[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

**noel157** · 22nd Aug 08, 13:14

Originally Posted by bluuford

Well, I called it that sometimes he overdrives it. So, he was probably thinking that it is safe to drive on that speed on this stage, but the corner was a little bit too fast :-) Anyway, we are underestimating the role of the co drivers in this forum:-) This is what I wanted to say!

No worries, yes, co-drivers are more important than many people think.

**cut the b.s.** · 22nd Aug 08, 18:37

Originally Posted by MikeD

And I honestly don't care if they are there or not. Instead bring on more serious manufacturers.

yeah, like this is an option..........

**Saabaru** · 22nd Aug 08, 18:51

Originally Posted by MikeD

And I honestly don't care if they are there or not. Instead bring on more serious manufacturers.

Contending in the WRC is a serious decision at any level. Much more is the effort they exerted putting two cars in the manufacturer championship. I blame this on the FIA and no one else…

c4 · 22nd Aug 08, 21:37

Ogier, unsurprisingly, has already tested a C4
http://rallybuzz.stagetimes.com/seba...t-c4-wrc-test/

**MikeD** · 25th Aug 08, 16:31

Originally Posted by Saabaru

Contending in the WRC is a serious decision at any level. Much more is the effort they exerted putting two cars in the manufacturer championship. I blame this on the FIA and no one else…

Pffff

What a load of BS. FIA is not to blame for Suzuki driving around like sick dogs (to use a N.O.T. Expression). They either underestimated the level of competitiveness or simply didn't have the the right people to build and run a proper WRC rally car.

**MikeD** · 25th Aug 08, 16:32

From Rallybuzz.com:

Eamonn Boland will run his Subaru Impreza WRC in Catalunya & Rally GB. Car is run by Dom Buckley.

**Torsen** · 25th Aug 08, 18:47

Originally Posted by MikeD

Pffff

What a load of BS. FIA is not to blame for Suzuki driving around like sick dogs (to use a N.O.T. Expression). They either underestimated the level of competitiveness or simply didn't have the the right people to build and run a proper WRC rally car.

toyota took a VERY long time before they were competive in nascar... now they are doing decent... i think its more that they are really behind & that citroen is just a step ahead of everybody else for some reason...

**A.F.F.** · 25th Aug 08, 19:30

Originally Posted by MikeD

Pffff

What a load of BS. FIA is not to blame for Suzuki driving around like sick dogs (to use a N.O.T. Expression). They either underestimated the level of competitiveness or simply didn't have the the right people to build and run a proper WRC rally car.

Or maybe just a bad timing?

**Saabaru** · 25th Aug 08, 21:02

Originally Posted by MikeD

Pffff

What a load of BS. FIA is not to blame for Suzuki driving around like sick dogs (to use a N.O.T. Expression). They either underestimated the level of competitiveness or simply didn't have the the right people to build and run a proper WRC rally car.

Last time I checked they where going to pull out and wait for the FIA to get there crap together on the new regulations. Why should Suzuki waste money developing a car that is going to be obsolete in a year and a half anyway. Truth be told, I don’t see the SX4 ever being competitive. The car is too small, they should have used something like the Reno but that has nothing to do with why they are pulling out now.

If the FIA wants to lower the cost of racing in the WRC then they need to in act a 5 year development rule. Meaning after all the manufactures have spent the money to develop and test a car for new rules, once the new rules are active (like what is suppose to happen in 2010) there is a minimum period of 5 years before the rules can be changed. The cars aren’t that expensive to build, it’s the development and testing that runs the price tag up so much. Something the FIA has done quite often over the past ten years…

Sorry, no BS here…..

**Simmi** · 26th Aug 08, 14:01

Originally Posted by Torsen

toyota took a VERY long time before they were competive in nascar... now they are doing decent... i think its more that they are really behind & that citroen is just a step ahead of everybody else for some reason...

I dont think one year is classed as a very long time. Certainly not in terms of the WRC.

The problem is not only are they behind on pace/development etc, but they dont have any reliability - which comes from testing - and no testing comes from a lack of funds. It's been a poor effort without doubt, but I still cant decide whether it was brave or stupid to come into the WRC as a manufacturer at this stage. Surely they would have been better waiting for the new regs and a clean sheet of paper rather then trying to go up against 3 established rallying marques (at a time when even Subaru cant design a car worth a damn).

They should go away, lick their wounds, learn from their (many) mistakes and come back when the playing field is more level.

c4 · 26th Aug 08, 17:22

Stormont confirmed to launch WRC 09
http://rallybuzz.stagetimes.com/stor...-the-2009-wrc/

ISC plan WRC street style demos for 09
http://rallybuzz.stagetimes.com/wrc-...trations-2009/

**Tom206wrc** · 26th Aug 08, 17:29

Originally Posted by c4

Ogier, unsurprisingly, has already tested a C4
http://rallybuzz.stagetimes.com/seba...t-c4-wrc-test/

Let's hope for a try on a WRC event soon !!!

c4 · 26th Aug 08, 17:49

Originally Posted by Tom206wrc

Let's hope for a try on a WRC event soon !!!

This year's GB perhaps?

**Roy** · 26th Aug 08, 18:16

ISC plan WRC street style demos for 09
http://rallybuzz.stagetimes.com/wrc-...trations-2009/

Maybe in cooperation with: http://www.bavariacityracing.nl/EN/

**StevieWonder** · 27th Aug 08, 08:25

Originally Posted by Tom206wrc

Patrik Sandell on entrylist in a Mitsu Lancer at New-Zealand is normal or mistake from the site ???

according this info, shipping costs for the 207 were too high
so the mitsubishi was hired
http://rallybuzz.stagetimes.com/patr...-zealand-2008/

**jparker** · 27th Aug 08, 12:53

I dont think one year is classed as a very long time. Certainly not in terms of the WRC.
The problem is not only are they behind on pace/development etc, but they dont have any reliability - which comes from testing - and no testing comes from a lack of funds. It's been a poor effort without doubt, but I still cant decide whether it was brave or stupid to come into the WRC as a manufacturer at this stage. Surely they would have been better waiting for the new regs and a clean sheet of paper rather then trying to go up against 3 established rallying marques (at a time when even Subaru cant design a car worth a damn).
They should go away, lick their wounds, learn from their (many) mistakes and come back when the playing field is more level.

Well, If Suzuki plans for S2000+, then it's not all lost. Very valuble experience, and and real competition testing. I know testing without knowing the new regulations doesn't make much sense, but I think they had close guess, and thy have identified many weeknesses of the car, which i always beneficial for first time car in WRC

**Finni** · 27th Aug 08, 20:20

Originally Posted by Tom206wrc

Let's hope for a try on a WRC event soon !!!

Let's hope that someone who is entitled gets the drive.

I would rather see someone like Meeke or Hänninen. Those dudes could deliver from the first race. Ogier is still mystery, he could be really good or something like new-Sordo - full mediocrity with wrc car on gravel.

**Viking** · 27th Aug 08, 20:43

Andreas Mikkelsen says Citroen will test 4 drivers (11 Sept.?),
so Andreas and ???

**alleskids** · 27th Aug 08, 21:32

Mikkelsen (talent and money to run the car),
Ogier (talent and support from FFSA and Citroen)),
Aigner (Red Bull money and title sponsor for MT2 ?)
Aava (talent and already expierence)

? my 4 toughts