le Norvégien Henning Solberg (Fiesta RS WRC) qui a débuté sa carrière mondiale en Suède en 1998 (14^e participation). Le Britannique Kris Meeke (DS3 WRC), le Gallois Elfyn Evans (Ford) ou encore Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 WRC) ont moins d’expérience, mais aussi plus d’insouciance…

A suivra aussi les débuts ou quasi débuts suédoise des jeunes de Hyundai, Hayden Paddon et Kevin Abbring. Parmi les 15 World Rally Cars attendues à Karltstad, on retrouvera également les Ford Fiesta RS WRC du « risque-tout » monégasque Robert Kubica, de l’Ukrainien Yuriy Protasov, du Polonais Michal Solowow ou encore de Martin Prokop qui avait animé le début de course en 2014.

Le parcours 2015 sera une nouvelle fois transfrontalier avec quatre spéciales norvégiennes. La plupart des spéciales sont connues comme Torsby, Rämmen, Vargasen, Fredriksberg ou encore Varmullsasen (Power Stage), mais les organisateurs ont tout de même modifié un tiers du tracé (102,38 km). Rojden (18,73 km) et Finnskogen (20,76 km) sont nouvelles.

Les reconnaissances débuteront mardi. Le Shakedown est programmé jeudi matin à Rada, à quelques kilomètres du parc d’Hagfors. Le rallye s’élancera jeudi soir sur l’hippodrome de Karlstad, mais les choses sérieuses débuteront vraiment vendredi matin…

Having been a qualifying round of the WRC 39 times, Rally Sweden is one of the world championship’s cornerstones, along with Finland and Rally GB. This year’s event promises to be a thriller between Volkswagen’s trio, Mads Ostberg (DS3 WRC), Ott Tanak (Fiesta WRC) and the rest.

Last year’s Rally Sweden victor Jari-Matti Latvala isn’t far off becoming the event’s most successful driver, in the wake of Stig Blomqvist and Marcus Grönholm – five victories each since 1973.

The Finn has won the Karlstad-based rally three times since 2008 when he claimed his first world class success at the age of 22 years and 313 days. He is still the youngest WRC winner to this day.

Since then, he has won the event twice more, in 2012 and 2014, and finished two other times on the podium. His least good result in the past seven years is fourth overall, so he is unsurprisingly the big favourite this time round…

After coming first, second and third on the Monte Carlo, Volkswagen’s Ogier, Latvala and Mikkelsen will be first on the road in the Värmland until Sunday morning, which equates to 85 percent of the week’s competitive action (262.94km from 309.68km). Depending on the conditions, that could be an advantage if the stages are icy, or in thawing weather, or a big handicap if there is freshly fallen snow. For the moment, the forecast is for cloudy skies and temperatures of between -12°C and -1°C.

As the fourth driver on the road, Ostberg could benefit from the best of both worlds for his debut in the 2015-specification DS3 WRC. The Norwegian hasn’t missed a Rally Sweden since 2006 and has finished four times in the top three since 2011.

Meanwhile, after completing Leg 1 in fourth spot in 2014, Tanak (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) will be in the car that won the wintry classic in 2011 and 2012.

And how could anybody ignore Norway’s Henning Solberg (Fiesta RS WRC) who is contesting the event for the 14^th time after beginning his WRC career in Karlstad in 1998.

Ulsterman Kris Meeke (DS3 WRC), Welshman Elfyn Evans (Ford) and Belgium’s Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 WRC) all have less experience, but also less to lose…

The relative Rally Sweden novice Hayden Paddon and rookie Kevin Abbring will appear for Hyundai among the 15 World Rally Car drivers whose ranks also include Ford Fiesta RS WRC runners Robert Kubica, Yuriy Protasov, Michal Solowow and Martin Prokop.

Once again, this year’s itinerary will cross into Norway (four stages) and most of the tests are familiar territory, including Torsby, Rämmen, Vargasen, Fredriksberg and Varmullsasen (Power Stage). However, the organisers have slightly modified a third of the route (102.38km), while Rojden (18.73km) and Finnskogen (20.76km) are new.

Recce begins on Tuesday, followed by shakedown on Thursday morning in Rada, near the service park in Hagfors. The rally will begin the same evening at Karlstad’s hippodrome, prior to the first ‘real’ stages on Friday morning.

Bonhams sells Aston at world record price in Paris

As part of Rétromobile 2015, Bonhams held an auction at the Grand Palais in Paris – at which it recorded a new world record for an Aston Martin DB5 Convertible. The sale price of the rare LHD car topped out at just under 1.9 million euros…

World record for an Aston Martin DB5 Convertible

The record sum of 1,897,500 euros (including premium) shouldn’t have come as a huge surprise, however, as Bonhams had set its pre-sale estimate at a high but clearly not-unrealistic 1.6 to 1.9 million euros – a value helped by the fact that only 39 left-hand-drive examples of the open-topped DB5 were built, and that the winning bidder for the 1965 Aston had to compete against a rival on the phone. The final figure is considered the highest amount ever paid for a production version of this Aston model. Another high-seller was the Aston Martin DB4 Convertible, of which only 21 LHD examples were built, hence the expectation of over 1.2 million euros… a figure that was reached, but only just. Meanwhile a 1966 AC Cobra 289 Mark II, formerly the  property of Amschel Rothschild, sold for 937,250 euros.

Good results for pre-War cars

This was swiftly followed by the sale of the 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C-1750 Grand Sport – a car that was once driven by the famous Russian racer Boris Ivanowski – for 1,184,500 euros. And the fact that early automotive history continues to have a place on the collector scene was further cemented, if such proof is needed, by the sale of the 1922 Gerin Aérodyne Saloon Prototype for 184,000 euros, and the 1904 Panhard-Levassor Four-cylinder 35hp Sports Two-Seater (a car eligible for the London to Brighton Run) for 750,000 euros.

Senna's kart and Pope's Harley

In the relatively lower price segment, there were some interesting results that once again illustrated how illustrious previous owners can drive up the price. The Harley-Davidson once “blessed with the signature of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (and later received by Pope Francis)” found a buyer willing to pay 46,000 euros for arguably the world’s most sacred motorcycle; and a 1981 kart that was raced by Ayrton Senna sold for nearly 60,000 euros. With total sales proceeds of almost 21.5 million euros, Bonhams recorded its highest-ever results at a Paris auction – partly due, however, to a huge sales catalogue of some 145 vehicles. As with the RM Auctions sale the day before – and at the Arizona auction week earlier this year – there was a feeling that the market’s buying frenzy has weakened, just a little.

All lots from the Bonhams sale can be found in Classic Driver.

Photos: Rémi Dargegen for Classic Driver © 2015

The top 5 Bonhams results from Paris:

Lot 345 / 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible LHD / €1,897,500

Lot 375 / 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible LHD / €1,219,000

Lot 381 / 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C-1750 Grand Sport /€1,184,500

Lot 349 / 1966 AC Cobra 289 Mark II Roadster / €937,250

Lot 373 / 1930 Isotta Fraschini 8A SS Cabriolet / €931,500

BSMC GEAR GUIDE #46

In this week’s Gear Guide we feature premier Elskin gloves, old school vented visors, mean matt black full face lids, hand made waxed cotton vests and easy to apply waterproofing for your leather wear. Plenty to spend you hard earned readies on….

PRODUCT REVIEW LEE PARKS DESIGN DEER TOUR GLOVES

Lee Parks Design DeerTours PCi gloves combine simple good looks with durability and comfort in a wide temperature range of 35°–75°F/2°-24°C. They were the first motorcycle gloves on the market to feature the amazing Outlast “phase-change” lining which absorbs and stores the body’s heat, and releases it back as you body cools down. Being thin on the palm side allows them to feel almost like uninsulated gloves, and for those with heated grips, they actually absorb the heat and Outlast’s conductive properties warm both sides of your hands, without burning your palms like unlined gloves can.

These are manufactured from deerskin and elkskin, as opposed to mass produced cowhide gloves. The skin is buttery soft yet is substantially more tear and abrasion resistant than any cowhide. In vulnerable areas such as the knuckles and palms, there is an extra layer of four ounce elkskin.  Elkskin is “simply the strongest hide you’ll find”.

Lee Parks Design are big on safety. There are only four seams on the total glove which gives greater strength and integrity with a reduction in the number of stress points. They are stitched exclusively with two strong Nylon threads as opposed to Kevlar which under extreme duress will cut through the leather. The spacing of the holes is calculated to give the greatest strength to the seam, but the double thread allows just the right amount of elasticity to ensure the seams only fail when necessary.

Even with the high technical safety spec of this glove they are incredibly comfortable. They are ergonomic and tactile, despite being lined gloves you can feel the levers and controls.  These are also hand washable and won’t stiffen and crack like standard leather.

These gloves really are the business, and work well for most normal biking conditions.

http://www.motolegends.com/gloves/lee-parks-deertours-gloves-black.html

DMD RACER HELMET MATT BLACK

The Racer is a carbon tricomposite retro inspired full face motorcycle helmet based on designs from 1970s motocross helmets.  Extremely light and comfortable this is a great lid and a Bike Shed favorite. Until recently it was only available in white, but has now been released in matt black, and is mean looking to boot.

The Racer is a remake of the iconic 70’s shell but with a focus to improve the original 70’s shell design and matching it with all the modern safety standards It’s Carbon Kevlar shell has a removable and washable liner with a padded chin strap and a D ring enclosure. It’s fully ECU approved.

The guys at DMD are a very elusive bunch, but we did manage to prize this out of them: “Our main focus was to improve the original 70’s shell design and matching it with all the modern safety standards. The DMD Vintage helmet let the people to live again the themes of the legendary seventies: sense of freedom, youthful aspirations and rock music. We worked very hard on the dimension of the helmet in order to get the smallest DOT shell existing on the market with a perfect fit and a maximum compactness.”

Love this lid.

http://www.urbanrider.co.uk/brands/dmd-helmets/dmd-racer-helmet-white-9323.html

 RED CLOUD COLLECTIVE  18OZ WAX CANVAS VEST

We reviewed Red Cloud Collective’s waxed canvas trousers a few months ago, and they’re getting better with wear. A terrific trouser that’s warm on the bike and heavily water resistant. They are supurb. This vest is made from the same material and like the trousers is  tough wearing and made to get better with time. Constructed from 18oz. army duck waxed canvas it has a YKK zipper and front pockets that can be entered from the side or above for your comfort and convenience, and to stash tools, hip flasks, iphones and all the necessary shit.

They’re handcrafted in Oregon USA. Red Clouds Collective are a thoroughly decent bunch of blokes based out of Portland,  a group of individuals whose lifestyles and creative energy inspire the products they create.“We believe in creating products with an honest approach and practical design. All functions and fabrics are considered in creating a lasting life for our products. We are designing for the people who want quality exceeding the standards and needs of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. As a collective of makers and adventurers, each piece is an extension of our lives. We hope our creations help you along your path.” This vest is a practical bit of kit both on and off the bike. A great core layer to wear under a leather jacket, and an added waterproof layer when it pisses down. Off the bike it looks terrific, is a good spring layer over a flannel or denim shirt. You’ll only ever need to buy one of these.

“We hope this vest will be on your back for years of adventure and help you down the road.”

http://redcloudscollective.com/

4h 10 VENTED VISOR

Parisian bloggers 4h 10 have a habit of unearthing some great products, and on occassion produce their own. Their latest offering is a really cool and original vented visor.

Slightly tinted and safety approved this visor is resistant to impacts and abrasion, and is designed for use “…with real motorcycle specifications.”

This visor obviously protects you from the cold and wind , but also various projectiles with 2mm thick polycarbonate“… because without protection or with classic  standard sunglasses, a grain of gravel at full-speed can do big damage.”  This is safe to use at night.

The Vintage Shield has three adjustable  pressure studs that can be used on the vast majority of jet helmets regardless of brand.

Lovers of old school products, 4h 10 wanted retro but functional details on this visor so with the metal vents that in addition to giving a vintage look, creates airflow to reduce fogging.

This is a handsome and practical visor.

 http://4h10.com/

PRODUCT REVIEW OBANAUF HEAVY DUTY LP LEATHER PROTECTOR

Obenauf’s LP is a really effective treatment for leather that helps keep it nourished and soft, and can restore sun faded leather. But it’s single most useful application for me is waterproofing. I apply this stuff to my bike jackets and boots, and it’s kept me out of trouble numerous times. It contains no harmful silicones, petroleums or solvents, so it’s good to going on anything leather, from your wife’s Chanel handbag to your forty year old Lewis Leather.

Obenauf’s LP was invented over twenty-five years ago by a firefighter named Marv Obeanauf. He sought to make something that would preserve and protect boots that were subject to heavy wear. The waxy cream he came up with nourishes leathers, restores lost oils, and protects boots from almost every element you can think of – water, heat, snow, salt, some chemicals, mildew, and even manure acid if your planning to go off-roading in cow shit.

Application is easy, it’s best that the leather is warm so the pores are open, this can achieved by just leaving in the airing cupboard or in a well heated room. It’s best not to stick leather on a heater as it can crack. Once the leather is warmed, dig into the LP paste with your fingers and apply the stuff directly to your boots or jacket. The warmth from your hands will help melt the wax and let it be absorbed into the leather. Make sure to rub it deep into the seams and the welt, as that’s where most of the water will enter. Leave to dry overnight, and then if necessary rub any excess off with a cloth or a brush.

As easy as that.

http://www.ironheart.co.uk/hardware/obenaufs-heavy-duty-lp.html

via The Bike Shed