Hello from Antony Warmbold

[Antony Warmbold]

Hi guys, since somebody is asking what I'm up to these days, I decided to drop in a word. I have started a blog which is intended for sharing my experiences in rally.


The link is the following:
http://wrcbehindthestages.blogspot.com/

[Barreis]

Thanks. It was me who asked. Any future drive? How is Gemma? :)

[rp]

Hi guys, since somebody is asking what I'm up to these days, I decided to drop in a word. I have started a blog which is intended for sharing my experiences in rally.


Great to hear your story! Not a big surprise. Unfortunately rallying is cruel business nowadays...

[NiekJ]

Hi guys, since somebody is asking what I'm up to these days, I decided to drop in a word. I have started a blog which is intended for sharing my experiences in rally.


The link is the following:
http://wrcbehindthestages.blogspot.com/

Nice to hear from you, do you still rally these days? Are you planning a comeback (I guess not with m-sport) ?

[N.O.T]

Hi guys, since somebody is asking what I'm up to these days, I decided to drop in a word. I have started a blog which is intended for sharing my experiences in rally.


The link is the following:
http://wrcbehindthestages.blogspot.com/

nice to have someone on here like yourself...

when you started rallying at top level and you saw that the results weren't there and that your future was not in an official team due to lack of skills, what kept you going and paying more ? was it the fact that you still had a small hope and didn't want to leave it? or you had too much fun and you were just spending the money like on a hobby ?

[cali]

Hi guys, since somebody is asking what I'm up to these days, I decided to drop in a word. I have started a blog which is intended for sharing my experiences in rally.


The link is the following:
http://wrcbehindthestages.blogspot.com/

Welcome to the forum! And don't take N.O.T. too seriously ....

Edit: very nice blog btw :)

[Antony Warmbold]

Yes, I thought I should share my story. I felt it's the right thing to do. Who knows if this might be helpful for others.
Not planning anymore driving, in competition anyway.
I am glad you guys appreciate the blog. I will update it often as I have a lot to tell.

[Antony Warmbold]

Answers will be in the blog N.O.T.
keep reading...

[N.O.T]

ok thank you.

[N.O.T]

you really sound bitter in your blog (read it all) about how the ford team treated you.... its not fair to put all the blame on them in my opinion.... i am waitting for the next episodes, very nice writting.

By the way i doubt if any other person in the whole world bashed you any harder than myself about your driving...so i am really waitting to see if my "insults" were justifiable or not...so please try and give us the whole truth.

Your blog is bookmarked now by myself.

I have some pictures of you in large format if you are interested from the acropolis/GB rallies e-mail me if you are interested to have them.

[Barreis]

I envy you (probably we all).

[dimviii]

nice blog/reading mr Warmbold!
But some points you write are a little weird imho.it is difficult to believe that you was in wrc circus and you thought that your car would be equal with factory ones.Specially with your father involved at top rallying for years.Thats something known even by kids.
For me your writing at the blog leaves me a taste of....''the reason i was slower from McRae''
Maybe i get this taste by false...maybe.Don t think that you ''have'' to explain to somebody the reason you were slower from wrc factory cars.Its something totally phisical.
Nice to have you here,keep writing at your blog,and i d like to say that i liked your sideways driving. ;)

ps some forumers mention about Warmbolds speed in his days....much faster than todays B class drivers imho.

[pino]

Hi guys, since somebody is asking what I'm up to these days, I decided to drop in a word. I have started a blog which is intended for sharing my experiences in rally.


The link is the following:
http://wrcbehindthestages.blogspot.com/

Hello Antony and welcome here :wave: I've moved your post and started a new thread...you deserved it ;)

[Antony Warmbold]

Thanks, I did not expect that at all!

[Antony Warmbold]

Noted, thanks

[Antony Warmbold]

Noted, thanks

nice blog/reading mr Warmbold!
But some points you write are a little weird imho.it is difficult to believe that you was in wrc circus and you thought that your car would be equal with factory ones.Specially with your father involved at top rallying for years.Thats something known even by kids.
For me your writing at the blog leaves me a taste of....''the reason i was slower from McRae''
Maybe i get this taste by false...maybe.Don t think that you ''have'' to explain to somebody the reason you were slower from wrc factory cars.Its something totally phisical.
Nice to have you here,keep writing at your blog,and i d like to say that i liked your sideways driving. ;)

ps some forumers mention about Warmbolds speed in his days....much faster than todays B class drivers imho.

[Wim_Impreza]

Welcome on the forum and thanks for the link to your blog. It is nice to read.

[Woodeye]

Thanks for the blog. Really interesting to read it.

I've been years in this forum and one thing that many members here ask time after time is why do the privateers bother? Currently guys like Räikkönen, Block, H. Solberg etc are being kept under the lens all the time. The motivation, desire to win and passion for sport are being questionized. Would be nice to hear your thoughts on this.

Nice to see you writing on the forum. Hopefully you'll stay here for a long time.

[Walach]

Very interesting reading Antony. Nice to see how that big circus is running behind the scene... Great job man, really bold action from you! [attachment=1:1zwemkl1]thumbup1.gif[/attachment:1zwemkl1]

[Antony Warmbold]

Thanks for the blog. Really interesting to read it.

I've been years in this forum and one thing that many members here ask time after time is why do the privateers bother? Currently guys like Räikkönen, Block, H. Solberg etc are being kept under the lens all the time. The motivation, desire to win and passion for sport are being questionized. Would be nice to hear your thoughts on this.

Nice to see you writing on the forum. Hopefully you'll stay here for a long time.

Noted, I will make a post with my thoughts about that on my blog.

Thanks to everyone for taking time to read my story.

[Doon]

Welcome Anthony,

I hope you'll find this forum as useful as we'll find your knowledge!

Guys I can sympathise with Anthony here, I've just read the 1st part of the blog, and what he says was different with the cars......not him making excuses for his pace. I think we all know that 'M2' or 'privateer' cars all have differences on the 'world' or 'factory' cars. I had a stint at M-Sport on trial (I was offered a permanent position but I didn't take the job as it wasn't as interesting and exciting as I though it would be), and from the time there many people told me about the way things work with the M2 cars, but I just saw this as the offset due to the lack money being injected by that person, i.e 2.5 mill rather than 3.5 mill as Anthony explained. Did they not explain this to you Anthony?

I don't think anyone expects privateers to be quicker than works drivers, and Anthony was certainly driving in a more competetive era of the WRC, but sometime people don't realise how different the Works and Privateer cars are. According to FIA rules (so i've been led to believe on this forum) all ECUs are the same this year, so how are they different, weight? Think i've asked this question in another topic but with no response.

Again I sympathise with Anthony for spending all that money on a weaker, slower car, but I honest don't think any other supplier of car would be any different, Prodrive etc..

Was they young Finn Hirvonen by any chance ;)

[darkstar]

thanks for this blog, keep it coming, i´m looking forward already :)

[Antony Warmbold]

Welcome Anthony,

I hope you'll find this forum as useful as we'll find your knowledge!

Guys I can sympathise with Anthony here, I've just read the 1st part of the blog, and what he says was different with the cars......not him making excuses for his pace. I think we all know that 'M2' or 'privateer' cars all have differences on the 'world' or 'factory' cars. I had a stint at M-Sport on trial (I was offered a permanent position but I didn't take the job as it wasn't as interesting and exciting as I though it would be), and from the time there many people told me about the way things work with the M2 cars, but I just saw this as the offset due to the lack money being injected by that person, i.e 2.5 mill rather than 3.5 mill as Anthony explained. Did they not explain this to you Anthony?

I don't think anyone expects privateers to be quicker than works drivers, and Anthony was certainly driving in a more competetive era of the WRC, but sometime people don't realise how different the Works and Privateer cars are. According to FIA rules (so i've been led to believe on this forum) all ECUs are the same this year, so how are they different, weight? Think i've asked this question in another topic but with no response.

Again I sympathise with Anthony for spending all that money on a weaker, slower car, but I honest don't think any other supplier of car would be any different, Prodrive etc..

Was they young Finn Hirvonen by any chance ;)

I will talk about this in my blog further down the line. You asked if they explained this to me. Answer is no. All the technical stuff was secret. You can bet I was not going to throw 2.5 mil to their faces per year if I knew my car was disadvantaged right from the start, and to that extent...

[Barreis]

I remember some tires issue.. When Garde retired on one rally only then you got works tires.

[Antony Warmbold]

I remember some tires issue.. When Garde retired on one rally only then you got works tires.

i don't remember exactly but it's possible I got some new compounds which were in limited numbers only for works drivers.

[MJW]

Welcome Anthony,

I hope you'll find this forum as useful as we'll find your knowledge!

Guys I can sympathise with Anthony here, I've just read the 1st part of the blog, and what he says was different with the cars......not him making excuses for his pace. I think we all know that 'M2' or 'privateer' cars all have differences on the 'world' or 'factory' cars. I had a stint at M-Sport on trial (I was offered a permanent position but I didn't take the job as it wasn't as interesting and exciting as I though it would be), and from the time there many people told me about the way things work with the M2 car.

I don't think anyone expects privateers to be quicker than works drivers, and Anthony was certainly driving in a more competetive era of the WRC, but sometime people don't realise how different the Works and Privateer cars are. According to FIA rules (so i've been led to believe on this forum) all ECUs are the same this year, so how are they different, weight? Think i've asked this question in another topic but with no response.

Againce ;)
and people were wondering why Petter was going on about equality of cars, what he acheived with that 2001 model Xsara and C4, until middle part of 2010 was amazing. OK last part of the year the C4 was almost equal.

[Sladden]

What a pleasant surprise to see a past WRC driver here! And that you share your adventures...must have been awsome at times and painfull in others.
One of my clearest memories was the 2003 New Zealand incident with Duval and Prevot... :)
Welcome!

[Antony Warmbold]

What a pleasant surprise to see a past WRC driver here! And that you share your adventures...must have been awsome at times and painfull in others.
One of my clearest memories was the 2003 New Zealand incident with Duval and Prevot... :)
Welcome!

Noted.
I shall give my side of the story on this one in a future blog entry.

[Tomi]

Interesting reading, but nothing exactly new in the big picture, favoritism has been always in rally, Audi did favor some driver same did Lancia Ford did favor McRae according to Solberg Subaru did favor Burns.
Good point was the advise to young drivers to stay in smaller classes long as possible to gain experience of the stages they use in WRC, its no point to burn money without to have some chance for reasonable result.

[Doon]

and people were wondering why Petter was going on about equality of cars, what he acheived with that 2001 model Xsara and C4, until middle part of 2010 was amazing. OK last part of the year the C4 was almost equal.

They 'privateer' cars have probably not been equal for a number of years.....I think we all know this. Why would a Team want their paying drivers beating the ones they have chosen for a full WRC assult!?

My father worked for Marshalls East Africa in Kenya in the 70's, he was the workshop manager for the rally team for a while when they were building the Peugeot 504's for the Safari, and he reckons that all the cars were exactly the same, same parts, same time spent on each. He also ran a Mazda RX-2 in '74 in the Safari, and when all other Mazda's run from Japan were out, they help my old chaps car......it's just what manufacturers do and we have to accept, like Anthony say...it's never going to be an equal playing field!

Anthony, did your old man ever rallying Africa? Maybe our old fella's crossed paths?

[Doon]

I've just been checking out Antony's stage times from 2005, and to be fair, he be the 6th or 7th quickest driver in 2011. Meaning he'd be in 4th or 5th places now with DNFs on some events. Not bad for a chap who many have slated over the years! Either the privateer cars have become worse of the quality in the WRC has? I think the latter, in 2005 WRGB after the first day 16 drivers were within 2 mins of 1st place.....that is unheard of now!

[urabus-denoS2000]

Great blog mr. Warmbold ! Keep on sharing these stories with us !

BTW the fact that you had 140 kg more really sound fascinating ...

[MJW]

Was they young Finn Hirvonen by any chance ;)
Do a search.....you will find that one of the current Ford works drivers had his first full season in 2003 in the third works Focus.

[bennizw]

Now this is interesting reading, Anthony. I have been waiting for something written that reveals the "inside" of a world rally team. Unfortunately todays WRC-journalists have decided to be "mates" with the teams, instead of producing good, investigative and critical journalism. The WRC has turned out to become too much of a friend club, where no one dares to reveal the negative sides of the sport. Much appreciated!

[Tomi]

Forgot to ask you, did you have any manager? And do you think that professional rally drivers should have competent managers.

[mousti]

Yes, I thought I should share my story. I felt it's the right thing to do. Who knows if this might be helpful for others.
Not planning anymore driving, in competition anyway.
I am glad you guys appreciate the blog. I will update it often as I have a lot to tell.
Pity to hear that Anthony! IRC would maybe much better for you, is a championship with alot of nice rallies and with not so much Factory drivers with better cars than the car u can buy. I can believe for sure your story, not a surprise for me that it goes like that in WRC.

[tfp]

Welcome Antony!
Loved the blog, a big insight to what goes on behind the scenes.
I look forward to your next update in the blog:-)
I'd still like to know who this young finn is:-)

[CABAIO E'LONA]

Great to read your blog... Thanks Antony...

this car was always beautiful ... My favorite in the Rally of Argentina 2003,,,,
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43XfSav59Vs/TZtfGgQ-4oI/AAAAAAAAABA/hNNqjRKgroc/s1600/Focus_workshop_2.JPG

[Zeakiwi]

Hello
Your blog is an interesting read. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achim_Warmbold

Hopefully you will write on the Toyota Corolla WRC sometime.
Did you get a comparative quote from Subaru/ Prodrive for a car at the same time ?
Have you taken up golf ?

[Plan9]

Welcome Anthony,

I hope you'll find this forum as useful as we'll find your knowledge!

Guys I can sympathise with Anthony here, I've just read the 1st part of the blog, and what he says was different with the cars......not him making excuses for his pace. I think we all know that 'M2' or 'privateer' cars all have differences on the 'world' or 'factory' cars. I had a stint at M-Sport on trial (I was offered a permanent position but I didn't take the job as it wasn't as interesting and exciting as I though it would be), and from the time there many people told me about the way things work with the M2 cars, but I just saw this as the offset due to the lack money being injected by that person, i.e 2.5 mill rather than 3.5 mill as Anthony explained. Did they not explain this to you Anthony?

I don't think anyone expects privateers to be quicker than works drivers, and Anthony was certainly driving in a more competetive era of the WRC, but sometime people don't realise how different the Works and Privateer cars are. According to FIA rules (so i've been led to believe on this forum) all ECUs are the same this year, so how are they different, weight? Think i've asked this question in another topic but with no response.

Again I sympathise with Anthony for spending all that money on a weaker, slower car, but I honest don't think any other supplier of car would be any different, Prodrive etc..

Was they young Finn Hirvonen by any chance ;)


A very interesting comment, can you provide us with further details of life at M-Sport? How do you think Block and Kimi fair as "private" drivers in comparison to Loeb, Mikko etc???

[Plan9]

Hi guys, since somebody is asking what I'm up to these days, I decided to drop in a word. I have started a blog which is intended for sharing my experiences in rally.


The link is the following:
http://wrcbehindthestages.blogspot.com/

I think you have an interesting blog and i will keenly follow it in the future.

I think that you should provide some info about the characters of the WRC i.e. what was McRae really like?? What do other drivers think of Loeb's success?

I was also wondering Who you think will take the crown from Loeb?

Also do you think his success is the result of skill or because he had an amazing car??

any answers you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

[jonkka]

A quote from the blog

My problem is that no-one ever told us about all this when we made the initial deal. I like to know what I sign and pay for, don't you ?

Caveat emptor, my friend.

It's been eight years since your first season and it seems that this old lesson has now been learned but unfortunately - the hard way. Like N.O.T, I also find your writing a bit bitter at times but hopefully your goal is achieved and other young aspirants do learn from your experiences.

[ProRally]

VERY interesting reading.... keep it coming :hot:

[zoolander36]

This stories of Antony reminds me Dani Sola's season with the Ford Focus WRC. No tests, no improvements in the car and last opportunity in the World Championship for him. Results: Bad slow car and he pushed so hard finishing mainly out of the race.

Very interesting Blog Antony. Keep it going

[MrJan]

Great blog, interesting to hear a different perspective of the sport. Agree that perhaps you sound a bit bitter, but if I'd spent 2.5million on a lame duck then I'd be pretty f***ing bitter too :D Also the trivia about the spikes is fascinating, makes scientific sense I suppose but it's not the sort of thing that you usually think about when you're watching rallying.

Do you still compete at a lower level for fun? I do a few clubman events (not rallying) and find it tough over the winter when there are no events to compete at. If you aren't driving then how do you replace the adrenaline rush and fun?

[cali]

Woww, Antony's blog is taking off a big time! I'm following many rallying news sites and rally-related persons in Twitter and Antony's blog is mentioned now in almost all of those posts.

[Antony Warmbold]

This stories of Antony reminds me Dani Sola's season with the Ford Focus WRC. No tests, no improvements in the car and last opportunity in the World Championship for him. Results: Bad slow car and he pushed so hard finishing mainly out of the race.

Very interesting Blog Antony. Keep it going

Have a funny little anecdote with Dani Sola that I will share with you guys soon...

[Antony Warmbold]

Great blog, interesting to hear a different perspective of the sport. Agree that perhaps you sound a bit bitter, but if I'd spent 2.5million on a lame duck then I'd be pretty f***ing bitter too :D Also the trivia about the spikes is fascinating, makes scientific sense I suppose but it's not the sort of thing that you usually think about when you're watching rallying.

Do you still compete at a lower level for fun? I do a few clubman events (not rallying) and find it tough over the winter when there are no events to compete at. If you aren't driving then how do you replace the adrenaline rush and fun?

Nice to see all this interest. I never thought you guys would be so keen to read about my experiences.

No more competition for me. I am really taken by my work lately. I sometimes drive for fun with karts, and I do competition table tennis as a hobby, it's very good for mental and reflexes.

[Barreis]

Please write about body and mental trainings before and during the season 'cos it's very interesting to see if it is possible to go in the WRC car without any prepairings. Dany Snobeck (who's 63) finished in WRC Spain in 10th place no matter on his ages..

[AndyRAC]

Please write about body and mental trainings before and during the season 'cos it's very interesting to see if it is possible to go in the WRC car without any prepairings. Dany Snobeck (who's 63) finished in WRC Spain in 10th place no matter on his ages..

I think that shows that the endurance side of Rallying has gone - unless he's super fit....

[MrJan]

I think that shows that the endurance side of Rallying has gone - unless he's super fit....

I think that's the case, even to the degree that rallying isn't as endurance based as it was 10, maybe even 5 years ago.

[Antony Warmbold]

Please write about body and mental trainings before and during the season 'cos it's very interesting to see if it is possible to go in the WRC car without any prepairings. Dany Snobeck (who's 63) finished in WRC Spain in 10th place no matter on his ages..

Noted

[ZequeArgentina]

Great block.
Excelllent to have a first person stry about getting to WRC, with all difficulties and , I hope, good times also.
A lot of things you tell could be imagined, but to have someone effectively teling things is great.

Sometimes, drivers who know this prefer to shut up (I guess it is Henning or Vilagra cases)because they are living on this (both not young, and with no future prospect).

Please keep your writing free of preassures.
Very useful for young guns hungry to show their talent!!!

[Mirek]

Thank You for Your blog Antony. Really interesting reading!

[Co-driven]

Hi Antony, really liked your blog, it's really good to know what really happens behind the scenes.

Please, can you talk a little bit about your pacenotes?

[Antony Warmbold]

Great block.
Excelllent to have a first person stry about getting to WRC, with all difficulties and , I hope, good times also.
A lot of things you tell could be imagined, but to have someone effectively teling things is great.

Sometimes, drivers who know this prefer to shut up (I guess it is Henning or Vilagra cases)because they are living on this (both not young, and with no future prospect).

Please keep your writing free of preassures.
Very useful for young guns hungry to show their talent!!!

I will as long as I can

[Antony Warmbold]

Thank You for Your blog Antony. Really interesting reading!

thank you for the interest. it warms the heart.

[Antony Warmbold]

Hi Antony, really liked your blog, it's really good to know what really happens behind the scenes.

Please, can you talk a little bit about your pacenotes?

Noted
It is already a future programmed post

[bennizw]

Antony: Have you, or do you expect to get reactions from M-sport concerning what you are writing on your blog? I have been checking the blog several times a day the last days, so keep up the good writing :)

[karo]

Hi Antony,

First of all regards from Holland.

Nice to read you are fine......missed you for a long time on rallies around the world

Great to read from somebody "how got the t-shirt; been there, done it and seen it"

Please keep your blog comming..................very nice reading material.

Could you also post some more pictures and maybe some video's (onboard etc)......I think you must have an asome collection!!! Please share.

Kind regards

Jef Koopman

http://www.karorally.tk

http://www.facebook.com/jef.koopman#!/

[N.O.T]

i would like to see what you think you did wrong and you did not progress, i doubt all the guys who made it to the top stared in the perfect car right away.....

Also the way you present things about the ford team it is truly amazing why you came back at them after the 1st year....

[Antony Warmbold]

Hi Antony,

First of all regards from Holland.

Nice to read you are fine......missed you for a long time on rallies around the world

Great to read from somebody "how got the t-shirt; been there, done it and seen it"

Please keep your blog comming..................very nice reading material.

Could you also post some more pictures and maybe some video's (onboard etc)......I think you must have an asome collection!!! Please share.

Kind regards

Jef Koopman

www.karorally.tk (http://www.karorally.tk)

http://www.facebook.com/jef.koopman#!/

I will get more stuff online.

[Antony Warmbold]

i would like to see what you think you did wrong and you did not progress, i doubt all the guys who made it to the top stared in the perfect car right away.....

Also the way you present things about the ford team it is truly amazing why you came back at them after the 1st year....

At 32 years of age today and a bit more life experience I have to say I was rather naive at the time.

What one should understand is that things are very different when you are entangled in the middle of all this. I went through this stuff with lots of emotions and rallies were coming up every other week... Quickly. You think you can change things.

Today, 6 years later, I have a much clearer view of what happened.

[N.O.T]

what would you change in your approach to the WRC nowadays ? different team ? different car ? also when did you realise that you might have the talent to become a WRC driver ?

this sounds like an interview and I apologise but i think we can learn far more about the sport from someone who had an unsuccessful pass rather than a champion/challenger who everyones focus is sucking their balls....

[Antony Warmbold]

what would you change in your approach to the WRC nowadays ? different team ? different car ? also when did you realise that you might have the talent to become a WRC driver ?

this sounds like an interview and I apologise but i think we can learn far more about the sport from someone who had an unsuccessful pass rather than a champion/challenger who everyones focus is sucking their balls....

Funny!
request noted, there will be a post about it...

[tfp]

I look forward to your next blog update Antony, keep us informed when you update it :)

[Daniel]

Very interesting stuff :)

I have to agree that you results look quite respectable compared to some of the pay drivers today. I constantly whine about how low the level of competition is in the WRC these days compared to at the height of the WRC in about 2002/2003 but you only need to compare the entry lists for Rally Australia for instance for 2003 to 2004 or any subsequent years to see that the quality of entry fields dropped off a cliff for some of the flyaway rounds.

My question would be, what were your expectations of your career? Did you think you were going to be a World Rally Champion? Did you feel you even had the potential to be a champion? Did you feel you had what it took to be a 2nd driver? Etc etc etc :) Also, were you happy with what you achieved considering the limitations which were of course imposed on you by the equipment?

Second question, if you got the chance to do so again in reasonable equipment with a clear statement of what you were getting compared to the works guys, would you do it again?

[I am evil Homer]

Having read Anthony's excellent blog I don't understand how some people on here think he's 'bitter'...I merely get the sense of utter frustration that he never got to achieve what he wanted to and looking back, older and wiser, now realises where mistakes were made. Please keep the blog going it's fascinating insight into WRC.

[Antony Warmbold]

Very interesting stuff :)

I have to agree that you results look quite respectable compared to some of the pay drivers today. I constantly whine about how low the level of competition is in the WRC these days compared to at the height of the WRC in about 2002/2003 but you only need to compare the entry lists for Rally Australia for instance for 2003 to 2004 or any subsequent years to see that the quality of entry fields dropped off a cliff for some of the flyaway rounds.

My question would be, what were your expectations of your career? Did you think you were going to be a World Rally Champion? Did you feel you even had the potential to be a champion? Did you feel you had what it took to be a 2nd driver? Etc etc etc :) Also, were you happy with what you achieved considering the limitations which were of course imposed on you by the equipment?

Second question, if you got the chance to do so again in reasonable equipment with a clear statement of what you were getting compared to the works guys, would you do it again?

I will try to adress your questions the best I can in a further post

BTW chapter 4 is up

[pino]

Antony, don't trust Daniel...he's among those who bashed you a lot when you competed ;) :p :

[Daniel]

Having read Anthony's excellent blog I don't understand how some people on here think he's 'bitter'...I merely get the sense of utter frustration that he never got to achieve what he wanted to and looking back, older and wiser, now realises where mistakes were made. Please keep the blog going it's fascinating insight into WRC.

I think it's understandable why people would think so before reading the blog. Here we have a guy who never got any podiums or anything, never went on to have a paid career and is now blaming it all on M-Sport. Back when Antony was competing he was ridiculed on the forum for his slow performances and the fact that he always seemed to break his car. Reading what he says in his blog though, you view things differently and you see how difficult things were for him.

[Daniel]

Antony, don't trust Daniel...he's among those who bashed you a lot when you competed ;) :p :

Well you can only post based on what you see. How was I to know that M-Sport were giving Antony a crap car to drive and 2nd or 3rd hand components on his car? I wonder if Malcolm puts parts on his sons car that he wouldn't put on Hirvonen or Latvala's cars? :dozey:

I doubt Antony needs it but I do apologise for calling you slow back in the day when the car was at least partly to blame for it :)

[pino]

Daniel, I was just joking...and btw I am sure Antony understands how forums members are so no needs to apologise ;)

[Daniel]

Daniel, I was just joking...and btw I am sure Antony understands how forums members are so no needs to apologise ;)

I thought as much but still it's only right to change your tune when you hear the true story behind things :)

[pino]

I thought as much but still it's only right to change your tune when you hear the true story behind things :)

:up:

[rage82]

Hi Antony. It's really amazing to have an inside look of what's going on behind the scene, and I can't even imagine that we have 1-st hand information. Think that everebody in this forum can learn a lot about rallying, keep up your great blog. Regards!

[Tomi]

I thought as much but still it's only right to change your tune when you hear the true story behind things :)

I guess you mean the subjective true story?

[Daniel]

I guess you mean the subjective true story?

Why come out all these years later to sling mud falsely? We all know that Malcolm would step over his own mother just to get one of his drivers to win the WDC so it's not unreasonable to think that M-Sport may not have been entirely transparent as to what Antony's 2.5 million was getting him? Of course we will never know the 100% proven facts unless Malcolm or MSport come on here and say "Yes we put **** parts on Antony's car and that was why he was so slow" but I see no reason to doubt what Antony is saying. I'm not proposing that we go back to the stage results and give him 3s/km and crown him WDC for those years or anything, just that this perhaps explains some of the lack of speed.

[Tomi]

Why come out all these years later to sling mud falsely?

Thats not what I mean, only said the story is subjective because it is.

[Barreis]

Good last blog post.

[Daniel]

Thats not what I mean, only said the story is subjective because it is.

Of course :) But based on my memories of Antony's driving which was that he didn't seem particularly tough on the car which doesn't seem to be reflected in the amount of failures his car had


Deutschland, time lost:


Multiple punctures. Reason: The Baumholder high speeds and extreme compressions provoked the tires to rub against the top of the wheel arch, where there is a hook which is used for hanging the upright when servicing. Why: Because no suspension testing data from works team was communicated to our car engineer (who works for them, by the way). Seemed at the time like they prefer to let you have your tires blow up rather than share their finds.



This (if true of course) says it all about the M-Sport operation. Malcolm would use every trick in the book from slowing down to get a better road position to shortchanging someone by putting parts which were unlikely to last a full rally on their car and potentially ignoring things which are pretty much guaranteed to give his customer punctures.


I know I'm grinding my own stone when I say this, but I think Malcolm Wilson is a truly poor team boss. He had Colin and Carlos in his team and and the rather quick Focus 2003 WRC on the horizon so what did he do? He got rid of 2 of the best drivers in the WRC in the season where both of them went on to fight for the title in the last round..... I think he also takes the "If you want to win, take a Finn" mantra a little too literally....

[Zeakiwi]

You should write this in book form, hopefully you might achieve a positive return.
I wonder how much MRTE cost to set up initially for the first Mazda 323 ?

[Tomi]

This (if true of course) says it all about the M-Sport operation.


Maybe, but not long time ago Tuohino told same kind off stuff in Vauhdin Maailma about Citroen.

[Daniel]

Maybe, but not long time ago Tuohino told same kind off stuff in Vauhdin Maailma about Citroen.

But at least Citroen can point at the rows and rows of trophies showing drivers titles, manufacturers titles and a silly amount of rally wins considering the short time they've been involved in the WRC. What can M-Sport do?

[Barreis]

Take the money. M.Wilson: GIVEEEEE MEEE ALLLLL YOUUUUU GOTTTT!!!!!?!

[Tomi]

But at least Citroen can point at the rows and rows of trophies showing drivers titles, manufacturers titles and a silly amount of rally wins considering the short time they've been involved in the WRC. What can M-Sport do?

sorry but can you explaine to me what this has to do with how teams treat privateers, i failed to understand.

[Daniel]

sorry but can you explaine to me what this has to do with how teams treat privateers, i failed to understand.

True :p

I'm simply highlighting the lack of results from M-Sport considering the tactics that he resorts to and the fact that as a self funded entry, they should in theory be looking after their privateers.

[pino]

The topic here is Antony and his blog so please let's stick to that.

[Tomi]

True :p

I'm simply highlighting the lack of results from M-Sport considering the tactics that he resorts to and the fact that as a self funded entry, they should in theory be looking after their privateers.

It would be good also if the privateers should look after their rights and make air tight agreements, when it comes to about the car. tyres etc....., then teams could not take advantage of young guys who are happy to drive whatever, if they only get to drive,

[Jake Stephens]

Hi Antony, I've been a long time follower of WRC for years but I have to say, I find your blog a great read. Well written and very informative. I know you were asked this earlier but can you tell us if you ever made contact with Prodrive and if so, what made you go for the Ford? Anyway, hopefully you had enjoyment through the years in the WRC community, it sounds like you learnt a lot about the business that you can apply to your work now :) Best of luck with the blog.

[NiekJ]

By coincidence, Warmbold was on Dutch television last week in which the clash with Duval in New Zeeland was compared with the one of Panizzi in the Safari rally and Hirvonen and Loeb in Portugal. I realized last week I didn't hear or see anything from him in years. Most of the time WRC drivers don't disappear from tv and you hear about them in local rally's or so. Funny that one week later you pop up with the blog.

[jonas_mcrae]

Hello Antony, thank you very much for your blogg, its great, almost like the Wikileaks of WRC!! please keep the posts comming and lets see if some other drivers speak out just like you, or maybe M-sport give an official response (just like the USA did with wikileaks!).

Probably you dont remember but I talked to you on rally mexico in 2004, just before a stage (I think it was stage 3 or 4 after you took a pee break...), not sure what I told you but basically just wishing good luck, I have a few pics from that year and also from 2005 in case you would like to the see them.

And finally just a couple of questions, did other privateers had the same frustrations as you? or the same problems perhaps? did you ever thought or talked about moving to an other team?

thanks

[Antony Warmbold]

Hi Antony, I've been a long time follower of WRC for years but I have to say, I find your blog a great read. Well written and very informative. I know you were asked this earlier but can you tell us if you ever made contact with Prodrive and if so, what made you go for the Ford? Anyway, hopefully you had enjoyment through the years in the WRC community, it sounds like you learnt a lot about the business that you can apply to your work now :) Best of luck with the blog.

I have posted an answer that in the blog....

[Antony Warmbold]

Hello Antony, thank you very much for your blogg, its great, almost like the Wikileaks of WRC!! please keep the posts comming and lets see if some other drivers speak out just like you, or maybe M-sport give an official response (just like the USA did with wikileaks!).

Probably you dont remember but I talked to you on rally mexico in 2004, just before a stage (I think it was stage 3 or 4 after you took a pee break...), not sure what I told you but basically just wishing good luck, I have a few pics from that year and also from 2005 in case you would like to the see them.

And finally just a couple of questions, did other privateers had the same frustrations as you? or the same problems perhaps? did you ever thought or talked about moving to an other team?

thanks

That would be nice, I will pm you

[Antony Warmbold]

By coincidence, Warmbold was on Dutch television last week in which the clash with Duval in New Zeeland was compared with the one of Panizzi in the Safari rally and Hirvonen and Loeb in Portugal. I realized last week I didn't hear or see anything from him in years. Most of the time WRC drivers don't disappear from tv and you hear about them in local rally's or so. Funny that one week later you pop up with the blog.

Noted
I feel like I need to give my opinion of the whole dust thing because many people are talking about that.

[Barreis]

Very nice last three blog posts.

[N.O.T]

why you kept coming back at ford ??? less expensive ?? did the team had any positives ??? also you were quite young at the time so its ok not to have full understanding of how things work......but your dad had all the experience in the world...why didn't he protect you ??

And again you focus too much on the car....you feel that its the only reason of your failure ?

[Jake Stephens]

I have posted an answer that in the blog....

Cool....

[Cloverleaf]

almost like the Wikileaks of WRC!!
I like that :)

Anyway, I believe a world rally championship without the concept of "works car" would be far more interesting.

[cosmicpanda]

why you kept coming back at ford ??? less expensive ?? did the team had any positives ??? also you were quite young at the time so its ok not to have full understanding of how things work......but your dad had all the experience in the world...why didn't he protect you ??

And again you focus too much on the car....you feel that its the only reason of your failure ?

Why so much use of the word 'failure'? Sure he didn't become a works driver, but he put in a better effort than most have.

And it's understandable that if the car's bad, the times would be bad, particularly given the examples he gives - lack of top speed, bad reliability, bad handling. What's he supposed to do, get out and push to make it go faster?

I find it a fascinating read, because there's so little good coverage about the WRC, and so little understanding how the teams work. We know they manipulate the rules to their own advantage and to try and keep out other teams, and now we have a privateer narrating how they keep the works drivers on top. Makes you wonder if we're a bit harsh in our treatment of other rookies. I'd love it if Becs Williams were to ask Malcolm Wilson after the next time a part breaks on a privateer's car, "was that a second hand part because he's only a privateer?"

But WRR will never truly grill a team boss.

[bennizw]

Of course WRR won´t grill Malcolm Wilson. Some of the radio crew also produce Fords video blog from each event. Independent journalism? I´m sceptical.

[Gard]

what really amazes me, is that many of the forum members. Hasn't realized how manu teams handle privateers. With all the treads we have had in the past on these subjects, you still are surprized when mr. Warmbold blogs about this. Remember Henning did a resett of setting everytime the car had been into service. He didn't trust the team at all. Any of you find it strange, that Henning and Manfred performed so well i the pug. for later to be really outpaced with Xsara and Focus. even the differences between the xsaras when droven by Stohl, Carlsson and the others. One year really on pace, next year, not even close. Remember how suddenly Petters Xsara started to perform, when Quesnel found out he could be usefull for the manu team.

[gravelman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlAKLwQVV30

Found this video of Antony's 2005 season

[Brother John]

By coincidence, Warmbold was on Dutch television last week in which the clash with Duval in New Zeeland was compared with the one of Panizzi in the Safari rally and Hirvonen and Loeb in Portugal. I realized last week I didn't hear or see anything from him in years. Most of the time WRC drivers don't disappear from tv and you hear about them in local rally's or so. Funny that one week later you pop up with the blog.

Because someone finally say the truth about the WRC and factory teams, is there something wrong if you're self are deceived?

[BDunnell]

what really amazes me, is that many of the forum members. Hasn't realized how manu teams handle privateers. With all the treads we have had in the past on these subjects, you still are surprized when mr. Warmbold blogs about this. Remember Henning did a resett of setting everytime the car had been into service. He didn't trust the team at all. Any of you find it strange, that Henning and Manfred performed so well i the pug. for later to be really outpaced with Xsara and Focus. even the differences between the xsaras when droven by Stohl, Carlsson and the others. One year really on pace, next year, not even close. Remember how suddenly Petters Xsara started to perform, when Quesnel found out he could be usefull for the manu team.

I suppose some of us hark back to the days when privateers in Escorts, such as Pentti Airikkala, were able to match or lead the works cars. But your point is a very good one.

Excellent blog by Antony, by the way. Genuinely insightful.

[N.O.T]

I suppose some of us hark back to the days when privateers in Escorts, such as Pentti Airikkala, were able to match or lead the works cars. But your point is a very good one.

Excellent blog by Antony, by the way. Genuinely insightful.

you don't need to go that far back...many privateers managed to match the times of the works drivers in recent years as well (axcluding this year where cars are almost equal)

[alleskids]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XWu9FMczAM
@ Anthony. I hope you can give us some inside about this "incident". New Zealand 2004, <The Phone> How did things go from the finish moment on, how did the Ford team react? And more important, what caused youre car to suddenly stop and start simply after restart? Did Ford Focus WRCars run on Microsoft Windows: press CTRL ALT DEL and all youre troubles disappear :( ?

[jens]

Very interesting insight to the background of the WRC world - thanks. :up: The part of an "unknown Finn" finding a bit more money and getting a better car sounded quite funny. As we know, the rest is history... Also interesting to find out that privateer cars were made of completely different materials. In F1 terms it would be like A-team's car is made of carbon fibre and B-team's car of aluminium. Would sound extraordinary. :p : I remember myself wondering back in 2005, how Anthony was suddenly so much more competitive than before. Well, getting some answers now!

[Antony Warmbold]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XWu9FMczAM
@ Anthony. I hope you can give us some inside about this "incident". New Zealand 2004, <The Phone> How did things go from the finish moment on, how did the Ford team react? And more important, what caused youre car to suddenly stop and start simply after restart? Did Ford Focus WRCars run on Microsoft Windows: press CTRL ALT DEL and all youre troubles disappear :( ?

Noted, I will get into this in a future RSI post.

Chapter 6 is up

[Antony Warmbold]

Sorry that should be Chapter 5.....ooops!

[N.O.T]

hmmmm....i think their behaviour towards someone who payed 2.5 million was distgusting....my question remains...why you kept coming back???

[User]

Not a single piece of WRC action in the last three years interested me more than your blog .. Good job!

[Antony Warmbold]

Not a single piece of WRC action in the last three years interested me more than your blog .. Good job!

Thank you very much for your interest. I appreciate a lot.

[TMorel]

Well there should have been no reason for Malcolm to phone regarding the dust, after all as we saw with Mikko Hirvonen in Portugal, its just part of rallying right? ;)

[bennizw]

Antony, have you recieved a phone call from Malcolm after starting your blog? ;)

[Plan9]

what really amazes me, is that many of the forum members. Hasn't realized how manu teams handle privateers. With all the treads we have had in the past on these subjects, you still are surprized when mr. Warmbold blogs about this. Remember Henning did a resett of setting everytime the car had been into service. He didn't trust the team at all. Any of you find it strange, that Henning and Manfred performed so well i the pug. for later to be really outpaced with Xsara and Focus. even the differences between the xsaras when droven by Stohl, Carlsson and the others. One year really on pace, next year, not even close. Remember how suddenly Petters Xsara started to perform, when Quesnel found out he could be usefull for the manu team.

+1

I can confirm this as I watched henning at the service in the 2010 NZ WRC and he worked more frantically and with more dexterity on his engine than any of the M-Sport crew, who ironically seemed more interested in the s2000 dirvers than Henning, Frederico or Matt W.

[alleskids]

@ Anthony You write on youre brilliant blog that you stayed with Ford, despite the criminal treatment you got from them, because you don't have contacts with other teams, like Prodrive. Maybe it is a stupid question, but is there not a telephone number you can call, and tel them: Hi Prodrive, I have 2,5 million euro to spend on a rally car, and I want to do a full WRC season. What can you offer me? I am sure the receptioniste will get you in contact with the right person. Why do you need a special contact to hire a rally car and rally service? Does a healthy budget and some talent not stand alone for that?

[Antony Warmbold]

@ Anthony You write on youre brilliant blog that you stayed with Ford, despite the criminal treatment you got from them, because you don't have contacts with other teams, like Prodrive. Maybe it is a stupid question, but is there not a telephone number you can call, and tel them: Hi Prodrive, I have 2,5 million euro to spend on a rally car, and I want to do a full WRC season. What can you offer me? I am sure the receptioniste will get you in contact with the right person. Why do you need a special contact to hire a rally car and rally service? Does a healthy budget and some talent not stand alone for that?

You are absolutely right.
It is a bit complicated. To answer in the easiest way possible, after 2003, we thought that we knew everything there was to know from the car. We thought there could not possibly be other unknowns. We knew the team better and better... We did not feel like starting over with someone else, in another car, would be better.

All this came on top of another important phenomenom. I can see it now, looking at it from a distance, but whenever the end of the season approached, it seemed like the car performance was getting better... As if to help your finger sign that deal for the next year...

BTW new post is up....

[Tomi]

Did you have any manager or did you try to make your own contracts?

[N.O.T]

i think he said his father was his manager.

[Barreis]

"In top level rallying, you need to be "balls to the wall" from 1st corner to last corner." :)

[Tomi]

i think he said his father was his manager.

ahaa ok.

[alleskids]

....All this came on top of another important phenomenom. I can see it now, looking at it from a distance, but whenever the end of the season approached, it seemed like the car performance was getting better... As if to help your finger sign that deal for the next year...
....

At the end of 2003 M-Sport was giving you better parts, to make you feel at home with a fast Focus and stay aboard for 2004? So you stayed at a familair and fast car in a team that treated you right finally..... and you were screwed again in 2004?

[Sulland]

+1

I can confirm this as I watched henning at the service in the 2010 NZ WRC and he worked more frantically and with more dexterity on his engine than any of the M-Sport crew, who ironically seemed more interested in the s2000 dirvers than Henning, Frederico or Matt W.

Henning is probably the WRC driver with the best skillset in mechanics and electronics in the field. He has been pretty upbeat and frustrated when he has tested and found a good base setup that suites his style, and when he starts shakedown the setup is usually the base setup for the MSport team and not his one, and he is back to square one.

But if he wants to drive a WRC car Stobart or Ford is gis only option. He is putting up a brave face, but is boiling underneath....

He is doing this more or less for fun now, and if i were him I would have gone in IRC or SWRC, and gotten rid of the moneymaking policy of Malcolm W !

It is so good that Warmbold dare write his truth of the clean sport we all like !

Makes me even more sorry that MSport got the academy car,and not Renault.......

[Barreis]

It's all about the money.

[ShiftingGears]

A great read. Thankyou for sharing.

[AndyRAC]

Henning is probably the WRC driver with the best skillset in mechanics and electronics in the field. He has been pretty upbeat and frustrated when he has tested and found a good base setup that suites his style, and when he starts shakedown the setup is usually the base setup for the MSport team and not his one, and he is back to square one.

But if he wants to drive a WRC car Stobart or Ford is gis only option. He is putting up a brave face, but is boiling underneath....

He is doing this more or less for fun now, and if i were him I would have gone in IRC or SWRC, and gotten rid of the moneymaking policy of Malcolm W !

It is so good that Warmbold dare write his truth of the clean sport we all like !

Makes me even more sorry that MSport got the academy car,and not Renault.......

Ford exist to make money, Citroen exist to win Rallies/Championships.....simple!!

I also think Renault should have got the Academy car - a new Manufacturer in the WRC....yet another category with a Ford; Academy, S2000, WRC......is there anything they haven't got a finger in?? What about the FiA Safety cars..????

[Daniel]

Ford exist to make money, Citroen exist to win Rallies/Championships.....simple!!

I also think Renault should have got the Academy car - a new Manufacturer in the WRC....yet another category with a Ford; Academy, S2000, WRC......is there anything they haven't got an unsuccessful, forum spamming finger in?? What about the FiA Safety cars..????

Edited for accuracy :)

[Alfa Fan]

I thought that had become a banable offense Daniel? I do hope so!

[Daniel]

I thought that had become a banable offense Daniel? I do hope so!

Nope. Andy's a reasonable fellow in my experience and won't fly off the hook and claim that i was trying to say that he was saying that.

[Gard]

Not only Ford. Citroen has been doing the same. Maybe even worse.

[N.O.T]

do not confuse ford with m-sport...

[Gard]

do not confuse ford with m-sport...
You're right, sorry

[tfp]

How true:-)

[Plan9]

Henning is probably the WRC driver with the best skillset in mechanics and electronics in the field. He has been pretty upbeat and frustrated when he has tested and found a good base setup that suites his style, and when he starts shakedown the setup is usually the base setup for the MSport team and not his one, and he is back to square one.

But if he wants to drive a WRC car Stobart or Ford is gis only option. He is putting up a brave face, but is boiling underneath....

He is doing this more or less for fun now, and if i were him I would have gone in IRC or SWRC, and gotten rid of the moneymaking policy of Malcolm W !

It is so good that Warmbold dare write his truth of the clean sport we all like !

Makes me even more sorry that MSport got the academy car,and not Renault.......

I totally agree!!! I was sooo excited about Sweden 2011 when Henning won the first SS. Then he disappeared from the rally. There was I thinking with the new rules he would be at the front as he has always had good speed. I guess team rules aye??

I've watched videos of Henning do rallycross and other rallies in Norway and I have to say his technique is almost flawless. I guess he stays in the WRC as he has really proven himself in every other area and he would'nt stay in WRC just for fun. I think he still relishes the challenge, although I'm not sure how he or his brother will every get a proper car now.

BTW why does M-Sport change his base set-up?? Is he a real threat to Mikko and JML?? if so should'nt he be in line for a promotion...

[Antony Warmbold]

I have made some fresh updates for today. Have a nice day people!

[HaCo]

I have made some fresh updates for today. Have a nice day people!

Thank you for your posts. It's another side of the whole story we get prepared every day and the addition of technical details makes it even more interesting to read!

[Jaanus]

Hi Antony! I am really enjoying you blog and I think it is wonderful that you have had such a great opportunity to live the dream and drive a WRC car for 3 years in the World Rally Championship.
In 2003 I started a website dedicated to the history of Ford Focus WRC cars and it can be found in my signature. In that website I also have a notes page, where I try to keep track of the cars after they have been sold to private drivers.
I am especially interested in the cars you used in 2003 and 2004 the Y3 FMC and Y6 FMC. Could you please tell me if they were rented or bought from M-sport?
And please keep your blog alive for a long time. I think there are already many followers and fans who really find it interesting :)

[janvanvurpa]

I have made some fresh updates for today. Have a nice day people!
Grüsst dir, Anothy.

A thousand thanks for your blog---always good to hear from somebody who talks or writes from real experience.
And your latest about the brake master is an excellent thing just to that point...
It contrasts so much with a long detailed interview I read 3-4 years ago in Race Car Engineering from I believe it was Christian Loriaux from his time at Prodrive.

In contrast to your words that it is you who is driving, he said in every way possible except straight out that the modern car "is too complicated for us to rely on the feedback from the driver" and that it is only "we engineers are the only ones who can fully understand what's going on and needs to be done"..
It was the most amazing arrogance I had seen out of an engineer----and I have been around them first in moto-cross between 1969 and 1980, then in rally since '84.
One thing that I see as a contrast between the simple machines I used---1 cylinder Husqvarna or KTM and your stories is how much I did myself--which was everything, eveen build the crank and mod and rebuild and re-valve the shocks down to mounting the tires and driving the truck from one end of Europe to the next for 5-6 events per month....It taught me one lesson your story of the master shows so well: problems are usually the simplest things first...
and a lesson I try and tell all those who i help get started in rally: Trust the words of those whose job it is. Somebody builds motors for 30 years, they might know more than a 24 year old kid on a forum.
Somebody build shocks, they probably know about shocks...

Oh and thanks for the last entry on Notes---in a couple of weeks I'm co-driving for one of my customer/friends again and we were discussing notes which is new for us...he did 2 short Regional rallys with Jemba notes and we had thought "oh we concentrate on the "not too obvious stuff" but your point was good: the co-driver needs to know where he is, too and he doesn't see everything"

Very good advice! Wish us luck! Volvo 240 flies again!

And I put link on our club oriented forum in North America http://www.rallyanarchy.com and everybody is saying Great link, good reading.

One personal question: have you ever considered just build a normal car maybe something for your GruppH just for fun?

I ask cause sometimes it seems nobody ever wants to have good fun after they stop at high level, no stepping back to simpler times..

Myself when I quit Internationale moto-cross, I knew I would get back to local things and after some university I did Enduros and that led to Regional rally...

So----how do you stay away if you had the disease? (rally is a disease for which there is no cure!)

Come on by Rallyanarchy.com and say hi!

[Antony Warmbold]

Hi Antony! I am really enjoying you blog and I think it is wonderful that you have had such a great opportunity to live the dream and drive a WRC car for 3 years in the World Rally Championship.
In 2003 I started a website dedicated to the history of Ford Focus WRC cars and it can be found in my signature. In that website I also have a notes page, where I try to keep track of the cars after they have been sold to private drivers.
I am especially interested in the cars you used in 2003 and 2004 the Y3 FMC and Y6 FMC. Could you please tell me if they were rented or bought from M-sport?
And please keep your blog alive for a long time. I think there are already many followers and fans who really find it interesting :)

They were both bought from M-Sport. Thanks for the support!!! Nice site btw, i check it often to refresh my memory.

[Antony Warmbold]

Grüsst dir, Anothy.

A thousand thanks for your blog---always good to hear from somebody who talks or writes from real experience.
And your latest about the brake master is an excellent thing just to that point...
It contrasts so much with a long detailed interview I read 3-4 years ago in Race Car Engineering from I believe it was Christian Loriaux from his time at Prodrive.

In contrast to your words that it is you who is driving, he said in every way possible except straight out that the modern car "is too complicated for us to rely on the feedback from the driver" and that it is only "we engineers are the only ones who can fully understand what's going on and needs to be done"..
It was the most amazing arrogance I had seen out of an engineer----and I have been around them first in moto-cross between 1969 and 1980, then in rally since '84.
One thing that I see as a contrast between the simple machines I used---1 cylinder Husqvarna or KTM and your stories is how much I did myself--which was everything, eveen build the crank and mod and rebuild and re-valve the shocks down to mounting the tires and driving the truck from one end of Europe to the next for 5-6 events per month....It taught me one lesson your story of the master shows so well: problems are usually the simplest things first...
and a lesson I try and tell all those who i help get started in rally: Trust the words of those whose job it is. Somebody builds motors for 30 years, they might know more than a 24 year old kid on a forum.
Somebody build shocks, they probably know about shocks...

Oh and thanks for the last entry on Notes---in a couple of weeks I'm co-driving for one of my customer/friends again and we were discussing notes which is new for us...he did 2 short Regional rallys with Jemba notes and we had thought "oh we concentrate on the "not too obvious stuff" but your point was good: the co-driver needs to know where he is, too and he doesn't see everything"

Very good advice! Wish us luck! Volvo 240 flies again!

And I put link on our club oriented forum in North America http://www.rallyanarchy.com and everybody is saying Great link, good reading.

One personal question: have you ever considered just build a normal car maybe something for your GruppH just for fun?

I ask cause sometimes it seems nobody ever wants to have good fun after they stop at high level, no stepping back to simpler times..

Myself when I quit Internationale moto-cross, I knew I would get back to local things and after some university I did Enduros and that led to Regional rally...

So----how do you stay away if you had the disease? (rally is a disease for which there is no cure!)

Come on by Rallyanarchy.com and say hi!

Thanks for your interest. Your little story about the interview, does not shock me at all, that's all I will say about that.
As far as the need to do some driving. I have strong ties to Finland, believe it or not, so whenever I can I get up there and have a bit of fun with friends.
I had a go on a RWD BMW some time ago...lot of fun.
One day when I will have a garage, I think I will start a car-building project...

Again I want to thank everyone for the interest in my experiences. The encouragement is deeply appreciated. As you can see I have a lot of things to tell!! I will keep it up as long as there is something to write about.

Good night!

[Frozzy]

really good read nice to hearthe opinions of a Privateer. Keep up the good work Antony :D
the question i would like to ask is if you still keep in contact with your co-driver Gemma now or any of the engineers you worked with?

[janvanvurpa]

Thanks for your interest. Your little story about the interview, does not shock me at all, that's all I will say about that.
As far as the need to do some driving. I have strong ties to Finland, believe it or not, so whenever I can I get up there and have a bit of fun with friends.
I had a go on a RWD BMW some time ago...lot of fun.
One day when I will have a garage, I think I will start a car-building project...

Again I want to thank everyone for the interest in my experiences. The encouragement is deeply appreciated. As you can see I have a lot of things to tell!! I will keep it up as long as there is something to write about.

Good night!

Ah! Finland! And F-cup! I think I can say safely that I introduced America to the crazy guys in F-Cup and to some extent Swedish Grupp H and probably am the biggest advocate of something like that as a goal for us in USA and Canada to aim for in respect to format and especially participation.
You really should drop in and say Hi at Rallyanarchy----we have one guy who has an on-line magazine who I know would love to interview you---bothe WRC and your experience in Finland...
I have pointed out that there are some guys who could build anything they want for themselves, even former works drivers like some guy who borrowed your first name Toni, Toni whatshisname?? But he built an awfully nice BMW and as some of the boys here pointed out he was faster in the rwd car than in the works WRC Suzuki!
Hej weist du was? want to come visit North West of USA sometime and do a small rally in our equivalent of F-cup?
You could make a holiday, see some sights---beautiful nature here and in Canada just up the road---and do a fun event, and it would be a great kick im dem arsch for Amis to see just how fast a guy who knows what fast is can go in a basically good car!
We have a small series called Max Attack, in honor of the great Marku Alen's famous phrase and it has a decent prize fund, and is generally aimed at normal humans who build and rally without massive budget..
Come on over to rallyanarchy and say hi!

[Nornbugger]

Hi Antony, its interesting to read your blog, there is a lot to be learned from it, but in your last post on it I was surprised to see how you disregard the driving advice from engineers. I accept your point regarding the brakes but maybe you should have respected their views on how to drive the car more? Their feedback is based on overlays and watching what others have done in the same place. I would rate their feedback highly myself, perhaps more so than from a driver as driving can be such an instinctive thing that some top guys struggle to really explain what they do and why.

[Racing Ka]

Hi Antony,

Thank you :)

[cali]

Hi Antony, its interesting to read your blog, there is a lot to be learned from it, but in your last post on it I was surprised to see how you disregard the driving advice from engineers. I accept your point regarding the brakes but maybe you should have respected their views on how to drive the car more? Their feedback is based on overlays and watching what others have done in the same place. I would rate their feedback highly myself, perhaps more so than from a driver as driving can be such an instinctive thing that some top guys struggle to really explain what they do and why.

We had Pentti here before, very nice bloke and true professional. His point was that cars should be built for drivers, so they could feel comfortable with their driving, not vice versa. There is a lot that numbers don't tell, but drivers feel it - but you can not never read that feeling when you look at numbers or data only. Today most of the laptop engineers seem to think which is best for the drivers, but it should be vice versa - drivers should tell engineers, what is the best for them.

[Antony Warmbold]

We had Pentti here before, very nice bloke and true professional. His point was that cars should be built for drivers, so they could feel comfortable with their driving, not vice versa. There is a lot that numbers don't tell, but drivers feel it - but you can not never read that feeling when you look at numbers or data only. Today most of the laptop engineers seem to think which is best for the drivers, but it should be vice versa - drivers should tell engineers, what is the best for them.

I would have to agree with Pentti.

[cali]

I would have to agree with Pentti.

Yeah, me too :)

[Antony Warmbold]

Hi Antony, its interesting to read your blog, there is a lot to be learned from it, but in your last post on it I was surprised to see how you disregard the driving advice from engineers. I accept your point regarding the brakes but maybe you should have respected their views on how to drive the car more? Their feedback is based on overlays and watching what others have done in the same place. I would rate their feedback highly myself, perhaps more so than from a driver as driving can be such an instinctive thing that some top guys struggle to really explain what they do and why.

You are right.
In the case I have described the point was to not blindly believe what others tell you and credit your own experiences also.

[Antony Warmbold]

Chapter 7 is up.

[Barreis]

Thanks. :)

[Comal]

Antony your blog is excellent, am finding it a great way to start the day here in NZ reading your new entry each day. Lots of friends here also finding it an excellent read.
I guess I always knew there was a difference to factory cars, but not that much difference!!!
Keep it coming!

[Gard]

Almost looking forward to Hennings retirement...

[tfp]

Just read your tactics in chapter 8, very clever:-)

[tfp]

Almost looking forward to Hennings retirement...


Why?

[Jake Stephens]

Why?

He means that Henning should have some interesting stories regarding his car, a la Antony...

[tfp]

He means that Henning should have some interesting stories regarding his car, a la Antony...
Ah, Fair play :)

[alleskids]

@ Anthony. thanks for sharing youre side of the <Phone incident> :up: :)

[jonas_mcrae]

Your bet with the tyres in Sardinia was great, please keep the posts comming!

[Barreis]

Antony, please continue with the blog. :)

[tfp]

Yeah, deffo continue:-) I'm sure another chapter is on the way!

[N.O.T]

did the M-sport assasins get to you Antony ??? :D :D :D

update please and also try and write what were your mistakes and you didn;t manage to succeed....ok the ford were crap to you but you did everything perfect ?

[Antony Warmbold]

Ok chapter 9 is up. Will try and address all the questions in time. have a nice day people!!

[Barreis]

:)

[Sulland]

Yes I guess Mads Ostberg was allowed to shine in Sweden 2011, due to the fact that the manufactures had not had time to make all the "privateer upgrades" yet.....

[Antony Warmbold]

Yes I guess Mads Ostberg was allowed to shine in Sweden 2011, due to the fact that the manufactures had not had time to make all the "privateer upgrades" yet.....

You read my mind. Now suddenly he has no chance at all anymore. And the car seems to have mechanical problems all the time.

[Zico]

Your latest about the brake master is an excellent thing just to that point...
It contrasts so much with a long detailed interview I read 3-4 years ago in Race Car Engineering from I believe it was Christian Loriaux from his time at Prodrive.

In contrast to your words that it is you who is driving, he said in every way possible except straight out that the modern car "is too complicated for us to rely on the feedback from the driver" and that it is only "we engineers are the only ones who can fully understand what's going on and needs to be done"..


The subject is probably worth a thread in itself Janvanvurpa, In F1 the feedback from the drivers seems to hold equal value to raw data for the Engineers yet we seem to see more of the closed mindset you speak of above within rallying for whatever reason.
It reminds me of Colin while with Subaru when they fitted the wider track and arches against his wishes because the Engineers numbers and dynamics 'proved' it was better, Colin complained that he could not place the car on the road/corners as well which he felt completely negated the 'improvements' they had made to the car.

Enjoying your Blog very much Anthony, thank you!

[OldF]

Interesting reading, keep pushing.

Antony, did you ever have to sign any kind of nondisclosure agreements?

[OldF]

According to FIA rules (so i've been led to believe on this forum) all ECUs are the same this year, so how are they different, weight? Think i've asked this question in another topic but with no response.

From this year the software of the ECU must be homologated and by that I think the boost is same for privateers and works drivers. But there’s still the possibility by the mapping to lower the power for privateers.

[Antony Warmbold]

Interesting reading, keep pushing.

Antony, did you ever have to sign any kind of nondisclosure agreements?

Nope, did not. Concerning that, I am thinking about going into more detail.
Chapter 10 is up, btw, due to popular demand.
Also put a little quizz up there for those who know your history...

[Antony Warmbold]

From this year the software of the ECU must be homologated and by that I think the boost is same for privateers and works drivers. But there’s still the possibility by the mapping to lower the power for privateers.

I think they can do what they want on mappings. As an example, one must be able to tune an engine down if need be, to prevent it from blowing if damaged.

Just plug the laptop into it...who knows maybe it's even on WIFI for live, on stage tweeking....

[N.O.T]

nice.... thank you.

[Doon]

You read my mind. Now suddenly he has no chance at all anymore. And the car seems to have mechanical problems all the time.

Is that because everything had to be new on all cars in sweden, as the cars were new, and now he has 2nd hand parts?

I noticed in Jordan, Mads said he'd get and 'updrated' gearbox (the current one has broken twice in 2 events) for Sardina, must be deja vu when you compare it to your time in the WRC Antony?

[bluuford]

Haven't had a time to post here because the blog has been so interesting and I have used all my spear time on reading ;-)
Anyway, you mentioned that in Jordan rally Power Stage customers were nearly 12 seconds slower.
You can see all the Power Stage here:
part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZtA-YWE4QQ
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI3BibvfnyM&feature=related
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIDjC6dAr1k
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbIzFHPqV2E
I quess that Kuipers was just driving very slowly to get the points in the bag. When you look at his driving.. very bad braking 2,3,4 times before each corner and accelerating. He was clearly nervous.
Villagra and Qassimi were just taking it easy.

Ostberg did a lots of mistakes on final stage. In one place he even went off into the ditch but managed to get back on the road again. He lost in this place around 4-5 seconds. He had many more mistakes. So, it is hard to compare his time with top cars.

Henning was fully committed but he did also at least two small mistakes on the final part. Once he went really wide in a hairpin and second time he went completely sideways and hit a big rock (where most of the cars were almost straight). So, I can assume that he lost approximately 5-6seconds on those two places. But the other 6-7 seconds can be other driving (on the first part of the stage) mistakes or different engine mapping indeed.

[mousti]

The subject is probably worth a thread in itself Janvanvurpa, In F1 the feedback from the drivers seems to hold equal value to raw data for the Engineers yet we seem to see more of the closed mindset you speak of above within rallying for whatever reason.

In teams like Virgin the say of pilots to engineers is none to zero, they have to listen to the team engineer sadly enough.

[SubaruNorway]

Is that because everything had to be new on all cars in sweden, as the cars were new, and now he has 2nd hand parts?

I noticed in Jordan, Mads said he'd get and 'updrated' gearbox (the current one has broken twice in 2 events) for Sardina, must be deja vu when you compare it to your time in the WRC Antony?

He had the stronger gearbox from saturday, guess it wasen't ready before then.

[Antony Warmbold]

Haven't had a time to post here because the blog has been so interesting and I have used all my spear time on reading ;-)
Anyway, you mentioned that in Jordan rally Power Stage customers were nearly 12 seconds slower.
You can see all the Power Stage here:
part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZtA-YWE4QQ
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI3BibvfnyM&feature=related
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIDjC6dAr1k
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbIzFHPqV2E
I quess that Kuipers was just driving very slowly to get the points in the bag. When you look at his driving.. very bad braking 2,3,4 times before each corner and accelerating. He was clearly nervous.
Villagra and Qassimi were just taking it easy.

Ostberg did a lots of mistakes on final stage. In one place he even went off into the ditch but managed to get back on the road again. He lost in this place around 4-5 seconds. He had many more mistakes. So, it is hard to compare his time with top cars.

Henning was fully committed but he did also at least two small mistakes on the final part. Once he went really wide in a hairpin and second time he went completely sideways and hit a big rock (where most of the cars were almost straight). So, I can assume that he lost approximately 5-6seconds on those two places. But the other 6-7 seconds can be other driving (on the first part of the stage) mistakes or different engine mapping indeed.

Can't really comment into specifics, really, but when a guy knows that 100% is not enough to have a chance, he starts driving like hell and makes mistakes like we saw. He did not make any notable mistake in Sweden, but there were snow walls... just a thought.

BTW chapter 11 is up. Happy reading.

[N.O.T]

why you left the sport ? no money anymore ? felt frustrated/disappointed with the results ? disgusted by the treatment you had from the ford team ?

and another another one. why you entered the sport ? to become champion or to have fun ? what where your initial goals and do you feel you achieved something from your involvement or they where just wasted years ?

[tfp]

M sport says - "No, dont"
"So I told him anyway"
:laugh:

[SubaruNorway]

Please do a chapter on diff maps. You must have had some long talks with Henning about that if I'm not wrong ;)

[Barreis]

Thanks, Antony. :)

[dimviii]

Please do a chapter on diff maps. You must have had some long talks with Henning about that if I'm not wrong ;)

Τhis will be the most interesting chapter.

[padWRC]

Some fotos from the past:
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/024CorteIngles5Warmbold7815.jpg
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/024CorteIngles5Warmbold7813.jpg

2002 Rally Corte Ingles Warmbold 791

[padWRC]

2001 Rallye du Var 17 Warmbold 791
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/0112Var17Warmbold7911.jpg
002 Rally Polski 4 Warmbold S7FMC jollyclub
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/026Polski4WarmboldS7FMCjollyclub.jpg

[padWRC]

2002 Rally Tofas Turkey Warmbold 791
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/025TofasTur4Warmbold791-2.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/025TofasTur4Warmbold791.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/025TofasTur4Warmbold791-1.jpg

[padWRC]

2002 Rally Albena Warmbold 791
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/025Albena4Warmbold791.jpg

[padWRC]

2002 Rally Elpa ex Halkidikis Warmbold 791

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/029Elpa5Warmbold791-1.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/029Elpa5Warmbold791-2.jpg

[Antony Warmbold]

Thanks a lot for those pics, some I had never seen before.

Great memories!

[Antony Warmbold]

Since you guys asked me to let you know if there is a new post....

There is a new post.

Have a nice evening. it's red wine for me.

[tfp]

Since you guys asked me to let you know if there is a new post....

There is a new post.

Have a nice evening. it's red wine for me.

Just read the latest chapter, sorry I couldnt help but laugh:-) At least your jack worked well haha!

Keep em coming mate!

Oh, and, mines a beer:-)

[Barreis]

Antony, please keep up with work. THX.

[tfp]

Antony, please keep up with work. THX.

+1 :up:

[A.F.F.]

Hello Antony and many thanks for your blog.

If only you would have written it earlier. I was among those who had fun with you and with your performance at the time BUT for the record, I also admitted you developed as a driver unlike some other current Ford driver with a five year plan. Anyway, it would have been nice to read these stories behind the curtains sooner because too often we, the members of this forum are ready to judge any driver despite there might have been very good reasons for their lack of speed or consistency. it's fun to follow rally via this forum with split times etc... but yet we don't witness what actually happens IN the car ON the stages. But better later than never :) So thank you very much, interesting and funny blog you have :)

Btw, when you drove, did you ever visit this forum and do you know if any other drivers might have done so?

[Antony Warmbold]

Hello Antony and many thanks for your blog.

If only you would have written it earlier. I was among those who had fun with you and with your performance at the time BUT for the record, I also admitted you developed as a driver unlike some other current Ford driver with a five year plan. Anyway, it would have been nice to read these stories behind the curtains sooner because too often we, the members of this forum are ready to judge any driver despite there might have been very good reasons for their lack of speed or consistency. it's fun to follow rally via this forum with split times etc... but yet we don't witness what actually happens IN the car ON the stages. But better later than never :) So thank you very much, interesting and funny blog you have :)

Btw, when you drove, did you ever visit this forum and do you know if any other drivers might have done so?

hi guys, next chapter is up!

I had visited it, yes. I guess some people are following it. After all this forum is a great source of info!

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/0011RAC43Warmbold791TSwe.jpg
2000 Rally RAC Warmbold K-AM-791

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/0112Var17Warmbold7911.jpg
2001 Rallye du Var 17 Warmbold K-AM 791

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/013POR57Warmbold791TSwe2.jpg

2001 Rally Portugal Warmbold K-AM 791

[padWRC]

2002 Rally Corte Ingles Warmbold 791
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/024CorteIngles5Warmbold7811.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/024CorteIngles5Warmbold7813.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/024CorteIngles5Warmbold7815.jpg

[padWRC]

2002 Rally Albena Warmbold 791
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/025Albena4Warmbold791.jpg

[padWRC]

2002 Rally Tofas Turkey Warmbold 791
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/025TofasTur4Warmbold791-1.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/025TofasTur4Warmbold791.jpg

[padWRC]

2002 Rally Polski Warmbold S7FMC jolly club

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/026Polski4WarmboldS7FMCjollyclub3.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/026Polski4WarmboldS7FMCjollyclub4.jpg

[padWRC]

2002 Rally Elpa ex Halkidikis Warmbold 791
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/029Elpa5Warmbold791-2.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/029Elpa5Warmbold791-1.jpg

[padWRC]

2003 Rally Katalunya
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/0310KAT23WarmboldY3FMC.jpg

2003 Rally Monte Carlo
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/031MON21WARMBOLDY3FMC.jpg
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/031MON21WARMBOLDY3FMC-1.jpg
2003 Rallye Corse
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/0310COR22WARMBOLDY6FMC.jpg

2003 Rally Australia
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/039AUS21WARMBOLDY6FMC1.jpg

[padWRC]

2003 Rally Finnland
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/038FIN21WARMBOLDY3FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

2003 Rally Deutschland
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/037DEU26WARMBOLDY3FMC2.jpg

[padWRC]

2003 Rally Cyprus
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/036CYP21WARMBOLDY3FMC.jpg
2003 Rally Akropolis
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/036AKR23WARMBOLDY3FMC3.jpg

[padWRC]

2003 Rally Argentina Warmbold
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/035ARG21WARMBOLDY3FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

2003 Rally New Zealand
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/034NZE20WARMBOLDY3FMC.jpg

[Tumbo]

very nice pictures! :) thanks

Really interesting read there Mr Warmbold - nice to have a view from the inside. Always saw your name on results and read quite a few of the comments regarding ur lack of speed; never had anything jump out to impress but seeing what you were up against and the context certainly sheds a different light on ur time in the WRC - looking forward to reading more :)

[padWRC]

2003 Test Warmbold
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2003%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/031ATESTWarmboldY3FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

2003 Rally RAC Warmbold
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2000%202001%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/0311RAC23WarmboldY3FMC1.jpg

[6789]

Love the picture and the blog :) .


What were your feelings on people in the service park, you were there for Petter's title and the rise of Loeb, Gronholm with that 307, Marko Martin. Anything you can tell us about the service park?

[Antony Warmbold]

Great stuff, the pics!

Thanks.

[Antony Warmbold]

very nice pictures! :) thanks

Really interesting read there Mr Warmbold - nice to have a view from the inside. Always saw your name on results and read quite a few of the comments regarding ur lack of speed; never had anything jump out to impress but seeing what you were up against and the context certainly sheds a different light on ur time in the WRC - looking forward to reading more :)

Thanks for the support...stay tuned!

[Antony Warmbold]

Love the picture and the blog :) .


What were your feelings on people in the service park, you were there for Petter's title and the rise of Loeb, Gronholm with that 307, Marko Martin. Anything you can tell us about the service park?

Noted, thanks!
I'll see what I can do about your request, more to come!

[6789]

Yeah no worries, just a thought. Maybe not so much bad things, but was there anyone who you could tell that they were on another level? May have been difficult since you were driving. Have a good day :)

[tolis]

Just a question Anthony: Why did you use the Monaco flag in some rounds in 2002?
Excellent job!!! Thanks for the stories!!!
P.S.:Thanks for the photos padWRC!!!
@padWRC: Can you please send me any Greek WRC photos (Vovos, Papajim?)

[Antony Warmbold]

Just a question Anthony: Why did you use the Monaco flag in some rounds in 2002?
Excellent job!!! Thanks for the stories!!!
P.S.:Thanks for the photos padWRC!!!
@padWRC: Can you please send me any Greek WRC photos (Vovos, Papajim?)

Thanks!
I believe it was in Poland, only. We were asked by the organisers to use the flag from the country of my racing license. Apparently, that's how they interpreted the rules.

[Barreis]

Antony, please more.. :)

[mousti]

hi guys, next chapter is up!

I had visited it, yes. I guess some people are following it. After all this forum is a great source of info!
Hi Antony a former 'teammate' of u Duval, said some months ago that Citroën did something on his car that slowed down him in the rally when he sometimes got some really good times. I think he mentioned the Deutschland rally.

But I'm a bit of a Duval fan and I know the PSA is really up for pushing Frenchmen but not really liking to do that for foreign drivers..

So u think he maybe really say the truth about this?

[tfp]

Hi Antony a former 'teammate' of u Duval, said some months ago that Citroën did something on his car that slowed down him in the rally when he sometimes got some really good times. I think he mentioned the Deutschland rally.

But I'm a bit of a Duval fan and I know the PSA is really up for pushing Frenchmen but not really liking to do that for foreign drivers..

So u think he maybe really say the truth about this?

I heard something of that aswel. What does he do with himself nowadays?

[N.O.T]

getting fatter and learning to streer the wheel without moving his hands on it....

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/049RAC20WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/049JAP11WarmboldY3FMC.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/048FIN20WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/048FIN20WarmboldY6FMC-1.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/048DEU15WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/047Pirrelli2WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/047ARG11WarmboldY3FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/046TUR12WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/046AKR20WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/045CYP17WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/044NZE15WarmboldY3FMC.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/043MEX11WarmboldY3FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/042SWE18WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/041MON11WARMBOLDY6FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/0411AUS11WarmboldY6FMC1.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/0411AUS11WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/0410KAT16WarmboldY6FMC-1.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/0410KAT16WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/0410COR24WarmboldY6FMC-1.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/0410COR24WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/049SAR16WarmboldY6FMC-2.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/049SAR16WarmboldY6FMC-1.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/049SAR16WarmboldY6FMC.jpg

[padWRC]

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k634/padwrc/2004%202006%20Rally%20Entries%20of%20WRC%20Cars/049RAC20WarmboldY6FMC1.jpg

[N.O.T]

use pm for the pictures.

[MrJan]

use pm for the pictures.

Why? I'm sure that I'm not the only person interested in seeing them and being able to link some pics back to the blog that I'm reading.

[N.O.T]

if you want to do that is easy...go to google select pictures type antony warmbold....almost all of them that are in here are in google as well. none of them is original work from the poster. and if in every thread about a driver we started posting every single pic that was taken then this forum would be a fun place....

[MrJan]

if you want to do that is easy...go to google select pictures type antony warmbold....almost all of them that are in here are in google as well. none of them is original work from the poster. and if in every thread about a driver we started posting every single pic that was taken then this forum would be a fun place....

If you didn't post then it'd be a fun place too ;) :p :

I can't be bothered with going to google and trawling through loads of the same picture, unrelated pics etc. It's far nicer to be able to see them here in a related thread. I grant you that it shouldn't happen with every driver but I can't see too much harm in seeing a few pictures of a 'retired' driver.

[Barreis]

Lot's of great photos.

[tolis]

Thanks padWRC for the pics!

[alleskids]

a few pictures of a 'retired' driver.

I support N.O.T.. A FEW pictures is fun, but posting every single picture that is availaable on Google is nog fun anymore. A few is fun, too many is not fun anymore. We can google ourself on Anthony Warmbold pictures.Post only uniqe and never published/privat pictures

Back on topic, keep on with the excelent blog Anthony

[tfp]

getting fatter and learning to streer the wheel without moving his hands on it....

:laugh:
Yeah he looked like he was getting a beer belly last time he was on TV(Rally deutschland last year??)
Hes nearly as tubby as Daniel Elena :rotflmao:

[Antony Warmbold]

Hi Antony a former 'teammate' of u Duval, said some months ago that Citroën did something on his car that slowed down him in the rally when he sometimes got some really good times. I think he mentioned the Deutschland rally.

But I'm a bit of a Duval fan and I know the PSA is really up for pushing Frenchmen but not really liking to do that for foreign drivers..

So u think he maybe really say the truth about this?

I don't see why Duval would lie about this. He is talking now because he knows he has nothing to lose anymore.
Do you remember, back in NZ rally 2006, when Pons got Loeb's car cause Loeb broke his shoulder? Suddenly Pons was flying and finished...4th, I think. He was never that fast on gravel.

[padWRC]

ok it s a crime to post pics in this forum!

[dimviii]

ok it s a crime to post pics in this forum!

keep posting ;)

[N.O.T]

its not a crime to post pics....but to post every single pic you have of Antony which is not even original since almost all of them are rip off from various sites is not very inteligent...and disrupts the threads flow in my opinion...

if those where pics that you took and could not be found anywhere and was a personal work it would be amazing no matter how many they where....but you started posting every single pic there is on google...

you even posted the pic Antony has as his main pic on his site !!!!

[Allyc85]

Thanks padWRC for the pics!

Agreed!

[Camelopard]

Why? I'm sure that I'm not the only person interested in seeing them and being able to link some pics back to the blog that I'm reading.


I agree as well, I'd prefer to see pictures of rally cars rather than the crap that 'not' posts, (that's why I have him on ignore). At least the pictures are interesting and informative.



Anyway, back to Antony's blog, I'm curious to know if anyone from MSport has made contact with you since you started writing the blog.

[Daniel]

I agree as well, I'd rather see pictures of rally cars rather than the crap that 'not' posts, that's why I have him on ignore. At least the pictures are interesting and informative.



Anyway, back to Antony's blog, I'm curious to know if anyone from MSport has made contact with you since you started writing the blog.

I'd be surprised if Bobcat hasn't had a chat to his boss, or maybe Bobcat hasn't had a look at it because it doesn't talk about his beloved Fiesta.

[N.O.T]

bobcat doesn't work for m-sport.