Silly Season 2008

[Tomi]

2008 is still a test year for Suzuki! Ho will pay for being a test driver?

If a driver belive in his own skills why not? If you look at Ford, Subaru, Citroen, all teams has relatively young drivers and it will take time to get a permanent seat from any of those but driving Suzuki even if you would have to pay, you would have 1 foot already inside the team, it only would be up to you self to convince the team of your skills.

[Brother John]

If a driver belive in his own skills why not? If you look at Ford, Subaru, Citroen, all teams has relatively young drivers and it will take time to get a permanent seat from any of those but driving Suzuki even if you would have to pay, you would have 1 foot already inside the team, it only would be up to you self to convince the team of your skills.

Let´s talk in Sweden about that Tomi.

[Tomi]

Let´s talk in Sweden about that Tomi.

O.k.

[L5->R5/CR]

If a driver belive in his own skills why not? If you look at Ford, Subaru, Citroen, all teams has relatively young drivers and it will take time to get a permanent seat from any of those but driving Suzuki even if you would have to pay, you would have 1 foot already inside the team, it only would be up to you self to convince the team of your skills.

It worked for Atko....

[c4]

Hirvonen Latvala Al Qassimi BP Ford
Loeb Sordo Citroen
Solberg Atko Subaru
Garde Aava Baldacci? PG? Wilks? Suzuki
Pons Meeke? Subaru MT
Solberg Bettega? Wilson Kopecky? Stobart MT
Villagra Companc Clark? Munchis MT
Duval? Galli? Prokop? Astra MT
Hanninen Wilks? Aava? Kuistla? MMSP MT?
Mikklesen Jones Ramsport
Galli? Meeke? Higgins? Pirelli Team???

[jonkka]

what do you mean by this?

In Rally Finland 2000 shakedown I spoke with Marcus and asked about his future contract situation (at the time he had firm contract for 2000 only) and he said that there wasn't nothing. Right after the rally, which he won, Peugeot announced that they had reached a extension deal for 2001+2002 which had been signed before the rally.

That taught me that teams (bosses and drivers) tell you the truth only when it suits to them and when they are permitted to do so. Always be suspicious.

[jonkka]

I saw that PG Andersson is running this week-end a swedish rally in a Ford Focus WRC...


Would Suzuki let him drive another car than theirs if he 'd be part of the team next year(instead of developping the SX4 I mean) ???

Of course! It's valuable experience for comparison purposes, that's for example what Peugeot encouraged Marcus to do. He raced for Seat and Mitsubishi in 1999 before 206WRC made it's debut later in the year.

[Halvard]

A bit of topic.... but if Gronholm hadn`t been driving the 07 season, then after Japan Hrivonen would have 99 points and Loeb 108. Thats not a big difference. And I belive Hirvonen, in a few races, has been driving for securing the manu-title.

So in my opinion, I`m not sure that the 08 title will be a walk in the park for Mr. Loeb.

[cut the b.s.]

A bit of topic.... but if Gronholm hadn`t been driving the 07 season, then after Japan Hrivonen would have 99 points and Loeb 108. Thats not a big difference. And I belive Hirvonen, in a few races, has been driving for securing the manu-title.

So in my opinion, I`m not sure that the 08 title will be a walk in the park for Mr. Loeb.

This ignores the fact that Loeb has made errors as Marcus and he are both pushing each other very hard this season, but for sure next year Loeb can win and if Mikko keeps enough 2nds the current point system rewards finishing above speed so he will not be that far away

[Koppomsbo]

I saw that PG Andersson is running this week-end a swedish rally in a Ford Focus WRC...


Would Suzuki let him drive another car than theirs if he 'd be part of the team next year(instead of developping the SX4 I mean) ???

PG has had in his contract he can drive other cars the last two years.