Who was on what? Studs for the primary few, however then the odd crossed slick was thrown into the combo. This was the Monte at its best possible, bringing the necessity for such summary compromise from nook to nook. A studded Hankook i*cept SR20 on the left-front would imply stable, reliable turn-in to right-handers. The mushy Ventus Z215 sitting reverse throughout the axle would make left-handers attention-grabbing within the excessive.
The grip differential throughout the automobile could be larger right here than wherever else on the calendar. It took a second, because it all the time does on the Monte, to compute what these drivers have been endeavor. However that is the sport. The primary stage was icy, the second stage a lot much less so after which got here Turini and who knew what was occurring at 1600 meters.
Tires contemplated at half-five within the morning would nonetheless be in play when the vehicles started the climb out of La Bollène-Vesubie greater than six hours later.
However the right here and now was all about who had what. Speaking to the crews was completely different this morning. There have been no lengthy, in-depth conversations about what was to return, there have been simply snatched moments between bouts of indecision and borderline anxiousness.
Moments earlier than pulling on his balaclava and climbing into his automobile, Takamoto Katsuta ran over to Thierry Neuville’s Hyundai and stared on the entrance, then the rear. Full studs. Taka was on a cross. Instantly, you would see the doubt in his thoughts. Had he obtained it improper?
