Fantasy WRC Preview: The Full Monte

"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures) 01/13/2014 at 13:00 • Filed to: fantasywrc, rally

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WE'RE BACK! After an off season that seemed to last years we are finally ready to start the 2014 WRC season, and with the biggest shuffle the WRC has seen in years this could be one of the most interesting seasons in recent memory. We have a new manufacturer, Hyundai, returning for the 2014 season after a ten year absence, but beyond that of the thirteen "main" drivers named for the 2014 season only four of them (Ogier, Latvala, Mikkelsen, and Prokop) are in the same cars they were in last year. Kris Meeke, Elfyn Evans, and Robert Kubica will all be taking part in their first ever full WRC season, Mikko Hirvonen has returned "home" to M-Sport, and Thierry Neuville, after a stellar 2013 season, will be experiencing his first ever season as a team's official #1 driver, having signed to lead the new Hyundai team (presumably because he and the car wear the same glasses).

Now how about the Oppositelock fantasy league? Well first of all we have some !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! You're going to want to read them because there were some important changes during the off season. Also, I've added two little housekeeping rules to cover a couple fairly minor issues we had during the 2013 season. 1) If you don't get your picks in before the start of the rally don't freak out, you can still make picks, though to make it fair you'll be penalized 5 points for missing the first stage and 2 points for every subsequent stage run before you submitted your picks. 2) If, after you have made your picks but before the start of the rally something happens to one of your drivers (injury, penalty, alien abduction, suddenly realizes he's meant to be a baptist minister) you can adjust the position of or replace said driver with no penalty.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

As for Rallye Monte Carlo, it's one of the oldest rallies in the world, first run in 1911. The modern iteration is known as one of the toughest rallies on the schedule as conditions change constantly, with dry tarmac, wet tarmac, icy tarmac, and snow all possible on a single stage. Nowhere is tire choice more important than it is here and those who get it wrong often find themselves getting in arguments with solid objects. Jari-Matti Latvala and Thierry Neuville are prime examples of this. Despite having six starts between them, have never scored a single point at this difficult rally, with five retirements in six starts. For those who do succeed in surviving the Monte the event is a thrill and often on the list of a driver's top three events. With the famed !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! one of the best driving roads in the world, as the signature stage the rally is a thrill for competitors and fans alike.

Now for the teams entered in the 2014 Rallye Monte Carlo, and more importantly, the NEW LIVERIES!

Volkswagen has tweaked their livery slightly, the leaining color bars of 2013 are now pointed, because the shape reduces drag. Or something.

Volkswagen Motorsport Drivers
•Sebastien Ogier - Avg pts last 10 races: 19.4 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 18.0 (1 start)
•Jari-Matti Latvala - Avg pts last 10 races: 13.9 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 0 (4 starts)

Volkswagen Motorsport 2 Drivers
•Andreas Mikkelsen - Avg pts last 10 races: 4.9 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 0 (0 starts)

Citroen , from what I've gathered, is keeping the old 2013 livery, which is a bit of a bummer since everyone else will have new colors. Not that it isn't a good looking car, but I was hoping they would channel a bit more of Loeb's !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for 2014.

Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT Drivers
•Kris Meeke - Avg pts last 10 races: 2.4 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 0 (0 starts)
•Mads Østberg - Avg pts last 10 races: 7.3 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 8.0 (1 start)

Hyundai went with what is almost a Gulf look with the light blue and orange, though the blue is off from the famed livery (presumably to avoid any angry letters/lawsuits from Gulf, especially since their primary sponsor is rival oil company Shell). Either way it can't be denied, that's a good looking rally car

Hyundai Shell WRT Drivers
•Thierry Neuville - Avg pts last 10 races: 13.6 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 0 (2 starts)
•Dani Sordo - Avg pts last 10 races: 10.3 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 9.2 (6 starts)

Bad news for M-Sport is they lost financial funding from Qatar. Good news for M-Sport is with no main sponsor dictating the livery they can design the car to look however the fuck they want. Back in December I tweeted AC/DC's "Back in Black" to M-Sport, calling it a "livery suggestion." They coyly liked the tweet but didn't say anything in response. I'm excited to say M-Sport is indeed back in black and the new livery is sex. Pure x-rated sex. I'm already dusting off a space on my shelf for a model M-Sport Hirvonen Fiesta.

M-Sport (Ford) Drivers
•Mikko Hirvonen - Avg pts last 10 races: 9.5 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 10.0 (6 starts)
•Elfyn Evans - Avg pts last 1 races: 8.0 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 0 (0 starts)
•Bryan Bouffier - Avg pts last 1 races: 10.0 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 10.0 (1 start)

Robert Kubica was supposed to be M-Sport's #2 man, but he is backed by Polish oil company Lotos while M-Sport is backed by Castrol. To avoid angering both companies a new team was made, RK M-Sport World Rally Team. It's every bit as M-Sport as the main team, but without having to ditch any sponsors. I'm not entirely sold on the chrome, but I am entirely sold on Kubica at the top level of the WRC, especially after his !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! drive on the final stage of the Janner Rally.

RK M-Sport WRT Drivers
•Robert Kubica - Avg pts last 1 races: 0 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 0 (0 starts)

Like Citroen Martin Prokop is back with the same livery as 2013. That said it's not a bad looking car. I just wish we saw more of it.

Jipocar Czech National Team Drivers
•Martin Prokop - Avg pts last 10 races: 5.1 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 4.2 (2 start)

No word on what to expect from Francois Delecour for a livery. This race is effectively a one-off for the experienced independent, but he'll still be someone to watch.

•Francois Delecour - Avg pts last 10 races: 1.3 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 8.0 (1 start)

The Slovakia World Rally Team and driver Jaroslav Melicharek (great, another name I can't spell or pronounce) are another new addition to the WRC. Like Bouffier I haven't found a livery for him, so we'll just have to wait and see what his Fiesta looks like at Monte.

Slovakia World Rally Team Drivers
•Jaroslav Melicharek - Avg pts last 0 races: 0 / Avg pts Monte Carlo: 0 (0 start)

For the full driver stat sheet !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
For the full Rallye Monte Carlo entry list !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (sometimes those WRC2 drivers are a good dark horse pick)

Alright, everyone. First rally of the season. Post your picks below (5 drivers, no teammates, plus your power stage pick, read the rules, foo!) and let's get this season underway.

nobody > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 13:08

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1. Ogier (Power)

2. Ostberg

3. Neuville

4. Kubica

5. Hirvonen

Stupidru > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 13:12

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So when will VW import their AWD rally tech into that gawd awful Haldex system?

Dusty Ventures > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 13:13

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Traditional co-driver pose. You can only see the top of the helmet ;)

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 13:14

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1. Ogier

2. Hirvonen

3. Ostberg

4. Sordo

5. Prokop

Power: Ogier

Did I do this right? I'm having a tough time determining who we're calling teammates (e.g. is Kubica a teammate of Hirvonen et al?)

Dusty Ventures > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 01/13/2014 at 13:17

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You did it right. By fantasy standards Hirvonen is not teammates with Kubica. If two drivers aren't clustered together under the bold team name above they're not officially teammates, even when they really secret closet teammates like Mikko and RK ;) If you want to swap RK in somewhere you can

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 13:21

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1. Oiger

2. Hirvonen

3. Kubica (Technically different team, right?)

4. Jaroslav Melicharek

5. Sordo

P. Østberg

McNewbie1 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/13/2014 at 13:25

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Yes, Kubi is a different team. Also, third? Really? Bold pick there.

McNewbie1 > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 13:29

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Wow. Kubi joined, and all that good will Mikkleson built up last season went straight the fuck out the window in some people's minds. He had some great performances in the races he participated in last season. I believe one or two 4th places. Have to look it up.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > McNewbie1 01/13/2014 at 13:30

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I will be the very best, like no one ever was.

To pick them right is my goal.

McNewbie1 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/13/2014 at 13:33

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Heh. Bring it:)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > McNewbie1 01/13/2014 at 13:37

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COME AT ME BREH!

Hoccy > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 13:39

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Monte Carlo.. Hmm that's always going to be a hard one. Because of the challenging and varying conditions a lot of drivers struggle, especially those used to gravel and Scandinavian conditions. There are some exceptions though, like Tommi Mäkinen who won four times in a row from 1999-2003. Mad man François Delecour won here in 1994 (I don't remember that), and I'm a bit surprised that he enters this year. Orlove might pick him.

Anyway, before I write too much, stability is key in this event. It's reason why JML never scored points here.

My picks:

1. Sebastien Ogier (Power Stage)
2. Mikko Hirvonen
3. Thierry Neuville
4. Andreas Mikkelsen
5. Mads Østberg

Ogier on 1st because he has the stability and smartness to win this event. Hirvonen on 2nd because he's back to Ford, and done rather well here before. Neuville will be faster, but the Hyundai will have some issues in the first rally. Mikkelsen above Østberg because Østberg is in a new car.

EDIT: Also, the M-sport livery reminded me of the old liveries they used on the second team back in the early 2000's.

McNewbie1 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/13/2014 at 14:05

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You are adorable.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 14:13

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I'll try my hand at this.

1. Sebastian Ogier
2. Mads Ostberg
3. Mikko Hirvonen
4. Dani Sordo

P. Jari-Matti Latvala

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 14:16

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Perfect.

I'm going to hold out Bobby for now, but thanks for the answer!

McNewbie1 > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 14:17

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1) Ogier
2) Sordo
3) Hirvonen
4) Ostberg
5) Mikkleson
Power: Ogier

rotundapig > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 14:31

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I've never done any sports-fantasizing, largely because WRC is the only sport I really keep up with, but also because I'm fairly certain I don't get it at all (is it supposed to be like no-stakes gambling?), but I'm willing to have a go at it. Here's my list:

1. Ogier (Power stage)

2. Neuville

3. Hirvonen

4. Østberg

5. Kubica

Dusty Ventures > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 01/13/2014 at 14:38

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You need a fifth driver

Nick A > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 14:50

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Be gentle on me - I am a newbie!! Looking fwd to a great season ahead.

1. Ogier

2. Hirvonen (Power)

3.Neuville

4. Meeke

5. Bouffier

I reckon Power Stage may have snow by Saturday or slush like last year. In which case Ogier will take it "easier" as he will be leading by 2 minutes already!! Ostberg will struggle on dry tarmac with new car hence choosing Meeke from CitroenWRT.

We shall see what transpires by Sunday morning!! :)

Dusty Ventures > rotundapig 01/13/2014 at 14:50

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No-stakes gambling it is. Welcome aboard!

Dusty Ventures > Nick A 01/13/2014 at 14:53

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Welcome aboard! Bouffier is a great pick but is on the entry list as part of the M-Sport, so you can't have both him and Hirvonen

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 15:19

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Monday, am I right? I copy/pasta'd everything to here, added Kubica in at #5.

1. Sebastian Ogier
2. Mads Ostberg
3. Mikko Hirvonen
4. Dani Sordo
5. Robert Kubica

P. Jari-Matti Latvala

Dusty Ventures > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 15:21

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Ok, since I'm a co-driver and have massive balls of unobtanium I'm going to make a super ballsy fifth pick

1) Ogier (Power)
2) Sordo
3) Hirvonen
4) Østberg
5) Delecour

Dusty Ventures > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 01/13/2014 at 15:22

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Perfect!

CampingElement > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 15:50

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Here we go!

1. Ogier

2. Hirvonen

3. Sordo

4. Østberg

5. Mikkelsen

P. Ogier

chaozbandit > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 15:53

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1. S. Ogier

2. D. Sordo

3. M. Hirvonen

4. M. Ostberg

5. R. Kubica

P. S. Ogier

I was really tempted to put Meeke on my roster just to mess with y'all but I wasn't aware he changed teams. Darn.

CampingElement > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 16:11

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Anyone got any tips on where to watch in the US? I've seen a few different possibilities on Google, but I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow to figure out something for sure....

Dusty Ventures > chaozbandit 01/13/2014 at 16:30

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What team did you think he was still a part of?

Dusty Ventures > CampingElement 01/13/2014 at 16:31

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Not yet. I know Motors TV in the UK will be airing WRC, and possibly Eurosport. Hopefully Velocity, NBC Sports, or Fox Sports 1 picks it up stateside. If not then web streams of questionable legality are probably your best bet

CampingElement > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 16:34

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That's what I figured. Same thing I did last year I guess....

chaozbandit > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 17:07

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Thought he was still with Mini. Shows you how much pre-season reading I've been doing lol. Hopefully doesn't roll in Monte.

McNewbie1 > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 17:10

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Delecour?! What? When you fell yesterday you hit your head and hurt your foot? Might has well, no one else has him.

Dusty Ventures > chaozbandit 01/13/2014 at 17:27

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Mini pulled out of the WRC in 2012

Dusty Ventures > McNewbie1 01/13/2014 at 17:35

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He's got five Monte WRC podiums and 11 total Monte top 10 finishes. Sure most of those are from the 90's, but all the same he finished sixth here two years ago in a Fiesta. I like him for a good 4-6 points, which is about what you can ask of a fifth string driver.

Dusty Ventures > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/13/2014 at 17:46

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I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was.
To pick them is my real test, to beat McNewbie is my cause.
I will travel across the land, searching far and wide
For rally drivers who understand, how to make cars slide
RALLY CARS!
It's you and me, I know it's my destiny
RALLY CARS!
Ooh you're my best friend, but I'll gladly kick your ass again
RALLY CARS!
Drive them truuuuuue, massive balls to see this through
You beat me and I'll curse you
RAAAALLLLLLYYYYYY CAAAARS
Gotta hoon them aaaaall
RALLY CARS!

My superpower is remembering the theme songs of my childhood…

sliding-sideways > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 19:06

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suddenly realizes he's meant to be a baptist minister

Since most rally drivers are Scandinavian, they would probably become Lutheran ministers.

1. Ingrassia

2. Marti

3. Lehtinen

4. Nagle

5. Szczepaniak

Power: Anttila

Dusty Ventures > sliding-sideways 01/13/2014 at 19:10

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That's why I chose baptist. It's the last denomination you'd expect. Imagine going from silent Finnish sisu to brash southern bible thumping

Dusty Ventures > sliding-sideways 01/13/2014 at 19:11

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Also I like you listing your picks by co-driver. I should make everyone do that

sliding-sideways > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 19:17

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You'd need some James Brown for that to happen.

McNewbie1 > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 20:28

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Well shit. Not bad then.

Dusty Ventures > McNewbie1 01/13/2014 at 20:35

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He was a Monte master in the 90s, then he sorta disappeared to the IRC/ERC

Fred Smith > Dusty Ventures 01/14/2014 at 18:19

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1. Loeb

2. Loeb

3. Loeb

4. Loeb

5. Loeb

OLD HABITS DIE HARD!

Actual picks:

1. Ogier

2. Sordo (Power)

3. Hirvonen

4. Ostberg

5. Kubica (He'll wreck, but hey, it's a free second M-Sport car)

ddavidn > Dusty Ventures 01/14/2014 at 18:53

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1. Ogier (Power)

2. Hirvonen

3. Sordo

4. Prokop

5. Ostberg

I'll put more thought into this next time...

Jonathon Klein > Dusty Ventures 01/14/2014 at 19:14

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1-Oiger
2-Kubica because I think he really wants to prove something this year
3-Hirvonen
4-Ostberg
5-Delecour because I agree with

And Sordo for the PS

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 02:23

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Latvala

Hirvonen

Meeke

Sordo

Kubica

P: Ogier

Hermann > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 05:08

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Damn! Almost missed this.

1) Ogier
2) Hirvonen (P)
3) Østberg
4)Sordo
5)Kubica

Bobololo23 is waiting for the FT86 to come > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 09:41

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Ogier (POWER)

Sordo

Hirvonen

Kubica

Neuville

Dusty Ventures > Bobololo23 is waiting for the FT86 to come 01/15/2014 at 09:56

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Sordo and Neuville are teammates, you have to pick one or the other

Marzobomber > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 10:14

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1. Hirvonen

2. Latvala

3. Sordo

4. Ostberg

5. Kubica

P. Latvala

Here goes nothing!

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 10:19

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Ogier

Kubica

Ostberg

Sordo

Hirvonen
Power: Ostberg

WorldRallyBlog > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 10:51

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1. Ogier

2. Meeke

3. Kubica

4. Neuville

5. Hirvonen

PS: Seb Ogier.

Bring it on!

ChrisDuplessis > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 11:00

0

SO power
TN
MH
AM
KM

Bobololo23 is waiting for the FT86 to come > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 11:41

0

So Ostberg in for Sordo

AntMic > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 12:46

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I'd like to try this.

1. Ogier
2. Sordo
3. Hirvonen
4. Ostberg
5. Delecour (come on tough tire choices)
P. Latvala

willsy355 > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 13:19

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1.Ogier

2.Hirvonen

3.Neville

4.Ostberg

5.Kubica

P. Latvala

Thought id give it a go!!!

nestanj > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 13:35

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1. Ogier; 2) Ottsberg (power); 3) Meeke; 4) Sordo; 5) Neuville

Dusty Ventures > nestanj 01/15/2014 at 13:37

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Ostberg and Meeke are teammates so you can't choose them both, you have to pick one or the other. Same with Sordo and Neuville

nestanj > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 13:39

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All the races are available from a private torrent site just for racing. Email five0h@(domain) and I'll give you the link. The domain is verizon.net. The 0 is a zero.

nestanj > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 13:49

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Thanks for the clarification... 1) Ogier, 2) Ostberg, 3) Sordo, 4) Mikkelsen; 5) Kubica

nestanj > nestanj 01/15/2014 at 14:28

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Oh, and Otts for the power stage.

KoenigSTIGg > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 19:42

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1. Sordo

2. Ogier

3. Ostberg

4. Hirvonen

5. Kubica

6. Delecour

Nick A > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 20:18

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Crap - thought that due to him being a one off drive and a non Team/ Manufacturer points scorer that he would be allowed. Sorry.

Nick A > Nick A 01/15/2014 at 20:19

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Might be too late to change but will go for it anyway . Bouffier replaced by Kubica.

1. Ogier

2. Hirvonen (Power)

3.Neuville

4. Meeke

5. Kubica

Dusty Ventures > Nick A 01/15/2014 at 20:20

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Eh, hell with it. I'll allow it :)

Nick A > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 20:20

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MIght be too late to change but can I change Bouffier for Kubica?

Nick A > Dusty Ventures 01/15/2014 at 20:22

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Thanks .... :)

Honest mistake and I appreciate the kindness.

Dusty Ventures > Nick A 01/15/2014 at 20:34

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No worries. No one else picked Bouffier so I want him to get at least a little love on the rosters

Raphael Orlove > Dusty Ventures 01/16/2014 at 09:01

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I may be too late with this one (9 AM at time of publishing), but here are my Detroit-delayed picks.

1) The man, the myth, the guy with glasses: JM Latvala

2) Hirvonen

3) Ostberg

4) Neuville

5) Delecour

P. Latvala, on three tires, shooting sparks from his left rear wheel

FlimFlamMan > Dusty Ventures 01/16/2014 at 23:44

0

1. Ogier

2. Ostberg

3. Hirvonen

4. Kubica

5. Delecour

Power: Ogier fer sure

Frederick Law Olmsteez > CampingElement 01/18/2014 at 09:25

0

There is a private torrent site with videos from just about every racing series. They're usually posted up the same day they air. Email me at five0h at verizon.net and I'll give you the URL. The 0 in my email addy is a zero. Nothing like having 3 different F1 broadcasts to choose from!