Driving Sports

Pics Update!

A few pics from today, a very foggy and damp Stage 4, have been posted to the Gallery.

Wet! Wet! Wet!

We're returning from the wettest rally stage ever. Seriously, a  sideways deluge. Couldn't see who was who. Still managed to get some  video tho.

Once we get out of this parking lot it's off to dinner.

Kickoff in Cardiff

Wales Rally GB kicked off tonight in Cardiff with a bang (literally... lots of fireworks), as every competitor rolled over the ceremonial start. All except for the privateer MG S2000 team of Stuart Jones and Craig Parry... they walked across the line as damage from the shakedown stage sidelined the car for the night. On the stage they proclaimed that their car would be ready for competition on Friday.

Petter Solberg, by far, was the crowd favorite. A massive cheer rose as he crossed the start. In his interview on the deck he said that he was looking to win this one for the fans. Insider tip: the Subaru World Rally Team is testing a new glow-in-the-dark sticker scheme. It should make for some interesting photos.

Way down at the 52 start position, Travis Pastrana rolled across the start with a surprising amount of applause (after the top 10 cars started, the crowd thinned dramatically) but little other fanfare. It would have been nice if the announcer had at least mentioned that Travis was the sole American entry. The Russian and Polish Subaru Rally Teams received a lot more attention from the announcer. (granted, they are running open class and Travis is batting down at Group N)

For live updates from the rally with scores and news, also check out Jason and Yuji's LIVE WRC report at SubieClub.com. I'll be out on stage all day tomorrow, which will limit my access to information. And, as has been seen, remote data connections are turning out to be sketchy.

Opening Tonight in Cardiff

Just returned from the shakedown stages. Beautifully sunny weather, with a slight chill in the air. Tomorrow's forecast is sidways rain and more chilly temperatures. Should be fun. I have lots of video and got a good interview in with Travis Pastrana, Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson.

Petter is feeling good about this event, but I could tell he's certainly itching to get his hands on the 2008 WRC car. That won't see a stage until much later in 2008, however, so he's making due with what he has. I predict a top five finish for him this week.

Travis is here to improve his skills running this format. He's not expecting to win his class, just get better.

It should be an exciting event, with Gronholm running his final event before retirement and all the other drivers pushing to get a good season-ending result.

Have to run out again, now to the kickoff ceremony in downtown Cardiff. I'll upload more photos later tonight.

Here's your hat. What's your hurry?

Woke up. Grabbed coffee and a toast. Packed into the Tribeca and we're  off to the stages for shakedown.

Track and Country

After wrapping our tour of Prodrive our group headed to Prodrive’s test track near Warwick. Here we sampled a few different Subarus in less-than-normal conditions.

First up was the high-speed circuit in a 2006 STI Type UK, followed by attempting to drive a 2008 WRX on an ice simulation course. Then, after lunch, we wrapped with a technical course in another 2006 Type UK, with the coup-de-grace of running a Prodrive Group N car around the course for a few laps.

The biggest challenge of the day was getting used to all the cars in a right-hand-drive configuration. I could see that driving on the street wouldn’t have been much of a problem, but trying to retrain my left hand to “know” what gear it was in was turning out to be a significantly greater challenge than I had predicted. Jamming from 3rd to 2nd under pressure of a fast-approaching apex gave wake to muscles I didn’t even know were in my shoulder. This was terribly distracting to my brain, which was otherwise occupied with keeping the car on the track at speed.

Stratford upon Avon

Staying one night in the town best known as Shakspeare's birthplace. Unfortunately, finding a decent Internet connection has been impossible so you'll have to wait for the next town before I can post about the trip to the Prodrive test track.

Prodrive tour

We just completed the tour of Prodrive: WRC car prep from motor to 
frame to final car. See the gallery for snapshots from the tour. Here 
is Atkinson's car prepped for Rally GB.

Flavors of Oxford

It's 3am in the UK, and I can't sleep.

Myself and three other journalists (Auto Week, Playboy, Sports Car International) are staying our first night at a funkified inn called the Crazy Bear just outside of Oxford. There are several of these popping up across the UK. Though it looks like a traditional pub on the outside, inside each room has unique upscale furnishings. My room has an interesting zebra-patterned rug. But at least I don't have the near-vertical flight of stairs that Aaron from SCI has to ascend.

Arriving in London

Nine hours from Seattle to London on an uneventful flight. Hardly slept a wink, so hopefully I can get caught up on sleep tonight before I head out to Prodrive tomorrow morning. My watch still says 3am, but it's almost noon already in the UK.

On the Road to WRC Rally GB!

Starting Monday, November 26, Ryan Douthit will be reporting "live" on DrivingSports.com as he travels abroad. First stop: Testing a Group N rally car at Prodrive UK. Next, the Subaru World Rally Team and Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana prepare to tackle WRC Rally Great Britain. There will be fast cars, fine dinners and a rollicking good time in the old country!

To see images from the trip, click on the UK Moblog Gallery on the right. Ryan will also be making entries from his cell phone every step of the way! Refresh this page often for the latest updates!