Kubica crashes out at rally race
November 17, 2009 by SJ Skid
Filed under People & Events
Robert Kubica spent the past weekend competing in the Sicilian Rally Taormina-Messina, and while he showed some speed — useful if Renault drops out of Formula 1 and he’s left with no seat — he ultimately smashed his car beyond repair.
The reason? Apparently he didn’t listen to his race partners well enough.
The official World Rally Championship site has the news:
Formula One star Robert Kubica crashed out of the Sicilian Rally Taormina-Messina at the weekend after completing the opening day in eighth place and in the lead of his class.
The Pole, driving a DP Motorsports Renault Clio R3, rounded off Friday’s short opening day of the rally leading class R3C, five-tenths ahead of local driver Paul Wise in a similar car. But on the stage which followed, Saturday’s SS3, Kubica crashed into a wall, damaging his car’s right-hand front corner, which resulted in his retirement.
Before starting SS3 Kubica, 24, was happy with the way the event was progressing. “I like the tests and the people have been very welcoming,” he said. “Yesterday I did not attack, I was trying to learn about driving the car – today is a longer challenge. The only unknowns are the pace notes, I hope to get used to driving in this way. I must learn to listen.”
Kubica didn’t find the physical challenge too much — not surprising given how much more rigorous F1 is. (I’m judging solely on Sebastien Loeb’s inability to get a super license!)
Speaking of Loeb… he’ll be around the next time Kubica competes.
Before Saturday’s six stages, each of which was at least 18km long, Kubica was relaxed about the physical challenge of rallying. “I’m used to it,” he said, “it might be different in Formula One but we are all athletes.”
In two weeks time, on 27 November, Kubica is expected to tackle the French Championship Rallye de Var in the same Renault Clio R3. Already confirmed for the Saint Maxime-based rally is 2009 World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb – who will drive a C4 World Rally Car with wife Severine as co-driver.
Seriously, at this point we might be more likely to see a rally team of Kimi Raikkonen and Kubica than both in F1.
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Maybe he should have taken some lesons from Kimi before attempting Rally… Wait… Never mind.
I know Michael. The ‘Pole on pole’ is such a fraud. Next thing you’ll know is that he’ll race boats in a ‘bear’ suit (yeah, just to differ a bit).
I really liked the line ‘I must learn to listen.’
I’m really relieved he doesn’t seem ‘complete’ enough to consider, for now, going to Nascar, where he’d have to rely on those ‘Inside, Inside’ and/or ‘Outside, Oustide’ NOTES from his spotter.
PS. I can already say, today Nov17, that my guilty pleasure for 2010 will be to watch how BobbyK at Renault fares compared to Glock’s Manor. Respective cars should suck just the same. They’re both ‘on the brink’ of getting to the next level. Should be really amusing to see how these 2 settle out for 2010. I for one will be on the lookout. Best middle-to-back of the grid battle in 2010 in the making, IMAO.
(Crap. I wish you could edit posts on the main pages)
When I said ‘They’re both ‘on the brink’ of getting to the next level’, I really meant the DRIVERS, not the teams, because surely that won’t happen anytime soon.
Sorryh.