12. Rally Turkey Marmaris 2019
12. 9. – 15. 9. 2019, Marmaris • Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) • gravel 309.56 km • total distance including road sections - 986.28 km • Other years
Info
SS17
"That was the plan this weekend - it was really needed. When we were here we knew that anything could happen in here as there are some really tricky places. It's good for the team at a tricky time. We need to keep moving, there are still things to improve on but I am really happy to bring them the win this weekend."
"We got a puncture on the last one and I was just following the lines! Luckily we managed to be fast enough to be second so it's really good."
"It's been a good rally for us - we tried to stay away from drama and we managed it well. The pace on the first pass of every stage was always good, but we need to look at and improve our pace in the second pass. Overall, very happy with this rally. We took it steady through here."
"That was really consistent. We were able to balance the pace with the conditions. A really big thanks to the team - the mechanics have had a lot of work to do to fix the car in all of the services!"
"This was the target for today - to take the points and we did. We will see how Mikkels en does and hopefully we can take some points from Toyota."
"It's been a tough weekend but the main thing is that we finished the rally and we didn't suffer issues. The car was strong but we seemed to be missing some pace and I will hold my hand up and say that I made a mistake with getting the right setup in the test. Wales will be very different."
"We didn't have the pace to compete at the sharp end. The long stage on Saturday threw us back but okay, we have a lot of work to do with the car on this kind of rally."
"I gave it everything. I couldn't do more but okay, that's how it is. It was a difficult weekend but we have three more rallies to go, so let's see what happens there."
"Thank you very much - to be honest I am very happy and I feel like I have learnt how to drive it over the weekend. I am really grateful to everyone who has supported me and thanks to M-Sport for this opportunity."
"Let's see if it gives us anything. We don't know yet. We had to use medium tyres because we know hards are not working for us, but it was very soft."
"It's a nice feeling - this is our best result and it is amazing. We lost a driveshaft, but we are here. It's a strong car. Thanks Lotos Rally Team and to our families - this is very expensive to them and I am not talking about money. Thanks a lot."
"Why can't I just do it easy for once?! What a morning! It needs to be Gus-strong when I'm driving it!"
"I don't know how big the damage is for Gus so we will see. I think we will know quite soon."
SS16
broken driveshaft
stopped
Gus rolled his Fiesta just after crossing the flying finish line of SS16 - the car is heavily damaged but both he and Elliot Edmondson are okay.
spun
SS15
"We drive very slowly - that's the plan now and we save tyres for the power stage. We want to take maximum points but it will be difficult because it's rough like this."
"The pressure is not coming from the guys behind. This is the roughest rally of the season and you need to be safe - it's not fun at the moment."
"We are driving at an okay pace, but we have much more to give if we need. I just kept it neat and tidy in the lines there and we have very good control."
"The last stage I was struggling with the rhythm a bit but I was just saving the tyres."
"I try to manage the gap. It's a nice stage but you are always thinking about if you make a mistake! I don't want to see the face of Adamo if I make a mistake!"
"We kept going. I think the fact is that we have no chance to catch Sordo but you never know if they have a puncture or something, it's good to keep the pressure. We discussed with the team; no risks but keep it going with the rally speed and that's what we are targeting."
"The only objective is to finish. We've gone with six tyres - we don't need anything stupid happening with two punctures."
"I think it should be okay because the temperature will increase a lot and the road will be clean. We saw in the first pass that we only lost time in the first split when the tyres were cold, so we should be fine."
"It's good to follow Ott's lines. The feeling is good so we will keep going like this."
"It's obviously closer to the weight limit because normally we are quite heavy."
SS14
"It's important for the team as we have put so much into the car. It's been strong and we just want to come home in first place."
"I didn't push enough to really have a feeling. The only time we need to be fast is in the second pass. I don't know if it is possible but I will go for as many points as I can." "Potřebujeme tu být rychlí v druhém průjezdu. Chci získat co nejvíce bodů."
"Very cautious! We will just be safe."
"It's going in the right direction and I wasn't really pushing that hard, so that's good."
"That's a good question. I am disappointed with that time! I couldn't get the traction and I did one small mistake."
"It was a really slippery and slow stage. It's not an easy stage but a short stage and one stage less so it's okay!"
"It's very important to have a clean day and finish it because we need that manufacturer points - that's the priority number one."
"I prefer not to go through water if I can!"
"I pushed a little bit but I think Tanak has the soft tyre which is obviously good for the first pass. It's going to be very hot this afternoon so we will see."
"It was quite nice. It is good to have some lines to follow at least! We had a warning for a puncture in the stage but it has disappeared, so I don't think we have any punctures."
"Gambling what? I guess gambling zero points is not so much to gamble!"
SS13
"It went well in the morning but in the long stage we got the puncture, we don't know where. In the next one we pushed hard but got another slow puncture so it was very difficult to drive in there."
"I don't mind that we are not leading - I made a small mistake on the previous stage. Even if we were leading tomorrow, the points are very important for Seb so I will try to back him up. There is one day left so fingers crossed we can make it."
"It's been a very good day. We had no trouble, a good rhythm. It's quite a big difference compared to three weeks ago - we came here with a positive feeling after having a good test and we knew the car would perform well on gravel."
"I mean, we are really disappointed with the day. It could have been easily avoided if we kept the four minutes like yesterday. It is what it is - we will carry on driving and hopefully take some power stage points then go home with a smile."
"The stages were quite rough and it looks like the new aerodynamics is working well in fast stages! Let's see, it's not going to be easy to catch ten seconds but we will do our best. Anyway, fourth position wouldn't be bad."
"The performance has been good. We had no tyres on the rear in the last stage so it was hard to drive very fast but it was okay. We have an early day today so I can relax later."
The stages were quite rough and it looks like the new aerodynamics is working well in fast stages! Let's see, it's not going to be easy to catch ten seconds but we will do our best. Anyway, fourth position wouldn't be bad.
"I had zero rubber on the rear and the car just snapped sideways on me and we ended up with a puncture."
"The target was to be in front of the Toyotas. This afternoon we didn't make any mistakes and we managed the tyres in the first stage for the rest of the stages. Tomorrow we will do the same."
"I really enjoyed the day. It was not easy but it was quite fun. This car is so wide so even in the second pass we have to open up the ruts again, but it's good learning."
off road
SS12
"We are fighting in WRC 2, not Pro. If i will fight with the guys in the Pro category then I will try to win!"
"Really rough. It's a nice stage but it's really rutted so I was careful."
"We've got no spares. Today is about getting to the end and then we can challenge if we need to tomorrow."
"It's difficult for us but we will try - that's all I can say."
"It's still okay. On a steep downhill I stalled the car on the downhill braking and we overshot the hairpin because there power steering."
"The previous one was so abrasive and there was a lot of tyre wear. It is so rough in this one that I drove very carefully."
"I had a good, clean stage. There is a lot of ruts and you need to keep the car in them. We still need to keep going - all it takes is for someone to have a puncture or a small spin and we can be there again."
"It's cost maybe ten seconds or something - I had quite bad understeer."
"It was okay. I tried to save my tyres a bit for the last stage."
"I was a little scared of the tyres. I saw the Toyota tyres before the stage and I knew they were already worse at the back. I think we need to take it a bit carefully on the next stage and try to hold our position."
"They are faster than us this weekend. We need to get stronger in this type of rally but, okay, we have to use what we've got at the moment."
"My tyres are pretty done so I had to back off a bit here. It was a lot rougher than I thought and we need to survive the last stage of the loop. Unfortunately I was too hard on the tyres and I tried too hard on the long one."
"It was still slippery, but it's a very nice stage so I enjoyed it!"
SS11
Time corrected after steward decision.
puncture
changed a wheel
changed a wheel
"It felt quite horrible at the end. Are they just overheated or do I have a slick on the front..? Still, I have two spares so it's fine."
It felt quite horrible at the end. Are they just overheated or do I have a slick on the front..? Still, I have two spares so it's fine.
"2 spares was needed this afternoon because we have 2 slicks on the front!"
"I was really doing my best and I tried to push but it wasn't enough. I tried to save the tyres."
"I will drive and see if somebody has a problem and maybe we can catch positions."
"I guess the tyres are quite used but we have two new tyres so it should be fine."
"How are they tyres of the others...? I have two new ones..."
"The objective is not Jari, it's Dani. I had a good stage and I couldn't have done more to be honest."
"It's very very hot - luckily we have two spares so we should be okay."
"It's a bit cleaner now, but a bit more rough. Not too extreme but it is a nice stage - it's hard to find a good pace but also to look after the tyres."
SS10
"It's been pretty good. We are closing the gap, not as much as it needs to be but I think there's nothing more we can do. I was a bit sideways in that stage and scrubbed a lot of speed off in places, so the time was pretty awful in my opinion."
"The first two stages we knew from last year but this one is new. It was a bit like New Zealand and I was struggling to find a good rhythm in there!"
"It's been a trouble-free morning. The pace has been consistent. On the first one I couldn't match Seb at all and he used the tyres very well. For sure, it gives us confidence that we are in a good way on gravel - unfortunately we have a lot of work to do on tarmac - but on gravel it is good. Still, we have a lot of work to do but it is not over yet."
"I think the tyres were a bit on the limit but it worked out. There is no reason to take risks but there are still some very rough conditions to go through so it is not over."
"We have seen so many situations between us three this season for the championship it is crazy. I don't know why we had four-minute gaps yesterday and then today it is three. For sure, things like this will happen and we are lucky that it was a slow corner. "
"I don't know what the results are, but it looks like Mikkelsen is pretty fast. We will try to improve for the second loop. Let's keep going and try to find a rhythm with the driving!"
"The speed has been good, apart from the stall where I lost five seconds. It has been perfect to be honest. We are feeling great in the car so we're looking forward to this afternoon."
"I had a spin and had to come back on the road. Not a great morning to be honest - no speed and we can't do much more. I don't know what we can do to be honest but we have some work to do, especially on this type of rally."
"It was difficult. There was a lot of gravel but we took two softs and we couldn't use them here because we damaged one on the last stage."
"The grip was slightly better on the middle stage. On the fast stuff the feeling in the car is quite good. In that one I drove like Ari Vatanen! Really aggressive - I don't know if the time was good but at least it was spectacular!"
SS9
"Just came here and nothing happens. We cannot fire it up. Something electrical. No indication. Five kilometres ago we stop and start and nothing like this happened. There is no need to control everything now. It is back to the fight now in Wales. Difficult to fight for a championship if we have issues like that."
"This one is nice on the first pass. There are no big rocks so we can joy. I think it will be worse on the second but I hope it will not be as much of a catastrophe as yesterday."
"I had better tyres than Seb! It seems Andreas is in good form as well."
"It's still a long day. Last year I struggled a lot on this day so let's do it. We count only at the end of tomorrow."
"I don't know what I can say. We are putting so much effort in but I couldn't do anything - I couldn't see a metre in front of the car."
"That was bad driving from me. It's not so easy to change the rhythm from saving the car to going flat out."
technical problem on the road section
"I didn't have a great start to the stage as I made some mistakes at the beginning. It's okay."
"It was good. The stage before was so bad with the dust and six tyres. I tried to do a good stage and the time is not so bad, so it's okay!"
"I tried to soften the car so it was a bit better. It is difficult because the car is not turning and I have to be very aggressive which is not ideal."
"It is fantastic. I really enjoyed it, for sure it is very loose so I think time-wise we will be no where."
SS8
"I am fine with that. It's okay - no drama. The bonnet was coming open, I think it was shaking so much that the pin jumped out. Seb has set a crazy time! I am not so good at managing the tyre wear so I can not use mediums."
"A very slow left in the dust and I couldn't see the corner. There was a stone that put me off the road so I had to try to come back on."
"I tried to save the tyres for the stage and so far the time looks good!"
"It felt really slippery and I was really struggling with the tyres. I am not sure if I overheated the tyres but I don't know the time."
"We had a stall in there. I missed a turn in the dust and had to restart the car - we lost 5 seconds probably."
"For me it was a really bad stage. There was a lot of dust and the car was moving a lot so I thought I was going to lose over thirty seconds. The time is okay."
"Can you tell me what slippy is?! Tricky stages - lots of dust and we struggled to see in some of the fast sections. It went on forever!"
"From this position we have no chance. It's loose and slippery and tricky so not a great feeling."
"Not a good feeling. My car is too stiff for conditions like this and I struggled with the braking and the turning. I have set my car up for clean roads so it doesn't work here and the dust is difficult in some places."
"For me it was very loose. I really enjoyed it, it was fun but I think for the time it was not so good - very slippery!"
SS7
"Now we have a test before the Safari! I am not pushing now, we are just cruising. It's strange but we are having fun in these conditions. We need to go to service and check the car."
"I didn't realise how much of a lottery it was going to be. This afternoon has been much better - we've taken a minute or so out of Jan. We'll go again tomorrow."
"A very tricky day - a lot to learn for sure. Now we are missing the front lip on the car and you can really feel it."
"That's cool! This was very tricky with the cold hard tyres. It was very slippery but we managed. A very good day with no dramas so far - the car has been strong and since we stiffened up the front it has been nice. 17-seconds is a lot in Finland, but on this rally even one-minute is not a lot. It's good to be in this position but anything can happen."
"It was the only stage where you can drive a little bit! We had some problems with the turbo. The stage was nice and the balance of the car was unbelievable - so, so nice. This is interesting - the only target is to take some manufacturer points. If we can stay in front of the Toyotas it will be nice at the end."
"I am pleased - I think there is a lot of jobs for the mechanics and we need to work on the chassis to fix some holes on the car! The car feels nice and we are looking forward to tomorrow."
It's been very very difficult. I didn't expect to have things like that. We lost the bumper and hit a rock then got a puncture. When the rain came, the tyres were not the best and we lost a minute there. I think for the sport, it is very exciting at the moment.
"We did our best and tried to survive with the tyres we had. The rain hit in the last stage but the tyres were so far gone that we couldn't take advantage of the mediums that we had anyway."
"We had loads of problems heading into the long stage - we had no jacking point left so I knew if I had a puncture then we would be out of the rally. We had to back off and we lost a lot of time but I'm glad to be here."
"It's better than nothing. We struggled a bit at the end of the day with having no front lip on these fast stages. I am happy to be here - it was very rough and we didn't have too much trouble at least."
"I did not care about anything - I knew if the rain didn't come that I would lose time but it paid off. Still this morning I am not happy with the car - when we are running first on the road we have no grip."
"It was crazy. For sure, it is a long way to go but still not the afternoon we were looking for. We will continue."
SS6
Retired (broken halfshaft and steering arm broken) -> Rally2
"It's not a good afternoon for us. The car is not working and we have no spare wheels left so we have to just drive through. I really don't enjoy this rally."
"It was raining in the stage - it was very slippery and I don't have a lot of tyres. Honestly, I just tried to finish. I lost a lot of power in the engine and I'm not sure why - maybe the turbo isn't working."
"The rain came down and at the end it was like glass. We're at the end and no punctures so I am happy!"
"It was quite heavy rain and it was very slippery. I would say it was even more slippery than Wales!"
"That was quite slippery! The first 20km was okay but then it became muddy. It's a bit like Wales, you just wait to see what will happen. I locked the wheels under braking and the car stalled and was just sailing like a boat! Very crazy."
stopped
"Really bad. We lost a lot of time and it started to rain quite a lot. All the tyres were more or less slicks so it is worrying how much time we lost."
"We had hard tyres and we lost the front. The front tyre was worn out so when the rain was here at the end I had no chance - it was impossible to drive fast. Very disappointing."
"It was like ice and we had no tyres left - the wrong tyre choice as well. I tried my best not to get punctures and we managed, but it was sliding around like we were on ice."
"I had no grip. I started the stage with little rubber and my only objective was to finish. The rain came and it was like driving on ice."
"Very tricky conditions. I got a puncture before the stage and I had to swap to a soft tyre. Obviously, I didn't think about it and just pushed hard. Thank you to the team for the good weather information."
"The end was difficult because it started to rain and it was very slippery. We lost a bit to Thierry but we have the medium tyres for the next one."
puncture
SS5
"It's hard to drive - it's not normal rally driving. It is like a slalom on a straight road!"
"It can happen anywhere - I think that these stages should only be run once."
"It's just a joke! The car is good but everything else...!"
stopped
left rear puncture
puncture
"We had a warning for a puncture at the beginning of the stage but we kept going and I don't think we did have one. It's tricky but we will keep going."
We had a warning for a puncture at the beginning of the stage but we kept going and I don't think we did have one. It's tricky but we will keep going.
"I have never seen this kind of stage. I had probably 15 huge hits on the car. I don't know if I have punctures because my display is not showing any pressures but, okay, we are here!"
"It's unbelievable - really really rough. I just drove slowly as you can see. It's very easy to puncture and we need to save the tyres for the longer stage."
"It felt good, but that is incredibly rough. We can not compare the times right now, we need to wait for the whole loop."
"First we had a problem with the boot - I don't know if it was open or not because there was so much noise in the car so I struggled to hear the notes, then we hit a rock!"
"No drama - it's very rough and I am trying to find what I believe is the right thing to do and to take care of the tyres as well."
puncture
"I was stopped for five or six seconds at a hairpin!"
"We just have to hope that the rain is coming! We have the tyres if it rains!"
"The conditions are completely different and the car is behaving much better. I don't know what tyres the other drivers have so we will have to see - there might be a surprise with the weather."
"A lot of loose rocks - it's not so rough but it's not nice."
SS4
“Kalle started with only 3 tires on the car, & the gap the organisers gave me was a joke. I was caught in his dust for half the stage”
"It feels like we are going in the right direction - it's hard to know which strategy we should use but we will just keep going like this."
"We have stayed out of trouble and had no dramas - the car is working well. In this one I was a little bit too safe."
"It's a hard rally. A start like this is difficult, we are already at the back. We need to do the best that we can so let's see."
"It's been okay. It is so difficult to say because we can't be on the limit. We have been moving forward and we will try to stay away from any problems."
"I was quite angry with myself at losing so much time on the long one but at least it saved our tyres to have a push in here."
"I was on full hards but I should have used mediums in there definitely. It was a good stage, just no traction."
"I drove a good rhythm - bit surprised with the time. The afternoon is going to be tricky."
"I think for sure it was not ideal because it compromised the strategy with the tyres. We only dropped four or five seconds but after that the loop was okay."
"My car is not working to be honest. In this cleaning position I have no grip and no traction. A very bad morning for us - we tried hard in the car but the times are not coming."
"It's been difficult. This one was quite loose but it was smooth and a nice road. I think the tyre choice was good - no drama and the wear is fine."
SS3
"Puncture about 15km in. I was driving clean but it was just one of those things. I think there will be more punctures to come!"
"We changed one puncture at the front - I have no idea where I got it. I slowed down the pace because we had no spare tyres but there was a big rock that we hit. I think it is over for us today because we don't have any spare tyres left."
Double puncture
"I took it too carefully. I was expecting so many loose rocks on the road so I wanted to get safely through. No panic!"
"I believe the stage is cleaning a lot. I tried to stay away from trouble as there is a lot of rocks."
"I had to change my line a lot of times and drive around some big footballs in the stage. I picked my rhythm, we could have been a lot faster but we are doing okay. It wasn't as bad as I was first expecting to be fair, but the second pass will be a nightmare."
"All the time I give everything. In the first stage we had a puncture so you couldn't see the time! That's good, but the rally is very long."
"I am sliding. I can't do more - if I push I lose the rear. I don't know if the tyres are too soft or if this is better. Maybe the second spare wheel is the disadvantage."
"Very hard. We still have one stage to go so we will have to see. It was an OK rhythm."
SS2
Time corrected after steward decision.
"It's good. We had no test so this is the first real stage for us after Sardegna!"
"It's hot you know - maybe I am too old for this! The car is working well and we are here."
"There is no problem with the car - we had a puncture and we were going to change it on the next straight. I lost concentration and we rolled the car."
"It's pretty good but rougher than I expected. Because the gaps were so big I actually got to see Ott and Thierry on the stage! My brain is working today, that's for sure!"
stopped
"It was just before the tarmac section - I had a warning of a puncture and I felt it. I am sure this will not be the last puncture in this rally!"
right rear puncture
rolled
"It felt quite bad to be honest. Even though I drove badly, the time will be better because it is cleaning. It's too soft - I can't trust the front so we need to make the car a bit stiffer and then it will be fine."
"It happened 14 km before the end. It was nice at the beginning and then I started to feel understeer and saw the pressure light on the dash. I am so disappointed - I didn't do anything!"
"I spun in the middle of the stage. It was a slow corner. It's incredibly rough and there is a lot of smoke inside the car so it will be a difficult day."
front right puncture
"I didn't expect that - I am actually surprised to have such a good time as the surface is broken up and there is a lot of rocks."
"The stage is cleaning so it will get faster and faster. Anyway, a clean stage for us and we are trying to enjoy driving. It's still very dusty, but the car is really awesome so it's nice to drive."
"I had a puncture warning light with 15km to go. When it's that slippery, you never know so it disturbed me a bit. The pressure is reading okay now so I hope it's not a puncture."
"When you drive with a flat tyre that is not helping! We are missing a lot of luck at the moment. It happened 6km from the end."
"He is on 3 medium and we are only on 2 medium - we have all hards for the next stage so hopefully it will pay off. It was quite slippery but hopefully we will have the better tyres for the next stage."
"It's difficult - it's slow and there is no grip. In the beginning the rhythm was not great but it was better in the middle so we did what we could."
SS1
"This stage is short but not easy. Very difficult for tyres because we will use these tyres on Sunday!"
"This is my first time with this car on tarmac. It's nice! It is a short stage with many spectators and we are happy to be here."
"We will see tomorrow. If you have four events to go, you never know. We have to take what we can from every event."
"I am on a combination of hard and soft and some of the drivers had really scrubbed their tyres. I was expecting to lose time but I pushed really hard and had a good stage."
"At least I had a much better start in this stage than last year! It's a huge day tomorrow - part of the rally with the roughest conditions. We need to have a rhythm but the pressure is like normal - we just have to do a good job."
"We will just try and find a rhythm that works without hurting the car but let's see. They're going to be a long and hard 316 kilometres!"
"It was not a great stage by me but it was okay. The rally can be lost here as well! We have a long day tomorrow and that is where the proper action starts."
"I think there are stages you can enjoy but there are stages where you have to be patient. You have to understand where to back off and where to attack."
"Of course we will try. It's a lottery here because it is so rough and difficult to manage the car but we are trying our best."
"I think we have a big rally ahead. I will try to do my best - it is not all about the speed. We will see."
"I think everyone is hoping that nothing will happen to them! It is going to be a very hot weekend."
"For me it is to get the experience and get through the rally. It will be tricky but we will try to do a solid, good job."
"I don't know about our time but it felt okay. We will try to survive tomorrow - it's a long day. It was a fun stage but tomorrow will be more difficult."
"It's only a short stage. You can always lose a lot in here but not gain much. The real battle starts tomorrow and that's what we worked on this morning - we look good."
"There are huge crowds of spectators - thanks to them for coming! I think it will be a big challenge for everyone to get to the finish."