Toyota announces WRC plans

[Maxi]

WRC.com article about Toyota's return in 2014

World Rally Championship - News - Toyota closer to WRC comeback

[olschl]

WRC.com article about Toyota's return in 2014

World Rally Championship - News - Toyota closer to WRC comeback

Surely the FIA does have a plan for the WRC, perhaps a grand one, given that multiple manufacturers are rejoining the series. Why would there continue to be manufacturer interest like this if they didn't have confidence that the series would survive?

[stefanvv]

Surely the FIA does have a plan for the WRC, perhaps a grand one, given that multiple manufacturers are rejoining the series. Why would there continue to be manufacturer interest like this if they didn't have confidence that the series would survive?

I hope FIA has one, and lot of people here also, because the last 10 years were big surviving indeed. As for Toyota they are capable of doing this, I just wonder how they'll mix Le Mans with WRC. Wouldn't be too much? I know it is big company but still...

[vkangas]

One thing we always have to remember is that these decisions do not happen overnight and car manufacturers have direct contacts to FIA so they know what is being planned. The WRC's current situation is poor but if it's known behind the curtains that it will change then 1-2 years do not matter. The results in the end do. Toyota has most propably started planning and preliminary design before large public was aware of current WRC 1.6T regulations. Serious WRC programme of serious manufacturer like Toyota/VW/Citroen is always linked with brand strategy etc. so they have to plan it many years ahead to synchronize the timing with new model launch such as Yaris and so on.

[Arganil]

Toyota has most propably started planning and preliminary design before large public was aware of current WRC 1.6T regulations.

Maybe Toyota wasn't aware of new wrc regulations from day 1 (at least it wasn't officialy involved on their discussion like Ford, Citroen or Prodrive), but surely the replacement of 2.0T cars by less developed and expensive 1.6T cars was a huge contribute to get manu interest over the series.

To those following the sport, manus included, the way Todt managed the new regs issue (closing it in a fast and balanced mode) showed a very much improved FIA approach over WRC.

[Barreis]

They should just avoid tuners like Prodrive and M-sport. Clear factory team and that's it.

[rallyfiend]

They should just avoid tuners like Prodrive and M-sport. Clear factory team and that's it.

That's a sure way to kill the sport. The sport needs more than just manufacturers. It needs a base of competitors rather than just rely on the whims of car companies.

[AndyRAC]

Maybe Toyota wasn't aware of new wrc regulations from day 1 (at least it wasn't officialy involved on their discussion like Ford, Citroen or Prodrive), but surely the replacement of 2.0T cars by less developed and expensive 1.6T cars was a huge contribute to get manu interest over the series.

To those following the sport, manus included, the way Todt managed the new regs issue (closing it in a fast and balanced mode) showed a very much improved FIA approach over WRC.

The regs were basically decided before Todt was elected; I think he signed them off, but wasn't happy with them. Max, who didn't really care for the WRC, let Ford & Citroen get their way.

[tommeke_B]

They should just avoid tuners like Prodrive and M-sport. Clear factory team and that's it.

They should avoid you getting on the forum for posts like this...

[Arganil]

The regs were basically decided before Todt was elected; I think he signed them off, but wasn't happy with them. Max, who didn't really care for the WRC, let Ford & Citroen get their way.

Exact. Above all it was urgent to replace old regs in order to wrc survive, and Todt did it. By putting an end to the endless manus discussions he showed he care for the WRC.

That's why I'm confident issues like WRC media promotion or calander arrangement will be sensibly set on. Todt it's someone who understand and cares over the sport heritage.