Opel in Rally

[M5]

Opel has a long and proud history in Rallying. Many Asconas and Mantas have given much joy for drivers and fans.
After the Ascona 400 was history, they had a stint with the Kadett/Astra in F2000, and a quick appearence with a 4wd Calibra, then it was over, until the Adam came in cup and R2 version.

Hopefully we will also see them back in R5 in the coming years.

The many Opel fans deserve that the proud history gets another chapter!

[Rallyper]

I think there so many fans wanting Opel back in the higher classes like WRC and R5, aren´t it?

So let´s hope we´ll see something happening soon!!

[focus206]

Calibra, then it was over, until the Adam came in cup and R2 version.


Inbetween there were also Astra Kit Car (mostly active in UK as Vauxhall though) and Corsa S1600 with some JWRC appearences. And the "ghost" Corsa S2000. But the Adam R2 looks a very good car to me, let's hope it'll give them some confidence to aim for something more.

[Jarek Z]

Inbetween there were also Astra Kit Car (mostly active in UK as Vauxhall though) and Corsa S1600 with some JWRC appearences.

Yeah, let's not forget Corsa S1600! It wasn't a bad car!
http://foto.rallyonline.pl/GALERIA/jarekz/polski2003/jz-rajdpolski35.jpg
http://foto.rallyonline.pl/GALERIA/jarekz/elmot2002/elmot2002_jarekz_42.jpg

[Hartusvuori]

Curiosity matter, but the only living Opel Corsa S2000 should compete in Finland next year. It is MSD's chassis 4, which was imported in pieces to Finland in October 2012. First chassis is spare parts to this, second chassis never went beyond bodyshell phase, third chassis travelled from Greece to Denmark and was destroyed in a garage fire. Finnish LTR-Racing has developed an evolution version of the engine and it has nouw 35 extra horsepowers compared to first engine and also +20 Nm torque. Xtrac transmission. This information is translated from an article in Vauhdin Maailma magazine.

[OldF]

It’s been a long project. From their news section.

http://www.ltr-racing.fi/ralli.html

Google translated.

03/20/2013:
The new Opel Corsa OPC S2000's construction is well underway. Tests have been done a lot of individual components and the MSD with the contents of the results are quite satisfactory. New elements provide a lot of mm. the engine, transmission and body. It is already known that in the past been plagued by the challenges are all history and all parties have a very tense atmosphere before driving fluids get to take things more clear. Among the new components of the 20% has already been the FIA. The Classification Board as acceptable and paper stock, as well as turnings becomes every day more. Overall, the new car will be seen in action, hopefully as early as June Rally Championship series.

Their cars.
http://www.ltr-racing.fi/rallikalusto.html

It says the Opel has a centre diff also. Hmm….

With 98E fuel 280 PS / 260 Nm. With racing fuel little bit more.

The Datsun 100A it’s an interesting one. 116 hp / 146 Nm.:)

[Sulland]

Any sense in the rumour that the Corsa R5 project is outsourced to a privat tuner?

[Rally Power]

Any sense in the rumour that the Corsa R5 project is outsourced to a privat tuner?

Maybe Pluto can confirm it...;)

R2 Adams were developed and build by Holzer Motorsport, that became a sort of rally partner for Opel (like Kissling Motorpsort's for track racing), so it's probable that the R5 Corsa can also be outsourced to them.

[CWJ]

Who says there is any Opel R5 project yet? I would like it but at the moment I don't even think there is a proper business case.

[sindroms]

Who says there is any Opel R5 project yet? I would like it but at the moment I don't even think there is a proper business case.


Yes, it exists and it is in development... That's enough.

[CWJ]

He might speak about a single prototype...

[liposh]

When Pluto said "development process is ON", then they are working on it, it is not sleeping. Well , it can take some while, but it is not sleeping.

[Mirek]

I haven't seen any kind of proof that it is actually ongoing and I don't believe until I see some. No matter what PLuto says.

[Jarek Z]

When Pluto said "development process is ON", then they are working on it, it is not sleeping.

Is PLuto developing the car himself or together with Holzer Motorsport? ;)

[Mirek]

Is PLuto developing the car himself or together with Holzer Motorsport? ;)

I would give anything to see something like PLuto developing a car :D:D:D

[Jarek Z]

Is this the factory Opel everybody is talking about? :)
http://www.rallye-magazin.de/index.php?id=1506&tx_yag_pi1[rm][albumUid]=1206&tx_yag_pi1[rm][galleryUid]=701&tx_yag_pi1[action]=submitFilter&tx_yag_pi1[controller]=ItemList&cHash=56d54e7cea466cfa00ae8589a1e8f0cf

[markf8691]

Is this the factory Opel everybody is talking about? :)
http://www.rallye-magazin.de/index.php?id=1506&tx_yag_pi1[rm][albumUid]=1206&tx_yag_pi1[rm][galleryUid]=701&tx_yag_pi1[action]=submitFilter&tx_yag_pi1[controller]=ItemList&cHash=56d54e7cea466cfa00ae8589a1e8f0cf

If only...lol

[itix]

The fact that Pluto is so stubborn but won't give any details out probably means he/she or a friend/acquaintance is involved in the supposed project... you'd kind of seem like an idiot if you kept insisting there is a project when there is naught but thin air!

[Sulland]

Is the Opel project planned for 2017, or is there no firm date for launch?

[Jarek Z]

Is the Opel project planned for 2017, or is there no firm date for launch?

I don't know, but I hope that when the car is finally launched, it will be possible to drive it like that :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxrWTZjtCXo

[Sulland]

You with noses closer into the Rally rumors. How much of a chance is there for Opel homologating this beauty
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ocRcsGzBRXI
Did anyone here see it in the Portugal service park?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

You with noses closer into the Rally rumors. How much of a chance is there for Opel homologating this beauty
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ocRcsGzBRXI
Did anyone here see it in the Portugal service park?

I think it's a real possibility. They have done so well in the Junior ERC with the R2 Adam I dont see why they wouldnt take the next step into the R5 class.

They also have a good chance to compete as there are only Peugeot as Manufacturer entries in the ERC. Opel also has two top guys in Ingram and Huttunen who could go into the car...

[Sulland]

Maybe also Bergkvist, if he still has a link to Opel?

Who has/ will Holzer use as development drivers?

[Andre Oliveira]

Bergkvist is Citroën C3 R5 oficial test driver.

[macebig]

Bergkvist is Citroën C3 R5 oficial test driver.

Citroen and Opel have the same owners now, so if the will is there, running an Opel Corsa R5 won't be an issue.

[Sulland]

I do not like where we are moving - with a few owners, with many brands and all power.
Options gets very few!!

[ToughMac]

Given that PSA are running customer programmes with their R5 cars there can't be really be conflicts as such. It would be a different scenario if they were running factory 'works' teams against each other.

[dimviii]

Teemu / Rallirinki‏*@HartusvuoriWRC
This picture of @HOLZERGRUPPE Corsa R5 slot in service park on Saturday raises questions: ____ Motorsport? Why is Opel brand covered.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DAU-fQeWAAAN8f-.jpg

[dodge33cymru]

That is a really strange one indeed. Something feels not very right about this project unfortunately.

[AndyRAC]

Well, one has to conclude that Opel haven't given it their official blessing. One hopes that they will, but who knows?

[mousti]

For me that's not really a surprise Holzer declared directly that there must be first negotiations with Opel to get the car support from them and they it could be homologated as an R5. So it's normal they hide the Opel logo with no agreement yet.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

For me that's not really a surprise Holzer declared directly that there must be first negotiations with Opel to get the car support from them and they it could be homologated as an R5. So it's normal they hide the Opel logo with no agreement yet.

Spot on, but I believe the feedback from Opel has been very positive. :)

[dodge33cymru]

Spot on, but I believe the feedback from Opel has been very positive. :)
Why wouldn't they do all that in private though? Turning up with Opel Motorsport trucks and awnings but without their blessing is a very strange situation.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Why wouldn't they do all that in private though? Turning up with Opel Motorsport trucks and awnings but without their blessing is a very strange situation.

They have their 'blessing', its just that Opel aren't committed yet.

[PLuto]

I do not like where we are moving - with a few owners, with many brands and all power.
Options gets very few!!

I think this is one of the biggest problems for motorsport...

[Mirek]

Why wouldn't they do all that in private though? Turning up with Opel Motorsport trucks and awnings but without their blessing is a very strange situation.

Could be connected to the recent takeover of Opel by PSA.

[Rally Power]

Why wouldn't they do all that in private though? Turning up with Opel Motorsport trucks and awnings but without their blessing is a very strange situation.

Like it was said, no opel logos on the tent and the trucks are the ones Holzer uses at ERC. There was room for doubts since day one: why the initial youtube videos weren't posted by Opel, once Holzer (the team behind R2 program) was ever a silent partner? It's now clear that the development and presentation of this R5 Corsa were done by Holzer initiative and Opel permission. I don't believe Opel will allow homologation if there's no official program (ERC or WRC2) attached, and for that to happen the new bosses (PSA) must give their green light. Fingers crossed!

Btw, I've seen the car at Exponor and it looks really great.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Teemu / Rallirinki‏*@HartusvuoriWRC

According to @GronholmM, Jari Huttunen got permission from Opel Motorsport to enter @RallyFinland in Fabia R5, but he must use Opel overalls...

[Simmi]

Motorsport News today says they spoke to Opel, who confirmed that it has no plans to homologate any R5 spec rally cars.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Motorsport News today says they spoke to Opel, who confirmed that it has no plans to homologate any R5 spec rally cars.

Nooooooooo... :bigcry:

[Sulland]

Well, it could be many reasons why MN got a no answer, so I would not close that door just yet.

But what does the manufacturers have to loose by saying yes?
If the project is a success they can use it commercially, if it is too slow, they can say they had nothing to do with it, made by private initiative.

[electroliquid]

But what does the manufacturers have to loose by saying yes?
If the project is a success they can use it commercially, if it is too slow, they can say they had nothing to do with it, made by private initiative.

Exactly, Opel has nothing to lose..

[nafpaktos]

The irrelevant people to our sport will see just a slow r5 opel.They will not understand if the initiative was private or official,so yes opel has things to loose.As for me of course i want opel to come back as a work team.

[electroliquid]

Irrelevant people doesn't see difference between R2 and R5 cars, so now they look at R2 Opel and think - Ohh Opel so much slower than Škoda/Ford/Subaru/Citroen/Toyota...And I can't imagine how possible Opel R5 could be so bad, that put a shame on whole manufacturer...

[dupanton]

Don't forget PSA has bought Opel...

[Tom206wrc]

Since this week it's official, PSA now owns 100% Opel/Vauxhall ;)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Holzer still showing their Corsa R5, this time at Barum:

https://twitter.com/ChrisIngramGB/status/900737056179195904

[electroliquid]

Holzer still showing their Corsa R5, this time at Barum:

https://twitter.com/ChrisIngramGB/status/900737056179195904

That could be good sign, right?

[dupanton]

No, not going to happen. There is no support from Opel, they can't homologate it without their support.

[Mirek]

Just standing next to the car. It looks like a finished product judging by the level of details which are way more polished and precise than how the prototypes of Peugeot and M-Sport looked like when they competed as zero cars.

The car has damper position similar to traditional M-Sport scheme. There are Reiger dampers and Alcon brakes. Seems the electronics is Bosch.

There are still Opel logos on it. Sad it likely won't ever compete.

[electroliquid]

Are there strong Opel market in Australia/NZ or in other APRC area countries? or there is only Holden brand? Could it compete as AP4 car like Mitsubishi R5?

[pantealex]

Are there strong Opel market in Australia/NZ or in other APRC area countries? or there is only Holden brand? Could it compete as AP4 car like Mitsubishi R5?

Opel is Opel only in Europa. (and Vauxhall in U.K)

[JUF]

Opel is Opel only in Europa. (and Vauxhall in U.K) Actually, Opel sells its cars in parts of Northern Africa and Southwest Asia as well... ;) But you don't see many of their cars there.

[electroliquid]

So is there any real options to see that car on stage if (and probably do) Opel won't homologate car? Some Opel lifetime rally drivers, dealer backed national teams, only rally show events? I mean doesn't Holzer had plan what to do with car or they just build it and hoped for the best? It would be strange these days...

[Mirek]

Thomas Holzer said in an interview with Mediasport on Barum rally that they were going to continue testing the Corsa R5. He said they were still at the start of the testing process and that they hoped Opel would provide the homologation even when the car was a private initiative of Holzer. Fingers crossed!