Fantasy WRC Preview: Argentina

"Hoccy" (Hoccy)
05/05/2014 at 13:00 • Filed to: Fantasywrc, WRC, Rally

The fifth rally of the season will take place this weekend in Argentina, and even if Dusty is out rallying in the woods of Oregon, we must play the game called Fantasy WRC. As a Fantasy WRC regular and lifelong rally enthusiast I felt it was time to step up and write the preview this time. Hopefully Dusty will be back in regular style for Rally Sardegna.

Rally Portugal turned out to be as entertaining as Rally Mexico. A lot of drivers showed the same pace as championship leader Sebastien Ogier, but lack of consistency proved that Ogier is still slightly better than the rest of the pack. It hurts a bit to say that, because I don't want the Loeb thing to happen again.

Well. Things might change in Argentina. The second WRC rally in the new world, but with a lot of history. It's been run since 1980, and is characterized by long, rough stages with several !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . This rally is, like Mexico, run in higher altitudes than most rallies, with rutted roads covered in fog. Should be quite a challenge for the drivers, especially those first on the road. The ruts will only get bigger on the second pass, and getting off the line may cause serious problems.

So, this round of Fantasy WRC may be another round where one of the favourites miss out on the big scores. Chosing the right driver in each team is crucial, and predictions are harder than ever. If you've forgotten the rules or are new to Fantasy WRC (WELCOME!) be sure to read them all !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Below are the WRC competitors entered for Rally Argentina. For the full entry list (WRC2 drivers, etc. Remember, you can pick any driver on the entry list ) !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . And, as always, the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! are available for you numerophiles. (Yes, I know I copied the last part)

VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT:
- Sebastien Ogier - Avg points last 10 races: 20.8 / Avg points Argentina: 13.0
- Jari-Matti Latvala - Avg points last 10 races: 12.2 / Avg points Argentina: 8.2

CITROËN TOTAL ABU DHABI WRT:
- Kris Meeke - Avg points last 10 races: 3.8 / Avg points Argentina: N/A
- Mads Østberg - Avg points last 10 races: 9.5 / Avg points Argentina: 10.3

M-SPORT WRT:
- Mikko Hirvonen - Avg points last 10 races: 9.9 / Avg points Argentina: 10.1
- Elfyn Evans - Avg points last 5 races: 5.6 / Avg points Argentina: N/A

HYUNDAI MOTORSPORT:
- Thierry Neuville - Avg points last 10 races: 11.4 / Avg points Argentina: 10.0
- Dani Sordo - Avg points last 10 races: 9.1 / Avg points Argentina: 8.8

SINGLE CAR TEAMS AND INDEPENDENTS:
- Andreas Mikkelsen (VW) - Avg points last 10 races: 6.1 / Avg points Argentina: 4.0
- Robert Kubica (Ford) - Avg points last 10 races: 0.0 / Avg points Argentina: N/A
- Martin Prokop (Ford) - Avg points last 10 races: 5.4 / Avg points Argentina: 6.5

DISCUSSION (21)

Hoccy > Hoccy
05/03/2014 at 17:31

My predictions:

1. Mads Østberg - The Norwegian is starting to adapt to the driving style of Sebastien Loeb, and we all know what that means.

2. Sebastien Ogier - Because Jari-Matti disappointed me in Portugal, and will only return if we're in Finland or Ogier can't drive for some reason.

3. Mikko Hirvonen - He's back to rally-winning pace, but another issue with the Ford makes Hirvonen drop to third.

4. Thierry Neuville - Because safe bet time.

5. Andreas Mikkelsen - Look above.

Power Stage: Jari-Matti Latvala

ddavidn > Hoccy
05/05/2014 at 13:09

1. Ogier

2. Neuville

3. Mikkelsen

4. Prokop

5. Evans

Power: Ogier

Let's see if some people can get lucky here.

Marzobomber > Hoccy
05/05/2014 at 13:26

1. Latvala

2. Hirvonen

3. Ostberg

4. Sordo

5. Kubica

P. Hirvonen

willkinton247 > Hoccy
05/05/2014 at 13:27

1.) Ogier

2.) Ostberg

3.) Neuville

4.) Hirvonen

5.) Prokop

Power: Ogier

CampingElement > Hoccy
05/05/2014 at 14:41

1-Ogier

2-Ostberg

3-Hirvonen

4-Mikkelsen

5-Neuville

P-Latvala

nobody > Hoccy
05/05/2014 at 16:52

1. Ogier

2. Neuville

3. Mads (power)

4. Kubica

5. Mikko

McNewbie1 > Hoccy
05/05/2014 at 17:20

Nice write up:) Ogier, Hirvonen, Ostberg, Sordo, Mikklesen. Power: Hirvonen

Dusty Ventures > Hoccy
05/05/2014 at 17:34

Thanks for covering for me!

Ogier

Ostberg

Hirvonen

Sordo

Mikkelsen

P: Ogier

ChrisDuplessis > Hoccy
05/05/2014 at 20:56

POW SO

G17 > Hoccy
05/06/2014 at 11:18

1. Ogier
2. Ostberg
3. Hirvonen
4. Mikkelson
5. Neuville
P. Latvala

marric > Hoccy
05/06/2014 at 22:52

Ogier (and power)

Hirvonen

Ostberg

Neuville

Mikkelsen

AlexKihurani > Hoccy
05/07/2014 at 06:39

1. Ogier

2. Ostberg

3. Neuville

4. Hirvonen

5. Mikkelsen

PS: Latvala

Hermann > Hoccy
05/07/2014 at 07:42

1 - Ogier

2 - Hirvonen

3 - Østberg

4 - Mikkelsen

5 - Sordo

Power: Good ol' Latvala.

antmicmkii > Hoccy
05/07/2014 at 09:48

1. Ogier

2. Hirvonen

3. Ostberg

4. Nueville

5. Mikkelsen

P. Ogier

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Hoccy
05/07/2014 at 13:59

1. Ogier

2. Ostberg <— Power

3. Neuville

4. Hirvonen

5. Prokop

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Hoccy
05/07/2014 at 14:07

Ogier
Ostberg
Hirvonen
Neuville
Mikkelsen

Power: Latvala

Dusty Ventures > Hoccy
05/07/2014 at 14:10

Having thought about it some more, with only 11 WRC cars entered this is the perfect week to pick someone from the WRC2, because it's virtually guaranteed at least one driver from those ranks will score points this weekend. Too late for me, of course.

EDIT: Just looked at the WRC2 entries and now I regret my picks. There's some fantastic WRC2 drivers at this one. Jari Ketomaa (who, despite being in a WRC2 car has scored points in 5 of his last 10 events, including finishing 10th, 9th, and 7th in his last three rounds), Yuriy Protasov, Nasser Al-Attiyah, and Yazeed Al-Rajhi. D'oh!

Also, this is one of only two rallies on the 2014 calendar where Ogier has not yet won (the other being Poland).

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Hoccy
05/07/2014 at 14:18

1. Ogier

2. Neuville

3. Ostberg

4. Prokop

5. Mikkelsen

Power: Latvala

WorldRallyBlog > Hoccy
05/07/2014 at 18:46

Behold, here comes nothing.

1. Sebastien Ogier

2. Mads Ostberg

3. Mikko Hirvonen

4. Thierry Neuville

5. Robert Kubica

Power stage: Sebastien Ogier

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Hoccy
05/07/2014 at 20:06

Let me just start of by saying that I love Fantasy WRC. Great job by everyone here!

1. Östberg . He's getting comfortable with the car and even partly adapted his driving style to the Loeb car. Time for a maiden victory in the DS3.

2. Ogier . My prediction is that he will encounter some trouble but bounce back while not risking too much for the championship.

3. Hirvonen . He's in good (but not perfect) form, but the Fiesta is not the fastest car here. Solid podium finish.

4. Mikkelsen . Still not on pace with his team mates (over distance), but his car is good.

5. Neuville . The Hyundai will suffer from the altitude, but Neuville will push it to the max and profit from other entrants crashing.

Power: Ogier .

formulaphoto > Hoccy
05/08/2014 at 01:48

1. Ogier
2. Hirvonen
3. Meeke
4. Sordo
5. Mikkelsen
pwr. Latvala