WRC Testing

**Juha_Koo** · 27th Jun 12, 12:27

Sainz is driving today with Moya, I'm doing a quick visit to the test at the moment. No video from me today though, day off.

**dimviii** · 27th Jun 12, 12:38

Originally Posted by Juha_Koo

. No video from me today though, day off.

dont even think about it.

**Francis44** · 27th Jun 12, 13:07

Originally Posted by Juha_Koo

Sainz is driving today with Moya, I'm doing a quick visit to the test at the moment. No video from me today though, day off.

That's very nice. I tend to think watching the rally through lens and video cameras detracts a bit from the action itself. Sometimes it's nice to leave the gear at home and watch the action properly with our own eyes.

**Juha_Koo** · 27th Jun 12, 14:18

Originally Posted by dimviii

dont even think about it.

Sorry. Today's road was rather dull, very fast but nothing special close to my entry point.

Originally Posted by Francis44

That's very nice. I tend to think watching the rally through lens and video cameras detracts a bit from the action itself. Sometimes it's nice to leave the gear at home and watch the action properly with our own eyes.

Yes, very true. Luckily testdays are long so you can both spectate and photo/videograph. But it's completely different thing to do media and to spectate, while shooting video you need to focus 100% to it etc. so the experience goes a bit past. Then also when doing videos, it's quite long days, getting up at 6-7am, driving 1-3 hours to the test site and then ~8 hours spectating/videoing at the test, lots of walking, maybe talking with people, getting something to eat and then driving back home, and maybe 1-2 hours of editing etc.

Sainz was clearly slower than Ogier, lacking a bit of commitment on fast places. Pretty laid-back atmosphere in the tests today, Sainz did a lot of single runs only and there wasn't any rush visible. Car was now on a rather open place but cameras were prohibited. I made some observations though... I guess local people thought that I was a nutcase as I was crouching on the ground twisting my head to get good view.

**dimviii** · 27th Jun 12, 15:13

observations....hmmmm..

**Miika** · 27th Jun 12, 16:01

Carlos today I assume:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1184204...Ehikki2762012#

**Kielder** · 27th Jun 12, 19:06

Yes, Carlos & Luis were in Finland today. They're testing for something

...

**Hartusvuori** · 27th Jun 12, 19:11

Originally Posted by Kielder

They're testing for something

...

...zero car for what rally, perhaps?

**Kielder** · 27th Jun 12, 19:38

There's been rumours during the year of a start somewhere, for example in Germany or in Catalunya. Germany is the next rally after NORF. It's a gravel test, but maybe VW will be busy after the rally in Finland preparing the car for Germany, even as zero car. Time will tell, nevertheless VW used to test after the rally. Something has changed.
Carlos is still full of beans, he has participated with Moya in several historic rallies in Spain recently. I only hope VW don't let Moya to be part of the team, he himself could sink the project.

**Hartusvuori** · 27th Jun 12, 19:42

Even if it doesn't necessarily mean anything, it's a valid point they're testing before the rally, not after. I wouldn't mind seeing Polo WRC as a zero car in Germany, not at all.

**tfp** · 27th Jun 12, 20:27

Originally Posted by Kielder

I only hope VW don't let Moya to be part of the team, he himself could sink the project.

How do you mean?

**mousti** · 27th Jun 12, 21:06

Originally Posted by Kielder

There's been rumours during the year of a start somewhere, for example in Germany or in Catalunya. Germany is the next rally after NORF. It's a gravel test, but maybe VW will be busy after the rally in Finland preparing the car for Germany, even as zero car. Time will tell, nevertheless VW used to test after the rally. Something has changed.
Carlos is still full of beans, he has participated with Moya in several historic rallies in Spain recently. I only hope VW don't let Moya to be part of the team, he himself could sink the project.

Homologation is for 2013 so don't hope on a rally as a 0 car..

**RAS007** · 27th Jun 12, 21:57

Originally Posted by tfp

How do you mean?

I would also like to know.

**TyPat107** · 27th Jun 12, 22:54

Originally Posted by mousti

Homologation is for 2013 so don't hope on a rally as a 0 car..

Zero cars have to be homologated?

**Kielder** · 27th Jun 12, 23:57

After his retirement, Moya was named Subaru's Sporting Director. He worked for the team from 2003 to 2006, when despite of the Solberg's Championship the first year the decadence of the team began. It was not only his fault, he shared it with Howarth and Lapworth.
The second chapter was worse. In 2010 Moya became the Team Manager of a private rallying team: Nupel Racing Team. Although Pons won the SWRC title, several drivers who ran the Spanish Championship left the team due to their problems with Moya. The team disappeared the following year. Then it was revealed that the main sponsor got public money in an illegal way, ending everything in court of justice. Several books could be written with the stories of this team.
To conclude, Moya was twice in the middle of the mess. He was a great co-driver, which doesn't mean he'd be a good manager, principal or whatever. Sainz was the brilliant part of both.

**Kielder** · 28th Jun 12, 00:00

I wouldn't mind about the homologation. After what happened with Ford and Mini this year, VW could even score points this year.

**Rally Hokkaido** · 28th Jun 12, 00:38

Originally Posted by TyPat107

Zero cars have to be homologated?

In princple, yes they have to be, but exceptions have been made. At Rally Japan in 2004? Tommi Makinen drove a yet-to-be homologated Impreza (Spec C) GpN car. All information on the car had to be sent to FIA for approval to use it as zero car.

**Gherid_lacksGPS** · 28th Jun 12, 05:37

Thanks for the testing updates peeps, good stuff.

**pantealex** · 28th Jun 12, 10:40

Originally Posted by mousti

Homologation is for 2013 so don't hope on a rally as a 0 car..

NORF2011 had Ford Kuga and Ranger PickUps as zero cars, so no need for homologation!
This year they will use Citroën 4x4 cars as zero car, again no homologation...