[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

[Gherid_lacksGPS]

While I would love to see an event here, I don't see the USA putting on a great event. We have too many lawyers with their hands in everything, we don't have the wrc fan base and to be honest I don't think we have the caliber of roads. The best we have yet to produce is ken block? I can only imagine the heyday N.O.T would have commenting on an event here. Maybe I am being cynical...

Well, we most definitely have the roads, that's not the issue. Fan base and current exposure levels are the finicky components. The grass roots peeps and organizers would LOVE to host an event. Love him or hate him, KB has probably been one of the best things for rally in the US. Competitive? Hardly. Love for the the sport, dumps in the money and gets people to take interest? Few are better. Duplessis and Sarasin - wtf happened to that kid? - are, from a pure rally pedigree, superior drivers. They just don't have the resources, and thus the experiences that comes with it.

Honestly, stage rally may never make it "big time" in the states. But I would not be surprised one bit if, in a fews years to come, rallycross becomes HUGE. It seems to appeal to the "US demographic" of racing fans.

[Bartolbia84]

In my opinion, would be very nice so wrc 2012

1) Monaco (by one day of testing in the mythical roads around Gap)
2) Sweden + Norway (as in 2012)
3) Portugal (returning to the tests even in the Fafe)
4) Spain (mixed event)
5) France + Germany (with a single event)
6) Argentina
7) Brazil
8) an event in Asia (China, India or Japan, as there is an important car market)
9) Australia / New Zealand (alternating)
10) Finland
11) Sardinia (if you want you can make an event of more than 500km of PS)
12) Russia (another important market)
13) Wales (returning to the tests even the legendary RAC)
14) Greece

[sindroms]

Toni Gardemaister has switched to rally-raid:
Google Tulkot (http://translate.google.lv/translate?hl=lv&sl=lv&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsportacentrs.com%2Fmotoru_sports%2F 07032012-latvijas_re_autoclub_vienojas_par_sadarbi)

[Franky]

5) France + Germany (with a single event)


I'd say scrap Alsace and bring Corsica back, it adds more variety.

[rallyfiend]

So, Geneva Motor Show is on (one of the biggest, most important of the year), and Ford launch the new 1.6l Ford Fiesta ST, and their Motorsport Manager is in Mexico doing this:

Recce lunch earlier today. I learn my culinary skills from @... on Twitpic (http://twitpic.com/8svhs1)

Priorities much?

[Bartolbia84]

I'd say scrap Alsace and bring Corsica back, it adds more variety.

tour de corse all my life, but unfortunately the FIA-heads have excluded .. slowly coming back to the IRC has a nice level also in evidence.
Unfortunately in recent years there were only 6PS be repeated 2 times (eWRC-results.com - results Tour de Corse - Rallye de France 2005 (http://www.ewrc-results.com/harmonogram.php?e=46&t=Tour-de-Corse-Rallye-de-France-2005)).
In terms of charm, history and beauty of the test, is superior to Alsace (but has a very large number of spectators in PS)

[wildboar]

In terms of charm, history and beauty of the test, is superior to Alsace (but has a very large number of spectators in PS)

Are you referring to number of spectators at the Hagenau Powerstage? Well, there might be many spectators, but the stage itself is a disgrace; driving three times around the parking lot gives not the desirable image of rallying.

[EightGear]

So, Geneva Motor Show is on (one of the biggest, most important of the year), and Ford launch the new 1.6l Ford Fiesta ST, and their Motorsport Manager is in Mexico doing this:

Recce lunch earlier today. I learn my culinary skills from @... on Twitpic (http://twitpic.com/8svhs1)

Priorities much?

Well what do you expect? It would be much more strange if he was not in Mexico. Ford can handle the Geneva show on their own, they don't need their motorsport boss.

[wildboar]

I've been to the rally 2 times now and I must say that the stages itself (during the rally) are nice and real rally-stages... But I'm not so sure if they are really WRC-worthy... If they'd change their shakedown and powerstage it would be a lot different already.

I agree, the "real" stages are nice. And I also don't mind the city stage, it is good to bring the rally to the people. But as a Powerstage, televised world-wide? Boring and very unrepresentative of rallying.

[garais22]

Gardemeister: Rally is in my blood, but I want new challenge (some photos from tests)
Lidojošais soms Gardemeisters kļūst par RE Autoclub pilotu (FOTO) - Go4speed (http://www.go4speed.lv/lv/news/autosports-pasaule/753-lidojosais-soms-gardemeisters-klust-par-re-autoclub-pilotu/)

[bluuford]

It would be a good idea to scrap Alsace and put Corsica in... Also financially for the teams, they could run Corsica first, and 2 weeks later Sardinia... But as long as the region of Alsace will pay their Loeb-show, I think the rally will stay in.

Well, i have been thinking abou this but have not been brave enough to put this idea here. This calendar with 14 roudns looks nice, but I have one more and very crazy idea.
1. Alscae +France = 1 round. All fully on tarmac. Maybe little bit longer event, lets say 4 days. 2 Days in France, 2 days in Germany. In one year starts form France, the second year starts in Germany (then there is no problem, who is going to get weekend and who is going to get work days.
2. This is comoletely crazy idea. Mixed event Corsica+Sardegna. Two days in Corsica (full tarmac), one day travelling and then two days in Sardegna (Full gravel), During this one day mechanics can convert the cars to gravel setup and teams can use it for short travel and promotional activities.
So, then we can cover four current events with two events and additional cost would be pretty minimal.
Maybe to use tha same one day for travelling and promotional activities in France-Germany event as well?
We are in one EU anyway, why not to create something new based on the calssics we have? We just need to think without borders.

[rallyfiend]

Well, i have been thinking abou this but have not been brave enough to put this idea here. This calendar with 14 roudns looks nice, but I have one more and very crazy idea.
1. Alscae +France = 1 round. All fully on tarmac. Maybe little bit longer event, lets say 4 days. 2 Days in France, 2 days in Germany. In one year starts form France, the second year starts in Germany (then there is no problem, who is going to get weekend and who is going to get work days.
2. This is comoletely crazy idea. Mixed event Corsica+Sardegna. Two days in Corsica (full tarmac), one day travelling and then two days in Sardegna (Full gravel), During this one day mechanics can convert the cars to gravel setup and teams can use it for short travel and promotional activities.
So, then we can cover four current events with two events and additional cost would be pretty minimal.
Maybe to use tha same one day for travelling and promotional activities in France-Germany event as well?
We are in one EU anyway, why not to create something new based on the calssics we have? We just need to think without borders.

As always with combined events, certainly across country borders is who's going to pay for them? Most events get considerable funding from tourism or government bodies, and they're unlikely to tip in even half the amount of money that they normally would if the exposure is not only split, but also split with another country that they are competing against for exposure and tourist dollars.

Not to mention the political ramifications. What ASN do they run under? Who is the top dog? Lots of sponsors may not run in both countries etc...

[bluuford]

As always with combined events, certainly across country borders is who's going to pay for them? Most events get considerable funding from tourism or government bodies, and they're unlikely to tip in even half the amount of money that they normally would if the exposure is not only split, but also split with another country that they are competing against for exposure and tourist dollars.

Not to mention the political ramifications. What ASN do they run under? Who is the top dog? Lots of sponsors may not run in both countries etc...

This is all about tho think out from the frames and borders we are used to. Every problem has its solution. Why not to promote two islands togehter, making them even more attractive? When I go to holiday, I look the amount of available opportunities. Two islands can give me much more opposrtunities than one. What ASN? ask from Sweden and Norway. Maybe one ASN in one year, the other in second year? I do not know many restrictions in EU regarding different reglementations for sponsors. There are some problems indeed, but if you like to live interesting life, then it is never easy.

[ToughMac]

Rally Ireland ran with a cross border initiative. Equal funding from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. If its for the greater good of the respective regions pride and predujdice comes in second place. If the FIA want to cut costs in the sport this is the most sensible way of doing it but as always politics always gets in the way of a good plan.

[TyPat107]

Well, we most definitely have the roads, that's not the issue. Fan base and current exposure levels are the finicky components. The grass roots peeps and organizers would LOVE to host an event. Love him or hate him, KB has probably been one of the best things for rally in the US. Competitive? Hardly. Love for the the sport, dumps in the money and gets people to take interest? Few are better. Duplessis and Sarasin - wtf happened to that kid? - are, from a pure rally pedigree, superior drivers. They just don't have the resources, and thus the experiences that comes with it.

Honestly, stage rally may never make it "big time" in the states. But I would not be surprised one bit if, in a fews years to come, rallycross becomes HUGE. It seems to appeal to the "US demographic" of racing fans.

What roads? The fia sent Nicky grist over a few years ago to check out events for a possible wrc and it was his opinion that our roads were no good, that for starters they wouldn't hold up to a dozen wrc going over them. Events like 100 acre wood are way to wide open. On top of that mosts American rallies are based out of small towns that lack the facilities and infrastructure to support the teams. They are an entirely different level. I found that out visiting the irc round in San remo last year where the small privateer teams running the national championship had more support and larger pits than our factory Subaru driver.

[A.F.F.]

Gardemeister: Rally is in my blood, but I want new challenge (some photos from tests)
Lidojošais soms Gardemeisters kļūst par RE Autoclub pilotu (FOTO) - Go4speed (http://www.go4speed.lv/lv/news/autosports-pasaule/753-lidojosais-soms-gardemeisters-klust-par-re-autoclub-pilotu/)

Or, rally is in my blood but raid is the only thing they pay me novadays :mark:

[AndyRAC]

Or, rally is in my blood but raid is the only thing they pay me novadays :mark:

Can you blame him? If they are paying him, it's a damn sight better than many in the WRC. I find it sad that both the sons of Blomqvist & Sainz have gone down the path of circuit racing, rather than Rallying, but can you blame them? Simply more opportunities for a career.

[tfp]

Can you blame him? If they are paying him, it's a damn sight better than many in the WRC. I find it sad that both the sons of Blomqvist & Sainz have gone down the path of circuit racing, rather than Rallying, but can you blame them? Simply more opportunities for a career.

I am sure I remember Sainz Jr saying there would be too much pressure on him to be as succesful as his father in rallying, something which certainly isn't guaranteed by any means. And thats the reason why he is racing rather than rallying. But yes you are right, there are waaay more opportunities in circuit racing with F1's 12 teams and WRC's 2. (excluding Mini of course!)

[Juha_Koo]

Both Janne Tuohino and Kristian Sohlberg have had something going on for a while now... Maybe some news soon.

[mikkov]

Sohlberg has been giving hints here and there at least since NORF last year. Lately he's been concentrating on Twitter and today (Thursday) there should be something happening Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/krisse_sohlberg)

[Plan9]

I am sure I remember Sainz Jr saying there would be too much pressure on him to be as succesful as his father in rallying, something which certainly isn't guaranteed by any means. And thats the reason why he is racing rather than rallying. But yes you are right, there are waaay more opportunities in circuit racing with F1's 12 teams and WRC's 2. (excluding Mini of course!)

Funny that this pressure has not affected Matt W in relation to his father. I also pity Bruno Senna for kind of the same reason.

[garais22]

Who didn`t see, here You can see now Video update with Toni Gardemeister tests and where he tells about his plans. Tests take place on snow and ice!
Lidojošais soms Gardemeisters kļūst par RE Autoclub pilotu (FOTO, VIDEO) - Go4speed (http://www.go4speed.lv/lv/news/autosports-pasaule/753-lidojosais-soms-gardemeisters-klust-par-re-autoclub-pilotu/)

[Hartusvuori]

Funny that this pressure has not affected Matt W in relation to his father.

Funny that you would compare Sainz' and Malcolm Wilson's merits in rallying.

[N.O.T]

Funny that you would compare Sainz' and Malcolm Wilson's merits in rallying.

you do realise who posted this right ? the guy has no sense of anything...let alone reality....

[Brother John]

PLEASE stop with this type of post here.


Funny that this pressure has not affected Matt W in relation to his father. I also pity Bruno Senna for kind of the same reason.


you do realise who posted this right ? the guy has no sense of anything...let alone reality....

[N.O.T]

ok.

[sollitt]

PLEASE stop with this type of post here.Interesting Brother John, that you're happy to allow cowardly attacks, by members hiding behind nom de plumes, on the movers and do-ers in our sport, who are defenseless against them, yet you will not allow those cowards to be challenged by fellow members. It's an interesting moral code you live by.

[BDunnell]

Interesting Brother John, that you're happy to allow cowardly attacks, by members hiding behind nom de plumes, on the movers and do-ers in our sport, who are defenseless against them, yet you will not allow those cowards to be challenged by fellow members. It's an interesting moral code you live by.

I suggest you show such individuals a tad more in the way of blind respect than they deserve, personally.

[BDunnell]

I don't see any validity in taking the show to America at all. All this talk about the size of the market is a red herring.
However I wouldn't shed tears if the championship narrowed it's geographic focus. An all Europe WRC is fine as long as in doing so the manufacturers open up more opportunities for top competitors.
In reality the WRC has never taken a foothold in Asia and, in terms of local usefulness, both RNZ and Rally Australia have had their day. There is now such a disconnect between these events and their local scenes & competitors that not only do they not add value but they are actually a burden to the regional sport.

Does not all of this constitute an attack on those holding views that don't agree with yours, and all under a 'nom de plume'?

[tfp]

Interesting Brother John, that you're happy to allow cowardly attacks, by members hiding behind nom de plumes, on the movers and do-ers in our sport, who are defenseless against them, yet you will not allow those cowards to be challenged by fellow members. It's an interesting moral code you live by.

Happy birthday Sollit :D

[sollitt]

Does not all of this constitute an attack on those holding views that don't agree with yours, and all under a 'nom de plume'?Not at all. It's not an attack on anybody and nobody's name is mentioned. Rather it's considered opinion, about the sport generally, from a position of some knowledge and involvement. And I don't use a nom de plume ... I use my name.

Cheers tfp

[A.F.F.]

Can you blame him? If they are paying him, it's a damn sight better than many in the WRC. I find it sad that both the sons of Blomqvist & Sainz have gone down the path of circuit racing, rather than Rallying, but can you blame them? Simply more opportunities for a career.

I don't blame him at all, just translated the what he was really saying. Plus, Garde is suited for raids, he might be better there than in wrc.

[Coach 2]

Happy birthday Sollit :D

From me too.
34 and still going strong.

[sollitt]

... 34 and still going strong.That'd be nice ... if it were true ... cheers

[dimviii]

Sven Smeets in VW

Sven Smeets in VW (http://www.best-of-rallylive.com/en/2012/03/09/sven-smeets-in-vw%e2%80%99s-colours/)

[Mirek]

Robert Kubica back behind the wheel! Tested his Fabia WRC in Italy.

www.AutoSport.CZ (http://forum.autosport.cz/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=68&start=1500#p59769)

Post by Ondra_WRC, member of this forum.

[EuroTroll]

Robert Kubica back behind the wheel! Tested his Fabia WRC in Italy.

Wrong wheel, for him...

[Mirek]

Why wrong?

[EuroTroll]

Why wrong?

I'd rather he didn't play with rallying, but concentrated on getting back to F1 shape.

[N.O.T]

Robert Kubica back behind the wheel! Tested his Fabia WRC in Italy.

www.AutoSport.CZ (http://forum.autosport.cz/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=68&start=1500#p59769)

Post by Ondra_WRC, member of this forum.

a true rally driver....lets hope we see him in rally cars more often....

F1 is for ladyboys... Rallying is for true men like Kubica :) :)

very good news :)

[Juha_Koo]

Robert Kubica back behind the wheel! Tested his Fabia WRC in Italy.

www.AutoSport.CZ (http://forum.autosport.cz/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=68&start=1500#p59769)

Post by Ondra_WRC, member of this forum.

Excellent... And just few days back I heard F1 rumours that he wouldn't be able to lift a glass of water with the hand... Clearly that was all total BS.

[AndyRAC]

Good to hear this - I did think he would no longer bother with driving a Rallycar, after his accident. I imagine it's part of his recuperation....I wish him luck, he's one of the good guys!!

[Mirek]

He has always been a big fan of rallying. This is Fabia he bought from Kopecký already in 2009 I think. I met him even on some Czech local rallysprint some years a go...

[tmx]

I am sure I remember Sainz Jr saying there would be too much pressure on him to be as succesful as his father in rallying, something which certainly isn't guaranteed by any means. And thats the reason why he is racing rather than rallying. But yes you are right, there are waaay more opportunities in circuit racing with F1's 12 teams and WRC's 2. (excluding Mini of course!) You might want to take a look at the driver rosters in F1 now, especially Williams and the new test driver for Marussia. More opportunity only if you have backings of large oil entities, but this is true for rallying now too I guess. WRC is a poor selection, but atleast there is young driver program, SWRC and S2000, the problem was the manufacturers pushing for the 1.6l turbo and FIA not doing enough to get rid of PWRC and popularize R3 and R4 categories.

Anyway, I'm sad Kris and Guy aren't driving.

[tmx]

Robert Kubica back behind the wheel! Tested his Fabia WRC in Italy.

www.AutoSport.CZ (http://forum.autosport.cz/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=68&start=1500#p59769)

Post by Ondra_WRC, member of this forum. I'd like to know some truth to this since I don't see him in the car, although he probably is to be there anywau, but if its true its great news to see him back in fit shape and driving. He's brave to step back to a similar car he crashed with and rallying at that.

[Mirek]

I'd like to know some truth to this since I don't see him in the car, although he probably is to be there anywau, but if its true its great news to see him back in fit shape and driving. He's brave to step back to a similar car he crashed with and rallying at that.

That Fabia is his own car. It is a car which has never been used in any competition since he bought it from CRT Kopecký in 2008. It's 07 spec, probably the best Fabia WRC in the world because I think only three were in this specification and two of them are pretty worn and lost somewhere in Norway. This car was used in only four events by Kopecký and Sainz plus in several shows. I don't see why Kubica would take it out of the garage just to walk around it or to put someone else in ;)

[A FONDO]

I dont know if somebody posted it somewhere, but Freddy Loix will drive 8 rounds in the french championship and 3 in belgium (1 of them Ypres) with 207 from the french preparator 2C. Stefan Sarazin from the same team will drive 6 rounds in France with 307 WRC and recently made a test with it but I cant find the video.

[tfp]

I dont know if somebody posted it somewhere, but Freddy Loix will drive 8 rounds in the french championship and 3 in belgium (1 of them Ypres) with 207 from the french preparator 2C. Stefan Sarazin from the same team will drive 6 rounds in France with 307 WRC and recently made a test with it but I cant find the video.

Sarazin is a busy man!

[Mirek]

I dont know if somebody posted it somewhere, but Freddy Loix will drive 8 rounds in the french championship and 3 in belgium (1 of them Ypres) with 207 from the french preparator 2C. Stefan Sarazin from the same team will drive 6 rounds in France with 307 WRC and recently made a test with it but I cant find the video.

Video is here. Pretty spectacular :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2pcJ6ipTto

[Mirek]

Video test Peugeot 208 R2. To me it looks very very fast for R2 car! Also the suspension looks softer than in C2 R2.


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xpdmyc_test-208-r2-v2r83_auto#from=embediframe

[A FONDO]

Softer but in terms of more agile to bumps. About the speed it looks quite equal to Proton S200:D

[N.O.T]

the speed is indeed amazing for an R2....

[grugsticles]

It maybe quick, bug damn its ugly!

[sollitt]

It maybe quick, bug damn its ugly!You're not wrong. R2's tend to be a bit like that. Would look OK with the S2000 bodykit.

[tolis]

Any more WRC events for Sander Parn except for Portugal?

[Jr.]

That Fabia is his own car. It is a car which has never been used in any competition since he bought it from CRT Kopecký in 2008. It's 07 spec, probably the best Fabia WRC in the world because I think only three were in this specification and two of them are pretty worn and lost somewhere in Norway. This car was used in only four events by Kopecký and Sainz plus in several shows. I don't see why Kubica would take it out of the garage just to walk around it or to put someone else in ;)

One of the Norway Fabias is now owned by EVENRALLY.

[Plan9]

What do they do with it?

[skarderud]

Nothing these days, but mikkelsen used it a couples of years ago. Maybe this is the car sandell used also? I have a weak remembering that the other one is/was ovned by the vitbank group, but i haven't seen that car for a while. Maybe you know, jr.?

[Viking]

What do they do with it?

Solberg Extreme :)

Mads Østberg vs Andreas Mikkelsen - Solberg Extreme 2011 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqWTeWwjm_I)

Don't click the link N.O.T, you will hate it :D

[N.O.T]

hmmm indeed...how successful are these shows ? as far as attendance goes ?

[SubaruNorway]

hmmm indeed...how successful are these shows ? as far as attendance goes ?

Full stadium with 15.000 people in 09 (1000 didn't get in) Half full on friday qualifying and 15.000 again on saturday in 2010 and a bit over 10.000 last year i think. And they had a show in Viking stadium a few months before that had good attendance too.

[makinen_fan]

from Matthew Wislon in Twitter: 'Argentina should be on the cards hopefully.'
good to know he is recovering well

[A FONDO]

He has a twitter :confused:
and there are people who read it :eek:

[N.O.T]

The WRC doesn't need more people to discgarce the sport....

hope wilson recovers and he is healthy 100% but he is a disgrace when it comes to rallying....

[makinen_fan]

Wilson is OK, at least he is nice to watch in stages. Disgrace is Nobre and Araujo in the 'Works' Mini team

[go mads]

NOT you are so predictable and dare i say boring!

[N.O.T]

NOT you are so predictable and dare i say boring!

that is where the whole beauty of my existance lies....

[DonJippo]

that is where the whole beauty existance lies....

What go mads said.

[Hartusvuori]

Loeb admitting some lost of motivation. But who can blame him...

Sebastien Loeb against endurance rallies - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98212)

[A FONDO]

Even though he wins, he always whines about something. I doubt he will be glad even if the whole championship consists of a few rally sprints near Alsace. Such *** behaviour shows why he will never be a real hero. Just a driver who achieved big number of wins in sport's poorest years.

[Juha_Koo]

Even though he wins, he always whines about something. I doubt he will be glad even if the whole championship consists of a few rally sprints near Alsace. Such *** behaviour shows why he will never be a real hero. Just a driver who achieved big number of wins in sport's poorest years.

:D You gotta be fking kidding me...

[N.O.T]

even though he wins, he always whines about something. I doubt he will be glad even if the whole championship consists of a few rally sprints near alsace. Such *** behaviour shows why he will never be a real hero. Just a driver who achieved big number of wins in sport's poorest years.

laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaal

[Tomi]

Full stadium with 15.000 people in 09 (1000 didn't get in) Half full on friday qualifying and 15.000 again on saturday in 2010 and a bit over 10.000 last year i think. And they had a show in Viking stadium a few months before that had good attendance too.

Huh, strange that Norwegians are so interested in thiskind of gay stuff, but to manage to keep a real rally they failed.

[Tomi]

Such *** behaviour shows why he will never be a real hero. Just a driver who achieved big number of wins in sport's poorest years.
Just of curiosity who do you think is a real hero?

[janvanvurpa]

Huh, strange that Norwegians are so interested in thiskind of gay stuff,

Tomi Tomi Tomi why are you surprised? They are cousins to the Swedes.. That should explain everything.

[SubaruNorway]

Certain people here really should start living by the quote. If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything :)

[janvanvurpa]

Certain people here really should start living by the quote. If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything :)

Det är inter mitt fel att ni normän är släkt med svenskarna.....8(

men det finns altid hop, kanske om Normännen blir starkare, och snabbare på sträckrna och slut larva med fnaskigheter som ovan, ni kan bli bättre!

Hope never dies!

[sollitt]

Disgrace is Nobre and Araujo in the 'Works' Mini teamNo one is a "disgrace to the sport".
The disgrace is the mismanagement which has seen the sport degenerate to the point where these people are in the limelight.

[Mirek]

No one is a "disgrace to the sport".
The disgrace is the mismanagement which has seen the sport degenerate to the point where these people are in the limelight.

Disgrace to the sport is to have fans thinking like that :(

[Barreis]

C'mon guys, let's do news and rumours here.

[Rallyper]

Det är inter mitt fel att ni normän är släkt med svenskarna.....8(

men det finns altid hop, kanske om Normännen blir starkare, och snabbare på sträckrna och slut larva med fnaskigheter som ovan, ni kan bli bättre!

Hope never dies!

I don´t think you´ve seen the overall stuff here. The sport rallying has slowly been brought nearer and nearer the big crowds and where they live, in the cities. So also the WRC. And nothing to do about it. Look at F1.

If rallying should be in all ways the same as in the 50´s or 60´s, I think the fans should only be a couple of hundred senior guys...who where active in those days. You know what I mean?

OK. What I mean is that norweigans are far better in promoting our beloved sport. And that´s what Petter and MAds are doing. If we in Sweden where half as good in promoting ourselves we also would hav a couple of WRC drivers today, but we haven´t.

Why don´t you lika swedes, by the way? varför gillar du inte svenskar, förresten?

[sollitt]

You don't have to quote "the 50's & 60's" Per.
The 70's & 80's, and even the 90's, were fine.
There's no harm in running promotional events at all however if you have to dynamically
alter the sport's format, so as to be unrecognisable, in order to attract spectators you ought question
the value of the very people you're chasing.

[Rallyper]

You don't have to quote "the 50's & 60's" Per.
The 70's & 80's, and even the 90's, were fine.
There's no harm in running promotional events at all however if you have to dynamically
alter the sport's format, so as to be unrecognisable, in order to attract spectators you ought question
the value of the very people you're chasing.

For sure but it´s all mixed together. No people whatever or whoever they are looking or attending the rallies, means no money from TV, sponsors etz. That´s the way it is today. Maybe a problem if you want purity. And I could say that too, but it´s too much to ask.

[sollitt]

That's a matter of perspective.
If you need money for the sport to 'survive' and the way to that money is change, a case for change might be justifiable.
If, however, the money is required for 'growth' or 'evolution' it just might be that the sport is better staying the way that it is.

[janvanvurpa]

I don´t think you´ve seen the overall stuff here. The sport rallying has slowly been brought nearer and nearer the big crowds and where they live, in the cities. So also the WRC. And nothing to do about it. Look at F1.

If rallying should be in all ways the same as in the 50´s or 60´s, I think the fans should only be a couple of hundred senior guys...who where active in those days. You know what I mean?

OK. What I mean is that norweigans are far better in promoting our beloved sport. And that´s what Petter and MAds are doing. If we in Sweden where half as good in promoting ourselves we also would hav a couple of WRC drivers today, but we haven´t.

Why don´t you lika swedes, by the way? varför gillar du inte svenskar, förresten?

pga ni har låttit Norsk-djävlar sparka Sverige medvetlös i rallysamanhäng med ett järn stövel.

Not much anything we can do about those damn Finns, they are simply the baddest, men men men! Norge!!?? Skäms på dig!


And I know there must be change, growth, etc but I have seen data on who the all important "target demographic" that it seems all the change is aimed at : the target set of eyes are in the head of a theoretical 14 to 24 year old kid living in Orange County California....

I'm sorry but it doesn't help ME, or my lilla one man firm making rally parts one bit if millions of energy drink crazed, pimple squeezing 14 year olds see Block's latest masturbatory fantasy.. It hasn't help the fjutiga small Rally scene in USA, but it has evidently helped Ken and Travvie.

Perra, I live in the best (or worse country= in the world for contentless cynical lying promotion, where a 3 second thing can be stretched into a 30 minute TV program like Block's ''longest jump in the world'' BS... I also lived not far from you when Swedish moto-cross, THE DOMINANT country in the sport from the beginning in VM was changed in its format to make it "more friendly for TV" and Sweden's dominance ended shortly thereafter...and i watch American moto-cross transform from a mass sport to yet another over promoted spectacle to WATCH with the rise of stadium or Super-cross which even that devolved into "extreme! MX".

As WRC and VM i cross has become more and more "just another simple sprinty deal", participation, at the local level; has shrunk everywhere, and without a broad base, there's little general awareness, and little market value---except for big hype up scenes and that perpetuates the tendency for those with some independent $$$ in the first place to "slurka upp allt" peng och intresse.
And so for 15 years the old saying "Choose your parents carefully" is so much more important.


gillar inte svenskar...Silly boy vi måste kunna reta norskarna lite eller.....?

[Plan9]

No one is a "disgrace to the sport".
The disgrace is the mismanagement which has seen the sport degenerate to the point where these people are in the limelight.

+1 It is disgraceful that people are reliant on people like him and I cannot remember any other era that has had as many people like him involved; he must be one of the least experienced WRC drivers out there. However Nobre's money is probably tiding MI over for this year. Also I read that 2 MINI's need to be around for homologation purposes for Prodrive.
I don't think that Nobre get's much attention at all to be honest or Arujo for that matter.

[tfp]

OK. What I mean is that norweigans are far better in promoting our beloved sport. And that´s what Petter and MAds are doing. If we in Sweden where half as good in promoting ourselves we also would hav a couple of WRC drivers today, but we haven´t.

Why don´t you lika swedes, by the way? varför gillar du inte svenskar, förresten?

:up: The relatively small world of Rallying(compared to certain other motorsports) need to get across to the rest of the world and give them an idea of the sport we know and love.

Show them big jumps, REAL car control, and a bit of tyre smoke :)
This gives them an idea of the skill level of the drivers that compete, and the sheer lunacy of the drivers and specially built the cars are that compete.

Give them a taste, you never know, they may just want more...

[tmx]

It maybe quick, bug damn its ugly! We need more more cars from these R classes if we want to see more drivers entering rallies. About ugly, you probably haven't watch F1 lately.

:up: The relatively small world of Rallying(compared to certain other motorsports) need to get across to the rest of the world and give them an idea of the sport we know and love.

Show them big jumps, REAL car control, and a bit of tyre smoke :)
This gives them an idea of the skill level of the drivers that compete, and the sheer lunacy of the drivers and specially built the cars are that compete.

Give them a taste, you never know, they may just want more... They have it, it's called Gymnkhana and X-games. I think rally cross will be much more successful in America, especially if all the cars goes counterclockwise around an oval dirt track.

[Bigdiggerman]

There's not a lot of news and rumor here....just a lot of waffle.

[Brother John]

Again, make some members of a fine thread ​​a mess, but yes some do not want that I say anything about that.

[Rallyper]

What was the qustion in the first place? ;)

[Barreis]

FIA reiterates commitment to WRC - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98221)

[tfp]

We need more more cars from these R classes if we want to see more drivers entering rallies. About ugly, you probably haven't watch F1 lately.
They have it, it's called Gymnkhana and X-games. I think rally cross will be much more successful in America, especially if all the cars goes counterclockwise around an oval dirt track.

Haha :) Then the American spectators can follow us, and we will show them proper Rallying!

[EuroTroll]

Egon Kaur will take part in this weekend's round of the British Championship with a Ford Fiesta R2. It's a one-off, as he's been having trouble finding money for this season..

[MartijnS]

Too bad he didn't win the Academy last year, Breen has lots of money anyway.

[cali]

Too bad he didn't win the Academy last year, Breen has lots of money anyway.
True, but as estonian this hard for me to say that Breen clearly deserved Academy title. He was quite obviously faster than Kaur. Pity that Kaur has financial troubles though ...

[Pinto]

Quote Originally Posted by MartijnS View Post
Too bad he didn't win the Academy last year, Breen has lots of money anyway.


thats complete bull how do you what money Breen has behind him all you know is he has 500k he won after that your speculating.Craig deserved to win,hes a good team around him and he's making the most of his profile at the moment to get places

[rallyfiend]

Quote Originally Posted by MartijnS View Post
Too bad he didn't win the Academy last year, Breen has lots of money anyway.


thats complete bull how do you what money Breen has behind him all you know is he has 500k he won after that your speculating.Craig deserved to win,hes a good team around him and he's making the most of his profile at the moment to get places

Agree with that.

What a ridiculous post.

[gtimad73]

Is there any news on the wrc promoter yet. isn't the process supposed to be coming to an end this week. I'm surprised there's not been more chat about who it is..

[mousti]

Is there any news on the wrc promoter yet. isn't the process supposed to be coming to an end this week. I'm surprised there's not been more chat about who it is..
Because there's no hope..

[gtimad73]

there's always hope whilst its still going on.

[Barreis]

Eurosport is the best option for sport but something is wrong in the whole story.

[MJW]

Because there's no hope..

I guess you might have heared the same whisper as me:-(

[gtimad73]

eurosport are good when there at there best like monte 2011. but some of there irc coverage has been so rushed and only on for 30 mins after 10pm its no better than the rest. if eurosport cant show off there own championship what hope have they got with the wrc as a rival to there own championship..

[AndyRAC]

Remember, there wasn't a Promoter during the so called 'Glory years'....Each event tended to Promote; it was probably easier as there was a 'product' to Promote. However times and the sport have moved on, and not necessarily for the better.

[gtimad73]

true wasn't meaning to get drawn in to which ones better. just wonder if there's any news around the corner.

[flat to the mat]

Quote Originally Posted by MartijnS View Post
Too bad he didn't win the Academy last year, Breen has lots of money anyway.


thats complete bull how do you what money Breen has behind him all you know is he has 500k he won after that your speculating.Craig deserved to win,hes a good team around him and he's making the most of his profile at the moment to get places
Google "Breen Transportation",believe me budgets aren't a major issue for him.

[gravelman]

Google "Breen Transportation",believe me budgets aren't a major issue for him.


Wrong breen, that's not the business. The clue is on the side of the car

[MJW]

Wrong breen, that's not the business. The clue is on the side of the car
Keltech Engineering - not short of personal wealth....., but then again how much do you need to make it in WRC? Mads is fast but MSport know that they can pay for their drive.

[Allyc85]

Motorsport has been about rich people and families since it started. People that moan about it are boring and pathetic...get over it!

[noel157]

Motorsport has been about rich people and families since it started. People that moan about it are boring and pathetic...get over it!

That's a one daft and immature sweeping generalisation of a statement. And inaccurate.

[Barreis]

Motorsport has been about rich people and families since it started. People that moan about it are boring and pathetic...get over it!
I hope it's not. Loeb proved it.

[Allyc85]

Obviously not everyone...

[Gregor-y]

Colin McRae and Richard Burns don't fit, either, do they? ;)

[tolis]

Rally Argentina Entry List: http://www.rallyargentina.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Listado_inscriptos_RA2012.pdf

[MJW]

Rally Argentina Entry List: http://www.rallyargentina.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Listado_inscriptos_RA2012.pdf No Henning or Matthew again, I know Matt may not be fit after his fractured ankle, but Go Fast seemed to have Gone Fast.

[Sulland]

I think we can forget the go fast team in wrc. To bad really!

[markrally]

Jost Capito to head Volkswagen Motorsport:

UK Car News - news, car reviews, features and video - News (http://www.ukcarnews.com/features.php?show=558)

[AndyRAC]

I can't work out whether this is good news or not. He was in charge of the Ford RS cars, but they were RS in name only.....

[Brother John]

I can't work out whether this is good news or not. He was in charge of the Ford RS cars, but they were RS in name only.....

For these people this is good news, they can earn more with an extra thick premium payment. :s mokin:

[jbmarcus21]

Yesterday in France, Patrik Flodin has tested Ford Fiesta S2000 to prepare IRC Rally Season.. I was there..
You can watch my video
Test Days Patrik Flodin Ford Fiesta S2000 Saison 2012 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-JldrbeZ9U&feature=youtu.be)

Best Regards
JB

[Plan9]

Rally Argentina Entry List: http://www.rallyargentina.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Listado_inscriptos_RA2012.pdf

When is Sordo going to do a long haul event? I thought he and his team were obligated by the FIA to do so....

[Barreis]

Mini Portugal is now official Mini team.

[noel157]

When is Sordo going to do a long haul event? I thought he and his team were obligated by the FIA to do so....

As Barreis said, they are now a private team and have no obligation to do anything. More to the point, they have hardly enough money to go testing, never mind going to events.

[tolis]

Final list of PWRC announced-12 crews: Autosport (http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=13575)
Pedersoli will only do 1 WRC event: Rally d'Italia Sardegna!

[Gregor-y]

Jost Capito to head Volkswagen Motorsport:

UK Car News - news, car reviews, features and video - News (http://www.ukcarnews.com/features.php?show=558)
With his position at SVT I nearly thought Ford was going to try and put out some exciting cars in the US. The Focus ST is still not ready, and there are dozens of Mustang hop up makers with close relations to Ford. Does anyone know if Mr. Capito was getting frustrated at Ford in general (and SVT in particular), or if VW just made a fantastic offer?

[Andre Oliveira]

?

Lancia annonce son retour en wrc en 2014 (http://www.unica-strada.com/blog/2012/03/scoop-lancia-annonce-son-retour-en-wrc-en-2014/)

http://www.unica-strada.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/vignette.jpg

[focus206]

?

Lancia annonce son retour en wrc en 2014 (http://www.unica-strada.com/blog/2012/03/scoop-lancia-annonce-son-retour-en-wrc-en-2014/)

http://www.unica-strada.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/vignette.jpg

Isn't it one day earlier for the April's fools? ;)

[Fly_Half]

That's an abysmal Photoshop, the rear wheel is comically small in comparison to the rest of the car. I'd confidently bet my house that Lancia will not return to the WRC

[EuroTroll]

That car looks like a ball. :)

[Plan9]

As Barreis said, they are now a private team and have no obligation to do anything. More to the point, they have hardly enough money to go testing, never mind going to events.


I know but they entered a car in Argentina for some old dude. Dani was meant to go to Mexico as well I read..... I am hoping for NZ but doubt it.

[dimviii]

llololololololol
eWRC.cz - Pøíèina absence týmu Go Fast na tratích je objasnìna (http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php?id=19185&title=pricina-absence-tymu-go-fast-na-tratich-je-objasnena)

[grugsticles]

llololololololol
eWRC.cz - Pøíèina absence týmu Go Fast na tratích je objasnìna (http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php?id=19185&title=pricina-absence-tymu-go-fast-na-tratich-je-objasnena)

Ha! Maybe if you swap the first initials of the crew around, then it wouldn't be so ironic!

[Plan9]

llololololololol
eWRC.cz - Pøíèina absence týmu Go Fast na tratích je objasnìna (http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php?id=19185&title=pricina-absence-tymu-go-fast-na-tratich-je-objasnena)

hahahahaha! Bearing in mind its April 1 it still almost sounds real in Wilson's case anyway.

[alleskids]

hahahahaha! Bearing in mind its April 1 it still almost sounds real in Wilson's case anyway.

The first seconds I believed it was real :(

does it tell something about me, or about Mathew Wilson :p

[User]

hahahahaha! Bearing in mind its April 1 it still almost sounds real in Wilson's case anyway.

Best April's fool I heard today :)

[focus206]

llololololololol
eWRC.cz - Pøíèina absence týmu Go Fast na tratích je objasnìna (http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php?id=19185&title=pricina-absence-tymu-go-fast-na-tratich-je-objasnena)

Best news ever!!! :D
Already 2 April Fools... what's next?

[Mirek]

The best April fool is our weather this weekend. Last weekend it was +20 and now it is snowing :D

[dimviii]

The best April fool is our weather this weekend. Last weekend it was +20 and now it is snowing :D

20 celsious here

[Hartusvuori]

Ketomaa told Finnish news agency that his next start should be Argentina, but it could be Acropolis too - as in his initial plans.

[EuroTroll]

Ketomaa told Finnish news agency that his next start should be Argentina, but it could be Acropolis too - as in his initial plans.

With Dmacks?

[mousti]

Autosport.cz has some interesting articles !!

[Plan9]

Best news ever!!! :D
Already 2 April Fools... what's next?

Maybe Mikko being excluded from a rally he won and Mads taking the points instead lol...?

[6789]

Chris Atkinson on Australian ABC radio and Monster WRC rounds and APRC - All Torque - ABC Grandstand Sport (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-30/all-torque/3923972?section=sport)

[Barreis]

World Rally Championship - News - Solberg upbeat on title chances (http://www.wrc.com/news/solberg-upbeat-on-title-chances/?fid=16462)

[jbmarcus21]

#WRC New 2012 Wrc standings [Drivers, Manufacturers, Power Stage & SS winners) after Rally Portugal & Mikko exclusion Classements Saison Wrc 2012 (http://bit.ly/x3IKyP)

[pettersolberg29]

Prokop entered under the DMACK banner for Rally Argentina - not Ketomaa

[grugsticles]

Chris Atkinson on Australian ABC radio and Monster WRC rounds and APRC - All Torque - ABC Grandstand Sport (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-30/all-torque/3923972?section=sport)

Wow. ABC radio taking note of WRC? Gee, things have changed! I thought they only cared about cricket, AFL and tennis?

Great to see/hear get some local exposure though!

[Bartolbia84]

Meanwhile Luca Pedersoli has announced its program of races for 2012. Among these is the Rally Italy Sardinia, that the spectacular Italian rider will race on a Citroen DS3 WRC sponsored by Magnetti Marelli.

[WRCS14]

I thought Luca was doing 4 or 5 WRC rounds with the backing of Magnetti Marelli, now back to just one round :(

Im thinking the whole tv thing hasnt helped the situation.

[Barreis]

Citroen is very expensive.

[Plan9]

Citroen is very expensive.

Of the 3 WRC cars available, which is the most expensive and most affordable (I assume this is the Fiesta as there seems to be about 5000 of them about the place lol)

[Brother John]

Nice video Rally Portugal
Dakar Videos Volkswagen Motorsport (http://volkswagen-motorsport.com/web/movie_de/video.php?v=01c3e49415es&flash=ok&flashnavi=video&st=595&lg=d&showMeNow=lala)

And nice Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/volkswagenmotorsport

[Barreis]

Jari-Matti Latvala offered to relinquish Ford number one status after Portugal crash - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98580)
This guy has "problems"...
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98581

[Viking]

Jari-Matti Latvala offered to relinquish Ford number one status after Portugal crash - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98580)
This guy has "problems"...
Q & A: Jari-Matti Latvala on Rally of Portugal disaster - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98581)

And so has Wilson, "wait untill middle of the season" pffft..

[Barreis]

There's a nice text about WRC in british magazine CAR (march isue).

[Barreis]

Citroen will not appeal Hirvonen's exclusion from last week's Rally of Portugal - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98587)

[dimviii]

There's a nice text about WRC in british magazine CAR (march isue).

link?

[Barreis]

Don't have it. Red it today in printed version.

[tfp]

link?


WRC at Monte Carlo 2012: CAR Magazine's gallery | Car Blogs | Car Magazine Online (http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Community/Car-Magazines-Blogs/Mark-Walton/WRC-at-Monte-Carlo-2012-extra-images/)

Wonder if this is it?

[6789]

WRC Australia aiming to be an annual event and as the final round of the season


Green light for annual event | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast | Coffs Coast Advocate (http://m.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2012/04/04/green-light-rally-australia-event-coffs-harbour/)

[sollitt]

Jari-Matti Latvala offered to relinquish Ford number one status after Portugal crash - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98580)
This guy has "problems"...
Q & A: Jari-Matti Latvala on Rally of Portugal disaster - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98581)

Two good articles highlighting very rational approach and good team culture.

[Plan9]

WRC Australia aiming to be an annual event and as the final round of the season


Green light for annual event | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast | Coffs Coast Advocate (http://m.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2012/04/04/green-light-rally-australia-event-coffs-harbour/)

This can only be bad for NZ's chances unfortunatley

[Brother John]

Don't have it. Red it today in printed version.

Some posts and responses are moved to http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/150000-rally-discussions-comments-pub-talk.html

[bassist]

Two good articles highlighting very rational approach and good team culture.

I think if they took the No 1 status off Jari and made him and Petter equal,the pressure that is causing these slip up`s would decrease. It`s good that they are standing by him, but I think he would relax if he and Petter were equal.Some people can`t handle this type of pressure.

[Barreis]

WRC at Monte Carlo 2012: CAR Magazine's gallery | Car Blogs | Car Magazine Online (http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Community/Car-Magazines-Blogs/Mark-Walton/WRC-at-Monte-Carlo-2012-extra-images/)

Wonder if this is it?

Only photos are here, text is missing.

[Juha_Koo]

Is Daniel Elena allright? I've heard some stuff that he would have had some back problems after Portugal off.

[MartijnS]

He has been spotted in Vilamoura enjoying himself at some night during the rally, so it wont be that serious I think ;)

[Adler]

Some members here are overrating the difference in terms of "pressure" between driver n°1 or equal status I think... No matter what their status is (privateer or factory driver, number 1 or 2), there will always be pressure when people (manufacturer or sponsors) pay your drive.
I think the mistakes of JML are because he's not able to keep the concentration high during the whole weekend, more than "being number 1"...

100% agree, theres allways pressure on the drivers, except they have the very extra big wallet!

[Juha_Koo]

He has been spotted in Vilamoura enjoying himself at some night during the rally, so it wont be that serious I think ;)

Haha, no problems then... :)

[Mise]

Latvala siirtyy Volkswagenille | Ralli | Iltalehti.fi (http://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/2012040515420574_ri.shtml)

According to Iltalehti Latvala has a contract with VW.

[Hartusvuori]

Latvala siirtyy Volkswagenille | Ralli | Iltalehti.fi (http://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/2012040515420574_ri.shtml)

According to Iltalehti Latvala has a contract with VW.

That's just Iltalehti citing Autosport. For sure nothing official yet.

[AMSS]

He did make a pre-agreement already last year before NORF with VW. But lots of things changed after Ogier desided to go to VW so don`t so sure how it actually is now or exactly what was written in that contract!



That's just Iltalehti citing Autosport. For sure nothing official yet.

[Francis44]

Sorry but Ogier and Latvala are no good duo for a team who desires the manufacteur championship.

[Miika]

What was actually written in the Autosport article = all sides denying any contract exists + Nissen saying that JML "has another couple of races to show he can stay on the road". So JML carrying pressure from two teams at the moment (?) Smart move naming him #1 before the season had even started..

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/669/latvalavwautosport.jpg

[Gregor-y]

Sorry but Ogier and Latvala are no good duo for a team who desires the manufacteur championship.
That makes Hirvonen the most desirable driver in the WRC, then, for every team!

[Francis44]

That makes Hirvonen the most desirable driver in the WRC, then, for every team!

Yeah for me perfect duo is mad driver + fast yet consistent driver. Mad driver + mad driver = disaster.

And please do not use as example Loeb and Ogier. Loeb is much more consistent than Latvala, and so is Ogier.

[Mirek]

That makes Hirvonen the most desirable driver in the WRC, then, for every team!

Yes, he and Sordo are the best second drivers in my opinion. Extremely consistent fast drivers who take a lot of points.

[A.F.F.]

That's just Iltalehti citing Autosport. For sure nothing official yet.

Iltalehti is the bible of truth in motorsports!! How dare you question it?

[User]

Pretty funny that people now see Hirvonen the most desirable driver, whilst previous season some referred to him as a 'sick dog'.

[Mirek]

Pretty funny that people now see Hirvonen the most desirable driver, whilst previous season some referred to him as a 'sick dog'.

Are You sure it's the same people? ;)

[N.O.T]

Pretty funny that people now see Hirvonen the most desirable driver, whilst previous season some referred to him as a 'sick dog'.

As a leading driver he was... as a second driver he is every manufacturers wet dream...

[T.Maanteiden kuningas]

Ogier is just "ladycup" driver.

[tolis]

Ogier is just "ladycup" driver.
And he is drinking all the time... :D

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2012/wrc/portugalsko/nikos02.jpg

[T.Maanteiden kuningas]

Oh yes :D

[Plan9]

Yes, he and Sordo are the best second drivers in my opinion. Extremely consistent fast drivers who take a lot of points.

Also Mikko and Dani do not seem to get involved in team politics as much. Sadly both can crack under pressure

[tfp]

Just read on planet marcus, toyota are making plans to come back to the WRC....We've never heard that one before have we? :D

[EightGear]

Peter Van Merksteijn will drive only one more WRC-event this year, and that's Rally Germany. He will be more active in Dutch and German events again.

That's good. WRC isn't really where he belongs but for our national championship (which looks to be great this year) he will be a nice addition. :)

If the drivers do theyr jobb right. Driving in the WRC is way different from driving a 150km local rally where we just to flat out from the start. I think the team can score points in Rally Norway and hopefully in some other events as well.

greathttp://www.50centloseweight.com

[noel157]

Dutch championship seems to be the best, WRC wise, at the moment. Always good to watch. Should be an exciting season.

[Plan9]

That's good. WRC isn't really where he belongs but for our national championship (which looks to be great this year) he will be a nice addition. :)

Why do you think that he doesn't belong in the WRC? he pays the bills...

[Wim_Impreza]

Dutch championship seems to be the best, WRC wise, at the moment. Always good to watch. Should be an exciting season.

WRC wise, the Belgian championship is much better. Look at the entry list or results of the TAC Rally from yesterday: C4 WRC, Mini WRC, Focus' WRC, Impreza's WRC, 307 WRC, Corolla WRC. Later this season, there will be another C4 WRC in the Rallye de Wallonie and 1 Fiesta WRC. Probably there will be also an Octavia WRC in some rounds. I don't think another national championship has this in this difficult economic times, especially as there was also Loix in the 207 S2000, 2 Polo's S2000, some GT cars, Lancer's and Impreza's, BMW's, some small cars and much historic cars.

Most of the stages in the Netherlands aren't beautiful in my opinion. Almost all WRC cars in NL are driven by gentlemen-drivers, but I must say that it will be a good title fight there for the title.

[noel157]

Ok. Ta.

[vino_93]

WRC wise, the Belgian championship is much better. Look at the entry list or results of the TAC Rally from yesterday: C4 WRC, Mini WRC, Focus' WRC, Impreza's WRC, 307 WRC, Corolla WRC. Later this season, there will be another C4 WRC in the Rallye de Wallonie and 1 Fiesta WRC. Probably there will be also an Octavia WRC in some rounds. I don't think another national championship has this in this difficult economic times, especially as there was also Loix in the 207 S2000, 2 Polo's S2000, some GT cars, Lancer's and Impreza's, BMW's, some small cars and much historic cars.

Most of the stages in the Netherlands aren't beautiful in my opinion. Almost all WRC cars in NL are driven by gentlemen-drivers, but I must say that it will be a good title fight there for the title.

France has a good championship. Maybe better than Belgium (Loix with 207 all the season like Robert, and Sarrazin with 307, plus all the very good national drivers).

[EightGear]

Why do you think that he doesn't belong in the WRC? he pays the bills...

Speed-wise he doesn't. Simple as that. ;)

Regarding the Dutch championship I agree about the quality, but this year with (maybe) Kuipers, Van Merksteijn, Ten Brinke, Wevers and Van Eldik and about 5 or 6 more WRC's the championship will be very strong. All 5 of them are rather decent drivers.
In comparison with Belgium, then Belgium does have a better championship (although I would say only Tsjoen, Snijers and Loix are better than the 5 names I just mentioned).

[Barreis]

For N.O.T:
World Rally Championship - News - Features - Ten questions to: Matthew Wilson (http://www.wrc.com/news/features/ten-questions-to-matthew-wilson/?fid=16480)

[A FONDO]

What was your first car? “I had my first car when I was seven: it was a brown Ford Escort MkII. I bought it for £25 and sold it for £30, so it’s clear that I inherited the Wilson family genes!” :rotflmao:

[N.O.T]

another staged interview from the official M-sport web site...

Will any reporter ever have the balls to ask Slowson his opinion on his progress and why he bothers with the sport ??

[MikeD]

What was your first car? “I had my first car when I was seven: it was a brown Ford Escort MkII. I bought it for £25 and sold it for £30, so it’s clear that I inherited the Wilson family genes!” :rotflmao:

That's perhaps the most ridiculous and meaningless interview I have ever read.

[Red bull]

http://www.worldrallyblog.com/2012/04/09/thoughts/latvalas-manager-confirms-contacts-with-volkswagen/

[Tomi]

http://www.worldrallyblog.com/2012/04/09/thoughts/latvalas-manager-confirms-contacts-with-volkswagen/

Who run this site?? Wonder why nowdays people dont write their name after the article, so that readers would know how serious the articles should be taken.

[rallyfiend]

Who run this site?? Wonder why nowdays people dont write their name after the article, so that readers would know how serious the articles should be taken.

All is quite easily explained by clicking the 'About Me' button on the site!

[Tomi]

All is quite easily explained by clicking the 'About Me' button on the site!

Ok, thanks, and the Latvala story, interview, imagination, or copy from somewhere else?

[N.O.T]

http://www.worldrallyblog.com/2012/04/09/thoughts/latvalas-manager-confirms-contacts-with-volkswagen/

i think all the places for the trailer and motorhomes window cleaners are taken...so i see no reason why they want Latvala.

[rallyfiend]

Ok, thanks, and the Latvala story, interview, imagination, or copy from somewhere else?

I think he's just pinched it from the Autosport article. Nothing new there.

[alleskids]

ofcourse Latvalla has contact with VW, but also has Al Attiyah and Mathew Wilson among other drivers. Latvala was hot last year, but he blew his hotness goodby by crashing too much.

The question is: which drivers is the best for VW if they want an manufacturer title in 2013? Sordo has more change of the second VW seat and VW has more changes with Sordo and Ogier in team 1.

[Barreis]

P.Solberg should be best choice for VW. Second best is Sordo.
Joukhi should pay for few more years of Latvala's crashing at ford. :D

[pettersolberg29]

Solberg or Sordo are the stand out options as 2nd drivers for a title assault in 2013, but JML has the potential to be one of the greatest drivers of all time in my opinion so VW may be wise to sign him up while they have the chance.

[Barreis]

If Latvala should be one of the greatest drivers of all time, what's then Loeb?! :D

[Rallyper]

If Latvala should be one of the greatest drivers of all time, what's then Loeb?! :D

Potential, as said. History not written yet. As for time being Loeb is, yes.

[bluuford]

If Latvala should be one of the greatest drivers of all time, what's then Loeb?! :D

You have the right to create new expression for this...

[Plan9]

ofcourse Latvalla has contact with VW, but also has Al Attiyah and Mathew Wilson among other drivers. Latvala was hot last year, but he blew his hotness goodby by crashing too much.

The question is: which drivers is the best for VW if they want an manufacturer title in 2013? Sordo has more change of the second VW seat and VW has more changes with Sordo and Ogier in team 1.

In answer to this: There is no way VW would want JML-Ogier team. I suspect it would be difficult to challenge Citroen for the Manufacturers title with 2 crash prone drivers. My bet would be Ogier-Sordo then a junior operation and no Juho. This way they can fight for wins and have someone else to try for the other top positions.

[pettersolberg29]

If Latvala should be one of the greatest drivers of all time, what's then Loeb?! :D


Potential, as said. History not written yet. As for time being Loeb is, yes.

As Rallyper says!

[Allyc85]

bit of a long shot but when is the 2013 calendar roughly expected to be announced, as ive just been looking at extreamly cheap flights to Nice for the 2012 Monte :D

[WRCS14]

For 2013 I hope you are booking flights and not 2012! I would say at previous years dates the 2013 event will run Wedensday 16th to Sunday 20th January 2013.

I would think next calendar released normaly end of April/some time in May.

[Plan9]

I bet NZ/Aust won't be on it. I am hearding bad things down here

[tfp]

I bet NZ/Aust won't be on it. I am hearding bad things down here

Oh no, the hippies arent back are they? Park a range rover next to the stage, they might tie themselves to it or something!

[6789]

I bet NZ/Aust won't be on it. I am hearding bad things down here
Where from?

[Plan9]

Oh no, the hippies arent back are they? Park a range rover next to the stage, they might tie themselves to it or something!

@tpf: Not from NZ anyway. For hippies that best thing in this country is some 1080 poison and a helicopter. They will chase you will their colorful banners for miles.

@6789: I cannot name the source but lets say there are some worries; with Australia I am not sure. I read that the FIA is under some pressure to give the NZ/Au slot to someone else (ie India, Russia, China, Brazil).

[Bartolbia84]

In my opinion, in 2013 we will have this calendar:

Monte Carlo
Sweden + Norway
Mexico
Portugal
Argentine
Greece
New Zealand (Australia)
Finland
Germany (France)
Brazil
Spain
GB-Wales
Italy

[Motorsportfun]

AFAIK, it will be something with:

-Monte
-Sweden
-Mexico
-Brazil
-Argentina
-Portugal
-Finland
-Italy
-GB
-Spain
-France
-Germany
-Greece/Russia

[Allyc85]

For 2013 I hope you are booking flights and not 2012! I would say at previous years dates the 2013 event will run Wedensday 16th to Sunday 20th January 2013.

I would think next calendar released normaly end of April/some time in May.

:laugh: yea, just a bit of finger trouble there, I meant 2013!

I can get flights to Nice for £60 return at the moment so want to get it booked ASAP. Infact its probably cheaper than a train from Devon to London, but thats for a different thread!

[dimviii]

this video make me very happy if true
Kubica after accident..?

edit read the youtube comments
Robert Kubica returns after his accident at Ronde di Andora! Clio S1600 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd8ztXgyR1c&feature=player_embedded)

[whosyo]

Hyundai have been seriously considering to paticipate in WRC
News and rumors are going around in Korea souced by anonymous hyundai engineer

[rallye-vid]

Hyundai i30 (the new one) is a nice looking car.. why not ;)

[Mirek]

Hyundai i30 (the new one) is a nice looking car.. why not ;)

It's too big for current rules I'm afraid.

[Langdale Forest]

But the Peugot 206 was too small for the the rules in 1999. ;)

[N.O.T]

But the Peugot 206 was too small for the the rules in 1999. ;)

yes but it is easier to lengthen a car than shorten it....

[Viking]

It's too big for current rules I'm afraid.

Would the Veloster fit??

[Mirek]

Hard to say. It is somewhat longer than current WRC cars but it is also lower. Hard to estimate how heavy bodyshell it has. The non-symetrical bodyshell could cause some problems though. Wheelbase would be by far longest of all cars with very small overhangs. Anyway it would be sure a beautiful car.

[kiil]

yes but it is easier to lengthen a car than shorten it....

Depends on the driver line-up :-)

[pettersolberg29]

Depends on the driver line-up :-)

Haha brilliant - sign JML asap!

[ToughMac]

The i20 and the ix20 would probably be better base models. Great to hear Hyundai are coming back though, its like the WRC is a sleeping giant about to reawake!

[Plan9]

The giant went out with a wimper last time sadly. They just ruined their chance with the accent. I think that was one of the biggest flops in the WRC's history (remeber they were supposed to come back in 2006). I just hopeif this is true they do it as a factory effort and not throught a proxy like prodrive (I couldn;t face another good car sidelined by politics)'

[Juha_Koo]

Esapekka Lappi is in Italy doing some tarmac driving training.

International tarmac rally(es) coming up in the summer...

[6789]

Put Ostberg in the factory seat and someone into Mads seat, that's what I think will happen. Tough news for JML :(

[traxx]

Hyundai have been seriously considering to paticipate in WRC
News and rumors are going around in Korea souced by anonymous hyundai engineer

Could be good ! Can we read something about that somewhere ?

[whosyo]

Could be good ! Can we read something about that somewhere ?


There's no officially mentioned articles yet,

But ,Hyundai keep saying to news writers that we are considering the participation

back in 2011, there's a local touring car race hosted by Hyundai
and In the event's press conference, Hyundai marketing manager said "We've been seriously considering that compete in the world-class motorsport especially WRC "

There're a lot of media that handle this rumor in korea (like car magazine, web-base magazine, F1 magazine korea, etc..)
but just like what i said, there's no official announcement yet :(


p.s1 Latest date of the article that handle this rumor is April 14 2012

p.s2 sorry about my poor eng.
Those are the best sentence i can write

[A FONDO]

Don't hesitate sharing news and rumours from your korean medias and forums. The same applies to Hokkaido and Toyota.

[Barreis]

Maiden points with eight place...
World Rally Championship - News - Neuville tipped to build on Portugal points (http://www.wrc.com/news/neuville-tipped-to-build-on-portugal-points/?fid=16504)

[Red bull]

The new Hyundai Veloster rally car makes its 2011 Chicago Auto Show debut (http://www.torquenews.com/106/new-hyundai-veloster-rally-car-makes-its-2011-chicago-auto-show-debut)

[N.O.T]

hillclimb car.

big difference

[Maxi]

That's the car Hyundai is using for the global rallycross championship in the United States.

[Coach 2]

I think we all now it's not a rally car, but dam it is nice.

[Motorsportfun]

Could be good ! Can we read something about that somewhere ?

It was long-rumoured in the Service Park in Faro, as it looks Ford isn't going to committ beyond 2013... :)

[TyPat107]

hillclimb car.

big difference

Strange it looks like someone erased my comment so I will try again.

The veloster is an Accent WRC car with a different shell. the only other difference is a 40mm restrictor on the turbo due to rallycross rules.

[Plan9]

Strange it looks like someone erased my comment so I will try again.

The veloster is an Accent WRC car with a different shell. the only other difference is a 40mm restrictor on the turbo due to rallycross rules.

Interesting. How does this car perform against the other rallycross cars (ie Fiesta, Impreza; DS3 etc)?

[TyPat107]

Interesting. How does this car perform against the other rallycross cars (ie Fiesta, Impreza; DS3 etc)?

As for results, Rhys Millen took it to a 5th, 7th, and 9th and 5th at the x-games. Marcus Dodd finished 8th,and 6th in the first two events and injured himself when he came up short on one of the jumps on the third event. That was the week of Pikes Peak and another driver Laughlin O'Sullivan(former factory Mitsu USA driver) was brought in to drive the car up pikes peak where it lost its clutch about 3/4 the way up the hill.

I believe last year was kind of a development year for the team but the car seems to be somewhere between the Fiesta/ Ds3 and the Imprezas the american teams are using. It will be nice to see what they can achieve this year. Really wish he would build one for stage rally it would be refreshing to see a car that isn't an evo or impreza over here (from an impreza driver).

[Plan9]

That's cool. I only follow GRC casually but I am a fan of the Millens so of course I want them to do well. Its good to hear that the Accent had finally found its calling. It didn't seem to be very potent in the WRC sadly. Has Millen made the car any faster? I know he did use it as an "Accent" in a previous season before putting the Veloster body on it. Also its nice to hear an Impreza guys say something good about a new entry into rallying (comparatively speaking).

[grugsticles]

A car with those looks DESERVES to be a rally car!
If Subaru had released the latest generation of the Impreza with those looks I would that everyone, even die hard classic Impreza lovers, would like the car.

God damn, its just so bloody HOT!