Flame me, as if I care!

Looking at the big Picture:

Each team only has one Top driver/car combo for 2002:

Subaru: Lovell, Hyundai: Higgins, Mitsubishi: Millen

Although you have to worry about who is front of you not behind you, I think Paul can beat Ryhs more often than not, given good equipment. (Paul is the proven driver, with mechanical woes of late. Ryhs is the unproven driver starting to finish regularly).

Concentrating on who to beat from Hyundai's persepetive its Subaru. Its Higgins vs. Lovell.

Lageman has the potential to stir the pot, but then so does Paul. Until you see two drivers from one manufacturer regularly beating Paul, his spot should be safe.

BUT as with all things if a team decides to win the championship it would seem based on this year's results Higgins & Higgins in good equipment would be unstoppable.

So far by gentlemans agreement or not, it is very cool to see at least one American on the manufacturers teams.

Opinions,
Mike

>Pete Morris (building "Son of CoROLLa"). I hope Mr Perusse
>does not take offence,being a transplanted Brit (Welsh
>ancestry)not knowing his background, but I wish him well if
>he still competes. Would like to meet him one day, (snip)

Perce Neige Maniwaki 2002
Stage B3 'Hibou'
43.57km, Snow & Ice on Gravel

1 J.P. Perusse G2 Golf 29:41
2 P. Richard N4 WRX 29:43
3 B. Scott N4 EVO IV 30:03
&c.


Robin

>> Paul is very good and I would have to argue the point with
>>Mr. Woods as snow drift is a one off wheather event here.
>
>Sean:
>
>What is this Mr. Woods crap? I may be an old fart, but
>don't treat me like one!
>
>Reference your comment above. There are lots of drivers who
>are fast on dirt/gravel surfaces - they usually rely on
>purchased grip and power. However, very few drivers are
>fast on ice and snow. Conversely, I have never known a fast
>ice/snow driver who was not equally as fast on gravel. This
>is a long winded way of saying that Frank Sprongl is without
>question the best snow/ice driver in North America. These
>skills also make him as adept on gravel as anyone currently
>driving in the SCCA Championship. I am not saying he is
>better than the other top drivers, but just as good, and it
>would be interesting to see how he would do in a top car.
>
>Doug Woods
>
>PS - the second best snow/ice driver in North America is
>still Jean Paul Perusse (at 59 year old!).

Your comments are all very acurate as normal, it would be interesting to see more of the top drivers in equal cars.
Mr. Buffum also recognises Franks talent on snow/ice this is shown by the ride in the Elantra which by the way must be a very good car in itself.
2nd thru 4th at MFR covered by 20-23 hundreths! that shows some good old thrashing in my book. The competition should help improve driving talent in North America.
Sorry about the Mr. Woods thing I must have been thinking of Ron Wood!!!!:+

>Pete Morris (building "Son of CoROLLa"). I hope Mr Perusse
>does not take offence,being a transplanted Brit (Welsh
>ancestry)not knowing his background, but I wish him well if
>he still competes. Would like to meet him one day, I'm not
>that far behind as regards age, not ability. Back to the
>point, Paul has seen better days. Mr O'Sullivan, Mr Richard,
>Mr Sprongle, Mr Lagemann, to name but a few, have the
>capability of beating Mr Choiniere on a regular basis.
>Leading Rim counts for nothing. You have to finish. These
>guys deserve a full factory ride, just as McRae et al do.
>Just pay for them to do a full year on the WRC circuit and
>see what happens. Glad to see that my inputs keeps things
>interesting. Just when will the factories wake up and give
>the guys the chance they deserve?

Actually there is a much larger number of drivers that are capable of running up with this group given the car and time to learn it. Point is the drivers listed for the most part have more $$$ to show themselves with, hence the recognition. I can think of a half dozen unknowns that could get the job done, no-doubt what so ever.

Pete: Great topic!