Image: http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh15/tannatmadiran/rbr_066.jpg
After a full year of intense competition on gravel, ice, snow, wet and dry tarmac Press On! Rallysport (PoR) has reaffirmed its status as a League 1 Team at the conclusion of the 2013 Rallyesim Championships (Menu Official standings (http://xii.rallyesim.com/results_menu.asp)). Additionally there were several noteworthy performances from the CMS Rally team, essentially the ‘feeder’ team PoR, but comprised of equally competitive talent as PoR.
The final weeks of the 2012 were devoted to lower 10 teams League 1 teams and the upper 10 teams in league 2 competing to see who would make up 10 available spots in league 1. While there were up weeks and down weeks, and a week or two when things were in doubt, at the end the superb performances from PoR ensured its spot in League 1, the top rank, for the 2013 season.
I received a few comments from the drivers of PoR on their season:
*PoR Manager Steven Spears:* “Looking back on 2012, it certainly had its good and bad points. I went into the season committed to running the Citroen C2 R2Max, and I was particularly concentrating on the Dutch Championship and the Citroen Racing Trophy Benelux in the Belgian championship. My secondary goal was to do the best I could in the French Citroen Racing Trophy. Unfortunately, I never could get to grips with the C2 R2Max. No matter what I did, it was just too twitchy on the bumpy tarmac, and I had far too many frustrating incidents. At one point, I switched to the C2 S1600 in France to see how that would go, but ultimately I ended up abandoning some of my goals and made a wholesale change to the Fiesta R2. After about the first third of the season, I just needed a car that was tough and predictable because I didn't have time to prep for rallies or mess with setups.
I was generally happy with the switch, even though the Fiesta was outclassed by the C2 (and later the Twingo). In the end, I had to just concentrate on the Dutch Championship due to time constraints, but it turned out well. I had a five rally run of three victories and two seconds in the Fiesta, which pretty much allowed me to wrap up the R2 championship a couple of rounds early.
Overall though, I had very mediocre results this year. Just not enough seat time to maintain the speed I needed, and the experiments at the end of the season with AWD didn't go very well at all. I was able to run a stable rally every week of the season though, and was happy to contribute to the success of the team.”
*Roy Magnes:* “My first season with the team has been very varied for sure. From the highs of good finishes in WRC-events with the Peugeot 207 S2000 to bitter disappointment with retiring after stupid driver-errors in the Suzuki Swift S1600 or the Subaru Impreza WRC 2000.
I started the season well, with scoring some points in most of my rallies, but after I had my surgery I found myself crashing after being to aggressive (as a response to my way too careful and weak stage times on the previous stages) or from just not being concentrated enough on the task. The funny thing is that my rollercoaster year has earned me a promotion to the main team, the pressure is on for 2013 to start finishing all my rallies and take it from there. I can see a big mix of FWD and 4WD happening for me again in 2013, as I like to vary what I drive from time to time.”
*Image supplied by Roy Magnes*
Image: http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh15/tannatmadiran/rbr_067.jpg
*Tonu Silm:* “It was ok season for me. On few rallies I managed to end up on the class podium which was nice. But I can't be happy about that on many rallies I made stupid mistakes. Most of the time I got lucky and lost only time but on few rallies I had to retire. Anyway I have a lot to learn and hopefully next season will be better.”
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Some shared images from Tonu:*
Image: http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh15/tannatmadiran/Untitled2-9.jpg
Image: http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh15/tannatmadiran/Untitled-31.jpg
*Craig Masters:* “Hard to believe this year is almost over already. I checked my join date here; it is almost exactly a year ago. Pretty much when I started playing this game. So for me too this was my rookie season. It’s definitely been a good year, still quite a few DNF's (9 out of 43 stable rallies). But that's part of the experience I guess. I didn't expect the learning process to go on for so long, for a new comer to sim racing the learning curve was quite steep. Though the game was an instant hit.
The one big achievement for me this season was finally cracking into the top 10 in class on the RACC Rally de Espana. It was only 9th in the WRC Academy class. But this was the one real goal I set for myself this year, so I can be happy for that. I managed 10 consecutive stable finishes later in the year, and I hope to better this in 2013. The only real low point for me was after I picked up my first Gravel podium, at my home rally "Sasol Rally South Africa" only to have it stripped from me for cutting on a stage. So I was later demoted to 6th after the penalty.
After sampling pretty much all of the championships this season, next year I will pick a few to consistently take part in. But one personal goal of mine is to chase after Steven's current title! With the current title defender taking a step back next season, I will try my best to win the Dutch R2 championship, to try and keep it here at CMS. Obviously this will be no easy task, but I rather aim big.
It’s been a great year, glad I could play my part in keeping POR at the top level for next season. Great job again everyone. Look forward to another season with the team.”
*Alex Brown:* “I also just finished my first season and am happy to say that I am surprised how well I done, my aim for the year was to get a class podium, a stage scratch and qualify for the French cup final, I achieved my goals and more, my only disappointment was my finish ratio, as the season progressed and i learned when and where to push and not to, I was plagued with computer problems, in the end I did 145 rallies with a finish ratio 81% but finished poorly on my stable rallies, when Steven asked me to join Press On Rallysport at CMS, my only question was why me ? as I am not quick, he replied that I had a good finish ratio, well I didn't live up to that, when it came to stable rallies.
Started the year in the N3 Williams and added the Peugeot 205 N1 but after trial and error, moved over to a other Peugeot the 106 A/5K, Championship wise, except for the French cup, I just did rallies as and when I had the time, practice makes perfect, rather than recce off line, I used these rallies to hone my skills.
For next year my aim is to get a group win, which means moving up in class, not sure yet what I will use, have to try out RBR 2013, once I return from my hols, I have built a new simrig for next season and hope to finish more, championship wise, will be going for those that allow the Peugeot 106 A5K. “
*Rick Smith:* “My season went well for the most part- I had 15 podiums and two class 1sts in 39 attempted rallies. After signing with Skoda and getting a significant bonus for the season I started off fast. But midseason, the checks began getting behind. Something about the economy. Lucky for me, the same guys who visited with Seb Loeb about jumping to fast cars and beautiful tracks lured me into the P1 Creation and the ALMS series. I had to trade time between racing, girls, and more racing. Sadly Fabia has cancelled my contract for next year again sighting fiscal reasons and my unwillingness to run week in and week out.
So... I just will drive whatever car the highest bidder tells me.”
*Troy Dalton:* “My rookie season was a real eye opener. For one, I had no idea just how great RBR had become and I completely underestimated just how addicting it would be. I spent the first part of the year experimenting with various makes and models, finally settling on the Peugeot 205 in the N1 Class. I didn't think I would enjoy the FWD cars, but they ultimately became my favorite. I raced in just about every Championship and I participated mostly in asphalt rallies, but I must admit, I prefer a gravel or mixed stage rally.
I had my most success in the Italian Championship, with three podium finishes and my one and only class win. I finished the season with six podium finishes in the N1 class and I was very happy with my results.
I'm not sure which championships I will focus on next season, but I'm going to be more particular in the championships that I do participate in. I would like to compete for a top five overall finish in class in one or more championships. One thing is for sure, I'm going to try and stay away from championships that lump all FWD cars into a single class. Too many times this season I inadvertently chose those as my stable rally.”
I hope everyone at CMS will join me in congratulating the representatives from CMS for their accomplishments in this championship, and bid them very best wishes for a successful 2013!!
*More images from Roy Magnes*
Image: http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh15/tannatmadiran/rbr_058.jpg
Image: http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh15/tannatmadiran/rbr_057.jpg