Gravel Notes - Rallying News
Gravel Notes is a rallying news podcast hosted by Tom Howard, covering the World Rally Championship, European Rally Championship, and more. Each episode provides discussion and analysis of the latest events and developments in the world of rally racing.
Episodes
S2026 Ep3: Gaming: Super Woden Rally Edge - A rally gaming gem that snuck under the radar
Today marks the first of a new series of Gravel Notes podcasts devoted to rally video games. To kick off this series I’m joined by expert gaming journalist Thomas Harrison-Lord from the excellent team at Traxion.gg to discuss a new rally game that has sneaked under the radar and has turned out to be an absolute gem. Early this year Super Woden Rally Edge, developed by indie creator ViJuDA, was la
S2026 Ep2: Interview: Getting To Know Hyundai WRC co-driver Enni Mälkönen
Joining us for the first episode of a new era for Gravel Notes is Hyundai Motorsport co-driver and WRC3 and WRC2 champion navigator Enni Mälkönen. After a brief dalliance in the WRC top flight calling notes for Sami Pajari in 2024, Mälkönen has returned to the top tier this year, joining Esapekka Lappi for a part-time programme, piloting the third factory Hyundai.The first of those rounds arrived
S2026 Ep1: Welcome to Gravel Notes 2.0
Welcome back it has been quite a while since our last post but I’m pleased to say that we are back after a bit of a rebrand. So what can you expect from the new look Gravel Notes? We will still be bringing you interviews and analysis from the WRC, but there will be a lot more what I like to call rally culture content. Its a bit niche and nerdy but I hope that there will be something of interest f
Interview: Getting To Know British Rally Icons Gwyndaf And Elfyn Evans
Two titans of the British rallying scene are the latest guests to join us on the Gravel Notes podcast. Gwyndaf Evans lit up the stages in the 1980s and 1990s winning the British Rally Championship in 1996 driving a Ford Escort RS2000 before going on to finish a championship runner on four occasions. His son Elfyn has since developed into a regular World Rally Championship title contender with eigh
Interview: World Champion Petter Solberg
Few wore their heart on the sleeve and entertained like Petter Solberg, which earned him legions of fans and the nickname Mr Hollywood. More than two decades on from winning the 2003 World Rally Championship title the much-loved Norwegian remains a force in the rallying scene.But what is it like to be Petter Solberg - the showman? Autosport’s WRC reporter Tom Howard and rally journalist Luke Barry
Interview: Double World Champion Kalle Rovanperä
Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Kalle Rovanpera is one of the brightest young talents in Motorsport having rewritten the World Rally Championship record books, becoming the youngest ever champion aged 22 in 2022. Last year he joined an elite group of drivers to defend the crown that include Juha Kankkunen, Miki Biasion, Tommi Makinen, Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier.The Finn may be familiar for tackling
Tanak Back In The Title Fight After Record Finish – WRC Sardinia 2024 Review
The dust has just about settled from an absolute barnstormer of a Rally Italia Sardinia that saw Hyundai’s Ott Tanak victorious by the joint smallest winning margin in series history.Tanak defeated Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier by 0.2s after final stage drama, while points leader Thierry Neuville and contender Elfyn Evans found the going tough as the WRC rolled out its new sprint format.Autosport WRC r
Analysing Lancia’s Rally Comeback and the WRC’s Sardinia Sprint Concept
It has been a big week for rallying already. Lancia has announced it is making a long-awaited comeback to the stages while the World Rally Championship will trial its new sprint concept in Sardinia.Autosport WRC reporter Tom Howard and rally journalist Luke Barry take a look at what Lancia’s announcement means for the world of rallying and preview the sixth round of the WRC in Sardinia. There is a
Interview: Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe
World Rally Championship points leaders Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe join Gravel Notes for a special episode.The Hyundai Motorsport duo have made a blistering start to the 2024 season headlined by a stunning win in Monte Carlo. In a wide-ranging interview Thierry and Martijn discuss their first rally memories and how they work together as driver and co-driver. We also find out where their
Ogier Takes Sixtieth Rally Win - WRC Portugal 2024 Review
Sebastien Ogier chalked up the impressive milestone of 60 career World Rally Championship victories at Rally Portugal while Thierry Neuville opened up a 24-point lead in the title race.Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais produced a faultless display to emerge from an intense head-to-head with a Hyundai’s rejuvenated Ott Tanak to claim a record sixth Rally Portugal win moving him one clear of WRC l
WRC Portugal Rally Preview
Four different winners from as many events has left the World Rally Championship delicately poised with Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville maintaining a six-point lead over Toyota’s Elfyn Evans heading into Portugal this week.A founding member of inaugural WRC season in 1973, Portugal is a firm fan and driver favourite, thanks to its challenging, yet brutal stages.But will it serve up another twist in the
WRC 2024 - Croatia Rally Review
The World Rally Championship returned to Croatia this past weekend for Round 4 of the 2024 season and with it, an epic battle between Elfyn Evans and Thierry Neuville took place, but with errors from both men in the closing stages, Sebastien Ogier came through to take the overall victory. On this week's Gravel Notes, Tom Howard and Luke Barry break down all the drama, hold a referendum on the cont
Ireland Rally Bid Halted and 2024 Croatia Preview
Welcome back to another edition of Gravel Notes and in this episode, hosts Tom Howard and Luke Barry discuss the breaking news that the Ireland Rally attempt for 2025 has sadly been cancelled and whether there's any chance it can be brought back in the future.The pair also preview the 2024 Croatia Rally and there's an extra challenging edition of "Barry's Brain" as Tom tries to stump Luke over his
WRC 2024 - Safari Rally Review
Welcome back to the winner's circle Kallie Rovanpera! It was a dominant victory at the 2024 Safari Rally of Kenya as both he and co-driver Jonne Halttunen led a Toyota 1-2 finish with Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston also on the podium.In this edition of Gravel Notes, Tom Howard and Luke Barry break down the heavy attrition rate amongst the regulars, another tough rally for Hyundai as their str
WRC Safari Rally Preview with M-Sport's Adrien Fourmaux
On a special edition of the Gravel Notes podcast, Tom Howard and Luke Barry are joined by the latest driver to step on the WRC's podium M-Sport's own Adrien Fourmaux as they discuss the young French man's career, his first podium in Sweden, how he came back to the WRC1 after a tough 2022 season, as well as his thoughts going into the Safari Rally.
What the FIA's radical changes could mean for WRC
The world motorsport governing body has shared its key objectives for the future of the WRC which was presented at the World Motor Sport Council. Out are Hybrid engines and its place a more cost-effective future. But what does a cost effective future mean?To answer that Tom Howard is joined by Luke Barry as they analyse this radical overhaul for the WRC.
WRC 2024 - Rally Sweden Review
Rally Sweden proved to a rally of attrition as contenders rose and fell, and when all was said and done it was Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi taking an unexpected victory. The popular victory marked Lappi’s first win in six years, six months and 19 days.Tom Howard is joined by Luke Barry as they take a look back at the stories that came out of Rally Sweden.
WRC 2024 - Rally Sweden Preview
Of the back of the Monte Carlo Rally, we are now heading to perhaps one of the fastest Rally on the calendar Rally Sweden. World Champion Kalle Rovanperä makes his return, raising the stakes as he looks to help Toyota get back on track. Once again Tom Howard is joined by Luke Barry as they preview this weekend's event in Sweden.
WRC 2024 – Monte Carlo Rally Review
Gravel Notes is back and a new era for the WRC is already upon us. With Kalle Rovanperä taking on a part time schedule it is up to the likes of Elfyn Evans to carry the mantle of Toyota in 2024. He has his work cut out for him as the power duo of Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville are looking to capitalize on any weakness. Tom Howard is joined by Luke Barry as they take us through the opening round o
Rally Sweden Review and Interviews
As Tom Howard returns from an incredible weekend of action in Sweden, he talks to Martyn Lee about the battle for the win and what it says about the championship fight this year.
Monte Carlo Preview - with Rovanperä, Tänak and Neuville
Welcome back to the Gravel Notes podcast in 2023. We're back for our first WRC preview show and also a wider look ahead to the season ahead.This podcast incorporates a shorter section we also made for the Autosport podcast channel, but we know you're a fan of rally, so then we continued the conversation and heard from three of our title contenders this year - Kalle Rovanperä, Ott Tänak and Thierry
Rally Japan Preview
The World Rally Championship heads to Japan this weekend for the final round of 2022 with nothing but pride to race for, with both championships already decided. The 10-year wait for WRC to return to Japan in 2020 was ultimately delayed as the event became a casualty of the pandemic, and the sense of anticipation is even higher now amongst the passionate local fans cheering on Toyota.This weekend
Rally Spain Review + Tänak's Hyundai Departure
Tom Howard is back to review the penultimate round of WRC in 2022, but can't talk about anything else first but Ott Tänak's decision to leave Hyundai at the end of the year. But does it mean he'll leave the sport itself? Tom also talks about how Toyota exerted their strength to win another team title and why all teams need to be looking for the next generation of rally stars. Martyn Lee is your ho
Rally New Zealand Review
WRC returned for the Repco Rally New Zealand after a ten-year hiatus to see a new world champion crowned. Kalle Rovanperä could have settled for a cautious points finish to secure his first title, but instead delivered his trademark 'maximum attack' on the wet and muddy gravel roads around Auckland.Rovanperä also takes the title of being the youngest world champion in the history of WRC taking tha
Acropolis Rally Greece Review
Martyn Lee is joined by TOM HOWARD to analyse a fairy tale weekend for Hyundai, as other teams fell by the wayside, they picked up a 1-2-3 result for the first time in history.What makes this story more remarkable is from how far back Hyundai came in 2022, with a Rally1 challenger developed and built far too late. From the lows of Monte Carlo and Kenya, the team were forced to build reliability w
WRC Ypres Rally Belgium Review
Tom Howard and Michael Haffenden are back from WRC Ypres Rally Belgium where Ott Tänak secured his second rally win on the bounce, as a high rate of attrition saw multiple crashes.
Rally Finland Review + Tom's Toyota Co-Drive
Last weekend witnessed a truly incredible Rally Finland with WRC's best battling it out for the win. Today on Gravel Notes with Tom Howard he talks to all three podium teams - Tanak, Rovanpera and Lappi. We also hear how Hyundai ended Toyota's winning streak in Finland, and how the land of 1000 lakes was able to keep Lappi's car topped up with water after a massive shunt.Stick around to the end of
Rally Estonia Review - with Rovanpera, Evans and Tanak
Kalle Rovanpera clinched a fifth win from seven World Rally Championship rounds with a masterclass display to defeat Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans at Rally Estonia. The WRC championship leader produced yet another stunning performance, despite starting first on the road in changeable weather conditions, to beat Evans by 1m00.9s on Estonia’s fast gravel roads. Martyn Lee is joined by Tom Howard to d
Rally Estonia Preview
Round 7 of the World Rally Championship in Estonia kicks off tomorrow just after 6:30pm UK, and Martyn Lee is joined by Tom Howard to preview the action.Safari Rally Kenya was a car-breaker with harsh conditions hurting many teams and drivers, whilst 2022's sensation Kalle Rovanpera dominated from first on the road. Can home hero Ott Tanak fight back at an event he has won multiple times, and will
Safari Rally Kenya Review
Kalle Rovanpera enhanced his World Rally Championship title credentials with victory at a gruelling Safari Rally Kenya, as Toyota locked out the top four positions. Tom Howard is back on the podcast to review a weekend of attrition and superb performances. Martyn Lee is your host.
Safari Rally Kenya Preview
Tom Howard is live from Africa as he previews all the action for this weekend's Safari Rally Kenya
Rally Sardinia Review
Tanak is back on top of the podium after 462 days, Rovanpera extends his championship lead and Craig Breen has technical trouble with his giggling pin. Martyn Lee is joined by Tom Howard to look back at WRC Rally Sardinia.
Rally Sardinia Preview and Portugal Chat
WRC teams have made the relatively short hop from Portugal to Italy for this weekends WRC Rally Italia Sardegna. The more observant podcast fans will have noticed we didn’t bring you our usual review show last week to wrap up Portugal, and we explain why on today’s podcast. So we look back at Portugal and the incredible job by Kalle Rovanpera to win his third consecutive event this year.Tom Howard
WRC Rally Portugal Preview
Tom Howard and Andy Simmons are in Portugal to preview the next round of the World Rally Championship. They were also present at the gala dinner last night to celebrate the 50th season of WRC, and bring us all the news about how the special anniversary is being marked this weekend.
WRC Rally Croatia Review
Tom Howard is back from Croatia to analyse all the action from WRC Rally Croatia, including a frantic Sunday when sudden rain and tyre choices were the story of the day.
Inside The World Of A WRC Mechanic
Mechanics are an integral part of motorsport regardless of discipline and those that work in the World Rally Championship mechanics are regarded among elite.These unsung heroes are expected to perform miracles against the clock to prepare and repair WRC cars during events.Unlike other forms of motorsport, rallying’s version of the circuit racing pitstop is known as a service and these occur after
Interview: FIA Rally Director Andrew Wheatley
Tom Howard talks to new FIA Rally Director Andrew Wheatley. Wheatley took over the position vacated by Yves Matton last year, and steps up from being WRC category manager. He’s a rally veteran having worked across Belgian and Polish championships, including a long spell at M-Sport in the early 2000’s.
WRC’s new Rally1 hybrid era is underway, and today we talk about how the FIA plans to take tha
WRC Rally Sweden Review - A flying Finn and a flying fin-ish
Tom Howard is fresh off the plane from Sweden with his full review of how Kalle Rovanperä took an emphatic victory to take charge of the championship. The 21 year old decided on muted celebrations, after giving his support to the people of Ukraine currently under Russian invasion, exactly 21 years after his father Harri took his only World Rally Championship victory at the same event. In contras
Rally Sweden Preview
This weekend there'll be no Sebs, plenty of studs and guaranteed sub-zero temperatures. Following a 2021 break, Rally Sweden is back on the calendar and moving to a new location further north, which will guarantee a spectacular backdrop of snow and ice. On the podcast today we hear from Esapekka Lappi about his first start of the year and how the new cars will handle in the conditions. Plus we he
Monte Carlo Preview + Driver Interviews
Tom Howard is back for a new season of WRC. Joining him on the podcast today is Martyn Lee to talk about the new Rally1 cars and championship battle with Ogier running a limited season.We also hear from Sebastien Ogier, Craig Breen, Oliver Solberg, Ott Tanak, Kalle Rovanpera and Elfyn Evans ahead of action starting later today.
Petter Solberg on Acropolis Rally and supporting son Oliver's career
Tom Howard (News Editor, motorsport.com and Autosport) is joined by rally legend Petter Solberg to look back at the Acropolis Rally and why he's so happy it's back on the calendar.Petter also talks about the success of son Oliver's own career and some of the pressures which come from social media.
Molly Taylor on Extreme E and WRC Acropolis Rally Greece
Tom Howard talks to Molly Taylor who is currently competing in Extreme E and this weekend's WRC Acropolis Rally Greece.Molly reveals how a facetime call from Nico Rosberg got her interested in Extreme E, how successful female drivers can inspire a generation of young girls who see them as role models, and she previews this the WRC action this weekend.
Richard Millener: How M-Sport Battled Rally Kenya From Afar
Tom Howard is joined by M-Sport Ford team principal Richard Millener to talk about their success in Safari Rally Kenya. Due to Covid restrictions, Rich and Malcolm Wilson had to run operations from their base in the UK and he talks about the logictical problems they faced. But also how technology has opened up the new oppotunities to get close to the rally without having the travel. The team have
Rally Sardinia Review
Sebastien Ogier further extended his lead in the World Rally Championship with a comfortable victory in Rally Sardinia ahead of Toyota team-mate and title rival Elfyn Evans.On Gravel Notes today, Tom Howard is joined by Nick Garton to look back on the good, the bad and the sweary.
Arctic Rally Finland - Preview Talking Points
Hyundai's Thierry Neuville has tempered his team's hopes of victory in this weekend's Arctic Rally, ahead of the second round of the 2021 World Rally Championship. Team principal Andrea Adamo has declared that "nothing less than victory" is acceptable for the defending manufacturers' champion on the WRC's first visit to Lapland, which is a late COVID-related substitution for Rally Sweden as the on
Tänak's Monte Carlo Crash Won't Slow Him Down
David Evans brings you another episode of Gravel Notes to look back at Rallye Monte Carlo. His thoughts on why Ott Tänak's crash won't play on his mind and certainly won't slow him down. Plus, what is next on the calendar? Will there be snow in Sweden on 13-16 February or will WRC head straight to Mexico?Finally, as you may have read in Autosport or Motorsport News, it was the last week for David
Rally Monte-Carlo Preview with David Evans and Anthony Peacock
David is joined by former Autosport journalist Anthony Peacock as they drive to Rally Monte-Carlo for the opening round of the season. The guys look back at their favourite Monte Carlo stories including a pant-wetting moment as they drove home late at night in a Peugeot 106.They discuss what could happen this weekend as the rally kicks off from Casino Square and heads into two night stages in the
2019 Mega Review with Kalle Rovanperä, Chris Ingram and Colin Clark
David Evans and Colin Clarke @VoiceOfRally look back at 2019. The highs, the lows, the winners and the crashes. Don't miss this feature-length edition of the Gravel Notes podcast as we raise a glass of sherry and scoff a mince pie during this special Christmas edition.Plus two exclusive interviews to end the year. David reviews the season with Kalle Rovanperä and Manchester's Chris Ingram.
Toyota Confirm Ogier, Evans and Rovanperä For 2020
Toyota’s driver line-up, the RAC Rally and mince pies. Those are the three key elements in this week’s Gravel Notes. Obviously, David’s paying most attention to Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä’s arrival in Puuppola, but there’s still plenty of time to talk through the hot potato that is, when the season’s fit for that first mince pie...
Citroën Quit WRC - Esapekka Lappi & Pierre Budar Talk To David Evans
Citroen Racing has announced it will depart the World Rally Championship with immediate effect - stating Sebastien Ogier's decision to move to Toyota left it with no alternative.The firm announced its decision on Wednesday, confirming mounting speculation of a withdrawal.Ogier and team-mate Esapekka Lappi had a year left to run on their contracts, but the six-time world champion's decision to walk
Sport Takes A Backseat As Rally Australia Cancelled
The final round of the World Rally Championship in Australia was cancelled due to the catastrophic bushfires which caused loss of life and destroyed homes. At times like these, sport takes a backseat to far more important events. However there is still plenty to discuss as there was criticism for not cancelling the event sooner, whilst others thought it was an overreaction. David Evans looks at t
Tänak's Toyota Farewell - Rally Australia Preview
David Evans looks ahead to Rally Australia and the end of another incredible season of WRC. With so many drivers fighting to be 'best of the rest' there's everything to fight for down under.
Ott Tänak Takes The Title And Fernando Alonso Talks About Dakar Rally
Welcome to a very historic occasion following a weekend of amazing drama and theatre. Ott Tänak says he channelled the difficulties of his rollercoaster WRC career so far into his title-clinching Rally of Spain drive. On this podcast David catches up with Tänak, moments after he wins the title.Plus we talk Dakar Rally as Fernando Alonso confirms he will be competing with Toyota for the 5,600 mile
Tänak On Verge Of Glory
Can Ott Tänak secure the 2019 FIA World Rally Championship in Spain? David Evans is back on the podcast to look at the title battle, with 28 points separating Tänak and Sébastien Ogier.
Rally GB Review: The Fight Was Huge
Colin Clark (@VoiceOfRally) joins David in the Citroen as they drive to the Mull Rally on the Isle Of Mull. They look back to Wales Rally GB last weekend and ask: was Llandudno the best location and should it be changed for next year? One thing which they both agree on was the racing which was magnificent. Plus they're looking ahead to this weekend on the Isle Of Mull for the Beatson’s Building Su
Live from Wales Rally GB Service Park with Petter Solberg and Elfyn Evans
Join David Evans as he presents Autosport's official start to Wales Rally GB live from the M-Sport garage inside the Service Park. Broadcast from 7:20pm on Wednesday 2nd October on our Youtube and Facebook channels, plus streamed live on the Gravel Notes podcast, he talks to drivers and personalities from the world of rally.
Legends Entertain At Rallyday 2019 and Rally GB Preview
David talks about the legends stage of RallyDay 2019 last weekend. Plus, the calendar for 2020 and looking ahead to Wales Rally GB next weekend.
How Ogier Won In Turkey and Alonso's "Nightmare" First Rally Raid
Welcome back to Gravel Notes. On today's show David is reflecting on Rally Turkey and the unbelievable action it delivered. The chief benefactor of the chaos was Sebastian Ogier who crafted a victory by driving brilliantly.The C3 WRC led for 15 out of 17 stages on the rough roads around Marmaris last weekend, with Ogier leading home team-mate Esapekka Lappi - the Finn securing his second runners-u
Rally Turkey Preview and 2019 Recap
Join David Evans for the first 'Gravel Notes' as he looks ahead to the Rally Turkey. Can Sebastien Ogier secure his third World Rally Championship win of 2019? Or can Tanak repeat his victory of last year? Plus David looks back at the season so far and major talking points of 2019.Listen to Gravel Notes with David Evans for weekly discussion of the WRC, European Rally Championship, Dakar Rally and
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