The All-Motorsport Power Rankings: Week Nine

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LIMASSOL, CYPRUS - MARCH 15: Khalid Al Qassimi of United Arabian Emirates and Michael Orr of Great Britain in action in the BP Abu Dhabi Ford Focus during Leg 3 of the WRC FxPro Rally of Cyprus 2009 on March 15, 2009 in Limassol, Cyprus. (Photo by Massi

It's the lull before the storm!

With NASCAR and the WTCC taking a week off before their next rounds, the limelight was left for the World Rally guys to take.

After weeks of hearing Sebastien Loeb moan, they took to the gravel and tarmac of Cyprus while the F1 guys aimed to squeeze every bit of performance that could get from their new cars at Barcelona.

15. Audi Sport Team Joest (ALMS)

Audi's new R15.

So the new R15 is a Manta Ray or Platypus. The Peugeot must be a Lion, and the Aston’s a Duck. Wanted: Zoological nickname for the Acura, to complete P1 Noah’s Ark.

14. Kurt Busch (NASCAR)

HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 08: Kurt Busch driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge celebrates winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 8, 2009 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Kurt covers up lack of imagination with sponsorship publicity stunt, asking fans to name his backwards victory lap.

13. Gil de Ferran (ALMS)

SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 12: Honda Racing Sporting Director Gil de Ferran is interviewed in the paddock prior to the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 12, 2007 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Ima

So, De Ferran Motorsports are looking to move to Indycar. Do they not know the state Indycar's in?

12. Hans-Joachim Stuck (ALMS)

So if VICI win their class at Sebring, do we get the Veni, Vidi, VICI puns, or something about the other teams coming un-Stuck?

11. Flavio Briatore (F1)

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 02: Renault F1 Team Principal Flavio Briatore is seen before the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit on November 2, 2008 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Flav is frustrated that OTHER teams can take advantage of the gray area in diffuser rulings. So, there IS a ruling in Renault contracts saying they have to be rubbish.

10. Martin Whitmarsh (F1)

Searching for a reason behind the surprising speed of the new Brawn car, McLaren experimented with the go faster properties of day-glo yellow paint.

Or alternatively....

9. Fernando Alonso (F1)

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 12: Fernando Alonso of Spain and team Renault in action during formula one testing at the Circuit de Catalunya on March 12, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

“It's hard to judge right now, but Toyota, Ferrari, BMW or Brawn are very fast." Fernando, not fussy about where he leaves Renault for.

More of Alonso's career planning.

8. Kevin Harvick (NASCAR)

I, for one, am disappointed the boxing/wrestling theme for the All-Star race is just a front. I would willingly pay to see Harvick and Carl Edwards bash seven kinds of heck from each other. What, it’s Bristol next week? Always hope, then.

All Star launch.

7. Henning Solberg (WRC)

LIMASSOL, CYPRUS - MARCH 12: Henning Solberg of Norway and Cato Menkerud of Norway in action in the Stobart Ford Focus during the Shakedown of the WRC FxPro Rally of Cyprus 2009 on March 12, 2009 in Limassol, Cyprus. (Photo by Massimo Bettiol/Getty Imag

On his way to the first stage, Solberg hit a truck that pulled out in front of him. Look at the picture...let’s hope “I didn’t see him” wasn’t used as an excuse.

6. Lewis Hamilton (F1)

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 12: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain team Mclaren Mercedes in action during formula one testing at the Circuit de Catalunya on March 12, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Lewis has an MBE. If you believe the McLaren hype, it’ll be the only silverware he gets this year.

5. Matthew Wilson (WRC)

LIMASSOL, CYPRUS - MARCH 15: Matthew Wilson of Great Britain and his mother talk in the last service park during Leg 3 of the WRC FxPro Rally of Cyprus 2009 on March 15, 2009 in Limassol, Cyprus. (Photo by Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images)

Shock, as Matthew Wilson might be good rallying

Cyprus Rally results.

4. Ross Brawn (F1)

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 11: Jenson Button of Great Britain and Team Brawn GP in action during formula one testing at the Circuit de Catalunya on March 11, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Ross had better be careful. If this performance keeps up, the Polizia will be 'round looking for a dossier.

3. Rubens Barrichello (F1)

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 10: Rubens Barrichello of Brazil and team Brawn in action during formula one testing at the Circuit de Catalunya on March 10, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

A 1:18:9 round Barcelona last Thursday. Rubens can’t remember the last time he went so fast...

2. Sebastien Loeb (WRC)

LIMASSOL, CYPRUS - MARCH 15: Sebastien Loeb of France and Daniel Elena of Monaco with the complete Citroen World Rally Team in the final cerimonial of the WRC FxPro Rally of Cyprus 2009 on March 15, 2009 in Limassol, Cyprus. (Photo by Massimo Bettiol/

Yes, Seb won yet another rally, extending his perfect start to the season and scoring his 50th victory in the process. Even I have to admit that’s some achievement, but not as good as our No. 1.

Seb's milestone win.