[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

[WUff1]

Time for a different region to hold Rallye de France then, I certainly won't miss the Alsace-region. :)

Tour de Corse!

[bluuford]

Time for a different region to hold Rallye de France then, I certainly won't miss the Alsace-region. :)
The whole France is not doing well, economically. It is time to move the event to somewhere else. One wrc event in France is enough. I wouldlike to see something in more east;-)

[liposh]

Merging of WRC and ERC during Tour de Corse 2015 would be nice for spectators , but I don´t think it is technically possible. Hoping Tour de Corse will be part of 2015 ERC callender and they won´t switch just to WRC round. At least not this year (I mean 2015) . Because then the ERC 2015 calendar would be quite crappy.

[stefanvv]

I wouldlike to see something in more east;-)

Japan?:p

[tommeke_B]

Merging of WRC and ERC during Tour de Corse 2015 would be nice for spectators , but I don´t think it is technically possible. Hoping Tour de Corse will be part of 2015 ERC callender and they won´t switch just to WRC round. At least not this year (I mean 2015) . Because then the ERC 2015 calendar would be quite crappy.

For me WRC can take Tour de Corse, if ERC gets Valais back. :p

[RS]

For me WRC can take Tour de Corse, if ERC gets Valais back. :p

Or Monte :)

[stefanvv]

For me WRC can take Tour de Corse, if ERC gets Valais back. :p

Excellent thinking....

[Jack4688`]

France already has a round of the WRC. It's called Rallye Monte Carlo and is held entirely in France the last time I checked.

Rallye de France being held in Alsace made sense in Sebastien Loeb's era but a) it took until 2010 to make that switch and b) the fans didn't flock to this year's event to watch Sebastien Ogier. Wouldn't surprise me if Alsace doesn't last much longer in the WRC.


No relevance to the WRC.

Finally N.O.T has said something I agree with!

[bluuford]

Japan?:p
Excellent idea! I remember that there was some kind of old Colin MaCrae Rally game in my old laptop and the most difficult round for me was tarmac event in Japan :-)

[EstWRC]

What is the reason that the tarmac rounds are all in the second half of the season? I mean, we have Monte and then there is 7 months gap to next tarmac rally. I don't get that, i'd like to see one in the first part of the season and then one in the middle of the season also.

[stefanvv]

Excellent idea! I remember that there was some kind of old Colin MaCrae Rally game in my old laptop and the most difficult round for me was tarmac event in Japan :-)

For a tarmac round it is quite slippery and roads are very narrow. Very spectacular.

[AndyRAC]

What is the reason that the tarmac rounds are all in the second half of the season? I mean, we have Monte and then there is 7 months gap to next tarmac rally. I don't get that, i'd like to see one in the first part of the season and then one in the middle of the season also.

I agree. I don't really class Monte as a true Tarmac test. There should be one/two earlier in the season - to break up the dry, dusty gravel events. And more chances to see the crowd pleasing R-GT cars.

[tommeke_B]

It's a bit early to start a seperate thread about it. Does anyone know what will happen with Rally Italy next year? Some rumors are that it will stay in Sardinia, others say it could be in San Remo again etc? Anyone who knows? Sardinia or San Remo? If in Sardinia, Alghero or Olbia?

[Barreis]

Corsica and San Remo would be so good...

[Bartolbia84]

In 2015 the world will stay in Sardinia. In Sanremo han enthusiasts implemented a collect signatures, to try to bring the race there. But it is a collection that has nothing to do with who organizes the San Remo and the ACI. Today the Rallye Sanremo doesn't have the money to organize a CIR (700-800 ' 000 euros), for a WRC it takes at least 2'000'000 €???
Not to mention that lacking roads, places for the service and especially the gravel.

[focus206]

It's a bit early to start a seperate thread about it. Does anyone know what will happen with Rally Italy next year? Some rumors are that it will stay in Sardinia, others say it could be in San Remo again etc? Anyone who knows? Sardinia or San Remo? If in Sardinia, Alghero or Olbia?

Every year it's the same story, I think Sanremo is not even close to be back as WRC round. It'll be in Sardinia like always, don't know about the location though.

[Bartolbia84]

Probability Alghero

[RAS007]

Every year it's the same story, I think Sanremo is not even close to be back as WRC round. It'll be in Sardinia like always, don't know about the location though.

Why is San Remo so far away from making a comeback? Is it all about money?

[N.O.T]

Is it all about money?

Welcome to earth... it is a nice place to be and the air is breathable... some of the inhabitants are a bit wacky but if you are lucky will not not meet many of them.

Life span is around 70-80 years for your species so plan ahead...

[focus206]

Why is San Remo so far away from making a comeback? Is it all about money?

Mostly yes, but not only. There are also reasons about lack of roads and organization, but I don't know this details so I can't tell you more. This year we even risked to don't have a Sanremo Rally. In 2015 it will count again only for Italian championship.

[Andre Oliveira]

1980 1000 Lakes Rally counted to ERC too: http://ewrc-results.com/final.php?e=10842&t=1000-Lakes-Rally-1980

Why not? Rally will be organized to ERC, so the difference on costs will be less than a completely new event. WRC crews are not so much like in the past. And we can see, f.e. ERC event winner winning WRC2 ;)

[tommeke_B]

And of course Eurosport wouldn't make a problem if their current season-finale becomes the small "side-event" of a WRC-round...

[Mirek]

1980 1000 Lakes Rally counted to ERC too: http://ewrc-results.com/final.php?e=10842&t=1000-Lakes-Rally-1980

Why not? Rally will be organized to ERC, so the difference on costs will be less than a completely new event. WRC crews are not so much like in the past. And we can see, f.e. ERC event winner winning WRC2 ;)

That's stupid idea which is profitable only for event organizer but for nobody else (even for them it must be a nightmare to deal with two promoters in the same time). Think about that again and You must find out why it's nonsense. Here is a small hint for start... "winner takes it all".

EDIT: Tom was faster...

[Andre Oliveira]

So what is better? New event like Brazil, China,...? Or other location on France, and where?

[Mirek]

Don't act like there was not enough events to choose from ;)

[tommeke_B]

So what is better? New event like Brazil, China,...? Or other location on France, and where?

France is full of amazing roads better than in Alsace region, all there's needed is some financial support. Also, if France would be out, wouldn't it make some place for the Acropolis Rally? ;)

[Jack4688`]

Nice idea, but where would the Acropolis organisers find the money?

[Fly_Half]

Holding two tarmac events so close to each other geographically and almost identical in character makes absolutely no sense.

[nafpaktos]

We have enough money to organize a major fia event and this year the money will go for erc,if fia will say to us to organize the rally on the wrc calendar no problem,but the calendar for erc had already been finalized so its imposible for this year,but yes for the future.

[Mirek]

Organizing ERC and WRC event requires reasonably different money. I don't know how the situation in Greece is but if You can organize ERC it doesn't automatically mean You can do WRC.

[tommeke_B]

Organizing ERC and WRC event requires reasonably different money. I don't know how the situation in Greece is but if You can organize ERC it doesn't automatically mean You can do WRC.

Wasn't there some news article shortly after the release of the 2014 WRC calendar where the organizer of the Acropolis Rally said that the financial funding of the event was no issue? A bit similar story like Madeira in ERC/IRC a couple of years ago...

[Mirek]

Wasn't there some news article shortly after the release of the 2014 WRC calendar where the organizer of the Acropolis Rally said that the financial funding of the event was no issue? A bit similar story like Madeira in ERC/IRC a couple of years ago...

Frankly I have no idea what they said and even lesser idea if what they said was true.

[N.O.T]

Wasn't there some news article shortly after the release of the 2014 WRC calendar where the organizer of the Acropolis Rally said that the financial funding of the event was no issue? A bit similar story like Madeira in ERC/IRC a couple of years ago...

If you see the current situation in Greece, when it comes to everything really, from society to sports and every day people, then you would understand a lot of things and you would not ask such questions...

[mousti]

Toni Gardemeister just tweeted he would drive again, but didn't give any details, but pretty sure it will be rallying and not rally-raid.

[N.O.T]

Toni Gardemeister just tweeted he would drive again, but didn't give any details, but pretty sure it will be rallying and not rally-raid.

probably in his BMW.

[Zeakiwi]

The 50th Arctic Rally is coming up in Rovaniemi?, Finland.

[andyone]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/07/1ef569da7c5e1e0969529f9564068b17.jpg

[N.O.T]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/07/1ef569da7c5e1e0969529f9564068b17.jpg

LOL... worthless...

[cardy]

its a shame there's no safari rally anymore

[stefanvv]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/07/1ef569da7c5e1e0969529f9564068b17.jpg

I put my money on Polo any time

[PLuto]

its a shame there's no safari rally anymore

It is very easy - Safar Rally was very, very expensive for everybody. Rally cars used there were completely different from other events. And in this days it is nonsense to build one special car for only one rally...

[RAS007]

LOL... worthless...

Yeah, none of those drivers are even close to the "greatest driver of all times" (sic).

[andyone]

But what does it mean? With modern technology they fear a real challenge. We should have one round. In Africa. its world rally Championship not European rally championship. just my opinion though ,so I can go see wrc before I die

[Ounin]

the Safari Rally as wel as Ivory Coast Rally were on public roads as I recall, impossible in 21st century; let alone to organize a state of the art WC rally with the existing African infra stucture would be very very difficult.

I don't like the attitude here of the old rally heroes compared with the ones we have today, making comparisons with 10 to 20 years difference is impossible and waste of time. Respect for the old heroes and a healthy look at the future suits me better.

[A FONDO]

I say the Polo-tank can cope with the african terrain with no further modifications :D

[Bruce D]

the Safari Rally as wel as Ivory Coast Rally were on public roads as I recall, impossible in 21st century; let alone to organize a state of the art WC rally with the existing African infra stucture would be very very difficult. .

It's not difficult to run a WRC event in South Africa, we have the infrastructure, the problem is our candidate events are always badly organised because certain individuals who put themselves into positions of power mess the organisors around and cause the event to be a complete flop. The recent attempt in 2012 was a complete shambles because of their interference and I know that because I have close ties to the organising committee. They forced the event to go to an area that had never been used in rallying before and blocked off the local townships - no surprise then that security was impossible on the event.

We have some very good stages around the Durban area that could run a WRC easily with the current cars (our S2000 & S1600 cars handle it just fine and most of them are standard from Europe) and make it a great event. I do know that the FIA wanted an "African-looking" event which our sugarcane fields and forests don't really look like but if everyone left the organisers alone to make the event the best that they can according to what we have then it's possible to do a great event.

[N.O.T]

Yeah, none of those drivers are even close to the "greatest driver of all times" (sic).

Apart from that, safari was an event where luck was a far more important factor than driving to win it, it would be nice to have it back, but that badly photoshopped poster is nonsense.

[bluuford]

It's not difficult to run a WRC event in South Africa, we have the infrastructure, the problem is our candidate events are always badly organised because certain individuals who put themselves into positions of power mess the organisors around and cause the event to be a complete flop. The recent attempt in 2012 was a complete shambles because of their interference and I know that because I have close ties to the organising committee. They forced the event to go to an area that had never been used in rallying before and blocked off the local townships - no surprise then that security was impossible on the event.

We have some very good stages around the Durban area that could run a WRC easily with the current cars (our S2000 & S1600 cars handle it just fine and most of them are standard from Europe) and make it a great event. I do know that the FIA wanted an "African-looking" event which our sugarcane fields and forests don't really look like but if everyone left the organisers alone to make the event the best that they can according to what we have then it's possible to do a great event.

Yeah, one day close to the Dragon mountains with remote service in Pietermaritzburg and next days North from Durban (from Hlimbitwa river until Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve). Very nice roads apart from a few rough sections on the mountains. I explored many of those roads with small rental car (Toyota Corolla) back in April :-)

[stefanvv]

Apart from that, safari was an event where luck was a far more important factor than driving to win it, it would be nice to have it back, but that badly photoshopped poster is nonsense.

When it's tough You need a bit of luck that's true. Strong car can help You a lot, bit not all the time. Mastering the environmental difficulties is the character what is required to win a Safari and that is something special. You can't blame only the lack of luck jumping into ditch crossing the road at full speed isn't it?
I agree though it not very safe Rally to run. Pity....

[cardy]

It is very easy - Safar Rally was very, very expensive for everybody. Rally cars used there were completely different from other events. And in this days it is nonsense to build one special car for only one rally...

I know what you mean I just always liked the rally had a certain feel to it and always drama, but as you say finance has to over rule sentiment in these tough times

[stefanvv]

Respect for the old heroes and a healthy look at the future suits me better.

"The future is predetermined by the the characters who shape it" - Stargate tv show.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

What is the reason that the tarmac rounds are all in the second half of the season? I mean, we have Monte and then there is 7 months gap to next tarmac rally. I don't get that, i'd like to see one in the first part of the season and then one in the middle of the season also.

Spot on. Months of samey gravel rounds makes no sense. Mix it up and also lets have more tarmac rallies in total.

[PLuto]

Spot on. Months of samey gravel rounds makes no sense. Mix it up and also lets have more tarmac rallies in total.

I completely agree...

[PLuto]

I know what you mean I just always liked the rally had a certain feel to it and always drama, but as you say finance has to over rule sentiment in these tough times

Of course they can do rally event in South Africa. But for sure not in "old style format" of Safari Rally...

[mousti]

Petter doesn't exclude the chance a comeback to WRC, if it's private entry all good..

[PLuto]

Petter doesn't exclude the chance a comeback to WRC, if it's private entry all good..

It is very easy - why he should exclude any chance to comeback? If there will be some sponsor who will be interested and will pay it, why not?

[BDA Cosworth]

Spot on. Months of samey gravel rounds makes no sense. Mix it up and also lets have more tarmac rallies in total.

Yawn.........I skip watching every tarmac rally unless it is really wet or snowy. They used to be good to watch in the 90's. The cars moved around a lot more.

[PLuto]

Yawn.........I skip watching every tarmac rally unless it is really wet or snowy. They used to be good to watch in the 90's. The cars moved around a lot more.

Cars are working too perfectly on tarmac, especially WRC. I must say that watching turbocars on tarmac is not so beautiful, especially now with limited number of tyres. But watching S2000 cars with good drivers, when they must stay all the time in high revs, it was also nice. And also drivers with R5 are not so bad to watch... Maybe it is also about the events and their route...

[tommeke_B]

http://www.corsematin.com/article/sports-mecaniques/wrc-rallye-de-france-le-retour-du-tour-de-corse.1623299.html Tour de Corse would be in the best position to replace Rallye d'Alsace for WRC. :)

[WRC1]

...and Rally du Valais can replace Corse in ERC!!! great!!

[Andre Oliveira]

And everyone will be happy ;)

[Mirek]

Yawn.........I skip watching every tarmac rally unless it is really wet or snowy. They used to be good to watch in the 90's. The cars moved around a lot more.

I'm from an asphalt country (I think we have one of those rather spectacular asphalt stages) and in my experience very wet rallies are the most boring of all. Only very very few drivers show something more than maximum afford on effectiveness there. The most spectacular asphalt surface for me is a mix of dry with some mud and wet patches like in the morning after an overnight rain. Anyway asphalt rallies can be very spectacular but it's much harder to find the right places and it's really easy to be disappointed and bored.


Cars are working too perfectly on tarmac, especially WRC. I must say that watching turbocars on tarmac is not so beautiful, especially now with limited number of tyres. But watching S2000 cars with good drivers, when they must stay all the time in high revs, it was also nice. And also drivers with R5 are not so bad to watch... Maybe it is also about the events and their route...

I don't agree about R5. They are mostly very boring. S2000 were a nice exception which is now disappearing...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Another thing about tarmac rallies is how great the cars look on the lower suspension ...

http://images.autosport.com/editorial/1408811030.jpg



Compared to gravel...

http://en.best-of-rallylive.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/bestofrallylive/actualites/apres-es4-ogier-reprend-les-commandes/123672-1-fre-FR/Apres-ES4-Ogier-reprend-les-commandes_articlethumbnail.jpg

[mousti]

I'm from an asphalt country (I think we have one of those rather spectacular asphalt stages) and in my experience very wet rallies are the most boring of all. Only very very few drivers show something more than maximum afford on effectiveness there. The most spectacular asphalt surface for me is a mix of dry with some mud and wet patches like in the morning after an overnight rain. Anyway asphalt rallies can be very spectacular but it's much harder to find the right places and it's really easy to be disappointed and bored.



I don't agree about R5. They are mostly very boring. S2000 were a nice exception which is now disappearing...
Indeed Barum and Ypres in muddy conditions are great to watch, and many get tricked on those conditions.

[RICARDO75]

Lefebvre: 8 rounds with DS 3 R5, plus 2 on DS 3 WRC (maybe more)
http://www.citroenracing.com/2014/actualites/actualites-wrc/47085/un-programme-renforce-pour-stephane-lefebvre/

[liposh]

+ at least two rounds of ERC for Lefebvre

[Jack4688`]

New Hyundai i20 3 door will be a 'coupe' of sorts... Looks wayyyyyy better than the current car so hopefully the WRC version will be quite nice to look at.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-hyundai-i20-coupe-revealed

[Mirek]

That would be really nice as WRC car.

[tommeke_B]

That would be really nice as WRC car.

Unfortunately they're using the 5-door model in their development-tests..

[Eli]

Indeed Barum and Ypres in muddy conditions are great to watch, and many get tricked on those conditions.

also Circuit of Ireland would be nice

[tommeke_B]

Indeed Barum and Ypres in muddy conditions are great to watch, and many get tricked on those conditions.

I prefer both events in dry conditions... :)

And people who claim tarmac rallying is boring know nothing about it... Don't forget that the tarmac events in WRC (except Monte) are far from great in terms of stages. If you ever want to see what kind of spectacle and diversity a tarmac rally can offer, I would recommend the Barum Rally. ;) As a spectator tarmac can be very spectacular, but it requires more knowledge, experience and luck than on gravel/snow. When you find a great spot, I can assure that watching a tarmac rally can be as impressive as watching a gravel event. Forget the comments of the "beer-tent hairpin-fan", forget the boring places that are covered by WRC TV. ;)

In contrary to Mirek I do like R5 (especially PSA) on tarmac, nothing will ever replace the S2000-sound. But in terms of spectacle I think a properly driven R5-car on tarmac can be just as spectacular as S2000. Just like with S2000-car you need a driver with lots of confidence. What I've seen from Breen and Abbring in the Peugeots, Tanak in Barum Rally, Meeke in Condroz, and Cherain in the whole BRC, isn't any less spectacular than what I've seen from S2000 cars. In Belgium we have had a big variety of cars over the last few years, WRC/S2000/R5 etc. And I think that in Belgium almost everyone agrees that R5's (and S2000's) are far more spectacular than WRC's, regardless who drives it.

[Andre Oliveira]

Asphalt rallies? -> MADEIRA ;) Tour de Corse, Sanremo, Valais, and few more

[jbmarcus21]

This week Sebastien Chardonnet & Stephane Lefebvre testing PEugeot Sport 208R5
Full gallery PHOTOS
http://planetemarcus.com/chardonnet-et-lefebvre-en-tests-avec-la-208r5/

[Jack4688`]

Asphalt rallies? -> MADEIRA ;) Tour de Corse, Sanremo, Valais, and few more

Madeira needs to be in an FIA championship it's so different from most of the other tarmac rallies. R-GT cup would be nice :D


Unfortunately they're using the 5-door model in their development-tests..

I'm sure in this thread it has been discussed that the 5 door was used simply because the 3 door wasn't released yet. But either one would be nice to be honest - the 5 door would be a little bit different from the rest of the WRC cars and the 3 door looks quite an interesting shape

[EightGear]

I think they confirmed today it will be based on the 3 door version?

[Jack4688`]

I think they confirmed today it will be based on the 3 door version?

According to this, yes https://twitter.com/JoMoWRC/status/542656845522153472

[janvanvurpa]

I prefer both events in dry conditions... :)

And people who claim tarmac rallying is boring know nothing about it... .

It could be said the opposite, too.

It could be that people, some people---like me for example---who say they don't like tarmac events---be it track with cars, or bikes---or rallies---know too well what the major challenge is on asphalt is, and find that challenge boring...

And while obviously the insane long travel suspension has gone too far and gravel cars set up and functioning well have become "less interesting" to watch, there is still 20 times more "something happening" on gravel compared with what is mostly a scaled up slot-car "just driving around"

[stefanvv]

Football player navigates Ogier:D
http://www.redbull.com/en/motorsports/offroad/stories/1331694173900/neymar-and-sebastien-ogier-wrc-co-driving-exclusive-video

[Rallyper]

Robert Kubica to drive full season in PH-sport DS3 WRC in 2015!!

[Quad]

Robert Kubica to drive full season in PH-sport DS3 WRC in 2015!!


good to hear, I hope he will get the best possible car specification from Citroen

[thuGG]

Good news, but may I ask for the source?

[Rallyper]

Good news, but may I ask for the source?

Twitter. Retweeted by @RallyFinland from @JoMoWRC. Let´s hope it´s a reliable source. But no smoke without a fire...

[N.O.T]

good to hear, I hope he will get the best possible car specification from Citroen

if he pays he will... if he was good enough he would be in a factory car and he would not have to worry about that.

[EstWRC]

that would be great if it is true, in the meantime: No revolution in 2017 World Rally Championship technical revamp


http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117111

[thuGG]

Does next year bring flappy paddles as standard in WRC cars or is it just a rumor?

[EstWRC]

Does next year bring flappy paddles as standard in WRC cars or is it just a rumor?

not a rumour and Msport already have them https://twitter.com/WRCgerardquinn/status/543012358457933824

[thuGG]

Thanks! Good news for Robert then.

[makinen_fan]

They are allowed yes. Gerard Quinn tweet this photo of the Fiesta:

Can you spot something being reintroduced for 2015, this time in the #Fiesta (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fiesta?src=hash) RS WRC? @MSportLtd (https://twitter.com/MSportLtd) @FordRacing (https://twitter.com/FordRacing)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B4kq3JUIgAAqhWj.jpg

I wonder why he is tweeting again from the MSport factory. From the end of 2012 when Ford officially stopped their involvement with MSport he has barely tweeted anything on WRC

[jonkka]

I wonder why he is tweeting again from the MSport factory. From the end of 2012 when Ford officially stopped their involvement with MSport he has barely tweeted anything on WRC

Ah, you spotted that...It's nothing, yet, I am sure of it. ;)

[nafpaktos]

that would be great if it is true, in the meantime: No revolution in 2017 World Rally Championship technical revamp


http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117111

I wonder what toyota will do.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Quinn also tweeted this...

#Ecoboost made in Wales, tuned by @MSportLtd and @FordRacing , rallied around the world by @ElfynEvans #welshpride

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B4kprQ7IAAAcpBI.jpg:large

Maybe he's getting more enthusiasm for Ford rallying again ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No revolution in 2017 World Rally Championship technical revamp

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117111

At least we have a guy who wants what the fans want... :D

'"It's too early to have hybrids in rallying. We have discussed introducing different sizes of engines by controlling the fuel flow and this kind of thing, but it's so expensive and unreliable at this stage - it's too early for this as well.

"We will see conventional cars, an evolution of what we have now."

He admitted that his preference had been for further-reaching change.

"I would like a revolution. I always start these meetings by saying I would like to see a silhouette car with 600bhp and then it goes quiet..." said Mahonen.

[AMSS]

Quinn also tweeted this...

#Ecoboost made in Wales, tuned by @MSportLtd and @FordRacing , rallied around the world by @ElfynEvans #welshpride

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B4kprQ7IAAAcpBI.jpg:large

Maybe he's getting more enthusiasm for Ford rallying again ?

Could they perhaps have their own in house developed engine ready already for the start of the season?

[Gregor-y]

"It's too early to have hybrids in rallying... I would like a revolution. I always start these meetings by saying I would like to see a silhouette car with 600bhp and then it goes quiet..." said Mahonen.
Weirdly, a hybrid may be an easy way to get there using Porsche, McLaren and BMW as examples of that direction.

[Mirek]

It could be said the opposite, too.

It could be that people, some people---like me for example---who say they don't like tarmac events---be it track with cars, or bikes---or rallies---know too well what the major challenge is on asphalt is, and find that challenge boring...

And while obviously the insane long travel suspension has gone too far and gravel cars set up and functioning well have become "less interesting" to watch, there is still 20 times more "something happening" on gravel compared with what is mostly a scaled up slot-car "just driving around"

You're saying that to the guy who spectates 30 events per year on all surfaces in all possible championships. I guess he knows what he likes ;)

Anyway do You find this nice to watch? Just asking :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wj-WX-h5B4
This video is nearly completely taken on the official spectator points.

Here is what You get on the same rally when You walk deep in the forests.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfc5yUVAlWw

[janvanvurpa]

You're saying that to the guy who spectates 30 events per year on all surfaces in all possible championships. I guess he knows what he likes ;)

Anyway do You find this nice to watch? Just asking :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wj-WX-h5B4
This video is nearly completely taken on the official spectator points.

Here is what You get on the same rally when You walk deep in the forests.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfc5yUVAlWw


Mirek I am saying that it is rather silly to say "somebody "doesn't understand" something if they say they don't like it" And I say the opposite is possible: they understand something, therefore they don't like it.
If he like tarmac, OK....


And come on You have to admit that the tarmac you have in Barum Rally and some other Czech rallies is not what most tarmac---or what most people think of when they refer to tarmac events..
You guys are simply insane...

[PLuto]

And come on You have to admit that the tarmac you have in Barum Rally and some other Czech rallies is not what most tarmac---or what most people think of when they refer to tarmac events..

You have different types of tarmac, you have different types of gravel. Not all tarmac events are boring, not all gravel events are funny. Somebody prefers gravel, somebody prefers tarmac, somebody likes both...

[stefanvv]

You're saying that to the guy who spectates 30 events per year on all surfaces in all possible championships. I guess he knows what he likes ;)

Anyway do You find this nice to watch? Just asking :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wj-WX-h5B4
This video is nearly completely taken on the official spectator points.

Here is what You get on the same rally when You walk deep in the forests.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfc5yUVAlWw

Yeah, we can always post examples of what we personally like. A good example of spectacular gravel video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDRkHXMHqFo

I know, I know, this is Finland after all and the car here is in veeeeery different league of nowadays, as big as airplane and just as powerful.
But I think janvanvurpa's point was You can't tell anyone what he likes and what not, people are different. I also like the tarmac Rallies in my country, especially in my home region, well nowadays they're nowhere, but the events themselves can be harldy blamed for that. I also like Lukyanuk driving on Baltic stages with evo, blame me for that, but I don't think he is that spectacular on asphalt with R5. People are different, events are different. I personally enjoy what is spectacular, regardless of surface, country, championship, etc, etc.

[tommeke_B]

And come on You have to admit that the tarmac you have in Barum Rally and some other Czech rallies is not what most tarmac---or what most people think of when they refer to tarmac events..

So, master, could you tell us what "most people" think of when they refer to tarmac events? I think there's the answer to why I'm saying that people who think tarmac is boring know nothing about it. ;)

[denkimi]

it really doesn't matter on what surface a rally is, or which cars are used. it's the drivers that make the difference.

put the top wrc drivers in a r1 car on asphalt, and they will be more exiting to watch than gentleman-drivers in a wrc on gravel.

[nafpaktos]

I like them both,but i believe its easier to find a good place on tarmac.this is because even to a medium corner a rallycar can achieve high speeds which is imposible to gravel.when i go to gravel i try to watch fast technical corners but its not the easiest thing since its difficult to find them.

[nafpaktos]

Of course if i have to choose between an insane gravel corner or an insane tarmac corner i will choose the gravel one.

[dimviii]

World Rally Blog ‏@WorldRallyBlog 17 λεπτάΠριν από 17 λεπτά
Five days from now, @Opel will announce their motor sport programme details for 2015, 2016 and 2017. Includes news concerning rallying!

[nafpaktos]

I dont have high expectations from opel when we talk about rallying.

[Mirek]

And come on You have to admit that the tarmac you have in Barum Rally and some other Czech rallies is not what most tarmac---or what most people think of when they refer to tarmac events..
You guys are simply insane...

Bellow is the entire 2014 asphalt season of ERC. As ERC is primarily an asphalt championship, tell me please which one of them is that which people usually refer to when speaking about asphalt.

Austria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ANoqgKU4GQ
Northern Ireland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzMcjmYD8cA
Belgium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1IrIMdyjdY
Czech Republic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tls0YxlpfE8
Switzerland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSFM8iCMW7c
Corsica: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4ZIDe3i_Ro

[janvanvurpa]

Bellow is the entire 2014 asphalt season of ERC. As ERC is primarily an asphalt championship, tell me please which one of them is that which people usually refer to when speaking about asphalt.

Austria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ANoqgKU4GQ
Northern Ireland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzMcjmYD8cA
Belgium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1IrIMdyjdY
Czech Republic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tls0YxlpfE8
Switzerland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSFM8iCMW7c
Corsica: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4ZIDe3i_Ro

Mirek those links to vids you ported were great.
The roads were narrow, bumpy, curvy, tricky and the guys were on the gas...and you can see ACTION.
Much asphalt is perfectly smooth, the cars don't do anything, they just drive around---until they spin or lock the brakes and slide off..

I like seeing things happen....if I wanted to watch slot cars, I would watch slot cars...
When I say you guys (in Czecho) are crazy I mean that in the good way...as in "Look at dat sheet, mon! Dem guys are crazy (fast, sideways, on the gas)(whatever) But the piccie a few pages back of somebody saying "I like tarmac cars cause they so low " or whatever..look at the photo. It could be a still shot of a car standing still. No action..
Your Czech stuff: cool, cars doing nothing, not cool.
Howzat?

[Mirek]

I just wanted to tell You that it's not a rule that asphalt events are smooth and circuit-like. That's why I put videos from all asphalt events of ERC. If smooth, wide and boring roads were somewhat standard for asphalt events they would have to create a significant part of largely asphalt championship however it's not like that. In my opinion events like Catalunya are more an exception than the rule. Even in Spain there are extremely spectacular asphalt roads. For example in the IRC/ERC there used to be Rallye Principe Asturias which had great stages (Nord-West of Spain). Also most of asphalt rallies in France have nicer stages than Alsace.

[Tom206wrc]

I dont have high expectations from opel when we talk about rallying.


For now they have a few european one-make cups in R2 class ;)

[Francis44]

The truth is gravel looks better on TV and on still images. Plus manufacteurs can say their cars are able to endure very hard gravel roads, that's good for marketing.

[AndyRAC]

The truth is gravel looks better on TV and on still images. Plus manufacteurs can say their cars are able to endure very hard gravel roads, that's good for marketing.

What marketing would that be? Apart from the odd VW advert I can't remember seeing much, certainly not in recent years. I actually thought the Manufacturers wanted more Tarmac as it's more 'road relevant', to use that dreaded phrase.

[Franky]

Marketing people, no offense to them, quite often don't know what they want. Manufactures just want the titles.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Who drives their (shiny, brand new) car on gravel ? I doubt anyone who buys a Polo, Fiesta, DS3 etc.

OK so the car may be portrayed as 'tough and reliable' but I think anyone watching rallies is more interested in performance...

The Dakar may sell a manufacturers 4x4, but WRC gravel rallies dont sell fwd hatches.

[Nornbugger]

Who drives their (shiny, brand new) car on gravel ? I doubt anyone who buys a Polo, Fiesta, DS3 etc.

OK so the car may be portrayed as 'tough and reliable' but I think anyone watching rallies is more interested in performance...

The Dakar may sell a manufacturers 4x4, but WRC gravel rallies dont sell fwd hatches.

Drifting well of topic but I dont think motorsport success directly sells cars, it helps with brand awareness and stuff but direct car sales? I doubt it affects them, has anyone figures of VW Polo sales over the last 10 years?

Actually I just found european figures and the Polo had its worst years sales since ages ago in 2013( the figures went back to 1997 and sales were nearly double 2013s figures then)

[N.O.T]

Doesn't brand/model awareness help with direct car sales ?

[Mirek]

I'm pretty sure that rallying had very positive effect for some manufacturers and especially for Škoda. Even though their WRC was never able to fight with the top teams they proved they were not some cheap garbage from the east by taking the gamble in 1998. The stock Octavia was a huge success which started new era of the brand. The WRC campaign sure helped it. Last week Škoda communicated some numbers from this year which is going to be the most successful for the brand in the whole history and I do believe that the great success of Fabia S2000 helped their growth into one of the most important carmakers in Europe. I'm of course aware that the most important was the VW policy towards Škoda but that's for another topic.

[Nornbugger]

I'm pretty sure that rallying had very positive effect for some manufacturers and especially for Škoda. Even though their WRC was never able to fight with the top teams they proved they were not some cheap garbage from the east by taking the gamble in 1998. The stock Octavia was a huge success which started new era of the brand. The WRC campaign sure helped it. Last week Škoda communicated some numbers from this year which is going to be the most successful for the brand in the whole history and I do believe that the great success of Fabia S2000 helped their growth into one of the most important carmakers in Europe. I'm of course aware that the most important was the VW policy towards Škoda but that's for another topic.



Skoda VW was the big difference between Octavia and the previous models. I recognise that brand awareness/image can be helped immensely by motorsport, Skoda you have mentioned and even back in the 80s they used motorsport and clever targetting of the smaller classes to get recognised for their tough/durable cars. Subaru utterly transformed their image through the 90s with rallying. Audi and Peugeot too have over time done good things for their image with rallying.
Hyundia I think will too, actually I think of all currently involved in WRC they are the one who can benefit, VW really IMHO have nothing to get, thay have come and done what was expected of them, impressive? Yes of course, has it changed anyones opinion of the brand? I'd very much doubt it.

Mr N.O.T. that is always the plan, its hard to prove.

[KiwiWRCfan]

This is just a rumor and I am starting it.
Bryan Bouffier will drive number 20 car for Hyundai Motorsport N team at Rally Monte Carlo 2015. He led Monte 2014 for 6 stages and had a lead of over 30 seconds at lunchtime service on day 2 last year. He finished the 2014 Monte on the podium in second place.

[AndyRAC]

Doesn't brand/model awareness help with direct car sales ?

So the theory goes - but I'm not sure it actually applies.

[Mirek]

It may be doubtful with established brands like VW but it for sure helps a lot for newcomers or expanding smaller brands as Nornbugger pointed out.

[jonkka]

So the theory goes - but I'm not sure it actually applies.

How many of you have a car that is related to WRC or rallying in any way? I do not and I will not - though my wife has had two (Fiesta and now Polo).

[Franky]

Maybe this topic (motorsport and car sales) should be separated to a new thread.

But to answer Jonkka's question. Out of the three I've had only one marque has rallying history, tho that model hasn't/isn't used. And the marque success wasn't decisive when picking it.

But regarding the whole brand awareness I agree with Nornbugger.

[Mirek]

How many of you have a car that is related to WRC or rallying in any way? I do not and I will not - though my wife has had two (Fiesta and now Polo).

It's much more about keeping the brand on the eyes of people as long as possible (and in positive light). For example people from Škoda were very happy about IRC Monte Carlo editions when they had virtually dozens of hour on the Eurosport for a whole week in January when most of motorsport championships are sleeping and people therefore follow RMC. For same reason they have been a partner of long-lasting live events such as Tour de France or World ice hockey championship. Actually the goal in my opinion is to make people who start to think about new car to visit your garage as first. Sure a lot of people will not stay in the first one but certainly the first one will sell the most and that's why it's important to be on the eyes.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Remember the years of Citroen sales success in the decade of Loeb driving the Xsara and C4... :confused:

Cant remember the last time I saw either of them on the road and the main sales in the UK were with the Picasso, not exactly a sports car. :D

[N.O.T]

well F1 cars are driven by girls and followed by overweight crowds in stupid hats and they look like nothing you can buy from the manufacturers involved but the investment there is huge... motorsports is a way for the manufacturers to say "look what we can do" "look what we can achieve" "now go buy a 1.2 litre car than does 1000 miles to the gallon"... the correlation to the sales is not direct but it does affect them.

[N.O.T]

Remember the years of Citroen sales success in the decade of Loeb driving the Xsara and C4... :confused:

Cant remember the last time I saw either of them on the road and the main sales in the UK were with the Picasso, not exactly a sports car. :D

nobody is going to buy the C4 because Loeb raped some sick dogs for years and years... but when the discussion about what car you are going to buy comes up and citroen is within your shortlist you will definately mention their experience in rallying..

[skarderud]

I remember when petter won in 2003, subaru norway upped theire sale with 40% the year after. It has to be with the rallything to do:)

[Ounin]

Correlation F1 and car sales is almost nothing that is why F1 didn't make sense many years. Due to connection Le Mans cars and the new techniques on road cars and its growing popularity, F1 is in panic now. A lot. Hyundai and Toyota returning back to World Rallying does say a lot; they have a reason for that and of corse it has a lot to do with car sales directly and indirectly. They know what they do, no forummers / amatures like we are :)

[tommeke_B]

I remember when petter won in 2003, subaru norway upped theire sale with 40% the year after. It has to be with the rallything to do:)
Of course the story of Subaru is something unique. The whole product branding was built around rallying. You must also keep in mind that back then the economic circumstances were better for buying such a car, I can't believe that something like what Subaru was in the 2000's is still possible today..

From my info rallying does have some impact. For example some time ago I heard that in Belgium Skoda had something like 3,5% market share, while in "rally-regions" (such as the region of Ypres) the market share was up to 5%. However you can't clearly say if rallying is the main influence, it could be because of better dealerships as well. ;) In magazines and on billboards rallying has been used as well here. Especially in car-magazines the big advertising pages are often filled with a rallycar. For example Peugeot BeLux took big advantage of the popularity of Neuville's IRC Program in 2011 for sure the victories in both Corsica and San Remo helped a lot with that. Also Skoda Belgium used the victories of Freddy Loix in Ypres for their advertising. Now in Hyundai dealerships you can see life-size Neuville and Gilsoul in cardboard. For sure some manufacturers exploit rallying, which is good. Advertising is often about being creative, and displaying a rallycar probably draws more attention than the 1000th typical front-side photo of an every-day car.

[KiwiWRCfan]

tweet from Hayden Paddon
"Tonight from 6.40pm on @TV3nz sports news, we will be able to tell you about our 2015 plans"

Hayden is referring to NZ time. It will be 5.40am UK time 6.40am CET
TV3 is one of our main network news programs. I would expect between 3 & 5 minutes on Hayden amongst all the other news. If anyone is interested is seeing the announcement live the following link will be streaming

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/3NewsLiveStream

[Rallyper]

Audi would have been nothing today if not for the Quattro-concept in rallying, back in the beginning of 80´s. Before that one was laughing at the brand AUDI or (Auto-union).

[stefanvv]

Audi would have been nothing today if not for the Quattro-concept in rallying, back in the beginning of 80´s. Before that one was laughing at the brand AUDI or (Auto-union).

:D. That's quite an understatement. Auto Union has glorious sports history long before Quattro arrived (including Rally).
(Apart from that some unknown driver has laughed at Stig Blomqvist back in '81 when heard he will drive all wheel drive car)

EDIT: Of course with Quattro the company has completely new image. But that not only applies to Rally.

[Rallyper]

Well, being rallyfan since beginning of 60´s only Auto-Union I saw was in hands of some touristdrivers (now I sound like N.O.T. - but it´s true - it was tourists in the Midnightsun rally of Sweden back in 1962-64) .
So the records of Audi in late 70´s and before Quattro era was nothing - zip - zero.

[stefanvv]

So the records of Audi in late 70´s and before Quattro era was nothing - zip - zero.

Yes, that is true, nothing major happening in 60-70s

[Maui J.]

How many of you have a car that is related to WRC or rallying in any way? I do not and I will not - though my wife has had two (Fiesta and now Polo).

We did, we bought a Impreza wagon as the family car. Sure, not exactly a WRX but the Subaru brand and it's 25 year involvement in rallying played a big part in it. We wanted low centre of gravity AWD for wet winter roads, reliability and 5 star safety rating. I remember reading David Richards saying all the Prodrive Subaru rally cars that had big crashes, were studied and all important information regarding breakages, fatigue etc were shared back with Fuji Heavy Industries. I wanted rally proven technology and safety in my road car.

Plus in a similar way that Petter had the Subaru effect in Norway, as did Possum Bourne in New Zealand so brand awareness may have played a part as well.

...but at the same time would I buy a Citroen...No! Unfortunately in this country anyway, they are still tagged as unreliable. In the 'Dog & Lemon' guide for buying new & used cars in this country, it says 'Avoid like the Plague!'.

[BDA Cosworth]

Hayden has signed for a drive in the WRC for 2015. We should find out who within the hour.

http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/video-paddon-signs-wrc-contract-for-2015-2014121516#axzz3LwDYaOqs

[KiwiWRCfan]

Paddon confirmed with Hyundai for 2015. More details to follow

[Zeakiwi]

Paddon with Hyundai for 12 rounds (recce only at Monte Carlo)

Maui J
Sime Darby (Malaysian?) appointed Colonial motors to open a new Citroen place in Manukau city that also sells Isuzu utes.
http://autotalk.co.nz/news/peugeot-citroen-appoint-south-auckland-dealer-2

[KiwiWRCfan]

Full Hayden Paddon interview from NZ TV announcement http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/video-hayden-paddon-full-interview-2014121518#axzz3LuegvQYN

and the official press release http://www.hyundai.co.nz/community/hayden-paddon/?m=2

[kirungi okwogera]

Full Hayden Paddon interview from NZ TV announcement http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/video-hayden-paddon-full-interview-2014121518#axzz3LuegvQYN

and the official press release http://www.hyundai.co.nz/community/hayden-paddon/?m=2

Weirdly the press release says a minimum of 9 rounds, but Paddon himself is saying 12?

[EstWRC]

so, now only Kubica left then?

[jacko]

Weirdly the press release says a minimum of 9 rounds, but Paddon himself is saying 12?

Think it's fixed he will drive nine rounds, but it could be in the end all but MC. Hyundai is (i think) still in negotation with Hänninen (for Sweden, Poland, Finland i guess) and Bouffier (for MC, Germany, France i guess) and therefore first want have a agreement with one or two of these drivers and if there's the agreement it's clear how many rounds Paddon can drive besides the fixed nine.

[jacko]

Think it's fixed he will drive nine rounds, but it could be in the end all but MC. Hyundai is (i think) still in negotation with Hänninen (for Sweden, Poland, Finland i guess) and Bouffier (for MC, Germany, France i guess) and therefore first want have a agreement with one or two of these drivers and if there's the agreement it's clear how many rounds Paddon can drive besides the fixed nine.

Well, today Dani Sordo is testing in Sweden (with Hyundai), that's says something. Think now it's over for Hänninen @Hyundai. Toyota next stop for him?

[BDA Cosworth]

Think it's fixed he will drive nine rounds, but it could be in the end all but MC. Hyundai is (i think) still in negotation with Hänninen (for Sweden, Poland, Finland i guess) and Bouffier (for MC, Germany, France i guess) and therefore first want have a agreement with one or two of these drivers and if there's the agreement it's clear how many rounds Paddon can drive besides the fixed nine.|

I think letting Bouffier drive would be ill advised. It would be kind of like getting getting Latvala out of the seat to get Sordo in for the tarmac rounds when Latvala is quicker on the other 10 rallies. Latvala was not always quick on Tarmac.....in fact he used to be quite the opposite. Just my 2 cents.

[EstWRC]

GETTING TO KNOW OTT TÄNAK'S CO-DRIVER RAIGO MÕLDER

http://www.m-sport.co.uk/m-sport-news/fiesta-rs-wrc/getting-to-know-raigo-molder.html

[WUff1]

|

I think letting Bouffier drive would be ill advised. It would be kind of like getting getting Latvala out of the seat to get Sordo in for the tarmac rounds when Latvala is quicker on the other 10 rallies. Latvala was not always quick on Tarmac.....in fact he used to be quite the opposite. Just my 2 cents.

Not for Monte - 1 win (OK, it was IRC then) and 1 second place this year.

[jbmarcus21]

VW begins TEST DAYS for Monte-Carlo'15
Full Gallery Photos & Videos with Mikkelsen yesterday and Ogier today
http://planetemarcus.com/volkswagen-motorsport-en-preparation-pour-le-rallye-wrc-monte-carlo-2015/

[N.O.T]

VW begins TEST DAYS for Monte-Carlo'15
Full Gallery Photos & Videos with Mikkelsen yesterday and Ogier today
http://planetemarcus.com/volkswagen-motorsport-en-preparation-pour-le-rallye-wrc-monte-carlo-2015/

this belongs to the testing thread...

[EstWRC]

GETTING TO KNOW OTT TÄNAK

http://www.m-sport.co.uk/m-sport-news/fiesta-rs-wrc/getting-to-know-ott-taenak.html

[Tom206wrc]

so, now only Kubica left then?


And Solberg P :confused:

[N.O.T]

And Solberg P :confused:

in a 206 wrc... now go to bed.

[RAS007]

in a 206 wrc... now go to bed.

Looooooooooooool

[rallyfiend]

Nice vid.

Good to see them promoting their involvement with this driver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KmRMU_xuEg

[makinen_fan]

Some more twisted logic from Capito... What is he smoking?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117165

[N.O.T]

I honestly believe that the WRC committee should establish some sort of care center for all these dogs of nothingness that Loeb stomped on, so they could all gather and cry and tell their stories and nightmares that the greatest of all times created... something like the alcoholics do... i think it would help a lot.

At the age of 42 retired for 2 years now and people still consider him a threat... the greatest of all times is an understatement.

[Gregor-y]

in a 206 wrc... now go to bed.

It worked for Manfred Stohl...

[Barreis]

So Corsica again or not?
http://www.dna.fr/actualite/2014/12/16/l-alsace-c-est-fini

[Jack4688`]

Interesting story about Rally New Zealand returning, though no sources. I'd like to believe it's true, but won't make that leap just yet.

http://www.crash.net/wrc/news/212629/1/rally-new-zealand-welcomes-paddon-promotion.html

[AndyRAC]

Some more twisted logic from Capito... What is he smoking?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117165

He obviously can't remember the days of the specialists. Drivers like Liatti, Panizzi, Eriksson, Jonsson, etc turning up on their favoured surface and putting the regulars under pressure. That's what the WRC needs more of. I'm not totally sure the WRC is the right sport for Capito.

[stefanvv]

He obviously can't remember the days of the specialists. Drivers like Liatti, Panizzi, Eriksson, Jonsson, etc turning up on their favoured surface and putting the regulars under pressure. That's what the WRC needs more of. I'm not totally sure the WRC is the right sport for Capito.

Sure, but the point here is mostly of the starting order I think

[KiwiWRCfan]

Interesting story about Rally New Zealand returning, though no sources. I'd like to believe it's true, but won't make that leap just yet.

http://www.crash.net/wrc/news/212629/1/rally-new-zealand-welcomes-paddon-promotion.html


Here is the source of the information. It is an official release from Rally New Zealand organisers.

http://www.rallynz.org.nz/?p=244

[RS]

Some more twisted logic from Capito... What is he smoking?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117165

I suspect Capito would have been in favour of this rule when he was at Ford..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Capito needs to stop whining.. he's won all the titles with VW and he's still moaning in case someone else even wins the odd rally.

Domination by VW means we need a bit of another interest or no-one will bother watching the WRC anymore.

[dimviii]

Sure, but the point here is mostly of the starting order I think

scared dog.

[PLuto]

Interesting story about Rally New Zealand returning, though no sources. I'd like to believe it's true, but won't make that leap just yet.

http://www.crash.net/wrc/news/212629/1/rally-new-zealand-welcomes-paddon-promotion.html

It is not sure about return of NZ, it is mostly wish than reality. But they are working on it...

[stefanvv]

scared dog.

:D, may be he should apply to FIA for some orders

[Simmi]

Some more twisted logic from Capito... What is he smoking?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117165

I've read some sh*t in my time but that from Capito takes the biscuit. If they were actually having to fight for victories I might understand it. Given the current situation it's pathetic.

In endurance racing their sister brand Audi's motto is #WelcomeChallenges. Seems VW couldn't be more different.

[Doon]

Capito is getting on my t*ts now. As if his stupid 'shootout' idea wasn't enough, now he's trying to shun Loeb from a comeback, no matter how small. Pathetic. He really knows what the fans want.

I think VW are planning to set a new record of winning every round of the season, which is entirely possible for them, and now this has p*ss on his chips a bit. Does he realise that VW's domination is even greater than Citroens was, and how detrimental it is to the WRCs future?

[COD]

Think it's fixed he will drive nine rounds, but it could be in the end all but MC. Hyundai is (i think) still in negotation with Hänninen (for Sweden, Poland, Finland i guess) and Bouffier (for MC, Germany, France i guess) and therefore first want have a agreement with one or two of these drivers and if there's the agreement it's clear how many rounds Paddon can drive besides the fixed nine.

Why don't they just have Neuville and Sordo do all the rounds in 1st team and then enter 2 cars for the N-team split between Paddon, Bouffier and Hänninen and maybe another specialist for some events?

[Ounin]

Capito is getting on my t*ts now. As if his stupid 'shootout' idea wasn't enough, now he's trying to shun Loeb from a comeback, no matter how small. Pathetic. He really knows what the fans want.

I think VW are planning to set a new record of winning every round of the season, which is entirely possible for them, and now this has p*ss on his chips a bit. Does he realise that VW's domination is even greater than Citroens was, and how detrimental it is to the WRCs future?


No I do not agree. The reason why VW is performing so well is that the others don't. Citroen failed cause half of the budget went to WTCC, Ford has quit WRC and let M-Sport do the dirty job and Hyundai just started for gods sake. You can't blame VW / Capito at all, they just do their job. All competitors should put their act together instead of relying on rule changes to disadvantage VW, shame on FIA, Jean Todt is the scared dog. FIA kills it's own sport, not Capito. FIA's task is to create a healthy championship with good PR and very well organized TV coverage, that is their job, attracting potential sponsors and getting more manufactures to step in. On these solid grounds anybody can win rallies.

[EightGear]

I don't get the running order debate at all. Imagine it the other way round, why would you give the worst starting positions to the slower drivers? It's always going to be 'unfair' for some people. Rallying has got one of the best 'handicaps' for frontrunners available, which are purely natural in contrast to idiotic weight ballasts or reversed grids. And remember, the guy 2nd in the championship will be right behind the leader, it's not like he will be 10th or something.

Let's not even begin about tarmac events, rain, or dust, you name it.

[Karukera]

That whinning scary pussy attitude. I doubt Mr Capito knows he speaks on behalf of a WRC team.
A little reminder from above wouldn't hurt.

[PLuto]

I must say, words of Jost Capito during last year are one of the reasons why Volkswagen Motorsport is not sympathetic team for me...

[Ounin]

Not so often winning teams are sympathic, Capito is not paid to be nice but to be World champion and he has succeeded in that, twice, which is not too bad. I agree for me VW is not my favorite, but they have done a great job.

[stefanvv]

Capito is just making interesting what Ogier will make boring:)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I don't get the running order debate at all. Imagine it the other way round, why would you give the worst starting positions to the slower drivers? It's always going to be 'unfair' for some people. Rallying has got one of the best 'handicaps' for frontrunners available, which are purely natural in contrast to idiotic weight ballasts or reversed grids. And remember, the guy 2nd in the championship will be right behind the leader, it's not like he will be 10th or something.

Let's not even begin about tarmac events, rain, or dust, you name it.

Bang on mate - I was about to post exactly the same re the 'handicap'..

Must admit I'm surprised so many 'Liked' your post as I thought a lot were against the Championship leader being first on the road for 2 days...

Good to know there's a lot of agreement that it does make sense.

[jonkka]

Capito is not paid to be nice but to be World champion and he has succeeded in that, twice, which is not too bad.

Four times, actually. He was Ford Motorsport director when Ford won manu titles in 2006 and 2007.

[Barreis]

About Toyota...
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117176

[Jack4688`]

Not so often winning teams are sympathic, Capito is not paid to be nice but to be World champion and he has succeeded in that, twice, which is not too bad. I agree for me VW is not my favorite, but they have done a great job.

Nobody is bringing VW's success into question here, it's just Capito's idiotic comments

[Karukera]

Good to know there's a lot of agreement that it does make sense.

There is agreement because there's no other simple way to artificially increase competition.
But still, this is scraping the bottom of the barrel.

[Eli]

http://www.rallye-magazin.de/rallyes/wm/nachrichten/news-detail/d/2014/12/17/luft-im-elsass-wird-immer-duenner/index.html
let's hope corsica will replace it

[Quad]

Autohebdo wrote that negotiations between Lotos and PH Sport are now broken.

Only private program with Hyundai or M-Sport left for Kubica.

[jd_89]

According to Autohebdo, negotiations between Kubica and PH Sport has broke off, so no DS 3 WRC for him next year.

https://www.facebook.com/Sportautohebdo/posts/320478254816651

[RS]

About Toyota...
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117176

Why such a long time until they debut? They are already testing this year. One more full year should be enough.

[stefanvv]

Why such a long time until they debut? They are already testing this year. One more full year should be enough.

Looks like still unsure for the regulations for 2017, FIA denied major changes though, who knows...

[MJW]

Looks like still unsure for the regulations for 2017, FIA denied major changes though, who knows...
Most probable reason is a road car launch that can be tied in to the WRC debut, remember 206 and Focus Mk1 being liked to 1999 wrc season launch?

[MJW]

Autohebdo wrote that negotiations between Lotos and PH Sport are now broken.

Only private program with Hyundai or M-Sport left for Kubica.
or DTM?

[stefanvv]

Most probable reason is a road car launch that can be tied in to the WRC debut, remember 206 and Focus Mk1 being liked to 1999 wrc season launch?

I don't know when is the debut scheduled, they mention 2 possible models, Yaris - current test mule, and Corolla, in case regulations being changed.

[Quad]

or DTM?

Nope. I have info that he will be in WRC. We should know in Friday.

[Jack4688`]

I'd have thought whatever the severity of the regulation changes it would make sense to wait until then. It would be like doing what Hyundai have done this year - debut without the outgoing model knowing full well an all-new machine will be developed for the next season.

Aside from the year's experience from competing in the championship it would not be the best way to spend their money. Hopefully they will see sense and make a GT-86 WRC!

[Franky]

Why such a long time until they debut? They are already testing this year. One more full year should be enough.

I guess one reason is the Japanese corporate decision making process, which isn't the fastest as we know.

[MJW]

Nope. I have info that he will be in WRC. We should know in Friday.
Please give us a hint? MSport?

[Quad]

Please give us a hint? MSport?

I would like to know also :D I got only info that news release should be done on Friday.

[AP-Racing]

http://www.rallye-magazin.de/rallyes/wm/nachrichten/news-detail/d/2014/12/17/luft-im-elsass-wird-immer-duenner/index.html
let's hope corsica will replace it

No....Corsica isn't good variant. Corsica very hard to logistic and no friendly for spectators

[PLuto]

No....Corsica isn't good variant. Corsica very hard to logistic and no friendly for spectators

But Corsica IS rally, not like Alsace version...

[N.O.T]

But Corsica IS rally, not like Alsace version...

from a historical point of view yes but the format is ridiculous... 9 stages repeated 2 times over 3 days.

[RAS007]

from a historical point of view yes but the format is ridiculous... 9 stages repeated 2 times over 3 days.

Doesn't that describe almost all WRC rallies these days?

[Mirek]

from a historical point of view yes but the format is ridiculous... 9 stages repeated 2 times over 3 days.

The format has been different each of last years. I mean very different. For example two or three years a go it was over 400 km with most of the stages being run only once.

[tommeke_B]

This year there were only 6 different stages in fact, 5 were run twice to make a total of 11 SS. Last year it was quite similar I think.

@Mirek, for the "over 400km" editions I think you need to go back to the 90's, before Mr. Prodrive was going to make the sport more popular and better for TV... ;)

[Tom206wrc]

Nope. I have info that he will be in WRC. We should know in Friday.


In the morning I hope, because early in the afternoon I go to Christmas Holiday and will miss everything on the Internet for 10 days :p:

[N.O.T]

Doesn't that describe almost all WRC rallies these days?

no

[dodge33cymru]

If only there was a tarmac rally full of history, held in mid-October, less than an hour's drive from major French cities, currently with no specific Championship status for 2015, eh?

www.riv.ch

Won't happen. Unfortunately.

[rallyfiend]

If only there was a tarmac rally full of history, held in mid-October, less than an hour's drive from major French cities, currently with no specific Championship status for 2015, eh?

www.riv.ch

Won't happen. Unfortunately.

Clearly that's just sitting there waiting fo rthe inevitable decision that Corsica is in the WRC to be put back in the ERC.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Nope. I have info that Kubica will be in WRC. We should know in Friday.

Place your bets on M-Sport as he has most experience with the Fiesta and I'm sure will be helped by the new paddle-shift ...

[RICARDO75]

Place your bets on M-Sport as he has most experience with the Fiesta and I'm sure will be helped by the new paddle-shift ...

Kubica's Fiesta 2014 already had padle-shift on the left side
http://image1.redbull.com/rbcom/010/2014-04-21/1331646654272_3/0010/1/1200/800/3/robert-kubica-paddle-shift-m-sport-2014.jpg

[Quad]

Kubica's Fiesta 2014 already had padle-shift on the left side
http://image1.redbull.com/rbcom/010/2014-04-21/1331646654272_3/0010/1/1200/800/3/robert-kubica-paddle-shift-m-sport-2014.jpg

but his system was not working properly, Kubica recently explained with more details what was the problem with it for omnicorse.it

Well I have no idea where will he be driving. He wasn't saying that Fiesta is bad car, but that his gearshift system is quite a mess ; d and few questions to car preparation

so maybe Fiesta with properly working gearshift system will be good for him

[jbmarcus21]

Rally LEgend François Delecour confirm Monte Carlo 2015 with Tuthill Porsche
http://planetemarcus.com/francois-delecour-au-monte-carl-en-porsche/

[Sch17]

no

Come back on Earth and leave your Star Trek Universe

[stefanvv]

Rally LEgend François Delecour confirm Monte Carlo 2015 with Tuthill Porsche
http://planetemarcus.com/francois-delecour-au-monte-carl-en-porsche/

I hope for dry roads in the canyons:) Best of luck to him of course, I'm sure he will do well.

[nafpaktos]

I hope for dry roads in the canyons:) Best of luck to him of course, I'm sure he will do well.
I dont think this car will be fun to drive to classic monte conditions with snow,ice,wet,dump,mud
espessially when you are anxious about the stopwatch and when you have experienced this rally with 4wd cars.

[Ounin]

Other legend and 2 wheel drive specialist Marc Duez did quite well last year in the Porsche at Monte '14

[nafpaktos]

Read more carefully what i´ve written.i just say an opinion an you give an irrelevant answer.

[Ounin]

No worries, not an answer, just an additional remark, piece on earth

[stefanvv]

I dont think this car will be fun to drive to classic monte conditions with snow,ice,wet,dump,mud
espessially when you are anxious about the stopwatch and when you have experienced this rally with 4wd cars.

I think he was doing well on the twisty roads in alsace. Of course if there is lot of snow and ice, it'll be far more difficult for the RGT with large tyres

[nafpaktos]

No worries, not an answer, just an additional remark, piece on earth

Ok

[Quad]

Looks like things may have complicated for Lotos and Kubica... I heared that he may do Monte and Janner with this italian team A-style.....
Still waiting maybe for some info today

[N.O.T]

Looks like things may have complicated for Lotos and Kubica... I heared that he may do Monte and Janner with this italian team A-style.....
Still waiting maybe for some info today

I think a realistic move would be to move him into ERC, winning a lesser championship is still important. His skills are do not belong in the big league but i think he could be a serious contender for the ERC.

[Ounin]

That's the question; who is qualified enough to drive WRC and who has to stick with ERC...maybe vice versa...you've got yourself a new thread here. Who is the judge.

[RS]

I think a realistic move would be to move him into ERC, winning a lesser championship is still important. His skills are do not belong in the big league but i think he could be a serious contender for the ERC.

I think he should have stayed there in the first place for a year or two before trying a World Rally Car. He tried to run before he could walk, like Raikkonen. I can't think of an example where that has worked. Even the 2 Sebs came through the support categories.

[PLuto]

That's the question; who is qualified enough to drive WRC and who has to stick with ERC...maybe vice versa...you've got yourself a new thread here. Who is the judge.

I think this season shown, that Robert is not qualified enough to drive WRC...

[Quad]

I think this season shown, that Robert is not qualified enough to drive WRC...


And I think you are not the one to judge is he qualified to drive in WRC or not. He won stages and showed big pace, and you are saying that he has no skills. Gosh... He lacks experience and that's reality but driving skills and speed are there.

[sindroms]

He won stages and showed big pace, and you are saying that he has no skills. Gosh... He lacks experience and that's reality but driving skills and speed are there.

It's like in alpine skiing - to show best time in 1st intermediate, then crash in 2nd one, geting back on track - show some good times in following splits, then crash once again and in the finish, after taking 56th place, start to tell about your astonishing pace and skills.

[N.O.T]

That's the question; who is qualified enough to drive WRC and who has to stick with ERC...maybe vice versa...you've got yourself a new thread here. Who is the judge.


I am the judge.. there very few people more qualified than me to decide. Because i am honest.

[rage82]

Bryan Bouffier will be in Monte Carlo, again with Fiesta from M-sport. Sourse his facebook: https://m.facebook.com/148123678606489/photos/a.219750481443808.54076.148123678606489/741120579306793/?type=1&permPage=1

[Rallyper]

Kubica had his lessons during 2014. Why should he step back to ERC? No driver steps back having driven on a certain level...
Like wishing Mikko to go back and drive Finnish championship? Never happen. Let´s hope Kubica finds his funding and fullfills 2015 season in WRC in a good way.

[N.O.T]

Kubica had his lessons during 2014. Why should he step back to ERC? No driver steps back having driven on a certain level...
Like wishing Mikko to go back and drive Finnish championship? Never happen. Let´s hope Kubica finds his funding and fullfills 2015 season in WRC in a good way.

He is not good enough for the WRC thats why...

when you are a welterweight you do not fight heavyweights with 12oz gloves because you get mauled and kubica learned that. He should step back if he wants to continue in rallying...

if he wants to retire or drive in circles on tracks then it is ok also. but if he wants to do a mans sport then he should realise where his place is.

[makinen_fan]

Kubica had his lessons during 2014. Why should he step back to ERC? No driver steps back having driven on a certain level...
Like wishing Mikko to go back and drive Finnish championship? Never happen. Let´s hope Kubica finds his funding and fullfills 2015 season in WRC in a good way.

Tanak did it (not intentionally though) and maybe will pay off in 2015. Kubica does not have either top speed or consistency. He must improve a lot in both fronts if he wants to be a serious contender, which I want to believe is his target in long term. Probably it is easier to find the consistency while driving near the limit with a slower car in WRC2 or ERC rather than WRC. If he continues like last season in 2015 for sure it will be his last

[nafpaktos]

I believe the next year will get better results,i dont know of course how much better.of course he is not ready to find the limits of a wrc (i dont talk for one or two stages)but dont forget that he started with support category in the wrc he won it(no serious competion) and the next logical step was the big category.which driver who wins the wrc2 would leave the wrc to compete to erc if he has the budget for wrc NO ONE.

[N.O.T]

which driver who wins the wrc2 would leave the wrc to compete to erc if he has the budget for wrc NO ONE.

a driver with dignity.

[Rallyper]

Kubica only fault is he crashed. Too much speed and cutting as a result maybe caused it but saying he´s not good enough? No. Then who are good enough to match Seb and Seb in 2015. Hardly anyone.
We have to be realistic and look at the future which must bring more drivers competing in the top five positions. I think Kubica can be one, there are others also.

Ruling out drivers on 5-10 level just finds out more of those who does.

[andyone]

I think there are better younger drivers who will be much better to bring up, where is lappi? And the other finnish talent i.forgot his name, chardonate, boufier etc much better I guess. Just opinion

[thuGG]

I think there are better younger drivers who will be much better to bring up, where is lappi? And the other finnish talent i.forgot his name, chardonate, boufier etc much better I guess. Just opinion

And how exactly Kubica is blocking them to enter WRC?

[N.O.T]

And how exactly Kubica is blocking them to enter WRC?

Sponsors can invest elsewere... thats how.

[Mad cat jnr]

Sponsors can invest elsewere... thats how.


Maybe these other drivers need to start proving that to the sponsors that seem quite happy in sponsoring Kubica then?

You talk some serious rubbish N.O.T!!!

[thuGG]

Lotos will invest in Lappi, Chardonet and some others Finnish drivers?

[N.O.T]

Maybe these other drivers need to start proving that to the sponsors that seem quite happy in sponsoring Kubica then?

You talk some serious rubbish N.O.T!!!

what kubica achieved apart from competing in ladyboy sports, and having a serious accident ? Kubica is there because of his name not because he earned anything.

[N.O.T]

Lotos will invest in Lappi, Chardonet and some others Finnish drivers?

I do not care about that... maybe they would invest in another polish driver with potential... the fact is that they invest in a person for his name not his skills.

[Rallyper]

I think there are better younger drivers who will be much better to bring up, where is lappi? And the other finnish talent i.forgot his name, chardonate, boufier etc much better I guess. Just opinion

Probably yes. But why do you think Kubica should refrain (?) his steering wheel to another driver? It´s his money. And if he gets funded by own sponsors why should he not drive?

[Rallyper]

Everyone understands it´s not only driver skills that make them appear in WRC. Investors invest in what they think gets best pay-off. Kubica is one of them and additionally he´s one out of 10-12 fastest in WRC. So what´s the big deal?

[Ounin]

To be honest, I wish Robert Kubica to stay in WRC in 2015. I wish him very well and hope he gets all the success he has worked for so hard till today right now. I also hope the latest gear shifting and handbrake system will suit his 1 1/2 hands he has got available. He has a huge motor racing heart and shows courage at all times, he deserves more than all his critics deserves to be right.

[Ounin]

For all those drivers who are judged not to be WRC worthy tell you what; ERC is a much better alternative with great weekends, wide range of surfaces, happy sponsors and loads of high quality TV Eurosport coverage.

[N.O.T]

To be honest, I wish Robert Kubica to stay in WRC in 2015. I wish him very well and hope he gets all the success he has worked for so hard till today right now. I also hope the latest gear shifting and handbrake system will suit his 1 1/2 hands he has got available. He has a huge motor racing heart and shows courage at all times, he deserves more than all his critics deserves to be right.

wish, wish, hope, hope... that really shows how much is capable for.

[thuGG]

what kubica achieved apart from competing in ladyboy sports, and having a serious accident ? Kubica is there because of his name not because he earned anything.

Was he born with a famous name? Does "Kubica" name have some kind of appeal to people? Is it selling something?

[EightGear]

Was he born with a famous name? Does "Kubica" name have some kind of appeal to people? Is it selling something?
Yes.

[Franky]

Was he born with a famous name? Does "Kubica" name have some kind of appeal to people? Is it selling something?

Your first question is irrelevant.

Second one. I think that nearly all the F1 drivers who have achieved something in F1 are big stars in the home country. So the answer to your question is most likely yes.

Third. Sponsoring without any kind of marketing benefit?

[EightGear]

Quentin Gilbert will be in JWRC next year: http://www.autonews-magazine.com/blognl/?p=26958

I don't see any point in that, besides winning it and earning a WRC2 program. He's got much more to lose than to win.

[thuGG]

Your first question is irrelevant.

Second one. I think that nearly all the F1 drivers who have achieved something in F1 are big stars in the home country. So the answer to your question is most likely yes.

Third. Sponsoring without any kind of marketing benefit?

What I meant was, that Robert wasn't born with a famous name, or with a name that has it's appeal on it's own. He achieved something, and then his name become valuable.
N.O.T. wrote "Kubica is there because of his name not because he earned anything." if he hasn't earned anything his name wouldn't mean anythin. The statement is contradictory.

[Franky]

What I meant was, that Robert wasn't born with a famous name, or with a name that has it's appeal on it's own. He achieved something, and then his name become valuable.
N.O.T. wrote "Kubica is there because of his name not because he earned anything." if he hasn't earned anything his name wouldn't mean anythin. The statement is contradictory.

And at the same time you ignore his another post, where he said "apart from competing in ladyboy sports". If you're unfamiliar with N.O.T's terminology, then ladyboy sports refers to Formula 1.

Kubica is a nice addition to the WRC circus, but he isn't a top level contender. And I don't understand what's all the fuss about.

[stefanvv]

That's the question; who is qualified enough to drive WRC and who has to stick with ERC...maybe vice versa...you've got yourself a new thread here. Who is the judge.

One thing is certain, Kubica is not qualified for WDC in Rally, not currently anyway. The important thing is what he really wants. If it is to drive WRC, why not, everyone which has such possibility can do that, the more, the better. For sure he can't fight with Ogier & Latvala, but we can say with same weight to other teams and drivers in WRC factory teams. If he wants just to do some Rally - then probably ERC is the championship is the one he can achieve more, depending on his ambitions of course.

He has strong sponsorship relations with Lotos, I'm sure they know what they are doing, so it's all about Kubica's personal preference. Must not be that much disappointed of his failures though, WRC is big challenge for a rookie. If he really wants to continue there and develop in Rally, must think for his approach. Trying very hard to cope with the fastest is not the best one to begin with.

[RS]

Kubica had his lessons during 2014. Why should he step back to ERC? No driver steps back having driven on a certain level...
Like wishing Mikko to go back and drive Finnish championship? Never happen. Let´s hope Kubica finds his funding and fullfills 2015 season in WRC in a good way.

The difference is that Kubica did not succeed at ERC level before moving on.

In fact perhaps he is the perfect example that driving WRC2 is not a good preparation for stepping up to a World Rally Car in WRC.

[RS]

Bryan Bouffier will be in Monte Carlo, again with Fiesta from M-sport. Sourse his facebook: https://m.facebook.com/148123678606489/photos/a.219750481443808.54076.148123678606489/741120579306793/?type=1&permPage=1

Pretty much confirms it is over for him with Hyundai then, if they don't want him for Monte..