[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

**N.O.T** · 16th Aug 12, 20:12

we are also going to see how bad the mini Araujo uses is... lets see if the accusations are true.

**mousti** · 16th Aug 12, 20:17

Originally Posted by Bartolbia84

Photos du mur | Facebook

HRT official page - Facebook

I was wrong then...

**rallye-vid** · 16th Aug 12, 20:25

Originally Posted by N.O.T

we are also going to see how bad the mini Araujo uses is... lets see if the accusations are true.

We will never know.. As Atko will get the 'better' mini 01B

**Luis Pacheco** · 16th Aug 12, 20:39

Originally Posted by Barreis

Now it's mini Portugal team without Portuguese driver. :P

Like Skoda UK.

rp · 16th Aug 12, 21:02

Great to see Atko driving regularly Word Rally Car!

Shame for Araújo, but if you think about more the case it will open. There was only seven events for him in the beginning of the season and Armindo Araujo WRT (prepared by Motorsport Italia) was registered as a WRC Teams to contest the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers. Seven events was enough to be eligible for the points, when being only WRC Teams.

They contested already the first Round in Monte Carlo, but after that Prodrive and their MINI WRC Team (already registered as a Manufacturers) noticed that it will be impossible for them to contest the whole WRC series.

And then Prodrive agreed with FIA that newly created WRC Team MINI Portugal (prepared by Motorsport Italia) was to replace MINI WRC Team in the series to contest the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers.

They knew the situation already in February and there has been a lot of time to find new driver after Araújo has contested his program. It has to be remember that it was vital for Prodrive and also for BMW/MINI that some MINI team was registered as a Manufacturers team and contested the whole WRC series with two cars. Without this MINI John Cooper Works WRC would have never got the official homologation to be a World Rally Car.

The story will not tell how much Atkinson has to pay to drive Motorsport Italia´s MINI, but I would say that also Prodrive and BMW/MINI are supporting this program, because it is only way to achieve the homologation. After that Prodrive is able to sell new generation World Rally Cars and BMW has fulfilled their agreement with Prodrive. Hopefully the co-operation will continue next season, but I have a doubt...

**Mirek** · 16th Aug 12, 22:06

Originally Posted by Luis Pacheco

Like Skoda UK.

Yes but Norwegian driver is some kind of tradition for Škoda UK. It used to be John Haugland and with Andreas Mikkelsen it's a kind of continuing the story. I even think John somehow participated on the career of Andreas at least I think he brought him to the steering wheel of Fabia S2000 in Škoda home event - Bohemia 2009...

**spiderem** · 16th Aug 12, 23:49

Good news for atko. lets hope he will show some good pace for the rest of the season, so maybe he can secure a No2 factory seat at citroen for next year, with Hirvo No1 as Loeb will end at the end of this season

to be continued...

**N.O.T** · 17th Aug 12, 01:27

Originally Posted by spiderem

Good news for atko. lets hope he will show some good pace for the rest of the season, so maybe he can secure a No2 factory seat at citroen for next year

Even if he wins all stages and all events from now on, that thing is not going to happen. At best he is going to get support to drive some events next year as well...

**Barreis** · 17th Aug 12, 01:29

He did nothing this year so here's the chance.

**spiderem** · 17th Aug 12, 02:05

Originally Posted by N.O.T

Even if he wins all stages and all events from now on, that thing is not going to happen. At best he is going to get support to drive some events next year as well...

why not?

**Plan9** · 17th Aug 12, 02:29

Were the sponsors on Armindo's car affiliated to him or Motorsport Italia? I only ask as I think it will be interesting to see how the livery will change once Atko gets to Germany.

**Sander D.** · 17th Aug 12, 07:45

I hope they keep the black & white / chequered flag-livery.

**rallyfiend** · 17th Aug 12, 08:09

Originally Posted by Plan9

Were the sponsors on Armindo's car affiliated to him or Motorsport Italia? I only ask as I think it will be interesting to see how the livery will change once Atko gets to Germany.

They were definitely associated with him. And have been for some years during his PWRC days.

It shouldn't be such a surprise that he's been moved on. He was only really planning a 7 round campaign, and he's had 8.

They obviously have the budget to do the full 13, so why not get someone in who can both top that up and bring better results?

Perhaps it's part of Motorsport Italia's plan to secure a 2013 contribution from BMW.

**manta400** · 17th Aug 12, 08:33

Originally Posted by rallyfiend

They were definitely associated with him. And have been for some years during his PWRC days.

It shouldn't be such a surprise that he's been moved on. He was only really planning a 7 round campaign, and he's had 8.

They obviously have the budget to do the full 13, so why not get someone in who can both top that up and bring better results?

Perhaps it's part of Motorsport Italia's plan to secure a 2013 contribution from BMW.

I bet Kris Meeke feels a right plonker just now, why wouldnt Richards use him?

**rallyfiend** · 17th Aug 12, 09:19

Originally Posted by manta400

I bet Kris Meeke feels a right plonker just now, why wouldnt Richards use him?

Because Richards has nothing to do with this team.

**tolis** · 17th Aug 12, 11:46

Chris Atkinson's car

**Red bull** · 17th Aug 12, 15:16

FIA aware of VW's F1 foray plans for 2015 | News | Motorsport.com VW FOR F1???

**EightGear** · 17th Aug 12, 17:20

So, VW Scirocco R cup at the Nurburgring this weekend and VW's WRC drivers show the regulars how it's done.

Results - Volkswagen Motorsport

**SlowSon** · 17th Aug 12, 17:55

Originally Posted by EightGear

So, VW Scirocco R cup at the Nurburgring this weekend and VW's WRC drivers show the regulars how it's done.

Results - Volkswagen Motorsport

I'm pretty well surprised these cars are only 10 seconds per lap slower than the F1 monsters.

**N.O.T** · 17th Aug 12, 18:00

Originally Posted by spiderem

why not?

hmmmmm maybe the fact that he hasn't driven a full season for some time now ?? maybe because there are guys better than him ?? maybe because he is too old ?? maybe because Loeb will continue ???

this forum needs an age filter.