This is the Statt Mann, Baby. It’s time to Scatt a Little Bit…

Lately, I’m constantly reminded about the differences between speed and endurance.

It came up again today at Rally Spain where defending World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier won his second straight championship turning back the challenge from his Volkswagen teammate Jari-Matti Latvala.

Latvala made a late season charge even winning eight stages in Spain to Ogier’s four. But Ogier won the event and closed the points to Latvala with one event left in Wales in three weeks. As the phrase goes: the race isn’t given to the swift but to those who endure to the end.

In fact that might apply to Volkswagen. Ford and Citroen controlled the world’s rally stages until Volkswagen game on board three years ago. VW took its time stepping back on the world’s rally stages. It even did one year with Ogier in a secondary rally car before unleashing him to go for the championship. Essentially they’re sent Ford and Citroen back to the drawing boards.

So many times in motor racing we think of speed as the ultimate decider. But whether you’re behind the wheel or behind the fence, knowing what’s behind the plan will give you a heads up on the sport.

Like with many things in life, what’s happening may not be what’s going on.

Peace.