Fantasy WRC: France

"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures) 09/30/2013 at 14:00 • Filed to: fantasywrc, rally

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After our jaunt down under we're back in Europe for the final three rounds of the championship, starting with a return to tarmac in France. France is the final all-tarmac event of the season (Spain's first day is gravel) and has been known for its share of dramatic moments. With the return to tarmac and the return to Europe comes the return of the WRC's winningest driver, as Sebastien Loeb straps in one more time for what is to be his final WRC event ever, his swan song in front of his home crowd. Loeb has trumped Ogier twice so far in this year's battle of the Sebs, and he'll be looking to go three for four and get his 79th career win this weekend. Ogier will want to win to show everyone that he's just as fast and he isn't earning his title simply because the true best driver is relaxing on a beach somewhere instead of racing.

Speaking of the title, you might as well wrap it up and hand it to Ogier now, because unless Ogier fails to score a single point in France and Neuville wins the rally and the power stage the 2013 championship will officially belong to the younger Seb. It's been an exciting championship battle but this... oh who am I kidding, the championship's been a disappointing snorefest from the start, so one sided and predictable that it's had many dreaming of the "close title fights of the Loeb era." But on the positive side a star of the future has emerged in Neuville, a sign that perhaps future championships won't be won as easily.

Here are the rules and scoring: Pick four drivers for the rally and one for the power stage (the final stage of the rally). None of your four drivers can be part of the same team (so you can’t have both Hirvonen and Loeb, or both Ogier and Latvala). Your power stage driver can be amongst your four main drivers or it can be someone else (team rules do not apply for the power stage driver). List the four drivers in the order you expect them to finish. At the end of the rally you get the cumulative total points from each of your four drivers (an additional 2 points if you correctly guessed their finishing order), plus 2x however many points your power stage driver scored (if any).

Here's the WRC France entry list

Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT
•Mikko Hirvonen
Best Finish, Last 10 Races: 2 (x2)
Podiums, Last 10 Races: 4
Average Pts, Last 10 Races: 10.2
DNFs, Last 10 Races: 1
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 10 Races: 8
France Starts: 8
Best Finish, France: 2
France Podiums: 3
Average Pts, France: 9.0
Points-Scoring Finishes, France: 7
•Sebastien Loeb
Best Finish, Last 10 Races: 1 (7x)
Podiums, Last 10 Races: 9
Average Pts, Last 10 Races: 21.1
DNFs, Last 10 Races: 1
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 10 Races: 9
France Starts: 9
Best Finish, France: 1 (x6)
France Podiums: 7
Average Pts, France: 18.7
Points-Scoring Finishes, France: 7

Qatar M-Sport WRT
•Mads Ostberg
Best Finish, Last 10 Races: 3 (x2)
Podiums, Last 10 Races: 2
Average Pts, Last 10 Races: 7.2
DNFs, Last 10 Races: 0
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 10 Races: 9
France Starts: 3
Best Finish, France: 5
France Podiums: 0
Average Pts, France: 6.0
Points-Scoring Finishes, France: 3
•Evgeny Novikov
Best Finish, Last 10 Races: 4 (x2)
Podiums, Last 10 Races: 0
Average Pts, Last 10 Races: 4.4
DNFs, Last 10 Races: 2
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 10 Races: 8
France Starts: 2
Best Finish, France: 7
France Podiums: 0
Average Pts, France: 3.0
Points-Scoring Finishes, France: 1

Volkswagen Motorsport
•Jari-Matti Latvala
Best Finish, Last 10 Races: 1
Podiums, Last 10 Races: 4
Average Pts, Last 10 Races: 10.0
DNFs, Last 10 Races: 1
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 10 Races: 7
France Starts: 6
Best Finish, France: 2
France Podiums: 1
Average Pts, France: 11.0
Points-Scoring Finishes, France: 5
•Sebastien Ogier
Best Finish, Last 10 Races: 1 (x6)
Podiums, Last 10 Races: 8
Average Pts, Last 10 Races: 18.7
DNFs, Last 10 Races: 0
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 10 Races: 9
France Starts: 2
Best Finish, France: 1
France Podiums: 1
Average Pts, France: 16.5
Points-Scoring Finishes, France: 2

Volkswagen Motorsport 2
•Andreas Mikkelsen
Best Finish, Last 10 Races: 4
Podiums, Last 10 Races: 0
Average Pts, Last 10 Races: 3.7
DNFs, Last 10 Races: 2
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 10 Races: 6
France Starts: 0

Abu Dhabi Citroen Total WRT
•Dani Sordo
Best Finish, Last 10 Races: 1
Podiums, Last 10 Races: 3
Average Pts, Last 10 Races: 9.6
DNFs, Last 10 Races: 1
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 10 Races: 8
France Starts: 6
Best Finish, France: 2 (x2)
France Podiums: 4
Average Pts, France: 11.0
Points-Scoring Finishes, France: 4

Qatar WRT
•Thierry Neuville
Best Finish, Last 10 Races: 2 (x4)
Podiums, Last 10 Races: 6
Average Pts, Last 10 Races: 12.2
DNFs, Last 10 Races: 1
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 10 Races: 8
France Starts: 1
Best Finish, France: 4
France Podiums: 0
Average Pts, France: 12.0
Points-Scoring Finishes, France: 1

Jipocar Czech National Team
•Martin Prokop
Best Finish, Last 10 Races: 4
Podiums, Last 10 Races: 0
Average Pts, Last 10 Races: 4.9
DNFs, Last 10 Races: 1
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 10 Races: 8
France Starts: 1
Best Finish, France: 9
France Podiums: 0
Average Pts, France: 2.0
Points-Scoring Finishes, France: 1

Notable WRC2 Drivers:
•Robert Kubica
Best Finish, Last 5 Races: 5
Podiums, Last 5 Races: 0
Average Pts, Last 5 Races: 2.8
DNFs, Last 10 Races: 0
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 5 Races: 3
France Starts: 0
•Elfyn Evans
Best Finish, Last 2 Races: 6
Podiums, Last 2 Races: 0
Average Pts, Last 2 Races: 4.0
DNFs, Last 2 Races: 1
Points-Scoring Finishes, Last 2 Races: 1
France Starts: 0

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 14:07

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Is there any place to watch pro-shot unedited (not shortened) video for the WRC?

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 14:07

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[accidental double post I can't delete on mobile]

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 14:15

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I think he ran it.

Hermann > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 14:24

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FIA is probably gaining time and already etching "Sebastien" on the 1st and 2nd place trophies.

1) Ogier (power)
2) Loeb ( sorry, Mikko )
3) Neuville
4) Sordo

Hoccy > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 14:52

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1) Loeb
2) Neuville
3) Ogier (Power Stage)
4) Sordo

It's been a while since the last rally though, look forward to it.

nobody > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 15:38

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Loeb power

Ogier

Neuville

Sordo

sliding-sideways > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 16:01

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1. Loeb

2. Ogier (Power)

3. Neuville

4. Ostberg

Raphael Orlove > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/30/2013 at 18:12

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now there's a good question

Raphael Orlove > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 18:18

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Much as the rally world has seemed predictable at times, we must remember that there is nothing ordinary about a sport where you drive really fast next to stuff that makes you go crashey crash boom. With this in mind, my top four picks.

1) Latvala: What's that? are you suggesting that the two Sebs will crash? No, I mean to say that they will SIMPLY BE OUTDRIVEN BY MY BOY JM.

2) Loeb: No spins, no crashes, a second by merit is what I predict.

3) Sordo: I am sure this is back alleyway desperate by now, and he's fast on tarmac, so there you go.

4) Ostberg: This is a pity nomination, really.

Power: JM Latvala with angels flying out of his exhaust pipe and a heavenly glow beaming from his turbocharger. Miracles can happen, people, and I will dream.

McNewbie1 > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 19:14

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This one is difficult. Loeb's back, but is he rusty? Probably not. He'll also be anxious to win on his home turf. He won a FiaGT race last weekend. If he wins WRC in France, that will be two wins in two different series in 7 days. (Sorry Orlove).
Basically, Rally France picks feel like Sophie's Choice. Here goes:
1)Ogier
2)Loeb(power)
3)Neuville
4)Sordo

Dusty Ventures > McNewbie1 09/30/2013 at 19:23

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Orlove's nightmare. Seb and Seb are the two favorites

Dusty Ventures > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 19:23

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My picks:

Loeb
Ogier (power)
Sordo
Neuville

Tom McParland > McNewbie1 09/30/2013 at 20:01

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Hey you are back!

Glad to see you are hanging around just a little bit...we miss your Motorsports expertise...cuz lord knows I know jack-crap about that stuff. :)

McNewbie1 > Tom McParland 09/30/2013 at 20:27

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Ha! Cheers:) Just back for Fantasy WRC. Thank you for the compliment, but there's several motorsports experts on oppo.

McNewbie1 > Tom McParland 09/30/2013 at 20:28

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Ha! Cheers:) Just back for Fantasy WRC. Thank you for the compliment, but there's several motorsports experts on oppo.

WorldRallyBlog > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 20:30

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This one should be quite interesting and I'm really looking forward to the clash of the two Sebastiens. My only hope is no broken mechanicals, I want this rally to be just about the drivers, as much as possible. This, however, is unlikely to happen. Latvala will surely find a stone where no stone exists (sorry Orlove), Ostberg will surely make a small mistake which will rip at least two wheels off of his car and of course Hirvonen will take a while to wake up, after which he will puncture at least one tyre during overnight service.

Here are the results of the Worldrallyblogian jury:

1) Seb Ogier

2) Seb Loeb

3) Thierry Neuville

4) Robert Kubica

Power stage: Sebastien Loeb

McNewbie1 > Dusty Ventures 09/30/2013 at 21:10

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Plus this race is in France. What we call Rally France, Rafa might call The Devil's Triangle.

Hoccy > McNewbie1 10/01/2013 at 02:37

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Don't think Loeb is that rusty now. He was rusty in the Rallycross round in France, but I think that was a bit out of his comfort zone as well. This is where he's best, at the European tarmac rallies. No surprises if he wins this one.

Hoccy > McNewbie1 10/01/2013 at 02:38

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Don't think Loeb is that rusty now. He was rusty in the Rallycross round in France, but I think that was a bit out of his comfort zone as well. This is where he's best, at the European tarmac rallies. No surprises if he wins this one.

McNewbie1 > Hoccy 10/01/2013 at 13:42

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No, he's not rusty at all. His FIA GT win will bolster his confidence. There will be no surprise if he wins this one. I agree. I picked Ogier mostly because everyone else was picking Loeb;) I will be happy of Loeb wins actually. His career in WRC is winding down.

Menebrio > Dusty Ventures 10/01/2013 at 15:26

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What a way to relax, Wine & Racing.

Menebrio > Dusty Ventures 10/01/2013 at 15:34

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To the Victor go the Spoils and Loeb is no rookie here. He'll take overall victory from Ogier who will clinch the title with a sour taste of his rival's final Victory

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1)Loeb (power)

2)Ogier

3)Neuville

4)Sordo

ChrisDuplessis > Dusty Ventures 10/03/2013 at 09:37

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SL
DS
SO
MH
power SL