IRC vs WRC - Setting up a new team

[Sulland]

Marcus Gronholm driving the 0 car in Portugal, was very impressed by the speed of the IRC cars (Read S2000)
He said that they were closer to 1 sec pr km ss, than the 2 sec he expected.
He also said they looked very fun to drive !


The media coverage of IRC is picking up, and will soon give sponsors what they are looking for. And in my book if I were a sponsor, I would prefere to put my money into a car that has the chance of fighting for victory. In WRC the M2 teams will only be able to do that if the factory team cars are out - due to a number of factors.
In IRC you can buy a top car, get good engineers and drivers - and you are fighting for the lead. And since the cars are so equal, it is usually much closer btw the cars in the top - and the exitement for all involved are at a high for the whole rally.

So in my book, if I were to set up a new team, I see many advantages with IRC instead of a M2 team, where you are beaten before you start the rally.
And as many says; WRC is on its way down with the current format car, but IRC is fast on its way up !

PS
So if IRC would like to have a mediashow - offer Marcus a 207 for a IRC event !!

[Karbonyl]

I guess Marcus will wait for new Fiesta S2K

[Abarth]

I agree with Sulland, I think it will give the sponsors more value for money to set up a IRC team than a M2 WRC team.

Without any testing it is hard for the drivers to get the car optimized for their driving style, and to drive a car you really dont know a 100% !

[Tom206wrc]

I guess Marcus will wait for new Fiesta S2K

You know, VAG/Skoda allows Kopecky to drive a Peugeot even if he's still under their contract...

[AndyRAC]

You know, VAG/Skoda allows Kopecky to drive a Peugeot even if he's still under their contract...

Which is sensible - he drives that little for them that've realised it wouldn't be fair to keep him from making a living. Some Manufacturers wouldn't be so enlightened.

[DonJippo]

I agree with Sulland, I think it will give the sponsors more value for money to set up a IRC team than a M2 WRC team.

Without any testing it is hard for the drivers to get the car optimized for their driving style, and to drive a car you really dont know a 100% !

M2 teams can have testing as well in case you mean it's not possible.

[Karbonyl]

You know, VAG/Skoda allows Kopecky to drive a Peugeot even if he's still under their contract...

We could say, that driving a Peugeot makes a profit to Kopecky, who can learn how to drive S2K, and also for Skoda Team, which now knows, how actually the best S2K car works

[Abarth]

M2 teams can have testing as well in case you mean it's not possible.

Yes, but it is so expensive to do that, so very few M2 teams do it. Part of the reason they are not closer to the top times, since the cars are good enough, and some of the drivers as well, but the two parts are not fine tuned !

But seen from a sponsor and their clients that they bring to rallies, it is much better if "your" cars are fighting on equal terms, and finghting for the win !

[Sulland]

What about seeing it from a drivers point of view for a while.

What would be your choice if you were H Solberg or Stohl in 09.

Options:
Henning Solberg; Stobart M2 in WRC or Kronos 207 in IRC
Stohl: Own M2 team with 307 or Kronos 207

In this example: Lets say the cost is the same.

What would you do ?

[Tomi]

What about seeing it from a drivers point of view for a while.

What would be your choice if you were H Solberg or Stohl in 09.

Options:
Henning Solberg; Stobart M2 in WRC or Kronos 207 in IRC
Stohl: Own M2 team with 307 or Kronos 207

In this example: Lets say the cost is the same.

What would you do ?

Stohl to drive in the interior designer challenge, and Henning to drive rallycross.