Author Topic: Mika Hakkinen comeback (rally) (Read 806 times)

StSanta · « **on:** December 17, 2002, 03:17:58 PM »

Cool

Rally is driving for real men

funkedup · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2002, 03:35:55 PM »

Tell me more? Is he going to contest WRC?

Staga · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2002, 04:30:21 PM »

With Mitsubishi WRC factory car and team backing him up.

StSanta · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2002, 04:33:09 PM »

Yep, but just a short time comeback from what I heard?

Staga · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2002, 04:34:58 PM »

btw he is not the first Finnish F-1 driver doing that thing: Also "Keke" Rosberg has been driving winter rallyes just for having fun, sometimes with Norbert Haug, and so did J.J Lehto thought these guys did use Group F cars (IIRC)
F-Group is national group for older 2WD cars without turbochargers like Toyota Corolla GT and Ford Escorts.

edit: These guys drive rally just for fun and actually some of them have shown pretty good driving in rallyes too.

funkedup · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2002, 04:42:22 PM »

OK I found a story:

Quote

Hakkinen goes on stage
December 17, 2002
Former Grand Prix World Champion Mika Hakkinen will try his luck as a rally driver next month, driving a works-prepared Lancer WRC2.

The Finn will be competing on home soil, on the Arctic Rally. The Rovaniemi-based event, which takes place on January 24-25, is guaranteed to provide snow and temperatures that may be lower than minus 20 Celsius – a world away from the conditions Hakkinen was used to at the wheel of an F1 McLaren.

“I always wanted to give it a try and I’m sure the comparison between two top disciplines as WRC and Formula One will prove interesting for the spectators as well. I want to make clear though that this is not to start a second motor sports career for me,” Hakkinen said.

Curval · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2002, 04:47:01 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Staga
With Mitsubishi WRC factory car and team backing him up.

People always hack on Mitsubishi cars...and yet they win all the big rallys.

Any Anti-Mitsubishi people care to comment?

senna · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2002, 04:47:39 PM »

Hak is world champ now? Havent been watching too much F1 these days. There is alot of difference between road racing and rally racing. In road racing you can achieve success quickly in carreer but from what it seems Rally racing requires many many years of experience. I think most rally champions and racers are older guys with long carreers in Rallying. Rally is a totaly different racing discipline.

funkedup · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2002, 04:49:28 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Curval
People always hack on Mitsubishi cars...and yet they win all the big rallys.

Any Anti-Mitsubishi people care to comment?

They haven't won any for a while. They withdrew from the WRC for 2003.

Staga · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2002, 06:13:45 PM »

For some reason the drivers Mitsubishi hired weren't capable to get that car up to the speed.
Team hired a Finnish (Hehe) driver to drive a race and he was much faster than regular drivers with similar cars before car slipped off from the road in a New Zealand Rally.
Another Finnish driver were going to heard later

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/motorsports/02wrc_e/nz/leg1.html

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2002, 06:16:32 PM »

Wow... I was hoping Mika's retirement from F1 was only temporary... brought on by finishing second every single time to that bastard Schumacher... it will be interesting to see how he does.

senna · « **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2002, 06:28:42 PM »

Hehe kinda funny talking bout F1 while using the masters name "AKA senna". But then I guess it is a reminder to those who hate him that he owned your favorite driver when he was alive

God rest his sole and bless all the homeless children he has helped in Brazil.

So on to the point of F1, I didnt think Schuamacher was ever gona be as great as Aryton or Prost but then throughout the years, he has really matured as a special driver. Hes a favorite of mine now but I dont really watch F1 anymore anyways. I just know hes very gifted and handles the F1 circuit and media like a true champ now whereas before he seemed like just another rookie though inwards, oosing with talent.

I think in the end, schuamaker might be even better than senna. Shrug, my opinion.

funkedup · « **Reply #12 on:** December 17, 2002, 08:02:10 PM »

I still remember the first time Senna and Häkkinen were on the same team in the same race. Mika outqualified him.

McLaren had toejam cars for several years. Schu should be grateful for this and grateful for the fact that Mika got bored with F1.

The last two years Schu is a man racing a bunch of gokart boys. Not a single one of those clowns could carry the balaclava of Prost, Mansell, Senna, Piquet, Hill, etc.

senna · « **Reply #13 on:** December 17, 2002, 08:37:44 PM »

Hak is also known as the all round nice guy in F1. Think hell ever return? Hak is good its just the way he handles the media, hes sorta too nice.

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #14 on:** December 18, 2002, 01:48:13 AM »

Mika has been my favorite driver almost since he started - always loved his style of driving.

My distaste for Schumacher has to do with how he drives. Recently, as has been stated, he has matured a GREAT deal, but do any of you remember his "earlier days?" The controversial "accident" between him and Villeneuve? It is well known that the two drivers HATE eachother... but that incendent where Schumacher ran Vill off the road in an attempt to rob him of points was total crap.

Schumacher doesnt have an ounce of class - and hes racing against maniacs (Montoya) who cant stay on the track, worn out drivers (Coulthard), and great drivers with poor cars (Villeneuve).

Im taking a bit of a liking to Raikkonen - that kid has no fear and shows GREAT potential - it will be interesting to see where he is in 5 years.

Fug Ferrari.