[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

[tommeke_B]

Liveries for Wales? ;)

[MartijnS]

Looks cool!

[Andre Oliveira]

Now, VW are asking who likes that livery on twitter. Maybe can be possible, one fan create the livery of the world rally champions ;)

[stefanvv]

Nice with medal colors. Thumbs up.

[SubaruNorway]

Østberg just took delivery of a Citroen C4 Aircross AWD from Citroen dealer Grøndal, guess that could be a vague hint that he's still in a Citroen next year :)

[manthey]

Østberg just took delivery of a Citroen C4 Aircross AWD from Citroen dealer Grøndal, guess that could be a vague hint that he's still in a Citroen next year :)

yes could be. just for curiosity, any pics of the delivery?thanks

[SubaruNorway]

yes could be. just for curiosity, any pics of the delivery?thanks

Here is some.

https://www.facebook.com/citroenNO?fref=ts

[noel157]

Østberg just took delivery of a Citroen C4 Aircross AWD from Citroen dealer Grøndal, guess that could be a vague hint that he's still in a Citroen next year :)

Maybe the hire purchase terms were good? : )

[Jack4688`]

A mate of mine went to M-Sport today...

[Rallyper]

A mate of mine went to M-Sport today...

Very nice livery!

[COD]

Very nice livery!

Yah, very similar to the one his dad had in the great Escort Cosworth way back when :)

[makinen_fan]

Autosport reports that there are plans to introduce monocoque inside cars for better safety
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116716

How can they do this if rally cars are based in production cars and not prototypes?

[AndyRAC]

Ah, so like DTM cars....

[Gregor-y]

The safest way to run the crew in a rally car is in tandem, with the co-driver calling pacenotes from behind the driver.
All co-drivers in the future will be three year old and ride in booster seats. Rather than pacenotes all they will be allowed to ask is 'are we there yet?'

[Franky]

So essentially they want to make the cars safer and more expensive?

[SubaruNorway]

How does that make it safer when they would have to be something like 20cm closer to the roof because of the transmission tunnel?

[Mirek]

How does that make it safer when they would have to be something like 20cm closer to the roof because of the transmission tunnel?

That. Plus how would they get out in case of crash? Is there going to be mandatory four-door configuration? How will they solve non-functional intercom? Where will be the spare wheels (man sitting in low race position takes much more place than passenger in a stock car)? It sounds quite ridiculous.

[AndyRAC]

http://www.quattroworld.com/audi-sport/motorsport-newsletter-022012-dtm-monocoque-sets-new-standards/

I presume thats why the segment D cars have been mentioned?

[Simmi]

Regardless of the segment, I have a hard time believing that the WRC is capable of anything that radical, unless it's trying to mess up the format of rallies.

[tommeke_B]

Maybe it's a way to justify making next generation WRC cars faster, as what has been rumored?

[AndyRAC]

Regardless of the segment, I have a hard time believing that the WRC is capable of anything that radical, unless it's trying to mess up the format of rallies.


Ha ha, what are you trying to say? ;)
The thing is, its not really radical, just a new-ish safety system, as used in DTM. Surely anything that increases safety has got to be a good thing. Obviously, a carbon fibre cell isn't going to be cheap, but can the WRC afford NOT to have improvements in safety??

[jonkka]

How does that make it safer when they would have to be something like 20cm closer to the roof because of the transmission tunnel?

Seats aren't bolted directly on the floor, you know, so effect on sitting height would be small if non-existent. But yes, sitting tandem on the centerline is a ridiculous idea.

[stefanvv]

WRC tandem, well certainly FIA are trying hard to entertain us:D What else, as WRC is not very appealing at the moment from media perspective.

[Zeakiwi]

Walter Rhorl's 131 at the 1978 RAC Rally had the rear seated co-driver.
http://classicrallycarsphotos.ecrater.com/p/20076087/walter-rohrl-fiat-131-abarth-1978-lombard
The next generation of cars might have electric hub rear drive, that would mean no rear shaft tunnel is necessary.
Could the DTM cell be converted for rally use?
http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/dtm-gt500-2014-the-ultimate-touring-cars/

[Mirek]

Seats aren't bolted directly on the floor, you know, so effect on sitting height would be small if non-existent. But yes, sitting tandem on the centerline is a ridiculous idea.

Even in a stock BMW the seats are mounted much lower than the top level of center tunnel. Also with that tunnel where do You put pedals?

[jonkka]

Also with that tunnel where do You put pedals?

On the either side of the tunnel. Most, if not all drivers brake with the left foot anyway. But don't worry about it, they are not going to change rally cars into tandem bikes.

[Lundefaret]

Side impact is what kills in rallying, and the safest position for the driver and codriver would be as far away from the sides as possible. The longditudal positioning would be the best solution, and could be solved by front wheel drive only, rear wheel drive with rear engine, or either one combined with the other set of wheels being driven electrically.

[Eli]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116727
it's about Toyota's young drivers

[Franky]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116727

Please don't post links without context. It isn't hard to write a sentence what the link is about.

[Mirek]

Side impact is what kills in rallying, and the safest position for the driver and codriver would be as far away from the sides as possible.

On Sunday there was a fatal accident in Czech republic with Fabia S2000 and all recent safety equipment. The car crashed sideways into the wall of a barn. The space for the crew was not deformed but the driver died on the spot and co-driver was very seriously injured as a result of the acceleration-caused internal injuries (in case of co-driver it's confirmed case of serious brain injury). Of course You are right that most of side-impacts kill by deformation due to very small space between the obstacle and the crew. I just wanted to point this weird case when the car may crash by a large area and therefore is not deformed but the bigger the resulting acceleration is. Tandem sitting would allow to design deformation zones on sides which would be of course very good for safety but it would require prototype-cars to be used. There is in my opinion no way this could be done with stock bodyshells.

[Jack4688`]

On the either side of the tunnel. Most, if not all drivers brake with the left foot anyway. But don't worry about it, they are not going to change rally cars into tandem bikes.

So like the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR! That had the accelerator and brake on the right side of (possibly, I'm not sure) the transmission tunnel and the clutch on the left-hand side.

http://image.europeancarweb.com/f/features/32037955+w799+h499+cr1+ar0/epcp_0308_03_z%2Bmercedes_benz_300_slr%2Binterior. jpg

[Eli]

http://www.rally.it/meeke-confermato-in-citroen-per-2015/ according to them it's only a matter of formality before they confirm Kris for Citroen in 2015:)

[jbmarcus21]

Today Sordo was in France to test gravel with i20Wrc
Photos => https://twitter.com/planetemarcus/status/532994762702618624/photo/1

[Eli]

http://www.maxrally.com/2014/11/14/meeke-game-on-for-a-podium-and-a-2015-drive
so does this mean both Meeke and Mads are back in Citroen for 2015???

[dodge33cymru]

Good spot. Makes sense, they're unlikely to find better and I don't think any of the French juniors are in a suitable position to put in a WRC yet.

[Jack4688`]

I noticed watching the coverage of Rally GB that in Meeke's car - not sure about anybody else - they have moved the camera position behind the driver's heads.

Anyone got any info on this? Is it a trial in one car for next year or something?

[JTGANG]

Meeke officially announced from Citroen for 2015....

http://www.citroenracing.com/en/2014/news/wrc-news/46993/citroen-racing-and-kris-meeke-stay-together-for-2015/

[noel157]

Good news.

[skarderud]

If Citroën, or ds its called, choses the F1 guy over ostberg they are not interested to get another secondplace behind vw next year....

[thuGG]

He actually has a name.
There are some rumors that Citroen wants Kubica for selection of rounds (mainly tarmac + Poland) + some WTCC rounds.
Kubica doesn't really want to do WTCC. I also don't like the idea of this mix.
In my view he should still go full WRC season as privateer.

[AndyRAC]

I’m not surprised he doesn’t want to do the WTCC; bit of a come down after F1.

[nafpaktos]

Robert said when he finished Wales gb rally that he is 50-50 between stay to wrc or go back to circuit(he didint mention the type of car)

[thuGG]

Robert said when he finished Wales gb rally that he is 50-50 between stay to wrc or go back to circuit(he didint mention the type of car)

But he did mention it in onet.pl interview, the most logical choice would be DTM, because he thinks it's the highest level racing series with roofs.

[Quad]

Robert said when he finished Wales gb rally that he is 50-50 between stay to wrc or go back to circuit(he didint mention the type of car)

Basing on his interview what he means by that is - if he will have good option to stay in WRC in good car he will stay in WRC, but if not, he will go back on circuit where doors are open for him in all series that he really can physically drive.
If his only option in WRC will be to drive Fiesta, he will for sure not continue.
There is also propably option on the table with driving DS3 managed by PH Sport but it's quite clear that he will not get the same car spec that the main Citroen team in this case. But even this option will be better than this year


We should know soon

[bassist]

Meeke officially announced from Citroen for 2015....

http://www.citroenracing.com/en/2014/news/wrc-news/46993/citroen-racing-and-kris-meeke-stay-together-for-2015/

Well done Kris/Paul- 2015 time to deliver!!

[nafpaktos]

WEC could be a choice?or the space inside the car is very limited?



If his only option in WRC will be to drive Fiesta, he will for sure not continue.
There is also propably option on the table with driving DS3 managed by PH Sport but it's quite clear that he will not get the same car spec that the main Citroen team in this case. But even this option will be better

Question 1 -why if the only option is ford he will not continue to wrc?
2-why a private ds3 is better than an official fiesta?

[peter_85]

WEC could be a choice?or the space inside the car is very limited?
Question 1 -why if the only option is ford he will not continue to wrc?
2-why a private ds3 is better than an official fiesta?

1.
Probably because he don't trust Malcolm Wilson. M-Sport really f*cked up his job. They didn't solve the problems with gearbox for the whole season. It's the same story as Anthony Warmbold few years ago, e.g. Kubica loose chance for good result before start to 2nd leg at Catalunya just because they put used parts in his Fiesta.

2.
I think he don't want get a seat in factory team too early.

[nafpaktos]

1.
Probably because he don't trust Malcolm Wilson. M-Sport really f*cked up his job. They didn't solve the problems with gearbox for the whole season. It's the same story as Anthony Warmbold few years ago, e.g. Kubica loose chance for good result before start to 2nd leg at Catalunya just because they put used parts in his Fiesta.

2.
.of course msport is not the most reliable to do bussiness with but
i think the main issue for not taking results was his ability to buy properties with his car.how many times he had problems with the gearbox?really i dont remember.

[thuGG]

.of course msport is not the most reliable to do bussiness with but
i think the main issue for not taking results was his ability to buy properties with his car.how many times he had problems with the gearbox?really i dont remember.

All season, plus handbrake problems multiple times. You don't remember because it's not like gearbox broke and he couldn't continue. Mainly it was problems with changing gear, sometimes the gear changed after 2-3 tries. This is from rally GB for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9gZkGECqMc#t=18
The fact is that it was difficult to fix, because the system he uses is homologated, so it's problematic to make changes to it.

[Iron]

Today L'équipe published an article about the rumour of Loeb taking part in Monte-Carlo.

It's just a rumour with few new information but there's something interresting. Loeb who participates next week-end to Rallye du Var in French Championship decided to race with the Michelin tyres used in World Rally Championship which are less efficient than the tyres used in French Championship...

Maybe a clue that he might take part in Monte-Carlo...

[manthey]

1.
Probably because he don't trust Malcolm Wilson. M-Sport really f*cked up his job. They didn't solve the problems with gearbox for the whole season. It's the same story as Anthony Warmbold few years ago, e.g. Kubica loose chance for good result before start to 2nd leg at Catalunya just because they put used parts in his Fiesta.
.

just for curiosity, what was the problem you cited about Warmbold and m-sport?thanks

[manthey]

WEC could be a choice?or the space inside the car is very limited?


I thought too about WEC, these are for exaples taken from LMP1 by Porsche
http://buildraceparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/M14_4311_fine.jpg
http://www.diseno-art.com/news_content/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Porsche-919-Hybrid-steering-wheel-6.jpg?cf54cb

yes It's tight but still manageable

Porsche said the 3rd car will be assigned to Porsche gt-drivers
Toyota? Audi? Nissan is coming but I don't think will be ready to fight against the "big ones" mentioned

[MJW]

Mr LeMans - Tom Kristiansen has announced his retirement today leaving a top line Audi seat vacancy.

[peter_85]

just for curiosity, what was the problem you cited about Warmbold and m-sport?thanks
I mean that Kubica and Warmbold didn't receive what they paid for. Also, I don't know if it's true, but some rumours saying that M-Sport after this season must return some money to Kubica.

[nafpaktos]

just for curiosity, what was the problem you cited about Warmbold and m-sport?thanks
Here in this blog you can find why Antony doesn't like msport.
http://wrcbehindthestages.blogspot.gr go to chapter 1

[Mariusz]

All season, plus handbrake problems multiple times. You don't remember because it's not like gearbox broke and he couldn't continue. Mainly it was problems with changing gear, sometimes the gear changed after 2-3 tries. This is from rally GB for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9gZkGECqMc#t=18
The fact is that it was difficult to fix, because the system he uses is homologated, so it's problematic to make changes to it.

Here is another example of the gear shifting issues he had this season, Rally de Espana this time (listen to the engine sound at the end of the clip)
Kubica's Shift Problems 50 RallyRACC SS5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-7h2EiQhSg)

[BDA Cosworth]

Here is another example of the gear shifting issues he had this season, Rally de Espana this time (listen to the engine sound at the end of the clip)
Kubica's Shift Problems 50 RallyRACC SS5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-7h2EiQhSg)

That sounds more like it drops a cylinder. PS one of the videos you posted was selecting reverse.

Can't be any worse then my current rally cars old gearbox (C52) used to be...graunchy into second, graunchy coming down from 3rd to second. Had to nanna into 3rd. Now have a nice and smooth C56. :)

[dimviii]

Lorenzo Bertelli @fuckmatie37 · 2 ώρες Πριν από 2 ώρες
Starting from WRC-2015 my new codriver will be Giovanni Bernacchini! My team and I are happy to welcome him onboard.

[manthey]

Here in this blog you can find why Antony doesn't like msport.
http://wrcbehindthestages.blogspot.gr go to chapter 1

thanks, never thought such a manumission...that was a sort of fraud...

[makinen_fan]

Official Evans and Tanak with M-Sport
http://www.m-sport.co.uk/m-sport-news/fiesta-rs-wrc/a-team-with-potential-m-sport-confirm-evans-and-taenak.html

[EstWRC]

as an estonian couldnt be more happy, christmas came early for me this year!!! cant wait for the season to begin now. wuuuuuhuuuuu

[Doon]

I know M-Sport only take pay drivers, and although I think Evans and Tanak both have potential, this line up is the weakest for a 'manufacturer team' since Gardemeister / Kresta at Ford in 2005, or Gardemeister / PG Andersson at Susuki in 2008 (please correct me if there have been worse line-ups)

M-sport will go from a team that can't win a rally, to a team that can't get on the podium. Evans may improve and get into the top 4 or 5 when a few of the others have problems, and Tanak.......he'll crash a lot.

[Sch17]

Just watched Rally Finland 2004. In 2004 Marrko Matin was showing good speed with M-Sport and im sure next year Ott will be very fast too. Wrc really needs more competition!

[bluuford]

In last 2 years Ott has taken part in 20 rally events, he has had 3 crashes. We will see in 2015. I think they will surprise us. Elfin has done it in 2014. And I like the lineup. It is something new!

[Kalm]

I know M-Sport only take pay drivers.
M-sport will go from a team that can't win a rally, to a team that can't get on the podium.

Tanak and a "pay driver" dont go together, and regarding to getting to podium i think M-Sport has to be more worried about their car being competitive next year hearing all the upgrates others are planning, than their drivers.

[Iron]

I think it's really good line-up, the both have strong potential.

I dont think M-Sport had the possibility to make a better choice?

M-Sport has a really important role in rallying, they always gave the chance to young drivers and this is really good !

[focus206]

I think this is the right choice for M-Sport, Elfyn has done a good job this year and Tanak deserves another chance in my opinion :)

[Jack4688`]

They really needed someone with the experience of Hirvonen for another year for Evans to learn from. I don't think this is a particularly strong lineup, but what else could they do? Trouble is there isn't the same depth of talent in the WRC as there was 10-20 years ago. Other than the VW boys there's Meeke who seems to be on the fringes of that level but not quite there and no one else on par in terms of proven speed and experience... and the ability to stay on the road.

Surprises are of course possible but there aren't really that many that happen in the WRC these days. I wouldn't be expecting any big results or podiums gained on merit from the M-Sport drivers, in 2015 at least.

[skarderud]

They really needed someone with the experience of Hirvonen for another year for Evans to learn from. I don't think this is a particularly strong lineup, but what else could they do? Trouble is there isn't the same depth of talent in the WRC as there was 10-20 years ago. Other than the VW boys there's Meeke who seems to be on the fringes of that level but not quite there and no one else on par in terms of proven speed and experience... and the ability to stay on the road.

Surprises are of course possible but there aren't really that many that happen in the WRC these days. I wouldn't be expecting any big results or podiums gained on merit from the M-Sport drivers, in 2015 at least.
I think the talents is around, but when its so expensive to get experienced enough to be seen by the teams most of them never even get seen.
And bad publicity of wrc the last 10yrs, one seb to win all the time, more focus on money into the teams than raw talent, bad rules, to expensive, only on paytv, bad internetsolutions, wrong focus by the stakeholders, to few cars awailable, and so on....

[Jack4688`]

I agree with most points but Sebastian Loeb's dominance was no one's 'fault' as such. Correct it made people lose interest during that period - me included - but you can't really mitigate for things like that in sport.

The talent would come through if more manufacturers were involved and willing to support young drivers from a junior level, but then there's barely any reason for more manufacturers to get involved in a championship that is so poorly promoted.

[EstWRC]

In last 2 years Ott has taken part in 20 rally events, he has had 3 crashes. We will see in 2015. I think they will surprise us. Elfin has done it in 2014. And I like the lineup. It is something new!

exactly! but at the same time i totally get why some people here are so negative because these two havent proved themselves yet. i think many people here will get surprised next year, especially Doon.

[Doon]

In last 2 years Ott has taken part in 20 rally events, he has had 3 crashes. We will see in 2015. I think they will surprise us. Elfin has done it in 2014. And I like the lineup. It is something new!

In the first of those 2 years (2014) he was only competing in 'village' events with 'tourists'. Most of 2014 he has been competing against 'tourists' in WRC2.

[jonkka]

(please correct me if there have been worse line-ups)

Skoda's season in 2000 with Armin Schwarz and Luis Climent?

[Doon]

exactly! but at the same time i totally get why some people here are so negative because these two havent proved themselves yet. i think many people here will get surprised next year, especially Doon.

The only way I'll be surprised is if Tanak is consistently in the Top 5, and occasionally on the podium, because of his speed, not others misfortune.......which he won't be, there are too many others capable of beating him and the Fiesta. Might be a different story if he was in a VW ;)

[bluuford]

In the first of those 2 years (2014) he was only competing in 'village' events with 'tourists'. Most of 2014 he has been competing against 'tourists' in WRC2.
Well, I think his first year he had the toughest comptetition and much bigger than he had in WRC2 for example:-) I would not call Lukyanuk with newer car as a tourist :-) But as I said, we will see. I am looking forward to next year and I hope we have some more young drivers taking part in top WR Car. Something new is always refreshing :-)

[PLuto]

I would not call Lukyanuk with newer car as a tourist :-)

I will never call Lukyanuk as a tourist, in any car. I will call him "crazy man" ;)

[N.O.T]

Tanak is a good choice... but he could easily prove to be another Novikov with just pure speed and no control over it.

[RS]

It was time for Mikko to go, but the jury is still out on Tanak IMO. I know WRC2 is a bit of a joke championship but what went wrong for Tanak there this year?

[RS]

Skoda's season in 2000 with Armin Schwarz and Luis Climent?

Or with the Fabia when it was Schwarz/Tuohino/Paasonen.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2-RcZfCAAQ4q5N.png

Good call, Malcolm !

I'm happy with the choice of Tanak - its better to have (and watch) someone who has speed and can improve, than to have another known quantity who cant improve and will give no excitement to the sport.

Ford has been there with Hirvonen & Ostberg in recent years and its better for M-Sport (and us) to take a chance and see what can happen.

Tanak has real speed and its easier to make a fast driver consistent, than a consistent driver fast ...

[dimviii]

DMACK Tyres ‏@DMACK_Tyres 5 ώρεςΠριν από 5 ώρες
One Estonian out, another coming in! Good luck to @SanderPrn in our WRC 2 team next year!

[nafpaktos]

Is it sure that ott will pay for his backet this year?

[bluuford]

It was time for Mikko to go, but the jury is still out on Tanak IMO. I know WRC2 is a bit of a joke championship but what went wrong for Tanak there this year?
Multiple mechanical failiures and little problems with tyres:
Mexico - Wrong note. blind crest, co-driver said that there is a corner right after the crest.. but it was left instead, Superally as a result (won all the stages he took part)
Argentina - powersteering failed during landing and car jumped off the road, Rally 2 as a result
Sardegna - problems with powersteering and streering and trasmission, Rally 2 as a result
Poland - won the rally, led from start to finish
Rally Estonia- won the rally, led from start to finish
Finland - punctures, but still finished on the podium (Many DMack drivers had punctures there, for some reason)
Germany - DMACK is not fast enough on tarmac, but still managed to finish second,
Barum Czech Rally Zlin - was testing new DMack compounds, finished 7th.
Australia - problems with with transmission (2wd car) and finally when the car was ok, he was trying fight back and crashed.
he won 64 stages in WRC2 (Ketomaa was second with 28 stage wins and Nasser third with 26 stage wins.

So, to sum up, inexperienced co-driver at the beginning, multiple mechanical failiures and one mistake at the end of season.

Seems that it is really difficult to win WRC2 when you are not running RRC. Mostly problems with reliability of new cars.

[bluuford]

Is it sure that ott will pay for his backet this year?

I am pretty sure that he will not pay. He does not have any funds. Maybe there is some support related to his salary from his sponsors? I do not know.

[Rallyper]

Ott is good choice. Exciting to see what he can do. However as a swede I like Pontus T to become a WRC driver in the near future as well.

[EstWRC]

Yep, bluuford named all the problems that Tänak had this season, he also had powersteering issues in finland too. As a fan it was just a miserable season, every rally something worng with the car, kind of like Abbring in ERC.

He won in Poland but i rate very highly his second place in rally Germany. Dmack's tarmac tyres are just nowhere compared to Michelin. Tänak's main sponsor from Estonia said after rally germany that the tyres were already gone in the third corner. But he still managed to get second in overall and even win the 42km long Panzerplatte stage with those tyres.

[Mirek]

This year I was curious what Ott will show on our specific Barum stages. I don't know how much of that can be blamed on the tyres but he was driving completely strange way. It was very spectacular but nobody ever made a good result here by drifting in every second corner.

[SVrally]

Kubica in a private Citroen Ds3 Wrc for 2015 , maybe with Protasov teammate...Is It real ?

[mm1]

I will never call Lukyanuk as a tourist, in any car. I will call him "crazy man" ;)

And we shouldn't forget the Dmack factor.

[bluuford]

Seems that it was due to the tyres in Barum. Dmack has made good gravel tyre but it takes time to improve on tarmac. I was just comparing Fuchs (He was driving with DMack, if I am not mistaken) times on tarmac in Spain and he was mostly 2.2-2.5 sec per one km slower than leader. On gravel, and mixed stages he was just over 0.5 sec slower than class winner. So, there is a big difference.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Kubica in a private Citroen Ds3 Wrc for 2015 , maybe with Protasov teammate...Is It real ?

No not true.

He will NOT drive a Citroen again or an M-Sport Fiesta...

So... he will run solo in 2015... but i'll leave it to you guys to guess which car ;)

[Quad]

No not true.

He will NOT drive a Citroen again or an M-Sport Fiesta...

So... he will run solo in 2015... but i'll leave it to you guys to guess which car ;)

I saw somewhere info that VW will provide car for him, but can this be true ? Is VW open for something like that ?

[dodge33cymru]

If they are doing, it will be an Audi DTM car.......

I know it has been mentioned before, but Bertelli for the whole WRC seems to be confirmed: http://irallylive.com/ir_news.htm?00007728

[N.O.T]

It would be nice when you post a rumour to cite the source instaed of posting things out your heads when your autism kicks in... otherwise we end with rumours that Ogier is going to Citroen.

[denkimi]

He won in Poland but i rate very highly his second place in rally Germany. Dmack's tarmac tyres are just nowhere compared to Michelin. Tänak's main sponsor from Estonia said after rally germany that the tyres were already gone in the third corner. But he still managed to get second in overall and even win the 42km long Panzerplatte stage with those tyres.
you can't win a 42km stage with crappy tyres.

that stage is the evidence that dmack is much closer to the michelins than some would like to believe.

[EstWRC]

well, you can win if you are faster and more talented than others. That's the problem here, none of the other fast guys weren't driving with Dmack's so you can't really measure. im not sayin that the dmack's are the worst tyres in the world but they are definetly not close enough to michelins on tarmac. On gravel yes.

[Nornbugger]

It would be nice when you post a rumour to cite the source instaed of posting things out your heads when your autism kicks in... otherwise we end with rumours that Ogier is going to Citroen.

It would be nice if you could learn to be more mannerly in your posting, for a while it appeared your time banned form this place had given you time to reflect and mature, seems you have regressed a lot.
Please feels free to post your opinions(they are often accurate) but please stop trying to be a twat with how you belittle other posters in nearly every post you make.

[N.O.T]

I keep my manners to people who deserve them.

[nafpaktos]

Next year's evolution for citroen.
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/november/ds3-3-steps/page/1979--12-12-.html

[N.O.T]

Next year's evolution for citroen.
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/november/ds3-3-steps/page/1979--12-12-.html

Reminds me of the evolution path the Subaru had in their final years... step by step... then out.

[nafpaktos]

Reminds me of the evolution path the Subaru had in their final years... step by step... then out.
It's almost sure that they will salute wrc for wtcc.

[N.O.T]

They would have done so without the abu dhabi money... now they are more of a moving advertisement for that place rather than a factory team.

[GigiGalliNo1]

They would have done so without the abu dhabi money... now they are more of a moving advertisement for that place rather than a factory team.

Abu Dhabi have another three years with Citroen.

[Mariusz]

There is no rallying without advertisement and sponsorship.

[N.O.T]

There is no rallying without advertisement and sponsorship.

For the privateers is essential for the serious manufacturers, no...

[Mariusz]

Manufacturers do rallying for advertisement too.

[N.O.T]

Manufacturers do rallying for advertisement too.

yes, but for their own, not for extrenal ones.

[Mariusz]

So how is Abu Dhabi better advertised than RedBull on Volkswagen or Shell on Hyundai?

[N.O.T]

So how is Abu Dhabi better advertised than RedBull on Volkswagen or Shell on Hyundai?

Citroens budget depends on Abu Dhabi... VW and Hyundais not... or not so much that without them they would not compete, same like every proper manufacturer involvement that entered the sport.

[Mariusz]

Volkswagen and Hyundai teams are pretty young compared to Citroen, so their investments need to be higher, nothing unusual here.

[Ounin]

I think it's all about how a relationship with sponsor starts in the beginning of a project; KHALID AL QASSIMI wanted a seat and bought himself into Citroen that's where sponsor relationship started. As well as Red Bull did as personal sponsor of Ogier it was apparent (Sainz was also strong related to Red Bull ; Dakar Tuareg VW) that they want some stickers on the Polo.

[manthey]

I think it's all about how a relationship with sponsor starts in the beginning of a project; KHALID AL QASSIMI wanted a seat and bought himself into Citroen that's where sponsor relationship started. As well as Red Bull did as personal sponsor of Ogier it was apparent (Sainz was also strong related to Red Bull ; Dakar Tuareg VW) that they want some stickers on the Polo.

a confirm of that (support rally i.e. Al Qassimi) is that on WTCC Abu Dhabi is not a sponsor.

Sebastien Loeb and his own racing team had Red Bull backing, would be interesting if next year the 2 customer C-elysee will have red bull stickers

[rallyfiend]

I think it's all about how a relationship with sponsor starts in the beginning of a project; KHALID AL QASSIMI wanted a seat and bought himself into Citroen that's where sponsor relationship started. As well as Red Bull did as personal sponsor of Ogier it was apparent (Sainz was also strong related to Red Bull ; Dakar Tuareg VW) that they want some stickers on the Polo.

Garbage.

The controlling families of both Red Bull (Mateschitz) and VW (Piech) have always been very close. That's why they each sponsor / support each other.

It has nothing to do with the drivers.

In fact, by default of driving with their teams, the drivers become Red Bull athletes.

[EightGear]

Loeb will be in Monte Carlo!

http://lequipe.fr/Rallye/Actualites/Loeb-au-monte-carlo/517358?xtref=https://www.google.fr/&

[Simmi]

Round 1 just got a bit more interesting!!

[Francis44]

Loeb will be in Monte Carlo!

http://lequipe.fr/Rallye/Actualites/Loeb-au-monte-carlo/517358?xtref=https://www.google.fr/&

Nice to see him back but he will be nowhere near the top pace setters, too much time out of the game. In France last year he was out for a couple of months and he felt it immediatly, nowhere near Ogier's pace.

[N.O.T]

I think his goal should be to be top citroen...

[dimviii]

nice news!

[Doon]

Nice to see him back but he will be nowhere near the top pace setters, too much time out of the game. In France last year he was out for a couple of months and he felt it immediatly, nowhere near Ogier's pace.

Loeb won 4 stages in France 2013. He was just 3.5s behind Ogier, and 5.0s off the lead before he went off the road on SS15. That's pretty close in my eyes.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Loeb says he will be testing so is taking it seriously, not just for fun...

He will do French Rallye du Var, with wife Severine calling notes. “That will give me the chance to reacquaint myself with the car,” he said.
“We have also managed to find a few slots in my schedule so I can take part in testing. I’m absolutely delighted about this opportunity to meet up with the big rallying family during the FIA WTCC off-season!”

Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal said: When I told the team today that Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena would be driving a DS3 WRC at Rallye Monte-Carlo, the news was greeted with great enthusiasm! With seven wins here, Seb and Daniel are undeniably the event’s greatest specialists, and I’m sure that they will be extremely competitive.”

Loeb will also benefit from the DS3 evolution..

“The first step will come at Rallye Monte Carlo with a new engine, using the same philosophy as the one we are running in World Touring Cars. We will also have new suspension and introduce the new paddle-shift [gear selector] that we are allowed to use next year.”

[A FONDO]

Why he agreed do this, he will only embarass himself.

[dimviii]

so much pain after 2 years?

[lewalcindor]

Loeb won 4 stages in France 2013. He was just 3.5s behind Ogier, and 5.0s off the lead before he went off the road on SS15. That's pretty close in my eyes.

Indeed. But let's not let little things like "facts" and "what actually happened" cloud the narratives that we choose to believe.

[makinen_fan]

Great news!

[christy but]

does that mean ostberg or who ever will be meekes teammate in 2015 does not rally in monte ??

[dodge33cymru]

Depends, do we know which 4 rounds Khalid is running yet?

If Ostberg isn't running this one, it would tally with the rumour that he was offered 10 rounds and maybe Seb will do the other 2 too (not sure the WTCC calendar is public yet, but I'm sure the teams will know).

Otherwise, perhaps the third car is to be shared between Al Quassimi, Loeb and Kubica?

Either way, it would indicate that Teams Classification and rally wins are the target, rather than the drivers' championship.

Good to see the car developing further and benefitting from the WTCC programme too.

[EightGear]

Mercedes will be sponsoring Rally Finland next year and according to this article they have studied possibilities about a WRC entry.

http://www.rallye-magazin.de/rallyes/wm/nachrichten/news-detail/d/2014/11/24/mercedes-kehrt-in-die-rallye-wm-zurueck/index.html#.VHNTU3FAleI.twitter

So, is it April fools yet?

[N.O.T]

so much pain after 2 years?

if someone raped you repeatedly for a decade would you forget him after just 2 years ?? do not pay attention the scars are deep...

[tommeke_B]

Mercedes will be sponsoring Rally Finland next year and according to this article they have studied possibilities about a WRC entry.

http://www.rallye-magazin.de/rallyes/wm/nachrichten/news-detail/d/2014/11/24/mercedes-kehrt-in-die-rallye-wm-zurueck/index.html#.VHNTU3FAleI.twitter

So, is it April fools yet?

http://www.nesteoilrallyfinland.fi/en/41760.aspx They are official car sponsor of the event indeed. But I guess it's something between the national importer of Mercedes-Benz and the Finnish federation, and it has little to do with Mercedes getting involved in rallying. Also rallye-magazin.de has a long history of publishing crap-articles.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

if someone raped you repeatedly for a decade would you forget him after just 2 years ?? do not pay attention the scars are deep...

Why would he let you rape him back.. just for fun ?

[N.O.T]

Why would he let you rape him back.. just for fun ?

It is called rape because it happens either you let him do it or not... Loeb haters know that really really well...

[Toyoda]

It is called rape because it happens either you let him do it or not... Loeb haters know that really really well...

My gosh NOT, you are such a LOEB FANBOY :)

[Franky]

This is getting too silly

[N.O.T]

My gosh NOT, you are such a LOEB FANBOY :)

Take that F1 girly talk elsewhere

[Juha_Koo]

http://www.nesteoilrallyfinland.fi/en/41760.aspx They are official car sponsor of the event indeed. But I guess it's something between the national importer of Mercedes-Benz and the Finnish federation, and it has little to do with Mercedes getting involved in rallying. Also rallye-magazin.de has a long history of publishing crap-articles.

The national importer of MB in Finland is a company called Veho. They also import Citroen, Ford, Honda, Skoda and Smart of which Citroen has been the official car sponsor for the event for few years now.

So, just guessing, but maybe Veho will not import or doesn't want to promote the new brand "DS" (only top-line models, no vans, pickups, etc. needed in rally organisation) but at the same time doesn't want to lose the huge national publicity gained through NORF collaboration and therefore continues by changing the car brand to one which can provide different kind of cars...

[RAS007]

My gosh NOT, you are such a LOEB FANBOY :)

The Loeb Love is strong in him, and one or two others here. Any posts exhibiting anything other than outright Loeb Love will be met with a furious reaction, as you have seen….;-)

[Rally Hokkaido]

Forwarding a post that just appeared on my FB page: "Did you want a Paulo's comeback in rally ?" ......I'm starting my countdown to the venom-laced reply from our resident Greek philosopher! 10........9.....8......

[jonkka]

The national importer of MB in Finland is a company called Veho. They also import Citroen, Ford, Honda, Skoda and Smart of which Citroen has been the official car sponsor for the event for few years now.

A bit off-topic, but I don't think Veho is importer for Ford or Skoda (Ford Suomi and Helkama Auto respectively, I assume), they just sell those brands. They do import both PSA brands Citroen and Peugeot, having bought Auto Bon almost two decades ago.

[rage82]

Great news about Loeb doing Monte Carlo. It will be interesting how competive he can be though. I assume that Ogier can be a little bit faster especially driving the Polo, Jari - Matti has now the speed on tarmac but Monte Carlo is not a pure tarmac rally with all the snow and ice and I doubt that he can read the changing grip better than Loeb. Don't think that anyone else can be on par with these 3 guys. So a second place is very realistic goal! Of course I will be very happy if Loeb can be on the higher step of the podium!

[EstWRC]

EXCLUSIVE: TÄNAK ON HIS M-SPORT COMEBACK

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/november/tanaks-back-/page/1983--12-12-.html

[gorganl2000]

i'm glad he's back for a little fun in WRC Monte Carlo. I'm not sure how competitive he will be, but i hope he is so that it would make things a little more interesting. Being away from WRC for almost 2 years would make him rusty with respect to the DS 3, though the testing should help (exactly how much it helps is hard to say), but it still won't be like driving the car in every rally and being "one" with the car.

though they are two different disciplines maybe the experience he gained fine tuning his circuit skills in WTCC could help to make him a better tarmac driver in WRC,,,,however, as said above Monte Carlo is not a 'pure tarmac" event

i hope he and Daniel have a great race and most of all enjoy themselves whatever position they come.

[RICARDO75]

Hyundai i30 WRC?
https://twitter.com/JoMoWRC/status/537304638861889536/photo/1

[Andre Oliveira]

4 doors :)

[RICARDO75]

4 doors :)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gvOnJRYnCBQ/VHCVA24RIoI/AAAAAAAAvKw/L9J7sLaJwHU/s1600/hyundaiI20WRC2015Gravel02.jpg

[Jack4688`]

Hyundai i30 WRC?
https://twitter.com/JoMoWRC/status/537304638861889536/photo/1


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gvOnJRYnCBQ/VHCVA24RIoI/AAAAAAAAvKw/L9J7sLaJwHU/s1600/hyundaiI20WRC2015Gravel02.jpg

That's the first Hyundai I've ever liked the look of, probably because the i20 WRC looks so awful

[Mirek]

Do You realize that the second photo is i20? It's the new 2015 model.

Anyway for me Accent WRC was really nice rally car.

[Jack4688`]

Yeah I realised that soon after posting :D Anyway, it's better than this year's i20 so that's a start!

[WUff1]

It´s just for testing - the new 2 door i20 is still not available.

[samWRC]

It´s just for testing - the new 2 door i20 is still not available.
Sounds bit weird that they still don't have the new car even if the next season is about to start in less than two months. It must take some time to develop the car.

[stefanvv]

Sounds bit weird that they still don't have the new car even if the next season is about to start in less than two months. It must take some time to develop the car.

They will start with the old car I think

[A FONDO]

Hyundai i30 WRC?
https://twitter.com/JoMoWRC/status/537304638861889536/photo/1

http://cs540106.vk.me/c624522/v624522817/c5df/Us-002Gp0QQ.jpg

http://cs540106.vk.me/c624522/v624522459/b198/xRZuNj1UkQI.jpg

[WUff1]

Armin Kremer goes for WRC2 in 2015 with BRR Fabia S2000/R5.

http://www.rallye-magazin.de/rallyes/wm/nachrichten/news-detail/d/2014/11/26/armin-kremer-steigt-in-wrc2-ein/index.html

[GigiGalliNo1]

So the news of Loeb back in a WRCar in 2015, Yves mentions "the team is buzzing with pride at the idea of supporting a new brand in racing" all news articles state the model of car is a DS 3 not DS3, and have heard Citroen are rebranding? Any news on this? No more Citroen Racing but something else?

[rallyfiend]

So the news of Loeb back in a WRCar in 2015, Yves mentions "the team is buzzing with pride at the idea of supporting a new brand in racing" all news articles state the model of car is a DS 3 not DS3, and have heard Citroen are rebranding? Any news on this? No more Citroen Racing but something else?

You've answered your own question. It's been covered widely.

DS will be in rallying, Citroen in WTCC.

They've split the brand.

[focus206]

You've answered your own question. It's been covered widely.

DS will be in rallying, Citroen in WTCC.

They've split the brand.

So I guess Loeb will drive for the first time in over a decade a WRC which is not a Citroen :D

[RICARDO75]

http://cs540106.vk.me/c624522/v624522817/c5df/Us-002Gp0QQ.jpg

http://cs540106.vk.me/c624522/v624522459/b198/xRZuNj1UkQI.jpg

:) it's for colombian championship
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10155899_10153421410956632_7278261941809474326_n.j pg?oh=4f80a16a41efe6d73f38fea5aeebf54a&oe=550E0DC5

[A FONDO]

Is that colombiana a driver/navegador?

[Simmi]

Interesting. I'm really sceptical about that sort of stuff. It's not like they were having any trouble shifting DS3's badged as Citroens.

[Eli]

So I guess Loeb will drive for the first time in over a decade a WRC which is not a Citroen :D

first time in more than a decade he won't have the number 1 on his car..

[dodge33cymru]

Interesting. I'm really sceptical about that sort of stuff. It's not like they were having any trouble shifting DS3's badged as Citroens.
Agreed, looks like a potential SRT Viper mess all over again. Seems pointless, especially when it's Citroen Racing running the cars.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Ohhhhhh! Now I understand it!!! Thanks guys

[makinen_fan]

Not exactly news but funny tweet by Tomi Tuominen. Great to see Hyundai promoting their WRC effort in such a popular place


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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B3cRn8rCEAExehy.jpg
(https://twitter.com/T_Tuominen/status/537918094166224896/photo/1)

[tolis]

Junior WRC for Al-Mutawaa next season: http://motorheads.me/2014/11/mohamed-al-mutawaa-to-compete-in-j-wrc-2015-for-a-full-season/

[EstWRC]

Get to to know Elfyn Evans http://www.m-sport.co.uk/m-sport-news/fiesta-rs-wrc/getting-to-know-elfyn-evans.html

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Bertelli to drive Fiesta WRC in 2015 ... :)

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/november/bertelli-for-2015/page/1986--12-12-.html

[Zeakiwi]

Has Hanninen taken a test deal with Toyota? At Hyundai, with Neuville doing the whole wrc and Sordo doing 10 rounds in 2015, would Hanninen stay to do 3 rounds, or does Hyundai run 4 cars?
Would Toyota offer the wrc car testing and a few wrc rounds in the R3 Toyota plus recce on the other rounds?
Paddon is driving a Hyundai van round NZ currently with a rally simulator competition at the hardware store sponsor's shops.

[Simmi]

Has Hanninen done enough to be offered anything? I don't know about testing ability, but I don't think Hyundai have got much value out of him in events this year.

[Doon]

Get to to know Elfyn Evans http://www.m-sport.co.uk/m-sport-news/fiesta-rs-wrc/getting-to-know-elfyn-evans.html

Very generic / corporate answers, I mean, Red Bull as a favourite drink? Really, does anyone actually like Red Bull? I see he sports their logo on his cap, so cant really blame him.

On that note, I was wondering how many people actually drink Red Bull, because I rarely see anyone drinking it! I wonder how they accumulate so much money to sponsor events of minority sports. Events like 'Red Bull Cliff Divers', how do they generate any money for them?

[MJW]

Has Hanninen done enough to be offered anything? I don't know about testing ability, but I don't think Hyundai have got much value out of him in events this year.
He rolled on the Wales GB pre event test. I think Paddon is way better. Both Chris Atkinson and Juho Hanninen havent showed any value to Hyundai.

[AdvEvo]

Red Bull is poison for you're body. It s incredable people buy it!!!

Then the company Red Bull who pays people/freestylers lots of money to take massive risks with there lives. And when something bad happens there is nobody home anymore. I saw a documentary a time ago about freestyle snowboarder who was sponsored by red bull and got an accident. That was a real eye opener.

The government should protect these freestylers against Red bull.
These Freestylers take risks which is just plain crazy. And Red Bull pays so much that people do not count the risks anymore. But if something bad happens you're life is over!!!!!!! And red bull does not pay for you're life as you were used to it.

You also see people who have no sponsoring from redbull do very dangerous things on youtube where they hope red bull will pay them one day. The chance you be buried will happen faster then red bull send money.

[RS]

He rolled on the Wales GB pre event test. I think Paddon is way better.

Paddon started one more event but scored one less point than Juho.

Juho's biggest problem is his age. If he had a full season in the car I'm sure he would start to blossom (like Meeke), but time is ticking.

Maybe Toyota could be a good option for him. Is that definitely happening?

[AndyRAC]

Has Hanninen done enough to be offered anything? I don't know about testing ability, but I don't think Hyundai have got much value out of him in events this year.


On the surface, you'd say no. However, remember back in the IRC, he was matched with Meeke, Mikkelsen, etc
The 'one off' events with Hyundai have not helped him at all. He really needs a full time seat - like what has happened to Meeke. I don't think we've seen the best of him in a WRCar.

[MJW]

Red Bull is poison for you're body. It s incredable people buy it!!!

Then the company Red Bull who pays people/freestylers lots of money to take massive risks with there lives. And when something bad happens there is nobody home anymore. I saw a documentary a time ago about freestyle snowboarder who was sponsored by red bull and got an accident. That was a real eye opener.

The government should protect these freestylers against Red bull.
These Freestylers take risks which is just plain crazy. And Red Bull pays so much that people do not count the risks anymore. But if something bad happens you're life is over!!!!!!! And red bull does not pay for you're life as you were used to it.

You also see people who have no sponsoring from redbull do very dangerous things on youtube where they hope red bull will pay them one day. The chance you be buried will happen faster then red bull send money.
I am RedWine athlete

[jbmarcus21]

Planetemarcus Rallying Highlights 2014 [Vidéo] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p58Q6P2NIdU

[sollitt]

Paddon started one more event but scored one less point than Juho.
Actually they both started 6 events with Paddon scoring points on 5 and Hanninen on 3.
Both suffered from mechanical issues throughout the year with Hanninen throwing a couple of offs into the mix.
None of which, of course, tells us anything other than that they're probably relatively evenly matched.

[BDA Cosworth]

Actually they both started 6 events with Paddon scoring points on 5 and Hanninen on 3.
Both suffered from mechanical issues throughout the year with Hanninen throwing a couple of offs into the mix.
None of which, of course, tells us anything other than that they're probably relatively evenly matched.

That's how I would have picked it. Out of curiosity how many mechanical issues did Paddon have in the 6 rounds?

I know the double puncture in Spain was due to a mistake, that was his own doing.
GB he had power steering issues on day one which robbed him of a top 5.
He had power-steering issues on one other event also, I just can't quite remember which one it was. He was quick for the rest of the rally, quite a few top 4 stage times.

Obviously the top 2 drivers get oodles more testing time. I think Hayden didn't start doing his own set ups until event 4 (he had been using his team mates up until that stage = not ideal).

[EightGear]

He had power-steering issues on one other event also, I just can't quite remember which one it was.

It was Finland day 3.

[RallyNZ]

Paddon announced on local TV news he's considering deals from Citroen and Hyundai.

[Ounin]

Citroen ( oh sorry DS) for Paddon seems to be a possibility why not, all depends on their decision what they do with Ostberg and the budgets of the two. Probably there are more drivers they are negotiating with. And with Loeb starting Monte maybe Matton has changed his strategy by selecting a specialist next to Meeke every rally? In that case Paddon would fit as gravel specialist. And there is PH, they could enter a private WRC for Paddon or Kubica or anybody else.
In case of Hanninen; apart from any analytics mentioned I wish him all the best and a great contract for '15 he is a good driver.

[Francis44]

Citroen ( oh sorry DS) for Paddon seems to be a possibility why not, all depends on their decision what they do with Ostberg and the budgets of the two. Probably there are more drivers they are negotiating with. And with Loeb starting Monte maybe Matton has changed his strategy by selecting a specialist next to Meeke every rally? In that case Paddon would fit as gravel specialist. And there is PH, they could enter a private WRC for Paddon or Kubica or anybody else.
In case of Hanninen; apart from any analytics mentioned I wish him all the best and a great contract for '15 he is a good driver.

Holde your horses, Paddon isn't a specialist on any surface still.

[noel157]

Yes, perhaps a bit early for Paddon to be a specialist.

[kirungi okwogera]

Yes it's not like his times or results are particularly worse on tarmac events, and indeed it's early to choose a speciality for him (other than southern hemisphere rallies on which the home advantage seems to help).

[BDA Cosworth]

Yes it's not like his times or results are particularly worse on tarmac events, and indeed it's early to choose a speciality for him (other than southern hemisphere rallies on which the home advantage seems to help).

It's always going to be gravel for him. He's had to adjust his driving style a lot since the group N days that's for sure.

[EstWRC]

About Kubica http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117016

[jbmarcus21]

Planetemarcus was born 10years ago !

Thanks everybody


http://planetemarcus.com/planetemarcus-2015-10eme-anniversaire/

[dimviii]

FIA World Motorsport Council decisions

2015 Calendar

25 January MCO Rally Monte Carlo**
15 February SWE Rally Sweden
08 March MEX Rally Mexico*
26 April ARG Rally Argentina
24 May PRT Rally Portugal
14 June ITA Rally Italy*
05 July POL Rally Poland
02 August FIN Rally Finland
23 August DEU Rallye Germany
13 September AUS Rally Australia
04 October FRA Rally France**
25 October ESP Rally Spain
15 November GBR Rally Great Britain

Note: The finish date given is the Sunday of the rally weekend.
* Subject to ASN’s confirmation.
** Subject to Organisation Agreement

- From 2015, the transmission of performance data or information to or from a competing car, not in relation with safety, is forbidden during special stages to help promote greater competition.

- In order to give greater opportunity to teams entering just one car in the WRC 2 and WRC 3 Championships for Teams, only the best placed car in a team will be taken into account for points.

- It is clarified that a car which has not started from the start line within 20 seconds will be considered as retired and will be able to restart under Rally 2 on the subsequent day.

- In order to give flexibility to non-priority drivers, it is proposed that these drivers may continue to use the previously homologated specifications of asphalt tyres for one additional year.

RALLYING

- From 1 January 2016, R5 cars will be recognised as the top competition car in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) and the S2000-Rally 1.6 turbo car will no longer be eligible in these events.

- In order to harmonise the number of results counting towards ERC titles, the maximum number of events counting towards the ERC 3 Championship has been increased to seven.

- In order to reduce costs for ERC Junior competitors, the tyre lottery will no longer exist from 2015, enabling competitors to re-use tyres from one rally to another.

- When allowed in the rally Supplementary Regulations, Priority drivers may now be allowed to participate in the shakedown on ERC events, after the results of the Qualifying Stage are official.

- A specific Priority status will be assigned to drivers registered in the FIA R-GT Cup, enabling them to be seeded amongst the P3 drivers during the WRC and ERC Cup events.

- In order to help increase the number of participants in the FIA African Rally Championship, cars homologated by Motorsport South Africa, as well as historical cars conforming to Appendix K, will be eligible in the Championship.

- Similarly, in the FIA Asia-Pacific and NACAM Rally Championships, additional eligible categories have been added and the APRC series may also permit ASN approved cars to compete and score points. Eligible categories are available from the Championship Secretariats.

http://irallylive.com/ir_news.htm?00007764

[SubaruNorway]

"and the S2000-Rally 1.6 turbo car will no longer be eligible in these events."

Clumsy wording there, so you can't run a S2000 or RRC?

[Mirek]

It's not clumsy words. RRC is only M-Sport marketing name which has nothing to do with regulations. These cars are clearly homologated as S2000 1.6T.

Anyway the ban was surprisingly moved from 2015 to 2016.

[pantealex]

"and the S2000-Rally 1.6 turbo car will no longer be eligible in these events."

Clumsy wording there, so you can't run a S2000 or RRC?

simple:
with S2000 2.0 N.A. you can
with S2000 1.6T you can´t

RRC is just marketing name, FIA can´t use it!

[SubaruNorway]

simple:
with S2000 2.0 N.A. you can
with S2000 1.6T you can´t

RRC is just marketing name, FIA can´t use it!

That was what i was wondering, if it was for both.

So for all WRC cars able to run "S2000 1.6T" there are two homologations?

[stefanvv]

- From 2015, the transmission of performance data or information to or from a competing car, not in relation with safety, is forbidden during special stages to help promote greater competition.

Yes!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Yes!

Meeke for one has already disagreed that no splits will increase competition..

He maintains that if a driver was behind on the splits he will try to go faster.. and thats what we fans want isnt it ?

[liposh]

I think they will just put somebody near the track with very huge signs :-D Like paddock line

[stefanvv]

Meeke for one has already disagreed that no splits will increase competition..

He maintains that if a driver was behind on the splits he will try to go faster.. and thats what we fans want isnt it ?

In Rallying You should go as fast as You can. With splits in the cars we often see comfort driving from the crew in advance, how this is more competitive? Many would agree that no splits are better for competition, probably except the drivers. I think this is becoming more "real" Rally.
On the other hand "trying" to go faster as You are often leads to accidents, no?

[PLuto]

Meeke for one has already disagreed that no splits will increase competition..

He maintains that if a driver was behind on the splits he will try to go faster.. and thats what we fans want isnt it ?

I dont agree with this opinion of Kris...

[Doon]

I dont agree with this opinion of Kris...

Me neither. Although when the times are close, well see as we did before, with team members holding split boards mid-stage? Are there any rules against that?

[EstWRC]

Me neither. Although when the times are close, well see as we did before, with team members holding split boards mid-stage? Are there any rules against that?

Well, Volkswagen team principal Jost Capito told AUTOSPORT: "It's the same for everybody, so OK. But you cannot stop this.

"It's impossible to police - what if somebody from our team shows a split time to [rival driver] Thierry Neuville? Is Neuville then out?

Taken from here http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117028?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[jonkka]

with team members holding split boards mid-stage? Are there any rules against that?

Wording of the rule does not limit transmission in any way, so all forms are forbidden be it data logger, text message or someone with a board in the stage.

So if you dislike driver X, you can get him penalties (or exclusion) by showing a dummy split-times board on the stage. Handy, eh?

[EstWRC]

from WRC.COM article

It also means, for example, times cannot be sent by text message via a third party away from the rally, or by a team member displaying information on a board in the stage, as happened before electronic transmission became the norm.

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/december/split-times/page/1996--12-12-.html

[stefanvv]

So if you dislike driver X, you can get him penalties (or exclusion) by showing a dummy split-times board on the stage. Handy, eh?

That has to be proved first I guess. Otherwise is going to be a circus.

[liposh]

What about team member holdind board with words: "Go go go driver XXX" or "Slow down driver XXX" ??? :-D

[jonkka]

That has to be proved first I guess. Otherwise is going to be a circus.

Proving is not a problem, all (works) cars have on-board cameras that record every second of the stage. If you meant proving the existence of the pit board. Then again, how to prove it was genuine and not a ploy. Or instead of a pit board with a time on it, two guys with green shirts means "go faster" and one with red shirt means "go steady".

[PLuto]

Well, Volkswagen team principal Jost Capito told AUTOSPORT: "It's the same for everybody, so OK. But you cannot stop this.

"It's impossible to police - what if somebody from our team shows a split time to [rival driver] Thierry Neuville? Is Neuville then out?

Taken from here http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117028?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Opinions of Jost Capito are always crazy, since he joined Volkswagen...

[PLuto]

Proving is not a problem, all (works) cars have on-board cameras that record every second of the stage. If you meant proving the existence of the pit board. Then again, how to prove it was genuine and not a ploy. Or instead of a pit board with a time on it, two guys with green shirts means "go faster" and one with red shirt means "go steady".

Yes, this should be possible. But it will be much more difficult to realise it and not so easy to understand. Especially if there will be more drivers fighting for victory (I hope for it)...

[EightGear]

But will we still be able to see the splits on WRC.com?

[stefanvv]

Proving is not a problem, all (works) cars have on-board cameras that record every second of the stage. If you meant proving the existence of the pit board. Then again, how to prove it was genuine and not a ploy. Or instead of a pit board with a time on it, two guys with green shirts means "go faster" and one with red shirt means "go steady".

Proving the pit board itself is not a problem with onboard cameras as You say. The proof of geniality is another case. Anyway if drivers don't count such as info/provocation, they soon would disappear, no?

[makinen_fan]

But will we still be able to see the splits on WRC.com?

From the wrc.com article "Split times will remain available to teams and fans to view as normal."
The "normal" is a bit questionable as we know... :p

[Juha_Koo]

Opinions of Jost Capito are always crazy, since he joined Volkswagen...

Some yes, but I don't see how this particular opinion is crazy?

I thought of the exactly same thing when I heard the news. Anyone can go and buy team (fan) clothing and after that go onto stage and show split board to crew from competing team. After that it is "word against word" – how would this be policed? I would like to believe that there are no actors in our sport who would even thinkin playing dirty like this but you never know.

[jbmarcus21]

Full Gallery Photos and Videos ... Hyundai Test Days Monte Carlo with Neuville & Sordo
http://planetemarcus.com/hyundai-prepare-le-rallye-wrc-monte-carlo-2015/

[EightGear]

From the wrc.com article "Split times will remain available to teams and fans to view as normal."
The "normal" is a bit questionable as we know... :p
Thanks, I hadn't read the WRC.com article yet.

[PLuto]

Some yes, but I don't see how this particular opinion is crazy?

I thought of the exactly same thing when I heard the news. Anyone can go and buy team (fan) clothing and after that go onto stage and show split board to crew from competing team. After that it is "word against word" – how would this be policed? I would like to believe that there are no actors in our sport who would even thinkin playing dirty like this but you never know.

Yes, I agree. But for sure they must make the regulation and penalties clear, that somebody from another team/fan/journalist cannot make problems...

[Mirek]

Proving is not a problem, all (works) cars have on-board cameras that record every second of the stage. If you meant proving the existence of the pit board. Then again, how to prove it was genuine and not a ploy. Or instead of a pit board with a time on it, two guys with green shirts means "go faster" and one with red shirt means "go steady".

I think that You are going too far. I bet nobody will bother with hunting people with some boards around the stage. That system is quite highly unreliable and if they want to make the afford, be it, it's no big deal. It doesn't work in the dark, in the dust, in the rain, in the fog. It requires good information for the man with the board which is possible only in some places of the stages, it requires a lot of people. In the end it doesn't change that much in my opinion. Some teams used it in IRC where splits were forbidden and it didn't prevent cases when some driver was able to make tens of seconds in one stage by a sudden crazy attack (in most extreme case it was over a minute in one stage).

[makinen_fan]

Can anyone explain what exactly is meant by this. I cant really see the point of this.
- It is clarified that a car which has not started from the start line within 20 seconds will be considered as retired and will be able to restart under Rally 2 on the subsequent day.

Does this mean if the car stalls on the start line and fail to start within 20s the crew will retire? Also someone this year failed to start on the correct minute waiting for next one (Sordo ??) and then realised it, does it mean they would have been retired?

[nafpaktos]

It says start line so i understand it means if the engine stalls.

[tommeke_B]

It means that when the car already stands at the start line it must leave the place in twenty seconds otherwise game over. I think this rule already existed but the limit time was bigger - maybe one minute (?)
It used to be 30 seconds. I remember once when a driver had a mechanical problem they went out quickly and pushed the car away from the start-line, to retire soon after...

[makinen_fan]

It used to be 30 seconds. I remember once when a driver had a mechanical problem they went out quickly and pushed the car away from the start-line, to retire soon after...

thanks Tom and Mirek. I never realised such a rule existed

[Jack4688`]

Capito really has lost his marbles. Why would someone from his team tell a Hyundai driver what his split times are?

[tommeke_B]

Capito really has lost his marbles. Why would someone from his team tell a Hyundai driver what his split times are?

Sometimes I'm still wondering... Are the journalists so stupid that they don't understand Capito's sarcasm and jokes? Or is he really that much of an idiot?

[Jack4688`]

Sometimes I'm still wondering... Are the journalists so stupid that they don't understand Capito's sarcasm and jokes? Or is he really that much of an idiot?

I didn't think of that! It's hard to convey sarcasm in text... but I'll go on the assumption that he's ready to be put in a home

[stefanvv]

Sometimes I'm still wondering... Are the journalists so stupid that they don't understand Capito's sarcasm and jokes? Or is he really that much of an idiot?

Of course it is sarcasm.... probably apart from Rally Deutchland....

[PLuto]

I have moved questions of Nafpaktos to ERC thread as his questions were about ERC regulations.

[PLuto]

Can anyone explain what exactly is meant by this. I cant really see the point of this.
- It is clarified that a car which has not started from the start line within 20 seconds will be considered as retired and will be able to restart under Rally 2 on the subsequent day.

Does this mean if the car stalls on the start line and fail to start within 20s the crew will retire? Also someone this year failed to start on the correct minute waiting for next one (Sordo ??) and then realised it, does it mean they would have been retired?

This rule is in regulations for many years. But now there is only change in formulation. Till now, it was written, that if car will not leave start line in 20 seconds, car must be pushed away and crew is EXCLUDED. New rule says, that if car will not leave start line in 20 seconds, car must be pushed away and crew is RETIRED.

[EstWRC]

So on paper and in theory we should be in for a hell of a season next year with drivers having no splits and the cars starting in championship order on first two days. But we will see how it turns out in reality, i totally love that they banned the splits.

[jonkka]

I think that You are going too far. I bet nobody will bother with hunting people with some boards around the stage. That system is quite highly unreliable and if they want to make the afford, be it, it's no big deal. It doesn't work in the dark, in the dust, in the rain, in the fog. It requires good information for the man with the board which is possible only in some places of the stages, it requires a lot of people. In the end it doesn't change that much in my opinion.

It indeed may be that my thinking is further away than where the reality lies but it may be granted to me because I don't make rules, I don't enforce them or plan to circumvent them.

What comes to people possibly using pit boards or any other way to communicate split times to cars: it has been done before and it is possible that some would try to do it again. So, if FIA wants that this rule is not a dead letter, they must police it some way. All they need is someone to watch over the onboard camera tapes. It doesn't need to be every stage because splits are useful only in certain key stages. It doesn't need to be for every competitor, just works contracted drivers and maybe WRC2 ones. That is doable and not very expensive.

Pit boards do work in all but heaviest rain, dust is mostly behind the car and in dusty conditions cars can't go flat out so showing splits is of no use. Same applies to fog to a degree. But that's a bit beside the point which is: in order to curb the use of pit boards, FIA must police the rule somehow. And publicly declare what the penalty for breach will be.

[Mirek]

Basically I agree with You but I think that they will not check the onboards. Let's see.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

When I play a rally video game I get split times to show if I am ahead or behind the fastest time on the stage... if I am behind I try harder, if I am ahead I maintain my current effort knowing my pace is already good. Isn't this what Meeke means by wanting the split-times ?

If what this is really about is making drivers always go flat-out then I dont think it will do that. If the leader has say 30sec lead on Day 3 he wont just go flat out but will still drive sensibly knowing he has enough in hand. The only time he will is if the times are close, and he would do so anyway...

[Mirek]

The point is that if You don't have the information (I mean no information at all) You don't know how fast You actually drive compared to the others. It's impossible to drive flat out over the whole rally distance because You would crash almost for sure. You also never know where Your opponents start some crazy attack or if in the stages before they drove flat out or not. With splits You can react within let's say few minutes (or if You drive after You know immediately), without it it can take half an hour on a long stage before You realize what Your opponent did and that is hell of a time to make some difference. We've seen that often in IRC/ERC.

I can name several of such cases from my head...
On Cyprus Bouffier took over one minute in one stage against everybody else because he took a big risk over 35 km long rough stage.
In Sanremo Basso not just once destroyed others by a big margin in a night run over the huge Ronde stage (once around 30 seconds I think).
In Jänner every year the last stage Bad Zell brings difference of 15-20 seconds for somebody who risks driving crazy in the fog over an ice. Usually this stage although last makes a big change of the leaderboard (Kubica, Hänninen, Harrach or Baumschlager took a big time there in the past).

[jacko]

Citroën Racing confirms another year with Mads Ostberg for the entire championship. Note: he will not be nominated for Citroën in Monte-Carlo, that will be Meeke (as the no.1 driver) and Sebastien Loeb.
Think its' the best choice made by Citroën, Mads is the best of the rest available, has experience (also with the DS3) and hungry to perform even better.
With Loeb (maybe) on tarmac rounds (quick look at the WTCC-calendar it's possible) it's a very interesting combination.

[MartijnS]

Mats van den Brand from NL wins the DMACK Shoot Out and drives 1 WRC2 Rally in the Fiesta R5! Nice:D

[liposh]

Why only one rally? :-) It seems it is just good promo for M-sport.

[vino_93]

It's a price, which was decided before the begining of 2014 season to attract drivers to do events with Fiesta R2 and Dmack Tyres.

A shootout between drivers who enters at least one WRC event with same rule à Drive Dmack Cup and some wildcars.
Drivers were Mats van den Brand, Kevin van Deijne, Timo van der Marel, Hugo Arellano + Max Vatanen (best rookie), Ralfs Sirmacis (impressed M-Sport in Rally Poland) and Tome Cave (runner-up of the champ)

[Ounin]

Contrast to Mats vd Brand! Nice and talented Dutch guy, he is the Son of Mark van den Brand, former navigator of Hans Stacey (Dutch rally driver , and former Dakar winner in MAN truck). Mats started rallying last year and won the Nissan 350z immediately. He has karting roots and has his own company in guiding and coaching karting drivers and teams. After Hans Weijs and Kevin Abbring who are struggling their whole career to get funds for a decent contract, now there is Mats. Let's see, wish him all the best.

[Ounin]

Sorry, congrats to Mats vd Brand

[dimviii]

Khalid penalised and Nasser wins MERC

http://irallylive.com/ir_news.htm?00007769

[mousti]

Mats did first some short rallies in Holland and there we already saw he had talent. Year after he indeed did great with 350z and did some events in Fiesta already. And this year we saw definately he was very fast and talented if u beat consistenely Timo van der Marel who has the speed and lots of experience in rallying, on stages and the car. Timo cant follow the pace of Mats.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn Nexus 5 met Tapatalk

[EightGear]

Mats did first some short rallies in Holland and there we already saw he had talent. Year after he indeed did great with 350z and did some events in Fiesta already. And this year we saw definately he was very fast and talented if u beat consistenely Timo van der Marel who has the speed and lots of experience in rallying, on stages and the car. Timo cant follow the pace of Mats.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn Nexus 5 met Tapatalk

Yes, here is a nice compilation of onboards from his second ever rally (in an old Escort).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqpf7-Fx66E

[N.O.T]

Khalid penalised and Nasser wins MERC

http://irallylive.com/ir_news.htm?00007769

we do not care about joke desert championships...

No revelance to the WRC.

[Nornbugger]

we do not care about joke desert championships...

No revelance to the WRC.

Who is 'we'? The two sides of your persona perhaps?

[nafpaktos]

we do not care about joke desert championships...

No revelance to the WRC.

Please do not speak on others behalf!!

[Allyc85]

we do not care about joke desert championships...

No revelance to the WRC.

How can you tell what we think, with your head shoved so far up your own arse?

[N.O.T]

ok... we do care what a bunch of nobodies do in their desert championship... sand is good... we need more sand.

[nafpaktos]

Khalid penalised and Nasser wins MERC

http://irallylive.com/ir_news.htm?00007769

so which article is right?it cant be right both of them.i also remember in cyprus that merc competitors was not penalised for big cuttings but this was had not effect for erc competitors.so WHATS THE RULE?i think fia messed up( because qatar's association influence)!!!!!!!!!!bullshit!!

P.S opinions please!!

[makinen_fan]

In Cyprus they were not penalised because MERC drivers didn't deviate a lot from the road (20m mentioned in iRally article). For non-MERC the same rule as WRC applies that theoretically have to keep at least one wheel on the road, which we know is a bit of a silly thing really.

PS: Can we move the discussion in the 2014 MERC thread: http://www.motorsportforums.com/showthread.php?33471-MERC-2014

[nafpaktos]

i know the rules i want your opinion!!

[N.O.T]

you want to have a discussion about the sand championship of nobodies within the WRC section ?

[Andre Oliveira]

Probl€ms to Alsace round.

One good solution could be merge ERC round with WRC like 1000 lakes in the past, and put Tour de Corse again on WRC :) Then in 2016 only WRC ;)

[Rallyper]

How can you tell what we think, with your head shoved so far up your own arse?

Please stay with topic (belonging to WRC)

[OldF]

Probl€ms to Alsace round.

One good solution could be merge ERC round with WRC like 1000 lakes in the past, and put Tour de Corse again on WRC :) Then in 2016 only WRC ;)

That’s true.

By BILLIOT Jérémie ‏@planetemarcus (https://twitter.com/planetemarcus)5h5 hours ago (https://twitter.com/planetemarcus/status/540921076738686978)
#WRC (https://twitter.com/hashtag/WRC?src=hash) problem with money to make @rallyedefrance (https://twitter.com/rallyedefrance) in Alsace for 2015 ... http://www.dna.fr/sports/2014/12/05/rallye-de-france-le-conseil-general-du-bas-rhin-renonce-a-son-tour … (http://t.co/zpuhRBhGNR)

Google translate:

After the decision of the General Council of the Upper Rhine, who announced yesterday that he "no longer wishes to engage" in the financing of the Rally France-Alsace, the Bas-Rhin announced in a press release release issued this afternoon, he also gave up financially to the 2015.

The origin of this decision, the budget decisions that allow no longer stand the test, the statement that targets the absence of compensation by the state of social security but also lower state grants to communities .dropoff window

Involved also the craze back because of the absence of Sébastien Loeb and "fervor that his presence guaranteed" in the words of the press release.
See below for the full press release CG67:

"Alsace Rally: the General Council renounce its support!

In 2010, when the organizers of the Rallye de France have expressed interest in the Alsace Region, the General Council of the Lower Rhine has made all possible assistance to the realization of this great sporting event on its territory. There was the prospect of gaining international notoriety, receive in the Bas-Rhin one of the greatest popular free events, to benefit the local economy. There were of course Sebastien Loeb and fervor that his presence guaranteed!

Each year the Rally held or exceeded its promises, thanks to the great professionalism of the organizing team.

Also, to the end of its resources, the General Council of the Lower Rhine supported this beautiful local and global celebration.

But today the budget decisions no longer allow this support. In particular, the absence of compensation by the state payroll taxes that strike the finances of all departments but also lower state grants to colelctivités.

Therefore, and against heart, Guy-Dominique KENNEL propose to his colleagues not to be partner of the Rallye de France in 2015. He hopes that the course organizers can find other sources of funding, enabling them to stay Alsace, to the delight of an audience that has always been faithful to them.

[tommeke_B]

Time for a different region to hold Rallye de France then, I certainly won't miss the Alsace-region. :)

[makinen_fan]

This are good news, never liked that event.


i know the rules i want your opinion!!
I will answer in the MERC thread