World Rallycross Championship a.k.a RALLYX

[MrJan]

Jordan is just a one off at Lydden Hill

Yep, and Chicherit isn't doing a full season (6 races I think).

No news on Rene Munnich's team yet, if he's got cash to burn then I suppose he could let Timur trash the car in a few events.

Not a bad selection of drivers so far, I reckon you've got 5 that I'd put money on getting a win this season:
Solberg, Ekstrom, Kristofferson, Loeb, and Bakkerud...and if the Pug isn't as bad as last year then the Hansen brothers have a good shot too.

[Adler]

http://www.motorline.cc/motorsport/news/2017/Diverses/Rallycross-WM-News-Stohl-Racing-kehrt-in-die-Rallycross-WM-zurck-209219.html

Google translate:
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=de&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorline.cc%2Fmotorsport%2Fnew s%2F2017%2FDiverses%2FRallycross-WM-News-Stohl-Racing-kehrt-in-die-Rallycross-WM-zurck-209219.html&edit-text=

this motorline.cc article says Stohl racing will be back with 2 cars, rumours it will be ex-MJP-Drivers Baumanis and Timerzyanov

[JUF]

There is an interview with Stohl where he confirms Baumanis and Timerzyanov: https://www.rallye-magazin.de/index.php?id=4423&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=85495&tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2017&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=02&tx_ttnews%5Bday%5D=21

I think that Olsbergs MSE won't be back this year. Rumours say that Niclas Grönholm will take part in a Ford Fiesta of M-Sport with his own team.

[tomhlord]

http://www.motorline.cc/motorsport/news/2017/Diverses/Rallycross-WM-News-Stohl-Racing-kehrt-in-die-Rallycross-WM-zurck-209219.html

Google translate:
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=de&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorline.cc%2Fmotorsport%2Fnew s%2F2017%2FDiverses%2FRallycross-WM-News-Stohl-Racing-kehrt-in-die-Rallycross-WM-zurck-209219.html&edit-text=

this motorline.cc article says Stohl racing will be back with 2 cars, rumours it will be ex-MJP-Drivers Baumanis and Timerzyanov

Now confirmed - https://www.motorsport.com/world-rx/news/stohl-s-world-rx-team-sign-timerzyanov-and-baumanis-for-2017-875445/?s=1

[Alpha]

Fourth team in four years for Timerzyanov.. Let's hope he can be tamed this time around.

[MrJan]

Fourth team in four years for Timerzyanov.. Let's hope he can be tamed this time around.

He can be truly quick on a good day, the fact he was the only one close to Bakkerud in Hell proved that. I hope he can calm it down though, would be good to see him have a good season.

Interesting that Max Pucher (or at least someone with the name) commented on a FB comment that it was just a rebrand of Team Austria, something along the lines of "No, Stohl has nothing to do with Team Austria, we've rebranded as MJP Team Austria"...if it's actually him then would suggest a bit of a break up between the pair...although as STARD are running the same cars and drivers it would seem that they have more elements of Team Austria.

[Alpha]

Yeah, I noticed the same comment.

[macebig]

I believe Olsbergs will work into adapting the Civic GRC to WorldRX for Button guest drives.And Munnich may not take part in the championship.That C Elysee and Rob Huff for WTCC aren't cheap..

[MrJan]

Guy Wilks announced as doing a full season as LOCO Rallycross team. He'll be using an ex-Kristofferson Polo. Shaping up to be a half decent grid this year.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Guy Wilks announced as doing a full season as LOCO Rallycross team. He'll be using an ex-Kristofferson Polo. Shaping up to be a half decent grid this year.

Great news... really happy to see a Brit back in the competition ! :)

[Sulland]

I believe Olsbergs will work into adapting the Civic GRC to WorldRX for Button guest drives.And Munnich may not take part in the championship.That C Elysee and Rob Huff for WTCC aren't cheap..

What do they have to do to get the car ready for european rules?

[macebig]

What do they have to do to get the car ready for european rules?

IIRC, fuel tank and roll cage are the main differences between GRC and WorldRX.

[NoName]

IIRC, fuel tank and roll cage are the main differences between GRC and WorldRX.

what is the different on roll cage?

[MrJan]

The Kia Rio is back for a full season, some Hungarian chappy that I've never heard of. Gigi should be joining later in the season though, and everyone loves Gigi :D

[Alpha]

Gigi is awesome!
And his fans even more so :D

[the sniper]

Gigi should be joining later in the season though, and everyone loves Gigi :D

Gigi is awesome!
And his fans even more so :D

Good! Really nice guy too. I randomly met him at the Geneva motorshow in 2013, he was just walking around like everyone else. Having been a big fan of his for years I couldn't believe my eyes seeing him in the crowd, I followed him for a few minutes to work out whether it was definitely him (the nose is the give away :D ) and plucked up the courage to say hello! We chatted and he signed my program. I still can't believe it happened, right place, right time...

[pantealex]

The Kia Rio is back for a full season, some Hungarian chappy that I've never heard of. Gigi should be joining later in the season though, and everyone loves Gigi :D

I have seen that "CSUCSU" in some ERX results, but did´t know his real name.

[TWRC]

I have seen that "CSUCSU" in some ERX results, but did´t know his real name.
He is Kornél Lukács, he tried doing WRC3 some years ago, but gave up and went with rallycross instead. He's nothing special, but has a lot of money.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Niclas Grönholm enters WRX 2017 full campaign with Grönholm RX Team & ex-Block Fiesta RX. https://t.co/wafXP3zTnd https://t.co/uyOv0gh8Sd

[Alpha]

Former GRC Fiesta?
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170302/e6c12c29a5c39965baa8ae11733d33a5.jpg

[tomhlord]

Former GRC Fiesta?
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170302/e6c12c29a5c39965baa8ae11733d33a5.jpg

Yes, that's the one.

[tomhlord]

So no Olsbergs MSE in WorldRX this season then? Would also be a shame to not see the Ibiza on the grid.

[MrJan]

So no Olsbergs MSE in WorldRX this season then? Would also be a shame to not see the Ibiza on the grid.

Not yet, but there's still time for further announcements. I don't expect any, but then I didn't expect Wilks to make an appearance either...

[Sulland]

Rallycross On Ice

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=510915799&fref=ts
Check out the live videos, a lot of nice driving!

[SubaruNorway]

Rallycross On Ice

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=510915799&fref=ts
Check out the live videos, a lot of nice driving!

The least promoted rallycross series, almost nobody had heard about it

[BleAivano]

Rallycross On Ice

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=510915799&fref=ts
Check out the live videos, a lot of nice driving!

RX on Ice Live here (if you can get it to work) https://sbfplay.solidtango.com/live/rallyx-on-ice-ostersund

[Alpha]

Petter is back in number 11

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170312/29e6fc44c0a171b94683a09d3555b2d2.jpg

[MentalParadox]

no it doesn't... nobody will bother with the sport of the has beens...

lets keep this one and if it gets a 1000 responses when the championship starts we can have a forum.

I wonder how silly this person feels, three years later.

[mozesii]

I wonder how silly this person feels, three years later.
Never mind that relic

[Alpha]

https://twitter.com/Petter_Solberg/status/842815343282339841

Launch the 20th

[Micke_VOC]

Live from PSRX Volkswagen launch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcgL1KWGxsY

[Viking]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7Xac7YWkAI1ai4.jpg:large

[tomhlord]

Looks good. Interesting to hear that it's based on a 2014 WRC car and uses the GRC Beetle engine.

[Alpha]

Guess the 2017 wasn't ready yet. It isn't even officially launched so.. Petters car is the newest Polo available.

[pantealex]

Regulations don´t allow WRC17 as base car, too wide I think.

[SubaruNorway]

Would be cool if they changed the body regs to 2017 WRC though, WRX cars look a bit tame now

[smsgrafica]

Wider cars would make it more difficult to overtake. I doubt they'll go down that route...

[seb_sh]

I rarely outright dislike a livery but this looks bad and belongs in a national championship or something. It's blatantly a mix of two liveries each with their own sponsors and color theme. The colors and shapes don't work together at all. I'd rather they have split liveries each with their own sponsors/colors and maybe have the same design/shape to link them together. But like this it's just bad :(

[SubaruNorway]

Wider cars would make it more difficult to overtake. I doubt they'll go down that route...

I doubt those 55mm extra is the difference between a pass or not :)

[A FONDO]

under sunlight

http://autosport.com.ru/files/styles/960x655/public/news/2017/03/20/e1c5b11a3811a3e7e144a642ccb03e60.jpg

first "rally" next week in Spain

[MrJan]

An RX car never looks right without a bit of tank tape holding it together.

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

I prefer 2015 Polo Kristoffersson..

Sent from my A12 using Tapatalk

[Oppositelock]

As I understand the regulations, RX Supercars have to respect certain measurements of the base car, not general limits like in WRC. VW Motorsport used the 2014 Polo anyway, because it was basically ready to race. They did some development back in 2015, just in case. The only car available at that time was the 2014 Polo WRC.

Also there will be a new Polo roadcar in summer 2017, which obviously they couldn't use just yet. I wouldn't be surprised if there will be a totally new Polo Supercar in 2018.

[rallyfiend]

Also there will be a new Polo roadcar in summer 2017, which obviously they couldn't use just yet. I wouldn't be surprised if there will be a totally new Polo Supercar in 2018.

Only if someone pays VW to make one!

[pantealex]

Only if someone pays VW to make one!

WHY ?

PSRX is vw factory team, no need for outsider payer. I´m pretty sure it´s multi year deal between PSRX and VW factory.

[rallyfiend]

WHY ?

PSRX is vw factory team, no need for outsider payer. I´m pretty sure it´s multi year deal between PSRX and VW factory.

It's a factory-run team run as a customer operation.

That was well publicised when it was announced.

"We have been watching rallycross very closely for a while now," Smeets told Autosport.

"Obviously we are already working with the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team in Global Rallycross - where we had great success with the drivers' and manufacturers' championship titles last year - but we were keen to look more at the FIA World Rallycross Championship for 2017.

"Working in alliance with Petter's team and Volkswagen Sweden, we could make this happen.

"Petter will run the team and we will provide technical support.

"We will have technicians at the races and we will engineer the car, but the financing and sponsorship of the operation is all down to Petter and Volkswagen Sweden."

[tomhlord]

Still has WRC dents in the roof :) https://twitter.com/davidevansrally/status/844135221914226688

[Zeakiwi]

Is the World Rally Cross livestreamed this year?

[tolx]

It should be livestreamed, but with same exceptions as before: no stream in countries where it's broadcasted commercially.

[MartijnS]

I think it is just streamed in countries where it is broadcasted commercially. At least in the Netherlands streams started working when some channel started showing it.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ford Performance are also streaming the whole RX season live: http://performance.ford.com/series/rally/news/articles/world-rx/2017/03/ford-performance-exclusive-stream-for-fia-world-rallycross.html

[rallyfiend]

I think it is just streamed in countries where it is broadcasted commercially. At least in the Netherlands streams started working when some channel started showing it.

I think it's the opposite.

Where they don't have a broadcaster, it is made available on Livestream.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Motorsport.tv
Happy to announce that we will broadcast all 12 rounds of the @FIAWorldRX LIVE this year! https://t.co/MNxygiLJn3

[MrJan]

Anyone else in UK showing it? Will be a shame if it's off terrestrial.

[Simmi]

Quest was a bit of a ropey channel but I agree this feels like a step backwards for the series.

Great addition for Motorsport TV though.

[Sub_Skoda]

All liveries from WRX's teams in 2017 : http://www.lemagsportauto.com/calendrier-pilotes-championnat-monde-de-rallycross-2017/22460/

Can't wait for the first round !

[N.O.T]

I wonder how silly this person feels, three years later.

1000 respones in 3 years...

LOL yeah it sure needs a separate forum.... in 20 years you might even reach 5k posts...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

2017 field:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8MLDDDXkAEtmnB.jpg:large

[Luijbregts]

1000 respones in 3 years...

LOL yeah it sure needs a separate forum.... in 20 years you might even reach 5k posts...

Please leave this forum. You are not contributing with anything positive in any post on this forum! Responses is not written respones by the way. Just a positive contribution to your spelling ability.

But, on the other hand, looking forward to WorldRX Spain this weekend. For those of you watching have fun!

[jbmarcus21]

Niclas & Marcus Grönholm tested in France this week at "Circuit de Faleyras" to prepare #GRX Ford Fiesta RX ➡ http://bit.ly/2olO4NQ

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Andrew Coley on comms:
Just chucked it down with rain for second half of WorldRX Q2…turned the standings on their head !

[pettersolberg29]

The rain was incredible - the final race in Q2, the cars were basically on ice, losing 40s and more to the early runners!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

And the rain came ! Q2 highlights https://youtu.be/tNAu-eNvLAk

[N.O.T]

Loeb misses on the semis, he had transmission failure in Q3.

Why he bothers with this sport ? it is obvious its not for him.

[A FONDO]

Loeb misses on the semis, he had transmission failure in Q3.

Why he bothers with this sport ? it is obvious its not for him.

Because he ran away from Rally like a sick mouse.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great to see Guy Wilks make the SF. Both him & his team needed a good start after all the effort to get a full season package together.

[steve.mandzij]

Loeb misses on the semis, he had transmission failure in Q3.

Why he bothers with this sport ? it is obvious its not for him.
>says series is a failure
>watches race

Maybe NOT is an eternal April Fool's joke.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[N.O.T]

Because he ran away from Rally like a sick mouse.

try harder kid...

http://i.imgur.com/7a3clYa.jpg

[tomhlord]

Nice to see many fans in the sunny grandstand and so far so good, enjoying the racing.

[N.O.T]

>says series is a failure
>watches race

Maybe NOT is an eternal April Fool's joke.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

i did not say it was a failure, i said it was not a serious sport and quite fun for has beens... today is motorsport binge day for me

1. WSBK aragon
2. BTCC Brands Hatch
3. BSBK Donington
4. WRX
5. BTCC again
6. BSB again
7. BTCC again

kid....

[N.O.T]

Ekstrom wins it... pretty standard boring WRX final.

[Rallyper]

Ekstrom wins it... pretty standard boring WRX final.

Agree. However Ekström one of the best drivers, no matter four wheels sport. I´ve said that before, starting about 15 yrs ago.

[pettersolberg29]

Based on speed Kristoffersson could easily have won the event - set the fastest lap of the weekend and without issues at the start he could have easily challenged Mattias. Looks like it could be a good season though - EKS, PSRX, Scheider and Bakkerud all look very impressive.

[Simmi]

Very close, if not thrilling, opening round. But good to see the competition is where it needs to be. Ekstrom still the benchmark due to that consistency.

A couple of points.
WHY have Peugeot painted up their cars to look like the EKS Audis? I've no idea why this continues to happen in motorsport. Just look at Toyota and Porsche in WEC this year.

Secondly. Say what you want about Liam Doran. Some really good insight on the commentary.

[BleAivano]

Agree. However Ekström one of the best drivers, no matter four wheels sport. I´ve said that before, starting about 15 yrs ago.

Obviously I agree with you, Mattias seems to be able to master any 4 wheeled vehicle controlled by the 5th wheel. ;)

Swedish TV also mentioned that he'll likely will have completely new car later in the season. Audi's factory support decision
came a bit late for Ekström to be able to fully take advantage of it. It will be interesting to see if there will be something
exciting happen in that area.


Very close, if not thrilling, opening round. But good to see the competition is where it needs to be.
Ekstrom still the benchmark due to that consistency.

A couple of points.
WHY have Peugeot painted up their cars to look like the EKS Audis? I've no idea why this continues to happen in motorsport.
Just look at Toyota and Porsche in WEC this year.

Secondly. Say what you want about Liam Doran. Some really good insight on the commentary.

I don't know, requests from Red Bull?

Ken Block btw should stick to Gymkhana.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wilks happy after strong start:

http://www.cartersport.com/wilks-happy-after-strong-start-in-spain/

[BleAivano]

Also nice to see the fight between the former DTM teammates Ekström and Scheider. I would think that they are pretty good friends as well.
They are also almost the same age, Ekström is only 4 months older then Scheider.

[giu canbera]

Great race, but the EuroRX championship is looking even more interesting.
Hmmm Im kinda worried about too many factory cars in WorldRX.. but lets hope they dont destroy the championship. Erikson complained about RX Board keeping "rich star ken block" without a penalty, Bakkerud said the new rules (from manufacturers) could make RX "less RX" (punishments for hard-racing and banging doors) and Marklund also sounded weird talking about that in EuroRX he could "have fun again". Lets wait and see.

[jparker]

Also nice to see the fight between the former DTM teammates Ekström and Scheider. I would think that they are pretty good friends as well.
They are also almost the same age, Ekström is only 4 months older then Scheider.

It looks like DTM skills are more valuable in rallycross than rally skills, especially when rally guys are not having clean runs and have to battle in the crowd.

[BleAivano]

Great race, but the EuroRX championship is looking even more interesting.
Hmmm Im kinda worried about too many factory cars in WorldRX.. but lets hope they dont destroy the championship. Erikson complained about
RX Board keeping "rich star ken block" without a penalty, Bakkerud said the new rules (from manufacturers) could make RX "less RX" (punishments
for hard-racing and banging doors) and Marklund also sounded weird talking about that in EuroRX he could "have fun again". Lets wait and see.


Well IMO, RX in general is a bit too much wild west sometimes. It's one thing if two cars are doing a little door banging down the straight
but deliberate hits from behind and other larger unmotivated hits should result in a warning.

I also think a warning system is better then just handing out black flags without prior notice because if a driver
receives a yellow card, he/she knows that he/she is being watched more closely. The driver can then choose
if he/she wants to cool down or continue to be aggressive and risk getting a second yellow card -> red card.

[Lousada]

Well IMO, RX in general is a bit too much wild west sometimes. It's one thing if two cars are doing a little door banging down the straight
but deliberate hits from behind and other larger unmotivated hits should result in a warning.

I also think a warning system is better then just handing out black flags without prior notice because if a driver
receives a yellow card, he/she knows that he/she is being watched more closely. The driver can then choose
if he/she wants to cool down or continue to be aggressive and risk getting a second yellow card -> red card.

That used to be what the half-black/half-white flag was for.

[MrJan]

Final was a bit weak but thought a lot of the other races were good. Seems like they're more scared of contact, other than Block who straight up assaulted Eriksson and got away with it. If that had been Timur crashing then he'd have got a penalty, so I see where Eriksson is coming from. Could be a close season, VW had pace but messed up at key points (bad start from Johan, traffic after the joker for Petter), Scheider was surprisingly quick (and obviously got a bit lucky with Q2) and seems like some of the single entrants are mixing it up with the others too.

Edit: Also agree with Simmi that Doran was actually pretty good on the co-commentary. I thought it was an awful decision (because he's a generally unpleasant person) but as long as he's talking about people other than himself he brings good insight.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Best part of the final was Bakkerud coming past everyone on the outside as they came off their joker lap. He had the extra speed but it still looked spectacular.. :cool:

[Sulland]

That used to be what the half-black/half-white flag was for.

Should be possible to do this electronical in 2017, so the drivers see while driving, that they have been punished by the jury, or professional referees. Preferably ex drivers that know what they are doing.....

[tomhlord]

Final was a bit weak but thought a lot of the other races were good. Seems like they're more scared of contact, other than Block who straight up assaulted Eriksson and got away with it. If that had been Timur crashing then he'd have got a penalty.

Only not. Because Block didn't gain a position and Eriksson continued where he was to set a good time.

[MrJan]

Only not. Because Block didn't gain a position and Eriksson continued where he was to set a good time.

Shouldn't make a difference, that move was out of order. Just because Eriksson held onto the position (by his own skill) doesn't mean that Block shouldn't be reprimanded.

[SubaruNorway]

Shouldn't make a difference, that move was out of order. Just because Eriksson held onto the position (by his own skill) doesn't mean that Block shouldn't be reprimanded.

Block was already on the brakes when Eriksson turned across if i remember right

[MrJan]

Block was already on the brakes when Eriksson turned across if i remember right

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8p4dzmR4jY

19:55

Yeah he's on the brakes, but that move was never on. Eriksson turns in but Ken just didn't bother.

23:35 Johan shows how it should be done.

[BleAivano]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8p4dzmR4jY

19:55

Yeah he's on the brakes, but that move was never on. Eriksson turns in but Ken just didn't bother.

23:35 Johan shows how it should be done.


KE-KB first contact is IMO a race incident. KE goes for the gap and KB have already re-aligned his car towards the bend.
KE-KB second contact , KB is fully responsible for hitting KE from behind. There was no gap and Kevin was ahead but Block
just didn't care and smashed into KE on purpose.

[MrJan]

KE-KB first contact is IMO a race incident. KE goes for the gap and KB have already re-aligned his car towards the bend.


Yep, completely agree that neither are at fault for first touch, that one was just a by product of the weird joker merge at Barcelona.

[Myrvold]

Block was already on the brakes when Eriksson turned across if i remember right

That's the same reasoning I got home in Norway in an event, when I asked why to guy who ran into be didn't get any penalty. "He was on the brakes". Never mind that he turned me in to a wall, that broke all the engine mountings and some more on my car. It was all fine because he "was on the brakes". Imo, that's not how it works.

[SubaruNorway]

Can't remember what i was doing at 15 but i sure wasn't doing this...

Oliver testing a supercar
https://www.facebook.com/telemarksendinga/videos/10155279297986654/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

[tomhlord]

I agree Block was absolutely at fault. But if the positions do not change, an advantage not gained and if the cars can continue, no penalty. Otherwise you'd have penalties left right and centre in any form of closed roof racing.

[swanny]

Now son, this one has a wee bit more HP than your go kart......

[giu canbera]

OMSE will compete with 3 Hondas in GRC...
Seb Eriksson, Oliver Eriksson (Kevin's brother) and Mitchell DeJong
Idk about Joni Wiman... I know he is a GRC champ, but meh... just Meh

[Sulland]

OMSE will compete with 3 Hondas in GRC...
Seb Eriksson, Oliver Eriksson (Kevin's brother) and Mitchell DeJong
Idk about Joni Wiman... I know he is a GRC champ, but meh... just Meh

Would like to see a Honda in WRX, and also Henning at the wheel of it!

[SubaruNorway]

TV doesn't do WRX much good, so much more brutal in real life and in this video.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10212911884660710&id=1498113996

[tbtstt]

Was fortunate enough to be in Barcelona for the opening round. I really liked the circuit, it's on much more of a gradient than I was expecting. Some great racing and a very promising start to the Championship!

Uploaded a few pictures earlier in the week, few of my faves...

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2927/33164279804_e2426500fd_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2835/33622268780_e58dd23a96_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3947/33966394836_3f4c53628e_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2906/33966420386_5b00131555_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2927/33195185883_e259948a91_b.jpg

...few more here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22961613@N06/albums/72157682445566686


If any of you are interested. Round 2 of the British Rallycross Championship at Lydden on Monday: can't wait!

[pettersolberg29]

Great shots!

For any interested some of mine (inc. Media Day) are at https://flic.kr/s/aHskTmJQu9

[tbtstt]

Great shots!

For any interested some of mine (inc. Media Day) are at https://flic.kr/s/aHskTmJQu9
Nice! I couldn't get there soon enough for the media day, so I didn't get a chance to have a proper look around the new PSRX Polo. I'm very interested by their design choice, I'd love to know the reasoning behind it!

[jbmarcus21]

Marcus Grönholm testing in Lousada Fiesta RX → http://bit.ly/2oIXm5c

[tomhlord]

No one will touch VW for raw pace this season. Different league. But, of course, as we saw in Barcelona, Rallycross is also about on-track tactics.

[SubaruNorway]

Not WRX but Oliver Solberg got a 3rd (2nd in points) in his debut in the supercar in Rally X Nordic today.

Live broadcast
https://www.svtplay.se/video/13356272/motor-rallyx-nordic/motor-rallyx-nordic-motor-rallyx-nordic-norge

[pantealex]

Not WRX but Oliver Solberg got a 3rd (2nd in points) in his debut in the supercar in Rally X Nordic today.

Live broadcast
https://www.svtplay.se/video/13356272/motor-rallyx-nordic/motor-rallyx-nordic-motor-rallyx-nordic-norge

and he is younger than Kalle Rovanperä :)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ridiculous Bakkerud missing his joker lap during qually.. how is that possible when you even have a team radio spotter ??

[USER47]

My guess is radio malfunction combined with too much going on on the track for him to remember to joker.

[Alpha]

Yeah, it's usually radio. The drivers are so used to the spotters telling them when to joker and keep the overview so it quickly gets troublesome when it failes.

Kristofferson also missed one in qualifying.

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[USER47]

Wow, what a save by Bakkerud.:-o

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Another weird one in qually Q4 when they all jokered on the first lap !

[BleAivano]

No one will touch VW for raw pace this season. Different league. But, of course, as we saw in Barcelona, Rallycross is also about on-track tactics.

Pace this and pace that. Ekström is still the king. ;)

https://twitter.com/EKSRX/status/856157705551183872

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-GuxjvXkAIBFgr.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good final ! Pity for Solberg but Loeb had a real good go at Ekström but was just held off.

[BleAivano]

It was quite noticeable during today's race that Petter and Johan K have a much wider racing line/style compared
to drivers like Ekström and Loeb who drive a very tight inside line.

[jparker]

Does Peugeot looks less competitive this year, or it's only me? I know, 2nd today is not bad, but they didn't shine in the Qualifying sessions.

[Sulland]

Not WRX but Oliver Solberg got a 3rd (2nd in points) in his debut in the supercar in Rally X Nordic today.

Live broadcast
https://www.svtplay.se/video/13356272/motor-rallyx-nordic/motor-rallyx-nordic-motor-rallyx-nordic-norge

Oliver S had a couple of impressive contra saves, that shows he has the right reflexes already!
Impressive debut! And a new father/ son combo is born.

[MrJan]

Does Peugeot looks less competitive this year, or it's only me? I know, 2nd today is not bad, but they didn't shine in the Qualifying sessions.

They weren't that competitive last year either, at least not compared to 2015. Hansen won at Trois Rivieres but had actually missed out on the final and only got through because Timur was wrongly DQ'd. Then in the final Timmy made the right call with tyres and took the win.

[JUF]

Does Peugeot looks less competitive this year, or it's only me? I know, 2nd today is not bad, but they didn't shine in the Qualifying sessions. I would say they ARE competitive again. Last year they have been rather weak, but in Montalegre last weekend they were pretty strong. I just think that Solberg, Kristoffersson, Ekström and maybe even Bakkerud are better drivers.

[MrJan]

Dan Rooke announced for at least 5 rounds in RX2 this season. He's local to me so have a bit of an interest to how he gets on. He was competing at an autocross that I marshalled at the weekend (he borrowed/co-drove someone elses car) and he's definitely a quick driver, if a little wild at times. Will be good to see some British drivers coming through though....just a shame that I'll stop attending the UK round once it moves to Silverstone.

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

Little bit OOT, but I think ERX should have a standalone event alongside the joint event with WRX.

Sent from my A12 using Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Dan Rooke announced for at least 5 rounds in RX2 this season. He's local to me so have a bit of an interest to how he gets on. He was competing at an autocross that I marshalled at the weekend (he borrowed/co-drove someone elses car) and he's definitely a quick driver, if a little wild at times. Will be good to see some British drivers coming through though....just a shame that I'll stop attending the UK round once it moves to Silverstone.

What is Rooke doing this season, just the RX2 ? He was great in the British RX last season.

[MrJan]

What is Rooke doing this season, just the RX2 ? He was great in the British RX last season.

Just RX2 announced at the minute. Not sure that the budget is there to have the Supercar for another year so he announced a few months back that he wouldn't be defending his title. Plus I guess the odd bit of club motorsport too given that he was battering around an East Devon field at the weekend :D

[N.O.T]

Ekstrom wins again and nobody cares...

yet this is the sport that will dethrone the WRC...

Lel...

[Alpha]

Nobody cares?

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[Franky]

Nobody cares?

Don't you hear the whispering wind and dust rolls rolling around here?

[MartijnS]

Final was just boring.

[BleAivano]

...

[SubaruNorway]

It wasn't the last stage in Argentina to put it like that!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Unfortunately all the action was in the first few corners of the first laps on that circuit, which isnt always the case.

WRX is still a good watch but that's all its supposed to be. It cant and doesnt have anything like the depth of WRC to create lengthy debate and discussion.

[BleAivano]

According Swedish television, Ekström is currently looking at missing Höljes round as the Audi bosses doesn't seem to grant him leave for that round.
This was said before the final though and perhaps Ekström's 3rd straight win might have unlocked things though, atleast one can hope.

[Alpha]

He got a leave last year, but Audi decides.

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[BleAivano]

Unfortunately all the action was in the first few corners of the first laps on that circuit, which isnt always the case.

WRX is still a good watch but that's all its supposed to be. It cant and doesnt have anything like the depth of WRC to create lengthy debate and discussion.

I agree. In the end WRX is just like Folkrace but with expensively cars -> Folkrace plus as Swedish Rally radio reporter Per Johansson once said.
It's not touring car racing and it's not rallying. It is just some mediocre hybrid of those. Then there is too much crashing into each other, like JKS pushing Loeb out of the way.
There is also the factor of factory teams. This round 6 out 6 cars were factory team cars. WRX is also very predictable and you know before hand that three of the finalist
likely will be Ekström, Kristoffersson and Solberg unless they get taken out by someone else.

I still watch it and mainly because Ekström is participating and doing well. I usually watch it afterwards so that I can skip the heats that doesn't interest me.

Rallying is, in the end, man and machine vs nature and clock. There isn't much a driver can do about his competitors if they are driving well.
In Rally, you have to stay focused for much longer stints, while in RX it's just 1.5-2 minutes at the time.

[Alpha]

I totally agree, WRC is the only place with real action, excitement and surprises.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170507/e7ff5aa2a3eb46cdbfc2d8e4876e38da.jpg

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[BleAivano]

I totally agree, WRC is the only place with real action, excitement and surprises.


Sent fra min MIX via Tapatalk

In the first 5 WRC rallies this season, we have had 4 different drivers winning the rally, Ogier, Latvala, Meeke and 2x Neuville.

In WRX ME have won all three and Johan K have been second in the two latest.

[pettersolberg29]

This year in the WRC the competition has been incredible - but although I prefer rallying, the last few WRC seasons have not been as exciting as World RX has been! I agree that World RX has limited potential, but to right (write - mod edit) it off is foolish. Drivers like Ekstrom, Loeb and Solberg are no joke, and any sport they respect is a sport I respect.

[BleAivano]

This year in the WRC the competition has been incredible - but although I prefer rallying, the last few WRC seasons have
not been as exciting as World RX has been! I agree that World RX has limited potential, but to right (write - mod edit) it off is foolish. Drivers like Ekstrom,
Loeb and Solberg are no joke, and any sport they respect is a sport I respect.

Well WRX is only at it's 4th season so far but I disagree that WRX have been that exiting in 2014-2015.
In 2014 Petter had almost no real opposition but it was a bit better in 2015.
IMO, 2016 was the first proper year of WRX. It had 5 different event winners and it was pretty tight finish to the season.

I think WRX will suffer from the same problem that plagues WRC for many years and that is that if you are not in a factory
team (full factory team or a team with manufacturer backing) you probably won't have a chance of winning the title.
I think the more the season progresses, the more it will show that the factory team cars/drivers are those will be most successful.
Outside of them I think Bakkerud are the probably only one who might be able to challenge the factory drivers.

I also don't think anyone have said that the WRX is joke and most certainly no one said that
Loeb, Ekström, Kristoffersson and Solberg are a joke because they are certainly not.

My personal opinion is that WRC is more exiting then WRX, despite Ogier's dominance.

[SubaruNorway]

I think the more the season progresses, the more it will show that the factory team cars/drivers are those will be most successful.
Outside of them I think Bakkerud are the probably only one who might be able to challenge the factory drivers.


I wouldn't consider Hoonigan Racing as less of a factory team than any of the 3 other top teams though. MJP and Stard is a notch under the others i guess.

[macebig]

I wouldn't consider Hoonigan Racing as less of a factory team than any of the 3 other top teams though. MJP and Stard is a notch under the others i guess.

Hoonigan Racing is factory backed by Ford Performance, Detroit US.The car is made by the M Sport guys as most of the technical stuff.

[Myrvold]

I just don't get the people that have point out how they feel that WRX is boring, doesn't take much skill etc. While WRC is much better. And I don't get the people who have the opposite reaction either. It presents different challenges, it is different kind of competition, and neither are for everyone.

[stefanvv]

I just don't get the people that have point out how they feel that WRX is boring, doesn't take much skill etc. While WRC is much better. And I don't get the people who have the opposite reaction either. It presents different challenges, it is different kind of competition, and neither are for everyone.

You're right. There is no room for comparison.

[pettersolberg29]

I wouldn't consider Hoonigan Racing as less of a factory team than any of the 3 other top teams though. MJP and Stard is a notch under the others i guess.

Hoonigan Racing get the most money and support of any teams alongside Audi! Ford have invested a lot into Hoonigan and are getting rather fed up at the lack of results - Block has proven he can't compete at this level, and Bakkerud has already been named Crasherud by the Scandinavian press!

Peugeot get a little less factory support, but still a fair lump due to the Loeb factor. VW is by no means a factory team yet - they have a little bit of support technically, but they fund themselves and the old PSRX team are still in charge there. The whole team deserve a hell of a lot of credit to be leading the team's championship in a brand new car with far less support than their main rivals!

[Simmi]

Ford have invested a lot into Hoonigan and are getting rather fed up at the lack of results - Block has proven he can't compete at this level, and Bakkerud has already been named Crasherud by the Scandinavian press.

Is there anything written to indicate Ford being unhappy? I'd have thought the guy they need to keep happy is Ken Block! He's their marketing cashcow. Feels to me when you back a guy like Block it's about way more than simply results on track.

[MrJan]

Hoonigan Racing get the most money and support of any teams alongside Audi! Ford have invested a lot into Hoonigan and are getting rather fed up at the lack of results - Block has proven he can't compete at this level, and Bakkerud has already been named Crasherud by the Scandinavian press!

If anyone at Ford expected any different from Block then they should be fired. As for Bakkerud, he's a quick driver and, let's be honest, probably doesn't do that much more damage to cars than Solberg. But mainly if Ford consider Bakkerud to have had a poor 2016, in a new car, then they are possibly expecting too much. Especially as he took a significant points hit when the car failed at Mettet that would at least have seen him clinch 2nd in the championship.

I'm not close to the paddock but would be surprised if the net input from Ford is that much once you consider what they get from Block in return. In terms of exposure alone they are getting way more than VW or Peugeot get from their teams (over 21 million views on his Focus Gymkhana video, over 23 million on the previous one that he used the Fiesta for). Plus I'd be amazed if Hansen, PSRX or even Ekstrom are putting up the kind of money that Hoonigan is.

[pettersolberg29]

Is there anything written to indicate Ford being unhappy? I'd have thought the guy they need to keep happy is Ken Block! He's their marketing cashcow. Feels to me when you back a guy like Block it's about way more than simply results on track.

Nothing written, but the paddock is buzzing with rumours about it.

As both you and Jan say, the net spend possibly isn't too much due to the incredible reach Ken Block has. However the Ford bosses want that reach to be combined with good results, and they haven't had enough of them. DSTM, but Bakkerud may be driving to save his factory seat in the next few rounds... it's not just his results but the whole thing - he ruins too many cars, and gets a lot of negative press around his driving even when he wins. Agreed he has great talent, and he's a super nice guy, but in an ideal world Ford want a nice, clean winner that they can market using Block's reach.

[MrJan]

but in an ideal world Ford want a nice, clean winner that they can market using Block's reach.

So that gives them a choice of Ekstrom or Kristofferson, both of whom are tied to manufacturers. Other than that I'm not sure that any of the other drivers have a decent enough combination of quick, nice & careful.

Edit: Plus I'm not sure in what world it's bad form to have 3 wins & 2 seconds, including being the first driver to dominate an event. Seems to me that Ford what a unicorn to driver their car.

[pettersolberg29]

I don't disagree Jan!!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ekstrom only 8th after Q2 in Mettet... some work to do today to get a good SF place.

Kristopherson & Solberg looking good in 1-2.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great pic of the Mettet track ! :cool:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_xJcTXXkAAsSBY.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Hansen Q3 roll

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_xuNjWXcAAklak.jpg:large

He's out. :(

[Simmi]

Well no one can accuse that final of not being action packed. Great racing. A bit gutted for Timmy but the luck finally fell VW's way.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nice to see EKS not winning !

Bit too much contact going on in the races but that does make it dramatic.

Bakkerud was really unlucky getting taken out by Solberg.

[tomhlord]

Petter Solberg.

That was lame and silly. To squeeze on the straight and unsafe rejoin.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Hansen... you call that a roll ??

This is a roll ! :D ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/EddieFocus/20170514113629_1_zps7kkqmrwk.jpg

[MrJan]

Yeah, don't cut that chicane at Lydden :D

Interesting racing, Ekstrom recovered quite well considering. Solberg a bit silly to have squeezed Timmy, he had already lost the place and could have ended his race. As it was he ended Bakkerud's race and was a bit silly. Was good to see some other people back on the pace and the championship close up a bit.

Really looking forward to Lydden now...apart from the car park.

[MrJan]

Munnich (or however he spells it, even the official site doesn't seem sure :D) switch to an ex PSRX DS3 for this weekend http://www.fiaworldrallycross.com/article/9599/munnich-makes-switch-to-ex-solberg

Bit of a slap in the face of his own car and a shame as I think the Seat looks awesome (and lets be honest, Rene isn't going to be challenging too hard no matter what car he's in.

Excited for the weekend, travelling up tomorrow after work but probably won't be there much before 10 :( Pity as I quit like having a mooch around the pits, the first year we were there with a decent bit of time in hand and there was still quite a bit going on.

[tbtstt]

Given how much development has been poured into the PSRX DS3's, I don't think it's too much of a slap in the face for his team. That's arguably the best car in the European Championship now, lets hope Munnich will use it properly!

Uploaded a few pictures from Mettet a couple of days ago. Few of my faves...

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4195/34841356075_349947d4d3_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4274/33998910494_430b28f847_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4251/34841539425_9575524444_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4272/34678199412_9735950d48_b.jpg

...and a few more here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22961613@N06/albums/72157682233594080

If anyone is interested. Just one more day of work, then it's a weekend at Lydden. I can't wait!

[steve.mandzij]

Given how much development has been poured into the PSRX DS3's, I don't think it's too much of a slap in the face for his team. That's arguably the best car in the European Championship now, lets hope Munnich will use it properly!

Uploaded a few pictures from Mettet a couple of days ago. Few of my faves...

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4195/34841356075_349947d4d3_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4274/33998910494_430b28f847_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4251/34841539425_9575524444_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4272/34678199412_9735950d48_b.jpg

...and a few more here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22961613@N06/albums/72157682233594080

If anyone is interested. Just one more day of work, then it's a weekend at Lydden. I can't wait!
Wow, a DiRTy gossiper! Floatinggrass here!

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[tbtstt]

Wow, a DiRTy gossiper! Floatinggrass here!
Haha, we get everywhere! :laugh:

[macebig]

Munnich (or however he spells it, even the official site doesn't seem sure :D) switch to an ex PSRX DS3 for this weekend http://www.fiaworldrallycross.com/article/9599/munnich-makes-switch-to-ex-solberg

Bit of a slap in the face of his own car and a shame as I think the Seat looks awesome (and lets be honest, Rene isn't going to be challenging too hard no matter what car he's in.

Excited for the weekend, travelling up tomorrow after work but probably won't be there much before 10 :( Pity as I quit like having a mooch around the pits, the first year we were there with a decent bit of time in hand and there was still quite a bit going on.
Probably he got a good offer on the car from Citroen or Petter, and decided why not?Since he is affiliated with Citroen for his WTCC team, he probably knew the right people.

[Tarmop]

Well, Petter was told to remove citroen logos from the car so i doubt it.

[macebig]

Then Petter gave him a good price.

[olemann]

I'm a bit upset. What should Oliver use now?

[macebig]

I'm a bit upset. What should Oliver use now?

I think VW has a few Polo WRC chassis laying around in a warehouse in Wolsburg...

[olemann]

So good. I think Petter has a backup.

[tbtstt]

I'm a bit upset. What should Oliver use now?
Oliver didn't use the car that has been sold. Munnich bought the first PSRX DS3, they still have the second one and that is the one Oliver used.

[Daniel_hoy]

https://www.motorsport.com/world-rx/news/munnich-to-switch-to-solberg-former-wrx-car-909917/

The car isn’t the DS3 that Solberg raced himself in recent years, but the second car initially raced by Solberg and then used by other drivers in the PSRX squad. However, the Norwegian’s team has brought it up to current specification.

“This isn’t the car Petter drove last year,” continued Munnich. “For speed, the car will be the same level, it’s more or less new. I think it will be the same as the car that he drove last year, 99% anyway.”

[macebig]

So its Liam Doran's former car.Right?

[JUF]

So its Liam Doran's former car.Right? No. It's the car which was used by Alexander Hvaal 2014.

[tbtstt]

So its Liam Doran's former car.Right?
No. Liam has never raced a PSRX built DS3. The car Doran used in 2015 as part of SDRX was a LDMotorsport built DS3.

The DS3 sold here was the first car built by PSRX for the 2013 Championship. It then became the second team car for 2014 where it was driven by Alexander Hvaal in the first half of the season and then Sten Oja (in Canada), Simone Romagna (in France) and by Manfred Stohl when he made his rallycross debut in Argentina at the final round of the year.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

50th birthday of Rallycross at the home of the sport. :cool:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DA0NNmUXoAAM5cj.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

VW driver's lead at Lydden Hill after Q2. Same Top 5 in both Q1 & Q2 !

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DA2ZJtNWsAEJ3cl.jpg

[macebig]

Those Polos are unbeatable....

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Bit of a quiet event this one.. the only good fight was Loeb beating Ekström.

Polo's so dominant here but at least they have closed up the Championship.

[BigWorm]

Those Polos are unbeatable....

Continuing the WRC legacy I see

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

I wouldn't be surprised if KMS & Marklund's Polo would dominating WRX/ERX..

Sent from my A12 using Tapatalk

[skarderud]

Really nice battles, and a tight top in the championchips!
Do Audi dare to push ekström to don't drive in höljes?
He is second in wrx, 7 or something in dtm?

Sent fra min XP7700 via Tapatalk

[tbtstt]

Very sad to see the last World Rallycross event at Lydden for the foreseeable future, but an absolutely excellent weekend of racing and a fantastic way to celebrate of 50 years of the sport. So pleased that Solberg won it and, as a consequence, has leveled the Championship standings up.

[MrJan]

Good weekend, think it was the last race of Q4 that stood out, great racing from Bakkerud and then Loeb & Ekstrom too iirc. Couldn't believe how many cars lost wheels over the weekend though :eek:

[Simmi]

Quite ironic to see the coverage lean so heavily on the history of the sport and Lydden as they prepare to tear a page of it up next year.

Glad I managed to see the World championship there last year. Not sure yet whether I'll go to Silverstone.

[AndyRAC]

Agree, quite ironic playing up the 50 years of the sport at the venue were it was born; the only reason they're going to Silverstone is £$£$£$. It's a dreadful viewing circuit - what it will offer the series is anybody guess.

[MrJan]

Not sure yet whether I'll go to Silverstone.

I won't be, although interested to see what the track is like when they 'launch' tomorrow. One of the great things about Lydden is how accessible and close everything is, I doubt that will transfer to Silverstone. Might make the effort to travel next year instead, maybe Loheac if it's on the calendar.

[SubaruNorway]

Not impressed, no high speed corners really. Buggy onboard https://twitter.com/AndyGray_/status/869574441105326080/video/1

[Fast Eddie WRC]

@andygray
I've just been round the new @FIAWorldRX circuit at @SilverstoneUK in a buggy. It was incredible!!! https://t.co/o6p6HmXUb6

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

Do we have Silverstone RX layout..?

Sent from my A12 using Tapatalk

[Sulland]

Not impressed, no high speed corners really. Buggy onboard on my twitter @TorAndreBorrese

Is this the final layout? Looks a bit like a mickey mouse track to me. If it is so lowspeed in the buggy, have we any footage in a supercar?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Do we have Silverstone RX layout..?


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DBKo7oMXsAI76TE.jpg

More:https://twitter.com/HalRidgeRX/status/869965688596725760

[Simmi]

Intrigued to see how they add in the spectator areas to that. Doesn't seem like a massive amount of room really. My first instinct is that it looks sh*te but will wait until the finished version.

There's also the small matter of getting people to that point of the circuit. They will have to open a gap in the F1 circuit to let people across, otherwise you're looking at a 20min walk.

[Myrvold]

There's also the small matter of getting people to that point of the circuit. They will have to open a gap in the F1 circuit to let people across, otherwise you're looking at a 20min walk.

There is at least one bridge that crosses over, that's what I used when I was at iZone for a tour :)

[Simmi]

There is at least one bridge that crosses over, that's what I used when I was at iZone for a tour :)

There are two crossings - a bridge over the Hangar Straight, or the tunnel just before Copse. The bridge is better for the WRX track but it still a decent hike from the main carparking.

[olemann]

Oliver Solberg won his first race in Rallycross Nordic
https://www.nrk.no/sport/oliver-_15_-knuste-konkurrentane-1.13544518

[Luijbregts]

Oliver Solberg won her first race in Rallycross Nordic
https://www.nrk.no/sport/oliver-_15_-knuste-konkurrentane-1.13544518

Won HIS first race. HE is a boy!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Daddy's boy getting nice and sideways !

Had a little moment in semi-final.. https://t.co/m1rO38MzI6

[tbtstt]

Few pictures from Round 5 at Lydden:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4247/34288915904_1e83fbd78f_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4231/35133921035_c5748a170e_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4289/34969233542_5dd4df6c60_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4212/35003433261_ea03696990_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4228/35003558611_0497a6469e_b.jpg

And my fave two cars from the Retro demonstration races:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4234/35003029801_9c8d5245a7_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4226/35133572415_55f4b72b0c_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4286/34969592392_31d77ef080_b.jpg

Few more pictures here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22961613@N06/albums/72157681696573764

If anyone is interested!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/columns/has-world-rx-outgrown-lydden-hill/

[MrJan]

Is this the final layout? Looks a bit like a mickey mouse track to me.

Apparently it's version 1 and they've made it so early as to be able to take advice from the drivers on how to change it. I suspect that the jump will be smaller (looks like GRX style to me) and a fast corner on loose will be added. Not sure how far spectators will be away from the track, to me it looks like there aren't many options for good viewing.


Read the article in Autosport about the last round at Lydden and it cheered my heart a little to read how much love amongst the drivers there is for the place.

Bakkerud did a nice video on his Youtube channel about Lydden, it seems that it's genuinely close to his heart. I guess that the drivers are worried that they're losing the fast circuits and having them replaced by tracks that are shoehorned into an existing layout. Silverstone is a perfect example and I think that they're going to find themselves getting new fans but will lose a reasonable number of existing fans. After all one of the great things about Lydden is that it's accessible for European fans...Silverstone isn't even that accessible for British fans ;)

However it's clear that Lydden lacks facilities, although I think that this year went better than previously and they seemed better prepared. Personally I'd rather slightly rough it and have a good, exciting track with good viewing than have decent facilities but a neutered track that's in the distance.

[MrJan]

Early bird tickets available for Speedmachine Festival...http://www.speedmachine.com/

It's actually a good deal. You get to watch at a crappy circuit, sat miles away from the track and it's the bargain price of £140 for a weekend camping ticket :laugh: Of course if you're not camping then it's even cheaper, a mere £95 (£60 for kids). Naturally they can only offer such cheap tickets as an Early Bird, so better snap them up :rotflmao:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Q1 in Hell

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DB9IdhkWsAAbaa4.jpg

[Alpha]

Very very wet...

Sent fra min MIX via Tapatalk

[AndyRAC]

Early bird tickets available for Speedmachine Festival...http://www.speedmachine.com/

It's actually a good deal. You get to watch at a crappy circuit, sat miles away from the track and it's the bargain price of £140 for a weekend camping ticket :laugh: Of course if you're not camping then it's even cheaper, a mere £95 (£60 for kids). Naturally they can only offer such cheap tickets as an Early Bird, so better snap them up :rotflmao:

Absolute bargain...... :eek:

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Very very wet...



Sure was... :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuXjIE1-lOI&list=TLGGbutde7LybPAxMDA2MjAxNw

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Solberg doesn't make the Final in his home event !

[mknight]

While tactically one can understand why Bakkerud did what he did he does certainly not get much sympathy. Before the semi he even goes to give Solberg a hug while he is being interview like BFF...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

There's no friends once the lights go green...

[macebig]

Bah, those VWs are unbeatable.Pushing them out is your only chance...

[USER47]

While tactically one can understand why Bakkerud did what he did he does certainly not get much sympathy.
Did he really do anything that wrong though? The whole group carried a lot of speed into the joker, Bakkerud had inside line and Solberg positioned himself right next to him, which obviously got him slightly pushed aside when Bakkerud started to turn. I don't see anything too shady there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9L7ZEN56FA&feature=youtu.be&t=1h5m36s

[mknight]

Not really, maybe bit wider in the corner than normally to try to push people out into the softer gravel (EDIT: Actually he was very wide, whether on purpose that's another question, but its fully allowed anyway). It's also about the tactical decision to try to block Solberg instead of going normal way.
Then again he understands that in straight fight he is slower, BUT you don't need to finish first to get to final.

It was just the whole setup really. Norwegian TV had own reporter talking to both before start and saying things like "we hope for two Norwegians in final" and Bakkerud was like "yes we do our best". Then when Solberg was interviewed Bakkerud came over and gave him a hug. (Solbergs reaction showed that he thought it was awkward)

Afterwards on same Norwegian TV Solberg was seriously disappointed and listed all the times Bakkerud blocked or crashed him out (Hockenheim, Hell 2 years ago etc.). I don't know who's Bakkeruds main sponsors are but this surely wont get him more from Norway.

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

While tactically one can understand why Bakkerud did what he did he does certainly not get much sympathy. Before the semi he even goes to give Solberg a hug while he is being interview like BFF...
Retaliation for Mettet..? :p

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[Alpha]

Bakkerud lost a lot of fans today (check his Facebook page)... Planning to take out a clearly faster driver is technically legal in this instance, but shows very poor sportsmanship. I'd never sponsor a guy like that.

His spotter reveals that the tactic was to take out Petter and they were delighted that it worked. Then Bakkerud says on Norwegian TV that he missed his braking point and had to take the joker.

Oh well, karma is as we all know a real bitch. So when he complains about bad luck later in the season he should think back to Hell.

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[BleAivano]

Bakkerud lost a lot of fans today (check his Facebook page)... Planning to take out a clearly faster driver is technically legal in this instance, but shows very poor sportsmanship. I'd never sponsor a guy like that.

His spotter reveals that the tactic was to take out Petter and they were delighted that it worked. Then Bakkerud says on Norwegian TV that he missed his braking point and had to take the joker.

Oh well, karma is as we all know a real bitch. So when he complains about bad luck later in the season he should think back to Hell.

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oh uh buhu, if you have forgotten Solberg did the same against Ekström last season but obviously Solberg claimed that he didn't do anything wrong then.
Now Solberg gets a taste of his own medicine and of course he whines like a school boy about being "Pushed out". Here is some news for you Alpha (and for Petter)
"Den som ger sig in i leken, får leken tåla". Basically "if you enter the game, you have to expect to be dealt with in the same way as you deal with others".
If you are rough against the others then the others can be rough against you. Petter have to accept being pushed out when he does the same thing against the other.

Petter is just being a poor looser and he wouldn't hesitate doing the same against Bakkerud or anyone else if he got the chance.

[Alpha]

Great that you pull in Ekstrom. You remember what Petter did when he got a puncture in Montelegre this year? He let his teammate pass, of course. Then he had the option to either drive the regular track, hold up Ekstrom and the others chasing from behind or get out of the way. Holding up the rest of the grid would let Kristofferson pull ahead and win. It would be perfectly legal and help his teammate and his team.

But Petter chose to let both Kristofferson and the chasing bunch pass and he even jokered to be sure not to be in anyone's way. That's the way you go to sleep at night with a good conscience. He basically handed Ekstrom that win. Ekstrom didn't return the favor in Mettet, but that's another story.

I bet Bakkerud slept pretty badly and that second place probably didn't taste good at all. Lots of fans abandoning him isn't good either, but perfectly understandable.

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[MrJan]

Solberg obviously not happy but I didn't think that the move was anything bad. Didn't see the interview with the spotter (forget his name, Dave or something) but isn't the tactic to always get your car ahead of all the others? I like Petter but his car was in a position that was always going to mean he was risking being forced wide onto the loose.

And of course Petter isn't exactly squeeky clean himself, he had a few dodgy moves on the way to his titles.

[USER47]

...His spotter reveals that the tactic was to take out Petter and they were delighted that it worked...
Except he never said anything about taking Solberg out, just dragging him into the Joker. Which would give Bakkerud advantage as he was on the inside. But Solberg was going into the joker anyway and tried to squeeze around outside, hoping to have high enough speed to get around Bakkerud. Which didn't work out and he got stuck wide and the hit from Hansen finished him off. There was nothing wrong with Bakkerud's joker. He was a bit wide protecting his line, but Solberg took himself out by trying to squeeze around outside and underestimating Bakkerud's speed.

[USER47]

The interview is here by the way:
https://youtu.be/h9L7ZEN56FA?t=1h10m16s

[JUF]

With Mattias Ekström likely to miss Höljes there are just two drivers fighting for the title left: Solberg and Kristoffersson. I think that they´re both rather fair sportsmen, but I wonder if PSRX starts to favor Kristoffersson :rolleyes:. They can both win the title for sure, but if they want to make it 100% sure, it´s better to concentrate on one driver if this is required. So let´s wait and see... I don´t expect them to fight equally anymore.

[Luijbregts]

I defo think that Solberg will be champion and JK 2nd.. Ekstrom will likely become 3rd. When Petter is really on the move he outpaces Johan every time :-)

[Alpha]

Yeah, he's been the fastest but had a bit of bad luck.

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[MrJan]

I defo think that Solberg will be champion and JK 2nd.. Ekstrom will likely become 3rd. When Petter is really on the move he outpaces Johan every time :-)

Championships are about consistency though, and Johan is better in that respect.

[MrJan]

PG Andersen to replace Ekstrom in Holjes. Guess that Audi either think he's still got enough to win the championship...or don't have the confidence that he'll have the pace.

[macebig]

I think Audi is handing the title to VW and possibly Petter. Kristofferson also has the STCC which he leads, so he may elect to skip a few RX rounds.

[N.O.T]

This sport is being treated like it is... a funfair for ex-drivers... replacing a championship contender and reigning champion ???

useless sport.

[AndyRAC]

I think we can guess were the AudiSport priority is.....

[MrJan]

This sport is being treated like it is... a funfair for ex-drivers... replacing a championship contender and reigning champion ???

useless sport.

Change the record
:snore::snore::snore:

[N.O.T]

another round of the championship that is going to eclipse the WRC is over and nobody cares...

LOL...

worhtles dog championship of nothingness.

[Simmi]

Haha only post during the entire 'Magic Weekend' is N.O.T.

Just watched the coverage this evening. How they can try to imply Holjes is the 'Le Mans' or 'Indy 500' of Rallycross I have no idea...

[Alpha]

It's the biggest crowd of the season with 45000 people.

[Alpha]

Still watching the coverage, amazing Q4 by Petter and Kristofferson. Karma bit Bakkerud in the ass and rewarded him with a jump start.

Bad for Loeb who were free to drive fast in a heat with only three cars and a track in good condition and with four new tires. Amazing time, best of the weekend, then both Polos drive even faster!

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[macebig]

Still watching the coverage, amazing Q4 by Petter and Kristofferson. Karma bit Bakkerud in the ass and rewarded him with a jump start.

Bad for Loeb who were free to drive fast in a heat with only three cars and a track in good condition and with four new tires. Amazing time, best of the weekend, then both Polos drive even faster!

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Spoiler Alert:Karma will take a U Turn in the Semis...

[Alpha]

Yeah.. Stalling on the start line, then overheating, was not what I expected to see...
Too bad, Petter had deserved winning after being fastest all weekend... Again.

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[Alpha]

Predictable final, Johan won as easily as I expected. Bakkerud unable to keep up of course. Loeb did everything correct by going to the joker on the first lap, too bad he couldn't catch Bakkerud

Looking fantastic for Petters team now. Leading the team championship by almost 100 points, and holding first and second in the driver's championship. They really have done an outstanding job with that Polo. And considering that they had a really short development time it's even more impressive.

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[pantealex]

Looking fantastic for Petters team now. Leading the team championship by almost 100 points, and holding first and second in the driver's championship. They really have done an outstanding job with that Polo.

Since when it has been Petters team ?

More like Team Kristoffersson, I believe.

[Alpha]

You know what PS stands for in PSRX Volkswagen Team Sweden, right? The outfit with guys, gear, management, headquarters and everything is all old Petter Solberg RX Team. Some things and some guys moved over from the old Volkswagen Sweden team, where Johan was a driver, but don't be mistaken, this is mostly Petter. As shown by having his name first in the team name ;)

Interesting fact, Johan was fast at times in the old Polo in the old Volkswagen Sweden team, so obviously the car and driver was pretty good. But then Johan tried Petters Citroen and was blown away at how easy it was to drive fast. Even though they have different driving styles, Petters understanding of car setup and chassis development made it much easier to drive fast and even faster than before.

So the development and main setup for the new Polo was Petters design and wishes. It's impressive how it became dominant so quickly with just a few months development (compared to years for the other teams), and how both drivers get so much performance out of it, despite different styles.

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[tomhlord]

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Nice phone!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Those PSRX Polo's are just so great to watch... poetry in motion.

Great shame for Petter in the Final... but why do they hold them so long after the 'Ready to Race' ?!

[Alpha]

It's supposed to vary to keep the drivers on their toes. I remember Petter thinking he got it figured out a couple of years ago. The timing had been the same all weekend so when they changed the setting for the semi he launched too early. Double joker but he still managed to qualify for the final. Stupid move, he was lucky it worked out.

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[MrJan]

Haha only post during the entire 'Magic Weekend' is N.O.T.

Just watched the coverage this evening. How they can try to imply Holjes is the 'Le Mans' or 'Indy 500' of Rallycross I have no idea...

Quite simply, it's the biggest RX of the season. They aren't saying that it compares directly with Indy or Le Mans, just that those are the biggest races of their respective disciplines.

Bit of a tame one, looked like EuroRX threw up all the drama. Championship is Johan's to lose now and doesn't look like anyone can compete with VW if the Polo gets a car length ahead. Bakkerud and Ekstrom are the only guys that look quick and have a car that has a chance of getting them a win (the 208 is well off the pace this year).

Great to see Dan Rooke get his first win. Not sure he's currently got the raw pace to challenge Raymond properly but Cyril has much more seat time, both in previous seasons and by virtue of doing GRX too. Will be a real shame if Dan can't get the extra funds to do the fly-away rounds, he's got a good position in the championship.

[Alpha]

Peugeot Hansen had two cars in the final and a podium, they look better than at the start of the season but yeah, they still have work to do.

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[Fast Eddie WRC]

It's supposed to vary to keep the drivers on their toes. I remember Petter thinking he got it figured out a couple of years ago. The timing had been the same all weekend so when they changed the setting for the semi he launched too early. Double joker but he still managed to qualify for the final. Stupid move, he was lucky it worked out.

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Yeah I know it varies, but its either a long wait, or a very long wait ! ;)

It must be torture for the driver's and their poor car's being held on the rev-limiter... the wait must seem endless.

[Alpha]

Yeah.. Petters problem was caused by standing there long before the ready to race light came on. They suspect that standing out there in the sun with everything heating up caused heat soaking, loss of power and then a stall on the start line. He had used the same settings all weekend so it shouldn't have happened. Johan almost experienced the same,
his car was close to stalling. But that makes for a very good launch.

Backside of being on pole. You stand in the heat for the longest, and the tires cool the most.

[Sub_Skoda]

Renault Sport in French Rallycross Championship in 2018 : http://www.lemagsportauto.com/rallycross-renault-sport-engagement-2018/25454/

[macebig]

Renault Sport in French Rallycross Championship in 2018 : http://www.lemagsportauto.com/rallycross-renault-sport-engagement-2018/25454/

Will they back Prodrive's Megane?

[Sub_Skoda]

Will they back Prodrive's Megane?

You can read in the article that this engagement is not related to Guerlain/Prodrive's Project. ;) So, i don't think so.

Here is a description of Damien Meunier, 16 yrs old... maybe a future driver of WorldRX :
http://www.lemagsportauto.com/rallycross-damien-meunier-jeune-pilote-talentueux/25521/

[macebig]

Can we have a Dieselgate sequel? Because it may be the only thing that can save World RX...

[Alpha]

Don't hate, it wasn't easy. It's one of the cars on the grid with the shortest development time. The performance they've achieved is very impressive, and rumor has it is because in large part of Petter.

For the excitement of the series we can hope the others are able to catch up.

But keep in mind that Ekstrom won the first three rounds and it looked to be a pretty boring season. Things change quickly.

[macebig]

The shortest development time? Yeah, like from 2011...

[Alpha]

As a WRC car yes. There's a lot that changes for rallycross.

[MrJan]

Can we have a Dieselgate sequel? Because it may be the only thing that can save World RX...

Don't be such a drama queen! Sure the VW is hooked up and it looks like both championships are settled, but one season isn't enough to kill the whole series

[Sub_Skoda]

Nico Mueller will drive 4th Audi S1 EKS at Loheac RX : http://www.lemagsportauto.com/rallycross-audi-benoit-treluyer-a-loheac/25679/

[pantealex]

As a WRC car yes. There's a lot that changes for rallycross.

You are not counting those years which Kristoffersson has driven with Polo as development ?

(I see nothing wrong if VW is dominating, rules are same for every team)

[Alpha]

Not really. VW prepped the WRC cars, development was mainly Petter and FX. Kristofferson was amazed how easy it was to drive Petters Citroen quickly, so the old RX Sweden Polo probably wasn't on par.

[BleAivano]

Not really. VW prepped the WRC cars, development was mainly Petter and FX.
Kristofferson was amazed how easy it was to drive Petters Citroen quickly, so the old RX Sweden Polo probably wasn't on par.

Both you and I know that the real reason to this year's success and domination is the VW factory backing.

[Alpha]

Funny, considering VW gives less support than Audi and Peugeot. VW must be thrilled, they really get value for their euros.

[Myrvold]

Both you and I know that the real reason to this year's success and domination is the VW factory backing.


Factory backing? Well, I guess you should tell both Solberg and Kristofferson that so they don't have to hunt down money themselves.