Opel Corsa S2000

[306 Cosworth]

This weekend sees the debut of the Opel Corsa S2000 on the Cork 20 International Rally driven by Austin MacHale. The car will be running a s a course car before the international field.

I'll make sure I get plenty of pics and video of the car in action over the weekend :D

[wwbroe]

This weekend sees the debut of the Opel Corsa S2000 on the Cork 20 International Rally driven by Austin MacHale. The car will be running a s a course car before the international field.

I'll make sure I get plenty of pics and video of the car in action over the weekend :D

That would be great, please keep us imformed about what is going on over there. ;)

[Mirek]

I'm also interested in any information! By the way there is a possibility of having some in Czech Republic next season :)

[HaCo]

I hope it gets a nice Opel livery. :D

[Pinto]

the talk is that the mchales have invested money into the project to develop the car

[HaCo]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2892485049_94c85c0615.jpg

[urabus-denoS2000]

Videos???

[Simmi]

Very nice looking car!

[urabus-denoS2000]

Very nice looking car!

I agree!!!
It looks it wants to eat you

[Pinto]

s200 corsa cork 20

[Pinto]

corsa s200 cork 20

[Pinto]

corsa s2000

[wwbroe]

Did somebody take any intermediate times of the Corsa, it would be interesting to see how it performes. It sure looks good, but without any times, you don't have any idea about it's capabilities. :)

[Pinto]

the talk about cork was that it was second a mile off niall mcsea in the n14,but as far as i know theres a good bit to be done yet the engine is in a very standerd trim at the moment,the mchales are going to push this project on,both financially and testing

[Mirek]

It's good to see some reasonable money behind the project :)

bump the thread up.

[HaCo]

In gpweek they wrote is was one sec a km slower than the fastest Gr N. That is of course slower than 1 sec/mile. Hower if any of this is the case, a lot of work still has to be done!

[Mirek]

They said 1 s/mile, that is ca 0,6 s/km. And don't forget that Austin MacHale is not that fast driver like Nial McShea.

[m.lowe]

More pictures here
http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/muttly_irl/photography/cars/cork20-08/opc-s2000/?start=all

[Pinto]

well haco never belive all you read this info would have come come for a good sourse,anyway that was also the talk on the ditches last sunday,anyway over here we still work in miles

[urabus-denoS2000]

A nice video from Cork 20 including the Corsa S2000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XEldeEXhjg&eurl=http://www.superspecial.si/index.php/IRC/Končno-debi-nove-Opel-Corse-Super-2000-+video.html

[Mirek]

http://www.autoklub.pl/fotogalerie/adrian_pluskota/cork08/img0001.jpg
http://www.autoklub.pl/fotogalerie/adrian_pluskota/cork08/img0005.jpg
http://www.autoklub.pl/fotogalerie/adrian_pluskota/cork08/img0009.jpg

[wwbroe]

Nice pictures Mirek, this car looks very nice. I hope its performance will be as good as it looks, but i don't think we have to be disencouraged by the times of Austin McHale; He allready has his best years behind him and getting a little bit old to make the best times. I would like to see it driven by a pilot of serious calibre to see what it can do. ;)

[HaCo]

When seeing the passes of the car on the videos I have the feeling the driver isn't really used driving such cars and isn't able to adapt. Having that in mind and it was only .6 secs/km than McShea I think it's doing very well!!! (I know Pinto, only rumours... ;) )
Hope to see that car on Belgian roads as well, why not with Freddy Loix back to its roots? :D :D

Awesome pics btw!

[Pinto]

that man lately is only used of driving a landcruiser or a cat track machine,but in his day he was a good one

[RS]

I like the look of the Corsa S2000.

Motorsport News today said it should be homologated today and might run on Rally GB.

I hope Opel will register for the IRC next year and we might see some local importers supporting entries.

[Pinto]

it would be good to opel back in top line rallying,

[OldF]

From gpweek: http://mag.gpweek.com/?iid=7002, An Opel in the rough. page 24

“The eternal challenge in the engineering of these cars has been to achieve performance by means that are cheaper. Some areas of development need to be deliberately compromised, which in some areas, for example the shock absorber work, leads to definitely limitations of performance. Other areas where compromises can become necessary concern the chassis work. To what extent should time and money be spent developing the subframe, uprights and weight saving generally?”

Maybe these are some areas of differences between manufacturer-engineered cars (Pug/Fiat) and the other ones.

[Sulland]

Was the Corsa Homologated 1st Oct ?

[katxal]

Was the Corsa Homologated 1st Oct ?

yep

[atsiotras79]

Hmmmmm, heard a rumour that an Opel Corsa S2000 will be coming to Greece soon. They even say that it might take part in Mavro Rodo rally (gravel) in a couple of weeks with driver Mr. Kaltsounis.

[pucky54]

There will be one at the Rallyesprint Storndorf in Germany in the middle of November. Driven as Zero car by Horst Rotter

[drivacee]

Was MSD and David Whitehead servicing this car on the Irish event does anybody know.And as David used to run the DOT team with the old ascona when it was based in Otley Yorkshire
And is MSD still at Milton keens ?

[atsiotras79]

Hmmmmm, heard a rumour that an Opel Corsa S2000 will be coming to Greece soon. They even say that it might take part in Mavro Rodo rally (gravel) in a couple of weeks with driver Mr. Kaltsounis.

Actually the car has been bought from the gentleman Greek driver and they will present it in the local media a couple of days before the rally. Rumours say that some people from MSD will be here too!

[atsiotras79]

Actually the car has been bought from the gentleman Greek driver and they will present it in the local media a couple of days before the rally. Rumours say that some people from MSD will be here too!

Yes, the entry list of the rally is released, and the Corsa S2000 is at number 6.
Presentation to the media will be done on Friday afternoon.

[Pinto]

talk that gareth mchale will give the car its IRC debut on the montecarlo and may do rallyireland in the car

[atsiotras79]

talk that gareth mchale will give the car its IRC debut on the montecarlo and may do rallyireland in the car

So Opel will register to the IRC?

[Pinto]

that i wouldnt be sure of i would think it will be selected events in the mchales hands after all its some of their money involved in the project and there are the type of fellas that will do their own thing and give a f@@k about the rest.but there is no talk of an IRC campagin,dont think the car would be up to the challange at the moment of a full campagin

[pucky54]

Yes, the entry list of the rally is released, and the Corsa S2000 is at number 6.
Presentation to the media will be done on Friday afternoon.

are there already photos of the presentation?

[Pinto]

i am been informed that there is a high possiabilty that gareth mchale will do the irish tarmac championship in the corsa

[Mirek]

Kaltsounis
http://www.rally.gr/data/photo/46256.JPG

Rotter
http://www.rally3.de/bilder/2008/storndorf/sdkh/images/storndorf08-sdkh-002.jpg
http://rally3.de/bilder/2008/storndorf/sdkh/images/storndorf08-sdkh-003.jpg
http://rally3.de/bilder/2008/storndorf/sdkh/images/storndorf08-sdkh-053.jpg
http://rally3.de/bilder/2008/storndorf/sdkh/images/storndorf08-sdkh-054.jpg

[Mirek]

http://rally3.de/bilder/2008/storndorf/wp2kh/images/storndorf08-wp2kh-074.jpg
http://rally3.de/bilder/2008/storndorf/wp2kh/images/storndorf08-wp2kh-079.jpg
http://rally3.de/bilder/2008/storndorf/wp2kh/images/storndorf08-wp2kh-072.jpg
http://rally3.de/bilder/2008/storndorf/wp2kh/images/storndorf08-wp2kh-070.jpg
http://rally3.de/bilder/2008/storndorf/wp2kh/images/storndorf08-wp2kh-065.jpg

[urabus-denoS2000]

Beautiful car!

[Mirek]

http://rally3.de/bilder/2008/storndorf/wp3kh/images/storndorf08-wp3kh-046.jpg
http://rally3.de/bilder/2008/storndorf/wp3kh/images/storndorf08-wp3kh-047.jpg

[Andrey]

What happened with Opel Corsa S2000 in Greece?

[atsiotras79]

It did not start! It is said that during yesterday's test the car faced electronics problems and mechanics did not have the time to repair. The car stayed at the start-finish area. Awesome looking though!

[Tom206wrc]

Nice looking car indeed ;)

From the back it looks like the 207 :eek:

[Mirek]

Second Corsa had also problems in Germany, retired with engine problem.

[Mirek]

Nice video from Rallyesprint.eu in Storndorf (including a lot of Corsa S2000): http://www.rallye-mad.com/html/_5.html

[darkstar]

thanks for posting our video, its a very nice car, i love it. but on that weekend they had some problem with the engine on the second day sadly.

some pictures are also available here:

www.rallye-mad.com (http://www.rallye-mad.com/html/_1.html)

rallyesprint.eu 08 (http://www.rallye-mad.com/html/_1.html)

http://www.rallye-mad.com/assets/images/db_images/db_DSC_18831.jpg (http://www.rallye-mad.com/html/_1.html)

http://www.rallye-mad.com/assets/images/db_images/db_IMG_13981.jpg (http://www.rallye-mad.com/html/_1.html)

[c4]

MSD aiming for a Rally Ireland debut
http://rallybuzz.stagetimes.com/msd-debut-corsa-rally-ireland/

[Tom206wrc]

Will we see one or several Corsas in IRC09 ??? :confused:

[PLuto]

Will we see one or several Corsas in IRC09 ??? :confused:

Maybe none, we will see...

[ProRally]

Did Opel register in IRC ?

Oh, yes, Opel needs to survive first now that GM is nearly dead !!!

Here was nice small item on the news, yesterday the 3 TOP guys from Ford/GM/Chrysler flew to Washington with the private jets from the companies to go and ask 25.000.000.000 usd state help. Somebody said it is discracefull to use private jets at 100.000 usd cost against few 1000s usd even if the fly first class.
When asked when they left the plane, give up your private jet and we would consider, NONE of them where willing to give up the jet...
Now the taxpayer is really making noise NOT to help the car industry.

[Sulland]

What is the status of this project now ? Have they sold more than the one for this one: http://www.s2000rally.com/car-detail.php?car=160 ??

[Sulland]

How much testing and rallies have the Corsa done so far, and what is the status so far ?

Good to see that this project also is getting an international lift off !!

[tolis]

Corsa has done one rally in Greece and 2-3 in Ireland, I think.

[Abarth]

Have MSD developed the Corsa more, or is it in initial config still ?

How quick is it compared to the best, or will we see that first when a top driver have tested it in anger in Barum do you think ?

[Sulland]

Is the engine in the Corsa OPC based on the Vauxhall/Chevrolet BTCC/WTCC engine or is it made from scratch ?

[bf1_IRL]

The same all aluminium unit as the Vectra S2000 :) probably still based on the old C20XE design lol

[Gordini]

Is there a newer motor they could get for it from the GM family?

The Chevy Cruze touring cars, are they using a newer block and rest?

[Sulland]

Autosport is writing this week that Mikkelsen will drive the whole 2010 season in the Opel Corsa OPC, and that the deal is expected soon.

Is that a smart move from both parties ?

[RS]

Autosport is writing this week that Mikkelsen will drive the whole 2010 season in the Opel Corsa OPC, and that the deal is expected soon.

Is that a smart move from both parties ?

Mikkelsen is a decent driver, so for MSD he is a pretty good choice.

The Corsa seems to be about 2s/km off the pace on Barum, which to be fair is not bad for a new and underdeveloped car. If they have some cash to back the programme (maybe from new GM Europe owners?) then it might not be bad for Mikkelsen.

[Sulland]

Yes, but as Mikkelsen is saying - the engine is one of the easier things to get better in a rally car. The basic handling seems to be good.

Hopefully they start an extensive test program to improve towards 2010.
Learn from Skoda, do a lot of testing, with a lot of drivers to get a lot of input. Use the internet to create enthusiasm for the car and team !

If it is correct that Mikkelsen will drive it in 2010, he should be allowed to bring in some sponsors of his own as well, more money for testing. Maybe use the norwegian championship to test in familiar rallies as well !!

Will be good if another S2000 car have decent backing to evolve, and MSD can do it well !

[RS]

MSD/Opel did better than Proton this weekend...

[Mirek]

Well, they finished which is good for sure but the car needs a lot of improvement, especialy engine. Andreas was driving well, he wasn't the cause of bad times. Proton seemed to be faster but their early end with engine troubles for both car was disasterous.

It was interesting to compare the cars in long fast uphil straight on shakedown where the differences in power were clear.

[RS]

Was the Corsa actually using Hankook tyres on Barum or another brand?

From the videos I have seen the Corsa seems to handle ok at high speeds, but it's engine does seem visibly weak.

[pucky54]

Did use Hankook for sure. Why not?

[RS]

Did use Hankook for sure. Why not?

It is not unusual to see a car sponsored by one brand and use another, but yes - it does seem as if Hankook are developing their tyres to use with the Opel in IRC 2010. Should be a good promotional vehicle for their brand.

[FLO]

Photos with Mikelsen in Barum Rally zlin 2009 Opel Corsa s2000
http://gahuflo.blogspot.com/

[Sulland]

Anyone of you that know pwople in MSD, and couls ask them about their rest 09 and 10 plans for the Corsa OPC ?

[Tom206wrc]

The news have more its place in this thread than in the one of Asturias: Toni Gardemeister to drive the Corsa S2000 from now ;)

[Sulland]

Toni has developed cars before, so that is probably a good choice.

[RS]

One thing I am impressed with about the Corsa programme is that they are using "proper" drivers (Bengue, Mikkelsen, Gardemeister) all have talent and they're not simply just taking the money for the drives.

The other positive is that the car was fairly reliable on Barum.

[Barreis]

Not good times compared to other S2000 machinery but Mikkelsen wanted to finish the rally..

[Sulland]

They need more grunt, the rest was ok according to Mikkelsen.

(Maybe they need to visit Pipo as well, since the brits cant build engines any more :p : )

[Sulland]

What is the plan for the Corsa - does it have a furure ?

Opel's situation is cleared, is it not - will they get behind this project ?