[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

[jbmarcus21]

Deutschland Rally road program is out Le Parcours du Rallye Wrc Allemagne 2013 dévoilé !

[Bartolbia84]

the Paraguayan pilot Diego Dominguez, in the first race WRC2 for him in Argentina, on Lancer EVO X.
In Argentina, back to Daniel Olivera on Fiesta WRC.,

[tolis]

Rally Argentina provisional entry list with only 12 WRC's, including Oliveira!
http://www.rallyargentina.com/wp-con...orio2-4-13.pdf

[PLuto]

Daniel Oliveira was planning Rally Argentina as his only WRC event this year.

[Carlo]

Why would they hire Paddon.

1. He has a very acute engineering brain
2. He is very accomplished at setting cars up including developing suspension and transmission settings
3. He is very marketable and is a sponsors dream to work with
4. He does not knock cars around too much
5. And he is pretty handy as a driver too

[sollitt]

Why would they hire Paddon. He does not have any experience with a WRC car.

If that theory was applied in the past, you'd never have seen either Loeb or Ogier in a WRC car. In fact, Paddon's pedigree would surpass both of those drivers prior to them being given their respective opportunities.

At the end of the day, a WRC car is simply another piece of equipment to get your head around. Surely somebody with the winning mentality capable of winning 74% of stages that they contest should be able to handle that OK.

[tommeke_B]

When Tanak was driving the SWRC he crashed only once I think? In that season... There still is a step, not only the car, but also the competition level of the other drivers you're getting between in a WRC-car. Paddon is a great driver, and who knows he could make it to "3rd" driver, similar to what VW has with Mikkelsen? My guess for first and second driver for Hyundai would be Hänninen and Neuville...

[Hazza555)]

If that theory was applied in the past, you'd never have seen either Loeb or Ogier in a WRC car. In fact, Paddon's pedigree would surpass both of those drivers prior to them being given their respective opportunities.

At the end of the day, a WRC car is simply another piece of equipment to get your head around. Surely somebody with the winning mentality capable of winning 74% of stages that they contest should be able to handle that OK.

And Hyundai have a huge presence in New Zealand... something Paddon himself is aware of

[Hartusvuori]

When Tanak was driving the SWRC he crashed only once I think? In that season... There still is a step, not only the car, but also the competition level of the other drivers you're getting between in a WRC-car. Paddon is a great driver, and who knows he could make it to "3rd" driver, similar to what VW has with Mikkelsen? My guess for first and second driver for Hyundai would be Hänninen and Neuville...

Tänak crashed in Catalunya, if I remember right. Also in NORF, when under pressure from Juho he had a spin that eventually cost him minutes. But Neuville's WRC debut season wasn't all success either...

For Hyundai though, Hänninen-Neuville-Paddon lineup would get my acceptance :-) Great drivers and also marketing-wise a great selection.

[sollitt]

There still is a step, not only the car, but also the competition level of the other drivers you're getting between in a WRC-car.

Of course there's a 'step'. But some take steps easier and in bigger bounds than others. And some are already at the higher level but for an opportunity. Paddon is one of those. He's won in absolutely everything he's ever sat his arse in. It's a habit that's simply part of his DNA. That's what most of you wearing the Euro blinkers miss. Given the opportunity he wouldn't simply make podiums, he'd win outright. Sadly, like yourself, I doubt he'll get the chance.