WRC, Rally Poland, étape 2 : Deux duels fabuleux à suivre / some good fights in store for tomorrow

Il reste moins de 30 kilomètres chronométrés pour départager les leaders, Sébastien Ogier et Andreas Mikkelsen, séparés par 5.6 secondes, et les autres prétendants au podium, Ott Tanak et Jari-Matti Latvala, qui se tiennent en 1.5 seconde. La troisième étape s’annonce somptueuse sous le soleil de Pologne. 

Ce matin, le leader Sébastien Ogier avait réussi à augmenter son avance sur Andreas Mikkelsen, le désavantage de balayer les pistes ayant été en partie compensé par la poussière restée en suspension dans les sous-bois pour ses poursuivants. De 2s1, l’écart était passé à 7s4 à l’issue de l’ES13.

De son côté, ses problèmes de freins résolus (maître-cylindre) et malgré un tête-à-queue, Ott Tanak (Ford) avait remporté deux spéciales pour prendre la 3e place à Jari-Matti Latvala avant la pause-déjeuner. Les quatre leaders étaient alors groupés en 20s1 et derrière, c’était relativement serré entre Paddon, Neuville, Kubica, Meeke, Ostberg et Sordo.

Comme vendredi, les choix de pneumatiques ont encore animé la boucle de l’après-midi aujourd’hui, en raison des températures exceptionnellement élevées au nord de la Pologne. Certains ont privilégié les pneus LTX Force S4 soft (Neuville, Sordo), d’autres ont opté pour des H4 hard (Mikkelsen, Tanak), et la plupart a choisi de mixer soft et hard comme Sébastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala, Kris Meeke ou encore Hayden Paddon.

Quel fut le meilleur choix ? Difficile à dire puisque la première spéciale de la boucle (ES14) a été annulée en raison d’un trop grand nombre de spectateurs. Mais avec leurs Michelin LTX Force H4, Andreas Mikkelsen et Ott Tanak ont remporté les ES15 et ES16. Le Norvégien était revenu à 4s7 d’Ogier, et l’Estonien avait pris 2s4 d’avance sur Latvala avant la Superspéciale.

Cette courte spéciale (2,5 km) bouleverse souvent l’ordre établi. Alors il a fallu attendre près de 21h00 pour avoir le classement des premiers concurrents. Sébastien Ogier a finalement conclu cette journée en leader avec 5s6 d’avance sur Mikkelsen. Ott Tanak (Ford) compte 1s5 d’avance sur Latvala.

Derrière, avec seulement 30 kilomètres chronométrés restant à parcourir demain, les écarts semblent conséquents. Hayden Paddon (5e, Hyundai), Thierry Neuville (6e, Hyundai), Robert Kubica (7e, Ford), Kris Meeke (8e, Citroën), Mads Ostberg (9e, Citroën) et Dani Sordo (10e, Hyundai) devraient garder leur position.

En WRC-2, les deux Skoda Fabia R5/Michelin officielles dominent ce Rallye de Pologne. Esapekka Lappi et Pontus Tidemand devraient logiquement offrir un doublé à l’équipe tchèque.

En Junior, Osian Price a laissé la première place à Simone Tempestini après avoir perdu une minute et demie dans l’ES16. En Fiesta Trophy, rien n’est joué entre Marius Aasen et Tom Cave séparés par 13 secondes. Max Vatanen est 3e, sous la menace de Mats Van Den Branck.

La dernière étape du Rally Poland 2015 ne compte que deux passages dans Baranowo (14,60 km), le second étant Power Stage.

With less than 30 kilometres of competitive action remaining, Sébastien Ogier and Andreas Mikkelsen are split by 5.6s, while the gap between podium battlers Ott Tanak and Jari-Matti Latvala is just 1.5s ahead of an exciting last day in Poland. 

The overnight leader Ogier succeeded in increasing his cushion over team-mate Mikkelsen this morning when the handicap of running first on the road was partially compensated for by hanging dust. The gap increased from 2.1s to 7.4s after SS13.

Meanwhile, a master-cylinder problem and a spin didn’t prevent Tanak (Ford) from claiming two stages to steal third place from Latvala before the lunchtime break. At this point, the top four were blanketed by 20.1s, while the situation was quite tight between chasers Paddon, Neuville, Kubica, Meeke, Ostberg and Sordo.

Once again, tyre choice was the main subject of conversation due to the extremely hot weather in this part of northern Poland. Neuville and Sordo opted for soft-compound LTX Force S4s, while Mikkelsen and Tanak went for the harder H4s, and Ogier, Latvala, Meeke and Paddon went for a combination of the two.

It is difficult to judge which the best choice was since the afternoon’s first stage (SS14) was cancelled due to spectator numbers. Mikkelsen and Tanak went on to win SS15 and SS16 as the Norwegian closed the gap to Ogier to 4.7s, and the Estonian went 2.4s clear of Latvala ahead of the super-special.

The 2.5km spectator test saw Ogier complete the day 5.6s safe from Mikkelsen, with Tanak (Ford) 1.5s ahead of Latvala.

In their wake, big gaps have opened up between Hayden Paddon (5th, Hyundai), Thierry Neuville (6th, Hyundai), Robert Kubica (7th, Ford), Kris Meeke (8th, Citroën), Mads Ostberg (9th, Citroën) and Dani Sordo (10th, Hyundai) whose positions are unlikely to change on Sunday.

In WRC-2, Skoda Fabia R5/Michelin drivers Esapekka Lappi and Pontus Tidemand continue to dominate and the Czech make is on target for a one-two finish.

In the Junior fight, Osian Price has been passed by Simone Tempestini after losing a minute-and-a-half on SS16. The Fiesta Trophy could still be won by either Marius Aasen or Tom Cave, who are separated by 13s. Max Vatanen is third, under the threat of Mats Van Den Branck.

The final day of the 2015 Rally Poland features just two attempts at ‘Baranowo’ (14.60km), the second being the Power Stage.

GEAR GUIDE #59

The latest Gear Guide sees the launch of the long awaited open face helmet from the 78 Motor Company, tough good looking Kevlar canvas jeans from Tobacco, a tailored armoured jacket from Ruste, a stunning repurposed lamp from Motorcircus, and welcome relief from swamp-arse from Below The Belt.

78 MOTOR COMPANY SUPERLUXE R/T HELMET

In true shed-builder style, Anthony Jackson has been locked away for nearly three years beavering feverishly – designing, engineering and building his passion project – the Superlux R/T open faced lid.

He’s a one-man band with no financial backing beyond his own hard earned readies, but somehow Anthony has managed to create a lid that shames the corporate manufactures and holds its own against the high-end niche brands. We’ve seen samples at the Bike Shed shows for a couple of years, but it’s only now he’s happy with the design, secured the highest safety certifications and been able to produce the helmets in a sufficient quantity, that he’s willing to release the Superluxe R/T to his eagerly waiting punters. But I have to say, it’s been worth the wait.

The Superluxe R/T is a hand crafted low volume luxury helmet that combines contemporary carbon fibre technology with retro styling. The Superluxe recalls the classic lines of the late 1970’s era jet helmet with a small shell and close fit with choices of authentic rubber trims. Each helmet is hand finished in a limited series of just 100 per colour taken from original 1970’s automotive paint palettes, each hand sprayed with a UV finish.

Every SL helmet features extensive detailing from embossed ‘gun metal’ metal ware, silk-screened artwork to the signature chrome badge (the first series in Morris red resin). The nappa leather and suede interior is stitched and finished by hand, featuring an integrated carry handle under each ear pad. Every SL comes complete with its very own slim line SL peak visor.  A carbon fibre peak visor optional at extra cost.

The Superluxe interior is extremely comfortable, lined with the finest Nappa lambskin with super-soft moleskin suede. After two years of research and development 78 Motor Co. have shaped and formed a new low weight EPS inner shell with focus on shape and fit. The dual density foam and Lambskin head/neck cushion with 360 degree padding “clamp yet caress” the head with extra long webbing straps and padding to avoid snagging on stubble and beards. Each ear pad can be removed and replaced. With an overall weight from just 780 grams, the Superluxe is incredibly light and ultra strong.

The Superluxe is autoclave formed from the latest carbon fibre composite with additional carbon fibre reinforcement. “A unique combination of fibres provides the low weight and strength of carbon fibre with the preferred crash behaviour of much heavier fibreglass.”  The denser EPS has been designed to absorb energy quickly whilst being low weight. For a safe and secure fit tensile ‘stainless steel’ double ‘D’ rings are fitted alongside heavy-duty aviation grade straps and webbing. Automotive alloy anchor points are mounted to the shell for additional strength.

Despite the low weight the Superluxe is not flimsy or flexible gaining full ECE R2205 approval. 

78 helmets are formed, assembled, painted and finished by hand in very low volumes with each being a true limited edition in sumptuous colours.   The tones available are Phantom Black – (Embassy Black Rolls Royce); Aston White – (Aston Martin 1970s); Zanzibar Blue – (BMC/British Leyland) – SL Series 100; Blood Orange – (Porsche 1970s);  and my favourite 100 Dove Grey – (BMC/Triumph 1970s).

A long time coming, the Superluxe is a terrific addition to the open face helmet line up, claiming its stake at the luxury end of the market www.78motorco.com

PRODUCT REVIEW – TOBACCO MOTORWEAR KEVLAR LINED JEANS

So, I’ve tried out a few pairs of Kevlar lined jeans over the last couple of years, and they’ve ranged from pretty poor to really quite good. So when I took delivery of my Tobaccos I was curious to see what more these had to offer. I certainly wasn’t disappointed.

First off, I got them in canvas rather than denim,  just for a change really. The heavy tan cotton is handsome, tough and durable, but comfortable from the outset. But comfort aside, the most striking factor is how well these fit. These are a classic Levi 511 style slim tapered cut, and fit perfectly. The Kevlar lining is soft and thin, so it doesn’t bunch up and feel like you’re wearing your mum’s tights underneath like some Kevlar jeans do. These feel like a normal pair of jeans, and can be worn all day, even in warm weather.

They don’t come with pockets for armour, which some people may not like, but it means you don’t have the extra bulk in the knees and hips that other Kevlar jeans do.  I particularly like these because they are equally comfortable on and off the bike. They are a well designed pair of jeans, period.

We first featured Tobacco Motorwear Company as a Kickstarter project last year, and they’re now in full production. The jeans come in indigo and black selvedge denim, and sand canvas. They certainly haven’t skimped on materials. Their canvas and denim are raw, hefty and unwashed. These will stretch and mould to your physique through wear and will get better with age. The fabric will soften and fade with wear. The Kevlar is extremely durable, abrasion, heat and puncture resistant.  These jeans are tough and ready to work. They come in odd and even waist sizes and various lengths, and are made in the USA. The classic five pocket design comes with minimal detailing, with a red and gold wave stitch on the pocket.

The founder of Tobacco, Dave Ackerman asks that ‘…you put them on and beat the hell out of them. Your Tobaccos are made to get better so get on a bike and go for a ride!”

Recently customer Andrew Wieralla wrote to Dave, “So I was out last week, on a sunny day riding my chopper. Riding in style wearing some blue Tobacco jeans. My front brake locks up and I go sliding across that warm blacktop. The only thought I had was, ‘at least I’m wearing my Tobacco jeans.’ I just wanted to say thank you for making such an awesome product and literally saving my ass. The jeans are also no worse for wear. I’ll never ride without them.”

I’m loving my Tobaccos, and I’m getting the indigo denim version next.

tobaccomotorwear.com

PRODUCT REVIEW – RUSTE PROTECTIVE TAILORING 

A few weeks ago we featured Ruste, the company that offers a tailoring service for jackets and trousers, lining your favourite garments with Kevlar and creating pockets for protective armour.

They claim: “Our expert tailors sew protective material into your jeans and jacket without changing the way they look. They will be comfortable, safe, and no one will even know that you’re wearing motorcycle gear.”

I was tempted, so sent them my Woolrich/West America heavy canvas jacket. I love to wear it on my bike, but am aware it’s not Kevlar lined or armoured, so I worried how it would hold up in an off. So I sent it to Ruste, curious to how they would deal with it.

They have a very easy and straightforward handling process. You place your order online, DHL call and arrange a pickup, you pack you garment, the package is collected and shipped to their tailors, and then returned to your home address. They quote a two week turnaround time from when they receive your garment, but mine got back to me much quicker.

When the jacket came back, it fitted perfectly, with the armour in the correct places and the lining fitted accurately. The quality of the workmanship is extremely high, the jacket looking and feeling like it was lined at manufacture and not retro-fitted. It hasn’t altered the shape or fit of the jacket, and the D30 armour is snug and discrete.

The lining material is Coolmax, which helps keep you dry, cool and comfortable. Coolmax is a performance fabric that has been used in athletic clothes for many years. Coolmax pulls moisture away from your skin and helps the air to circulate.

Ruste use authentic DuPont™ Stretch Kevlar®, which is lightweight, flexible, and incredibly strong. The Kevlar covers the most vulnerable places in your body, while leaving space to keep the clothes flexible and comfortable even on long rides.

This is a useful and efficient service that has transformed a good jacket into a great jacket, one which will protect me well if I come in contact with the gravel.

http://www.rusteprotection.com/

MOTORCIRCUS – GOLDFINGER LAMP

A few months back we featured Chris and the guys at Motorcircus, who fabricate one-off lamps and lights from vintage motorcycle and car parts under the banner Spot Vintage. Here are some images of their latest creation:

“This lamp is an homage to Ian Fleming, Sean Connery and Gert Fröbe. So I named this spot Goldfinger.”

The headlight is from the 60s and was finished in gold metalic paint. The stand is made from a BMW R100RS ransmission shaft and a polished and oiled chunk of walnut. The switch is also real vintage (dead-stock), and the joint allows turning the headlight in every direction because of the ball magnet. This unique beauty can be used on a desk, sideboard or shelves.

These lamps don’t run cheap, but the craftsmanship is exquisite and the use of high end components put their cheaper competitors to shame. These are lovingly crafted and incredibly labour intensive.

Check out Goldfinger and their other creations at www.spot-vintage.de or www.motor-circus.com

BELOW THE BELT

So, Swamp Arse. Anyone who has spent any time in the saddle has experienced the ignobility of a sweaty groin and butt chaffing. Uncomfortable and not a good look, some would say the affliction is a necessary evil of riding a bike. Maybe, until now.

Below The Belt Grooming have released a unique range of skincare products dedicated to refreshing your balls and crack.  “Often neglected in daily maintenance, a good regime can only enhance everyday life and ease the journey.”  My thoughts exactly.

There are three products in the range:

“Fresh & Dry Balls”: Use this gel down below to ensure you stay dry and comfortable. Its absorbed quickly to leave a dusting of talc in all the right places. It is not perfumed and uses only essential oils.

“Waterless Shower”: If you are going out straight from work, going for a long ride, hoping to get lucky later, or just a lazy bastard, this product will cleanse, helping to kill bacteria and odour. There’s no need for a shower, it’s instantly absorbed.

“Sports Lubricant”:If you road-race, motocross, grass track, traffic light grand prix, or do any sport where you work up a bit of sweat, this smooth, non-drag product will prevent chafing or unnecessary discomfort.

Perfect. Thanks to Below The Belt, Swamp Arse is a thing of the past.

(Note: We mercifully omitted the product application demonstration images)

www.btbgrooming.co.uk

via The Bike Shed

WRC, Rally Poland, après ES13 : Ogier pousse, Tanak revient / Ogier on a charge as Tanak closes

Sébastien Ogier (VW/Michelin) a triplé son avance en tête du Rally Poland 2015 à l’issue de la première boucle du jour. Il compte désormais 7.2 secondes d’avance sur Mikkelsen. Derrière, Ott Tanak (Ford) est revenu sur le podium provisoire pour 1/10e de seconde face à Jari-Matti Latvala. 

Sébastien Ogier a sans doute fait un grand pas vers une seconde victoire au Rallye de Pologne. Malgré le désavantage de balayer les pistes, le champion du monde est parvenu à conserver le leadership, et même à augmenter son avance sur ses deux équipiers Andreas Mikkelsen et Jari-Matti Latvala après son meilleur temps dans l’ES13.

« J’ai commis quelques erreurs dans cette spéciale », avouait Mikkelsen à l’arrivée de l’ES13. Le Norvégien sait qu’il lui sera difficile de reprendre 7 secondes à Ogier à la régulière. « Je ne sais pas pourquoi on est moins rapide », soufflait Latvala, dont l’objectif est désormais de monter sur le podium.

Et c’est loin d’être assuré car à l’issue de la dernière spéciale, et après deux meilleurs réalisés ce matin (ES11/ES12), l’Estonien Ott Tanak (Ford) est revenu sur le podium provisoire. « J’ai fait une erreur stupide au départ de l’ES10 qui m’a coûté environ 8 secondes », expliquait l’Estonien, néanmoins ravi de sa matinée.

Thierry Neuville (6e, Hyundai) a attaqué fort dans l’ES13 pour revenir à 11 secondes de son équipier Hayden Paddon (5e, Hyundai). « Je dois aussi penser au championnat car pour l’instant, avec Mads Ostberg derrière et Elfyn Evans out, je fais une bonne opération », déclarait le Belge au parc d’assistance.

Pour l’instant, Elfyn Evans (Ford) est le seul abandon parmi les WRC depuis le départ du rallye. Le Gallois a connu un souci de pompe à eau après l’ES10 et a dû se retirer pour la journée.

Derrière Thierry Neuville, Robert Kubica (7e, Ford), Kris Meeke (8e, Citroën), Mads Ostberg (9e, Citroën) et Dani Sordo (10e, Hyundai) sont tous séparés par une quinzaine de secondes.

En WRC-2, Esapekka Lappi (Skoda/Michelin) a concédé quelques secondes, mais contrôle son équipier Pontus Tidemand. Karl Kruuda (Citroën) est toujours 3e devant Jari Ketomaa (Ford). Victime d’une sortie de route hier, Nasser Al-Attiyah (Ford) est reparti en Rally2.

En Junior, Osian Price (Citroën/Michelin) compte une trentaine de secondes d’avance sur Simone Tempestini. En Fiesta Trophy, Tom Cave avait pris l’avantage pour 2s6 face à Marius Aasen à l’issue de l’ES12.

Cet après-midi, trois spéciales sont au programme pour 54 km chronométrés. Il fait très chaud et les choix de pneumatiques vont encore être compliqués et déterminants.

Cet après-midi, trois spéciales sont au programme pour 54 km chronométrés. Il fait très chaud et les choix de pneumatiques sont encore compliqués et déterminants. Ogier et Latvala sont repartis avec 3 soft et 2 hard. Choix opposé pour Mikkelsen et Tanak avec 4 hard et 1 soft. 

Sébastien Ogier (VW/Michelin) has increased his overnight lead threefold after Saturday’s opening loop. He is now 7.2s clear of Mikkelsen, while Ott Tanak (Ford) is back on the podium, one-tenth ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala. 

Ogier appears to be on target for his second victory in Poland where he has overcome the handicap of running first on the road to increase his overnight lead over team-mates Mikkelsen and Latvala thanks to another fastest time on SS13.

“I made a couple of mistakes on that stage,” admitted the Norwegian who is aware that it will be tough to claw back the seven seconds that separate him from the world champion. “I don’t know why we’re slower,” sighed Latvala whose mission now is to finish on the podium.

Third place is currently in the hands of Tanak (Ford) who was fastest on SS11 and SS12. “I made a silly mistake at the start of SS10 which probably cost me around eight seconds,” calculated the Estonian who is otherwise delighted with his morning.

Thierry Neuville (6th, Hyundai) pushed hard on SS13 to close to within 11s of his team-mate Hayden Paddon (5th). “I need to think about the championship as well because this wouldn’t be a bad result with Mads Ostberg behind me and Elfyn Evans out of the running,” commented the Belgian at the lunchtime service halt.

For the moment, Evans (Ford) is the day’s only WRC retirement after he was side-lined by a water pump issue after SS10.

Robert Kubica (7th, Ford), Kris Meeke (8th, Citroën), Mads Ostberg (9th, Citroën) and Dani Sordo (10th, Hyundai) are covered by around 15 seconds.

The WRC2 leader Esapekka Lappi (Skoda/Michelin) has dropped a few seconds but is still comfortably clear of team-mate Pontus Tidemand. Karl Kruuda (Citroën) is third, followed by Jari Ketomaa (Ford). Nasser Al-Attiyah (Ford) is back in the event under the Rally2 ruling after his crash on Friday.

In the Junior battle, Osian Price (Citroën/Michelin) is around half-a-minute clear of Simone Tempestini, while Tom Cave took command in the Fiesta Trophy after SS12. Marius Aasen is second (+2.6s).

This afternoon’s three stages total 54km. The weather is still very hot and tyre choices could play a big role. Ogier and Latvala left service with three ‘softs’ and two ‘hards’, while Mikkelsen and Tanak took four ‘hards’ and one ‘soft’.

Qualifying Race highlights - Moscow - Blancpain Sprint Series