2014 News and Results

[Sulland]

What will happen to the 2014 version of ERC?

Will we see any change to;
- Classes
- Rallies
- Teams

Will the series thrive and grow in 14, and get a wider interesst?

[RS]

Basso says he is looking for a programme. Ok, he says that most years but hopefully it will come true this time.

Would be good to see Aigner in a "proper" car next year.

My fear is that we could lose this years big names (Bouffier and Kopecky) so I hope there are some biggish names to step into their shoes.

Maybe Skoda could put Lappi in for a year if he is still on the books whilst Kopecky is busy with the Fabia R5.

[WUff1]

Basso says he is looking for a programme. Ok, he says that most years but hopefully it will come true this time.

Would be good to see Aigner in a "proper" car next year.

My fear is that we could lose this years big names (Bouffier and Kopecky) so I hope there are some biggish names to step into their shoes.

Maybe Skoda could put Lappi in for a year if he is still on the books whilst Kopecky is busy with the Fabia R5.

I´m with you.

[Karbonyl]

Will we see any change to;
- Classes
- Rallies
- TeamsI really wish to throw out the current teams competition which proved to be absolutely useless, and to return to the aka-IRC manufacturers' competition. ERC is a privateer's championship so it's clear why almost no one entered the teams competition. Only few crews can afford to get out so huge sum of money for the registration from their own pocket. Moving the registration fees directly to the manufacturers would be better for private teams.

[RS]

I really wish to throw out the current teams competition which proved to be absolutely useless, and to return to the aka-IRC manufacturers' competition. ERC is a privateer's championship so it's clear why almost no one entered the teams competition. Only few crews can afford to get out so huge sum of money for the registration from their own pocket. Moving the registration fees directly to the manufacturers would be better for private teams.

+1.

Having a manufacturers championship as in IRC also encourages the manufacturers to support private drivers/teams.

[sindroms]

"Rally Liep?ja" has reached three-year agreement with "Eurosport Events". 31.01-02.02. are the dates for 2014 event. Rally will be held around Liep?ja and Kuld?ga, no trip up to north to Ventspils anymore.
http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/19 ... r-ERC-stay (http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/1965/t/Rally-Liep%C4%81ja-set-for-exciting-three-year-ERC-stay)
Teaser is online:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK_fsXespK4

[PLuto]

There will be manufacturers cup next year...

[PLuto]

As it was noticed on lot of places (I wrote also article about it - http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=15746), next year there will be JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP in ERC. I am in contact with lot of young possible drivers, but if here is anybody from the teams who should want to know some information, dont hesitate to contact me here via PM or via email.

For others - main information about ERC 2014 and junior championship will be officially published at the end of October after FIA rally comission meeting.

[Jarek Z]

Kopecky would like to compete in ERC again in 2014, but there is no decision from Skoda yet :
http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/1976

[Jarek Z]

Hannes Danziger is planning a program in ERC next year. By the way, how stupid is it of the ERC website to write about him as a "winner in this year’s ERC 2WD Championship"?! Danziger didn't win ERC 2WD Championship. Zoltan Bessenyey won it. Who writes such news on the official website?!
http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/1969

[Fran2013]

Hannes Danziger is planning a program in ERC next year. By the way, how stupid is it of the ERC website to write about him as a "winner in this year’s ERC 2WD Championship"?! Danziger didn't win ERC 2WD Championship. Zoltan Bessenyey won it. Who writes such news on the official website?!
http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/1969


Why you keep bashing the IRC/ERC in every post ?

Don´t like it ? then don´t see it....

Where it is written that we won the championship ? A winner in the championship means that he won
at least a race of the championship....

Any news or rumours on the calendar for the 2014 season?

[Jarek Z]

Why you keep bashing the IRC/ERC in every post ?

Am I really bashing ERC? I have only shown what is wrong on the official website. In my opinion drivers competing in ERC, such as Jan Kopecky, Giandomenico Basso, Bryan Bouffier and Craig Breen, are very professional at what they do. Can't the official website be professional too? At least out of respect for those great drivers?



Where it is written that we won the championship ? A winner in the championship means that he won
at least a race of the championship....

That is a winner in a rally, at least in my opinion.

[Mirek]

Any news or rumours on the calendar for the 2014 season?

The calendar shall be published at the end of October after it is agreed by FIA meeting.

[RS]

Kopecky would like to compete in ERC again in 2014, but there is no decision from Skoda yet :
http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/1976

Just an educated guess really but my hunch is that it is more likely we will see Lappi given a championship campaign next year with Kopecky on selected rounds only.

They are going to find it tough next year to compete against the R5 cars and with Lappi they can give the excuse that it is a "developing year"

[mousti]

Orsak's new livery and car for 2014... :)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=534406616638484&set=a.181134701965679.47661.181112608634555&type=1&theater)

[dimviii]

Orsak's new livery and car for 2014... :)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=534406616638484&set=a.181134701965679.47661.181112608634555&type=1&theater)

very nice livery!

[PLuto]

Orsak's new livery and car for 2014... :)

I think it is not necessary to put this livery only to 2014 thread... :rolleyes:

[RS]

Orsak's new livery and car for 2014... :)

I think it is not necessary to put this livery only to 2014 thread... :rolleyes:

So he will start on Valais?

[Raven]

Orsak's new livery and car for 2014... :)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=534406616638484&set=a.181134701965679.47661.181112608634555&type=1&theater)

Is this Tlustak's car?

[Mirek]

No, it's ex-Odložilík I think.

[WUff1]

No, it's ex-Odložilík I think.

What about him?

[Mirek]

You will see :p

[WUff1]

Hopefully at Jänner Rallye ;)

[Luis Pacheco]

From an Azorean newspaper:

Madeira tries to occupy the place of the SATA Rallye Acores on FIA ERC 2014.

Os responsáveis do Sports Madeira, entidade organizadora do Rali Vinho da Madeira, pretendem colocar a prova madeirense no calendário do Campeonato da Europa de Ralis 2014 (ERC na sigla inglesa) em substituição do SATA Rallye Açores.

O processo negocial para a elaboração do calendário do próximo ano já foi aberto pela Federação Internacional do Automóvel (FIA) e a direção do Grupo Desportivo Comercial já apresentou a candidatura do maior evento desportivo e promocional da Região à Comissão de Avaliação das candidaturas que, adiantou uma fonte ligada ao processo, representam um total de 18 países.

A FIA, para 2014, pretende cristalizar o modelo um rali por país e por o SATA Rallye Açores ser, atualmente, o representante português no FIA ERC, a Madeira tem vindo a desenvolver uma série de contactos (ainda recentemente um extensa comitiva esteve presente no Rali da Roménia em intensas conversações com os organizadores do campeonato) no sentido de poder regressar ao calendário europeu que deverá ser composto por 10 provas, embora possa vir a contar com 12. Contudo, a baliza da dezena de provas é o modelo que mais agrada aos responsáveis da modalidade e, principalmente, às equipas.

O Rali da Croácia e o Rali San Remo (Itália) podem estar de saída do FIA ERC 2014, havendo grandes movimentações para a entrada da Estónia que conta com um aliado de peso a apoiar a sua candidatura: a Finlândia.

O interesse pelo FIA ERC aumentou exponencialmente com o estabelecimento da parceria com a Eurosport que possibilitou a cobertura televisiva de todo o campeonato, para além das várias emissões live que foram realizadas ao longo do ano.

Por exemplo, o SATA Rallye Açores foi o primeiro rali de 2013 que mereceu uma intensa cobertura televisiva por parte do Eurosport e e de acordo com os dados recolhidos pelo Açoriano Oriental, a prova açoriana ocupou sete horas de emissão na grelha daquele canal desportivo, atingindo cerca de 300 milhões de lares em todo o mundo.

O último live realizado da prova, a derradeira classificativa do SATA Rallye Açores (no dia 27 de abril) a que consagrou como vencedor Jan Kopecký, em Skoda Fabia S2000, teve uma audiência de cerca de 100 milhões.

Nas próximas semanas a direção do GDC volta a reunir com a FIA e a Eurosport Events, altura em que se ficará a saber se em 2014 SATA Rallye Açores continuará, ou não, no FIA ERC.
•
Arthur Melo

[RS]

Both are nice events, perhaps they could rotate so we have one Portuguese island event per season?

[Tom206wrc]

We will see either Kevin Abbring or Stéphane Lefèbvre in 2014 ERC at the wheels of the new Peugeot 208 T16, depending on this week-end's result in Condroz(last round of the 208 Cup) ;)

[PLuto]

Both are nice events, perhaps they could rotate so we have one Portuguese island event per season?

It is quite difficult for organiser to be in championship once per two years. We will see final version at the end of this week...

[tolis]

Both are nice events, perhaps they could rotate so we have one Portuguese island event per season?

It is quite difficult for organiser to be in championship once per two years. We will see final version at the end of this week...
Any news about the Acropolis?

[PLuto]

You will see at the end of this week :)

[thetsakvr46]

According to this, Rally Acropolis is officially an ERC rally..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo99PYQgCCg

[faateris]

This is not Acropolis, tarmac......boring.
I hope this is joke.

[Mirek]

Aren't the videos from Elpa rally? That used to be part of ERC for years. Sometimes it was held on gravel, sometimes on asphalt, sometimes mixed. Is there said that it is going to be asphalt? I don't believe in that before I see it black on white...

[liposh]

The videos are from "35°Crete rally 2013" held on tarmac near Heraklionhttp://www.ewrc-results.com/final.php?e=13408. I don´t understand Greek but at least I have eyes and I can read ;) :D

[dimviii]

yes the video is from Crete rally.
Rumors in Greece are for a gravel/tarmac rally

[thetsakvr46]

According to this, Rally Acropolis is officially an ERC rally..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo99PYQgCCg

Sorry about the confusion, in this video, the motorsport federation chairman mr. Halivelakis confirmed rally acropolis for ERC 2014.

[noel157]

Circuit of Ireland back in ERC:



http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 16557.html (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/motor-sport/circuit-of-ireland-to-return-as-flagship-event-of-2014-fia-european-rally-championship-29716557.html)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/24764764

[arnmar4]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/24764764

Do you see in the picture the flags?

Are these countries for 2014.

[Jarek Z]

Circuit of Ireland back in ERC:


Back? Have they ever been in ERC?
IMHO just another stupid decision.

[Mirek]

This one I don't find stupid at all. Stupid is when there is no ERC event in Britain or Ireland. There is an awesome tradition of rallying on the islands and they definitely deserve to have their round.

[RS]

This one I don't find stupid at all. Stupid is when there is no ERC event in Britain or Ireland. There is an awesome tradition of rallying on the islands and they definitely deserve to have their round.

Need the "like" button back!

[PLuto]

Do you see in the picture the flags? Are these countries for 2014.

Yes

[arnmar4]

Do you shure pluto.

Valais, Ypres,Acropolis, Barum Czech Rally Zlín, Circuit of Ireland, International Jännerrallye, Sibiu Rally, SATA Rallye Açores,

Where is flag Latvia ??

[PLuto]

There is flag of Latvia, just behind Czech republic.

[PLuto]

And yes, I am sure.

[liposh]

Behind Czech flag is Latvian flag (colour is dark red-violet) so it isn´t austrian flag. From what I see in the picture only Acropolis is surprise.

[kober]

Where is flag Latvia ??
Just behind Czech flag. Additionally, I see Swiss, Romanian, Croatian (?), Portuguese, Belgian, British, Greek, and one with white top half - San Marino (?). A total of ten flags :)

[Wim_Impreza]

This one I don't find stupid at all. Stupid is when there is no ERC event in Britain or Ireland. There is an awesome tradition of rallying on the islands and they definitely deserve to have their round.

How many drivers from Britain or Ireland did the ERC in the recent past? Only Craig Breen from Ireland and Kris Meeke (more IRC than ERC) from Northern Ireland. That is all. Why must Britain or Ireland than have an ERC round? They don't have top drivers either.

[PLuto]

Behind Czech flag is Latvian flag (colour is dark red-violet) so it isn´t austrian flag. From what I see in the picture only Acropolis is surprise.

Austrian flag is not so dark...

[liposh]

Pluto: Yes, austrian flag is red-white-red and latvian is let? say violet-white-violet, that was what I wanted to say (also the dimensions of white part are not the same)

The one with white top half is all-white and it is cyprus :) : http://www.circuitofireland.net/uploads ... 9_orig.jpg (http://www.circuitofireland.net/uploads/4/6/5/9/465983/2465929_orig.jpg)

BTW: I expect there are 1 or 2 flags missing.

[arnmar4]

Thanks. I´am happy about this . The Caldender is very good.

What is with San Remo ?

[kober]

The one with white top half is all-white and it is cyprus
Did they move their island back to Europe, after a few-year stint in the Middle East? ;)

[Mirek]

Did they move their island back to Europe, after a few-year stint in the Middle East? ;)

In football thy count Cyprus to Europe too (heck, they count there even Israel) :D

[PLuto]

A total of ten flags :)

It should be twelve flags...

[stefanvv]

This one I don't find stupid at all. Stupid is when there is no ERC event in Britain or Ireland. There is an awesome tradition of rallying on the islands and they definitely deserve to have their round.

How many drivers from Britain or Ireland did the ERC in the recent past? Only Craig Breen from Ireland and Kris Meeke (more IRC than ERC) from Northern Ireland. That is all. Why must Britain or Ireland than have an ERC round? They don't have top drivers either.
Can't the same be said for Latvia, Croatia, Romania, etc., even worse in that respect? I'm sure local drivers on the island can shine in their round, just as others.

[liposh]

Don´t ask me, I just found new picture, that´s all. BTW. There are really missing some flags. Definitelly there isn´t austrian flag, so there could be also another rally missing (maybe San Remo) In my opinion there will be again 12 events and there are 10 flags. (really 10 flags, I have checked 4 different pictures)

[PLuto]

I was counting the sticks and I have found 11 sticks. For the flags, I have found 10 of them, so two are missing for me. I know which one, but I am not able to find them there ;)

[mousti]

This one I don't find stupid at all. Stupid is when there is no ERC event in Britain or Ireland. There is an awesome tradition of rallying on the islands and they definitely deserve to have their round.

How many drivers from Britain or Ireland did the ERC in the recent past? Only Craig Breen from Ireland and Kris Meeke (more IRC than ERC) from Northern Ireland. That is all. Why must Britain or Ireland than have an ERC round? They don't have top drivers either.
So now a ERC round and probably WRC needs to do rounds in countries where they have top drivers and drivers who are driving that championship. U really don't know how rallying works then at all.. lol..

[pucky54]

I can see (from left to right):
1. Swiss
2. Romania
3. France
4. Portugal
5. Belgium
6. Great Britain
7. Cyprus
8. Greece
9. Latvia
10. Czech Republic

so Austria is definately missing as the round is already confirmed

[liposh]

OK, let´s ask the question this way: "Pluto, will there be Italian round in ERC 2014"? :)

[Mirek]

How many drivers from Britain or Ireland did the ERC in the recent past? Only Craig Breen from Ireland and Kris Meeke (more IRC than ERC) from Northern Ireland. That is all. Why must Britain or Ireland than have an ERC round? They don't have top drivers either.

Maybe half of the countries in the calendar had no regulars in ERC this year. So what? Maybe they will have next year, maybe not. ERC calendar is not a prize for a country having drivers in the championship.

Based on 2013 season the 2014 calendar would have some Austrian, Czech, French, Irish and Romanian rounds (maybe we could let Ypres stay for Renaud Bronkart, add Bulgaria for Yekaterina Stratieva... and maybe we could add Australia for Molly Taylor or Japan for Toshi Arai) :smokin:

[arnmar4]

This website On this page san remo in the calendar.(october)
http://www.rallye200-info.de/termine14. ... ernational (http://www.rallye200-info.de/termine14.php#International)

[PLuto]

This website On this page san remo in the calendar.(october)
http://www.rallye200-info.de/termine14. ... ernational (http://www.rallye200-info.de/termine14.php#International)

It is not correct calendar, datas about ERC events are from this year.

[arnmar4]

Sorry this was a fault of mine. you're right

[PLuto]

I have wrote some article, still only speculation, nothing official ;) - http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=15801

[liposh]

Pluto´s article makes sense. Especially that part about Rally Estonia. I totally forgot. On other hand it would be veery bad if there won´t be any Italian round (not even Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, San Marino, whatever) in ERC 2014. Something like European football championship without "Squadra Azzurra". Good old times are gone, baby.

[Mirek]

The whole Italian rally scene is recently just a shadow of what it used to be... sadly.

[Jarek Z]

The whole Italian rally scene is recently just a shadow of what it used to be... sadly.

But this Italian rally scene is still better than in most other countries these days.

[Luis Pacheco]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK5vav3XCFk#t=39

[NaBUru38]

To make it a proper championship, the ERC should have less rounds, so more drivers do the full season.

[liposh]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK5vav3XCFk#t=39

Was anything important told there? I just understand Ribero said: Calendar for 2014 had been approved today in Geneve and there is Sata rally Azores for 2014, so MAYBE in 2015 Rally Vinho Madeira. Or did he confirm something for sure?

[WUff1]

Jänner Rallye will be first critical test for ERC 2014 - as Mirek already wrote, many Czech drivers (it´s also a Czech championship rally) want to skip it this time, because it´s too early and next year even earlier than in the past years, and even many Austrian drivers are not sure about their budget/plans about this time of the year, as for instance Andreas Aigner and Beppo Harrach. So there will be Baumschlager and maybe the one or other international driver, but no PSA R5 probably.
I believe 2014 is the last chance of Jänner Rallye for staying in ERC in the future. The second snow rally, Latvia, has already secured a three year contract for the future.

[Luis Pacheco]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK5vav3XCFk#t=39

Or did he confirm something for sure?

Azores is sure for 2014 and 2015. Next year will be 12 events in total.

[faateris]

if Calendar for 2014 had been approved today, when will we see it???

JA

[Luis Pacheco]

http://racingist.com/2013/10/31/circuit ... -for-2014/ (http://racingist.com/2013/10/31/circuit-of-ireland-rally-back-on-calendar-for-2014/)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great news to see the Circuit of Ireland in the ERC for 2014 ! :D

The second oldest rally in the world, it deserves to be in this sort of competition again... :lips:

http://www.craigbreen.com/images/news/2012CircuitoIreland.jpg

[kober]

The second oldest rally in the world, it deserves to be in this sort of competition again...
Rally Poland is older than Circuit of Ireland too.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

“The world’s second oldest rally has always attracted high profile competitors and our inclusion in the 2014 ERC programme will help draw some of the best in the sport to Northern Ireland.”

You cant trust what anyone says anymore.. :rolleyes:

[Mirek]

I found these dates for the named events.

Rallye Monte Carlo 1911
Rajd Polski 1921
Circuit of Ireland 1931

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Even the event's own website gets it wrong... :crazy:

"The Circuit of Ireland Rally is the second oldest rally in the world. Steeped in history, many epic battles can be recounted after almost 80 years of rallying on the Emerald Isle. Originally known as the Ulster Motor Rally, the event was first organised in 1931. During those early days, it was run from multiple starting points, similar to the Monte Carlo Rally."

BBC TV report on the 2014 inclusion in the ERC here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/24764764

[Allar]

http://translate.google.ee/translate?hl ... S:official (http://translate.google.ee/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://www.almrally.ru/novosti-irc/info/120333/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.almrally.ru/novosti-irc/info/120333/%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3Du0f%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official)

So looks like Rally Estonia will make it to ERC!

[Jack4688`]

Good news if it's true. Very much like Rally Finland (from what I've seen on YouTube) and ERC is lacking in the loose surface department so this should be a good addition

[PLuto]

Good news if it's true. Very much like Rally Finland (from what I've seen on YouTube) and ERC is lacking in the loose surface department so this should be a good addition

Like I was writing in my article, Estonia should be the 12th event in ERC, despite their flag was not able to seen on "CIR photo" :)

[Jack4688`]

Well I'm cautious until ERC announces their official calendar.

Also is it possible that everyone is looking into that group of flags a bit too much?

[PLuto]

Well I'm cautious until ERC announces their official calendar.

Also is it possible that everyone is looking into that group of flags a bit too much?

Official calendar will be announced on Monday. And events will be like in my article, we are waiting for exact dates :)

[Tom206wrc]

NOW it's official !!!!! Dutch driver Kevin Abbring will drive a 208 T16 on 6 rounds of 2014 ERC !!!! :D :bounce:

He brilliantly won today the Peugeot 208 Cup in Belgium(Condroz)and the R2 class ;)
Unfortunate loser of the cup, Stéphane Lefèbvre, should be back on 4 events in 208 R2(best junior reward by Peugeot) ;)

[RS]

NOW it's official !!!!! Dutch driver Kevin Abbring will drive a 208 T16 on 6 rounds of 2014 ERC !!!! :D :bounce:

He brilliantly won today the Peugeot 208 Cup in Belgium(Condroz)and the R2 class ;)
Unfortunate loser of the cup, Stéphane Lefèbvre, should be back on 4 events in 208 R2(best junior reward by Peugeot) ;)

Good news, one good driver already for 2014 ERC. I guess Peugeot would extend his programme if he was in the running for the title.

[PLuto]

NOW it's official !!!!! Dutch driver Kevin Abbring will drive a 208 T16 on 6 rounds of 2014 ERC !!!

Six? I thought it was promised five...

[stefanvv]

NOW it's official !!!!! Dutch driver Kevin Abbring will drive a 208 T16 on 6 rounds of 2014 ERC !!!! :D :bounce:
Very nice for him, but only 6 rounds?

[PLuto]

It is prize for winning 208 Cup in France. Same like Ancian this year.

[Jarek Z]

NOW it's official !!!!! Dutch driver Kevin Abbring will drive a 208 T16 on 6 rounds of 2014 ERC !!!! :D :bounce:
Very nice for him, but only 6 rounds?

Tell it to the lovers of the 12-round ERC calendar!

[WUff1]

NOW it's official !!!!! Dutch driver Kevin Abbring will drive a 208 T16 on 6 rounds of 2014 ERC !!!! :D :bounce:
Very nice for him, but only 6 rounds?

Tell it to the lovers of the 12-round ERC calendar!

+1!

Well, Abbring is good news, but he will only get his 6 rounds, and so 6 rounds of ERC (starting with Jänner for sure) won´t see him. As for Ancian, I think he has missed his chances, and we won´t see him as ERC regular in 2014 anymore.

[pucky54]

I suppose he will hardly work on getting a "full season" together...so at least 2 more events

[Hartusvuori]

Are we still expecting 2014 calendar today? I'm eager to see the dates for some events.

[mousti]

NOW it's official !!!!! Dutch driver Kevin Abbring will drive a 208 T16 on 6 rounds of 2014 ERC !!!

Six? I thought it was promised five...
I heard the same..

But anyways he will be directly a contender for the ERC title I think, what could give him some more events, I hope :)

[Ralph-Mario]

Calendar, i´m waiting... :lips: :lips:

[PLuto]

Calendar will be today...

[EightGear]

Peugeot Nederland has been helping Abbring a bit this year (the first time since 1083928 years a Dutch importer shows some kind of connection with rallying) so maybe they can help him secure some more events.

[PLuto]

Calendar will be today...

Calendar will not be today :mad:

[Allar]

when will it be released?

[PLuto]

when will it be released?

I hope tomorrow...

[faateris]

:D

[Jarek Z]

:D

http://derricklferguson.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/tomorrow-never-dies-003.jpg?w=630

[Ralph-Mario]

And? We waiting... ;(

[bluuford]

Pluto said tomorrow.. so.. be patient!;-)

[Ralph-Mario]

Yes, yesterday. Today is tomorrow..... :D ;)

[kober]

Maybe today's tomorrow then ;)

[liposh]

I think Pluto was misinformed. The date should be 5.12. instead of 5.11. ....They will release the calendar as St. Nicolaus gift for us. :D

[Ralph-Mario]

So much longer? http://www.adriaforum.com/kroatien/imag ... kaputt.gif (http://www.adriaforum.com/kroatien/images/smilies/machkaputt.gif)

[WRC1]

why are you so stressed?? we know the date of Jänner Rallye (04.-05.jänner 2014) so for FIA it is enough to tell us at finish ceremony at Jänner Rallye (05.01 ;) ) when the next race takes place ;) enough, no??

[Ralph-Mario]

Sorry, the vocationsplan in my factory..... :stareup:

[PLuto]

Calendar is ready, but still waiting for approval from FIA...

[WRC1]

Calendar is ready, but still waiting for approval from FIA...


....wich will come....let me guess :bomb: : TOMORROW :bounce:

[sindroms]

Vasiliy Gryazin will take full ERC season in 2014 on Ford Fiesta 2000. Perhaps R5 in 2015.

Stephan Lefebvre working on budget for full season too, hopefully on Peugeot 208 T16.

[garais22]

Vasily Gryazin and SRT team next two seasons with R5 will participate in European Rally Championship and in some Latvian rally rounds http://www.go4speed.lv/lv/news/rallijs/ ... empionata/ (http://www.go4speed.lv/lv/news/rallijs/2732-srt-un-grjazins-nakamas-divas-sezonas-ar-r5-automasinu-startes-erc-cempionata/)

[Luis Pacheco]

Azores ( 15th to 17th of May)

[WUff1]

So first 5 rallies seem to be Jänner, Latvia, Romania, Ireland and Azores - followed by Acropolis?

[liposh]

I think Janner-Latvia-Sibiu-Ireland-Azores-Corse-Ypres-Estonia-Acropolis-Barum-Valais-Cyprus.

...or there will be Acropolis between Corse and Ypres, the June will be hectic and middle of summer will be "dead".

[pucky54]

I think Janner-Latvia-Sibiu-Ireland-Azores-Corse-Ypres-Estonia-Acropolis-Barum-Valais-Cyprus.

...or there will be Acropolis between Corse and Ypres, the June will be hectic and middle of summer will be "dead".

I would put Corse between Barum and Valais!

[Jack4688`]

Motorsport News this week reported that Acropolis would be at the end of March and Tour de Corse would be the season finale in November. However I don't believe a word David Evans says until I see it officially

[WUff1]

Acropolis at end of March? Is Wintercup dead? Don´t think there will be four rallies ´till the end of March (3 winter cup rallies and Acropolis)

[Mirek]

No, all three winter rallies shall be before Acropolis. That means 4 events in first 3 months of the season.

[Fiat-131-Abarth]

No, all three winter rallies shall be before Acropolis. That means 4 events in first 3 months of the season.

That's a severe problem for Peugeot.

[Mirek]

They shall be prepared at 1st March. So either they skip Jänner and Latvia or they go there with S2000.

[RS]

Vasiliy Gryazin will take full ERC season in 2014 on Ford Fiesta 2000. Perhaps R5 in 2015.

Stephan Lefebvre working on budget for full season too, hopefully on Peugeot 208 T16.

Things are beginning to shape up nicely for next year, with Abbring confirmed and hopefully Lappi in a proper ERC campaign too.

[PLuto]

Motorsport News this week reported that Acropolis would be at the end of March and Tour de Corse would be the season finale in November. However I don't believe a word David Evans says until I see it officially

This version is very close to the true...

[PLuto]

Acropolis at end of March? Is Wintercup dead? Don´t think there will be four rallies ´till the end of March (3 winter cup rallies and Acropolis)

No, there will be three winter events - Janner, Liepaja, Sibiu.

[PLuto]

According to last info, calendar should be published... ...tomorrow :D

[WUff1]

:smokin:

[Jarek Z]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qLAIskTQXUc/TIEtrd8H6xI/AAAAAAAACqo/W-G6BsaCZ9E/s320/day+after+tomorrow.jpg

[PLuto]

I hope it will be tomorrow. As I told, almost everything is set... And I hope they will publish also regulations as there will be some news like qualify on each event or mandatory not-racing fuel...

[Mirek]

I hope it will be tomorrow. As I told, almost everything is set... And I hope they will publish also regulations as there will be some news like qualify on each event or mandatory not-racing fuel...

Whoa, for all classes?

How are they going to check it? Fuel is possibly the easiest way for cheating already now...

[PLuto]

For all classes...

[Allar]

where i can find calender if it will be published?

[Mirek]

Here :) Once it is published somebody will sure post it here.

[makinen_fan]

is this correct? just posted by tolis in fb

ERC Calendar 2014

2-5/01 - Rally Janner (AUT - snow-asfalt)
1-2/02 Rally Liep?ja Ventspils (LET - snow-gravel)
21-23/02 Sibiu Rally Romania (ROM - gravel)
14-16/03 Acropolis Rally (GRE - gravel)
11-13/04 Circuit of Ireland (IRL - asfalth)
9/11-05 SATA Rallye Açores (POR - gravel)
19/22-06 Geko Ypres Rally (BEL - asflath)
18/20-07 Auto24 Rally Estonia (EST - gravel)
29/31 Barum Zlin (CZE - asfalth)
19/21-09 Cyprus Rally (CYP - asfalth - gravel)
24/26-10 Rallye du Valais (SUI - asfalt)
7/9-11 Tour de Corse (FRA - asfalt)

[Mirek]

That looks like true calendar but I'm not sure about that.

Just two small points - Romania will be rather snow event than gravel one and there is missing month for Barum (august).

[PLuto]

This is one of the draft versions. Events are ok, but we must wait for final dates of events...

[RS]

Presuming the events are correct, it's actually an excellent calendar. I'm sure some people are going to complain still about the number of events but at least the ones we have are good ones.

Pity Sanremo is gone though :(

The only one I'm not convinced of is Sibiu. Not sure how such a rough rally is going to work out when you add snow into the mix too.

[Mirek]

Since there was a talk about Transfagaran road as a possible stage for winter Sibiu it looks like the rally may be held on asphalt stages covered by snow.

Anyway I agree. Besides the number of events the calendar looks really good.

[trifonvl]

Acropolis rally finaly on gravel???

[PLuto]

Acropolis rally finaly on gravel???

Acropolis was not planned only on tarmac...

[RS]

Since there was a talk about Transfagaran road as a possible stage for winter Sibiu it looks like the rally may be held on asphalt stages covered by snow.


That would be better, like an East European Monte :)

[liposh]

In my opinion such calendar kill any possibilities to combine some rally with summer vacation. Acropolis too early, Corsica and Valais too late. Estonia is very north (I like hot weather and sea) and Cyprus is too expensive. (Totally honestly I don´t have money for Cyprus vacation) So again only Barum is possible :| :D

[TheFlyingTuga]

In my opinion such calendar kill any possibilities to combine some rally with summer vacation. Acropolis too early, Corsica and Valais too late. Estonia is very north (I like hot weather and sea) and Cyprus is too expensive. (Totally honestly I don´t have money for Cyprus vacation) So again only Barum is possible :| :D

You should come to Azores! Nice weather (except the morning fog), hot temperatures, not that expensive and we have beautifull Azorean girl too... an a beautifull, beautifull rally :)

[Luis Pacheco]

You should come to Azores! Nice weather (except the morning fog), hot temperatures, not that expensive and we have beautifull Azorean girl too... an a beautifull, beautifull rally :)

Hot temperatures?!?! :confused:
The heat boilers of "Furnas" not count. :D

Not that expensive?!? Do you know the price of an airline ticket from any European city to the Azores? The Azores destination is the most expensive in Europe!

[pucky54]

You should come to Azores! Nice weather (except the morning fog), hot temperatures, not that expensive and we have beautifull Azorean girl too... an a beautifull, beautifull rally :)

Good joke! :)

[Jarek Z]

Two traditional, exciting and beautiful events are gone - Rally Poland and Sanremo - and it makes me sad :(

[Mirek]

Two traditional, exciting and beautiful events are gone - Rally Poland and Sanremo - and it makes me sad :(

Rally Poland moved to WRC as You sure know...

About Sanremo it looks like the organization is not able to hold an international event so there's not much to talk about.

You are simply too negative, Jarek :)

[PLuto]

Two traditional, exciting and beautiful events are gone - Rally Poland and Sanremo - and it makes me sad :(

I will also prefer Rajd Polski in ERC, but your organisers prefers moving to WRC...

[Jarek Z]

Two traditional, exciting and beautiful events are gone - Rally Poland and Sanremo - and it makes me sad :(
You are simply too negative, Jarek :)

No, I'm just an old ERC lover my friend ;)

[Jarek Z]

ERC without Italy? It's time to leave this world...

[Mirek]

ERC without Italy? It's time to leave this world...

It looks like the problem is on Italian side. This year San Marino withdrew from ERC during running season and Sanremo was close to do the same. Even Italian drivers no longer take part in ERC and their events have problems to do so.

[bluuford]

In my opinion such calendar kill any possibilities to combine some rally with summer vacation. Acropolis too early, Corsica and Valais too late. Estonia is very north (I like hot weather and sea) and Cyprus is too expensive. (Totally honestly I don´t have money for Cyprus vacation) So again only Barum is possible :| :D
You do not know how hot it can be in July in Estonia.Two years ago it was up to +31 degrees (during the rally) and water in the lakes was up to +25..proper opan air sauna..everywhere:-)

[Jack4688`]

I don't really lament the loss of Sanremo - it hasn't excited me as much these last two or three years as when it was still a WRC round. Not sure what's different about it compared to about 1998-2001 when I remember watching it every year.

Valais is a better autumnal Alpine tarmac event these days - I must stress IN MY OPINION. The only thing I have a problem with is Tour de Corse in Novemeber..... I know it's moved around a lot during the years - even ran in Decmber as the WRC season finale in the 70s - but surely a May date is a better time to have the event run? Here's hoping 2015 sees it return to a May date

[OldF]

or mandatory not-racing fuel...

Let’s hope that doesn’t cause same kind of troubles that Kari Hämäläinen experienced in FRC Castrol rally with Fiesta R5.

From the beginning of 2011 pump fuel has to be used in FRC (refilling at dedicated gas stations). M-Sport made a “secure” mapping (to prevent engine damage) for pump fuel but by Kari it didn’t work. He couldn’t floor the throttle and full boost was not reached.

http://translate.google.com/translate?s ... 38540.html (http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=fi&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=fi&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallism.fi%2Fkilpailijat%2F3854 0.html)

At M-Sport they suspected the high compression ratio and high boost used in R5 could be problem (source: latest issue of Vauhdin Maailma). The DS3 R3T is delivered with SP98 mapping and both R3T and R5 have the same max compression ratio 10,5:1. I don’t know what kind of boost a DS3 R3T uses. Maybe the 98E5 (5% ethanol) used in Finland is the problem.

30.9 this year the government of Finnish ASN decided not to allow use of FIA racing fuel and E85 fuel against the proposal of the working group. Maybe after the experience after Castrol rally the government decided 5.11 to allow FIA racing fuel for FIA homologated cars. Luckily, otherwise I don’t think we wouldn’t see any R5 cars in Finland.

[dimviii]

yep,high compression with low octane fuel+high turboboost= :skull:
everything can be fixed by mapping,but you will loose power/torque.

btw nice post OldF ;)

[PLuto]

Eurosport is in contact with all manufacturers about it for a few months...

[Mirek]

yep,high compression with low octane fuel+high turboboost= :skull:
everything can be fixed by mapping,but you will loose power/torque.

btw nice post OldF ;)

I suppose any stock fuel can be used. Here we have commonly available Shell V-Power Racing 100, OMV Carerra 100 and Benzina Verva 100. Their real octane number according to our consumer inspection usually lies between 99,5 and 101,5.

In Germany (and I suppose also in some other countries) they have even BP Ultimate 102 normally available on petrol pumps.

On the other hand for example on Corsica there is no petrol over 95 I think. Is it right?

[dimviii]

At Greece we have plenty 100 oct fuels from gas stations.Dont know for Corsica though.

[Mirek]

Czech driver Lukáš Pond?lí?ek said in an interview in one motoring magazine that he would do ERC 2WD with C2 R2, he especially mentioned the winter events.

[RS]

Providing it does not impact on the spectacle, moving to standard pump fuel has got to be a good thing right? It should save quite a lot of money I guess?

[PLuto]

Providing it does not impact on the spectacle, moving to standard pump fuel has got to be a good thing right? It should save quite a lot of money I guess?

I dont think so. For example on this year Barum Rally I made a calculation and petrol fuel comparing to racing fuel will save around 770 euro, which is not so much in big budget with S2000/R5 cars. But it will bring more complications (changing mapping from other/national races, emptying fuel from tank after each "different" race, fuel is not constant everywhere which should bring problems for engines etc). So for me this save of the money is not enough comparing to problems which it will bring. And on the other hand, I dont like "specific rules" which are working only in ERC. ERC should have regulations close to national championships, not making their own...

[dimviii]

Providing it does not impact on the spectacle, moving to standard pump fuel has got to be a good thing right? It should save quite a lot of money I guess?
yes it is much cheaper,but has some dangers.
not good fuel quality can cause engine damage.You can t guarantee pump fuel quality at all countries/sales points,not even same octane for an engine map.To avoid all these problems,you have to map very conservative,which kills power/torque.
if you want to take the maximum horsepower from any pump fuel from any country you have to map at every country with the fuel you will use.
so problem 1 = less bhp from pump fuel
problem 2= not the same pump fuel quality through countries/petrol stations.
with racing fuel no problems like that,but cost is higher.
of course if you ''loose'' an engine (and the rally points.the expenses for crew,mechanics,hotels,entry fee etc)due to bad fuel quality,the cost of racing fuel is not so high.. ;)

[Hartusvuori]

Like OldF said earlier, there are experiences from Finnish championship from past two seasons. For example Juha Salo said in that Vauhdin Maailma issue on the fuel article that changing turbos, exhaust manifolds, etc. has become more frequent after changing to pump fuel. So the cost effectiveness is lost there. Of course pump fuel gives cost savings to organisers as well as they don't have to organise a special refuel zone. I believe in 2014 as the racing fuel is again available for FRC, those competitors that desire to use racing fuel must pay a certain higher entry fee to level the costs of organising the refuel zone.

[Mirek]

There are plenty of gr.N cars run on stock fuel here in our championship without problems but those are largely low-budget teams so I guess they don't map the engine for maximum possible power or they use always the same one.

[dimviii]

There are plenty of gr.N cars run on stock fuel here in our championship without problems but those are largely low-budget teams so I guess they don't map the engine for maximum possible power or they use always the same one.

even if you use the same,cant be sure of the quality.

[Fiat-131-Abarth]

The calendar will be published tomorrow, I suppose. ;-)

[Jarek Z]

The calendar will be published tomorrow, I suppose. ;-)

It's a neverending storyyyyy aaaaaaaaa...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MccmHwA-c4U
;)

[OldF]

yep,high compression with low octane fuel+high turboboost= :skull:
everything can be fixed by mapping,but you will loose power/torque.

btw nice post OldF ;)

Thanks dimviii. :)

[costachris]

Any news about the erc 2014 calendar ?
Is Cyprus rally included ?

[PLuto]

Any news about the erc 2014 calendar ?
Is Cyprus rally included ?

No news. And yes, Cyprus is included.

[PLuto]

"Final" provisional version of calendar is out - http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=15826

[RS]

"Final" provisional version of calendar is out - http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=15826

Nice balanced calendar;

- 5 predominantly asphalt
- 4 predominantly gravel
- 3 combined

Less events would make it easier for private teams to mount a serious challenge, but it would be hard to pick the events to drop from that calendar.

Do we know what the scoring rules will be next year?

Further info: http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/22 ... r-for-2014 (http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2272/t/ERC-reveals-exciting-new-look-calendar-for-2014)

and: http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/22 ... is-Ribeiro (http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2273/t/Q%26A%3A-Fran%C3%A7ois-Ribeiro)

[PLuto]

Do we know what the scoring rules will be next year?

Same like this year.

[kober]

http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2272/t/ERC-reveals-exciting-new-look-calendar-for-2014
Lots of rounds, but the calendar is nicely balanced. Any idea what sort of stages does Rally Estonia have?

[PLuto]

http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2272/t/ERC-reveals-exciting-new-look-calendar-for-2014
Lots of rounds, but the calendar is nicely balanced. Any idea what sort of stages does Rally Estonia have?

like Neste Oil Rally Finland

[Andre Oliveira]

http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2272/t/ERC-reveals-exciting-new-look-calendar-for-2014
Lots of rounds, but the calendar is nicely balanced. Any idea what sort of stages does Rally Estonia have?

Photos of 2013 edition: http://ewrc-results.com/foto.php?e=6729 ... tonia-2013 (http://ewrc-results.com/foto.php?e=6729&t=auto24-Rally-Estonia-2013)

[svstock]

http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2272/t/ERC-reveals-exciting-new-look-calendar-for-2014
Lots of rounds, but the calendar is nicely balanced. Any idea what sort of stages does Rally Estonia have?

like Neste Oil Rally FinlandWelcome to Estonia! in summer time its very hot in here!

Rally Estonia 2012 TOP 10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0JpKYOW2KQ

Lukyanuk-Arnautov onboard 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D77SNOJnSVo

Lukyanuk-Arnautov Rally Auto24 Estonia 2012 moments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sR-9sqoHbo

Lukyanuk-Arnautov Estonia Rally 2011 Moments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slDfssDC23k

More Rally Estonia youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... tonia&sm=3 (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rally%20estonia&sm=3)

[RS]

When you read the explanations from Ribiero, it is clear they have really thought about things and tried to address some issues from the past:

- Calendar is better spread out now
- Better balance of surfaces
- Calendar looks a lot less like they are "chasing the money"

[sindroms]

Kangur is going to do 8 rounds at least in ERC 2014 on R5. Starting from "Rally Liep?ja".
Tahko is working on it too, especially highlighting events in Latvia and Estonia - http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/22 ... in-the-ERC (http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2288/t/Tahko-hoping-to-fly-for-Finland-in-the-ERC)

[WUff1]

Tahko wants to start at Jänner Rallye.

[Fiat-131-Abarth]

Tahko wants to start at Jänner Rallye.

With Mini RRC?

[PLuto]

Tahko wants to start at Jänner Rallye.

No, he doesnt wants to start at Janner as it is too early.

[WUff1]

I just wrote what is written on fiaerc-homepage.

[mousti]

Kangur is going to do 8 rounds at least in ERC 2014 on R5. Starting from "Rally Liep?ja".
Tahko is working on it too, especially highlighting events in Latvia and Estonia - http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/22 ... in-the-ERC (http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2288/t/Tahko-hoping-to-fly-for-Finland-in-the-ERC)
Do you know which rallies? Or will there follow a official announcement soon? :)

[PLuto]

Kangur is going to do 8 rounds at least in ERC 2014 on R5. Starting from "Rally Liep?ja".
Tahko is working on it too, especially highlighting events in Latvia and Estonia - http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/22 ... in-the-ERC (http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2288/t/Tahko-hoping-to-fly-for-Finland-in-the-ERC)
Do you know which rallies? Or will there follow a official announcement soon? :)

I think he is not sure yet...

[mousti]

Geko Ypres Rally is watching this forum I think :D

"Martin Kangur is going to do 8 rounds at least in ERC 2014 in his Ford Fiesta R5"

[bluuford]

I am pretty sure that there will be: Estonia, Latvia, Ypres, Barum, Romania..

[PLuto]

Kangur is going to do 8 rounds at least in ERC 2014 on R5. Starting from "Rally Liep?ja".
Tahko is working on it too, especially highlighting events in Latvia and Estonia - http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/22 ... in-the-ERC (http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2288/t/Tahko-hoping-to-fly-for-Finland-in-the-ERC)
Do you know which rallies? Or will there follow a official announcement soon? :)

I think he is not sure yet...

Ok, my answer was not complete. I thought "I think he is not sure yet which events..."

[OldF]

Depending of what kind (octane) of pump will be allowed, could mean some testing for M-Sport.

I refer to my earlier post: viewtopic.php?f=157&t=159961&start=140#p1171641 (http://94.23.4.31/viewtopic.php?f=157&t=159961&start=140#p1171641)

http://www.fiaerc.com/news

“In a further move to reduce expenditure, the FIA Rally Commission approved an ERC proposal to introduce pump fuel as standard for all drivers contesting rounds of the ERC provided by a single supplier.”

For drivers participating in both WRC2 and ERC it would mean two different mapping. Of course they could use also the pump fuel in WRC events because I don’t think there are drivers competing seriously in both championships.

[Mirek]

I don't think that You can use one fuel map for complete ERC. From country to country, from pump to pump the fuel is different. For example here 100 octane is commonly available from three suppliers, in some countries even 102 octanes (BP Ultimate) but on Corsica 95 is maximum available if I'm not mistaken. Also the fuel has not such well guaranteed quality.

[RS]

The news item says: "In a further move to reduce expenditure, the FIA Rally Commission approved an ERC proposal to introduce pump fuel as standard for all drivers contesting rounds of the ERC provided by a single supplier."

The key bit could be "from a single supplier". Maybe they mean it could be pump fuel, but shipped in by the single supplier for every event, rather than they will literally be filling up at a petrol station?

Good news about the manufactures cup.

[Mirek]

I think You are wrong. In my opinion the supplier of pump fuel is free.

[RS]

But it clearly says single supplier!

[Mirek]

Aha, I overlooked. Sorry, I'm a bit drunk tonight :)

[OldF]

Peugeot confirms ERC Manufacturers’ Cup registration

http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/23 ... gistration (http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2319/t/Peugeot-confirms-ERC-Manufacturers%E2%80%99-Cup-registration)

[sindroms]

Vasiliy Gryazin will take full ERC season in 2014 on Ford Fiesta 2000. Perhaps R5 in 2015

R5 for Gryazin already in 2014. Peugeot 208 T16 - starting from springtime.

[Mirek]

Škoda confirmed today that Esapekka Lappi and Sepp Wiegand will drive ERC in its colors.

Jan Kopecký moves to APRC for one season.

[WUff1]

Good news finally for Wiegand!

They will compete in 6-8 rallies according to rallye-magazin.de (starting from ....?)

[RS]

Great news for ERC that Skoda will continue with a good programme, and good news for Lappi that he will drive in a more competitive championship next year.

[RS]

Plans for single fuel supplier in ERC have been postponed, so I presume that means they will still use racing fuel in 2014.

[PLuto]

Plans for single fuel supplier in ERC have been postponed, so I presume that means they will still use racing fuel in 2014.

Yes, it was postponed. We only dont know how long. But for sure first half of the season will be normally with racing fuel.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Škoda confirmed today that Esapekka Lappi and Sepp Wiegand will drive ERC in its colors.

Jan Kopecký moves to APRC for one season.

Good news both that Škoda is continuing in the ERC in 2014 and also that Kopecký is moving on...

Now that all the old Škoda stars have gone (Hanninen, Mikkelsen & Kopecký) we will have a fresh ERC and hopefully a lot of new winners. :)

And the new R5's coming too... cant wait. :bounce:

[RS]

Now that all the old Škoda stars have gone (Hanninen, Mikkelsen & Kopecký) we will have a fresh ERC and hopefully a lot of new winners. :)


You mean Breen? :)

I see where you are coming from but I don't think a championship is strengthened when it's best drivers aren't there.

Next year is shaping up nicely though with Breen, Wiegand, Lappi and Abbring already confirmed.

[Mirek]

Agree, having a nice fight between +- equal drivers is nice but the resulting champion shall be able to defeat or at least fight local specialists what was fortunately a case of all previous IRC and ERC winners in last few years. I also don't think that the championship got any better when it lost Basso... Rossetti... Vouilloz... Meeke... Hänninen... Loix... Neuville... Mikkelsen... Now it looses Kopecký.

Have a look on the list. On most of the events all those guys would give the above mentioned 2014 drivers hard times at least. I bet most of the time the past winners would win again (which I believe some of them confirm in their one-off appearances).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Total domination by a single top driver like we had in 2013 is no good either...

Many drivers of a similar level will be more competitive even if they arent as good as the old guard (yet)...

[er88]

Id say Breen needs a big season next year.

[Mirek]

Total domination by a single top driver like we had in 2013 is no good either...

Many drivers of a similar level will be more competitive even if they arent as good as the old guard (yet)...

It's not a mistake of the dominating driver that others are too slow. How much would the title worth if You know there are some twenty drivers capable of beating the champion any day (if You count also WRC drivers)?

Competition is nice but the sporting value can not grow by removing "too good" competitors.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

But to be fair, Kopecky only won the title after his superior team-mates left the series...

2014 will have a fresh feeling and the young drivers will not only learn but also have a real chance to fight for wins.

This should lead to real progress in their ability.

[tolis]

Breen and Abbring confirmed that they will come to Acropolis Rally with the 208 T16!

[makinen_fan]

Breen and Abbring confirmed that they will come to Acropolis Rally with the 208 T16!

Nice! Will it be homologated by then? Is it early or late March the homologation date?

[Mirek]

But to be fair, Kopecky only won the title after his superior team-mates left the series...

2014 will have a fresh feeling and the young drivers will not only learn but also have a real chance to fight for wins.

This should lead to real progress in their ability.

They had a chance to win also with Kopecký. As You said Kopecký is not the best driver around, he is not Loeb so anybody who wants to have a WRC future shall defeat him at least on gravel. Having some really fast driver is a must for the series because only with them You know how fast his opponents actually are.

To further explain. You write that Kopecký was able to win only when his team mates left. That is true but at least he was able to fight and from time to time defeat any of them. Don't forget he finished 4x in a row 2nd in the championship before he finally won. He was defeated by Meeke, Hänninen and Mikkelsen but always by only one of them and never decisively.

[Mirek]

Nice! Will it be homologated by then? Is it early or late March the homologation date?

1st March

[makinen_fan]

1st March

Thanks

[mousti]

Every rally will have now free practice and qualifying, I hope free practice will be for everyone now otherwise Shakedown could be very boring sometimes :(

[RS]

Breen and Abbring confirmed that they will come to Acropolis Rally with the 208 T16!

Is that where they start the season or will they begin earlier with an S2000?

[noel157]

Breen and Abbring confirmed that they will come to Acropolis Rally with the 208 T16!

I wonder if Kevin will be quicker than Breen once he gets a good feel for the car?

[Kalm]

Out of World Motor Sport Councils report : "A Junior Championship will be created within the framework of the FIA European Rally Championship to create a genuine ladder between the ERC and WRC for young talent. Designed to be an accessible and cost-effective series for drivers under 25 competing in currently named R2 cars, the Championship will run over seven events with the best four results – including one gravel or snow rally – counting towards the title."

[Fast Eddie WRC]

But to be fair, Kopecky only won the title after his superior team-mates left the series...

2014 will have a fresh feeling and the young drivers will not only learn but also have a real chance to fight for wins.

This should lead to real progress in their ability.

You write that Kopecký was able to win only when his team mates left. That is true but at least he was able to fight and from time to time defeat any of them. Don't forget he finished 4x in a row 2nd in the championship before he finally won. He was defeated by Meeke, Hänninen and Mikkelsen but always by only one of them and never decisively.

This is contradictory - on one hand you say he wasnt great and could've been beaten by the new drivers, but then say he was 4x 2nd in the Championship...

His massive experience on the events, and years of being battle-hardened by fighting with top drivers made him huge favourite in 2013 and it proved with a dominant Championship.

The young drivers will gain this by fighting with each other next year and Kopecky had nothing more to prove in this series.

[WUff1]

Future of Andreas Aigner should be decided by next week according to Austrian locl newspaper ("Kleine Zeitung) - maybe another year in ERC production cup, or a change to one of Manfred Stohls better cars - either for WRC2 or ERC.

[Mirek]

This is contradictory - on one hand you say he wasnt great and could've been beaten by the new drivers, but then say he was 4x 2nd in the Championship...

His massive experience on the events, and years of being battle-hardened by fighting with top drivers made him huge favourite in 2013 and it proved with a dominant Championship.

The young drivers will gain this by fighting with each other next year and Kopecky had nothing more to prove in this series.

You still don't get the point. He might have nothing to prove but they (the young drivers) have to prove themselves against him (or any other "benchmark").

[RS]

Id say Breen needs a big season next year.

I'd say the same about Wiegand.

[mousti]

Future of Andreas Aigner should be decided by next week according to Austrian locl newspaper ("Kleine Zeitung) - maybe another year in ERC production cup, or a change to one of Manfred Stohls better cars - either for WRC2 or ERC.
ERC would be best option, although he has some WRC rallies experience he knows the ERC(IRC) circuit much better and could be a great outsider in every rally!

Noel, I think Abbring will be from the start not much slower than Breen, Kevin adapts very fast to a new car!

[noel157]

Yep, I think he'll shine next season.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This is contradictory - on one hand you say he wasnt great and could've been beaten by the new drivers, but then say he was 4x 2nd in the Championship...

His massive experience on the events, and years of being battle-hardened by fighting with top drivers made him huge favourite in 2013 and it proved with a dominant Championship.

The young drivers will gain this by fighting with each other next year and Kopecky had nothing more to prove in this series.

You still don't get the point. He might have nothing to prove but they (the young drivers) have to prove themselves against him (or any other "benchmark").

It does nothing for the ERC to have such a superior driver in the Series.

The young guys are so far off in terms of experience they dont stand a chance of the title with Kopecky there.

We needed either some more of the old guard back, or what we have - a fresh start, a new era. We will atually have some Serious Competition Ahead this year..

[PLuto]

I think this should be a good new chance for young drivers, as it looks like there will not be any older experienced driver who will do whole season in manufacturer team. But we will see...

[Mirek]

It does nothing for the ERC to have such a superior driver in the Series.

The young guys are so far off in terms of experience they dont stand a chance of the title with Kopecky there.

We needed either some more of the old guard back, or what we have - a fresh start, a new era. We will atually have some Serious Competition Ahead this year..

I don't agree with You at all. Look at WRC, now former big names of IRC Neuville, Mikkelsen, Hänninen and Meeke have all factory seats in WRC teams. All of them managed to win in IRC when they started against more experienced opponents. Especially for Neuville it was difficult with almost no experience but he managed to prove himself. That's what counts.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Who were all these highly-experienced drivers that Neuville, Meeke, Hanninen, Mikklesen etc were competing with in the IRC over the full seasons ? IMO they were all battling with each other, with only old guy Loix doing most of the events (although he was a clear asphalt expert ... ). The other older guys (Basso, Bouffier etc) only did a few events, not whole seasons.

The point is we will have young drivers competing on the same level and not one driver dominating through experience.

There will be experienced locals on most events for them to fight with for the wins, but they will be battling each other for the Title.

Kopecky has gone and I think the Series will be much better in 2014... and you dont. We'll have to agree to disagree.

[mousti]

Something new..


ERC promoter Eurosport Events revealed the creation of the ERC Asphalt, Gravel and Ice Masters. They will be handed out in honour of the drivers who perform best on those surfaces during the upcoming 2014 ERC season. Points will be allocated on the usual 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 basis to the leading 10 finishers according to the final overall classification. The respective ERC Master will carry a coloured sticker on their car for the next event to signify their status. This will be displayed until they are no longer the ERC Master of their specialist surface. The three ERC Master trophies will be presented at the end-of-season awards. The ERC Asphalt Master will be decided on the following rallies: 01: Circuit of Ireland Rally (United Kingdom) 17-19 April 02: Geko Ypres Rally (Belgium) 19-21 June 03: Barum Czech Rally Zlín (Czech Republic) 29-31 August 04: Rallye International du Valais (Switzerland) 23-25 October 05: Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse (France) 6-8 November

[RS]

Kopecky has gone and I think the Series will be much better in 2014... and you dont. We'll have to agree to disagree.

It will be good if there is close competition between the young guns, but that still doesn't mean losing Kopecky makes it better.

It may be more exciting though if there are more guys on a similar level fighting.

This year it was Kopecky, then Bouffier close on some events, then Breen, then.......

I think Lappi/Breen/Abbring/Wiegand could be on a similar level and at the moment I would put them in that order. I think with Skoda Motorsport's support and driving in a series like ERC Lappi could improve a lot this coming year. Skoda will give him whatever programme is necessary to secure the title, providing he doesn't balls it up.

The only question is how much faster the R5 cars will be than the S2000.

Still hoping to see a decent ERC programme for some "old" guys this year, like Bouffier or Basso.

[Jarek Z]

Still hoping to see a decent ERC programme for some "old" guys this year, like Bouffier or Basso.

I agree. Drivers like Bouffier, Basso and Rossetti would add some spice to the ERC.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

A few experienced guys will be there, either those you mention, or locals, but they wont do the whole Championship.

So the young drivers that are all doing the full Championship will be engaged in the battle for the title, which WILL be more exciting than one dominant old guy doing so, a la 2013.

Nice way to leave the series for Kopecky:

http://praguepost.com/images/beauty_of_hope/skoda_winner_lg.jpg

"The riverside promotion was organized by Eurosport, one of the main sponsors of the ERC, in which Kopecký and Dresler took six victories, one second place and one third place in the eight events they took part in. With 287 points, Kopecký had almost double the tally of the second-placed driver..."

Nothing left to prove in Europe. :stareup:

[RICARDO75]

New livery for 2014?

http://www.go4speed.lv/data/images/1450987_541679425915758_982250684_n1755401220.jpg

http://www.rallyreportwrc.com/files/2013/12/VVVskoda_rally_car14.jpg

[dimviii]

dont like it.Previous green was metalic,now its not metalic.

[Mirek]

I don't like it too. It's way bellow usual Škoda level (since 2004 Fabia WRC). I hope it's not final...

[Andre Oliveira]

I like. Simple and beautifull.

[Ralph-Mario]

My lovly design is from 2010 :

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2010/irc/madeira/rn_a_271_kopecky_2.jpg

http://www.skodacommunity.de/index.php?page=RGalleryImageWrapper&itemID=31040&type=thumb

:laugh:

[Raven]

Looks like Kajetanowicz will fight for ERC title in Fiesta R5. Unfortunatley no info in how many rallies he will take part.
Sure is only that his first event will be Janner Rallye.

Press info in english - http://kajto.pl/en?i=1&t=news&n=574&new ... rally_team (http://kajto.pl/en?i=1&t=news&n=574&news=kajetanowicz_and_baran_in_fia_european_rally_ championship_with_lotos_rally_team)

[RICARDO75]

Martin Hudec in 6 or 8 rounds
http://www.fiaerc.com/news/detail/id/2401

[EightGear]

Am I right when I say Peugeot has to enter at least one of the first 3 rally's? Because the best 4 results of each half of the season will count, if they don't enter the first 3 rounds there are only 3 left in the first half. So then they won't get the maximum amount of results... :confused:

[Mirek]

Yes, correct. They have more than enough S2000 cars to send them to one event if they are serious about the championship.

[RS]

If they do I guess it will be Latvia.

[EightGear]

Yes, correct. They have more than enough S2000 cars to send them to one event if they are serious about the championship.

Thanks. Let's hope the rumours of Peugeot starting in Latvia will be true.

[WUff1]

If they do I guess it will be Latvia.

Yeah, I´d rate this as possible.

[noel157]

I believe there is a very good chance of Meeke appearing on the Circuit of Ireland (5th round) in April.

[RS]

I believe there is a very good chance of Meeke appearing on the Circuit of Ireland (5th round) in April.

In a DS3 R5, nice idea :)

[PLuto]

If R5 will be available...

[RS]

If R5 will be available...

Will it not be homologated at the same time as the 208?

DS3 RRC as a fall back :)

[Mirek]

What Pluto meant was that PSA is delaying homologation of all their recent cars repeatedly so we can't be sure about the 1st March (the best example is DS3 R3 Max which was postponed already three times I think).