[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

[sollitt]

I think you'll find that he is contracted to begin the event but free to change category.

[6789]

I think you'll find that he is contracted to begin the event but free to change category.

That's what I thought, he was talking about doing Spain in PWRC and then looking at options for GB. Hope VW give him a Skoda! He has contacts at Ford as well, so maybe Fiesta

[Maui J.]

Are you serious?

I think it's called Irony? It's like goldy and brassy but it's made from iron!

He can't.

He must take the start in PWRC to be confirmed as Champion.

My understanding is that the team must enter but that doesn't mean Hayden has to drive. This happened at Rally NZ 2010 when local driver Kingsley Thompson took over the drive for the Czech National Team usually driven by Marten Semerad. It happened also last weekend at Rally Austarlia when Brendon Reeves took over the entry for the Bilbutikken AS World Rally Team usually driven by Anders Grondal. They must enter as the team to keep the FIA happy and not be fined or excluded from the championship, the driver and car can be different.
Often this happens on 'away' events when teams haven't got the finances to travel to the other side of the world.
It seems like a team must commit to the championship, not the driver.

One thing that may keep him doing the PWRC in GB is his contract with Symtech.

[WRCfan]

He can't.

He must take the start in PWRC to be confirmed as Champion.

Incorrect, Paddon himself has stated he would like to tackle GB in a different class preferably WRC. He is obliged to compete but not in PWRC only.

[Plan9]

Paddon for GB with Skoda?

Maybe a Mini ST2000???

[Hartusvuori]

Add fuel to the fire: Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat is quoting Italian Auto Sprint magazine, saying M-Sport would be having deals ready for Latvala and Tänak for 2012 - and drumroll - Malcolm's offering Hirvonen a pay seat at Stobart!

According to Auto Sprint Hirvonen's drop from Ford would make him more likely a VW driver. VW is set to test for 20-25 weeks in 2012.

I think I'll be dissappointed after all these rumours when we see JML/Hirvonen and Loeb/Ogier starting in their usual cars next year...

Funny thing too, that apparently someone has made Google's translator tool believe that Mikko Hirvonen in English language spells Petter Solberg...

[N.O.T]

the sad thing is that all these rumours come from either Finnish or British media... their frustration is up to an extend justifiable since the french managed to totally wipe them of the rally map the last decade...

As for Latvala/tanak team i think for at least 2 years ford will be out of contention of any titles. Hirvonen at WV would be a solid choice.

[Hartusvuori]

the sad thing is that all these rumours come from either Finnish or British media... their frustration is up to an extend justifiable since the french managed to totally wipe them of the rally map the last decade...

Please do note that Finnish media is only quoting French and Italian sources on this, not making their own scoops.

And if you consider two world championship titles, four 2nd places and two 3rd places in the last decade "totally wiping of the rally map".... oh.

[N.O.T]

And if you consider two world championship titles, four 2nd places and two 3rd places in the last decade "totally wiping of the rally map".... oh.

2nd and 3rd places have absolutely no value in the car market, and almost no value in driver market as well....so yup they wiped them off the rally map. COMPLETELY.

[Bobcat]

the sad thing is that all these rumours come from either Finnish or British media...

lol

You are wrong again.

http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/...tml#post964439
http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/...tml#post964571