World Rallycross Championship a.k.a RALLYX

[BleAivano]

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


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

Audi do not give that much support and also gave later then VW according to Swedish television.
Here is another article that says that cars and technical support comes from Volkswagen Motorsport in Hannover and that
Volkswagen Motorsport are the ones who have developed and built the Polos while Petter is responsible for the running/management of the team.

http://www.di.se/pressreleaser/2017/1/11/solberg-och-kristoffersson-blir-volkswagen-sveriges-dream-team/'
http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/a/R7RXx/svensk-forare-far-fabriksstod
http://www.expressen.se/motor/motorsport/volkswagen-presenterade-dream-team-till-rallycross-vm-2017/

Mattias Ekström have backing from Audi as well but he have used and upgraded version last year's car since Audi's backing came
a bit too late for the start of the season to be put into a new car. This have been mentioned several times by
Jonas Kruse and Johan Ejeborg who runs the Swedish broadcasts from WRX.

Here is an article in which ME says that Audi supports EKSRX financially and with engineers as well as a few people
to help out during competitions. ME also says that the support is welcome but that it came too late.


"– Dels får vi ekonomiskt stöd, dels har de jättemånga duktiga ingenjörer som ska hjälpa oss och det är jättevärdefullt.
Dessutom får vi med oss fyra-fem personer som ska hjälpa oss under tävlingarna, säger Ekström.

Han säger att fabriksstödet egentligen hade behövts långt tidigare.
– Många tycker att det är konstigt att vi gjorde det så bra utan stöd och det känns som att det var i sista minuten
som vi fick till det. På sikt hade det varit omöjligt att konkurrera utan det, säger han."


– Volkswagen har ju avslutat satsningen i rally och tagit de WRC-bilarna till rallycrossen i stället. Med deras erfarenhet och
de bilarna är vi som David mot Goliat. Vi är ett gäng som har en verkstad hemma i Sverige, i Fagersta, och som byggt ett
team med mycket hjärta och passion och plötsligt fått hjälp från fabriken. När det gäller Solbergs stall så är det
ju VW Motorsport som driver teamet. – Jag är stolt över att någon gör det i rallycrossen, för nu får vi mäta oss mot en
värdig motståndare och det är ett gigantiskt steg framåt för rallycrossen med den satsningen.




You two can try to spin this in anyway you want but it is clear that PSWRX have a huge factory backing from
VW motorsport that is much larger then the support EKSRX gets.

https://www.sydsvenskan.se/2017-03-30/mastaren-slar-ur-underlage-trots-mer-stod

[drive]

look at mechanics at PSWRX team - most of them are from VW WRC team, and cars after each round coming back to VW Motorsport facilities in Hanover for rebuild etc. All development work is done with VW motorsport crew also, and EVERY time cars are coming back to Hanover, not sweden norway or any other place... Thats are Facts - but everyone can interpret them as they wish :)

[MrJan]

If the backing of either manufacturers was that considerable then we wouldn't be talking about PSRX or EKSRX. And just because VW cars go back to VW doesn't mean that VW are paying for it ;)

[Alpha]

"VW motorsport director Sven Smeets said a greater RX focus for the firm "ties in with our future objectives" after its WRC exit.

"We have been watching rallycross very closely for a while now," Smeets told Motorsport.com's sister title 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.""

[Myrvold]

Which basically means that the Solberg-Kristofferson isn't backed, but rather pays for a service.

[cali]

But cars are prepared and serviced by VW....

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[Myrvold]

But cars are prepared and serviced by VW....


Paid by the Solberg team, which again, is some personal money from Solberg as well. VW doesn't back a team in WRX. They are for hire. Probably to a combination of highest bidder, professional team structure and good plans behind it.

Factory backing = The marque are pro-active, working on it, pushing in money themselves. That's not what VW does. They get expenses covered. To get the technicians and engineers to the races, the Solberg team have to pay for it.

[MrJan]

But cars are prepared and serviced by VW....

No one said that they weren't, as Myrvold says it's about who's putting up the money.

[Essaj]

Paid by the Solberg team, which again, is some personal money from Solberg as well. VW doesn't back a team in WRX.

Where do you get this all from? VW still uses shit ton of money on WRX to my knowledge.
And imho big teams and money is ruining the whole sport of rallycross. I personally couldn't give a rats ass about who wins the super car heats, its basically all about who is ahead after the first corner.

[MrJan]

And imho big teams and money is ruining the whole sport of rallycross.

Is it? I get that WRX is pretty limited, but there's a huge number of people entered for EuroRX in Loheac. Motorsport will always be ruled by the rich, it's the same no matter what level you're at, but I personally think it's positive that the sport is gaining viewers and drivers. I also think that WRX is a bit misguided, but no more so than any other big championship. Look at the WRC and there will be people complaining, look at F1 and it's the same, also Formula E and WEC etc.etc. About the only big world championship I follow that I can't see many complaints about is MotoGP.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The main thing is there is close competition in WRX.

Athough the VW's are winning there are good battles with Audis, Peugeots and various Fords.

I dont see money as being a huge reason regarding who is successful.

[Essaj]

VW's are ahead by a mile, Audi and Peugeot might be closer to each others and they would have to invest so freaking much money to even get to VW level. but privateers, guys running last years cars are no where to seen. I personally don't see why any privateer driver would spend that kind of a money to drive practices and first heats to be dropped out of semis, getting no publicity and wasting all their monies for just 40km's of track time or do they even get that?
There is almost always the same guys in the finals (both VW's, maybe Audis and Peugeot unless Bakkerud gets there by miracle) and these are the only guys who are getting any publicity out of the event.
When you pay big money to drive the whole season to not get semis or further when manufacturer teams are not step ahead but 5 steps ahead. Yes there is a money problem. Wouldn't be surprised that WRX is going to lose its spark after couple of years, maybe even after this year.

[Alpha]

12 drivers have won WRX rounds in the last 3,5 seasons. Compare that to F1 or WRC.. The last seasons have seen three different teams and cars winning, with Ford Olsbergs, Peugeot-Hansen and EKS. This seasons first eight rounds has seen 7 different drivers on the podium, the same as the Formula 1 after eight rounds. WRC had 8 after eight rounds.

I'm not worried at all.

[steve.mandzij]

12 drivers have won WRX rounds in the last 3,5 seasons. Compare that to F1 or WRC.. The last seasons have seen three different teams and cars winning, with Ford Olsbergs, Peugeot-Hansen and EKS. This seasons first eight rounds has seen 7 different drivers on the podium, the same as the Formula 1 after eight rounds. WRC had 8 after eight rounds.

I'm not worried at all.How about this season?

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[Alpha]

I just told you?

[steve.mandzij]

I just told you?No, I'm asking how many different winners there were this season only.

Edit: I just saw you did mention different podiums, but not wins this year.
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[Alpha]

This year, three different winners in World RX, five in WRC and four in Formula 1 (all after eight races).

In World RX there's 35 points between the top and the rest. In WRC it's 41 (but two guys at shared no 1), and in Formula 1 it's 20 points.

So it's pretty even. Also, keep in mind that WRC saw the same boring French guy on the top 9 seasons in a row(!!), and F1 the same guy won it 7 times, and five of those in a row.

That same boring guy now seems genuinely happy and excited to claw his way to a podium in World RX. You didn't see that at all the last years in the WRC.

As I said, I'm not worried. And it's not like we don't get surprises. Like in Canada where a driver that has two P2s and two P3s didn't even make it to the semis. Or when Timo Scheider got P2 (and everyone was really happy for him).

I find World RX much more exciting to watch than the other two.

[AMSS]

This year, three different winners in World RX, five in WRC and four in Formula 1 (all after eight races).

In World RX there's 35 points between the top and the rest. In WRC it's 41 (but two guys at shared no 1), and in Formula 1 it's 20 points.

So it's pretty even. Also, keep in mind that WRC saw the same boring French guy on the top 9 seasons in a row(!!), and F1 the same guy won it 7 times, and five of those in a row.

That same boring guy now seems genuinely happy and excited to claw his way to a podium in World RX. You didn't see that at all the last years in the WRC.

As I said, I'm not worried. And it's not like we don't get surprises. Like in Canada where a driver that has two P2s and two P3s didn't even make it to the semis. Or when Timo Scheider got P2 (and everyone was really happy for him).

I find World RX much more exciting to watch than the other two.

I actually count 6 different winners for WRC, that`s twice as many as WRX...

[Alpha]

It's five. Not really sure where you get the last guy from, but..

[cali]

Paid by the Solberg team, which again, is some personal money from Solberg as well. VW doesn't back a team in WRX. They are for hire. Probably to a combination of highest bidder, professional team structure and good plans behind it.

Factory backing = The marque are pro-active, working on it, pushing in money themselves. That's not what VW does. They get expenses covered. To get the technicians and engineers to the races, the Solberg team have to pay for it.No you clearly did not understood what I and some others are trying to say. These VW cars are massively better than the rest of the field, which gives both Petter and Kristofferson huge advantage.

You all want to downplay VW knowledge and skills and play it on Petter's hands as he is singlehandedly running everything and of course he's the best car developer in the world. Not quite so, the car is giving them a chance to be in the limelight = more cash. It's all about tech these days and VW was the best in WRC and is the best in WRX. Simple. It's a good deal for Petter!

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[cali]

This year, three different winners in World RX, five in WRC and four in Formula 1 (all after eight races).

In World RX there's 35 points between the top and the rest. In WRC it's 41 (but two guys at shared no 1), and in Formula 1 it's 20 points.

So it's pretty even. Also, keep in mind that WRC saw the same boring French guy on the top 9 seasons in a row(!!), and F1 the same guy won it 7 times, and five of those in a row.

That same boring guy now seems genuinely happy and excited to claw his way to a podium in World RX. You didn't see that at all the last years in the WRC.

As I said, I'm not worried. And it's not like we don't get surprises. Like in Canada where a driver that has two P2s and two P3s didn't even make it to the semis. Or when Timo Scheider got P2 (and everyone was really happy for him).

I find World RX much more exciting to watch than the other two.Just out of curiosity - is the points system in WRC, F1 & WRX the same? And did you notice that in WRC 1st and 2nd place has difference of 0 points??? It's getting too funny now, I must quit replying and continue to read this comical thread....

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[cali]

No one said that they weren't, as Myrvold says it's about who's putting up the money.Money is quicker or the car is quicker? Make up your mind. Quicker car always attracts more sponsors (+ in our case Petter's personality which is marketable).



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[Alpha]

It's developed by Petter and FX. FX was head on previous cars Petters excelled in, like the 2003 Subaru Impreza WRC. Perfect match it seems.

No one is downplaying anything. It's just a fact that Petters team seems to have an advantage over the others at the time, even though their team backing is less than Audi and Peugeot. Good work by PSRX.

As for dominance, sure, right now Petters cars are the ones to beat. Just like Audi had an edge the first three races this year. Or how Ford is the only team to have scored a perfect weekend (though Petters been there except for a P2 in Q4). Ford seemed pretty dominant then, so it varies.
I'm sure the others will catch up to Petter eventually.

[AMSS]

It's five. Not really sure where you get the last guy from, but..

Ogier,Latvala,Neuville,Tänak,Meeke,Lappi is 6 according to my math...

Sorry after 8 races I see where I`m wrong

[BleAivano]

It's developed by Petter and FX. FX was head on previous cars Petters excelled in, like the 2003 Subaru Impreza WRC. Perfect match it seems.

But it is not. The cars are developed AND built by VW motorsport in Hannover. I already gave you links to sources with that information.

[MrJan]

Money is quicker or the car is quicker? Make up your mind.

I never said either was quicker, my posts were about where the money was coming from.


but privateers, guys running last years cars are no where to seen.

That's true, privateers are fighting for scraps...but that's to be expected because it's motorsport and that's how it works. No different in the WRC. I still find it surprising that someone like Wilks (who got the 1600 Mini to a final) is in a car that fought for the championship last year and he can't even get it to a semi. I suspect that what we're going to see is the main teams that have an inkling of manufacture support (Ford, VW, Audi, Peugeot) continue to move away from the others. Subsequently the 'privateer' entries will move to EuroRX instead, with the exception of a few hardy souls who think it's worth the money (like Al Qassimi in WRC).

And then all the manufacturers will go electric and drivers will come back to the top level of combustion engine stuff, such is the cycle of top level motorsport.

[OHL]

Just out of curiosity - is the points system in WRC, F1 & WRX the same? And did you notice that in WRC 1st and 2nd place has difference of 0 points??? It's getting too funny now, I must quit replying and continue to read this comical thread....

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12345

[Myrvold]

No you clearly did not understood what I and some others are trying to say. These VW cars are massively better than the rest of the field, which gives both Petter and Kristofferson huge advantage.

You all want to downplay VW knowledge and skills and play it on Petter's hands as he is singlehandedly running everything and of course he's the best car developer in the world. Not quite so, the car is giving them a chance to be in the limelight = more cash.

Where the heck did I write that the VW's are not the best cars atm?
Where did I downplay VW knowledge?

What I am trying to say is that it is not a factory backed team. VW is not in RX as a factory. VW does not cover any expenses for personnel at the events. They are not covering expenses for running the cars. They are not covering expenses for shipping the cars. If the Solberg - VW Sweden team don't pay, the cars will either stay unused, or someone else will pay for it.

Is is not a factory backed team. The Solberg - VW Sweden hire the VW Motorsport crew themselves, and the cars, and everything.

[lnvs]

As for dominance, sure, right now Petters cars are the ones to beat. Just like Audi had an edge the first three races this year.IMO Polo has been fastest car every event this season. They just gave away first three.

[Sub_Skoda]

More finances for VW-PSRX than for Peugeot and Audi. That's it. But, it's surprising that Kristoffersson is better than Petter this year.

I'm a bit sad for Petter. Maybe next year will be more competitive between M-Sport/FP, Audi, Peugeot & VW. I hope...

[JUF]

Dieter Depping confirmed in a third PSRX Team Sweden Polo for Buxtehude.

[Alpha]

Cool.. Some extra cash for the team.

[MrJan]

Wilks has announced that he's not driving for the rest of the season and "Good luck Alastair". Anyone know who, not McRae is it?

I still don't fully get why Guy hasn't been quicker in at least a few events, the car is proven and he previously got to a final at Lydden so you'd expect him to at least occasionally trouble a semi-final but it just hasn't happened.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Shame that...

Hope he comes back next year in some form of rallying or RX.

[tommeke_B]

http://www.fia.com/news/britains-mcrae-confirms-world-rx-entry

[macebig]

A bit saddening news for me, as the 10 year anniversary of Colin's passing is approaching. You can't help but imagine how big Colin could have been in RX...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

http://www.fia.com/news/britains-mcrae-confirms-world-rx-entry

Great news to still have a Brit to support in WorldRX. :)

[BleAivano]

Ekström and EKS RX may leave the series after this season. 4 of the 5 cars are for sale and will be auctioned out via E-bay.
https://www.motorsport.com/world-rx/news/ekstrom-wrx-team-selling-audi-s1-could-leave-series-947813/
https://www.autosport.com/wrx/news/131566/ekstrom-rx-team-faces-uncertain-future
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eksrx/sets/72157685505882761

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Big change with wet conditions today in France: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M25NJviybog

Looks like the Peugeot's may have improved their performance and it could be a chance for Loeb to battle the Krisoffersson for a win at home.

[Alpha]

Kristofferson, predictably took it. Really impressed how much the Peugeots has improved.

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

Ekström and EKS RX may leave the series after this season. 4 of the 5 cars are for sale and will be auctioned out via E-bay.
https://www.motorsport.com/world-rx/news/ekstrom-wrx-team-selling-audi-s1-could-leave-series-947813/
https://www.autosport.com/wrx/news/131566/ekstrom-rx-team-faces-uncertain-future
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eksrx/sets/72157685505882761
Robin might buying one of those S1s, or maybe some GRC drivers..

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[Alpha]

Ekström and EKS RX may leave the series after this season. 4 of the 5 cars are for sale and will be auctioned out via E-bay.
https://www.motorsport.com/world-rx/news/ekstrom-wrx-team-selling-audi-s1-could-leave-series-947813/
https://www.autosport.com/wrx/news/131566/ekstrom-rx-team-faces-uncertain-future
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eksrx/sets/72157685505882761
The Audi A1 is 7 years old now and a new model comes in early 2018. I think the 2018 RX car will be based on the new chassis, so they're selling off the old cars.

[giu canbera]

Ekstrom:
"As a driver I would love to continue in rallycross. If I answer as a driver, I can see my DTM career - with Mercedes pulling out - coming to an end in 2018.I would enjoy doing rallycross for a couple more years, but from a team perspective it's a different story.I don't know if we will have what it takes to be here next year."

And Ken Block wrote on instagram he miss racing in US. Hope he goes back to America with Ford support. Someone gotta beat the Beetles. And IMO Ken deserves a GRC title
(Noticed that RedBullGRC changed all of its social media to "GRC SERIES" and RedBullTV is not broadcasting the races on RedBullTV anymore.

[Alpha]

Ken has improved a lot this year, it would be a weird time to quit.

[N.O.T]

Ken has improved a lot this year, it would be a weird time to quit.

did he grow a chin ? or remains to be a chinless vagabond dog dressing like an autistic 15 year old while being 50 ?

[giu canbera]

https://www.motorsport.com/world-rx/news/loeb-volkswagen-annoying-dominance-peugeot-quit-953131/
Hmmmmm...

Loeb:
“Volkswagen's dominance annoys pretty much everyone. Now they're coming with a car that was developed for the WRC, with a WRC-like budget, and adapted to rallycross."
He said teams have a 5mi budget vs 30mi from VW

Weird to see a NINE TIMES WRC CHAMP saying something like this, eh?
But still... Kristoffersson is just in another level tbh. Is not like VW is doing a 1-2 at every track.
I dont know. Its not fun to have only one guy winning everytime. Its not good to see that VW is putting 30mi on the cars while the others are on a 5mi budget... and theres the privateers and costumers, with even less money. Its kinda sad to see this series going down that way. Could this be one of the reasons EKS could pull out from the series and Ken wants to race in US again?
EuroRX is more interesting right now. The Scandinavian RallyX is also pretty intense with no manufacturer envolvment. IDK what to think. Still my favorite sport hehe

[Alpha]

Hmm, I wouldn't be worried. What if someone won 10 races in a season and won the championship 9 years in a row? Now that would be boring. I guess that guy would never complain about anyone else being faster, right?

[JUF]

I don't want to say you're wrong, but most of the time Sébastien Loeb won because he was the best driver by far. Sure, the cars Citroën built weren't bad, but at least in some years the Ford or Subaru were equally strong. Just the drivers weren't. They did too many mistakes, as simple as that. You could say that this is the case in World RX now as well, but I don't think so. In recent years it became obvious that Timmy Hansen, Andreas Bakkerud or Mattias Ekström are as fast as Petter Solberg and Johan Kristoffersson, but look where they are now. They are without any real chance. And that's mainly due to the fact that Volkswagen obviously invests a lot more money than Peugeot, Ford or Audi. Or imagine that Robin Larsson would win a round. This seems to be impossible now. Two years ago he managed to do so... Something has changed in World RX and that's mainly due to the arrival of Volkswagen.

[rallyfiend]

https://www.motorsport.com/world-rx/news/loeb-volkswagen-annoying-dominance-peugeot-quit-953131/
Hmmmmm...

Loeb:
“Volkswagen's dominance annoys pretty much everyone. Now they're coming with a car that was developed for the WRC, with a WRC-like budget, and adapted to rallycross."
He said teams have a 5mi budget vs 30mi from VW

Weird to see a NINE TIMES WRC CHAMP saying something like this, eh?
But still... Kristoffersson is just in another level tbh. Is not like VW is doing a 1-2 at every track.
I dont know. Its not fun to have only one guy winning everytime. Its not good to see that VW is putting 30mi on the cars while the others are on a 5mi budget... and theres the privateers and costumers, with even less money. Its kinda sad to see this series going down that way. Could this be one of the reasons EKS could pull out from the series and Ken wants to race in US again?
EuroRX is more interesting right now. The Scandinavian RallyX is also pretty intense with no manufacturer envolvment. IDK what to think. Still my favorite sport hehe

I think you've misread this.

VW aren't putting in 30 million - there's no way Petter can afford that - he suggest that if teams have to put in that much to match a car that's had WRC-style budgets then the value proposition isn't there. There's just not the return on investment.
The VW has had so much money thrown at it during the WRC years that it's in a different league and you can hire VW Motorsport as a customer (like Petter) and get a great car for a fraction of the cost.

[giu canbera]

The way he said I dont think Petter and Johan are paying for anything.
it looks VW is putting big efforts on that team, like in GRC (with Andretti Autosport/Tanner Foust/Scott Speed). Ok, maybe not 30 million.. but if a 5 million car program is not enough according to a driver like Loeb.. there is something wrong.

BTW...IDK about you guys, but 5mi? I thought it was a cheaper program. Indycars are 5mi/year (more or less). I really thought WorldRX were on the 1.5million. Hmm.. Maybe the privateers are on the 500k/1mi numbers, right?

Anyway... Loeb won 9 titles and never said anything about "Ahh, its boring having me winning every year" hehe

[giu canbera]

IDK if u guys are aware of this game. Its called "generally", but its basic a RallyCross game.
I think its my all time favorite (racing genre). Its so simple yet so fun. You can create tracks, cars, sound, change rules, AI levels, points system. its all pretty simple. And it has less than 2mb haha. Heres the official website:
http://gene-rally.com/download/

And here >> http://forum.generally-racers.com/ you can find some GREAT QUALITY tracks and cars that fans upload. Theres lots of WRC content too. (stages, cars etc).

hope u all enjoy

[Sulland]

The last of the "rascals" of autosport is starting to get the attention of the familyhead. 'Get more grown up and professional, or take the consequences!'

Factory teams in a branch of the motorsport tree, will always make the price go up, and number of competitors go down!

[MrJan]

The inevitable has happened, congrats to Johan. He's been supreme over this season, even though the VW is head & shoulders above everything else he's still been brilliant in it, even Petter couldn't get close.

Hope Solberg is alright, it was a fairly big impact.

[Sulland]

Petter broke his collarbone in the impact the Norwegian media write, after talking with Pernilla.

[MrJan]

Petter broke his collarbone in the impact the Norwegian media write, after talking with Pernilla.

On the official World RX twitter too. Surprising that's the injury that he got, not usually one you associate with motorsport. Guess it's to do with the side impact.

[SubaruNorway]

Or maybe he got a knock from the steering wheel when he hit Heikkinen

[Lousada]

On the official World RX twitter too. Surprising that's the injury that he got, not usually one you associate with motorsport. Guess it's to do with the side impact.

No it has to do with the HANS device. Collarbone injuries in combination with HANS device happens more often than you think.

[Alpha]

Yeah, it's the HANS that did him in. It's been known to happen, especially on side impacts. First corner was slippery and the little nudge from Loeb to Petters rear was enough to get him to slide off. When he reentered Baumanis had nowhere else to go and no time to stop. That was a pretty hard impact.

Creds to the track personell that stopped the heat and got an ambulance out in under a minute. Also creds to Baumanis engineers that luckily were able to get his car ready for the restart.

Congratulations to Johan, it's well deserved. He's fast, with great support from the best team in the paddock, and he doesn't make mistakes, kind of like Loeb back in WRC. Also constantly faster than his teammate even though the hardware is identical, again like Loeb in WRC.

The biggest congratulations go to Petter for assembling and running a team that has pushed the level several clicks higher, while keeping reliability good. It's a great achievement, too bad he had to get the gold while in an ambulance..

[BleAivano]

On the official World RX twitter too. Surprising that's the injury that he got, not usually one you associate with motorsport. Guess it's to do with the side impact.

On the contrary, it is very common in motorcycle sports, particular in speedway.

[tomhlord]

Well done Johan!

Yes, that car is epic, but check out his driving style to maximise it. So neat. Thoroughly got the legs in Solberg, as predicted, as the season progressed. Hats off.

[MrJan]

On the contrary, it is very common in motorcycle sports, particular in speedway.

Yeah but I don't associate either of those with motorsport ;)

[giu canbera]

Johan raced the STCC this year too.. He raced 4 of the 7 events (3 races each event) - so 12 races in STCC 2017
He won 6 and scored P2 in other 3 races. P4 overall in the championship.. even with "9" races less than the others. (oh, he won that championship in 2012)
Great talented driver. P3 in WorldRX 2015, P2 last year and now hes the champ.

Hope Petter a good and fast recovery =/
Will his son take over the Polo for the Estering round?

[giu canbera]

why regulars Csu Csu and Demoustier have "-9" and "-10" points on the championship?

[dimviii]

https://www.autosport.com/wrx/news/131907/further-solberg-injuries-revealed-after-crash

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

Tanner/Scott to replace Petter in Estering & Killarney..?

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[Sulland]

Petter: First a racing incident with Löeb, kiss on the rear. Slide, trying to correct, one arm in the air, impact with Baumanis while arm up.
Result, broken collarbone and two cracked ribs. Some reports says he will need an operation to get the collarbone in place again

Wish you a speedy recovery Petter, and congratulation on achieving your 2017 pri 1, team championship!

[sindroms]

Petter: First a racing incident with Löeb, kiss on the rear. Slide, trying to correct, one arm in the air, impact with Baumanis while arm up.
Result, broken collarbone and two cracked ribs. Some reports says he will need an operation to get the collarbone in place again

Wish you a speedy recovery Petter, and congratulation on achieving your 2017 pri 1, team championship!

In national TV Baumanis said - according to telemetry before crash his speed was 85km/h then he managed brake down to 55km/h (moment of impact) and after that speed dropped down to 18km/h.

[janvanvurpa]

Yeah but I don't associate either of those with motorsport ;)

What a very strange view..motorcycles do have motors---a big hint is in the name motorcycle.
When they race it is a sport..

How could one not consider them motorsports?
You lump them in with scholastics or meditation?
Sewing? gastronomy?
in terms of performance --any bike can accelerate so hard that they can lift the front wheels off the ground easily--and bake to the point they can lift the rear wheel---and I don't know of any cars which can do that---some might suggest that they are the pinnacle of motosports>

But Shirley i cannot comment...:uhoh:

[BleAivano]

What a very strange view..motorcycles do have motors---a big hint is in the name motorcycle.
When they race it is a sport..

How could one not consider them motorsports?
You lump them in with scholastics or meditation?
Sewing? gastronomy?
in terms of performance --any bike can accelerate so hard that they can lift the front wheels off the ground easily--
and brake to the point they can lift the rear wheel---and I don't know of any cars which can do that---s
ome might suggest that they are the pinnacle of motosports>

But Shirley i cannot comment...:uhoh:

That is not entirely correct. There are no brakes on a speedway bike. ;)

[MrJan]

What a very strange view..motorcycles do have motors---a big hint is in the name motorcycle.
When they race it is a sport..

How could one not consider them motorsports?

Sorry, forgot that they don't do irony properly on your side of the pond :p:

[giu canbera]

1 - What if Petter have to end his carrer due this crash (and age)? Like Dario Franchitti had to retire from racing after a big crash

2 - No Tanner or Speed for the VW Polo. Energy Drink conflict (monster vs rockstar). Same for Marklund (Loco Energy). VW will probably run just Johan and Depping (already confirmed)

3 - Loeb testing again with CitroenWRC (Ogier/Loeb/Meeke for 2018?), Ekstrom selling the cars (He dont want to be a team boss anymore), Petter with this big crash (Im thinking about that "forced retirement thing"), Block saying he would like to race in 'murica again (whatever). In my chaotic imagination, all 4 big WorldRX teams are in "DANGER" haha

[rallyfiend]

I think Petter has said he's already found the sponsorship to continue the customer relationship with VW Motorsport for next year.

Peugeot - probably leaving, lack of confirmation at this time is worrying

Ford - for sure Ken and others will be sick and tired of getting hosed, for probably little TV exposure. For sure it's known Ken found competing in the WRC bad for image to be coming 9th (if he finished). How many times has Ken made the televised Final this year? As far as I know the only LIve coverage in the US for World Rally X comes through the Ford Performance webiste. Hardly 'mainstream'. And this also means Ford have direct knowledge of the audience...

Audi - for sure seems that Ekstrom is out. This doesn't fit their new image to play on electric cars...

That could be a big, big hit for the sport. Perhaps it's the 'reality check' it needed to fix the rapidly and unjustifiably large budgets...

[MrJan]

EKS were hinting at some news around the corner on their FB. Whether that's because they're officially withdrawing or announcing new cars remains to be seen.

THing is, if the 4 big teams withdraw then is it actually better for the sport? We go back to what it was in 2014 instead, which arguably is better for competition. It would open the championship back up to the likes of Marklund and Larsson.

[MrJan]

Solberg apparently having surgery on Monday so that he's available to compete at Estering :eek:

[giu canbera]

EKSRX said on instagram "It's planned to build new cars for 2018" on the comments
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZS07d2j61o/?taken-by=eksrx
Hmmm maybe they are planning a costumer VW program like PSRX?

[giu canbera]

Final round of the Scandinavian RallyCross series ("RallyX Nordic")
Oliver Solberg vs Thomas Bryntesson
https://www.svtplay.se/video/14849648/motor-rallyx-nordic/motor-rallyx-nordic-sverige-strangnas?start=auto

SuperCars semifinal at "-1.15.00" and final is the last feature of the video
(theres also local rallycross series, rallyx lites and others)

This one is probably my 'favorite' series right now together with EuroRX Cuz there are No manufacturers racing with the privateers.. And most of these guys are racing the EuroRX too so its a great level series with top spec cars. A great championship.. and we can watch the races on SVT's site. (At least I've been watching over the last 2 years, including RallyX On Ice - The "winter rallyx Lites championship" that they are hosting since 2015)

Hope you enjoy

[giu canbera]

Heres the Final from Round 4 of RallyCross Argentina
They race with MaxiRally cars as the Top class. Its cool
Fiat, Audi, VW, Peugeot, Ford, Renault....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY5dyPrMCoI
(other races avaliable on this youtube account)

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

Speaking about this year's British RX, does the Supercar have a full length semis & final in highlight coverages..?

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[BleAivano]

Apparently there were some shenanigans in Riga during the WRX round there but Ekström pretends to be innocent. :o:D:eek::bandit:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZl3B5MAzuP/?taken-by=mattiasekstromracing

more here: https://twitter.com/hashtag/EKSinRiga?src=hash

[BleAivano]

P Solberg will start at Estering. https://www.svt.se/sport/motorsport/solberg-till-start-en-medcinsk-sensation/

[giu canbera]

Apparently there were some shenanigans in Riga during the WRX round there but Ekström pretends to be innocent. :o:D:eek::bandit:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZl3B5MAzuP/?taken-by=mattiasekstromracing

more here: https://twitter.com/hashtag/EKSinRiga?src=hash

hahaha good marketing. Hope it goes well... and convince EKS to race AUDIs in 2018 not 3 more dominant-boring Costumer Polos like PSRX hehe

[Fast Eddie WRC]

After his accident last round and needing an operation... Solberg is top after Qualifying in Germany !!

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

The final result: Ekki, Timmy, Topi, Petter, Nicklas, & Kevin.

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[BleAivano]

I wonder how close Ekström would be to Kristoffersson if Ekström had done all rounds. JK would still likely be in the lead but Ekström would probably not have been that far behind.

[MrJan]

A lot closer than he should be, given the speed of the VW.

Some good races yesterday, although a bit of bumper cars sorted a lot of it. Nice to see a race weekend that VW didn't dominate.

[giu canbera]

could this be VW's e-Golf for that Electric GRC Class for 2018?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZong4THbTc/?taken-by=scott_speed

Two e-Golfs, two Peugeot/STARD... I believe OMSE could build two cars anytime pretty fast too....
I dont think its IMPOSSIBLE to see this class really happening in 2018.

[MrJan]

I think it's unlikely that anything will be racing as a proper class in 2018, but 2019 might work.

[tomhlord]

Peugeot and Loeb back in 2018, nice - https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/news/rallying-news/rallycross/peugeot-extends-world-rx-commitment-with-loeb/

Increased Peugeot involved from a technical side too to tackle VW too.

But "studying the sports management system implemented by the Hansen family since 2014" - What the heck does that mean?

[tomhlord]

But, Ford are quitting. Damn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnVWinRg1es

"Ford will not be continuing their rallycross program for the 2018 race season. And because of that, my time with the team is over at the end of this year." Andreas Bakkerud

"To continue in WRX would have required the development of a new race car."
http://performance.ford.com/series/rally/news/articles/world-rx/2017/10/ford-ends-world-rx-program.html

[Simmi]

Ken Block too confirming that he'll be going back to rallying (no specified series) and doing some Gymkhana GRID races -
whatever they are?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ1KoNLhOG_/

[tomhlord]

The carbon-fibre ex-WRC VW has ruffled feathers it seems.

It's harder for privateers to be competitive now. Look at Marklund and Larsson defecting to EuroRX.

Peugeot has decided to re-commit, but with the extra manufacturer involvement required to succeed.

Ford called it quits, despite it originally being a three-year programme, stating that they would have had to develop a new car.

[tomhlord]

Ken Block too confirming that he'll be going back to rallying (no specified series) and doing some Gymkhana GRID races -
whatever they are?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ1KoNLhOG_/

Ah, Gymkhana GRID is his own concept. Events where drivers go head-to-head on a timed course that involves lots of doughnuts and handbrake turns.

I am going to surmise that he will be rallying in the newly formed American Rally Association championship and give Subaru some competition in a Fiesta R5-based vehicle.

[giu canbera]

The thing about Ford is that RallyCross is heading to an Electric power-train thing, and Ford is not really into that right now. Its rumored that Ken Block will be racing in US (like he said he wanted in instagram comments) with some kind of Msport/Ford support. It'd be cool if they really have a team to race in US with Bakkerud too... But, idk..

Peugeot also said they are interested in Electric RallyCross.. Like VW and Audi.
Im confused about Peugeot next season. I like to think they are going to enter with a new team with Loeb and Jeanney. Then Hansen will have its own team for his two kids. I'd be ok with that

[tomhlord]

The thing about Ford is that RallyCross is heading to an Electric power-train thing, and Ford is not really into that right now. Its rumored that Ken Block will be racing in US (like he said he wanted in instagram comments) with some kind of Msport/Ford support. It'd be cool if they really have a team to race in US with Bakkerud too... But, idk..

Peugeot also said they are interested in Electric RallyCross.. Like VW and Audi.
Im confused about Peugeot next season. I like to think they are going to enter with a new team with Loeb and Jeanney. Then Hansen will have its own team for his two kids. I'd be ok with that

Ah, I first read the Ford release like that, talking about the electricfication. But that's not for next season at all, and even then a support class. Re-reading it, I think they mean they would need a new car to be competitive next season and then will re-evaluate participation once the electricification ruleset is locked down.

Think you are right about Peugeot. Will make it very difficult for Hansen to compete with older machinery however.

[giu canbera]

Maybe they are planning to make Gymkhana Grid a bigger series? It'd be interesting.
Rally America would be more interesting with that Msport/Block car fighting Pastrana and Higgins.
Maybe that could attract new names?

OR... maybe thats part of that "OH FORD SHOULD GO BACK TO WRC"... (it'd be pointless to be with Block, I know.. but maybe thats the money to keep Seb.. who knows)

[tomhlord]

Maybe they are planning to make Gymkhana Grid a bigger series? It'd be interesting.
Rally America would be more interesting with that Msport/Block car fighting Pastrana and Higgins.
Maybe that could attract new names?

OR... maybe thats part of that "OH FORD SHOULD GO BACK TO WRC"... (it'd be pointless to be with Block, I know.. but maybe thats the money to keep Seb.. who knows)

Hey, that would be a dream. Save a few $$$ in WorldRX and give Malcolm some extra WRC funding.

But, in a weird way, no Ford in WorldRX is less money for Malcolm, seen as M-Sport developed the Focus RX car.

[giu canbera]

Some isntagram-twitter-facebook confusing comments asking Block if the deal with Ford is done and suggesting he should go back to Subaru! haha That'd be out of nowhere! They have such a great relashionsip. I dont believe Ford would dump Block

Hmmm I think GRC could have an electric series next year, maybe.. But WorldRX was talking about 2020 or something. But maybe Manufacturers are always looking 2 or 3 years ahead. Whats the point of building new cars if the others are investing on the electric rx cars... idk if that is the case, but it could be. Im excited about the electric RX... but daaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmn booooy Im gonna miss that sound

[giu canbera]

"it’s a natural time for us to take a break as the future of the series takes shape" - Ford Performance
Yep... electric engines fault.

[giu canbera]

well.. GM is also moving into electric cars. Hope GRC bring Chevy ASAP to RallyX
https://www.wired.com/story/general-motors-electric-cars-plan-gm/

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

Speaking about Papa Hansen, does he developing his Citroens with support from Citroen Sport..? He could developing C3 RX

Looks like we'll not see Focus RX & the new Fiesta RX, unless there are any interest from ERX participants..

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[Gregor-y]

Ah, Gymkhana GRID is his own concept. Events where drivers go head-to-head on a timed course that involves lots of doughnuts and handbrake turns.

I am going to surmise that he will be rallying in the newly formed American Rally Association championship and give Subaru some competition in a Fiesta R5-based vehicle.

That's my hope, and it would probably finally settle the ARA/Rally America schism if Ford could be persuaded to join Subaru of America in the ARA. A prepared Focus RS would probably match up well against the Impreza and still be cheaper than world rally-cross.

[BleAivano]

IT'S HERE!!!
#RX'n Roll: When in Riga
Starring:
Nico Müller
Reinis Nitišs
Topi Heikkinen

With Mattias Ekström.

:D :rolleyes: :p
https://www.facebook.com/mattiasekstrom.racing/videos/709310039261156/

[MrJan]

Wonder how Ford's announcement will effect ticket sales for the god awfully named "Speedmachine festival" at Silverstone next year?

I hope that it causes a huge hit to the attendance...but I suspect that they'll end up with more than Lydden despite losing a lot of existing fans and people travelling from Europe.

I hate the idea of Speedmachine, in particular because they were selling stupidly expensive earlybird tickets without announcing any of the 'big name' musicians. Also, given the 'big name' musicians that they pull in for the Silverstone Classic, I'm not sure who's going to be that interested in playing there anyway.

[Gregor-y]

Ford's new CEO's going on about being more of an appliance company looking at the future of electricity and automation, which doesn't leave much room for any kind of motorsport no matter what's powering the motor. Every new leader at Ford makes pretty drastic changes from their predecessor so the company seems to lurch around like a drunken sailor.

It really sucks in the US as Ford keeps trying to bring us a decent world car only to give up after a year or two. And now I've got thirty years of watching it happen again and again.

[giu canbera]

Too long.. Sorry. But Theres a good question at the end

Sometimes its hard being a racing fan, eh? I mean... Manufacturers are nothing but a business, like our own little business or the ones we are currently working at. They need to profit.. PERIOD.
I dont believe any manufacturer other than Ferrari puts its racing passion above their business. (and I could be wrong about Ferrari haha Its fine)
If there is a big push for electric-shared-autonomous car... and there is... Theres nothing we can do about. We are going to suffer. (adopt Buddhism and DO NOT SUFFER!)

I believe the future of transportantion is like... Electric Autonomous "Vans", with "Two Rooms" for 5 peoaple each. Cuz its gonna be a shared vehicule. That... plus electric autonomous bus and BIKES (also electric, but not autonomous... and you share them like "Use it and leave it anywhere for the next person")
This is very sad, but its probably the future. (Actually I saw this at some tech-news article. But I cant find right now) We are not gonna have flying uber drones.. CUZ OF THE NOISE ABOVE OUR HEADS haha Maybe at some especific points.. who knows.

Back to racing... Why would manufacturers invest in racing if CARS will becme only "A transportation thing"? We are already seen this. People dont care much about cars nowadays. We know that. And we are seeing motorsport attendance and ratings going down.
Maybe they could invest in Software development.. Have u guys seen this "ROBORACE"? its an autonomous electric racing series that will debut next year or in 2019. (Lucas DiGrassi is the new CEO, btw)
IDK if this will be appealing for racing fans... I mean.. I love watching even European RC Tournments on youtube.. Drone racing (DRL).. Some iRacing too.. But.. meh

Ohh.. also, another point. IDK if this could be a problem. But... why would, lets say, FORD would pay, like, 10mi for Ogier if they can pay a 1mi prize in a FORZA (the game) world champinship with MILLIONS of people watching? Or maybe sponsor that pewdiepie guy, who would give SOOO MUCHHH exposure of the Ford's logo on the internet than a French guy racing around Trees?.. Cuz, you know.
If a manufacturer can profit 300% by not selling their cars, but using it as UBER and charge everyone who is using... I mean. You're 16.. and you see your favorite 'eSport athlete' wearing a Ford hat... Would u use the Ford "uber-Ride' App on your mobile or the Chevrolet Uber-Ride App?
...sorry for the long post and some bad english. I like to think about this but its kinda hard to express when EN is not your native language. Cheers haha

[Eli]

FIA appendix J art. 279 (RX)
RALLYX supercars
- Up to 2.058 litre supercharged 4 cylinder petrol engine (2.33 litres for diesel).
-The block must derive from the same reg. trademarks original block as the cars original bodywork (If car looks like Citroen then block needs to be Citroen)
- 45mm restrictor (power around 600 BHP)
- Minimum car weight depending on engine size
- Bigger brakes than WRC cars if one wants, adjustable brake balance in-car
- Free rim size (max 18")
- Cars must have sprung suspension, other than that it's free (you can use hydropneumatic suspension if you like - cool!)
- Free positioning of water radiator(s) (eg. mounted in the rear)

The RALLYX cars have much less regulations stipulating what can and can't be done. And you have to bear in mind the fact that RX have to withstand a certain amount of bashing. So many differences between the two categories comes from that

Note when I say "free" I mean the regulations are free

Feel free to fill in here and of course expressing your fury over my so called knowledge.

Know it's been almost 4 years since you wrote this, but I was wondering, have they made any changes since? and are they planning to make any changes to the regulations?

[SubaruNorway]

A new airport has just started being built 50km from Höljes in Rörbäcksnäs, i guess that helps secure the future for the event.
http://scandinavianmountains.se/en/

[giu canbera]

Talking bout Trucks... what u guys think about those Super Trucks series from "Murica?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjJQI3AT9uY
Its "kinda like" a RallyCross series with 4wd Big Trucks.. haha

I love these PRO4 class (from Both Lucas Oil Off Road Series and TORC Racing Series)
I even signed the Lucas Oil Racing TV to watch these beasts (Its like a Netflix for racing series that are sponsored by Lucas Oil. Pretty interesting. Boat racing, Sprintcars, Drag Racing, MotoCross etc)

[MrJan]

Talking bout Trucks... what u guys think about those Super Trucks series from "Murica?

It scares the hell out of me when you see them on street circuits, they jump so high that it wouldn't take much of a problem to see one of them clear the fence.

[giu canbera]

It scares the hell out of me when you see them on street circuits, they jump so high that it wouldn't take much of a problem to see one of them clear the fence.

That series racing on Indycar's street tracks is called ... like... Robby Gordon Stadium Super Trucks.
But SST is a spec series, rwd only... its pretty fun but its kinda different from LOORRS and TORC. These 2 are way much cooler IMO

[ESTR]

Why they can't race on snow or ice in World RX? It would be interesting to see that also on that kind of races.

[Myrvold]

Why they can't race on snow or ice in World RX? It would be interesting to see that also on that kind of races.

Nothing to say that they can't. RallyX on Ice is the "winter series" in RallyX Nordic. And now it's apparently been announced a "RX2 on Ice" for 2018. Which seems to be a more RX2 from the World Champ. thing, but using the same tracks as RallyX on Ice have used. I would expect it to be a some sort of co-operation between the two.

EDIT: It's always been for the Lites cars and lower classes.

[giu canbera]

Best thing about Andros Trophy is that they upload every race on their oficial website and Daily Motion Channel
https://www.dailymotion.com/TropheeAndros/videos
I dont know if this is called Rallycross on Ice, but I really like watching the races especially the electric class...
They also have an "all-girls buggy class", which is pretty fun too and a "Supermoto" class too. The races are alwaaays very good. You hold your breath the whole time. Bikes on ice. Pretty great!

RallyXOnInce is also very interesting. And SVTPlay upload the races on their website
BTW, you can watch every RallyX Nordic races there too
https://www.svtplay.se/motor-rallyx-nordic
but I wish there was at least one big race on ICE with WorldRX and RedBullGRC supercars. Like.. the top 5 from each series racing a WorldCup Race on Ice.
That'd be awsome.

If you like Short Course Super Trucks race, theres the "RedBull Frozen Rush". Its this one race with driver from both LOORRS and TORC, racing 1x1 heat races to see whos the best. Pretty fun too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2TTGNCLssA

[MrJan]

I'd imagine that supercars would do a huge amount of damage to the ice, you could do a race or two but not a full set of heats.

[JUF]

Rumors say that Marcus Grönholm could enter two Hyundai i20 based on the World Rally Car next year: https://www.rallye-magazin.de/rallycross-wm/artikel/d/2017/10/16/groenholm-liebaeugelt-mit-hyundai-im-rallycross/

[ESTR]

Rumors say that Marcus Grönholm could enter two Hyundai i20 based on the World Rally Car next year: https://www.rallye-magazin.de/rallycross-wm/artikel/d/2017/10/16/groenholm-liebaeugelt-mit-hyundai-im-rallycross/

HAHA. Trend... Peugeot will then develop from Citroen C3 WRC ---> Supercar and put Their Peugeot 208 body on it... Ford can't do that with Focus and Fiesta... that's why they are gone..




A little fun...

[pantealex]

HAHA. Trend... Peugeot will then develop from Citroen C3 WRC ---> Supercar and put Their Peugeot 208 body on it... Ford can't do that with Focus and Fiesta... that's why they are gone..

C3 and current 208 have different platform...

I´m pretty sure some will use new Fiesta as platform.

[MrJan]

I´m pretty sure some will use new Fiesta as platform.

Yeah, it must be up for sale. As long as you wave enough cash Malcolm will sell anything.

[ESTR]

Guys I was joking about Cit and Pugy.

Some time ago I read about Hirvonen and his involvement in Mini that this is maybe possible here. And Megane coming 2018.

[giu canbera]

I dont think Hirvonen has changed his plans yet
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2017/06/mikko-hirvonen-rules-immediate-wrx-future/

[ESTR]

I dont think Hirvonen has changed his plans yet
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2017/06/mikko-hirvonen-rules-immediate-wrx-future/

Shame... I would definetely cheer for him

[ESTR]

USA gets World RX round in 2018. Now this championship evolve

[SubaruNorway]

Lets hope a miracle happens and that they actually manage to make a decent track that both WRX and GRC can use...

[jbmarcus21]

New 2018 WRX is now revealed (include 12 events / Welcome USA / Good Bye Hockenheim) → http://bit.ly/2gF4Tko

[MrJan]

Presumably they felt that they had to drop a German round to help with variety. Glad that they chose Hockenheim instead of Estering to drop. Surprises me slightly as they seem to have been favouring facilities over how good the circuit is.

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

Where is the US round will held..?

And Ford is already out..

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[Luijbregts]

Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas. Same track as F1.

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

I hope they didn't using X Games layout..

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[janvanvurpa]

Lets hope a miracle happens and that they actually manage to make a decent track that both WRX and GRC can use...

Herregud pojken...sååååååå optimistisk.

Don't forget, it is America..And it is in Texas--a place where outrageous boasting is required by law.
A place with maybe 1 rally driver ever in all history.. Maybe and that was a complete beginner...28 million and 1 rallydriver...

A place which takes pride in not knowing anything outside of the state borders, but knows they are always the biggest.. Everything is bigger.

So count on bigger hype..

And a catastrophe in execution...

Satan va dum val...

[MrJan]

So count on bigger hype..

And probably GRC style jumps/crossings.

[Gregor-y]

Herregud pojken...sååååååå optimistisk.

Don't forget, it is America..And it is in Texas--a place where outrageous boasting is required by law.
A place with maybe 1 rally driver ever in all history.. Maybe and that was a complete beginner...28 million and 1 rallydriver...
Austin's not bad, but you have to go through a lot of Texas to get there. Something around Detroit would have gotten a better crowd of car enthusiasts from all over the midwest, but Texas will look good on TV and bring out the kids who've never changed a tire on the BMW their parents gave them.

[giu canbera]

Timo Scheider saying hes at BMW's headquarter with great news to come regarding WorldRX
Mini? 1Series?

[pantealex]

timo scheider saying hes at bmw's headquarter with great news to come regarding worldrx
mini? 1series?

m 2 ?

[ESTR]

Anything confirmed?

My predictions.

Peugeot Team Hansen:
-Sebastien Loeb
-Timmy Hansen
-Kevin Hansen (he get new car)

PSRX Volkswagen Sweden:
-Petter Solberg
-Johan Kristoffersson

EKS Audi:
-Mattias Ekstrom
-Toomas Heikkinen
-Reinis Nitiss

BMW:
-Timo Scheider

Prodrive Renault:
-Guerlain Chicherit

And then there is DA Racing, LOCO, Speedy, STARD, MJP, GRX (maybe Hyundai car).

I hope that Bakkerud find a good team...

[rallyfiend]

Anything confirmed?

My predictions.

Peugeot Team Hansen:
-Sebastien Loeb
-Timmy Hansen
-Kevin Hansen (he get new car)

PSRX Volkswagen Sweden:
-Petter Solberg
-Johan Kristoffersson

EKS Audi:
-Mattias Ekstrom
-Toomas Heikkinen
-Reinis Nitiss

BMW:
-Timo Scheider

Prodrive Renault:
-Guerlain Chicherit

And then there is DA Racing, LOCO, Speedy, STARD, MJP, GRX (maybe Hyundai car).

I hope that Bakkerud find a good team...

Isn't Peugeot Hansen being replaced by Peugeot Racing themselves?

I thought it was being brought in-house with a new car.

[ESTR]

EKS have Audi full factory support and still didn't change the name. So does Volkswagen.. And I think that they will keep the same with Peugeot. Peugeot Team Hansen is experienced in that sport and Peugeot will just add their support to them.

[Tarmop]

Well, they don`t actually pay the bills or at least not everything. In fact doesn`t VW charge them?

[tomhlord]

And then there is DA Racing, LOCO, Speedy, STARD, MJP, GRX (maybe Hyundai car).

I don't know why any of these teams would enter WorldRX now PSRX have brought their $$$ WRC car to the field and Peugeot are stepping up backing. EuroRX for privateers.

[ESTR]

I don't know why any of these teams would enter WorldRX now PSRX have brought their $$$ WRC car to the field and Peugeot are stepping up backing. EuroRX for privateers.

Maybe FIA World RX organizers need to realize that they need Privaters Cup maybe? Like WTCC have and now WRC. Because it's huge interest in competing with privaters.

[JUF]

Isn't Peugeot Hansen being replaced by Peugeot Racing themselves?

I thought it was being brought in-house with a new car.

It looks like that. Rumours say that Kenneth Hansen has talked to Hyundai as well. Maybe we´ll see a Hansen/Grönholm-Team next year?

[giu canbera]

hmmmm I'd guess a completely different grid for 2018, men.
Like Peugeot with a new team for Loeb and the Hansen Brothers racing a secundary sqad.
Ekstrom racing with a Costumer Polo.. maybe with Marklund again?
DA, Loco, Stard, Munnich all moving to EuroRX.
BMW helping Timo and JRM with the Minis. ProDrive not racing the WorldRX yet
I Think if Hyundai enters WorldRX, its gonna be a warning sign to its WRC program
I dont see K.Erikkson, CsuCsu, Nitiss, Baumanis racing WorldRX next year. (Maybe EuroRX?)
And I can only hope for Bakkerud to find a good seat

[giu canbera]

RedBull Global RallyCross changed (earlier this year) its social media handle(? - names) back to GRCSeries. Now I've seen the official link for the youtube page its just OfficialGRC.
They announced Total as a new partner. Maybe no more "red bull" support for 2018?

[ESTR]

hmmmm I'd guess a completely different grid for 2018, men.
Like Peugeot with a new team for Loeb and the Hansen Brothers racing a secundary sqad.
Ekstrom racing with a Costumer Polo.. maybe with Marklund again?
DA, Loco, Stard, Munnich all moving to EuroRX.
BMW helping Timo and JRM with the Minis. ProDrive not racing the WorldRX yet
I Think if Hyundai enters WorldRX, its gonna be a warning sign to its WRC program
I dont see K.Erikkson, CsuCsu, Nitiss, Baumanis racing WorldRX next year. (Maybe EuroRX?)
And I can only hope for Bakkerud to find a good seat

Why would Ekstrom racing with polo?... About a month ago EKS announce that they are working on new car aswell, to be competitive to VW polo. And that car is Audi S1...

Prodrive will announce Megane at the start of 2018. World RX start in the middle of april. I don't see the point that they would not starting right away... They start making the car pretty early. And with announcement they said that will compete full time.

If Hyundai want to enter the rallycross it would not be next year at least. 6 months only until the start of 2018 season and that's not enough. Look how much they need to build i20 WRC car. Then R5... and i30 TCR.

[SubaruNorway]

6 months is more than enough to convert a rallycar, it took Solberg 6 weeks to build a team and car from scratch in 2013.

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

Wonder how long it will be before the World and European series feature totally separate events? Like the WRC I trust there will be other countries coming out of the woodwork wanting a bit of the action and with greedy promoters at the helm can see some more "traditional" hosts biting the dust. Would be nice for circuits like Lydden though if high level racing can be retained.
If that happen, I hope ERX will get the same video coverages as in WRX..

Sent from my A12 using Tapatalk

[MrJan]

6 months is more than enough to convert a rallycar, it took Solberg 6 weeks to build a team and car from scratch in 2013.

And M-Sport pulled together a Focus that was fairly competitive in not a lot of time. That's without already having the WRC car as a base.

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

And M-Sport pulled together a Focus that was fairly competitive in not a lot of time. That's without already having the WRC car as a base.
The question is will M-Sport builds more Focus RX for the privateers..? Or keep using Fiesta..?

Sent from my A12 using Tapatalk

[ESTR]

The question is will M-Sport builds more Focus RX for the privateers..? Or keep using Fiesta..?

Sent from my A12 using Tapatalk

have not been fiesta produced by olsbergs? I don't know for sure...

[JUF]

have not been fiesta produced by olsbergs? I don't know for sure...

Most of the Fiestas used in World RX and Euro RX were built by Olsbergs MSE (such as Bryntesson's, Frøshaug's, Hvaal's, Kaczmarski's, Tohill's or Öhman's car), the only one which was build by M-Sport is Grönholm's car (same as Block used to race in GRC).

[giu canbera]

Just for the Curiosity... OMSE also build Pastrana's Dodge (in GRC)

And they are taking over that RallyXOnIce series for 2018...
Its gonna be called RX2 On ICe, with 4 races (2 in Norway, 2 in Sweden), and 3 classes
RX2 (lites) / A class with identical Clio RS RX / a Crosskart class

ABout the Crosskarts engines -> they are a 150bhp from a Suzuki GSX-R 750cc engine and weighing just 312kg – propelling them from 0-100km/h in a mere 3.3 seconds and on to an impressive top speed of 180km/h.

[giu canbera]

About Ekstrom racing an Audi.. I think I never seen he or the team saying they were building a new Audi.
I saw a few twitter/instagram/facebook conversation about a costumer Polo, Just like Petter and Johan.

Oh... I was talking with a friend today.. If Peugeot brings a new team for Loeb, maybe Cyril Raymond could be his team mate? He's already a Red Bull athlete too.. and one of the most promissing drivers around.
Hope to see Bryntensson with a SuperCar in WorldRX next year.
Maybe Scheider and Bryntensson could race the BMW cars? hehe

[ESTR]

About Ekstrom racing an Audi.. I think I never seen he or the team saying they were building a new Audi.
I saw a few twitter/instagram/facebook conversation about a costumer Polo, Just like Petter and Johan.

1454

I saw this few months ago.. Now I see that rumours is stronger about polos than that... They are selling their cars actually except winning S1.

[MrJan]

They are selling their cars actually except winning S1.

That's not news, it was mentioned a few pages back. As far as I know it's only that tweet to say that they are building new cars and no mention about what they will be. Given the loyalty between Ekstrom and Audi I'd be surprised, even if he changed to another part of VAG.

[giu canbera]

Im curious especially cuz Ekstrom said he wants to race RX, but its not a good deal to run its own team.
Remember? It was something like that.
Thats why I was thinking about something like Marklund running 2 costumer Polos for Anton and Eki since there is the link already. But this is just me and my crazy thoughts

[giu canbera]

Bakkerud and his manager said they are working hard to get a car for 2018 and they are pretty confident that Andreas is going to have a car. They said things about "big picture", so who knows what that could mean, right? Maybe doing EuroRX for one year? Maybe signing something new that could not be the best package for 2018 but maybe for 2019 and beyond?
They said they want to find the right team, right deal, the right car, the right solutions.
They are looking everywhere for a seat. It looks that many teams are still discussing next year They also said they "Got a good message last week"... Lets see what the future holds for Snakkerud

[pantealex]

Ekström and Bakkerud could be strong team against Johan and Petter.

Somehow I don´t believe that Latvian´s are moving to ERX.

[giu canbera]

EKS posted a picture of Nitiss with an Audi at... some... some of those... idk how to say in english haha
"auto car show"? Like SEMA, u'know... hahah sorry
https://twitter.com/EKSRX/status/926033454793359360

hope this is some kind of tips.

Another thing. Before the 2017 season, EKSRX was playing some tricks before revealing who'd be Ekstrom's team mate. And I think they wouldnt keep Heikkinen for 2017, but RedBull jumped in and demanded something. I thought Ekstrom and Nitiss would be the 2 drivers, following those hints they were giving on twitter. Anyway.. too late for this talk

[JUF]

As far as I know, Robin Larsson was rather close to a deal with EKS at the beginning of the year. But Reinis Nitiss offered more money...

[giu canbera]

https://jalopnik.com/this-600-hp-toyota-c-hr-is-quicker-than-well-almost-e-1820037962?rev=1509548320569&utm_campaign=socialflow_jalopnik_twitter&utm_source=jalopnik_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

I wouldnt mind... for real

[MrJan]

What happened to Alistair McRae doing the rest of Guy Wilks' campaign? Also, what happened to Gigi Galli entering a second Kia towards the end of the season?

Presumably both were decisions made based on budget/competitiveness of the car.

[macebig]

What a joke... Block got DQed for being underweight because he lost too much bodywork during the Semi... Thank God Ford is getting the hell out of the joke VW is creating... Seriously, what is wrong with those guys? They nearly killed WRC and made people turn to RX and now they are doing the opposite... Ridiculous...

[MrJan]

Don't think VW had much bearing on the decision, and it's common to weigh cars at the end of the race. It's a shame as he really deserved that win (despite what Timmy said, the reason Block hit him in T2 was because Loeb was pushing).

Some crazy races and really enjoyable. I didn't have high hopes for South Africa because there doesn't seem to be much of an RX culture there, but the fans were superb and the track wasn't awful (although not a lot of places to pass). Didn't like the VW tactics in the semi though, I thought more of Johan than that and certainly don't buy the "had to dip the clutch" argument.

[Alpha]

Who cares? The big issue is how the hell Ekstrom gets to take shortcuts on the track and not get a penalty. He should have been DQed or had a time penalty. Either way he shouldn't have been in the final at all.

If shortcuts are now allowed in World RX it will be a pretty interesting season next year. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171113/25cca0e4c33c6c4b6b714dba1f66a047.jpg

Sent fra min PH-1 via Tapatalk

[MrJan]

I get the feeling that the stewards took into account that he’d been slowed up by Johan and decided that it would spoil the show. I think it was clear that the result of that race was as it should have been. Ekstrom missed his braking because of contact with Petter, that contact only happened because he’d been slowed by JK. If JK doesn’t slow then the result is still JK, ME, PS. So in my mind it was the right result.

[Alpha]

JK had a puncture. The impact with Petter on the joker merge was Ekstroms fault. The car on the main track has the right of way in the merge. Then Ekstrom just totally ignores the last corner, he almost passed JK as well! It's moronic that someone is able to take a shortcut, gain an advantage and get no penalty!

For the record, Bakkerud also took the shortcut and deserves a penalty.

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[MrJan]

Ekstrom was already back on the main track when the impact happened. And like I said, I don’t buy the excuse that JK gave.

[Alpha]

So if you feel someone holds you up you're free to take shortcuts on the track?

[SubaruNorway]

He got a penalty for it but not before after the final, so in the end it didn't make any difference

[Alpha]

What was the penalty?

[OHL]

What was the penalty?

Mattias Ekstrom #1, relegated from second to third place in semi-final one for not respecting the priority of the driver on the standard lap at the Joker merge.

[Alpha]

So he was at fault at the joker merge, just like I said earlier. But taking shortcuts that's no problem?

[OHL]

So he was at fault at the joker merge, just like I said earlier. But taking shortcuts that's no problem?

It looks like there was some penalty for that. Here is list of all penalties issued:


Niclas Gronholm #68, loss of 10 Championship points for use of a seventh turbocharger in the season.

Mattias Ekstrom #1, five-second penalty in Q2 for causing an incident with car #44, pushing and overtaking.

Janis Baumanis #6, reprimand in Q2 for pushing.

Ken Block #43, disqualified from semi-final two after car was found to be underweight.

Mattias Ekstrom #1, relegated from second to third place in semi-final one for not respecting the priority of the driver on the standard lap at the Joker merge.

Timo Schedier #44, reprimand in semi final two for pushing.



There must be more to the story with Block. Highly unusual for the scrutineers and stewards to not take the bodywork weight into account.
I could not find the relevant section of the regulations for WRX so have borrowed from F1: "The relevant car may be excluded should its weight be less than that specified in Article 4.1 of the Technical Regulations when weighed under a) or b) above, save where the deficiency in weight results from the accidental loss of a component of the car." So, the scrutineer at their discretion can allow the weight of the missing component to be factored in, at least in F1. Again, there has to be more to this story.

[Alpha]

So no penalties for taking shortcuts... The south Africa round is a joke.

[MrJan]

So if you feel someone holds you up you're free to take shortcuts on the track?

No, I said that I could understand why the stewards may have been lenient in the circumstances.

Also the place (advantage) that he gained by cutting the corner was ceded. It gave the stewards the excuse that they needed to put him in the final and continue the show, if they penalised him then it gives 2nd place to Petter. And if you haven't worked out that WRX is all about the show then you must have your eyes closed.

[MrJan]

There must be more to the story with Block. Highly unusual for the scrutineers and stewards to not take the bodywork weight into account.

Yeah, I'm sure that we've seen cars lose bumpers and not be DQ'd. I wonder if the car was genuinely underweight (i.e would have been even with all bodywork) or someone was just looking for an excuse to penalise him.

[OHL]

No, I said that I could understand why the stewards may have been lenient in the circumstances.

Also the place (advantage) that he gained by cutting the corner was ceded. It gave the stewards the excuse that they needed to put him in the final and continue the show, if they penalised him then it gives 2nd place to Petter. And if you haven't worked out that WRX is all about the show then you must have your eyes closed.

I haven't watched the race yet and seen if the position gained was ceded back. if so, then it would be normal that there would be no penalty. Is this confirmed, does anyone know if he did back off and was overtaken giving the position back? Did you see that Mr. Jan?

[Alpha]

Well, the track limits are there for a reason. If Ekstrom was given a penalty for cheating by taking shortcuts on track he would have been either behind Bakkerud = No final for Ekstrom or at least behind Petter which would place Petter on row two in the final and Ekstrom in row three. If he had braked lie the rest and driven within track limits he would have been third for sure, and possibly passed by Bakkerud in the final corner. He was in a bad place when he decided to just ignore the last corner.

The judges failure to strike down on this cheating could have decided the battle between 2/3 and 5/6 (Bakkerud) in the championship. It should have been decided on track, within the track limits.

[Alpha]

I haven't watched the race yet and seen if the position gained was ceded back. if so, then it would be normal that there would be no penalty. Is this confirmed, does anyone know if he did back off and was overtaken giving the position back? Did you see that Mr. Jan?It was the final corner before the end of the semi, so nothing was given back.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

These arguments after virtually every round are making the WRX a bit of a farce.

[pantealex]

I just don´t believe that in Monster series judges would favor RedBull driver.

Problem in this forum is that nearly everyone has their favorite driver and those people almost never see anything wrong with that driver and are always claiming others. To me Johan and Mattias were both better this year than Petter.

[OHL]

It was the final corner before the end of the semi, so nothing was given back.

Ok, if that was the case and he gained a position then he should have a penalty. These things can be nuanced so every little detail matters. Simply shortcutting isn't always worthy of a penalty unless something was gained by it. Need to see exactly what happened here.

[Sub_Skoda]

Who cares? The big issue is how the hell Ekstrom gets to take shortcuts on the track and not get a penalty. He should have been DQed or had a time penalty. Either way he shouldn't have been in the final at all.

If shortcuts are now allowed in World RX it will be a pretty interesting season next year. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171113/25cca0e4c33c6c4b6b714dba1f66a047.jpg

Sent fra min PH-1 via Tapatalk

It was good to see that Ekström didn't get any penalty. He was blocked and pushed by VW boys before his shortcut. So, it was a good decision to didn't get him a penalty. But Block's exclusion is a shame for WorldRX. As orange typres by the roadside.

[Alpha]

Clip here: https://youtu.be/6BfUPjWNk_Q

Keep in mind that Petter has the right of way, as the others come from the joker. And note that both Petter and JK were capable of stopping for that corner, Ekstrom decided to go flat, almost passing the both of them.

[Lousada]

I get the feeling that the stewards took into account that he’d been slowed up by Johan and decided that it would spoil the show. I think it was clear that the result of that race was as it should have been. Ekstrom missed his braking because of contact with Petter, that contact only happened because he’d been slowed by JK. If JK doesn’t slow then the result is still JK, ME, PS. So in my mind it was the right result.

Very weird argument from you here. The leader can drive as fast or slow as he wants. It is up to the other drivers to pass him. If he felt that JK was blocking Ekstrom should have used the jokerlap in a smarter way.

[Lousada]

I just don´t believe that in Monster series judges would favor RedBull driver.



They aren't Monster judges they are IMG judges. And the more controversy the more money IMG can take out of the WRX.

[MrJan]

Keep in mind that Petter has the right of way, as the others come from the joker. And note that both Petter and JK were capable of stopping for that corner, Ekstrom decided to go flat, almost passing the both of them.

It's all a bit of a mess. Firstly, possible that Solberg is in Ekstroms blind spot at the merge. Secondly, Petter makes a slight move towards Mattias, that first touch is fair game from my view, racing incident. Thirdly, Ekstrom didn't go flat, the braking just wasn't efficient because his wheels were in the air after the contact with the back of Johan's car. Finally, Petter wasn't stopping either, he used Johan as a brake. The position is given back by default of him being slower but I'll admit that he didn't lift like I thought. All told it's just a bit of carnage and easier to not issue any penalties.

As far as I know Petter hadn't even complained about it, and he's the one that had most reason to complain.

[MrJan]

Very weird argument from you here. The leader can drive as fast or slow as he wants. It is up to the other drivers to pass him. If he felt that JK was blocking Ekstrom should have used the jokerlap in a smarter way.

Not an argument as such, just what I felt. I wasn't suggesting that what he did was cheating, it just doesn't sit right with me. I've never been a fan of team orders, particularly when championships have already been won, but I do understand why they happen.

[Alpha]

Also: "Mattias Ekstrom #1, relegated from second to third place in semi-final one for not respecting the priority of the driver on the standard lap at the Joker merge."

The why the hell did Ekstrom start on row two of the grid in the final, and Petter on row three?

[SubaruNorway]

Also: "Mattias Ekstrom #1, relegated from second to third place in semi-final one for not respecting the priority of the driver on the standard lap at the Joker merge."

The why the hell did Ekstrom start on row two of the grid in the final, and Petter on row three?

Because this was decided after the final and the jury meeting with them both.

[MrJan]

Also: "Mattias Ekstrom #1, relegated from second to third place in semi-final one for not respecting the priority of the driver on the standard lap at the Joker merge."

The why the hell did Ekstrom start on row two of the grid in the final, and Petter on row three?

They didn't make the decision in time. It's something that's caused an issue before, once this season (can't remember where) and in Canada last year when Timur was penalised before they saw footage to show he wasn't at fault. One of the problems of being live on TV is that they don't have much time between semi-finals and finals. Presumably they are also stewards for RX2 as well, which also limits the time they have to make a decision between races.

Edit: I'm not sure I 100% agree with the decision though, to me it looks like Ekstrom is already back on track. I thought that they point of the joker merge rule was to stop drivers pushing to get back on the main circuit?

[Tarmop]

Well, then taking away some points would be fair...after everything has happened and decided the punishment is "should have started in row three".

[MrJan]

Well, then taking away some points would be fair...after everything has happened and decided the punishment is "should have started on row three".

Agree that, if that's the penalty he was given, he should be given points as if he was 3rd in the semi-final.

[giu canbera]

I just watched the latest ep of bakkerud life on youtube. After Ken was dsq, it looked like Bakkerud would be the driver to be on the final... not Kev Hansen.
Then some guy from Hoonigan Team went tell Bakku something. English is not my mother language so I couldnt understand what they were saying, but If Bakku was the one to replace Ken on the final, maybe the team decided to not run Bakku on the final. Maybe cuz the penalty was non-sense? IDK if that was the case. I couldnt understand what the guy said to Bakku. But I thought it was weird to see them talking about Bakku being the driver who would race the final after Ken elimination
Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MxtvlgHVrU
Around 12min. I even noticed Bakku's car on the broadcast next to Kev Hansen before the final

Anyway... also... a monster energy hat being "throw in the trash" (or something like this. IDK if it was an inside joke) and suddenly a image from a Peugeot car.. A Shot of Bakku watching a Peugeot racing.
Hints about a new "RedBull Loeb Peugeot Racing" with Loeb and Bakku for 2018? That'd be nice eh?
But hey... I like conspiracy theories... So maybe nothing that I've said here makes any sense haha

[MrJan]

Really impressive that they turned Ken's car around in such a short space of time. When the mechanic was speaking to Andreas he was just talking about how intense it was to get the car ready. Then they say along the lines of "Ken made it, he deserved it". So at that time they believed that Ken was still in the final. I guess that the penalty was confirmed after that and I guess that Ken was DQ'd from semi 2, which changed the top 3 result.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Andreas for next year. He's clearly a quick driver (if a little aggressive) so will be a surprise if he hasn't got a decent drive. There was something else on an episode the other day that made me wonder about Peugeot, but I assumed not given that Bakkerud is a 'Monster Energy Athlete'. The thing about the hat was just because it was ugly :D Oh and the blue one that the guy was talking about was because the colour attracts something (I think he said cobras), so he was warning Andreas.

[mArvAlcao17]

Really impressive that they turned Ken's car around in such a short space of time. When the mechanic was speaking to Andreas he was just talking about how intense it was to get the car ready. Then they say along the lines of "Ken made it, he deserved it". So at that time they believed that Ken was still in the final. I guess that the penalty was confirmed after that and I guess that Ken was DQ'd from semi 2, which changed the top 3 result.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Andreas for next year. He's clearly a quick driver (if a little aggressive) so will be a surprise if he hasn't got a decent drive. There was something else on an episode the other day that made me wonder about Peugeot, but I assumed not given that Bakkerud is a 'Monster Energy Athlete'. The thing about the hat was just because it was ugly :D Oh and the blue one that the guy was talking about was because the colour attracts something (I think he said cobras), so he was warning Andreas.

personally i would to see Bakkerud in Prodrive Renault

[Zeakiwi]

I would prefer to see Bakkerud in a Hyundai i20 ( developed from the 2016 wrc car like the vw sweden polos are from wrc), Hyundai have full e.v cars for the norway market - brand awareness and maketing, Shell that sponsor the WRC Hyundai team have service stations in Norway, Pipo Moteur that do the wrc engines (did Solberg's citroen wrx engines) could do a 2 litre wrx hyundai engine (The hyundai i30 TCR runs a 2 litre turbo engine)

http://www.espn.com/jayski/cup/2017/story/_/id/20360575/decision-day-nearing-monster-energy-sponsorship-deals (Monster could cut back a few nascar dollars in December , 2017 to put some coin in a hyundai wrx project)

From what is learnt in world rx from the i20 could be put into the next gen hybrid or whatever the next world rx car is.

Otherwise on the phone to TMR for a yaris body shell. Toyota have long range hybrids and full ev cars in the development shed.

[giu canbera]

Tnx Jan! =]

About Monster.. I still dont fully understand why they are in Nascar. That has ZERO to do with the brand.
OK, 36 races with more than 3h ad on tv with more than 2 million viewrs each.. ok, I know. But... idk, maybe Thats why I cant have my own company. I'd invest in the wrong places like "Ok, let me build 4 WRC cars, 4 RX cars and 4 MXGP bikes and race young drivers with no money"... haha

[giu canbera]

Guerlain Chicherit and Stéphane Orré have partnered to create the G-FORS team. The team will contest full-time in the European and French Rallycross championships and part-time in World Rallycross with the new Renault Clio Supercar

[Sub_Skoda]

Guerlain Chicherit and Stéphane Orré have partnered to create the G-FORS team. The team will contest full-time in the European and French Rallycross championships and part-time in World Rallycross with the new Renault Clio Supercar

And also compete French Rallycross Championship : http://www.lemagsportauto.com/rallycross-guerlain-chicherit-annonce-g-fors-rx-team/27907/

[BleAivano]

WRX is following in the same path as WRC and F1 with plans on limit testing.
Good news for VW WRX team since they already have the best car and other teams like Ekström who plans to build new cars
win't have the possibility to test them as much as VW.


Autosport understands that permanent entrants will only be able to test at World RX venues at three official tests through the year, in a new system agreed
by the FIA and series promoter IMG. At present, the only testing limitation is a ban on testing at a series venue in the 56 days prior to its event.

The new restrictions will come in from the closing date for 2018 entries on March 1 next year.

https://www.autosport.com/wrx/news/133564/world-rx-introduces-major-new-testing-limits

[BleAivano]

"Toomas Heikkinen has parted company with Mattias Ekstrom's EKS team."

https://www.autosport.com/wrx/news/133626/ekstrom-teammate-leaves-amid-rx-uncertainty

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Oliver Bennett's MINI Cooper S supercar... some WRX Rounds planned for 2018.

https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/news/rallying-news/rally/british-championship-frontrunner-graduates-to-wrx/

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

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DTRBgMUX0AYyPbO.jpg

[BleAivano]

Audi Sport‏ @audisport (https://twitter.com/audisport)

@mattiasekstroem (https://twitter.com/mattiasekstroem) will announce his plans for 2018 on January 29 at 1 PM CET during a press conference at Red Bull Hangar-7
#DTM (https://twitter.com/hashtag/DTM?src=hash) #WorldRX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldRX?src=hash) #LeagueofPerformance (https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeagueofPerformance?src=hash)

https://twitter.com/audisport/status/955421041068736514

[Sulland]

Is there a 2 liter engine in the Oliver Bennett's MINI Cooper S supercar?

[dimviii]

‏


@HMSGOfficial

Hyundai Motorsport Retweeted PureRallycross
We can confirm that this is a private arrangement between Marcus Gronholm and Hyundai Motorsport. Two chassis and parts have been sold to the team, but there is no manufacturer involvement.

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

5 doors or the coupe..?

Sent from my A12 using Tapatalk

[ESTR]

Probably 5 door from Portugal 2016 :D

[Sub_Skoda]

Only electric championship from 2020?!
https://www.lemagsportauto.com/rallycross-worldrx-electrique-2020/29401/

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

Surely they can't be serious..

Sent from my A12 using Tapatalk

[MrJan]

Surely they can't be serious..

Sent from my A12 using Tapatalk

Why not? Electric would be ideal for rallycross. Short races, and you need a lot of torque.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Why not? Electric would be ideal for rallycross. Short races, and you need a lot of torque.

The issue is the absence of noise which is ar least 50% of the spectacle.

[Alpha]

So Ekstrøm is out of DTM to do World RX full time. Audi backing, with the new S1. No news about team partner yet, but Bakkerud is the obvious choice.

Sent fra min SM-G955F via Tapatalk

[BleAivano]

Mattias Ekström announced today that he have decided to retire from DTM and that EKSRX will do the full 2018 championship series.


WOHOOOOOW!!! The story continues!!! Mattias is all-in for 2018 @FIAWorldRX (https://twitter.com/FIAWorldRX). Stay tuned for more news during the next days. #EKSRX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/EKSRX?src=hash) #WorldRX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldRX?src=hash) #Rallycross (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rallycross?src=hash)
https://twitter.com/EKSRX/status/957950959258390528


As @mattiasekstroem (https://twitter.com/mattiasekstroem) announces his retirement from #DTM (https://twitter.com/hashtag/DTM?src=hash) and his renewed commitment to @FIAWorldRX (https://twitter.com/FIAWorldRX) with @EKSRX (https://twitter.com/EKSRX)
https://twitter.com/odmag/status/957953567914188800


We're delighted to have @mattiasekstroem (https://twitter.com/mattiasekstroem) and @EKSRX (https://twitter.com/EKSRX) with us full time in 2018. We're expecting many more great moments like these this season! #WorldRX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldRX?src=hash)
https://twitter.com/FIAWorldRX/status/957963193153880064

The press conference can be seen again at https://www.facebook.com/EKSRX/videos/758298741028952/


It marks the end of an era: After 17 years, 193 races, 23 victories and two championship titles, factory driver Mattias Ekström
ends his DTM career, which means that Audi’s most successful DTM campaigner to date is leaving this racing series.
In 2018, Ekström will concentrate on the factory-backed commitment of his team, EKS, in the World Rallycross Championship.
The new member of Audi’s DTM driver squad is Dutchman Robin Frijns.

https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/audi-driver-mattias-ekstroem-ends-dtm-career-9806

[Fast Eddie WRC]

My only reference point for electric motor sport is the Zero TT not having watched any Scalextric( Formula E). Problem I have is just one team, Mugen, absolutely dominate that race through pure spending power so hope the playing field will be a bit more level in rallycross however it obviously would signal the end of any true "privateer" involvement at the top level. The lack of noise? For me it is a big point however watching on tv/on-line you very rarely hear the cars for all the hysterical commentators and no doubt the gaps will be filled with EDM as per most other broadcasts anyway so its only the live experience that will be affected and if we are talking Silverstone the crowd will probably so far back from the track anyway its something of a moot point!

You are right about the commentators... they are as bad as the rally ones.

I'm now watching half the time with the sound on mute (and making the car noises in my head ! ;) )

[MrJan]

The issue is the absence of noise which is ar least 50% of the spectacle.

Get used to it, the change is coming so we may as well embrace it.

Why compare it to TT Zero when there is something like Formula E that manufacturers are keen to get involved in? Electric bikes also aren't as commercially available as electric cars. Privateer element is pretty much dead too, only the first season of World RX was truly accessible for privateers.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Sorry but no-one is going to turn up for the non- experience of silent Electric RX.

It has to be hybrid engines with electric for torque and a small petrol for noise.

[T16]

Sorry but no-one is going to turn up for the non- experience of silent Electric RX.

It has to be hybrid engines with electric for torque and a small petrol for noise.

Formula E gets spectators. Not sure if you have been to a rallycross before, but even on a circuit that is incredible from a spectators point of view (Brands Hatch or Lydden) you can hardly hear the cars when they are away from you anyway.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the sound of ten of them leaving the start line, but it won’t kill it like you say.

[MrJan]

Sorry but no-one is going to turn up for the non- experience of silent Electric RX.

It has to be hybrid engines with electric for torque and a small petrol for noise.

People watch Formula E. People watch lawn bowls.

Like I say, get used to it.

[BleAivano]

Mattias Ekström will present the second driver today at 11.00 cet. Bakkerud also writes on his FB that
he has something to announce at 11.00 CET today. What a coincidence. ;)

[NoName]

Not a shock.. Mattias have always been a big fan of bakkerud.. Bakkerud is also a good driver and them together will make a great team.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Like I say, get used to it.

I wont and nor will most existing RX fans.

Look at the issue with F1 since it went hybrid... they're having to bring back more noise.

[MrJan]

I wont and nor will most existing RX fans.

Look at the issue with F1 since it went hybrid... they're having to bring back more noise.

Yep, but it's a case of evolve or die. I don't particularly like it but I think that within my lifetime (hopefully another 50 or so years) traditional motorsport will cease to exist, may as well accept that now.

Not a big shock that Bakkerud has joined EKS but will be interesting to see if he remains a Monster 'athlete' seeing as EKS has Red Bull logos all over their trucks etc. Good news for the title fight though.

[T16]

I wont and nor will most existing RX fans.

Look at the issue with F1 since it went hybrid... they're having to bring back more noise.

Eddie, have you been to many Rallycross events?
Ever watched at Lydden it Brands?... if so, you’ll recognise that you can’t hear the cars for most of the lap anyway.

And what about Formunl E?... spectators turn up for that and enjoy it.
So what makes you so sure it will kill the sport?

[tbtstt]

I'm still very much on the fence with regards to the electric cars. I love the spectacle of the current Supercars, but I can see how good a fit for rallycross electric could be, they seem to be drawing a lot of manufacturer interest and it seems like the electric cars will be just as fast as the existing Supercars.

If the advert of electric is sensibly implemented it could work for everyone. The World Championship becomes an upper tier for manufacturers, while the traditional Supercar lives on in a more accessible European Championship. The World Championship goes to the venues that provides the biggest spectacle for the sponsors and manufacturers, while the Euros stick with the traditional circuits.

That aside, the line up for 2018 is starting to hit decent numbers. With Cometoyou Racing now confirming a full World RX campaign (with two ex-EKS S1's) we should have at least 12 permanent entries in the World Championship.

[SubaruNorway]

I'm affraid if we they go all electric the tracks with less infrastructure and capasity like Höljes would be dropped, because it takes quite a lot to charge 40 cars all weekend i would believe

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Eddie, have you been to many Rallycross events?
Ever watched at Lydden it Brands?... if so, you’ll recognise that you can’t hear the cars for most of the lap anyway.

And what about Formunl E?... spectators turn up for that and enjoy it.
So what makes you so sure it will kill the sport?

Of course you cant hear when the cars are far away, but the thrill when you can hear them is amazing.

Some people will watch anything if its in their city but most arent big fans of the sport. They wont be travelling a long way or even from abroad to watch (like some RX fans do).

Formula E is nothing.

[T16]

Of course you cant hear when the cars are far away, but the thrill when you can hear them is amazing.

Some people will watch anything if its in their city but most arent big fans of the sport. They wont be travelling a long way or even from abroad to watch (like some RX fans do).

Formula E is nothing.

Hmm...
If formula E is nothing, why has is got more manufacturer teams and financial backing than RX?

Not sure how much you know about motorsport outside of rallying, but Formula E is big already and it will only grow. (I’m not a fan of it by the way, but I can’t believe someone can ignore its enormous early growth and future potental).

Why on earth do you think RX is going electric only?

You mind me asking, which rallycross circuits you have spectated at?

Cheers.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Electric may be the future but I dont see it carrying over the current fans in numbers. Or if it does they wont love it like they have the petrol series.

Kids dont love cars and driving these days and I dont see silent cars doing anything to attract them to motorsport.

[Myrvold]

I'm affraid if we they go all electric the tracks with less infrastructure and capasity like Höljes would be dropped, because it takes quite a lot to charge 40 cars all weekend i would believe

Actually not sure if they would dare to remove Höljes and Loheac from the calendar, those are by far the most popular events. I think the promoter would rather spend some extra money helping out with the charging process at Höljes than getting rid of the festival it has become. After all, the festival-style is what they are aiming for with each RX-Event.

[T16]

Formula E is nothing.[/QUOTE]


I'm affraid if we they go all electric the tracks with less infrastructure and capasity like Höljes would be dropped, because it takes quite a lot to charge 40 cars all weekend i would believe

Mobile generators?

[T16]

they wont love it like they have the petrol series.



How do you know this already?

Or are you just basing your assumptions on your personal feelings?

Which rallycross tracks have you spectated at Eddie?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Croft, Lydden Hill and Pembrey.

[tbtstt]

Croft, Lydden Hill and Pembrey.
OFF TOPIC: Ignoring the argument about electric, I would urge you get to a European round(s) if you can. Far better spectacle and atmosphere than circuits in the UK!

[T16]

OFF TOPIC: Ignoring the argument about electric, I would urge you get to a European round(s) if you can. Far better spectacle and atmosphere than circuits in the UK!


Not so sure pal, Lydden is excellent, Brands (unfortunately, used to be) incredible.

[T16]

Croft, Lydden Hill and Pembrey.


Then you'll know, Eddie, that the only time you really get a sense of the noise, is when they leave the start. I get what you are saying about the younger generation not being into cars though... that's probably going to be the biggest challenge for motor sport to overcome, regardless of the type of vehicle racing.

[tbtstt]

Not so sure pal, Lydden is excellent, Brands (unfortunately, used to be) incredible.
Lydden is excellent, it's by far the best of the UK circuits that I have been to and the viewing from around the circuit is excellent...

...but the atmosphere and crowd participation at events in Europe is vastly superior to the UK (plus entry is a lot cheaper as well). I would like to do one (or both) of the Northern European rounds in the next couple of years, as I imagine the atmosphere is even still better at those.

I was told by an old rallycross fan a few years ago that spectating in Europe was a much better experience. I wasn't convinced at first but I'm bloody glad I listened to him now, as he was spot on!

[T16]

Lydden is excellent, it's by far the best of the UK circuits that I have been to and the viewing from around the circuit is excellent...

...but the atmosphere and crowd participation at events in Europe is vastly superior to the UK (plus entry is a lot cheaper as well). I would like to do one (or both) of the Northern European rounds in the next couple of years, as I imagine the atmosphere is even still better at those.

I was told by an old rallycross fan a few years ago that spectating in Europe was a much better experience. I wasn't convinced at first but I'm bloody glad I listened to him now, as he was spot on!

I must admit, from an atmosphere point-of-view, I went to a circuit in Belgium years ago (an old go-kart track - tiny place) and it was superb! The Euro's certainly know how to enjoy a good rallycross day out.

[MrJan]

Electric may be the future but I dont see it carrying over the current fans in numbers. Or if it does they wont love it like they have the petrol series.

I agree, but the point is that there will shortly be little alternative, so you either watch electric motorsport or you stop watching motorsport. World RX is obviously ahead of the curve, and possibly a little too soon, but internal combustion will soon be limited to being 'classic' as so few manufacturers will be willing to get on board.

BTW as I understand it the 'main' championship will be RXE, but I suspect that one of the support races will basically be Supercars (most likely the European champs will remain that way for longer).


OFF TOPIC: Ignoring the argument about electric, I would urge you get to a European round(s) if you can. Far better spectacle and atmosphere than circuits in the UK!

I'm planning to try either Hell, Loheac or Latvia this season. I have zero desire to show any support for 'Speedmachine' and will probably head to Santa Pod that weekend for drag racing instead.

[MrJan]

Btw what have we got confirmed for this year?

VW - Johan & Petter
EKS - Ekstrom & Bakkerud
MJP - 2 cars?
Chicherit
Peugeot (still not confirmed if with Hansen but Loeb probably involved?)

[Myrvold]

I must admit, from an atmosphere point-of-view, I went to a circuit in Belgium years ago (an old go-kart track - tiny place) and it was superb! The Euro's certainly know how to enjoy a good rallycross day out.

Sounds like Glosso or Mandes!


Btw what have we got confirmed for this year?

VW - Johan & Petter
EKS - Ekstrom & Bakkerud
MJP - 2 cars?
Chicherit
Peugeot (still not confirmed if with Hansen but Loeb probably involved?)

Cometoyou have bought 2 cars, if they will run 2, or run 1 with one spare I didn't quite understand from the press release.

[tbtstt]

I must admit, from an atmosphere point-of-view, I went to a circuit in Belgium years ago (an old go-kart track - tiny place) and it was superb! The Euro's certainly know how to enjoy a good rallycross day out.
Maasmechelen? Yeah, I have done Mettet for the last three years and the Belgium crowd really get into it! Lydden has the best choice of viewpoints of any circuit I have been to, but it isn't the most technical track. The gradually shrinking loose sections aren't great either. That said I will still be at every rallycross event there this year!


BTW as I understand it the 'main' championship will be RXE, but I suspect that one of the support races will basically be Supercars (most likely the European champs will remain that way for longer).
Yeah, that's how I understand it as well. As I said in my previous post, if they implement it sensibly, they should be able to please everyone.


I'm planning to try either Hell, Loheac or Latvia this season. I have zero desire to show any support for 'Speedmachine' and will probably head to Santa Pod that weekend for drag racing instead.
I am planning to do Barcelona, Mettet and Loheac again. I have been looking at Hell as its a much easier event to get to than Holjes. Riga is a very easy one to fly into as well, as I understand the circuit is close to the airport.

I am intending to go to Silverstone for the British Championship round (and potentially the GRC if the rumours are to be believed) but, like you, "Speedmachine" is not part of my plans for 2018 at the moment.


Btw what have we got confirmed for this year?

VW - Johan & Petter
EKS - Ekstrom & Bakkerud
MJP - 2 cars?
Chicherit
Peugeot (still not confirmed if with Hansen but Loeb probably involved?)
So far I have counted:

GCK - Renault Megane RS RX - Guerlain Chicherit (Confirmed World RX)
GCK - Renault Megane RS RX - ? (Confirmed World RX)
Peugeot Sport? - Peugeot 208 - Sebastien Loeb (Confirmed World RX, team car numbers and team name unknown)
EKS RX - Audi S1? - Mattias Ekstrom (Confirmed World RX)
EKS RX - Audi S1? - Andreas Bakkerud (Confirmed World RX)
PSRXVW - Volkswagen Polo - Johan Kristoffersson (Likely World RX, no official confirmation)
PSRXVW - Volkswagen Polo - Petter Solberg? (Likely World RX, no official confirmation yet)
Comtoyou Racing - Audi S1 - ? (Confirmed World RX)
Comtoyou Racing - Audi S1 - ? (Confirmed World RX)
Gronhom RX - Hyundai i20 - ? (Probably World RX)
Gronhom RX - Hyundai i20 - ? (Probably World RX)
MJP Racing - Ford Fiesta - ? (Probably World RX, team car numbers unknown)

Xite Racing - Ford Fiesta - Oliver Bennett (Confirmed selected World RX)

G-FORS - Renault Clio RS RX - Jere Kalliokoski (Confirmed Euro RX)
G-FORS - Renault Clio RS RX - ? (Confirmed Euro RX)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Probably been posed before but here's the future... enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIeD56BnI-o

[pantealex]

probably been posed before but here's the future... Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=died56bni-o

sad :(

[T16]

Probably been posed before but here's the future... enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIeD56BnI-o

Ha ha.... get a grip man.

Do you think they won’t have more power than that?

Do you think a rallycross race will involve only one car?

The future is more power, manufacturer-led technology and more than one car on a track during a race.

To say that video is the future is pathetic.

[SubaruNorway]

If you read the description of the video it did actually set a new track record and from what i can see from a quick search, supercars has been driven there so the torque is probably higher, it does handle really strange here though. How they sound is what Eddie wants to show.

No need to point out the obvious, we get it.
Yes, LED is the future...

As far as having huge generators running all weekend it does defy the purpose of going electric, Formula E doesn't have this issue i guess since they are always in some big city. But even here in Norway you have the lights flashing at night because the whole neighbourhood are charging their car....

[Adler]

Te official technical datas are 544hp and 880NM torque, as SubaruNorway mentioned, Manfred Stohl won race of austrian champions with this car 2017 with new track record vs supercars and WRCs...still boring to watch Imho....

[steve.mandzij]

If you read the description of the video it did actually set a new track record and from what i can see from a quick search, supercars has been driven there so the torque is probably higher, it does handle really strange here though. How they sound is what Eddie wants to show.

No need to point out the obvious, we get it.
Yes, LED is the future...

As far as having huge generators running all weekend it does defy the purpose of going electric, Formula E doesn't have this issue i guess since they are always in some big city. But even here in Norway you have the lights flashing at night because the whole neighbourhood are charging their car....Formula E did use diesel generators and brought containers' worth of batteries to supply the cars and the parc ferme here in Buenos Aires. The whole thing was sponsored by Eneloop. They don't use the local power grid too much. I'm certain that the least of the problems that RX would have with adapting to electric cars would be the charging logistics.

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[SubaruNorway]

I see, it would be interesting to know the difference in pollution by running electric cars with generators and a regular combustion engine.
Because to me that sounds a bit like sweeping the dirt under the carpet...

[giu canbera]

Im kinda excited about e-RX. I LOVE the sound and stuff... but hey, gimme something new. Lets see how it goes.
MotoGP will have an electric Class next year too. Manufacturers said they are not interested, but big car brands also said that about FormulaE before season 1. Its all about the marketing... And we are heading into this electric engines thing so...

Then I believe we'll hear about a MXGP electric class.... and, YES, SORRY... a top WRC electric class.

[steve.mandzij]

I see, it would be interesting to know the difference in pollution by running electric cars with generators and a regular combustion engine.
Because to me that sounds a bit like sweeping the dirt under the carpet...I'm sorry, I got extremely confused! I remembered seeing Cummins diesel generators, but the real story is much more convincing. I doubted what I said as well.

It turns out that to produce the energy for the cars they use diesel generators converted to utilize glycerine as fuel, a byproduct of biodiesel production. The actual generation of the energy is emission free.

Here is the article http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2016/june/insight-formula-e-s-emission-free-charging/

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