Wrc 2/3 2021

[the sniper]

https://www.fia.com/news/fia-announces-world-motor-sport-council-decisions-20


A number of changes have been adopted to clarify the requirements for the WRC2 class. Participating teams in the category now have to register no later than the closing date of the fifth round of the 2021 season. To score points, a team must enter two cars in a maximum of seven rallies, including a minimum of one round outside of Europe.

WRC2 Drivers and Teams will be required to nominate to score points as they enter an event and as a result, registered Drivers can enter additional rallies as Priority 2 without scoring points. In regards to points scoring, the highest number of points from six of the seven nominated rallies will count.

Owing to the success of the Power Stage points for the WRC, the same format will now be extended to the WRC2 and WRC3 categories.

In WRC3, with the view to restore pre-COVID regulations, the number of rallies counting for the championship has been reinstated from five to seven, with the best five rounds counting for the championship points. Specific requirements have also been added to restrict the class entry to aspiring drivers developing their skills.

Another year, another attempt to make this work. Here's hoping all involved enter into the spirit of making this look sensible...

[mknight]

I don't see them adressing the main competetive issues:

- WRC3 cars always start later in running order, which on gravel and snow rallies usually means an advantage
- since they count as different "categories" WRC2 drivers have no reason to push when they are behind WRC3 drivers

Without reading the details yet, I guess they restrict people like Mikkelsen from driving in WRC3, question is if those restruction also block people like Huttunen (as multiple rally winner and WRC3 champ.) or Solberg ( ERC junior champ and multiple winner).

[AnttiL]

Without reading the details yet, I guess they restrict people like Mikkelsen from driving in WRC3, question is if those restruction also block people like Huttunen (as multiple rally winner and WRC3 champ.) or Solberg ( ERC junior champ and multiple winner).

Interesting to see how this will be done. Age limit? Limit of WRC event starts? Limit of success (WRC2 medal, WRC overall podium?)

[djip]

Interesting to see how this will be done. Age limit? Limit of WRC event starts? Limit of success (WRC2 medal, WRC overall podium?)

making WRC3 some "upgraded JWRC" (whatever the metric) may not be ot a bad idea - somehow same as ERC.

This however would imply that all other R5 would compete one with another. As is, this will make 3, not 2, R5 categories. Even worse.

Many possibility, but all ideas that tend to split the competition are bad ideas. Next is a chmapionship for blue cars and another for red ?

[mknight]

The way I read this it means that whole WRC3 will be "forbidden" for experienced drivers. So just turning WRC3 into "JWRC with Rally2". Keeping only 2 Rally2 categories with one of them quite restricted.

[giù tutto!]

What if you are fast driver (and/or experienced) , but you don't have the budget for wrc1, wrc2 or there are no seats left? What are the options for driving rally at WRC events then? In the shadows outside all the support championships without any publicity? Is there any class like wrc3 has been so far? Or is this option Regional championship series like ERC? National championship series?

Did I miss something?

[wyler]

I think everybody can enter every single event as a privateer, just not scoring point for any championships (or only for wrc driver)

[mknight]

What if you are fast driver (and/or experienced) , but you don't have the budget for wrc1, wrc2 or there are no seats left? What are the options for driving rally at WRC events then? In the shadows outside all the support championships without any publicity? Is there any class like wrc3 has been so far? Or is this option Regional championship series like ERC? National championship series?

Did I miss something?

As you say you will drive around 25-30th place on events with good entry lists.

While at the same time you will have unrestricted number of tires to use...

[djip]

I think everybody can enter every single event as a privateer, just not scoring point for any championships (or only for wrc driver)

but then you are seeded number 178 and as men tioneed by giù tutto!, you don't geet any exposure = hard to find sponsorship...

WRC3 was working pretty well, it is WRC which is totally broken/ menaningless (from day 1) ...

[the sniper]

As you say you will drive around 25-30th place on events with good entry lists.

While at the same time you will have unrestricted number of tires to use...

But you won't get any publicity even if you're the RC2 winner...

Seems like the likes of Kajetan Kajetanowicz got screwed by the FIA/Promoter, presumably. He'll have to pay more to do more, to be up against the manufacturer funded WRC2 entrants, if there actually are any paid works drivers... When will we know what the "Specific requirements" actually are for WRC3? Or are they still making that stuff up...?

[SubaruNorway]

How much was WRC2 now, 4000€ for an event?

[AnttiL]

WRC3 was working pretty well

lol wat

[mknight]

But you won't get any publicity even if you're the RC2 winner...



As shown in Monza WRC3 already gets close to zero publicity no matter RC2 and overall standings. The only publicity was that their podium got shown...after all other podiums. So not much of a difference.

[Jarek Z]

lol wat

It was a good championship, wasn't it?

[AnttiL]

It was a good championship, wasn't it?

No. A good championship is where everyone goes against everyone in every round, not an artificially divided series like this

[pantealex]

"WRC2 registered Drivers can enter additional rallies as Priority 2 without scoring points"

so that means WRC2 drivers gets "TV time" also from those events where they aren´t driving for points.

We must remember that when Rally2 (car type!) driver is entered outside WRC2/3 (s)he must start after all Priority drivers, JWRC and R-GT drivers are priority drivers.

[wyler]

but then you are seeded number 178 and as men tioneed by giù tutto!, you don't geet any exposure = hard to find sponsorship...

WRC3 was working pretty well, it is WRC which is totally broken/ menaningless (from day 1) ...

usually u have to pay to get exposure, that's why you do championships...you can race outside with pro and cons.
don't know if wrc3 helped anyone get sponsorships. seems to me that's more the driver looking for money to enter the championship than people with money calling driver to use it.

[mknight]

"WRC2 registered Drivers can enter additional rallies as Priority 2 without scoring points"

so that means WRC2 drivers gets "TV time" also from those events where they aren´t driving for points.


It sounds like a good idea but imagine how that Will look.

"Here comes the leading WRC2 driver that doesn't score any points"

So when Allive TV/does reports/interviews and have time for only one driver whom will they pick? The leading one or the "leading points" one. Who do they invite on press conferences, etc. etc.

Then goes the interviews with the "leading points" driver: " You are 20s behind the leader..."
" No I am winning..."

Totalt no chance for any confusion (for casual viewers and sponsors), arguments about who is faster(the points scorer has no reason to fight with the non-scoring one) or various arguments about who should get publicity.

-----
Btw. as a sidenote the reason why Rally2 gets more focus now is that in WRC there are with MSports decline basically 6 cars from 2 manus that compete at the moment, often 1-2 retire or lose a lot of time and you are down to maybe one or two position fights for most of the rally.
In Rally2 on European rounds you get 30-40 cars out of which 6-10 are reasonably competetive and often for 3-4 manufacturers.

[AnttiL]

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/season-2020/wrc-2/solberg-joins-veiby-in-hyundai-wrc2-squad/

Solberg and Veiby driving for Hyundai's WRC2 team next year.

Where does this leave Huttunen?

[AnttiL]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/solberg-joins-hyundai-on-two-year-deal/


Solberg will be joined in Hyundai’s WRC2 line-up by Ole Christian Veiby, while Jari Huttunen is part of the manufacturer’s plans again, though his program is yet to be defined.

[Jarek Z]

No. A good championship is where everyone goes against everyone in every round, not an artificially divided series like this

How is WRC3 divided?

[Sulland]

How is WRC3 divided?

I guess he means RC2, that are unlogically devided into two championships. It does not make sense to the normal fan watching a rally.
With WRC2 cars driving tachtically to get maximum points in their series.

[AnttiL]

How is WRC3 divided?

WRC3 is divided in the sense that half of the RC2 drivers are driving in WRC2, and that dilutes the value of both championships. You can't really say they were great championships this year.

[AnttiL]

We have demonstrated our commitment to identifying and supporting up-and-coming talent for a number of years, having added Finnish driver Jari Huttunen to our books three years ago. “We can’t talk about rising stars without mentioning Jari,” said Andrea. “He has had a fantastic season in 2020 including the Polish title and the WRC 3 championship. We are working on Jari’s programme for 2021 and more will be known on that in due course.”

https://motorsport.hyundai.com/exciting-talents-for-wrc-2/

[rp]

Huttunen can not do anything else what he did this year! A weird decision by Hyundai & Adamo once again. Of course their WRC2 drivers should be Solberg and Huttunen.

Jari showed during this year that he is better than Veiby. There is something with Even and Hyundai we do not know. There will be a big difference between Solberg and Veiby. One has a talent and an the other has money...

[AnttiL]

It wasn't exactly a secret this year that Veiby and Gryazin bought some cash to get their WRC2 seats. And Solberg also has a pretty strong backing behind him, although it's also possible they hired him as a future prospect for the main team. Meanwhile, Huttunen is supported by only Grönholm's GRX team, who didn't have the cash to buy the WRC2 seat a year ago.

[Jarek Z]

WRC3 is divided in the sense that half of the RC2 drivers are driving in WRC2, and that dilutes the value of both championships. You can't really say they were great championships this year.

OK, I see what you mean. But I think technically it was WRC2 that was divided, not WRC3.
Still, considering the situation, I think that WRC3 was a good championship.

[mknight]

Well I feel sorry for Huttunen as he was (again?) basically skipped for Solberg sports-wise and Veiby money/wise.

Hope he gets a good number of drives anyway.

[the sniper]

Fun game if you haven't seen the Monte Carlo thread, which of these do you think are the WRC2 entries? This could be our version of pin the tale on the donkey... :D

Andreas MIKKELSEN / Anders JAEGER-AMLAND – SKODA FABIA
Marco BULACIA / Marcelo OHANNESIAN – SKODA FABIA
Sean JOHNSTON / Alex KIHURANI – CITROEN C3
Nicolay GRYAZIN / Konstantin ALEXANDROV – VW POLO
Kevin ABBRING / Pieter TSJOEN – VW POLO
Nicolas CIAMIN / Yannick ROCHE – CITROEN C3
Oliver SOLBERG / Aaron JOHNSTON – HYUNDAI i20
Eric CAMILLI / François Xavier BURESI – CITROEN C3
Fabrizio ARENGI BENTIVOGLIO / BOSI Massimiliano – SKODA FABIA
Giacomo Ernesto OGLIARI / Lorenzo GRANAI – CITROEN C3
Cedric DE CECCO / Jérome HUMBLET – SKODA FABIA
Cedric CHERAIN / Stéphane PREVOT – SKODA FABIA
Johannes KEFERBÖCK / Ilka MINOR – SKODA FABIA
Miguel DIAZ ABOITIZ / Diego SANJUAN – SKODA FABIA
Tom WILLIAMS / Giorgia ASCALONE – FORD FIESTA

[Andre Oliveira]

WRC2 crews mostly with Pirelli now?

[dimviii]

The leader of this team will be called Andreas Mikkelsen, already present at the wheel of a Skoda Fabia Rally2 three times at the end of 2019. Committed from Monte-Carlo, the Norwegian will have only one goal: to win the title of world champion in this category.

Mikkelsen with Toksport in WRC2


Mainly champion thanks to Pontus Tidemand in WRC2 this season, TokSport will try to continue its success in 2021 with a brand new duo, but always with its Skoda Fabia Rally2.

After riding with Topp-Cars Rally Team in ERC, then Eurosol Racing Team Hungary in Monza in the world championship, Andreas Mikkelsen will discover a third team in just three months! In this WRC2 championship, the latter will logically be the favorite.

In the German team, the former VW and Hyundai driver will be joined by the very young Bolivian Marco Bulacia. Passed in Citroën C3 R5 last year after a discovery in Skoda Fabia R5, the Italian champion on earth is therefore returning to his first love! Last year, Marco narrowly failed in the race for the WRC3 championship, falling five points behind winner Jari Huttunen.

https://www.rallye-sport.fr/mikkelsen-avec-toksport-en-wrc2/

[Andre Oliveira]

https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/wrcsr_2021_16-12-20_published.pdf

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpsSnpzXYAE1_ib?format=jpg&name=medium

[rp]

https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/wrcsr_2021_16-12-20_published.pdf

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpsSnpzXYAE1_ib?format=jpg&name=medium

So Huttunen was not able to get WRC2 seat & now he is not allowed to compete in WRC3 anymore. Great job by FIA!

[AnttiL]

So Huttunen was not able to get WRC2 seat & now he is not allowed to compete in WRC3 anymore. Great job by FIA!

True, but then again, I don't think he needs to win that series anymore to prove anything to anyone.

[Andre Oliveira]

WRC2

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpsXpSTXMAEchp6?format=jpg&name=large

[mknight]

How can Abbring run in WRC3 on Monte when he was nominated for manu points in Finland 2016 ( maybe on other rallies as well)?

[Andre Oliveira]

Good find.

[AnttiL]

How can Abbring run in WRC3 on Monte when he was nominated for manu points in Finland 2016 ( maybe on other rallies as well)?

Spain and Sardegna 2016 as well.

I would claim WRC3 is not a series for experienced drivers like Abbring

[Andre Oliveira]

But, if entered by Tsjoen and changed then?

[Co-driven]

But, if entered by Tsjoen and changed then?

This is possible and would open a precedent to go over this new regulations regarding WRC3. But in this case Tsjoen would get the points even if he Abbring drives

[Sulland]

I would claim WRC3 is not a series for experienced drivers like Abbring

Yes, but then again, what class is a driver thats tries to kick-start a career supposed drive in if not in WRC3?
This is a bit of a catch22!

And proves again that we need one rally2 class, and may the best crew win!

[Mirek]

Yes, but then again, what class is a driver thats tries to kick-start a career supposed drive in if not in WRC3?

Whom do you mean? Abbring is 31 and has 40 starts in WRC events.

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ep31kHTWMAANnwE?format=jpg&name=large

[mknight]

Well he could have potentially done up to 3 rallies on snow between now and Monte, problem is the border crossings to Norway since they have it in Sweden and he is also in Sweden atm (vid from the indoor ski tunnel in Sweden today). Dunno what the rules for crossing to Finland for Arctic are at the moment.

Veiby is driving in i20 on 29.

[Sulland]

Whom do you mean? Abbring is 31 and has 40 starts in WRC events.

No special person, but lets take Abbring as example, if he is not allowed for a wrc3 series, does he then need to start as a privateer in a Rally2 car. How far back in the field does he then have to start? Behind all fia series?

[Tom K]

In my opinion the 5-years rule is quite harsh. Especially during these tough times for rallying. Abbring was nominated 2-3 times five seasons ago. Even F1 was less strict with last "young drivers' test".

[Rallyper]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ep31kHTWMAANnwE?format=jpg&name=large

A lot of testing ahead I suppose. (told ya before, one car would be transported to Sweden for tests...)

[Sulland]

And then the Solberg Test Team goes to work with a new car, getting to know and understand it down to the details.

Petter, Henning and Oliver will have a ball!

[Rallyper]

And then the Solberg Test Team goes to work with a new car, getting to know and understand it down to the details.

Petter, Henning and Oliver will have a ball!

You have to use all your skills. Not only driving. Good for the team.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://it.motorsport.com/wrc/news/wrc-movisport-presente-nel-2021-con-la-polo-di-gryazin/4916652/

[Mirek]

No special person, but lets take Abbring as example, if he is not allowed for a wrc3 series, does he then need to start as a privateer in a Rally2 car. How far back in the field does he then have to start? Behind all fia series?

Considering Abbring did his first WRC event 13 years ago and his experience I think that it is fair to require him to start in WRC2 instead of WRC3.

[Andre Oliveira]

Gryazin’s livery

https://twitter.com/ewrcresults/status/1344668295476211718?s=21

[Sulland]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ep31kHTWMAANnwE?format=jpg&name=large

Guessing it is Petters new Escort from Viking we see to the left.

[pantealex]

Guessing it is Petters new Escort from Viking we see to the left.

Has Petter sold that Escort what he used with Pernilla at RallySweden Historic few times ?

[Sulland]

Has Petter sold that Escort what he used with Pernilla at RallySweden Historic few times ?
Not sure.

[AnttiL]

https://www.rallit.fi/marcus-gronholmilta-huippu-uutinen-suomalaiselle-rallitoivolle-olemme-sopineet-tietyista-asioista-ja-loimme-katta-paalle/

Grönholm saying that Huttunen should have a WRC2 program this year

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Eyvind Brynildsen's social media suggests he's staying with Toksport in 2021 (& Mikkelsen).

[rp]

Eyvind Brynildsen's social media suggests he's staying with Toksport in 2021 (& Mikkelsen).

Bulacia is already Toksport´s 2nd driver. Maybe ERC for Eyvind, but how about Ingram then...

[dimviii]

Mads at the end of this interview,saying that he works on similar programm for 2021
https://www.autohebdo.fr/wrc/actualites/mads-ostberg-le-wrc2-n-est-pas-un-jeu-215159.html

[Andre Oliveira]

Fabrizio Zaldivar and Carlos del Barrio with Toksport Škoda instead the announced Hyundai. And 2 ERC rallies added to WRC3 program.

https://scontent.fopo3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/136340555_4154926427870086_3843189922916111355_o.j pg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=2&_nc_sid=ca434c&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ohc=aQh0swJTmpYAX8kmV_b&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo3-1.fna&tp=14&oh=62bcb1a3136b396d2941d8859b2c774f&oe=601B29FD

[AnttiL]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErMfD5WWMAAmFlg?format=jpg&name=small

That green livery reminds me of something...:D

[pantealex]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErMfD5WWMAAmFlg?format=jpg&name=small

That green livery reminds me of something...:D

and main sponsor is "SKODA" :)

[dimviii]

Citroën Racing
@CitroenRacing

Welcome to the #C3Rally2Family @EricCamilli


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErT3WqYWMAEPoGW?format=jpg&name=large

[AnttiL]

Nice to get more competition in WRC2

[mknight]

As long as it doesn't mean dropping Østberg.

[Tom206wrc]

Fun game if you haven't seen the Monte Carlo thread, which of these do you think are the WRC2 entries? This could be our version of pin the tale on the donkey... :D

Andreas MIKKELSEN / Anders JAEGER-AMLAND – SKODA FABIA
Marco BULACIA / Marcelo OHANNESIAN – SKODA FABIA
Sean JOHNSTON / Alex KIHURANI – CITROEN C3
Nicolay GRYAZIN / Konstantin ALEXANDROV – VW POLO
Kevin ABBRING / Pieter TSJOEN – VW POLO
Nicolas CIAMIN / Yannick ROCHE – CITROEN C3
Oliver SOLBERG / Aaron JOHNSTON – HYUNDAI i20
Eric CAMILLI / François Xavier BURESI – CITROEN C3
Fabrizio ARENGI BENTIVOGLIO / BOSI Massimiliano – SKODA FABIA
Giacomo Ernesto OGLIARI / Lorenzo GRANAI – CITROEN C3
Cedric DE CECCO / Jérome HUMBLET – SKODA FABIA
Cedric CHERAIN / Stéphane PREVOT – SKODA FABIA
Johannes KEFERBÖCK / Ilka MINOR – SKODA FABIA
Miguel DIAZ ABOITIZ / Diego SANJUAN – SKODA FABIA
Tom WILLIAMS / Giorgia ASCALONE – FORD FIESTA

Johnston and Camilli in WRC2, Ciamin in WRC3 ;)

According to someone on Forum-Rallye there should be also Bonato(only in Monte-Carlo), Rossel and Burri(Michael)with Citroën but no idea if WRC2 or 3 :confused:

[Tom206wrc]

Yohan Rossel with Saintéloc team in WRC3 ;)

[dimviii]

Larena testing fabia
https://twitter.com/Shakedown_Media/status/1348225998878334978

[dimviii]

Citroën Racing
@CitroenRacing

Welcome to the #C3Rally2Family @EricCamilli


There will also be the welcome return of Eric Camilli to the WRC2 World Championship. The Frenchman will race with the new Citroen C3 Rally2 from Citroen Racing.

Eric will start with the Rallye Monte-Carlo but the big news on car management is that entrusted by Citroen to Sports & You instead of the usual Citroen rib of PH Sport.

Camilli after an excellent Rallye Monte-Carlo 2020 where he won the class and conquered a ninth overall position, competed only in Sardinia where he had to retire.

The test driver will have the opportunity to redeem himself in this championship.

At the moment we do not know what PH Sport, currently engaged in the Dakar, or Mads Ostberg, reigning WRC2 champion will do.

https://www.rally.it/2021/01/camilli-con-citroen-nel-wrc2

[dimviii]

Sainteloc Racing
@SaintelocRacing
·
53m
@seanjrally
& @Rosselyohan
join sainteloc racing on 2021 @OfficialWRC
with @CitroenRacing
#C3Rally2. => first Rally @ACM_Media
#RallyeMonteCarlo

[Tom206wrc]

Sainteloc Racing
@SaintelocRacing
·
53m
@seanjrally
& @Rosselyohan
join sainteloc racing on 2021 @OfficialWRC
with @CitroenRacing
#C3Rally2. => first Rally @ACM_Media
#RallyeMonteCarlo

So Saintéloc at MC with Sean Johnston(WRC2) + Yohan Rossel(WRC3) :confused:

[Jarek Z]

Nice to get more competition in WRC2

Yes, but I don't get the concept of WRC2 anymore. Basically anybody who pays the entry fee can be a WRC2 competitor these days?

[Tom K]

I would say, you need register the team. But not sure now if registration with two cars is necessary.

[AnttiL]

Yes, but I don't get the concept of WRC2 anymore. Basically anybody who pays the entry fee can be a WRC2 competitor these days?

Was it ever any different?

[Jarek Z]

Was it ever any different?

I'm sure something must have changed. In the previous years there were just 3-4 crews competing in this championship.
(but I didn't bother to check what it was)

[Andre Oliveira]

There will also be the welcome return of Eric Camilli to the WRC2 World Championship. The Frenchman will race with the new Citroen C3 Rally2 from Citroen Racing.

Eric will start with the Rallye Monte-Carlo but the big news on car management is that entrusted by Citroen to Sports & You instead of the usual Citroen rib of PH Sport.

Camilli after an excellent Rallye Monte-Carlo 2020 where he won the class and conquered a ninth overall position, competed only in Sardinia where he had to retire.

The test driver will have the opportunity to redeem himself in this championship.

At the moment we do not know what PH Sport, currently engaged in the Dakar, or Mads Ostberg, reigning WRC2 champion will do.

https://www.rally.it/2021/01/camilli-con-citroen-nel-wrc2

Eric Camilli with portuguese team Sports and You of José Pedro Fontes.

[Kenneth]

Before, WRC2 was for registered teams and their drivers, WRC3 was for rest of drivers. But now, WRC3 is "beginner class" (there are some rules about who can drive), and WRC2 is now for registered teams (both factory and private) and also for individual private drivers.

So they took concept of last year's WRC2 and they expanded it with "experienced" drivers with no team.

Hope I managed to explain it to you.

[AnttiL]

I'm sure something must have changed. In the previous years there were just 3-4 crews competing in this championship.
(but I didn't bother to check what it was)

Before, WRC2 was for registered teams and their drivers, WRC3 was for rest of drivers. But now, WRC3 is "beginner class" (there are some rules about who can drive), and WRC2 is now for registered teams (both factory and private) and also for individual private drivers.

So they took concept of last year's WRC2 and they expanded it with "experienced" drivers with no team.

Hope I managed to explain it to you.

- Until 2018 WRC2 was just a single championship for RC2 cars.
- In 2019 it was split to WRC2Pro and WRC2. WRC2Pro was for manufacturer teams.
- For 2020 WRC2Pro was renamed to WRC2 and WRC2 became WRC3. At the same time WRC2 became open for teams, not just manufacturers (like Toksport instead of Skoda, PH Sport instead of Citroen etc)
- For this year, WRC3 had some restrictions on who can start but I don't see any changes for WRC2 itself.
- Also, WRC3 in 2020 or WRC2 in 2019 was never automatically for "rest of drivers", since it has always been possible to start without running for any championships.

Maybe FIA/Promoter decreased the entry fees for WRC2? Or more drivers just gathered budget throughout 2020 for this year? Also several drivers ugpraded from WRC3 to WRC2.

[rallyfiend]

- Until 2018 WRC2 was just a single championship for RC2 cars.
- In 2019 it was split to WRC2Pro and WRC2. WRC2Pro was for manufacturer teams.
- For 2020 WRC2Pro was renamed to WRC2 and WRC2 became WRC3. At the same time WRC2 became open for teams, not just manufacturers (like Toksport instead of Skoda, PH Sport instead of Citroen etc)
- For this year, WRC3 had some restrictions on who can start but I don't see any changes for WRC2 itself.
- Also, WRC3 in 2020 or WRC2 in 2019 was never automatically for "rest of drivers", since it has always been possible to start without running for any championships.

Maybe FIA/Promoter decreased the entry fees for WRC2? Or more drivers just gathered budget throughout 2020 for this year? Also several drivers ugpraded from WRC3 to WRC2.

All entry fees have remained the same as far as I can tell from the 2021 FIA WRC Sporting Regulations.

[Co-driven]

After Toksport success in 2020, teams started to see that any team can be "World Champion" and not only a manufacturer.

[rallyfiend]

I suspect it's more that with the priority running order meaning that by default WRC2 is included in more of the international Live TV coverage, it's worth the extra cost of entry fees for the return on investment versus WRC3.

[AnttiL]

If we look at the Monte entry list, we see a lot of teams entered. In the previous years only a handful of teams have participated.

Now there is Toksport, M-Sport, Sainteloc, Movisport, Sports and You, Hyundai Motorsport N (and will there be PH Sport with Mads later on?)

Maybe this is what is puzzling Jarek Z?

If WRC+ has 15 camera kits, then we will have five WRC2 drivers with an onboard camera. Not all of them can have one.

[PLuto]

I suspect it's more that with the priority running order meaning that by default WRC2 is included in more of the international Live TV coverage, it's worth the extra cost of entry fees for the return on investment versus WRC3.

I think this is the most important thing. They have found that coverage and promotion of WRC3 is much lower than for WRC2. Or better, promotion is almost zero. On the other hand, in WRC2 you are registered as team, so you can nominate different drivers to different events...

[pantealex]

Oliver is Hyundai´s only WRC2 entry for Monte...
so Veiby is doing less or different events.

[rp]

How are the current regulations? There should have been two cars to score Team points...

"In order to score Team points any team registered in WRC2 must enter two (2) cars in a maximum of 7 rallies including a minimum of one rally outside of Europe."

[Tom K]

My understanding is, that driver can score the points, when team doesn't. Here:

If only a Team’s
Driver and/or Co-driver want to score points on an event, or
if neither the Team nor the Driver or Co-driver wants to score
points on an event, a Team may also enter only one (1) car.

[dimviii]

Matteo Deriu
Flag of Italy
@Bartolbia84
Superb livery
Flag of Austria
Keferböck for #WRC3 season! @MonsterEnergyIT
@MotorsportSkoda


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eree4bBXYAw9Xx1?format=jpg&name=900x900

[pantealex]

My understanding is, that driver can score the points, when team doesn't. Here:

If only a Team’s
Driver and/or Co-driver want to score points on an event, or
if neither the Team nor the Driver or Co-driver wants to score
points on an event, a Team may also enter only one (1) car.

Monte: 8 entries for WRC2
2 Teams have 2 cars
4 Teams have 1 car

Are all 8 allowed to score Powerstage points ?
How many is driving for WRC2 points ?
Who can score Teams points ?

Based on entry-list I don´t have right answers.

[dimviii]

FFSA
@FFSportAuto
������ : Rossel
��
������������ : Yohan
������ : 25 ans
�������� : @SaintelocRacing


������������������ ��������: Four rallies in WRC3

This is the 5th year of selection in the French FFSA Rally Team for @Rosselyohan

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EreUsTvXIAoJ_Ks?format=jpg&name=small

[Kenneth]

Only teams who have 2 cars are allowed to score team points. But you are right, even teams that have 2 cars don't need have to score points and entry list says nothing.

[AnttiL]

The way I interpret it, all P2 drivers are eligible for WRC2 points. But only Toksport and Movisport can get team points?

[Jarek Z]

Even die-hard fans are not sure how the classifications work. How is this sport going to attract new viewers?

[dimviii]

Even die-hard fans are not sure how the classifications work. How is this sport going to attract new viewers?

i am too confused.

[AnttiL]

Even die-hard fans are not sure how the classifications work. How is this sport going to attract new viewers?

How many new viewers join in to follow up the support series? :) In the main category it's still straightforward.

[er88]

I've not been arsed about wrc2 or wrc3 as much as I'd like to be - in terms of the titles. It's just ridiculous.

I just watch the times and leaderboard and keep check of all the top R5 times. Mikkelsen has it right, he wants to be the fastest R5 and dominate the car category - as a proper driver should.

[Sulland]

To keep it simple; RC2 Champion.

[Lancia Stratos]

Solberg and Gryazin are not nominated for WRC2 in Monte. They are P2 drivers but will not score points.

[Jarek Z]

Gryazin's new livery can be found below. He is going to compete in WRC2. Where are his sponsors?

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/amp/24vVl4e6/s6/nikolay-gryazin-konstantin-ale.jpg

[Essaj]

Gryazin's new livery can be found below. He is going to compete in WRC2. Where are his sponsors?

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/amp/24vVl4e6/s6/nikolay-gryazin-konstantin-ale.jpg

Have you ever seen sponsors on his car? His family has the dough

[Jarek Z]

Have you ever seen sponsors on his car? His family has the dough

Yes, but it was a long time ago:
https://rallypl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2017-rally-liepaja-18-gryazin.jpg

[Rallyper]

Solberg and Gryazin are not nominated for WRC2 in Monte. They are P2 drivers but will not score points.

How do you read out that? Can´t see difference from Mikkelsen etz, in entry list.

[Lancia Stratos]

There isn't any difference because a way of differentiating them was not included on the entry list.

But they are not.

[PLuto]

There isn't any difference because a way of differentiating them was not included on the entry list.

But they are not.

That is not true. Usually, if you are not nominated to WRC2, you dont have written this championship at your name. WRC2 and P2 are different things.

[Lancia Stratos]

That is not true. Usually, if you are not nominated to WRC2, you dont have written this championship at your name. WRC2 and P2 are different things.

Yes they are, but this season WRC2 drivers can enter rounds for which they are not nominated to score and retain their P2 status. This is the case with Solberg and Gryazin. They should not have WRC2 alongside on the entry list and this will change.

[PLuto]

Yes they are, but this season WRC2 drivers can enter rounds for which they are not nominated to score and retain their P2 status. This is the case with Solberg and Gryazin. They should not have WRC2 alongside on the entry list and this will change.

Yes, if this will happen, than correct. But according to current entry list (approved by FIA) they are part of WRC2...

[CWJ]

How do you read out that? Can´t see difference from Mikkelsen etz, in entry list.

There is an AMENDED list now with mor detailled information about scoring

[Tom K]

So, situation with Fourmaux, Camilli and Johnston is clear - only driver/co-driver. Toksport crews - Team + driver/co-driver, Gryazin - for Team but not for the driver/co-driver, but for the same Movisport Brazzoli for Team and driver/co-driver? :rolleyes:

Am I right?

[Andre Oliveira]

Why complicate every year more?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Er4qYVUXUAQzxr6?format=jpg&name=large

[Andre Oliveira]

https://scontent.fopo3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/139407197_4182096348486427_4297601043780238421_n.j pg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=2&_nc_sid=1480c5&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ohc=63SDH9FFiW0AX8k-yPI&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo3-1.fna&tp=14&oh=06926a68f7698a7e0291ed6289fe7859&oe=602975CF

[dimviii]

isnt a risky move from Oliver,if his ''good'' rallies cancelled?

[AnttiL]

Hasn't this been the same in the past years? You can nominate your events? In 2017 Camilli was the fastest R5 in Sardegna but didn't win WRC2. The difference is just that Oliver is using the P2 status.

And yes, it's risky if rallies start getting cancelled, like with Östberg in 2020.

[Co-driven]

Hasn't this been the same in the past years? You can nominate your events? In 2017 Camilli was the fastest R5 in Sardegna but didn't win WRC2. The difference is just that Oliver is using the P2 status.

And yes, it's risky if rallies start getting cancelled, like with Östberg in 2020.

On previous years, you could either be a P2 or non priority. I don't think it was possible to drive without scoring points and still have the P2 status. Only exception might be Monza Rally, after all the misunderstandings regarding regulations.

[AnttiL]

On previous years, you could either be a P2 or non priority. I don't think it was possible to drive without scoring points and still have the P2 status. Only exception might be Monza Rally, after all the misunderstandings regarding regulations.

Yeah. In 2019 the WRC2Pro drivers didn't have to nominate anything since they could add up all the rallies they started in. I don't remember 2020 though, but there were so few rallies and no drivers with so big budgets that they would do extra non-nominated events that we didn't get to see any tactics played.

[Sulland]

Who in RC2 will be the surprize of Monte?

We have many locals, will one of them do the drive of their lives?

[Tom K]

If it is dry - Bonato. And like last year: Camilli and Ciamin.

[PLuto]

Dont forget they will be running on Pirelli now. Most of them were usually using Michelin. This should be also big difference.

[Sulland]

If we will have snow/ice on the stages tomorrow, we will also see many combinations of crossing tyres - with many drivers using this technique for the first time, so we can see big time differences ss to ss depending what shoes the driver choose!

[Jarek Z]

If it is dry - Bonato. And like last year: Camilli and Ciamin.

After just 6 stages Bonato lost already nearly 3 minutes to Mikkelsen. Ciamin is even slower...

[mknight]

After just 6 stages Bonato lost already nearly 3 minutes to Mikkelsen. Ciamin is even slower...

Bonato is strange, last year in Hungary he was minutes behind everywhere, then on Canarias in relatively similar conditions (slippery, but much less gravel) he was in top, now back to minutes behind.

[Tom K]

After just 6 stages Bonato lost already nearly 3 minutes to Mikkelsen. Ciamin is even slower...

If it is dry... Regardless of that, French guys are up to now quite big disappointment or the rest is much much better than last year.

I wouldn't say Canarias were similar to Hungary. On the island even with rain the grip was quite good.

[Jarek Z]

Bonato is strange, last year in Hungary he was minutes behind everywhere, then on Canarias in relatively similar conditions (slippery, but much less gravel) he was in top, now back to minutes behind.

Yes, apparently he isn't a very consistent driver.

[Mirek]

Hungary and Canarias is very different thing and both being wet doesn't make them similar. Hungary is similar to Barum, Canarias is completely different event (surface, rhytm, driving style, temperatures, pacenotes, everything).

[PLuto]

Bonato is strange, last year in Hungary he was minutes behind everywhere, then on Canarias in relatively similar conditions (slippery, but much less gravel) he was in top, now back to minutes behind.

In Hungary, he had big problems to find correct setup for the bumpy tarmac stages. And also he was starting later in the field. And here on Monte he is driving Pirelli, most probably for first time ever? It should be a problem for french drivers who usually uses Michelin tyres...

[Rally Power]

Thanks to the 'brilliant' WRC2/3 split, Bonato only has to care about Rossel, his WRC3 rival; there's no real incentive to go after Mikkelsen or Fourmaux.

[Andre Oliveira]

Should be mistake of RG1 of Rally de Portugal... no WRC3

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Es1G30TVkAkCOx5?format=jpg&name=medium

[Tom K]

22 stages, very nice!

E: To avoid being OT

2036

[pantealex]

22 stages, very nice!

Where ?

[Tom K]

Portugal. In RG1 in schedule during rally week section is written SS22 - Wolf Power Stage.

[pantealex]

Portugal. In RG1 in schedule during rally week section is written SS22 - Wolf Power Stage.

OK maybe it´s WRC2/3 news :)

[Andre Oliveira]

No Hyundai to Zaldivar. Fabrizio and del Barrio with Škoda of Toksport in WRC3. First rally will be Arctic Rally.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Es2fKvOXYAECU_K?format=jpg&name=large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

In an interview last week Chris Ingram said he plans to enter the first of his seven 2021 WRC2 events at Rally Croatia.

[Kenneth]

Martin Prokop bought Fiesta Rally2 and has plans to start in WRC. Maybe second M-Sport driver?

[Tom206wrc]

In an interview last week Chris Ingram said he plans to enter the first of his seven 2021 WRC2 events at Rally Croatia.


With what car :confused: I think he's now Renault driver(for the new Clio Rally4)and the brand has no Rally2 car :confused:

[Kenneth]

He's not Renault driver, he works with Toksport which runs Renaults. But they runs Skoda in Rally2 class, so Skoda is my guess.

[Lancia Stratos]

Huttunen gets WRC 2 programme.

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc2/world-title-earns-huttunen-step-up-to-wrc2/

[AnttiL]

Huttunen still driving a Kowax2B car this year.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Martin Prokop bought Fiesta Rally2 and has plans to start in WRC. Maybe second M-Sport driver?

Yep, confirmed for Arctic Rally Finland as team-mate to Fourmaux.

[abcrally]

Huttunen still driving a Kowax2B car this year.

Works car but 2B service.

[Tom K]

Except some confusion with entries (Team/Driver, only Team/only Driver) WRC 2 seems as an very nice option. Team is registered with one fee (10k euro) and no additional (except rally-by-rally fee) costs for driver. So team can use different drivers during year and offer them a WRC 2 ride.

[Jarek Z]

Except some confusion with entries (Team/Driver, only Team/only Driver) WRC 2 seems as an very nice option. Team is registered with one fee (10k euro) and no additional (except rally-by-rally fee) costs for driver. So team can use different drivers during year and offer them a WRC 2 ride.

Really? My impression is that the new rules create even more confusion than we already had.

[Tom K]

Except some confusion with entries (Team/Driver, only Team/only Driver), WRC 2 is nice option for the crews - and this is my point of view. Opportunity for crews, not an easy life for statistics. Probably smaller team can even make an agreemennt with crews to split this fee into them. Lappi could be an example.

[dimviii]

Breen testing i20 r5 in Sweden

https://twitter.com/F_Gustavsson/status/1361314900384112646

[Sulland]

Are they testing old and new car back to back, so they get data and drivers input on same stage with same driver? Same with drivers with different preferences of settings, so they get a car that will work effectivly for most drivimg styles?

Where in Sweden are they testing now?

[dimviii]

Βreen

https://twitter.com/MagnusSafstrom/status/1361334990143971330

https://twitter.com/F_Gustavsson/status/1361333193975230470

[dimviii]

What Breen’s taken from the newest Rally2 car

He's one of few drivers to have tested the Hyundai i20 N Rally2. What does Craig Breen think of the R5's successor?

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/what-breens-taken-from-the-newest-rally2-car/

[Sulland]

He's one of few drivers to have tested the Hyundai i20 N Rally2.

This is not necessary not the best way. You need many different drivers to develop, so you get a flexible car, that responds well on setup changes. Otherwise you can end up as the Cit C3, both WRC and R5.

[Mirek]

This is not necessary not the best way. You need many different drivers to develop, so you get a flexible car, that responds well on setup changes. Otherwise you can end up as the Cit C3, both WRC and R5.

As far as I can tell C3 R5 works fine.

One main development driver and a validation test with someone else here and there is pretty much common way of doing things I think. The reason is that few drivers are able to give the engineers an efficient feedback ("I don't like it" really isn't helpful for anything) and a fast driver doesn't mean the same as a good development driver.

With the French cars the issue was usually in the fact that their world used to be somewhat less driver-centric and was more engineering oriented, i.e. they sometimes tend to choose solutions which are much better in theory than they turn to be in the real life with a real guy behind the steering wheel. That doesn't mean it can't work - it often does but such car is usally not very easy and friendly to drive.

[AnttiL]

This is not necessary not the best way. You need many different drivers to develop, so you get a flexible car, that responds well on setup changes. Otherwise you can end up as the Cit C3, both WRC and R5.

So far Huttunen and Tänak have also tested the new i20 N Rally2.

[mknight]

As far as I can tell C3 R5 works fine.


After Østberg spend a year working on it on gravel it finally can also drive on gravel. So not a very good example to use tbh.

[Mirek]

After Østberg spend a year working on it on gravel it finally can also drive on gravel. So not a very good example to use tbh.

In the same year, when Ostberg was struggling with it, Luykanuk won majority of gravel stages in ERC. It could have been problematic but far from being bad.

[Andre Oliveira]

According Jorge Basualdo (Paraguay jornalist), Miguel García want participate in WRC3 with Citroën C3 Rally2.

[Sulland]

I think Mr Lukyanuk is one of those drivers that drives max no matter how good the car is. It is just another challenge for him.
But I think he liked the car more in the latter part of 20, with more new parts, that made it easier to drive.

[Mirek]

But I think he liked the car more in the latter part of 20, with more new parts, that made it easier to drive.

That's normal way of development of every car. It would be pretty bad if it was not the case.

[dimviii]

Oliver Solberg
@OliverSolberg01
Great to have my first test with the new @HMSGOfficial
i20 N Rally2 this week!
��
��
https://twitter.com/OliverSolberg01/status/1362367536403271680

Learning, developing and having fun on fantastic Swedish roads - no better way to spend a day!
��
❄️

[Sulland]

That's normal way of development of every car. It would be pretty bad if it was not the case.


That serve was of course too easy on my part, so smash well deserved!

[Sulland]

Oliver first test i20 Rally2
https://www.facebook.com/OliverSolberg01/videos/135365708456096

[mknight]

Oliver first test i20 Rally2
https://www.facebook.com/OliverSolberg01/videos/135365708456096

Hyundai is certainly not wasting his time.

One way to look at it is that it's good idea to "use" a driver for whatever is needed.

Another speculation is that they "gave up" on collecting any WRC2 points with the old car and are just focusing on the new one. Not sure when exactly it is planned to appear, maybe they are trying to homologate it faster so they can run it from Croatia.

The development team likely has time since new WRC does not have green light.

[Sulland]

Oliver is primarily hired to compete in Rally2 in 2021.

So smart of them to give him a real 2-3 day test, where he can test everything he need to be happy. And if needed give input to last minut changes before homologation.

[AnttiL]

Huttunen still driving a Kowax2B car this year.

Works car but 2B service.
Now Huttunen said in Tomin nuoteista podcast that the car will be the same as he drove last year.

[Kenneth]

Also Kowax's team principal confirmed that the will get one of the firsts Rally2 cars.

[Tom K]

https://www.facebook.com/hyundaiczechracing/photos/pcb.851940898718664/851940738718680 - Huttunen's car.

Strong chances we will see Ostberg in one of the national championships.

[Kenneth]

With Citroën?

[Tom K]

Yes, the car should be Citroen.

[RS]

Strong chances we will see Ostberg in one of the national championships.

Instead of WRC?

[Tom K]

As an addition.

[SubaruNorway]

Norwegian championship if Østberg can get a car.

Brynildsen replacing Bulacia in Artic Rally
https://parcferme.no/rally/skoda-motorsport-henter-tilbake-eyvind-til-den-finske-vm-runden-pa-sno-forstkommende-helg/

[Tom K]

Lappi is testing

https://www.facebook.com/EsapekkaLappiOfficial/videos/1382812782071928

[Co-driven]

Norwegian championship if Østberg can get a car.

Brynildsen replacing Bulacia in Artic Rally
https://parcferme.no/rally/skoda-motorsport-henter-tilbake-eyvind-til-den-finske-vm-runden-pa-sno-forstkommende-helg/

Any explanation to this replacement?

[Sulland]

Any explanation to this replacement?

As far as We have heard, it is coronarelated. Not sure exactly what.

[pantealex]

Any explanation to this replacement?

The driver (Bulacia) confirmed problems with Residence Card in Spain and he can't travel to Finland and will miss #ArcticRallyFinland.
(Answer from Jarno Saari in Twitter)

[Sulland]

Too bad VW decided to stop rallying, in Finland the Polo is smashing the others.
It seems to be more stable in high speeds than the Fabia and rest.

But had I been in a factory that is in WRC2, and had paid FIA a lot of money to register, not getting any airtime showing car and sponsors at all live, I had complained.

[mknight]

I read somewhere (from Belgium?) that the Polo is tricky to drive when the conditions are changing trough the stages. (that would apply to tarmac though)
That was obviously not the case in Arctic with pretty much very similar grip all the time and same tires everywhere.
Polo was clearly fastest when it came out, but then the fires made it less popular. Also lot of drivers could pick between paying for everything themselves in a Polo or getting partly or fully funded by a factory team. Was quite easy to instead go for partly factory (i.e. Solberg in Skoda).


Nevertheless I think Lappi is faster than Mikkelsen on very fast gravel, which is why I put him ahead of him in pickems. That said in the faster and smooth sections the Polos (Lappi, Gryazin, Kaur) did seem to have an advantage. But for sure Lappi pushed, after all he spend time in a snowbank. Not sure how much he pushed on PS, but PS surface seemed a lot more icy/gravel polished and less smooth/soft like the saturday stages.

For Lappi I'd say he'll likely start at some point later in the year (for example in Finland) and due to Fiesta WRC in current form it's more likely he'll do WRC2. I'd definitely recommend him to start also on some rally where he does not have best results (Sardinia, Portugal or some tarmac for example). Else he kind of risks getting to the same position as Breen - "specialist" picked only for certain rallies.

[EstWRC]

Kaur is planning to do portugal and sardegna next but still not 100% sure.

[Sulland]

Eyvind Brynildsen gets a call while prepping to do a national rally in an old Golf III Kit Car; please get to Finland ASAP, Bulacia will not be able to participate, can you drive for us?

The answer was yes, of course.

After working to get his own Co-driver Veronica with him for a few hours, they both jump on a plane.
Eyvind and Veronica ends up 4th in WRC2, with very little prep, and no km in a Fabia since october 2020. That is impressive!

Ford could need him to take a role in their WRC2 program, and development of the Rally2 Fiesta!!

[AnttiL]

Ford could need him to take a role in their WRC2 program, and development of the Rally2 Fiesta!!

Sadly Ford doesn't have a WRC2 program. M-Sport only rents their cars to people who can pay for them :)

[Tom206wrc]

Too bad VW decided to stop rallying, in Finland the Polo is smashing the others.
It seems to be more stable in high speeds than the Fabia and rest.

But had I been in a factory that is in WRC2, and had paid FIA a lot of money to register, not getting any airtime showing car and sponsors at all live, I had complained.


The C3 drivers weren't top drivers in Arctic, difficult to judge if the Citroën would have been better or not ;)

[Sulland]

Sadly Ford doesn't have a WRC2 program. M-Sport only rents their cars to people who can pay for them :)

Does not Fourmaux have some sort of deal?

But the important thing that M-Sport has to make some money. The Rally2 is not the bestseller these days, and the reason is that the car need more development on gravel/snow to become a winner on the sales charts again.

[AnttiL]

Does not Fourmaux have some sort of deal?

But the important thing that M-Sport has to make some money. The Rally2 is not the bestseller these days, and the reason is that the car need more development on gravel/snow to become a winner on the sales charts again.

It's not Ford (the car company) paying for people to drive the rally cars. Fourmaux has backing from FFSA, Red Bull and other personal sponsors. And possibly some sort of investment program from M-Sport as well. But not Ford.

[Tom K]

Ostberg in WRC 2 with Tagai

https://media.citroenracing.com/en/MadsWRC2ENG?fbclid=IwAR1KxYICZiF7kM9s3rre5pkrUrjeT Z1FRGJlh3aCcJDnmb7xSaxeQp6G-UU

He will start from Croatia. One week earlier will attend Miskolc Rally in Hungary.

[Lead]

Really glad for him although I will miss him on WRC live :(

[dimviii]

“He is looking strong,” says Østberg. “He has a good car and we have seen his team is strong as well. But I’m not afraid of anybody in WRC2. I’m not afraid of Andreas. He will be hard to beat, but I beat him in 2018, the last time we were both in equal machinery and driving World Rally Cars and I feel comfortable that we will have a good fight this year.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-dual-motivation-behind-ostbergs-wrc2-defense/

[dimviii]

Test in Sardegna for new hyundai i20 rally2


https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://www.rallyeslalom.com/test-in-sardegna-per-la-nuova-hyundai-i20-rally2/

[dimviii]

https://twitter.com/OliverSolberg01/status/1372237127476469768

[dimviii]

Solberg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JO2U1v1njI

[dimviii]

Tom Kristensson
@KristenssonTom



TOM KRISTENSSON JOINS WRC2 AS A FACTORY DRIVER FOR M-SPORT FORD WORLD RALLY!

Tom Kristensson will be competing in WRC2 for british M-Sport Ford World Rally Team in a Ford Fiesta Rally2-car.
#wrc #wrclive #msport #msporters
#wrc2 #fiajuniorwrc


Rubén Pérez
@RubnPerez
·
3h
El programa de Tom Kristensson y David Arhusiander en el #WRC2 junto a M-Sport es:

#CroatiaRally
#RallyPortugal
#RallyEstonia
#RallyFinland
#YpresRally
#RallyRACC

[dimviii]

Why new Hyundai is the Brad Pitt to old R5’s Andrea Adamo

The development process of the Rally2 has been very different to the R5, indicative of Hyundai's rate of progress

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/why-hyundai-i20-n-rally2-is-brad-pitt-and-i20-r5-andrea-adamo/

[mknight]

The list of "hints" about how the i20 R5 is bad is very long lately.

Question is how much of that is deliberate hype so that people buy the new car... and how much is a revelation of the true performance. Pretty hard to say.

[Tom K]

Kajto's livery for 2021 - seven rounds in WRC 3. Start from Croatia.

2063

2064

2065

[Lancia Stratos]

Kajto: https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc3/eager-kajto-returns-for-wrc3-title-tilt/

[AnttiL]

https://www.rallit.fi/esapekka-lapilla-uusi-suunnitelma-viritteilla/

Lappi plans to do Portugal with Movisport Polo.

[mknight]

As we talked about after Arctic he needs to show he can do well on other types of rallies than fast gravel/snow.
Portugal fits that, but as pointed out punctures often play a role there.

One of the tarmac rallies should be next imo. Croatia could have been ideal imo. Next tarmac rallies are much later in the season.

The advantage of that is that a good result later in the season is always more "remembered" than early in the season when it comes to picking drivers for next year. Then again most seats might already be taken....
Additional danger is that Hyundai introduces new I20 which is much better and maybe even the new Fabia is ready by then (August+).

[AnttiL]

Croatia is probably too soon for his budget collecting, and in Portugal he's more likely to do well, and thus then be able to score more budget for more rounds.

[RS]

Additional danger is that Hyundai introduces new I20 which is much better and maybe even the new Fabia is ready by then (August+).

i seriously doubt that. Skoda like to test a lot.. homologation Jan1st 2022 seems more likely to me.

[AnttiL]

Emil Lindholm joins Toksport for a WRC3 program from Croatia onwards.

[AnttiL]

Emil Lindholm joins Toksport for a WRC3 program from Croatia onwards.

Croatia, Portugal, Sardegna, Estonia and Finland (this with TGS)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Chrs Ingram:

We're Back ! And competing in our debut season of the @officialwrc FIA World Rally Championship!

A dream come true and the biggest opportunity of my life. Thank you so much to everyone who has made this reality.

●We will begin our debut WRC campaign at the Rally Croatia
●We will compete in a minimum of 6 rounds in WRC3 and will step-up to WRC2 for 2022
●CarFinance 247 signs up as key partner
●Protec, WS Transportation, Kroon Oil, Fleetback, HAH Whiskey, FreeM Racewear and Stilo Helmets join the @rallywarrior team as partners
●We join new team SXM Competition

[Jarek Z]

Former "Toyota driver" Hiroki Arai is going to compete in WRC3. His program will consist of atleast four WRC rounds. He will start in Croatia, the other three rounds will most likely be Sardinia, Belgium and Japan. He will drive Ford Fiesta Rally2.

More details about it:
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2021/04/hiroki-arai-returns-to-wrc-with-stohl-racing/

[PLuto]

Former "Toyota driver" Hiroki Arai is going to compete in WRC3. His program will consist of atleast four WRC rounds. He will start in Croatia, the other three rounds will most likely be Sardinia, Belgium and Japan. He will drive Ford Fiesta Rally2.

More details about it:
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2021/04/hiroki-arai-returns-to-wrc-with-stohl-racing/

I must say I dont understand his programme as it will be mixture from different championships. And when he needs to choose races in WRC3, he is choosing Croatia and Ypres where he has almost no chance for proper result...

[AnttiL]

I must say I dont understand his programme as it will be mixture from different championships. And when he needs to choose races in WRC3, he is choosing Croatia and Ypres where he has almost no chance for proper result...

Four WRC3 events and Sanremo as a "test" event, not really mixing championships?

To me it seems he wants to prepare on tarmac for Rally Japan. Although Catalunya would have been better than Ypres.

[PLuto]

Four WRC3 events and Sanremo as a "test" event, not really mixing championships?

To me it seems he wants to prepare on tarmac for Rally Japan. Although Catalunya would have been better than Ypres.

Original plan is more complex than only WRC3 events, only it was not announced yet... And I am not sure that Rally Japan will happen this year (as part of WRC).

[pantealex]

I am not sure that Rally Japan will happen this year (as part of WRC).

No Rally is sure for this year (or even next year)

Sad but true.

[Jarek Z]

Chris Ingram feels great to be back behind the wheel:

https://www.facebook.com/chrisingramrally/posts/300341408116703

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/the-returning-rally-champion-promoting-mental-health-on-the-world-stage/6188799/?fbclid=IwAR1RHLCtG5BamhyzCSk1TZiFcdb0sh1lSNFIuFxQ-tQY5W_TSPMKKpNXdrc

[dimviii]

Μads testing in France
https://youtu.be/4ST1Wdw9kTA

[Jarek Z]

Kristensson his crash: https://youtu.be/GpXiUSjpokc

The aftermath:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzvFDqzXIAMN_CI?format=jpg&name=large


Strange accident, looks like he lost his brakes completely or a huge pacenote error.

Bad start of the season for Tom Kristensson - first the crash in Italy and now this. He was only 5th in WRC2 until his crash on SS7.

[Jarek Z]

Yohan Rossel was leading WRC3 untill SS11 when this happened:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHQmvK2MNY8

[Jarek Z]

Nikolay Gryazin was 3rd in WRC2 until SS19 when this happened:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezzw8OyWYAEQCPk?format=jpg&name=900x900
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EzzwO-EXMAIhpfa?format=jpg&name=large

[mknight]

Positively surprised by Østberg on tarmac. Yes Gryazin was often faster but also had a moment in every other stage. (Didn't get any real comparison with Mikkelsen).

I rate this result higher than all his WRC2 wins last year. (He won WRC2 4 times last year but wasn't the fastest Rally2 car on a single rally, sometimes also due to start position)

[cali]

Positively surprised by Østberg on tarmac. Yes Gryazin was often faster but also had a moment in every other stage. (Didn't get any real comparison with Mikkelsen).

I rate this result higher than all his WRC2 wins last year. (He won WRC2 4 times last year but wasn't the fastest Rally2 car on a single rally, sometimes also due to start position)Ostberg has been quite lousy so far on tarmac. This weekend was a positive step forward from Mads. Very well done!

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

[Jarek Z]

Ingram hits cameras:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBvTrX3tzOM

[dimviii]

they were very lucky..

[AnttiL]

https://www.rallit.fi/jari-huttusen-loppukauden-mm-ohjelma-selvilla-saa-hyundain-uuden-ralliauton-kayttoonsa-kesalla/

Huttunen's program this year is Sardegna with old car, then Estonia, Ypres, Acropolis, Finland and Catalunya with new Rally2 car.

[mknight]

Well on paper WRC2 looks great this year with Mikkelsen, Østberg and Huttunen definitely trying for title and Solberg, Formaux, Lappi and maybe Suninen also likely doing enough rounds.

What I fear though is that with the scoring system it becomes more of a case of who "picks" events to avoid competition better and also who picks events that suit the car/driver. As we can see Hyundai basically dropped the start of the season waiting for new car, while Skoda seems to be doing the opposite.

We can also end up in more situations where the "scoring" driver is beaten by the "non-scoring" ones, which is essentially what was the standard in 2020.
So that a champion can be "the guy that was highest scoring (not fastest) in 6 of his handpicked events, beating another driver who got less points in different 6 handpicked events and the two barely met on same rally and both got beaten by a different driver"

Right now it's even theoretically possible to win the championship without ever meeting a main competitor on a rally (12 rounds, 6 best count). Is it still the same championship when people are competing on different rallies?
Still it is and hopefully stays much better than last year.

[Tom K]

A bit strange - he gives a link to article which says Sardinia and writes Portugal :confused: OK, they've changed post :)

2086

[Fast Eddie WRC]

After Croatia Rally, Chris Ingram looks back on his performance:

"I really struggled to get a feeling in the car after a long lay off. Many of the WRC guys in regroup said it was the most difficult rally to choose to come back to, and was the hardest tarmac event they'd ever done.

Even still I'm not satisfied at all with results like that and we need to make progress with the car to get the confidence back and be at one again.

We will be at the start of the first round of the Portuguese Rally Championship this weekend to prepare for Rally de Portugal and to generally get some confidence back."

Bit hard on himself, but spoken like a true champion !

[Jarek Z]

WRC3 highlights from Croatia Rally 2021:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3bn7m9NZmA

[pantealex]

Suninen WRC2 for Portugal

[AnttiL]

Suninen WRC2 for Portugal

Going against Lappi, good times

[rp]

https://www.rallit.fi/jari-huttusen-loppukauden-mm-ohjelma-selvilla-saa-hyundain-uuden-ralliauton-kayttoonsa-kesalla/

Huttunen's program this year is Sardegna with old car, then Estonia, Ypres, Acropolis, Finland and Catalunya with new Rally2 car.

So no World Rally Car debut for Huttunen in Finland. Hopefully some other rounds, but Grönholm said before the season that probably not this year. What on earth he has to do? Loubet, Veiby and Solberg have alreary driven Hyundai´s WRC and Jari had better results than others. Of course there is money behind these decisions...

[mknight]

I'd basically say Huttunen is getting his career destroyed by Hyundai. First by the season with i20 that wasn't competetive and broke all the time. Then they almost drop him but he stays and they "almost" let him drive WRC (he drove the one local Finish rally). Year later he does everything and wins WRC3 and Adamo talks how great he is... and then drops him from 3/4 first rallies (with engine failure after one stage on the one start) and only book him for Rally2 for rest of season. ( He could have driven some outside of points like Solberg did in Monte).

[AnttiL]

I can only think the answer to your questions is money. Huttunen cannot afford a WRC start or additional WRC2 starts like the others

[dimviii]

probably Solberg won his seat,and they cant afford 2 young drivers.

[Jarek Z]

Spanish champion Pepe López is going to compete in WRC3 with Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo managed by RaceSeven. His first event will be Rally Portugal.

source:
https://www.motor.es/noticias/pepe-lopez-tendra-programa-completo-wrc3-raceseven-202177528.html

https://periodismodelmotor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/pepe-lopez-skoda-fabia-wrc3.jpg

[dimviii]

Mads Østberg
@MadsOstberg
·
1h
Back to work! Development testing with @CitroenRacing

#C3Rally2Family

[mknight]

Seems like some serious money is getting poured into WRC2 this year from most manus but also privateers. Not like it's something new though, back in 2016-2017 Skoda was testing more than some WRC manu teams.

This year:
Hyundai developing new car. Veiby did like 4 snow rallies before arctic and Solberg also did one. Now Veiby did test rally in Portugal.
Gryazin got 2 "testing" rallies and a test before Croatia, before that also testing rally before Arctic.
Østberg "testing" rally the weekend before Croatia then a development test right before recce taking new dampers with him to the rally. Now another development test a week later.
Mikkelsen had 3 day test before Croatia.

and then you have people like Lappi and Suninen who get 1-2 day test at best.

[AnttiL]

How much of that effort comes from the teams' desire to develop the car? How much comes from the backing of the drivers to make sure they are better than their rivals? I could see Veiby, Solberg and Gryazin being able to test as much as they want. Östberg and Mikkelsen probably have also some development work with the team, and also the Hyundai guys when they are developing the new car.

[mknight]

Well off course it's not like the they use all the money "just" to get good results in WRC2.

At the same time they adapt the development and related testing so that it fits. Like the Østberg test right before Croatia and Hyundai basically keeping their drivers from starting/getting points (Solberg in Croatia and Monte), just so they can collect points with new car.

Main point was that there is a significant amount of money directly or indirectly being used in the category.

[Jarek Z]

Do you know that Andre Villas-Boas, former manager of Chelsea, Tottenham and FC Porto football clubs is going to compete in Rally de Portugal?
https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/56966901
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7M6X1NLRNc

[dimviii]

WRC - FIA World Rally Championship
@OfficialWRC
That time @MotorsportSkoda
found a saw
Carpentry saw
in the workshop...


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0mx34iXsAAHRN7?format=jpg&name=4096x4096
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0mx6FmWYAAr3Lg?format=jpg&name=4096x4096
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0mx7U6WUAE5Zpk?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

[ictus]

more photos of the cut fabia:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=pacz.sie&set=a.3994088007296822

[lmmjvss]

Lappi is IN for Portugal
https://twitter.com/EsapekkaLappi/status/1389610750856081413/photo/2

[br21]

Yes, this half cut Fabia is really, really nice. And nicely done. There is also half cut engine next to it.

[dimviii]

more photos of the cut fabia:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=pacz.sie&set=a.3994088007296822

amazing jod this cutaway,thanks mate for more photos.

[lmmjvss]

Is there someone doing that wrc2&3 combined standings in 2021?

[lmmjvss]

Not the best source out there but: (wrc2&3)

mikkelsen 43
lappi 25
ostberg 25
gryazin 25
rossel 20
suninen 18
formaux 18
bulacia 16
kajetan 15
camilli 15
asunmaa 12
ciamin 12
lindholm 10
kaur 10
bonato 8
brynildsen 8
veiby 6
ingram 4
heikkila 4
johnston 2
pietarinen 2
zaldivar 2
ekstrom 1
keferbock 1

[AnttiL]

Is there someone doing that wrc2&3 combined standings in 2021?

The level of WRC2 is much higher this year so no need really to do that.

[lmmjvss]

Interesting to think that a driver like Lappi have its wrc2 points.... AND 'wrc' points, since the WRC top class is not made for Rally1 cars Its made for the general Top10 of each round. Like an Open ClassISH.

[Jarek Z]

Pepe Lopez won the first stage in WRC3 and crashed on the second one:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/media/68111-vodafone-rally-de-portugal-2021/3285/

[Jarek Z]

Another Spaniard out. Solans crashed on SS5:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/media/68111-vodafone-rally-de-portugal-2021/3290/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Chris Ingram & Ross Whittock unfortunately got stuck behind Emil Lindholm in SS5 & lost over 40'. Let's hope they can get some time back. They are 4th overall tonight, but the rally is far from over !

[Jarek Z]

I think that Ingram got much of his time back. They gave him exactly the same stage time as Kajto on SS5 and SS6:
https://storage.googleapis.com/download/storage/v1/b/sportity-storage/o/c840273e-e820-482a-ba04-825fc91a66ba%2F193d4639-8996-46ab-b4df-6bb3cb94002d_COC%20Decision%203.pdf?generation=162 1629991075935&alt=media

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Correct and now official.

Notional times for SS5 & SS6 on Friday saw ChrisIl Ingram move back up to third in WRC3.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

After beating Ciamin by 24.2s on SS13 (2nd fastest) Chris Ingram is back up to 3rd Place in WRC3 at Rally Portugal.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E2ANy27WYAI44Qe?format=jpg&name=medium

[dimviii]

After beating Ciamin by 24.2s on SS13 (2nd fastest) Chris Ingram is back up to 3rd Place in WRC3 at Rally Portugal.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E2ANy27WYAI44Qe?format=jpg&name=medium

nobody cares as he is 5 minutes slower from Lappi.

[PLuto]

nobody cares as he is 5 minutes slower from Lappi.

Nobody cares about Lappi ;)

[Essaj]

Nobody cares about Lappi ;)

Nobody cares about ERC ;)

[Sulland]

Hopefully next rally Oliver drives in WRC2 the i20 Rally2 is homologated, so he can compete with the top cars. The i20 R5 is just not good enough now.

[pantealex]

Hopefully next rally Oliver drives in WRC2 the i20 Rally2 is homologated, so he can compete with the top cars. The R5 is just not good enough now.

Polo is R5

[Sulland]

Polo is R5

i have edited to clarify.

And many say the Polo is still the best RC2 car.
VW could have sold many new cars had they still been in production!!!

[mknight]

Solbergs main problem atm is that he can't seem to drive consistently, it was often the same last year in Fabia and Polo. One stage top time, next bad time/spin/crash/puncture. So much like his father. They should work on that instead of encouraging this kind of behaviour. (it often looks like that from the outside)

If consistent performance in current i20 R5 means he is on 3/4th place, then that's it.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E2Eu04dWQAAZW0U?format=jpg&name=large