Fantasy WRC Preview: Rallye de French

"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
09/29/2014 at 13:00 • Filed to: fantasy wrc, wrc, rally

What? Me forget Rally de France was this weekend then secretly backdate the Fantasy WRC post to make it look like I was on time when really I wrote it a day late? That's ridiculous, you're speaking crazy. I would never do that. LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE!

Points, let's talk about points. We've had our first round of dropping worst scores, and as expected it has shuffled up the championship. Lumpy44 has, as expected, rocketed into first. Chronchameleon, who missed the last round, has managed to hang onto second. G17 has managed to shoot into the top 10 (now in 7th). The drop has indeed made it possible for those who missed a round to still be able to compete. SUCCESS! Here's the top 10, full standings !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

1) Lumpy44 - 529
2) Chronchameleon - 519
3) McNewbie - 516
4) AntMic - 511
5) Tell A Finn - 504
6) Dusty Ventures - 496
7) G17 - 489
8) Hermann - 488
9) Hoccy - 480
10) Marshall Richards - 474

Ok, France. Rallye de France is our third tarmac event of the season, and literally takes place in Seb Loeb's backyard. Like Germany it is a combination of wide, fast roads and narrow, twisty mountain passes, and like Germany there are vineyards ready to catch you if you slide off the black stuff. Speaking of sliding off the black stuff, weather is a major factor here. Rain can make the French tarmac as slippery as ice, and the event usually gets at least one day of damp. Since Rallye de France moved into the Alsace region (it used to be on Corsica) it has always been won by a Frenchman, with Loeb and Ogier taking two wins each. Ogier will be particularly keen on taking the win, as a win will also earn him the WRC championship. But with 45% of the stages being new for this year victory will be a challenge for all the competitors.

Speaking of the drivers, choosing a roster here will be tough. There are a number of tarmac specialists entered, all of whom are threats for the podium/win. Neuville lead here last year until he lost time due to a puncture. He also won the last tarmac round in Germany. His teammate Dani Sordo finished second to him in Germany and has five podiums in seven starts in France, including runner up finishes in 2010, 2011, and 2013. Bryan Bouffier, in the third Hyundai, has never raced Rallye de France, but has a pair of top fives from the nearby Monte Carlo rally. Meeke cut his teeth on Irish tarmac, and showed his speed in Germany before tearing a wheel off. Evans, who also started off on tarmac, finished eleventh overall here last year in a WRC2 car. And then there are the two VW drivers: Ogier and Latvala, either of whom are a top threat at any rally. Ogier has two wins in France, Latvala hasn't finished outside the top 4 here since 2006. With so many strong prospects picking just five, and not picking teammates, is a true challenge.

And with that it's time to make some picks and start the ritualistic smacktalk. 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 de France. 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.

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VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT
Sebastien Ogier - Avg points last 10 races: 19.4 / Avg points France: 19.3
Jari-Matti Latvala - Avg points last 10 races: 14.6 / Avg points France: 11.6

CITROEN TOTAL ABU DHABI WRT
Kris Meeke - Avg points last 10 races: 6.4 / Avg points France: 0.0
Mads Østberg - Avg points last 10 races: 7.0 / Avg points France: 5.5

M-SPORT WRT
Mikko Hirvonen - Avg points last 10 races: 7.8 / Avg points France: 9.9
Elfyn Evans - Avg points last 10 races: 5.8 / Avg points France: N/A

HYUNDAI MOTORSPORT
Thierry Neuville - Avg points last 10 races: 7.7 / Avg points France: 12.0
Dani Sordo - Avg points last 10 races: 8.9 / Avg points Australia: 12.0

SINGLE CAR TEAMS AND INDEPENDENTS
Andreas Mikkelsen (VW) - Avg points last 10 races: 12.0 / Avg points France: 6.0
Robert Kubica (FORD) - Avg points last 10 races: 1.4 / Avg points France: N/A
Henning Solberg (FORD) - Avg points last 10 races: 5.5 / Avg points France: 3.0
Bryan Bouffier (HYUNDAI) - Avg points last 3 races: 9.3 / Avg points France: N/A
Martin Prokop (FORD) - Avg points last 10 races: 4.5 / Avg points France: 1.0
Julien Maurin (FORD) - Avg points last 3 races: 0.0 / Avg points France: 0.0

DISCUSSION (21)

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Dusty Ventures
09/30/2014 at 08:10

After winning (!!!) the last round, my confidence is at an all time high. Trusting Mr. Meeke finally paid off!

Here we go:
1. Ogier - he will secure the championship in his home country

2. Sordo - Asphalt, that's his thing. If the i20 doesn't let him down he should have a great event

3. Meeke - He doesn't know the event very well, and I fear that the wet roads might be a bit too much of a challenge.

4. Mikkelsen - VW, he will be up there

5. Kubica - more of a wish than an actual prediction.

Power: Ogier

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dusty Ventures
09/30/2014 at 12:45

1. Ogier

2. Sordo

3. Hirvonen

4. TUTHILL

5. PASCAL because he has a law

P. Latvala

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Dusty Ventures
09/30/2014 at 12:47

Last time I spent any time on top was a crazy night with Kirsty Alley, but I have to say this feels a lot better.

1. Ogier <—Power!

2. Sordo

3. Ostberg

4. Hirvonen

5. Mikkelson

Dusty Ventures > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
09/30/2014 at 12:53

Tuthill owns the car, but he's not driving it. The two Porsche drivers are Francois Delecour and Romain Dumas. I assume you want Delecour?

Hoccy > Dusty Ventures
09/30/2014 at 12:53

1: Sebastien Ogier - Home advantage + tarmac = Sebastien win.

2: Thierry Neuville - Coming with strong confidence off a win in Germany, and will get a podium here as well

3: Andreas Mikkelsen - Second VW, and a steady driver.

4: Mikko Hirvonen - Why not. Safe pick.

5: Kris Meeke - Have to do one gamble per event, and Kris proved his pace in Germany. Crashes will be slightly less critical this time around, so he might finish.

Power Stage: Jari-Matti Latvala. Always.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dusty Ventures
09/30/2014 at 12:56

Yes, the chart gets confusing when you stray from the key.