Rally2 (ex-R5) News

[Andre Oliveira]

January 30th is before

[Tarmop]

Silly me...quite silly me. I could`ve swore, that it showed today in it (perhaps i had the browser open since 30 was today:D).

[Sulland]

From parcferme.no translated

Following Rally Hadeland, Mads Østberg can reveal how he believes Citroën's R5 car must be "rebuilt"

In advance, it is only to reveal that this is an article for the above average technically interested in a rally car. On the other hand, we will try to explain how Mads Østberg's ideas will make the Citroën C3 R5 roughly a completely new car.

At least when it comes to the undercarriage, driveability and hopefully competitiveness.

In any case, he does not shy away from sharing the information and knowledge he is sitting on which he believes will make the C3 car a competitive R5 car in tough fight against manufacturers such as Skoda, Volkswagen and Ford.

Max height and open shock absorbers

During Rally Hadeland, he gained some important experiences, although not everything can be solved to Rally Sweden based on how he optimally wants a rally car. The main challenge for Østberg is that the car has a naturally rigid construction, which makes it a high-performance asphalt car - but demanding as soon as it becomes loose ground. During a loose and snowy Rally Hadeland, this was the immediate grip he had to make:

- Because it's so stiff in nature, the only thing we could do was hoist the car so high it was possible to try to shift as much weight as possible. In addition, we drove full "opening" on the dampers. Nevertheless, we had too rigid shock absorbers and springs, although this was the softest that was delivered to the car, says Mads Østberg to Parc Fermé.

With full opening on the shock absorbers, it means that the dampers work with as little resistance as possible to keep the wheels constantly seeping into the ground and absorbing the irregularities. But no matter how much he "opened" the car for a loose and uneven surface, there is still a lot that needs to be done with the car, according to mads.

That's why he goes to Finland this week for a three-day development test. There is no clean running test in that way, where two of the days will be spent exploring new parts that Østberg has asked the Citroën factory to deliver what is within the regulations and the homologation requirements. More is not possible before Rally Sweden

Aggressive driving style

But first, Mads explains how he is driving, and a number of other drivers make use of, which in turn is why he wants full rebuilding of the R5 car.

- I drive in a way that makes me put a lot of energy into the car. So an aggressive driving style. One often sees that the car "plunges" into the bend, then to sit down in the butt out of the bend, and this applies to the vast majority. For that you need a car that is soft and free in geometry. It's just to see how, for example, Skoda and Volkswagen are moving. It has a very soft foundation, also the components that determine how stiff it can be on firmer surfaces. Not the chassis, says Østberg.

Therefore, much of the rigid constructions must be rebuilt to what Østberg will have "softer and freer". This can quickly compromise on the French philosophy, as they have history from building good asphalt cars and the greatest expertise in precisely building rigid cars - both for rally and not least track racing.

Few opportunities for new homologation

But Østberg believes that he and the team can talk well together, and that he has full confidence from the team about how he believes the car can become competitive on all surfaces, without it reducing the competitiveness it has on asphalt and solid surfaces.

- I think it is possible to safeguard the forces in the car, although many changes have to be made. In a modern world, the chassis doesn't have to do the big job of being a good asphalt car. One has technology in shock absorbers, differentials and other ways to gain stability and stiffness. If you can remove much of the stiffness that is generally in the suspension, this can be restored in modern technical solutions, says the Norwegian.

Many of these technical solutions are not just introducing in the car. They must be called "homologated", a well-known term in the rally world. Homologation means that the part must be approved for the car from the FIA ​​after it has been developed by the manufacturer. The R5 car has three so-called "jokers" distributed throughout the year when one can homologate new parts - but that will not happen before Rally Sweden.

Therefore, Østberg can use individual parts that are approved without the need for new homologation, but it is only a simple "back road" that he calls it.

- Things in the body and geometry must be re-homologated. But things like shock absorbers, roll-bar and the like are a lot we can try to obtain without the need for new homologation, and these are the solutions we will find out now in the development test. There will be more adjustment than driving and not as many miles as in an ordinary test, but during the third test day we will hopefully get driven and tested much of what we develop the first two days, says Østberg.

Disappointed if it doesn't win;

He himself is well pleased with his own achievement from Hadeland, considering the challenges he announced in advance. Second place in the race he says happy with, even though he himself is aware that he is only looking to win what he puts in.

This also applies to Rally Sweden, although he also warns that he is prepared that he will not be able to get the car 100 percent optimal.

- The winning skull in me says that victory is the only thing that applies, and that I am disappointed if it is anything but victory. But then I know that it may be unrealistic, so then reason must come in and pull it down. Then the winner's skull and reason get argued in between. It would have been quite amazing if we managed to win, but still a position further down the list is too bad, says Østberg.
---------------------------------

Google translate, not 100%, but you get the picture on what he will be trying to get from the car in a short period of time!

[pantealex]

Sebastien Loeb Racing has VW POLO R5, 1st in France.

[Jarek Z]

Sebastien Loeb Racing has VW POLO R5, 1st in France.

Here's what it looks like:
https://www.facebook.com/LoebRacing/videos/258094455091727/

[Mirek]

252 Fabias R5 sold to customers till the end of 2018.

[Sulland]

What do you know of the top speed and top-gear options on the C3R5?

Have they homlogated many options?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Here it is @RonanOKane13 has built the first RHD Skoda Fabia R5 in the world .. https://t.co/S2vsed6Ts7

[TWRC]

New C3 R5 to Tagai Racing Technology:
https://scontent-vie1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/51721742_2096960550342264_482726737495457792_o.jpg ?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.xx&oh=63ad3e6599d994b4c2a5933b180690ac&oe=5CE485F6

[Ifox95]

Anyone have any news if/when Toyota are going to have an R5 car?? News has gone very quite in relation to them developing one.

[Tarmop]

Don`t know how it has been interpreted in the magazine, but Toyota PR cordinator said in an interview that TGR WRT Finland operations is already constructing a R5.

Definitely something going on.

[the sniper]

https://www.rallies.info/res.php?e=288

The Riponian rally was won by a surprise late entry of Matt Edwards current BRC Champion, who took over the number 7 slot of his backer Pete Smith but the car used was M Sport's development R5 Fiesta and he was testing several new parts. He finished 30 seconds ahead of the Proton although Mellors in the Iriz won the first two stages. Just to show how quick the top 2 were going they were well over a minute ahead of Charlie Payne in a Fiesta WRC!

Took me by surprise, I thought Pete Smith must have had his Weetabix that morning as he was pushing on! :D

I've thrown together some clips I took at the Riponian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gusF7W652Z4 Includes Edwards development Fiesta R5 from 0:25 onwards and the Proton Iriz R5 @1:13.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I saw the entry by Swift and thought there must be a connection. Nice to see Matt Edwards is getting some more miles and also the test of new Fiesta parts.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Veteran driver Patrick Snijers to drive a Polo R5 in the BRC in 2019...

https://www.autosportnieuws.be/benelux/patrick-snijers-met-een-vw-polo-r5-van-start-in-het-belgisch-kampioenschap-rally/

[Jarek Z]

Veteran driver Patrick Snijers to drive a Polo R5 in the BRC in 2019...

https://www.autosportnieuws.be/benelux/patrick-snijers-met-een-vw-polo-r5-van-start-in-het-belgisch-kampioenschap-rally/

I'll be damned! The good old Patrick Snijers from the eighties / nineties? Good luck to him! :)

[mousti]

I'll be damned! The good old Patrick Snijers from the eighties / nineties? Good luck to him! :)Offcourse. :)

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[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

Veteran driver Patrick Snijers to drive a Polo R5 in the BRC in 2019...

https://www.autosportnieuws.be/benelux/patrick-snijers-met-een-vw-polo-r5-van-start-in-het-belgisch-kampioenschap-rally/Cue Bastos throwback livery..

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[Got Mail]

Latest generation Fabia R5 will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show from 7th March.

[br21]

VW Motorsport in Hannover plans to build 3 cars per month, 30 per year. At the end of January they finished building cars from 2018 slot. They say R5 building not a priority plus some delays from suppliers is the reason of such schedule.

[RS]

Latest generation Fabia R5 will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show from 7th March.

And homologation in second quarter of the year.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://scontent.fopo2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/52407078_2481985688496118_2012022411003691008_n.jp g?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo2-2.fna&oh=37389c1d009f95f5f3a1fc1b37119d70&oe=5CE0B820
https://scontent.fopo2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/52347464_2481985721829448_952062638840348672_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo2-1.fna&oh=6861836c51319aef54d3930128a639a3&oe=5CE4FEAA
https://scontent.fopo2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/52387599_2481985928496094_5163164294589710336_n.jp g?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo2-2.fna&oh=5de7aaa5d3244087278796c98b733a97&oe=5CEE58E7

Best looking

[Sulland]

Sure but on the other hand the Polo is really big for an R5 car. Its size and wheelbase might not be ideal.


It would be reasonable to expect the Polo to be at least as fast and possibly faster than the Fabia. After all it will have the same engine, and probably other parts but I guess VW will have been able to further optimise some stuff Skoda could not do just with jokers.

In light of this, what are the differences btw the two VAG R5s?
So far it looks like the Polo is quick, and maybe quicker than the sister on gravel/snow.

[Mirek]

Long wheelbase may be an advantage on very fast events like Sweden or Finland. It may be a disadvantage on twisty roads like on Corsica. Definitely if it is a disadvantage somewhere, it's not in Sweden where we shall see it.

Anyway Polo has newer stronger engine and different suspension layout (no idea about transmission). It's not a sister car because it's based on completely different platform. It's possible that Fabia Evo will have same engine like Polo but that's just my guessing.

[br21]

Long wheelbase may be an advantage on very fast events like Sweden or Finland. It may be a disadvantage on twisty roads like on Corsica. Definitely if it is a disadvantage somewhere, it's not in Sweden where we shall see it.

Anyway Polo has newer stronger engine and different suspension layout (no idea about transmission). It's not a sister car because it's based on completely different platform. It's possible that Fabia Evo will have same engine like Polo but that's just my guessing.

Transmission is also Xtrac, but not exactly the same. Diffs are very similar, but for example disconnect unit completely different.
Regarding the wheelbase you need to remember that each R5 car has base and +/-. So basically almost 50mm each car can be longer or shorter which is quite a lot. And usually when changing wheelbase castor also changes, which is influencing the turn-in, etc.

[Mirek]

I know that there is the tolerance +/- 1% of the stock nominal value (cca +/- 25 mm) but if anyone really checks it during the event I can't believe they can design the suspension so that they use complete tolerance limits for variable nominal position (different setup options). IMHO they need to use at least part of the tolerance to cover the real production and assembly inaccuracies.

[br21]

I don't know yet how it works with Polo, but for example with Fiesta you can easily change the wheelbase by ~40mm. Of course whole setup is affected then, so needs a lot of adjustments, etc but it's doable. Also depends on ride height, etc as this changes the wheelbase also (mostly on gravel where big ride height differences possible).
And yes they check quite often the wheelbase, not only on WRC, ERC but also in national events, it's relatively easy to measure for scrutineers.

[TWRC]

There was an interview with Tamás Tagai, owner of TRT Europe about their new C3 R5. He said that the main advantage of this car (and other PSA R5s) is the easy serviceability compared to the Fiesta and Fabia. One interesting detail he showed was the position of the turbo, which is in front of the engine, rather than near the scuttle panel as was in the 208/DS3, Fabia etc. He said that by their initial judgement, the car has good potential and looks to be well thought out and well designed, but obviously they have yet to run it on a rally. They are currently negotiating with drivers for programmes with the car, and he said hopefully they can run it both in Hungary and abroad as well.

[br21]

I think this "easy serviceability" is related only to turbo, for sure rest is more "complicated" than Fabia or especially Fiesta.

[Jarek Z]

Former racing driver, who turned to rallying, Dennis Rostek is going to drive VW Polo GTI R5 in the German champiosnhip. The car will be rented from BMA. First event - ADAC Saarland-Pfalz Rallye (March 8-9).

Source:
https://www.rallye-magazin.de/drm/artikel/d/2019/02/22/dennis-rostek-startet-mit-vw-polo-r5-in-der-drm/

https://www.rallye-magazin.de/typo3temp/_processed_/0/c/csm_Rostek-VW-Polo-R5_5538666df8.jpg

[bomber21]

Will there be a new Peugeot 208 R5 based on the new generation 208 that is coming?

[TheFlyingTuga]

Will there be a new Peugeot 208 R5 based on the new generation 208 that is coming?

Yes, I think I read somewhere that it will be. Anyway, take it with a pinch of salt. Manu's sometimes say things and then don't go thru with them

[TWRC]

Will there be a new Peugeot 208 R5 based on the new generation 208 that is coming?
In 2017, Famin said there will be one from it, but it might have changed since then. There will be an R2 from it at least, but I think R5 as well.

[mousti]

First win on asphalt for the Polo R5 by Princen in the Haspengouw Rally. Did a perfect rally and the two testing days seemed enough to adapt to the Polo R5.

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[Mintexmemory]

Princen - lots of talent, shame it never came together at top level for him.

[Ucci]

Looking at the Haspengouw results somebody might say:''we have a new sheriff in town''......VW Polo R5....

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Depends on the country and the driver's.

The Fiesta R5 is still dominant in the UK & Ireland despite numerous Fabia's and now i20's...

[tommeke_B]

In Northern France William Wagner won his first outing with the Polo R5. Quentin Gilbert, who was second (and only competitor closely following), also with Polo R5, retired with a damaged wheel.

@Fast Eddie, of course they're still dominant, there are no Polo's yet on the British Isles.

[Mirek]

In Northern France William Wagner won his first outing with the Polo R5. Quentin Gilbert, who was second (and only competitor closely following), also with Polo R5, retired with a damaged wheel.

@Fast Eddie, of course they're still dominant, there are no Polo's yet on the British Isles.

From today's results the Belgian one says a lot more about Polo than the French one. There was nearly nobody to compete with Wagner and Gilbert.

[tommeke_B]

From today's results the Belgian one says a lot more about Polo than the French one. There was nearly nobody to compete with Wagner and Gilbert.

Well, Mauffrey was close on the first stage, but lost over a minute on the second. Salanon also participated, but went out on the very first stage... But indeed, no comparison like there was in Rally van Haspengouw.

[dimviii]

From today's results the Belgian one says a lot more about Polo than the French one. There was nearly nobody to compete with Wagner and Gilbert.

Mirek while polo seems is very fast out of the box,i d like to wait for more rallies to see how it compares with fabia.
Wasn t Princen and Cherain also faster with different cars at previous years?

[Mirek]

Mirek while polo seems is very fast out of the box,i d like to wait for more rallies to see how it compares with fabia.
Wasn t Princen and Cherain also faster with different cars at previous years?

Of course we'll see more with more results but it's clear that the car is at least as fast as Fabia or faster. Have you seen it already live? I did and already from the first moment I had a feeling that everything about the car looks to be right. Maybe you remmeber that I wrote that after Prague rallysprint in early December.

[dimviii]

yes i remember what you wrote.No i havent seen it live.

[dupanton]

Mirek while polo seems is very fast out of the box,i d like to wait for more rallies to see how it compares with fabia.
Wasn t Princen and Cherain also faster with different cars at previous years?

Verschueren was on pace with them last year when they where all running Fabia's. He couldn't keep up this year (difference was not big but it was there) and punctured twice.

[mousti]

Verschueren was on pace with them last year when they where all running Fabia's. He couldn't keep up this year (difference was not big but it was there) and punctured twice.

Must be noted aswell that this was his first outing on Pirelli's, before that he was on Michelin.

[Mirek]

I have to say that the new Peuegot 208 is very nice looking car (way better than C3 IMHO) which would look awesome with the wide body kit. I hope they make the R5 of it!
http://img3.auto.cz/news/img/galleries/2019-09/peugeot_208_32_5c739dabe8be7.jpg
http://img3.auto.cz/news/img/galleries/2019-09/peugeot_208_49_5c739dae8a064.jpg
http://img.auto.cz/news/img/galleries/2019-09/peugeot_208_12_5c739da99adaa.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

In Northern France William Wagner won his first outing with the Polo R5. Quentin Gilbert, who was second (and only competitor closely following), also with Polo R5, retired with a damaged wheel.

@Fast Eddie, of course they're still dominant, there are no Polo's yet on the British Isles.

But the Fabia and i20 are both here and newer and didnt dislodge the Fiesta from the top.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I have to say that the new Peuegot 208 is very nice looking car (way better than C3 IMHO) which would look awesome with the wide body kit. I hope they make the R5 of it!
http://img3.auto.cz/news/img/galleries/2019-09/peugeot_208_32_5c739dabe8be7.jpg
http://img3.auto.cz/news/img/galleries/2019-09/peugeot_208_49_5c739dae8a064.jpg
http://img.auto.cz/news/img/galleries/2019-09/peugeot_208_12_5c739da99adaa.jpg

Dont like it... too much of a crossover look IMO.

[RS]

That 208 is quite different (to previous Peugeots)

To me it looks more Citroen-style.

[pantealex]

New Fabia is probably bit faster than Polo.

That´s what current Polo owners (who had Fabia before) thinks.

It´s also expected. And Polo and others will develop.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

M-Sport:
We're recruiting a number of passionate rally people to work on the all-new Fiesta R5 - a range of technicians specialising in car build, fabrication, electronics, engine, transmission, and hydraulics as well as designers and engineers.

➡️ Discover more: https://t.co/QZmf9ilIKa https://t.co/hjWXX3I63X

[Fast Eddie WRC]

That 208 is quite different (to previous Peugeots)

To me it looks more Citroen-style.

Shares its platform with the DS3 Crossback.

[Mirek]

The platform has zero influence on the looks.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The platform has zero influence on the looks.

What's already built on it might...

[RS]

The platform has zero influence on the looks.

Technically yes. But I have noticed VAG cars now sharing styling cues these days too.

[pantealex]

Technically yes. But I have noticed VAG cars now sharing styling cues these days too.

Polo and Fabia have different platforms...

[RS]

Polo and Fabia have different platforms...

I am aware of this, but I have no idea how it relates to my post?

[Rally Power]

Technically yes. But I have noticed VAG cars now sharing styling cues these days too.

You’re probably right about PSA doing the same; each group brand has his design team and above them there’s a PSA styling director (Jean Pierre Ploué).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

With the economic situation and having just bought Opel it must be doubtful there will be a new 208 R5.

[dimviii]

new fabia r5 at Geneva

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D05CyDRX0AAgUkM.jpg

[N.O.T]

the 208 looks like a mini-suv

results are in... ITS SHIT.

[mknight]

With the economic situation and having just bought Opel it must be doubtful there will be a new 208 R5.

The latest news are that PSA is on the way up with record sales, including Opel.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-psa-results/psa-picks-peugeot-for-u-s-return-as-rides-record-profit-idUSKCN1QF0JS

Unlike Ford who is heading the opposite way....

[Mirek]

Exactly. Opel has had its first profitable year in a long time.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Money already invested by PSA in the C3 R5 I cant see duplicated in another 208.

And Peugeot already pulled WRX and Dakar.

[Jarek Z]

Another good driver switches from Ford to Skoda. This time it's Jan Cerny from Czech Republic. First event - Rebenland Rallye in Austria.

http://www.autoklub.pl/news/foto/201903/news20190306_91511h.jpg

[Mirek]

That's not really accurate description. He returns to the Fabia serviced by his own team after one year spent in another Ford-equipped team.

[PLuto]

That's not really accurate description. He returns to the Fabia serviced by his own team after one year spent in another Ford-equipped team.

To be correct, it will not be same car like two years ago, also team will be different ;)

[tommeke_B]

MEM just published that their Proton Iriz R5 has received it's FIA homologation.

https://www.facebook.com/MellorsElliot/photos/a.855557731230661/2082759838510438/?type=3&theater

[Jarek Z]

Another VW Polo R5 in action! Grzegorz Grzyb is going to drive it in Slovakian rally championship.

http://www.autoklub.pl/news/foto/201903/news20190307_91548h.jpg

[106 sport]

Another VW Polo R5 in action! Grzegorz Grzyb is going to drive it in Slovakian rally championship.

http://www.autoklub.pl/news/foto/201903/news20190307_91548h.jpg

No ERC for him?

[Jarek Z]

No ERC for him?

I don't think so. He said, that with the budget that he has, he can drive max 4-5 rallies in ERC. So he prefers to spend this money on Slovakian and Polish championship.

[PLuto]

He was champion of Slovakia and also Poland in the past. He should have bigger ambitions... Especially, when he still has the speed...

[dupanton]

I guess for sponsors it is more interesting to be national champion than to finish 6th in the ERC.

[Jarek Z]

He was champion of Slovakia and also Poland in the past. He should have bigger ambitions...

You are right, but... tell it to his sponsors. Grzyb said that he has 2 alternatives:
1) drive 4-5 rallies in ERC on a very tight budget
2) use the same budget for full Slovakian and Polish championship

So 4-5 rallies in ERC or 10-12 rallies in Slovakia and Poland. What would you choose?

[Mirek]

Kopecký tested Fabia R5 Evo on Barum Rally stage Halenkovice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmEg8yCNdgE

[PLuto]

You are right, but... tell it to his sponsors. Grzyb said that he has 2 alternatives:
1) drive 4-5 rallies in ERC on a very tight budget
2) use the same budget for full Slovakian and Polish championship

So 4-5 rallies in ERC or 10-12 rallies in Slovakia and Poland. What would you choose?

I know Grzegorz very well and also background of the team and plans. Also thats the reason why I wrote, what I wrote.

[Mirek]

Kopecký with Fabia Evo again. This time on Barum rally stage Pindula: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWhuysvm2fc

[Andre Oliveira]

Fabia Evo is not accurate... it is new Fabia ;)

[Mirek]

It's not. It's still based on Fabia III and PQ26 platform. New MQB A0 Fabia IV will come only in 2021.

[the sniper]

Having seen it at the show, I have to say the Fabia looks much better in person/livery than it does in the footage from testing. The front actually looks more purposeful than the previous design.

And the new 208 looks bulbous and overly tall in many of the picture I've see, but in person it actually looks better proportioned. It looks a good bit smaller than the C3. I can imagine an R5 version looking similar to the AP4 Audi A1 in New Zealand...

[Mirek]

Kopecký tested Fabia R5 Evo on Barum Rally stage Halenkovice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmEg8yCNdgE

Gallery from the test: http://www.autosport.cz/zavody/fotogalerie.php?id=136&id=1528&autor=105

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Fiesta R5 render:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D1oFRzkXgAAD-_X?format=jpg&name=large

[gerrally]

Remarkable damage yesterday for Kris Princen’s Polo R5 after driving through a deep puddle. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190317/5e02f1602bae3e3017817188026ffa6c.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jarek Z]

Interesting. There were many comments here that most drivers switch from Ford Fiesta R5 to other cars. But I have just seen results of West Cork Rally (Irish championship) and there are 7 Fiestas in top 10 :)

Final results of CLONAKILTY PARK HOTEL WEST CORK RALLY:
1. Craig Breen/Paul Nagle (IRL) Ford Fiesta R5 1:51.18,6
2. Alastair Fisher/Gordon Noble (GB) Ford Fiesta R5 +22,2
3. Tom Cave/James Morgan (GB) Hyundai i20 R5 +37,3
4. Matt Edwards/Patrick Walsh (GB) Ford Fiesta R5 +42,1
5. Sam Moffett/James Fulton (IRL) Ford Fiesta R5 +1.34,3
6. Callum Devine/Brian Hoy (IRL/GB) Ford Fiesta R5 +1.41,4
7. Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty (IRL) Ford Fiesta R5 +2.21,9
8. Robert Barrable/Damien Connolly (IRL) Skoda Fabia R5 +2.47,3
9. Martin McCormack/Barney Mitchell (GB) Skoda Fabia R5 +2.55,1
10. Jonathan Greer/Kirsty Riddick (GB) Ford Fiesta R5 +3.59,4

[Fast Eddie WRC]

@Jarek - I tweeted the same to Hyundai after they were boasting about their first BRC win. The overall result was a Fiesta-fest and a 1-2 ! :)

[Andre Oliveira]

Two passes of Ford Fiesta MK8 R5: https://twitter.com/ewrcresults/status/1107810596341383169?s=21

[RS]

Loubet interviewed before Azores says the Hyundai is a good car but the Fabia is easier to drive and he can understand why so many drivers choose it.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

At the ERC launch Ingram also said how easy the Škoda is to drive. He said anyone can jump in one and be pretty quick.. its just getting the last few percent that's the challenge.

[dimviii]

Mads Østberg
‏ @MadsOstberg


We are in France to continue the development of the #C3R5. We have already done some steps of improvement since Sweden, other areas won't happen until later in the season. I’m happy to see the positive work from @CitroenRacing ��


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D2MFS9gW0AAjj_D.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D2MFUaOX4AA9K7A.jpg

[Mirek]

Another steering failure for Polo on Rally il Ciocco today. Two on Azores and now this one makes it three in one rally weekend.

[RS]

Another steering failure for Polo on Rally il Ciocco today. Two on Azores and now this one makes it three in one rally weekend.

I guess VW will sort it somehow, but maybe the Skoda way makes more sense, especially on an R5 car with more fragile parts than WRC or S2000?

[Jarek Z]

Hyundai i20 R5 for Łukasz Byśkiniewicz from TVN Turbo Rally Team in 2019 Polish rally championship:

http://rajdy24.pl/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/TVNTRT.jpg

[Jarek Z]

Another steering failure for Polo on Rally il Ciocco today. Two on Azores and now this one makes it three in one rally weekend.

Now you can also add Nicolas Ciamin to this list. He is out of Tour de Corse due to a blocking of the steering.

[Jarek Z]

Please add Kajto as well:
The morning was really good, but now in this stage we lost power steering for a few seconds 5km ago and also before the finish. Let's see about the next stage, but 47km without power steering is not possible in Corsica on tarmac.

[gerrally]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190330/42ac05121b3d1946248e0e63fca3e491.jpg Camili on ss12 this afternoon in Corse. Does anyone know the reason?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fast Eddie WRC]

New Fiesta R5 to debut in Finland in WRC2 acc to Julian Porter.

[Mirek]

One interesting note from Štajf who drove Polo on Valašská rally, CZ, this weekend. He said Polo has steeper steering gear (how can it be said properly in English?) and a stronger power steering which according to him feels like playing a video game.

[RS]

One interesting note from Štajf who drove Polo on Valašská rally, CZ, this weekend. He said Polo has steeper steering gear (how can it be said properly in English?)

Faster rack?

[Mirek]

Maybe :) I mean when You need less steering wheel rotation for the same steering angle.

[mousti]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190330/42ac05121b3d1946248e0e63fca3e491.jpg Camili on ss12 this afternoon in Corse. Does anyone know the reason?


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkEric Camilli*commented*“It all started with a weird smell in the car, after which everything went very fast. When I parked the car on the side of the road it caught fire a few seconds later. It’s truly unfortunate because up until that moment we were driving a really strong race.*

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONEPLUS A6013 met Tapatalk

[dimviii]

Alex Gelsomino
‏ @AlexGelsomino
2h2 hours ago

One thing I learned in nearly 30 years of rallying: you just never know when the phone is going to ring. New announcement in few days. #staytuned #C3R5

[Hartusvuori]

Maybe :) I mean when You need less steering wheel rotation for the same steering angle.

Lars Stugemo has said the similar about Polo compared to Fabia. It also shows in his driving which looks a bit more anxious with Polo.

[skarderud]

Mads Østberg said in a (rally)podcast (lyktepodden at Spotify and other) that they have tested and going to homologate a totaly new rear suspention, and some other parts to the C3 R5, but its not ready to the next rallies.
He also said that it was something fundamentally wrong with the construction of the R5, same stuff like the WRC.
He also said ha was not afraid to tell what he thinks, to whoever he speaks to:)

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[Jarek Z]

So all in all it is safe to say that Skoda Fabia is still the best R5 car ever built.

[dimviii]

1615/5000
Skoda Motorsport is working hard to advance the approval process of the Skoda Fabia R5 Evo, the second generation of the Fabia R5 that has reported so many successes since its appearance in 2015. According to the German Rallye Magazin, this car, which was planned that appeared at the beginning for the Rally of Finland, could already be present at the Rally of Portugal, which will be held between May 31 and June 2.


With the Fabia R5 the Mlada Boleslav have taken a good deal of control of the R5 car market, building and selling more than any other manufacturer in the last four years. However, the threat has become palpable with the arrival of the Citroën C3 R5, the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 and the Ford Fiesta R5 MK8, which should land for this summer.


In addition to the updated front to be in accordance with the street Skoda Fabia (which received a facelift in its third generation), the Fabia R5 Evo has a lighter power system and a better 1.6 turbo engine response. There will also be components that are shared with the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, the other rally model of the Volkswagen Group.


Skoda Motorsport is expected to align both Kalle Rovanperä - its main driver in the WRC2 Pro category - and the current WRC2 world champion Jan Kopecky. The veteran Czech pilot will carry out a program similar to that of other years, representing the brand in the national championship (being the favorite to win the title and the flag bearer of the new Fabia R5) while competing in some World Cup events.

http://revistascratch.com/wrc/noticia/skoda-trata-de-adelantar-la-homologacion-del-fabia-r5-evo-49802

[RS]

So all in all it is safe to say that Skoda Fabia is still the best R5 car ever built.

Right now probably yes.. Polo seems faster but has reliability problems.

But new Fabia is coming which might close any performance gap. On the other hand we have new Fiesta coming and maybe an improving C3 too if Ostberg has taken them in the right direction.

It’s a dynamic situation!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Eugene Donnelly will bring the first R5 Iriz to Ireland and their first outing will be the Easter Stages.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D3Z4jksXoAAqFCE.jpg

[Jarek Z]

Another Polo down ==> https://www.motorsportforums.com/showthread.php?19806-News-from-France&p=1213998&viewfull=1#post1213998

[dimviii]

Complaints from their clients activate intervention in the Polo R5 ..

Sven Smeets, responsible for the German sports area, announced that work is underway to improve the car's steering system, which has been repeated since its appearance in competitions.

The claims have been accumulated and for this it has already been defined the renewal thereof, with maintenance by the company.

"... To avoid more problems with the current components, we have halved the maintenance interval and additional revisions, which do not entail additional costs for our customers."

http://www.rallynoticias.com/nivel2.php?lang=es&id_noticia=15041

[dimviii]

Toyota Gazoo Racing, headed by Tommi Mäkinen, is targeting the R5 market.

In the Rally World Championship, R5 cars compete in the WRC2 and WRC2 Pro categories. In addition, the R5 races form the rally in the EM series and most national rally series, such as the SM series.

Toyota has been successfully competing in the World Series with its WRC car, which reached the manufacturers' World Championship title last season. In Puuppola, WRC games have been developed and built only for the team's own use, but the R5 market is opening new doors. Factory teams make R5 cars mainly for customer use, ie sell them to private teams.

By the end of last year, Skoda Motorsport had sold 282 Fabia R5 drivers, and the Ford Fiesta R5 cars built by M-Sport have also been sold. Of the major car manufacturers, Citroen, Hyunda, Peugeot and Volkswagen also have their own R5 Rally Cars. Skoda and M-Sport will launch new versions of their R5 cars in the summer.

Toyota is coming to take his wings from the cake.

- Plans are at a great pace. We are supposed to do it (car of the R5 rating), Mäkinen reveals to Rally.

Mäkinen is not yet telling the stage of car design. However, one can read between the lines that it is not in its infancy.

- You have to look at where more of this is told. There have been plans and discussions about how this is going to take you for some time now.

Clearly, Mäkinen does not want to talk over his mouth and carefully consider his choice of words. But one thing is clear: Puuppola is strongly involved in the development of the car.

"The project is probably going to be a bit like that," Mäkinen nods towards the Toyota Yaris WRC.

- Possibly this will be taken forward by Finnish, Japanese and German forces, Mäkinen adds.

In practice, this means that Mäkinen's outfit in Puuppola is responsible for the design and development of a new rally car. The engines are likely to come from the German Toyota Motorsport GmbH, which also produces power sources for Yaris WRC cars.

https://www.rallit.fi/tommi-makinen-paljastaa-puuppolassa-kehitetaan-uusi-ralliauto/

[dimviii]

more about polo r5 steering problem

Volkswagen Motorsport has responded favorably to the repeated problems that the Polo R5 showed in its management during the last weeks. To this end, the manufacturer notified its customers that the interval for reviewing the units has been reduced by half. Sven Smeets, director of the sport branch of the brand, also confirmed that additional analysis will be done in the direction. It should be noted that this item is manufactured and supplied by the Italian company Sportech.

During the opening of the European Rally Championship (ERC), the Volkswagen Polo R5 of the German Marijan Griebel and the Hungarian Norbert Herczig suffered inconveniences in the direction, which seriously complicated their performance. Just a week later, the French Volkswagen Nicolas Ciamin and the Polish Kajetan Kajetanowicz suffered exactly the same problems in the Tour de Corsica, fourth round of the WRC. On the other hand, the Polo R5 of Andrea Crugnola also suffered a failure in the direction during the Rally Il Ciocco, first date of the Italian national of rallies.

Faced with this situation, Smeets confirmed to the German medium Rallye Magazin that Volkswagen Motorsport will act accordingly. "We take the needs of our customers very seriously and are already working hard on an improved version of the address. To avoid more problems with the current components, we have halved the maintenance interval and will make additional revisions to the address without extra costs for our customers. "

"We are in constant communication with our customers and we take the problem very seriously," said Jan-Gerard de Jongh, responsible for the R5 project at Volkswagen. "Now we have to analyze exactly where the cause is. Either a fundamental problem or a defective parts delivery ".

The direction of Polo R5 is supplied by the Italian company Sportech, which belongs to the former WRC designer, Mario Fornaris. It is not a minor fact to remember that this supplier also equips the Skoda Fabia R5, whose concept was the inspiration for the Polo R5. Technically, the direction of the two vehicles is almost identical. However, the Volkswagen is based on the new platform of the Group, which is half a size larger than that of the Skoda.

To adapt the direction to the widest frame, the steering mechanism of the Polo R5 should be longer. This phase shift could be related to the reason that caused the repeated failures in the last rallies of the WRC, ERC and Italy. For now, the accurate analysis of the damage is already underway, De Jongh said: "We are working hard to understand the exact cause and correct the error. If necessary, we will also use a joker to solve the problem. "

Apart from this situation, Volkswagen Motorsport could also begin to be involved in a strange fault that the Polo R5 accused during the last Trans Itapúa Rally, valid for the first date of the Paraguayan rally national and the second of the FIA ​​CODASUR contest.

The multiple Paraguayan and South American champion, Gustavo Saba, had to leave in the first stage of the event after a disconcerting detachment of the rear suspension grille on his Polo R5. The pilot himself had been very concerned about the damage.

"We have problems with the suspension grid. Without having hit anything, it is detached. Obviously there are problems with the manufacture of the pieces, "said Saba on Radio La Deportiva, with a clear confusion and nervousness. It happens that this same problem was the one that led him to defect at the opening of CODASUR, carried out last month in Misiones, Argentina.

Strikingly, the breakage and subsequent loss of the suspension grid was also the cause that led to the abandonment of Miguel Zaldivar in the Trans Itapúa Rally. It should be noted that the Paraguayan is a user of another of the Polo R5, in this case, it was a unit that was released for this event.
http://motorboxradio.com.ar/2019/04/08/tras-las-fallas-volkswagen-hara-revisiones-mas-frecuentes-al-polo-r5/

[Mirek]

The direction of Polo R5 is supplied by the Italian company Sportech, which belongs to the former WRC designer, Mario Fornaris. It is not a minor fact to remember that this supplier also equips the Skoda Fabia R5, whose concept was the inspiration for the Polo R5. Technically, the direction of the two vehicles is almost identical.

This is not true at all, oh God...

The suspension layout of the two cars can not be more different within the existing rules. Polo R5 suspension is based on the concept of Fabia S2000 not the R5 which is completely different and I believe that one of the reasons why it is different was to get rid of the power steering issues.

It's a simple fact that the higher castor the higher forces in the steering hence why steering issues are well known with most of the cars with so heavily inclined front struts.

[dimviii]

Μirek imho when they said that they are identical,they dont mean the tie rod ends ,but just the mechanism of steering.

[Mirek]

That doesn't make sense either.

Everything in the motorsport is pushed to the limit and if there are much lower forces in the steering of the Fabia (which is what I believe in) its steering for sure wasn't designed for completely different force values in a car to come years later.

Also we know that the steering rack ratio and the feeling from the steering in both cars is very different (and ironically it feels lighter in Polo, i.e. the power steering pump is most likely reasonably stronger).

[dimviii]

. the power steering pump is most likely reasonably stronger).

or same pump working at higher pressure just to cope with the higher forces due to different polo design?...
anyway its not the first time somebody will make wrong calculations,or decide wrong.

[br21]

For me the most interesting is why it was not happening during so long test phase...
And first thing they did was to issue Bulletin that rebuild period of the rack is lowered from 2000 to 1000kms... but most issues happened way before that limit...

[RS]

What is the 'suspension grid' that the article talks about? I'm guessing a poor Google translation.

Perhaps one advantage of Skoda having run a works team with their cars is that issues are found and solved quicker. The Polo debuted, what, six months ago?.. so should be over teething troubles by now.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Seems to me VW were so confident in their testing that they were happy to let customers buy and run their cars in competition without having done so themselves.

And as we know in rally, testing is one thing but competition is another.

[Tarmop]

Well, they did one, many tests were also quite thorough, running until its axle falls apart etc.

[Rally Power]

Mads Østberg said in a (rally)podcast (lyktepodden at Spotify and other) that they have tested and going to homologate a totaly new rear suspention, and some other parts to the C3 R5, but its not ready to the next rallies.
He also said that it was something fundamentally wrong with the construction of the R5, same stuff like the WRC.
He also said ha was not afraid to tell what he thinks, to whoever he speaks to:)

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

Lukyanuk also wasn’t at ease with the C3 before Azores Rally, but instead asking to change the whole car he changed his driving style and succed to be fast. That’s the approach of a champ.

[dimviii]

Lukyanuk also wasn’t at ease with the C3 before Azores Rally, but instead asking to change the whole car he changed his driving style and succed to be fast. That’s the approach of a champ.

He coudnt do something else. Mads can work at changes with Citroen.
be sure that Luky could be much faster with a car suits him,or doesnt behave strangely.

[Rally Power]

He coudnt do something else.(...)

He could moan all rally long and cruise the car till the end, like Ostberg did in Sweden, but he braverly managed to show the car is fast, dominating the event until the brake faillure.

More than being embarrassing for Citroen, Ostberg constant complaints are starting to be embarrassing for himself.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I dont ever remember Lukyanuk moaning about any car he's driven. He just drives whatever he's got the best way he can.

In this case the C3 deal with Saintéloc was pretty late and he is probably just glad to to have the drive. Moaning about the car would look quite ungrateful.

Østberg is an experienced WRC driver of several cars plus he did help with the C3 WRCar's geometry to good effect. So he has the right to be critical of the R5 car when he thinks it's necessary.

[Rally Power]

(...) So he has the right to be critical of the R5 car when he thinks it's necessary.

For sure, but what’s the point of being overcritical in a public way, damaging the C3 image over potencial costumers? After Lukyanuk performance in Azores, should we still believe that the car has some kind of fundamental issue on gravel?

Anyway, what mostly matters is to have the C3 being properly developed and improved, with the feedback from Ostberg, Lukyanuk and all Citroen Racing national costumers. Fingers crossed.

[pantealex]

Opponents of Østberg in Sweden were quite lot faster than those who Lukyanuk had in Acores

[Franky]

Opponents of Østberg in Sweden were quite lot faster than those who Lukyanuk had in Acores

But Ostberg's opponents are usually faster than him anyway.

[Mirek]

Opponents of Østberg in Sweden were quite lot faster than those who Lukyanuk had in Acores

True but still the ever lasting complaints of Ostberg about his cars have become really annoying.

[Rally Power]

Opponents of Østberg in Sweden were quite lot faster than those who Lukyanuk had in Acores

Yep, but Ostberg (and the C3) performance in Sweden is a bit hard to judge; in the first loop he was actually fast but all his WRC2 Pro opponents were soon in trouble and there was no need to keep fighting for a pointless RC2 lead: https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/53052-rally-sweden-2019/?s=201206&ct=1018

[Fast Eddie WRC]

True but still the ever lasting complaints of Ostberg about his cars have become really annoying.

And people complaining about him complaining...

[Mirek]

Fabia R5 Evo is now homologated.

https://cs-cz.facebook.com/motorsportskoda/photos/a.357106884367342/2106316339446379/?type=3&eid=ARD5M7uSIG2m48DaMmW5rReBiCXE0TAcEEHYcjCgRuJMlK PrL7XUmlFOvzM1GEHnHd-OqGxCKejqBWr9&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBYhu4_sQ1xsbkrcornZvxAgCNKinwQ yLOybNM8kONz5tIRBqE-lTEKcZOzQv4JcVc37f8vK18igqmEGc640Wrh-1zannAgSVXIdKwg-B2kNN-WkquqqH2MZV3X-WeEmcDmP5t0nsKKzl6xjcv1xrl28SC97a4Q5uPWxg-p0Sinfz4LrcZDUbkgLqpzhZWfNvxq1QstvLFGiMjsqxuTqP8KY 22ufN5lyMOJt8w86vheVcmBVc7QRxq8KZg_Q5EKyfrOKAdInYb Uamsgb2HPrfDG43cnQS2M4mG-SNgQuch5Mz2Fq9_JJSePTpEL-UCB2d4FAp5g2dY2fy1jqvOdpl8DCA&__tn__=EEHH-R

[RS]

And people complaining about him complaining...

If the latter stops then so does the former :)

I agree with what was said above, if you’re employed by a manufacturer it’s not very professional. Say something bland in public like the car ‘has potential’ and keep the moaning behind closed doors.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Say something bland in public like the car ‘has potential’ and keep the moaning behind closed doors.

Great, so you'd rather have driver's trotting out meaningless sound-bites, rather than telling the truth about how they feel...

And when Ostberg is happy with his car he says so too, but no-one mentions that.

[Jarek Z]

Great, so you'd rather have driver's trotting out meaningless sound-bites, rather than telling the truth about how they feel...

Exactly. Ostberg's moaning is funny, sometimes may be ridiculous, but it is still better than political correctness and corporate bullshit from official press releases. At least he is honest.

Let Ostberg moan! :)

[Jarek Z]

Guys, do you think that Yoann Bonato and Citroen C3 R5 is a good combination? :)
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1919717511470080

[Fast Eddie WRC]

ICYMI
Unfortunately due to electronic issues, we won’t see the Proton Iriz R5 of Eugene Donnelly in action in Ireland this weekend.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D4OMXa4XsAMnW7J.jpg:large

[Sulland]

[QUOTE=Mirek;1214374]Fabia R5 Evo is now homologated./QUOTE]

What are the main upgrades on the Evo?

[kure91]

According their press release: "Besides updated looks with headlights matching the street version of the model, the new rally car has also gained a number of important technical innovations. Among them, an updated 1.6-litre turbocharged engine now offers more power and a better torque curve. All the modifications are aimed at improving the performance and reliability of the car."

Full text: https://www.skoda-motorsport.com/en/new-fabia-r5-up-close-and-personal/

[the sniper]

Does anybody else find it somewhat odd that we've seen so little of the new Fiesta testing, given that it's been widely said that it's due to be homologated in time for Rally Finland, which is only three months away? Basically just one unclear grainy/dusty video. I feel like we'd see much more of the Polo and even facelifted Fabia earlier than we've seen almost anything of the new Fiesta...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Maybe testing mostly in their private track & forest with Greensmith...

[Tarmop]

I think that this quite public compared to the Yaris R5.:D

*got a feeling

[pantealex]

I think that this quite public compared to the Yaris R5.:D

*got a feeling

"YARIS" R5

*got a feeling

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No Moaning Mads here !

Morning loop @rallyargentina done. We're happy to lead the #WRC2PRO category, and we're also the fastest #R5. We're enjoying it so far.

[Mirek]

After Rajd Swidnicki somebody stole Fiesta R5 of Jaroslaw Koltun. It's chassis No. 77, registration plate TK 8955L.

It appears that around midnight somebody came with an old Opel Vectra C and stole the trailer with the car inside (possibly not even knowing about it). More info in Polish is here: https://www.facebook.com/WRCNewsOfficial/photos/a.111569325530678/2383448108342777/?type=3&theater

The car:
https://scontent.fprg2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/56973932_2383448118342776_7438071178356326400_o.jp g?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent.fprg2-1.fna&oh=ea14f578efb631a158f69b805a4e4fc4&oe=5D63F454

[Jarek Z]

According to the following article at
https://www.rallye-magazin.de/drm/artikel/d/2019/04/29/sachsen-rallye-volkswagen-greift-mit-depping-und-polo-r5-an/
the official team of Volkswagen Motorsport is going to enter VW Polo R5 in Sachsen Rallye. The car will be driven by 52-year-old Dieter Depping. Another two (private) Polos will be driven by Dennis Rostek and Christian Riedemann. Sachsen Rallye is going to be held on May 24-25.

[Jarek Z]

After Rajd Swidnicki somebody stole Fiesta R5 of Jaroslaw Koltun. It's chassis No. 77, registration plate TK 8955L.

It appears that around midnight somebody came with an old Opel Vectra C and stole the trailer with the car inside (possibly not even knowing about it). More info in Polish is here: https://www.facebook.com/WRCNewsOfficial/photos/a.111569325530678/2383448108342777/?type=3&theater


Latest news - the trailer was found 5 km from the hotel. Unfortunately without Fiesta R5 inside. Special prize for finding the car is 5000 E.
More about it here:
https://dziennik.walbrzych.pl/laweta-odnaleziona-rajdowki-brak-trwaja-poszukiwania-auta-skradzionego-po-rajdzie-swidnickim/?fbclid=IwAR1HaOK66DGB5d0lTJMq_ZsD0Ir3dmpElzbmfFLr mtdRZ0yBuKeoNVpANXg

[mknight]

Latest news - the trailer was found 5 km from the hotel. Unfortunately without Fiesta R5 inside. Special prize for finding the car is 5000 E.
More about it here:
https://dziennik.walbrzych.pl/laweta-odnaleziona-rajdowki-brak-trwaja-poszukiwania-auta-skradzionego-po-rajdzie-swidnickim/?fbclid=IwAR1HaOK66DGB5d0lTJMq_ZsD0Ir3dmpElzbmfFLr mtdRZ0yBuKeoNVpANXg


Looks a bit less likely they didn't know what was inside then.
Steal -> move to another trailer -> disassemble for parts -> sell parts

[br21]

Car was found

[bomber21]

Same weird story as Max Rendina’s Fabia R5 that was stolen in Greece during Acropolis Rally 2017...

[RS]

New Fabia:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ofy_Q3pJDhQ

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SYBzZNRsaVQ

And info: https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/press-releases/updated-skoda-fabia-r5-successfully-homologated-and-ready-for-competition/

[JUF]

After Rajd Swidnicki somebody stole Fiesta R5 of Jaroslaw Koltun. It's chassis No. 77, registration plate TK 8955L.

It appears that around midnight somebody came with an old Opel Vectra C and stole the trailer with the car inside (possibly not even knowing about it). More info in Polish is here: https://www.facebook.com/WRCNewsOfficial/photos/a.111569325530678/2383448108342777/?type=3&theater

How dumb you have to be to steal a pretty rare car like a rally car? What did they want to do? Selling parts via eBay :D?

[dimviii]

Latest news - the trailer was found 5 km from the hotel. Unfortunately without Fiesta R5 inside. Special prize for finding the car is 5000 E.
More about it here:
https://dziennik.walbrzych.pl/laweta-odnaleziona-rajdowki-brak-trwaja-poszukiwania-auta-skradzionego-po-rajdzie-swidnickim/?fbclid=IwAR1HaOK66DGB5d0lTJMq_ZsD0Ir3dmpElzbmfFLr mtdRZ0yBuKeoNVpANXg

http://www.dolnoslaska.policja.gov.pl/pl/aktualnosci/wiadomosci/biezace_informacje/policjanci_odzyskali_skradziony_samochod_rajdowy_o _wartosci_miliona_zlotych

[Jarek Z]

Another VW Polo R5 failure?

After unexpected problems in Argentina Kajto decided to withdraw his entry from Rally Chile. His fight for victory in Rally Argentina was scuppered by a failure. Problems with the car, not related to the company which prepares and services the car, need to be resolved.
- I decided that we will take part in one of the forthcoming rallies when the car manufacturer provides safe and permanent solutions to genuine problems - says Kajto.

More details at Kajto's website:
http://kajto.pl/en/news/2019-world-rally-championship-difficult-decision-for-kajetanowicz/

[RS]

Crikey. Shows how difficult it is to build a good R5 car when even VW, with all their WRC success, struggle with reliability problems.

[Jarek Z]

Could it be that all those teams and drivers, who were placing orders for Polos R5 before it was even homologated, were buying a pig in a poke?

[Mirek]

How dumb you have to be to steal a pretty rare car like a rally car? What did they want to do? Selling parts via eBay :D?

Of course you can sell the parts and if not directly in Poland for sure you can do that accross the border in Ukraine.

[JUF]

Of course you can sell the parts and if not directly in Poland for sure you can do that accross the border in Ukraine.

Well, you're probably better informed than me, so I guess you´re right. But as an owner of a Fiesta R5 don't you buy the parts directly from M-Sport?

[Mirek]

The rich teams do but plenty of others don't. It's same like with stock cars.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Crikey. Shows how difficult it is to build a good R5 car when even VW, with all their WRC success, struggle with reliability problems.

They should've left the R5 market to their sister company...

I bet Škoda are having a chuckle at them

[Mirek]

The motorsport department which VW built has to be used for something and the R5 projects have proved they can be self-feeding or even profitable.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kopecky test crash in new Fabia R5...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5epfjDXoAAxbVu.jpg

https://twitter.com/PeAChapaRacing/status/1123553014877491200

[RS]

Ouch, that's a bad one. Presume crew ok?

[dimviii]

not a good week for Jan.
Hope they are ok,very serious crash

[dimviii]

Kajto about his polo r5
https://twitter.com/pepomatiauda/status/1123386605484544000

[RS]

not a good week for Jan.
Hope they are ok,very serious crash

The text with the tweet says he and the co-pilot are well.

Put a spanner in the works for the test though, unless they have more than one car on site.

[Mirek]

Ouch, that's a bad one. Presume crew ok?


not a good week for Jan.
Hope they are ok,very serious crash

Yes, they are ok.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Thats the main thing. I wouldnt have posted it otherwise.

[mousti]

They are already rebuilding the car for new tests.

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[RS]

Kopecky test incl. crash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCFhiFLK9Y0

[RS]

They are already rebuilding the car for new tests.

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They can really do that on site in Portugal?

[Mirek]

They can really do that on site in Portugal?

Yes. It looks worse than it is.

[mousti]

They can really do that on site in Portugal?Yes it should run today again already. Confirmed by a member of Skoda who's present there.

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[RS]

Yes it should run today again already. Confirmed by a member of Skoda who's present there.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONEPLUS A6013 met Tapatalk

Impressive!

[Mirek]

24h later (from Pavel Dresler):
https://scontent-vie1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/58961585_10216034710158601_1207703962791182336_n.j pg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.xx&oh=692d4fe92907781f1067b217195ce3c6&oe=5D2EF486

[Mirek]

Škoda just confirmed that the first start for the R5 Evo will be Rallye Český Krumlov (17-18th May). WRC premiere as expected in Portugal.

[RS]

Kopecky again, post crash:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xeYESHLjMYI

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-J-kfbkBsSg

They definitely improved the sound a great deal! Sounds louder, raspier and less ‘lazy’ now.

Intrigued to see how this car can perform now, especially in the hands of Rovanpera on gravel I am expecting some eye catching times.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Just thinking about all these new R5's and Evos. How long have they got and when is electric/hybrid coming to this class too ?

[Jarek Z]

Did you see this? Another Polo R5 burns down in flames, this time in Rally Islas Canarias. What is going on?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrhxpbymfmU

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5024PbWwAAv35F?format=png&name=240x240
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D502z5YXkAApfym?format=png&name=120x120
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D502ydfW0AAW9zY?format=png&name=240x240

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D51CoL-WkAAZ1-9?format=jpg&name=medium

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Škoda just confirmed that the first start for the R5 Evo will be Rallye Český Krumlov (17-18th May).

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6tGkSHW0AEy5qz.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6tHQBvWkAALTUZ.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6sFL8CXYAA2wvD.jpg

[Andre Oliveira]

Info eWRC-results.com -> Chassis 4

[liposh]

They started the numbers of fabia R5 again from Nr. 1 ? It could be little bit a mess, but alright, it makes sense.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nice pics for Planetemarcus !

#WRC Today @ValtteriBottas visit France for testing new @MSportLtd Ford Fiesta R5 (codriver Jarmo Lehtinen) ► http://bit.ly/2M422kb

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6wztKXWwAAO-Xg.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6wztKWXoAAXkXw.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6wztKSXYAAz-E7.jpg

[Andre Oliveira]

What a beautiful car :)

[pucky54]

They started the numbers of fabia R5 again from Nr. 1 ? It could be little bit a mess, but alright, it makes sense.

??? New car, new Body Shell numbers?!?!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

1st stage for new Fabia Evo:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6xm0yeWwAAPrNK.jpg

[Tarmop]

Not homologated and unlimited testing, probably having a grandma driving it would give some feedback...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Also Gus Greensmith is preparing to drive a Fiesta WRC in Portugal.

[Andre Oliveira]

One of the best drivers in the world is “grandma”? Ekström helped on WRC too

[Tarmop]

Just an example, how it is good to have different persons to try it out, even if they are low-caliber...which is not the case here.

[Mirek]

I guess Bryan Bouffier has something to do with this car.

[Andre Oliveira]

Small clip: https://mobile.twitter.com/ewrcresults/status/1129735713543675904

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No surprise... #RallyCeskyKrumlov, and the winners are: Jan Kopecky and Pavel Dresler, SKODA FABIA R5 Evo

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D62rHQzXYAEaOaX.jpg

[RS]

Yes, don't think we can read a lot into Krumlov tbh, although it seemed pretty easy for Kopecky even with 30s penalty.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6_hBgmWkAAzfik?format=jpg&name=900x900

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6_x3WDWkAEwRkt?format=jpg&name=large

[Andre Oliveira]

Video Camilli today with MK8 R5: https://youtu.be/Qjzt-rgDFY0

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Video Camilli today with MK8 R5: https://youtu.be/Qjzt-rgDFY0

Good tester as he also tested the Polo R5.

[Andre Oliveira]

http://planetemarcus.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Test_Days_Camilli_Fiesta_R5_7.jpg

Bottas little off damage visible

http://planetemarcus.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Test_Days_Camilli_Fiesta_R5_8.jpg
http://planetemarcus.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Test_Days_Camilli_Fiesta_R5_5.jpg

http://planetemarcus.com/eric-camilli-a-pris-le-relai-sur-la-nouvelle-fiesta-r5/

[Andre Oliveira]

https://www.facebook.com/AttackRupteur/

https://scontent.fopo3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60699724_996908144033576_2471289401473236992_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo3-1.fna&oh=2b88050b11f9de6f7044a6f073de3d47&oe=5D569544
https://scontent.fopo3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60960650_996908377366886_2003659873455177728_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo3-2.fna&oh=2820244cf9e833b2d123232913e13a7d&oe=5D5A61E4
https://scontent.fopo3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60941865_996908527366871_3788478810853212160_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo3-1.fna&oh=35edfcbbbb2d3e77f4027957512ea167&oe=5D9B45F5

[Andre Oliveira]

https://www.facebook.com/Jojophoto-amateur-497732790382433/

https://scontent.fopo3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60463457_1326390787516625_9166931197308174336_n.jp g?_nc_cat=103&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo3-2.fna&oh=ae94898c58e8e2ea35a6ab590bf734fe&oe=5D6D5153
https://scontent.fopo3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/61047479_1326391057516598_4790221164607700992_n.jp g?_nc_cat=103&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo3-2.fna&oh=c97d65c78c14a0d1642a30190e7af2fe&oe=5D5FBD94
https://scontent.fopo3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60545757_1326391534183217_8146299508666400768_n.jp g?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent.fopo3-2.fna&oh=d6b1364977477660a5dfe114b80d4853&oe=5D521AFE

[EstWRC]

looks amazing from the front, better than WRC version IMO

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7B3R4aWkAAsA98.jpg

[Andre Oliveira]

Agree. Very agressive.

[Ucci]

Agree. Very agressive.
Best looking R5....again.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Looks good but I prefer the previous Fiesta R5.

[Andre Oliveira]

I am suspicious cause i have current one, but the rear is so much beautiful in MK8 version.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Its the front I dislike - the grille is an ugly shape and the central bonnet vent instead of one on each side doesnt look as cool (pardon the pun).

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7IPBbuXkAEe11k?format=jpg&name=large

[Andre Oliveira]

Bottas / Camilli: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5TksqKfcZU

[mousti]

Breen with Polo R5 from BMA at the start in Ypres.

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[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen with Polo R5 from BMA at the start in Ypres.

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Breen is like a one-man R5 tester ! He was driving the C3 R5 this week having been doing events in the Fiesta and Fabia. After the Polo he only has the i20 left.

[pantealex]

Breen is like a one-man R5 tester ! He was driving the C3 R5 this week having been doing events in the Fiesta and Fabia. After the Polo he only has the i20 left.

and Proton.

(208T16 and DS 3 he has driven, I believe)

[TWRC]

and Proton.

(208T16 and DS 3 he has driven, I believe)
Yes, driven both of them.

[mousti]

According to a Belgian rallyradio program, Eric Camilli will be a zero/VIP car in Ypres with the new Fiesta.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONEPLUS A6013 met Tapatalk

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7QRdJJWkAEukqu?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7QRj26XYAETFA8?format=jpg&name=large

Instagram of Jules Gounon

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Yep, M-Sport Bentley driver impressed with the Fiesta R5...

https://www.instagram.com/stories/jules_gounon/

[skarderud]

Mads got his changes at the C3 R5 done and homologated, New geometry in the back is biggest change, a totaly redesigned rear axel he says.

In Norwegian:
https://parcferme.no/rally/na-skal-mads-ha-fatt-bilen-som-han-vil-i-forste-omgang/

Exiting to see portugal first, but he says its perfect for Sardinia. Can he give the polos and Skodas a good match?

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[RS]

Anyone know what the top speed of the Polo is?

[Jarek Z]

Kajto is back in Polo R5 :/
http://kajto.pl/en/news/world-rally-championship-2019-kajetanowicz-and-szczepaniak-ready-for-fight-in-rally-italia-sardegna/

[RS]

Kajto is back in Polo R5 :/
http://kajto.pl/en/news/world-rally-championship-2019-kajetanowicz-and-szczepaniak-ready-for-fight-in-rally-italia-sardegna/

Have VW solved the problems they had with the Polo then?

[Jarek Z]

Have VW solved the problems they had with the Polo then?

Unfortunately I have no idea :(

[RS]

Anyone know what the top speed of the Polo is?

Also the C3 R5?

[Jarek Z]

Another technical failure in VW Polo GTi R5. This time the victim was Dieter Depping who had to withdraw from Sachsen Rallye after problems with fuel pressure.

[pantealex]

Every technical failure of Polo is mentioned here, why ?

Fabia, any technical failures ?

Fiesta, any technical failures ?

[RS]

Every technical failure of Polo is mentioned here, why ?


Because it has had a surprisingly high number of problems, especially since they extended the testing period quite a lot?

[tommeke_B]

Every technical failure of Polo is mentioned here, why ?

Fabia, any technical failures ?

Fiesta, any technical failures ?
I remember that in the beginning, all technical failures with Fiesta R5 were also mentioned here on the forum, but that was back in 2013... Since then the car became much more reliable. ;) The PSA R5's were also very much discussed here for that reason, and also disappeared soon for being too unreliable (and before that got sorted, they were not competitive enough anymore). And Fabia, well, it has always been a reliable car, with most "decent" teams, retirements are very rare, there aren't so much to mention.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

5 Ways to Recognize the New ŠKODA FABIA R5 Evo

https://www.skoda-motorsport.com/en/5-ways-to-recognize-the-new-skoda-fabia-r5-evo/

[CWJ]

Another technical failure in VW Polo GTi R5. This time the victim was Dieter Depping who had to withdraw from Sachsen Rallye after problems with fuel pressure.

Rumors sad that problem was soon solved by mechanics with a can of fuel :)

[Alpine-110]

What is correct evo number on new Fiesta?
I see teams selling blank, evo1, evo2.
Is new mk8 then evo3?

[PLuto]

You can name it whatever you want. Until now there is only one homologation - Ford Fiesta R5. We will see how they will name this brand new Fiesta.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

M-Sport is the first team to make a second R5 car, being based on the newest version of its road-car.

Therefore the Mk8 Fiesta R5 isnt an 'evolution'.

[AnttiL]

M-Sport is the first team to make a second R5 car, being based on the newest version of its road-car.

Therefore the Mk8 Fiesta R5 isnt an 'evolution'.

Citroen has both DS3 and C3, Skoda has two Fabia versions

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Citroen has both DS3 and C3, Skoda has two Fabia versions

Is the Skoda a whole new model... it looks like a facelift.

[pantealex]

Is the Skoda a whole new model... it looks like a facelift.

It looks like facelift but:
-different homologation number
-chassis numbers starts again from beginning

[Sulland]

So the MK8 Fiesta still uses the original homologation number then?

[Mirek]

So the MK8 Fiesta still uses the original homologation number then?

Eh? That's impossible from the principle of homologation.

[Mirek]

It looks like facelift but:
-different homologation number
-chassis numbers starts again from beginning

This is rather unusual situation but I think it happened already before. As far as I remember Focus WRC 99-02 and 03-05 were based on the same stock car but had different homologation number.

[mousti]

This is rather unusual situation but I think it happened already before. As far as I remember Focus WRC 99-02 and 03-05 were based on the same stock car but had different homologation number.

With Subaru Impreza WRC too I think.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So the Fabia R5 Evo is based on the old road car with a new-style grill, headlights etc fitted, plus mech upgrades ?

[Jarek Z]

Every technical failure of Polo is mentioned here, why ?

Fiesta, any technical failures ?

All have been reported in the past. You must be new in this part of the forum :)


Fabia, any technical failures ?

Technical failures in Fabia??!! ;)

[Jarek Z]

Have VW solved the problems they had with the Polo then?

According to these two websites Volkswagen Motorsport assured their customers that they are working hard on the solution of the steering problems. Sorry, I can't find any English source.

In German:
https://www.rallye-magazin.de/int/artikel/nach-problemen-mit-dem-polo-r5-volkswagen-hilft-kunden-40414/

In Polish:
https://wrc.net.pl/pilna-akcja-serwisowa-polo-r5-vw-motorsport-wesprze-zespoly-klienckie

[Andre Oliveira]

Polo of Meireles today

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D762x9yWsAIsXCh?format=jpg&name=medium

[Andre Oliveira]

Fabia R5 - Homologation A5760
Fabia R5 evo - Homologation A5777

[pantealex]

So the Fabia R5 Evo is based on the old road car with a new-style grill, headlights etc fitted, plus mech upgrades ?

old road car ?

(Road) Fabia had "only" facelift, so it still uses same platform as before (Polo uses newer VAG platform)

It´s clear that FiestaR5 Mk8 is all new and FabiaR5 evo is just evolution.
But you can´t upgrade your old FabiaR5 to FabiaR5 evo spec

[Mirek]

So the Fabia R5 Evo is based on the old road car with a new-style grill, headlights etc fitted, plus mech upgrades ?

The car is based on the same stock car (facelifted bodywork) but it's so much different compared to the previous R5 car that it can not be homologated within the available homologation jokers hence a completely new homologation.

[Andre Oliveira]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7-NOipX4AcHmcb?format=jpg&name=large

[Got Mail]

These cars must be insurable at the moment.

Also unsaleable I would have thought.

[Jarek Z]

It's the fourth Polo burnt down this year, if I count correctly (Camilli, Marban, Meireles, Vieiby).

[RS]

It's the fourth Polo burnt down this year, if I count correctly (Camilli, Marban, Meireles, Vieiby).

There was one on Canarias?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Dont think much of the Fabia Evo's new aero ! ;)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7_A_gYW4AEcDz5.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7_DlZwXoAIxC6x.jpg

Malcolm must be chuckling away...