Abarth pulling out of IRC ?

[Sulland]

I just quickly looked in Autosport the other day, and thought I read that Abarth will pull out of being a registered manufacturer with IRC ?

Does that mean they are not doing more to the car, no longer planning to do WRC in 1600T config, or are they pulling out to concentrate on a new WRC car in 2011 ?

[Mirek]

Situation in Abarth is not clear. We have to wait...

[RS]

There was a quote from an Abarth team member in Autosport that they will not do IRC in 2010. Don't know if they will still register so privateers can score, or whether it will be nothing at all.

[Sulland]

Ok Mirek, thanks for the info.

Would be sorry to loose them !

Is the sit with the Abarth team the same that was with Ferrari F1 prior to the Todt, Brawn, Schumacher era ? Would it help to get in an outsider to stear the team ?

[Simmi]

I cant remember but I think in the article it listed their WRC chances as being 50/50. Which is a real shame because at one point they looked almost certain to make a return.

They would need to build a new car though as the Punto is at the end of it's development life.

[Mihai]

How about the new Lancia Delta? It's a family hatch just like the Grande Punto, albeit one class bigger. But the Delta nameplate has plenty of resonance in rallying.

[RS]

Update: there is a chance Abarth stay registered for IRC in 2010 even if the works team compete less (or not at all)

I could imagine them wanting to cherry pick a couple of the big rallies like Sanremo and Monte.

[Tomi]

FYI abarth has been gone for a year already, they outsoursed their activity to grifone at the beginning of this year already.

[RS]

FYI abarth has been gone for a year already, they outsoursed their activity to grifone at the beginning of this year already.

Yes IRC yes, but the brand Abarth still indeed exists.

[Wasted Talent]

Unfortunately the Punto is no longer top dog, seems like latest car is fastest car (excluding the Proton)

WT

[Mirek]

FYI abarth has been gone for a year already, they outsoursed their activity to grifone at the beginning of this year already.

Yes, that's true, their car were run by Grifone and Procar.

[Karbonyl]

Abarth is fully concentrated on 500 R3T, the Grande Punto S2000 is already long time dead, I guess.

[Tom206wrc]

]Situation in Abarth is not clear. We have to wait...



Fiat Group has a lot to do with Chrysler from now on, hard to think about competition until the american group is out of crisis, me thinks :mark:

[Sulland]

Fiat Group has a lot to do with Chrysler from now on, hard to think about competition until the american group is out of crisis, me thinks :mark:

So maybe a Chrysler Rally car then ? :p

[Abarth]

http://www.rallylink.it/news//images/rsgallery/display/fri10_3_Basso.jpg.jpg

Rumours say that Abarth debuted with 1820 mm spec in Italy last week. Can anyone confirm?

[Mirek]

Yes, it's true.

[Abarth]

Any more upgrades than the carwith?

[Mirek]

As far as I know new engine is used already for few months. I don't know more.

[RICARDO75]

I think the Punto Abarth is still a very competitive car.
Just need to see they'r performance in Italy and what did Rossetti at Rally Madeira.
On gravel I'm not so sure but, Anton Alen and the Italian drivers, may not have been the best references.

[Mirek]

No, most of the lack of performance is in the car. It's built too much for smooth asphalt Mediterranean roads which makes it not suitable to rough roads. Stiff suspension with small lifting or different gearing made for Italian roads doesn't work elsewhere very good.

[Sulland]

]No, most of the lack of performance is in the car. It's built too much for smooth asphalt Mediterranean roads which makes it not suitable to rough roads. Stiff suspension with small lifting or different gearing made for Italian roads doesn't work elsewhere very good.

I agree, but the car is from 2006 and a lot has happened since then.
But cant they rebuild the gravel kit to get a bit more wheel-travel, that should be doable ?

[bt52b]

new grande punto debut

http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/abarth_encouraged_by_new_grande_punto_debut/

[RS]

The Punto is ok on smooth gravel events; Kopecky was beaten by the Puntos on a gravel event in Italy this year. It will be interesting to see what the wide car can do on Sanremo.

Also it is good to see Abarth develop a wider Punto whilst Peugeot does nothing and Quesnel whinges....

[Mirek]

Peugeot has wider variant also (only front axle if I'm not mistaken) but still not used in any event. There are lots of test photos though. The clearly visible change is use of plastic windows. See this photos: http://www.testrally.com/galleria.asp?tipo=Test&id=268&anno=2010

[HaCo]

]Peugeot has wider variant also (only front axle if I'm not mistaken) but still not used in any event. There are lots of test photos though. The clearly visible change is use of plastic windows. See this photos: http://www.testrally.com/galleria.asp?tipo=Test&id=268&anno=2010

I don't know here I've read it, but Van Dalen said that next year the car will have a lot of improvements.

[Sulland]

Do anyone know what the travelway for the suspension are on the different S2000 cars in gravel trim ?

[Tom206wrc]

With entrylist of Monte-Carlo published today, we can still ask the question about Abarth future in rally :s

[darkstar]

defenetly a lot of abarth 500´s at the monte entrylist...but i think the car is really ugly. hope to see basso in that last evolution grande punto. they showed some amazing pace at this year´s san remo rallye.

[stepunk]

hope to see basso in that last evolution grande punto. they showed some amazing pace at this year´s san remo rallye.

Hope to see Basso in a really competitive car... therefore not an Abarth! :D

[Tom206wrc]

According to Rallyes.Net, Rossetti to Grifone(Mini WRC)next year... :mark:

End of story for the official developped Abarth Grande S2000 ??? :(

[PLuto]

This info was written on some italian forum more days ago. Nothing is sure, there are lot of possibilities...

[Motorsportfun]

I talked to Luca Rossetti and he denied an agreement (and a negotiation too!). Pure speculation from the website... :)

[RICARDO75]

Abarth tested on snow. This photos are from Abarth facebook page.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ft7TgGoxwak/TRduuLMWRAI/AAAAAAAAMUI/NvrtuhSGsso/s400/155037_469458681687_7387916687_6188521_4495398_n.j pg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Ft7TgGoxwak/TRdvAemlbpI/AAAAAAAAMUQ/RI1Ot-mPQnE/s400/165158_469458591687_7387916687_6188516_6414368_n.j pg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ft7TgGoxwak/TRdu3hHB38I/AAAAAAAAMUM/ww208aSt10k/s400/155307_469458631687_7387916687_6188518_6676039_n.j pg

[RS]

I presume that means that Basso is in a Punto for Monte?

[Mirek]

I was told it was only a presentation without any connection to Monte Carlo.

[FabiaFan]

I presume that means that Basso is in a Punto for Monte? How do you know Basso was behind the wheel?

[Tom206wrc]

Italian motorsport press is worrying about Abarth's future in rallying too :mark:
http://www.racingworld.it/notizia.php?id=5077&cat=rally&title=abarth_futuro_sempre_pi_grigio

[AndyRAC]

Italian motorsport press is worrying about Abarth's future in rallying too :mark:
http://www.racingworld.it/notizia.php?
id=5077&cat=rally&title=abarth_futuro_sempre_pi_grigio

Shame, Lancia/Fiat should be in either WRC/IRC...........

[FabiaFan]

Shame, Lancia/Fiat should be in either WRC/IRC...........

Maybe it returns with the Lancia New Stratos in the GT class...

I just read that its production and the return to motorsport (what sort?) is sealed.

[HaCo]

Italian motorsport press is worrying about Abarth's future in rallying too :mark:
http://www.racingworld.it/notizia.php?id=5077&cat=rally&title=abarth_futuro_sempre_pi_grigio
The article says something about 207 1.6T, but the translation wasn't very clear. In anyway, if Peugeot wants to continue in CIR, they have no choise than make a 1.6T. Wonder if Citroen will ever sell 1.6T to public?

[EavesFan09]

The Punto is ok on smooth gravel events; Kopecky was beaten by the Puntos on a gravel event in Italy this year. It will be interesting to see what the wide car can do on Sanremo.

Also it is good to see Abarth develop a wider Punto whilst Peugeot does nothing and Quesnel whinges....

Could that be to do with the dimensions of the rims on S2000 cars for gravel events? I see that along with the Group N cars (Evo, Impreza, Ignis, Swift, Clio and Fiesta) it seems it could have the widest rims at 7" x 15". Though the rims can also be 6.5" x 15".

[stepunk]

The article says something about 207 1.6T, but the translation wasn't very clear.

The article says Peugeot will homologate 1.6 turbo engine during this year!

[Mirek]

Could that be to do with the dimensions of the rims on S2000 cars for gravel events? I see that along with the Group N cars (Evo, Impreza, Ignis, Swift, Clio and Fiesta) it seems it could have the widest rims at 7" x 15". Though the rims can also be 6.5" x 15".

No, both S2000 and N4 use gravel tyres of same dimension. That doesn't apply on all smaller cars.

[Tom206wrc]

With Exporally opening this week-end I guess we will then know more news about 2011 Abarth official rally program :confused:

[Mirek]

Don't expect anything...

[Tom206wrc]

According to some rumours, this week Abarth and their usual drivers(Rox and Basso)should have a meeting in Italy to discuss about the team future in rallying...any news ???? :confused: