Rally driving techniques (or what does Loeb knows we dont)

[Caito]

Maybe he is not at his personal limit. If the competition is not as good, or he is way too good, he'll not have the need of being at the limit hence reducing the errors.

I don't remember who said something similar: "If you don't spin once in a while, you're not really trying"


Not trying to take merit from him at all, he's no doubt really good.

[jon-mullen]

Anybody see New Zealand, where he crashed into a bridge on one of the first stages, losing I think more than two and a half minutes, then almost coming back to claim first? Makes you think the rest of the season when he's out front he's not really working that hard.

[andrew]

I think the car counts for a lot.

[Belatti]

I think the car counts for a lot.

yep, but again if the car is that good, Sordo would have won at least a rally

[manchild]

I think that what made him so exceptional even on the beginning of his rallying career in French championship, was his previous experience and skills that had nothing to with racing, but had great influence on developing concentration, "gyroscopic" orientation, faster response and everything that came from gymnastics.

No driver can gain that by doing special workout, it can't be gained over time as secondary fitness activity. Loeb had it all on top level, as part of his personality, he grew up doing that, and than just started enjoying rallying I'd say, since it is much less physically demanding than gymnastics, and more fun, and more man-like activity.

Remember Senna's beginnings in F1? He had beaten all records while testing for several laps, but once he stared driving he had no physical stamina for whole race, and only than started working on his fitness with personal trainer. Once he his physical stamina reached level of his talent - he became perfect. Loeb came in rallying with both of those things and just harvested everything in front of him.

[Earnard Beccelstone]

I think that what made him so exceptional even on the beginning of his rallying career in French championship, was his previous experience and skills that had nothing to with racing, but had great influence on developing concentration, "gyroscopic" orientation, faster response and everything that came from gymnastics.

I can actually second this.

Having started gymnastics at the ripe old age of 27, I was amazed at how much my proprioception and kinesthesia improved after just six months. My perception of where I am in space and where other objects are in relation to me is incomparably better than when I started (mostly because I used to spend a lot of time slamming into the floor!)

I'd argue that racing isn't any more 'man like' that gymnastics though. Having seen the physical strength and endurance of gymnasts, as well as their training regimen and dedication - competition level gymnasts typically train 2-4 hours per day, six days a week - its about as manly as you can get.

Besides, where else do you get to meet female gymnasts?

[johnny99]

I think the car counts for a lot.

Agree, not taking anything from Leob, but his team are miles ahead, esp in suspenion dynamic's, than any other WRC team. Just look at the way the C4 absorb's the terrain compared to the competition. I don't rate Sordo at all.

John

[mep]

Just praising the car is "to easy" when somebody got 7 titles.
If it would be just the car then many others could have done the same but nobody else achieved that. Drivers like Loeb and Schumacher are just unique otherwise they could not deliver on top level over several years again and again.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Just praising the car is "to easy" when somebody got 7 titles.
If it would be just the car then many others could have done the same but nobody else achieved that. Drivers like Loeb and Schumacher are just unique otherwise they could not deliver on top level over several years again and again.

Yea but cmon, the car did have a huge say. Same as Shuey at Ferrari.

But both of them are unquestionable greats because they did the business in lesser machinery at some stage in their careers.

[andrew]

Just praising the car is "to easy" when somebody got 7 titles.
If it would be just the car then many others could have done the same but nobody else achieved that. Drivers like Loeb and Schumacher are just unique otherwise they could not deliver on top level over several years again and again.

I saw Schumacher on Top Gear a while back and when asked by a lanky 55 year old wanna-be 30 something "Was it the car?", he very honestly and frankly said yes and that it was also about the the whole team clicking together and getting the best from everybody involved.

[Belatti]

It was the car, right. But remember "the car" is made by people, including the driver. And dont say Ferrari had a lot of money to make Schues car, cause Toyota also had it and did nothing.

[andrew]

I don't mention money anywhere. It is the combination of the, driver, engineers, aerodynamisists, mechanics etc etc.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

I believe that was directed at me andrew.

The car is not really made by the driver, Belatti. Its made FOR the driver, and he can tune it to his requirements.
My overriding feeling here is you need the machinery to win in whatever category.
In 2008, it was a classic year because 2 teams had pretty much equal machinery,Ferrari and Mclaren.
Ditto 1999 and 2000.

This year had its fair share of borefests due to Red Bull dominance, it was made exciting by their inability to finish races or screw somthing up.
Using Toyota as an example of cash spending may be valid, but after that they share nothing in common with Ferrari. Not in Management setup or even how they executed their F1 programmes.

[mep]

Isn't it strange that I mention Schumacher and a topic that has collected 22 messages in a whole month immediately get 5 replies in a couple of hours?

For sure the cars are important but don't you guys think that in rally drivers are a bigger factor than in F1?
When you go around a simple track more than 100 times even a average skilled driver comes close to a good time. A rally driver has to drive on a much more difficult track and takes the same track only a couple of times. Not to mention that a gravel track changes a lot after a few cars went over it.
So a formula driver has to learn around 10 corners and can have 100 attempts for it versus a rally driver that has to learn over 100 corners and has only a handful attempts.
On a race track you can slowly go to the limit lap by lap. If you once go over it no problem, there are tarmac runoffs.
A rally driver has to trust on his scripts and skill to find the limit on the first run. If you go beyond the limit you will find trees, rocks, cliffs and your peace.

[Belatti]

I believe that was directed at me andrew.

Oh sorry, it was not directed at anyone in particular. Its just that is commonly said that Schumacher success was because of Ferrari money invested in testing.