News & rumours (part II)

**MikeD** · 2nd Sep 08, 09:35

Originally Posted by dumb

About Deivydas Jocius and Xsara WRC project.

This is from his lips.He said at the interview in rally Aukštaitija in Lithuania last weekend.So he said that he won't run WRC this year.Mainly reason is co-driver changing.Kastytis Torrau won't run in rally anymore so Deivydas now run with Kastytis brother Marius Torrau.

Deivydas said that this year he will try to speak with his new co-driver and try to learn how to run with him.He said that he don't want do this at WRC rally.His plans are about next year.He said that he will do some rallies near Lithuania (personaly I think that is Finland,Poland and some more).He didn't said how many rallies he will do.At the end of this season team will choose rallies to go.Deivydas said that next season he won't run in Lithuania championship.So that thing lets to guess that he will do many rallies in WRC calendar.

Personaly I think that one thing in this project isn't good.The car.Next year car will be quite old and Jocius won't be very fast against drivers who are racing now in WRC.

No offence, but I doubt that the Xsara is the weakest link in that line-up. That's still one hell of a good rally car.

**Tom206wrc** · 2nd Sep 08, 09:37

Originally Posted by MikeD

Maybe he's considered for the two tarmac events. Didn't he do quite well in the BSA run Peugeot 307? (I seem to recall he came 4th in one of the tarmac events)

He only drove the whale on french tarmac championship

Except once in Corsica and was 8th overall before crashing...

**pettersolberg29** · 2nd Sep 08, 11:38

I did a bit of digging on the subject of the Citroen testing.

Andreas Mikkelsen is taking part as we all know, but he is holding out for a deal in the second Subaru team, or the Munchi Ford team as a replacement for Companc.

As for Vouilloz, he has been considered for next season's opener in Ireland in a privateer C4 to see how he gets on.

Personally I dont understand the decision to give Vouilloz the chance before Ogier but that's life...

**I am evil Homer** · 2nd Sep 08, 12:10

While i agree to an extent Nicolas has at least driven WRC before on tarmac and did pretty well. Has Ogier driven PWRC yet? The set up from a C2 S1600 to a C4 WRC is big and Seb is still young. Better to prepare him properly with a view to a few events in 09 in the C4 than throw him in.

Ogier is the better prospect no doubt but many excellent drivers in lower divisions have fnot lived up to expectations when given a WRC.

**wrc_flipper** · 2nd Sep 08, 14:18

3-2-1 Bonus Points system could be introduced in 2009. Based on that days performance of each crew

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70242

I like that idea!

Very good Q&A session at http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70243 with WRC's Morrie Chandler.

**MikeD** · 2nd Sep 08, 14:25

Originally Posted by wrc_flipper

3-2-1 Bonus Points system could be introduced in 2009. Based on that days performance of each crew

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70242

I like that idea!

Very good Q&A session at http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70243 with WRC's Morrie Chandler.

I hate the idea.

Stop trying to fix issues that aren't working by adding other stupid rules. Instead fix or remove rules that aren't working.

**Buzz Lightyear** · 2nd Sep 08, 14:27

keep running order they way it is, and introduce bonus. everyone driing flat out all the time. whats wrong with that?

ps. would bonus points only be available to superally runners or everyone?

**MikeD** · 2nd Sep 08, 14:31

Originally Posted by I am evil Homer

While i agree to an extent Nicolas has at least driven WRC before on tarmac and did pretty well. Has Ogier driven PWRC yet? The set up from a C2 S1600 to a C4 WRC is big and Seb is still young. Better to prepare him properly with a view to a few events in 09 in the C4 than throw him in.

Ogier is the better prospect no doubt but many excellent drivers in lower divisions have fnot lived up to expectations when given a WRC.

To be honest I don't see why Ogier should waste his talent in PWRC. Let him test the C4 a couple of times to see how well he adapts, and after the first test he looks quite promising.

No doubt that Citroën has a plans with him, so let him run a Xsara or a C4 without the burden of scoring M2 points next year.

I have high hopes for him and I think he will do well on many of the events. He might crash now and then, but I feel that he will progress faster than most normal WRC drivers.

**MikeD** · 2nd Sep 08, 14:33

Originally Posted by Tom206wrc

He only drove the whale on french tarmac championship

Except once in Corsica and was 8th overall before crashing...

It must be my memory

But wasn't there some french tarmac specialist who scored a 4th place in a BSA or Bozian run Peugeot 307 a couple of years ago?

**koko0703** · 2nd Sep 08, 15:55

If that's what manufacturers want, I'd say give it a try although I'm not sure how the result will change with that system.

Loeb just scores 19 pts instead of 10 pts??? Hehehehe....

RS · 2nd Sep 08, 16:16

Sounds like more rewards for the drivers and crews that can't finish rallies.

But if this was just for superalliers and it meant they weren't allowed to score main points too then I would be for it.

**A.F.F.** · 2nd Sep 08, 17:58

Hmmm if you're fast for one day, you can score 3 points. If you're consistent for the whole rally and drive three days, you can score 1 point.

I smell trouble.

**pettersolberg29** · 2nd Sep 08, 18:03

Originally Posted by MikeD

It must be my memory

But wasn't there some french tarmac specialist who scored a 4th place in a BSA or Bozian run Peugeot 307 a couple of years ago?

That was Bengue!

RS · 2nd Sep 08, 18:12

Originally Posted by A.F.F.

Hmmm if you're fast for one day, you can score 3 points. If you're consistent for the whole rally and drive three days, you can score 1 point.

I smell trouble.

JML for 2009 champion

**pettersolberg29** · 2nd Sep 08, 18:20

I think if the 3-2-1 scheme is used, then each driver should get a limit of a maximum of 4 bonus points, otherwise in Germay for example, Loeb could win easily, get 10 points, and then another 9 for excelling in all 3 days. That would be a bit unfair IMO.

**AndyRAC** · 2nd Sep 08, 21:35

Originally Posted by A.F.F.

Hmmm if you're fast for one day, you can score 3 points. If you're consistent for the whole rally and drive three days, you can score 1 point.

I smell trouble.

Yet another hair-brained idea, where on earth do they get these ideas from. We've had a similar idea before, remember the points from the Live TV stages - what a farce that was.

Instead of coming up with stupid ideas, get to the crux of the problem - the S2000/Global Promoter problem. Once these problems are sorted and there is a decent WRC we won't need these silly ideas.
Sorry to say, but Morrie Chandler is beginning to disappoint me.

**DonJippo** · 2nd Sep 08, 22:24

Originally Posted by AndyRAC

Sorry to say, but Morrie Chandler is beginning to disappoint me.

Did someone expect else?

**Sulland** · 2nd Sep 08, 22:55

Originally Posted by wrc_flipper

3-2-1 Bonus Points system could be introduced in 2009. Based on that days performance of each crew

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70242

I like that idea!

Very good Q&A session at http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70243 with WRC's Morrie Chandler.

This removes the whole endurance perspective of rally, and makes it into 3 sprints. Then IRC is on a better track of reintroducing the longer classics as they used to be years ago. Taking care of your car over the whole rally is also part of the game ! Remove Superally and let the drivers feel the consequence of going off !

**DonJippo** · 2nd Sep 08, 23:03

Originally Posted by Sulland

Then IRC is on a better track of reintroducing the longer classics as they used to be years ago.

IRC can't over rule FIA regulations concerning length of competitive mileage.

**Saabaru** · 3rd Sep 08, 03:13

Originally Posted by wrc_flipper

3-2-1 Bonus Points system could be introduced in 2009. Based on that days performance of each crew

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70242

I like that idea!

Very good Q&A session at http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70243 with WRC's Morrie Chandler.

Sounds like another way for the FIA to play favorites.