Rally Norway consists of 13 stages, and with all covered with snow, it provides an unique challenge for the drivers. The winter have not been too cold here in Norway, so there is a lack of snowbanks on some stages, which should help the gravel-specialists a tiny bit. But it is expected that a majority of the stages will have usable snowbanks. That means that you cannot cut the corners like you are used to, but you can overdrive the corners slightly as the banking will keep the cars on the road.
However, go in to hard, or try to cut, and you'll find that your car get's sucked into the banking, and crucial time is lost.
Even though Sandro Pinho won last time out in Austria, he have to see that both Manuel De Samaniego and the home-favorite Magnar Haarstadsveen is regarded as bigger favorites going in to the event. Magnar might have slightly slower car, but this year he is in a car he likes, and he knows the roads in the rally, and the snowbanks very well. However, when both Magnar and Manuel had WRC-cars last season, Manuel won the event 32 seconds ahead of Magnar. Sandro only ended fifth last season.
Dubravko Sparovec got the last two stagewins at Jänner Rallye, but Dubravko have never been better than 13th in Rally Norway, and is not expected to be able to mount a fight this year either. Michael Nelson showed good speed in an RRC car back in Season 5, but struggled on the snow with his WRC car last season, only ending up 17th, and is not any favorite for this rally either.
Emil Pribanic ended 4th last season, but he is not expected to mount a challenge for the victory. However, Emil is always in the top, and if drivers drop out, he'll be there to pick up points!
Having their home event is Erik Tveit, Roy Magnes and Torbjørn Withbro. Erik is always known as a fast, but erratic driver, and no-one should be surprised to see the Polo driver win stages at Rally Norway. A podium position however, is out of reach unless he is able to keep the car on the road for 13 stages. Roy Magnes is a professional driver, but like his compatriot Magnar Haarstadsveen. Roy is driving an R5 car. Always struggling in the powerful WRC cars, Roy managed a 7th in Norway last season. And should be able to replicate that in a car he likes in season 7.
Torbjørn Withbro is doing his first ever Rally Norway in RDRC, and first event in a WRC car. Hard to say how that will end.
In RDRC-2 The Nordic drivers are favorites on their natural surface. Tommi Ojala ended 6th overall last season, still aiming for his first RDRC-2 Victory, the Group A driver might see that happening here in Norway. Jonatan Åcerclinth struggled last year, but the swede have got more 4WD experience this time around, and should be able to post better times this season.
Tapio Rinneaho said he was looking forward to Norway, and his natural surface, adding more pressure on himself. In his first Rally Norway, we'll be looking to see if he can deliver. Tomas Reinicke might not be the fastest, but the veteran have the experience, and you should not be surprised to see him getting the top of the Group A cup. Ole Marius Myrvold have never proved to be any real threat to the top in his two outings with a 4WD car in Norway. He posted what was said to be too competitive times back in season 4 with a RWD Volvo, but have fallen off since. Points should be the realistic goal.
Karl Raudsepp and Oscar Hardwick is also a serious threat for the RDRC-2 win in Norway. Raudsepp third in RDRC-2 last year, and Hardwick fifth. Coming from his commanding win in Austria, Raudsepp is full of confidence, while Hardwick have never put this much effort into his campaign, and have probably been practicing in Sweden and Finland over the last two weeks. The unknowns in this class, that might fight for a top position as well is Jon Grainger, Stefano Cocco, Alex Albernaz, Norbert Leitner, Daniel Monteiro and Magnus Lindgren. The first three, are unknowns in RDRC, and did a good job in Austria, but no-one knows how they stack up in the snowy conditions.
Leitner made a near-perfect comeback in Austria, and with good preparations, he could surprise again. While Daniel Monteiro, the Portuguese, have lived in Norway for some years, and might've learned a trick or two. Lindgren never arrived in Austria, and there are questionmarks over the reigning RDRC-2 champ in Norway as well.
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