[WRC] News & Rumours 2019 [Archive] - Page 8

deephouse

9th April 2019, 15:02

Just like Mikkelsen did in early 2017. Be around, do recces, have occasional outings in some R5 etc.

Mikkelsen had opportunity with Skoda and he got it because of their history and last employer (VAG). Then Citroen was in big trouble and they needed a guy and at that time he was only one available.

I still think Paddon is trying to come back, just maybe he need to look at other teams also (seems like Hyundai is not interested much in him anymore). I know he have strong connection with Hyundai NZ but there are also other brands out there. Proton will need a strong driver if they will ever decide to attack APRC, ERC or even WRC2. Maybe Skoda? What if they join anyway in future (hybrid tech), despite they sa otherwise. I don't know. His call.

TypeR

9th April 2019, 15:20

If Paddon wants to get back to WRC car, he should be ,,on stage''.. at least driving WRC2 on several rallies. Doing his own stuff and staying touched to Hyundai NZ isn't helping much.. + he is almost stranger to Hyundais new boss..

racerx1979

9th April 2019, 15:23

His loyality with Hyundai NZ is one thing, but obviously Hyundai WRC can give two sh!ts about him. Not sure why he's stuck on Hyundai... Better off being a Ford guy at this point. He will be let down once again when Hyundai fails to acknowledge him... I'm sure they can care less he just purchased a TCR... If they wanted him on the team he would be there. If you think about what they did it's pretty much a slap in his face.

His only hope is that Andreas has a complete horrid season... So far so good, but a long ways to go.

PLuto

9th April 2019, 15:40

Problem for Hayden was that he was part of WRC Hyundai team mainly because of Hyundai NZ. He was good promotion for Australia and NZ teritory for Hyundai. Now, when he is out, there is a question if there is anyone else interested in him...

dimviii

9th April 2019, 17:46

https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/april-2019/japan-warm-up/page/6254--12-12-.html

cali

9th April 2019, 18:35

I actually sew Hayden in a Toyota next year

Allez Andruet

9th April 2019, 18:45

No-one will forget Paddon (or Breen).

Not forget, but let's say Hyundai is looking for someone to partner Neuville and Mikkelsen in Finland (as seems to be the case). Would you rather hire Paddon who's been more or less hiding in NZ the whole 2019, or Paddon who's been seen in the service park and done a few rallies in i20 R5?

Allez Andruet

9th April 2019, 18:48

https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/april-2019/japan-warm-up/page/6254--12-12-.html

It's quite amazing that the Yaris WRC that's in Japan still has Lappi and Ferm on the side windows instead of Meeke and Marshall. You'd think four months would be enough for the job but obviously it isn't.

Tarmop

9th April 2019, 18:59

rallyfiend

9th April 2019, 19:03

It's quite amazing that the Yaris WRC that's in Japan still has Lappi and Ferm on the side windows instead of Meeke and Marshall. You'd think four months would be enough for the job but obviously it isn't.

That's the team that won the Manufacturers' Championship.

Why would they change it?

Allez Andruet

9th April 2019, 19:07

Citroen also shows its Xsara`s and C4`s with their original liveries and Loeb written on it, when they want to show that they are a winning-team with great history....M-Sport also.
I don't quite get the Xsara/C4 connection here, but I'm quite sure M-Sport isn't displaying a Fiesta WRC with Ogier's name on it on any Wales Rally GB event this year.

Allez Andruet

9th April 2019, 19:11

That's the team that won the Manufacturers' Championship.

Why would they change it?

I think I read somewhere that TGR signed Meeke and Lappi went over to Citroen.

Tarmop

9th April 2019, 19:16

I think I read somewhere that TGR signed Meeke and Lappi went over to Citroen.

https://youtu.be/3Q10OjMEaJc?list=PLVyRAt2cxbxsiyEBTDP2g5kjKoeC9v3t Q&t=18

They advertise it as a 2018 manuf. champion car.

rallyfiend

9th April 2019, 19:20

I think I read somewhere that TGR signed Meeke and Lappi went over to Citroen.

Are you being deliberately obtuse?

Allez Andruet

9th April 2019, 19:26

Are you being deliberately obtuse?

I thought to ask you the same.

Mk2 RS2000

9th April 2019, 19:48

One of the good things about doing projects and vehicle manufacturer testing in NZ is that aside from some excellent testing grounds European media don't know what is happening which is why so many manufacturers go there for both winter and summer testing. Add to that the readily available engineering expertise and facilities should it be required then where better to develop projects outside of the public eye. Had you been able to view the brief job descriptions Hayden advertised when setting up the new facilities then perhaps one would realise that there is a plan afoot.

AnttiL

9th April 2019, 20:14

I actually sew Hayden in a Toyota next year

Better off being a Ford guy at this point.

I don't see Hayden changing brand from Hyundai. Like said, it could be a partnership that lasts beyond a WRC career.

EstWRC

9th April 2019, 20:14

All is not lost for Paddon.

How much did you guys know about Tänak in 2013, after he was dropped and competed at estonian championship with his old Subaru? I guess not much, if anything at all, but still he managed to get back.

But Paddon must definitely get rid of this Hyundai deal.

I would love to see him in the Toyota or Ford.

the sniper

10th April 2019, 02:29

He had money for new car and he bought TCR-model...

Why not (i20) R5 ???

He is still doing rallies with very very old model i20 which isn´t even FIA legal. No chance to compete even in WRC Australia...

1. Are you sure that he brought it?

Paddon told Autosport/Evans: "Seat time is still so important and driving in a variety of conditions is really useful. The chance came to buy an i30 TCR and bring it down here and we jumped at the chance."

"I'm always looking for ways to help work on my driving, especially on asphalt and this is another way to do that."

"Maybe we'd do some of those races [TCR in New Zealand] - but everything is still absolutely geared to getting me back to the WRC."

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/142598/paddon-buys-tcr-car-to-aid-wrc-return-bid

Seems odd to me. But IIRC a TCR car is less than half the price of an R5 and presumably easier/cheaper to maintain. Maybe Hyundai NZ wanted to get involved in circuit racing/TCR NZ and Paddon is just taking the money and facilitating it?

Nevertheless, pretty poor that Hyundai Motorsport couldn't spare a bit of budget to co-fund some kind of R5 campaign with Hyundai NZ...

skarderud

10th April 2019, 05:09

Petter Solberg end his top level carriere:

https://www.vg.no/sport/motorsport/i/50pXw1/petter-solberg-legger-opp-som-vm-foerer

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

leighton323

10th April 2019, 07:41

Paddon is supported financially through Hyundai NZ. Therefore their NZ Motorsport activities go through Paddon Rallysport. He is also the supplier to NZ of Winnmax brakes, EXT suspension, wheels amongst other things.

How hard is it to understand it is a business that is generating return. He is not throwing cash in a hole.

Going and doing selected Europe events would be spending hundreds of thousands of Euros, with no return ($$).

Im sure what Paddon is doing is biding his time, and rallying financial support around him, which includes a successful business he is building. Time will tell but Paddon will not be giving up.

deephouse

10th April 2019, 08:53

Petter Solberg end his top level carriere:

https://www.vg.no/sport/motorsport/i/50pXw1/petter-solberg-legger-opp-som-vm-foerer

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

Shame. Well, fingers crossed now that he will convince Subaru guys to bring their involvement into WRC again and he will be the man to lead the squad.

Rally Power

10th April 2019, 18:23

https://rallysportmag.com/rally-japan-passes-wrc-candidate-test/

Matton and Ciesla plans are getting more and more confusing. Apparently they’ve announced that the 2020 WRC calendar will have 8 European rounds and 6 on the rest of the world (the current 4 plus Japan and Kenya). But what about Turkey, isn’t the rally already a non European event? Why to include it in the European quota if it’s actually totally based in Asia?

Btw, the Japanese pre WRC rally (already successfully inspected as a candidate event last year) wil be run this year one week prior to Australia, with a total of 122 stages kms (76 miles). How will they get the extra 178 kms for the 2020 edition?

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/fia-officials-japan-kenya-rally/4366648/

Allez Andruet

10th April 2019, 18:41

Btw, the Japanese pre WRC rally (already successfully inspected as a candidate event last year) wil be run this year one week prior to Australia, with a total of 122 stages kms (76 miles). How will they get the extra 178 kms for the 2020 edition?

Maybe they'll just run some super special 20 times to bridge the gap...

AnttiL

11th April 2019, 06:53

Fast Eddie WRC

11th April 2019, 10:21

tommeke_B

11th April 2019, 14:01

I think it's quite common for rallies to be shorter than WRC events when they don't have the WRC value. A longer rally is more expensive to set up and there's no sense to do it when you don't get as much exposure as with WRC. It doesn't mean they are not capable of arranging a longer rally.

It does make sense to organize a proper event... It's not because you can organize a 120km event, that you are capable of doing the same for a 300km event with 10 to 100x as much spectators. I think events should already have a certain quality and reputation before going to the WRC. Events like Catalunya and Germany had a big reputation already before they joined the WRC calendar. Nowadays they choose events based on the world map. "Oh, Japan looks fun, Corsica or Sardinia will have to leave." I think FIA and the promoter are taking big risks with this.

rallyfiend

11th April 2019, 14:17

It does make sense to organize a proper event... It's not because you can organize a 120km event, that you are capable of doing the same for a 300km event with 10 to 100x as much spectators. I think events should already have a certain quality and reputation before going to the WRC. Events like Catalunya and Germany had a big reputation already before they joined the WRC calendar. Nowadays they choose events based on the world map. "Oh, Japan looks fun, Corsica or Sardinia will have to leave." I think FIA and the promoter are taking big risks with this.

I think you've missed the point - this event in November is a promotional stunt.

They already ran their proper Candidate Event that was evaluated by FIA in 2018.

racerx1979

11th April 2019, 15:15

I think you've missed the point - this event in November is a promotional stunt.

They already ran their proper Candidate Event that was evaluated by FIA in 2018.

Typical Japanese mentality. Going 110% beyond. I think it's about time Japan comes back to the scene. Would be a good one to spectate and might be the start for other Japanese manu's to get involved.

Rally Power

11th April 2019, 16:47

I think you've missed the point - this event in November is a promotional stunt.
They already ran their proper Candidate Event that was evaluated by FIA in 2018.

Actually, besides the promotional stunt this year event intends to be a test for the organizers; once they’re using less than 40% of a proper WRC event stage miles, it’ll hardly be a full scale test. Btw, last year candidate event route was even shorter and a bit bizarre, which makes one wonder if the FIA and the promoter aren’t dangerously lowering the series quality level in order to get new foreign events. https://rallysportmag.com/is-this-the-future-of-the-wrc-japan-itinerary-unveiled/

AnttiL

11th April 2019, 20:16

Actually, besides the promotional stunt this year event intends to be a test for the organizers; once they’re using less than 40% of a proper WRC event stage miles, it’ll hardly be a full scale test.

Rally Chile 2018 143 km
Rally Turkey 2017 199 km

And rallies that got dropped from WRC:

Rally Poland 2018 (ERC) 214 km
Acropolis Rally 2014 (ERC) 238 km
Rally New Zealand 2017 226 km

BTW it almost seems like a preset formula for a new WRC rally to have 2x3 stages on Friday and Saturday and two single-run stages between the two power stage runs on Sunday. The China Rally, Turkey and Chile all were made on this formula (until Chile had the repeat of SS1 removed on RG2)

Rally Power

11th April 2019, 22:10

Rally Chile 2018 143 km
Rally Turkey 2017 199 km
And rallies that got dropped from WRC:
Rally Poland 2018 (ERC) 214 km
Acropolis Rally 2014 (ERC) 238 km
Rally New Zealand 2017 226 km

For sure there’s no need to run a 300 SS kms event as a pre WRC test (or candidate event), but under 200kms will always look a bit short for a proper go. Anyway, once Rally Japan was approved last year with only 106 SS kms and only 16kms were added this year, one can honestly wonder if it will ever meet the 300 SS kms distance. It’s a fair doubt, not a criticism.

Fast Eddie WRC

12th April 2019, 09:41

Østberg in NZ interview:
"I also hope still being in the Citroen system increase my (WRC) chances.”

https://t.co/x2cqZFoK4o?amp=1

rallyfiend

12th April 2019, 09:55

Østberg in NZ interview:
"I also hope still being in the Citroen system increase my (WRC) chances.”

https://t.co/x2cqZFoK4o?amp=1

That's what Craig Breen thought.

How did that work out for him?

Fast Eddie WRC

12th April 2019, 11:57

That's what Craig Breen thought.

How did that work out for him?

Ostberg means he is still driving for Citroen (in WRC2-Pro)...

Breen is out there competing in European rallies to keep him in the eye.

2019 San Remo:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D38t0iYW0AAn0GF.jpg

Rallyper

12th April 2019, 13:16

Well, then he should be way ahead...

Fast Eddie WRC

12th April 2019, 13:53

Well, then he should be way ahead...

Ostberg is still inside the Citroen camp though.

Rallyper

12th April 2019, 14:13

Breen way ahead of the italians... I meant.

rallyfiend

12th April 2019, 14:14

Ostberg is still inside the Citroen camp though.

Because he's paying to be there.

Same as he was last year.

Didn't help him then, did it? Why would it help now?

Rallyper

12th April 2019, 15:07

Because he's paying to be there.

Same as he was last year.

Didn't help him then, did it? Why would it help now?

As I recall, Ostberg didn´t pay anything to drive Citroen C3 WRC. Didn´t get paid either.

2nd place o/a in Rally Finland wasn´t good enough for you?

rallyfiend

12th April 2019, 15:13

As I recall, Ostberg didn´t pay anything to drive Citroen C3 WRC. Didn´t get paid either.

2nd place o/a in Rally Finland wasn´t good enough for you?

I never said it wasn't good enough for me.

It just clearly wasn't enough for Citroen - hence why he's out of a drive. Craig too....

Oh, and for sure he paid. That's why there were PMI logos on the car...

mknight

12th April 2019, 16:49

Breen way ahead of the italians... I meant.

I think Breen is doing well in Italy compared with Paddon in 2017.

That said as a point scorer in 3rd car Østberg is clearly a better candidate for non - tarmac rallies in the Citroen.

skarderud

12th April 2019, 23:27

I never said it wasn't good enough for me.

It just clearly wasn't enough for Citroen - hence why he's out of a drive. Craig too....

Oh, and for sure he paid. That's why there were PMI logos on the car...PMI paid Mads' salary.

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

Franky

13th April 2019, 08:24

PMI paid Mads' salary.

I would believe that it was only Mads' salary, if PMI's logo would had not been so prominent on the car. On the sides it is as big as Abu Dhabi... Not to mention four logos on the front bumper, four on the front wings. And something on the rear hatch, I think.

Fast Eddie WRC

13th April 2019, 18:31

Breen won Rallye San Remo.

Eli

13th April 2019, 19:53

Breen won Rallye San Remo.

Hopefully he'll get back in the WRC in 2020...

Allez Andruet

13th April 2019, 20:46

Breen just needs to get his act together, though it may be too late anyway. He had 28 starts with Citroen (though one with an outdated DS3 in Monte 2017) to prove his worth, but he more or less failed to do that. And that's no disrespect to Breen, he's an extremely likable chap and no-one should ever forget what he did in Finland 2016, but at the very pinnacle of this sport, only results matter.

Rally Hokkaido

14th April 2019, 03:32

Breen won Rallye San Remo.

And Paddon won Rally of Otago by 7 minutes.

AnttiL

14th April 2019, 10:06

Barreis

14th April 2019, 10:40

guys had pretty good chance to show how good they are in WRC but blew it. i mean, they were in the works team. weren't they? c'mon

Fast Eddie WRC

14th April 2019, 11:01

Fast Eddie WRC

14th April 2019, 11:37

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/141898/huttunen-linked-to-new-factory-wrc-deal

After Rally Sweden Jari Huttunen said he was hopeful of a future WRC seat.

Surprise news is he's next to drive in the BRC Pirelli Rally in an i20 R5 for Hyundai Motorsport.

Duvel

14th April 2019, 11:43

But Citroen wanted champion Ogier and then signed last year's 'best of the rest' Lappi who was unsettled at Toyota from mid-2018. Plus they stuck with just two cars for 2019 and Abu Dhabi pulled out.

Hard to complete with all that.

True, but you have to agree on the previus post to. Both had there chanse, more than other pilots in recent years to show what they could.
Look at Lappi, he came in, was not expected to be right there on top from his team (no pressurre). But still he was battling for podiums right away.

Guys like Tidemand never had that kind of opportunity yet.

If I was team principal, id be looking at Rovanpera, Huttunnen, .. more than getting Breen or Paddon back.

AnttiL

14th April 2019, 15:34

But Citroen wanted champion Ogier and then signed last year's 'best of the rest' Lappi who was unsettled at Toyota from mid-2018. Plus they stuck with just two cars for 2019 and Abu Dhabi pulled out.

Hard to complete with all that.

There are also three other teams who chose not to sign him. Breen was even connected to all four teams in the rumors of the last silly season.

janvanvurpa

14th April 2019, 15:54

At least Breen had decent opposition, and winning those drivers with years of experience on those roads was a good result. Can't find Otago results to see if Paddon had even other cars in the same class.

After all he did win overall just a few years ago in an Appendix K Historic Escort on those same roads.
Overall. On carbs with H pattern gearbox. Ad rear leaf springs..On those roads which seem to be perfect for powerful 4wd turbocharged cars. And 3 other old 2wd cars were in the top 12..

It says something about the level of the field....

Sure I love the old cars but.............

CahunaKiwi

14th April 2019, 21:33

After all he did win overall just a few years ago in an Appendix K Historic Escort on those same roads.
Overall. On carbs with H pattern gearbox. Ad rear leaf springs..On those roads which seem to be perfect for powerful 4wd turbocharged cars. And 3 other old 2wd cars were in the top 12..

It says something about the level of the field....

Sure I love the old cars but.............

Results for the event, along with who Paddon's opposition were and what they drove, is available on http://chrissport.co.nz. Basically there were a couple of R5s and a whole lot of AP4/AP4+ cars in the field the same as Paddon's AP4+. The difference is that all of NZ's drivers are amateurs who in a year have less seat time than Paddon was getting in any given month while he was a contracted Hyundai driver. That experience (along with talent) means that Paddon has built a car to the same rules as his competitors but, in all likelihood, has used his experience to produce a setup which is faster than any other car in the field. Then he's used his experience and talent to drive the car to the limit all day every day. Watching the in-car footage Paddon is only ever in one of two modes - on the throttle or on the brakes. His competition spend much more time off both pedals letting the car settle into a corner before putting the power back on. The biggest thing that shows the gulf in experience is in the post-event interviews where the 2nd and 3rd placed drivers (Hunt and Turner) were both wide-eyed about how much time their cars were in the air on the roller-coaster final stage and how exhilarating it was, while Paddon treated it as just another day at the office.

With his effort in the BDA in 2015, Paddon was a little flattered by having the top two drivers that year (Ben Hunt, who I would say is NZ's second fastest active competitor, and Ken Block) both strike problems early in the event. He was over half a minute behind those two after 3 stages and wouldn't have been near them them in a straight fight. To put it in perspective Mads Ostberg drove a similar BDA in this year's event and won the Classics division after a trouble-free drive, yet he finished over 4 minutes behind the same driver (Phil Campbell) who Paddon beat for that 2015 win.

Probably the best indicator of how good Paddon's performance was this year isn't that he won by over 7 minutes but that he did so by beating every stage record he set in the same car last year.

GravelBen

14th April 2019, 23:57

..On those roads which seem to be perfect for powerful 4wd turbocharged cars.

I'd say the turbo 4wd cars actually have less advantage at Otago than most rallies.

Their biggest advantage is the torque and traction giving better acceleration out of slower corners, especially when its slippery or rough.

The fast, flowing, smooth roads mean there is less of that advantage, and the faster 2wd cars (even the classics) often have more outright power and less weight.

GravelBen

15th April 2019, 00:15

To put it in perspective Mads Ostberg drove a similar BDA in this year's event and won the Classics division after a trouble-free drive, yet he finished over 4 minutes behind the same driver (Phil Campbell) who Paddon beat for that 2015 win.

For further comparison, Ostbergs winning margin in the classic class was under 2 minutes... over a middle aged real estate agent with a schoolgirl codriver. ;)

I don't say that to run Ostberg down, he's a talented driver who I think is often underrated. Just giving some comparison for the speed of the field and level of competition.

GravelBen

15th April 2019, 00:46

guys had pretty good chance to show how good they are in WRC but blew it. i mean, they were in the works team. weren't they? c'mon

Paddon had a WRC win (by beating Ogier in a straight fight on a powerstage too), a bunch of podiums and a 4th place championship result. Not sure how that could possibly be considered 'blowing his chance'? He had a nightmare year in 2017, proved in 2018 he had come back from that, but got squeezed out by team politics.

Breen never achieved the same results to be fair, but 2 podiums and was in contention enough times to prove he has the pace. Probably just needed to show it more consistently.

Fast Eddie WRC

15th April 2019, 09:38

There are also three other teams who chose not to sign him. Breen was even connected to all four teams in the rumors of the last silly season.

Also hard to compete with their signings of ex-world champions, multiple WRC winners, drivers with good sponsors and much more experienced drivers.

Zeakiwi2

15th April 2019, 12:17

mknight

15th April 2019, 17:47

proved in 2018 he had come back from that, but got squeezed out by team politics.

He got dropped cause the team thought that a 9 time world champion who just won a rally might be a better choice.
Whether it was for wins, points, media attention or car development is not so easy to say, probably a combination of all that. In any case the combination of all these is really hard to compete against for a seat, like Eddie says.

dimviii

15th April 2019, 18:37

So Bertelli give the fiesta for a ride to Andolfi as he promised at Aprils 1st
https://twitter.com/fuckmatie37/status/1117850122229112835

Tauri_J

15th April 2019, 18:55

For a test only.

GravelBen

16th April 2019, 11:54

If you look at the top speeds for the stages you will see a Mark 2 Escort hit the highest speed on one of the stages for this year's Otago rally at around 120 mph.

And I see highest speed for 6 of the 7 stages on Sunday (and highest speed of the rally) were set by another NA 2wd... Klinky's RX8 is quite a weapon though! :eek:

AnttiL

16th April 2019, 12:20

Top speeds aren't really important in measuring the performance on rally stages. There must be a very long straight where any car will hit its top speed and at that point it's up to the gear ratios who goes fastest. And most likely the top cars were set for shorter gear ratios to get a better performance on the twisty sections, which matters often more in rallying.

Rally Hokkaido

16th April 2019, 12:20

And I see highest speed for 6 of the 7 stages on Sunday (and highest speed of the rally) were set by another NA 2wd... Klinky's RX8 is quite a weapon though! :eek: Probably time to end this non-WRC topic with this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApqkW07apno

Fast Eddie WRC

16th April 2019, 13:31

Breen on Insta says he's back in the 'red machine' tomorrow (C3 R5) !!

Pics from Alsace and Vosges...

mknight

16th April 2019, 14:30

Breen on Insta says he's back in the 'red machine' tomorrow (C3 R5) !!

Pics from Alsace and Vosges...

Could be they will use him on some European WRC rallies like they do with Østberg on gravel ones.

AnttiL

16th April 2019, 14:34

Breen on Insta says he's back in the 'red machine' tomorrow (C3 R5) !!

Pics from Alsace and Vosges...

Where? I can't find...

EDIT: your twitter seems to have a screenshot of a story which does not exist anymore.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D4RuVVfW0AI5di7.jpg

AnttiL

16th April 2019, 14:46

Fast Eddie WRC

16th April 2019, 15:19

Where? I can't find...

EDIT: your twitter seems to have a screenshot of a story which does not exist anymore.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D4RuVVfW0AI5di7.jpg

It's still there under Stories...

stefanvv

16th April 2019, 20:15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApqkW07apno

Amazing

EstWRC

17th April 2019, 05:16

mknight

17th April 2019, 07:58

https://www.rallit.fi/sebastien-loeb-wrc-autolla-kansalliseen-kisaan-sardinian-mm-ralli-jaa-valiin/

Loeb doing the Rallye Vosges (French national rally) with the i20 WRC. Sardegna is driven the same weekend so he's skipping that.

The big question after the terrible pace (for Loeb) on Corsica...
Is he getting told to "get used to the car, Neuville won with it".
Or are they starting to do some real changes to the tarmac car and he is doing this rally to help identify or test them before germany?

With old leadership the first option looked more likely, with Adamo it might be something is going to happen (like Neuville is asking for). After all they have signed Loeb for 2 years and they still have Mikkelsen signed this year, both of which likely costs some money. Having them fight for 7-8 places on tarmac does not look like good investment.

AnttiL

17th April 2019, 08:29

France just recently allowed WRC cars to compete on their national rallies (outside points). Meanwhile, taking part in a rally does not consume testing days

racerx1979

17th April 2019, 11:51

NZ could host 2020 WRC round at Australia’s expense

https://rallysportmag.com/nz-could-host-2020-wrc-round-at-australias-expense/

i really hope this comes true.

but im afraid Rally Australia will once again knock Cielsa unconscius with its money.

How many times do the WRC manus have to whine about low attendance and shit spectating turnouts before they move to NZ...

Maybe AUS staff is giving Ciesla a reach-around to keep this shit-show alive?

tommeke_B

17th April 2019, 13:03

After Loeb in Alsace, it looks like Neuville will be in Ypres with the i20 WRC. The organizers created a special category, "Ypres Rally Masters", covering roughly half of the event. https://mailchi.mp/ypresrally/ypres-rally-ter-ert-en-brc-een-overzicht-1791525?fbclid=IwAR3-KV6fi_h1HdhQyLqJtRpT_P1d5DhH8_CJ62ZOYNeCpaTKq9IRZP 4mGHs

dimviii

17th April 2019, 15:52

interesting
https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/april-2019/tanak-rally-business/page/6265--12-12-.html

Gregor-y

17th April 2019, 21:20

More WRC cars outside the WRC would be a good thing. Ieper's an interesting event though I admit it's like driving rural roads in northern Indiana.

mousti

17th April 2019, 22:42

More WRC cars outside the WRC would be a good thing. Ieper's an interesting event though I admit it's like driving rural roads in northern Indiana.Don't like it. And it's just a way to get Neuville at the start. He isn't interested to drive with the R5 car anymore because it can't compete against Skoda and Volkswagen.

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Allez Andruet

18th April 2019, 05:23

Did I get it right that some do actually think that latest spec WRCs in national rallies, even when driven by WRC stars, is not good?

JUF

18th April 2019, 06:58

Did I get it right that some do actually think that latest spec WRCs in national rallies, even when driven by WRC stars, is not good?

Well, yes, I actually think it´s a bad thing. World Rally Cars should take part in WRC rounds, not in national events.

AnttiL

18th April 2019, 07:26

Well, yes, I actually think it´s a bad thing. World Rally Cars should take part in WRC rounds, not in national events.

Even if it's just for show and a way to attract more spectators? What does it take away from anyone?

Zeakiwi2

18th April 2019, 10:06

'Rally Safe' version 4 has been released (as on their FB page)

Should let the WRC cars do the national rallies, just no points. Also the driver to be 'qualified' so no wealthy low/no skilled drivers turn up in a wrc car for ego purposes.

Should the FIA try and aim for better performance parity between the R5 cars. The current situation is almost about which team can keep buying the newest R5 to win with.

Why can't Spain be the final round of the WRC (is Southern Spain a better location for a November round?)

denkimi

18th April 2019, 10:18

Don't like it. And it's just a way to get Neuville at the start. He isn't interested to drive with the R5 car anymore because it can't compete against Skoda and Volkswagen.

https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/43466-renties-ypres-rally-2018/
don't forget he's driving a real full factory supported car with unlimited budget and testing, against some privateers with far lesser means.

Fast Eddie WRC

18th April 2019, 10:50

So he is driving an R5 not a WRC ?

AnttiL

18th April 2019, 10:52

So he is driving an R5 not a WRC ?

As for Ypres 2019, we don't know yet.

PLuto

18th April 2019, 10:54

As for Ypres 2019, we don't know yet.

We know it. They have made special category for him...

PLuto

18th April 2019, 10:54

Well, yes, I actually think it´s a bad thing. World Rally Cars should take part in WRC rounds, not in national events.

I have the same opinion.

AnttiL

18th April 2019, 11:07

I have the same opinion.

Why?

I mean, competition wise it's stupid to have a single WRC car whose times cannot be compared to anyone, but it's a nice attraction for spectators. Or does it take away glory of the overall win from the local R5 drivers although they would get the highest points?

Fast Eddie WRC

18th April 2019, 11:12

If it helps teams sell WRC's then it's good for a team like M-Sport.

And what about all the pre-2017 WRC's ? They should have somewhere to drive.

mousti

18th April 2019, 11:47

Why?

I mean, competition wise it's stupid to have a single WRC car whose times cannot be compared to anyone, but it's a nice attraction for spectators. Or does it take away glory of the overall win from the local R5 drivers although they would get the highest points?Yes we had East Belgian Rally some years ago when Neuville started with WRC and the organisor told me some People didn't opt to sent entry because of that.

And this is indeed made for Neuville to start with his WRC. Such things are for Eifel Festival not for Ypres. Really don't care about it.

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PLuto

18th April 2019, 11:51

Why?

I mean, competition wise it's stupid to have a single WRC car whose times cannot be compared to anyone, but it's a nice attraction for spectators. Or does it take away glory of the overall win from the local R5 drivers although they would get the highest points?

Yes, you have wrote some of the reasons. With this car, nobody can fight against you as these cars are so much better than others, so competition is smaller. Especially when the cars and their running is crazy expensive, so not big chance to have more cars. And in this case it is only about money, nothing else. It also take away glory of the other competitors/competition, which is usually more important on the events. Another reason is that this WRC cars are so much powerful, so they are destroying the roads very quickly...

Fast Eddie WRC

18th April 2019, 13:38

Breen staying match-fit for WRC...

https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/april-2019/breen-column/page/6268--12-12-.html

tommeke_B

18th April 2019, 13:41

https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/43466-renties-ypres-rally-2018/
don't forget he's driving a real full factory supported car with unlimited budget and testing, against some privateers with far lesser means.

That's one year ago. Everyone's improving, and there's the new VW Polo R5, while the Hyundai i20 R5 hasn't had any development anymore... And since they're going to let Thierry drive the WRC car in some own made-up event, it's clear Hyundai completely gave up on R5..

Jarek Z

18th April 2019, 14:30

Even if it's just for show and a way to attract more spectators? What does it take away from anyone?

Someone is driving a car that is 3 times more expensive, much more powerful and way faster than all other competitors. Can it even be called sport?

tommeke_B

18th April 2019, 14:45

+1. With R5 we see much stronger competition in all countries, 20 R5 cars in national events are not exceptions anymore. Many of those can sell these projects to sponsors because they can fight for wins/podiums. Add a few WRC cars and many of those would disappear. Just watch the results of national events in mid-2000s, where in most places WRC cars were allowed, but too expensive to run in big numbers...

AnttiL

18th April 2019, 14:53

Remember that Finland and France have announced that WRC cars can't score points for the championships. Ypres is even arranging a separate competition for them.

the sniper

18th April 2019, 15:00

the sniper

18th April 2019, 15:08

Was there always a National rally attached to the International Ypres rally? So long as he's not entered in the 'International' main event I don't see the issue. And if this attached 'Masters' National rally is new, nothing has been lost. It's essentially just a show event tacked on, the result of which will be irrelevant.

Tarmop

18th April 2019, 15:45

20 R5s in one event is not a rule, far from it i`d say. Look at a bigger picture (entrylists from ewrc for example) and the picture is a lot different. WRC is a sight to see on small events, for local spectators and it is a good thing. For sure, when Mr. Loeb drives a 2019 WRC in his homeland, he is quite a big attraction, how could it be bad? Same applies for Neuville in Ypres...and Tänak in Rally Estonia. They are one-offs, good for those fans who can`t allow themselves travelling around the world and see them in WRC action.
Other than that, you can talk about glory being taken away...or also talk about Oliver Solberg beating a 2017 Fiesta WRC with his Polo R5...

Fast Eddie WRC

18th April 2019, 15:53

The Irish Tarmac Championship has always allowed WRC cars to enter its events, although the Championship points have only been for R5's since 2016.

There were/are many WRC cars in Ireland from the previous years and they didnt want them to become redundant overnight.

AnttiL

18th April 2019, 16:18

A good article on the aero development of the current WRC cars. Autosport Plus but at least right now free to read.

https://www.autosport.com/engineering/feature/9012/how-an-aero-revolution-has-transformed-the-wrc

AnttiL

18th April 2019, 16:23

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/142847/safari-rally-told-to-toughen-up-route-for-return

First time I've seen this mentioned, but alongside what we know about Mouton's opinion, a quote from "a source close to the event" that the rally will be around 500km. Presumably/hopefully that means 500km of SS, which would be good news! Still only going to use private estate roads though, which I fear will be different in character to the old Safari roads... I understand why though.

Interesting since the rules only changed for this year to limit the maximum length from 500 to 350

If anyone's interested, here's an hour of onboards from the 2018 event https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbWa0dhVqhw

Allez Andruet

18th April 2019, 20:14

Someone is driving a car that is 3 times more expensive, much more powerful and way faster than all other competitors. Can it even be called sport?

Just as well as if 2 or more are driving cars with same attributes.

What I somewhat fail to understand here is that it's not like we're getting these market disruptors on each national championship. The 2017 machinery is anyway so expensive and so restricted for bunch of reasons, that it just won't happen. Instead, we're treated with likes of Neuville and Loeb doing the odd outing here and there, giving the events more exposure and bringing more fans than they'd normally draw. I.e. no-one's definitely losing here.

Tarmop

19th April 2019, 08:50

That's one year ago. Everyone's improving, and there's the new VW Polo R5, while the Hyundai i20 R5 hasn't had any development anymore... And since they're going to let Thierry drive the WRC car in some own made-up event, it's clear Hyundai completely gave up on R5..

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2019/pirellibrc/entries.php?type=u
Regarding to the i20 R5 project, entrant no. 29 clearly shows otherwise.

Tarmop

19th April 2019, 20:30

It was the same in Wrc2 also, i believe. Point is, by whom he is registered...

AnttiL

19th April 2019, 21:00

In WRC2 it was a Sarrazin Motorsport car and according to Huttunen things didn't work so well...

Tarmop

20th April 2019, 08:42

I meant, it was a service bought by HMSG, not done by theirselves, not counting other factory support and development.

Fast Eddie WRC

20th April 2019, 11:50

Breen leading in ITRC:
With 9 stages done at the #EasterStagesRally, we hold an 18.8-second lead. The weather is great, the stages are fantastic and the @cjjmotorsports Ford Fiesta is working brilliantly! ✅ #ITRC https://t.co/u008aPhOQp

EDIT
@Craig_Breen and @paulnagle1 have completed stage 15 and have provisionally won the UAC Easter Stages Rally.

Fast Eddie WRC

20th April 2019, 16:04

Quotes on the Toyota wheel issue:

"Tanak was frustrated by a puncture which took him out of the TDC victory battle.

Toyota team boss Tommi Makinen admitted the issue was the by-product of a rim-suspension set-up which was sending too much stress through the tyre.

The Puppolla-based team suffered the same issues in Monte Carlo, when it ran lightweight rims.

Makinen was quick to stress the fault didn't lie with long-time WRC wheel supplier OZ Racing.

"It's something in the set-up," Makinen told Autosport.

"We need to find a way to give the suspension more space and take away some of the stress from the rim.

"It's not fair to call this a puncture because we are losing the air in a strange way."

EstWRC

20th April 2019, 21:28

So Kruuda was right then.

KKS

20th April 2019, 22:49

So Kruuda was right then.
About what?
/I'm a little bit away, so out of context

Oops!

20th April 2019, 23:10

According to the driver its a UK sourced car.

It's an Irish sourced car with support from Hyundai Motorsport.

AnttiL

21st April 2019, 10:40

Huttunen says the Pirelli Rally outing is a single race and does not mean he is returning to Hyundai's services https://www.rallit.fi/rallilupaus-jari-huttuselta-tyrmays-hyundai-huhuille/

Allez Andruet

21st April 2019, 11:00

Huttunen says the Pirelli Rally outing is a single race and does not mean he is returning to Hyundai's services https://www.rallit.fi/rallilupaus-jari-huttuselta-tyrmays-hyundai-huhuille/

So is he entered by Hyundai Motorsport or not? :confused:

Oops!

22nd April 2019, 01:34

Yes

Grundo Farb

22nd April 2019, 07:13

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/motorsport/112162329/rally-new-zealand-hopeful-event-will-be-wrc-event-in-2020

Not sure about the validity of this but I really hope so!

mknight

23rd April 2019, 18:20

I haven't seen it mentioned before but Hyundai announced their lineup for Portugal (Neuville, Mikkelsen, Sordo):
https://twitter.com/HMSGOfficial/status/1118424324233412608

Loeb also won't be in Sardinia as he is doing the french rally at the same time. The original news were that he was signed for 6 rallies in 2019. With Chile it only leaves 2 for the rest of the season.
Would expect that Loeb wants one more tarmac rally (prbly Germany as Sordo has quite bad recent record there), but might also drive both replacing Mikkelsen either only in Spain or on both. Other clear candidate for Loeb is GB where Sordo was never fast. Still looks very open for someone else to drive in Finland.

For sure things can change, but at the same time Loeb wasn't very keen on doing more rallies (talking about how much time it takes with travel, recce etc.).

Mk2 RS2000

24th April 2019, 01:13

. Still looks very open for someone else to drive in Finland.

For sure things can change, but at the same time Loeb wasn't very keen on doing more rallies (talking about how much time it takes with travel, recce etc.).

There is a Kiwi lurking between NZ and Europe at the moment who is pretty handy on fast roads especially if he gets a chance to set a car up to suit him rather than to suit someone else. Scuttlebutt has it that a few of the Hyundai mechanics would like him onboard for this event too.

N.O.T

24th April 2019, 01:35

er88

24th April 2019, 02:08

Seeing how ruthless Adamo is, I'd guess/presume Mikkelsen will now be out of Germany and Spain (unless Loeb actively doesn't want to do one of those events for whatever reason).

Allez Andruet

24th April 2019, 06:48

https://www.rallit.fi/wrc-huoltoalueella-on-kuhistu-jari-matti-latvalan-asemasta-saako-ajaa-kautta-loppuun-saakka/

Speculation (in Finnish) about the upcoming Rally Argentina and more interestingly about Latvala's situation at TGR. According to Heinonen and Hietavala (the two doing the talking on the video) there's been rumor around the service park whether JML will remain in the TGR squad till the end of the season if he doesn't start to deliver. And as we're already approaching Argentina, he better do it sooner than later.

Ofcourse it's nothing more than pure speculation at the moment, but as both of these guys are actively involved in Finnish WRC gossip, it's interesting to hear nevertheless. What was the saying again about the smoke and fire...

dimviii

24th April 2019, 07:34

https://www.worldrallyblog.com/2019/04/22/wrc-news/has-thierry-neuville-cracked-the-code/

mknight

24th April 2019, 08:36

There is a Kiwi lurking between NZ and Europe at the moment who is pretty handy on fast roads especially if he gets a chance to set a car up to suit him rather than to suit someone else. Scuttlebutt has it that a few of the Hyundai mechanics would like him onboard for this event too.

Sure Paddon is the best pick in Finland, but he reportedly said no to that in December. We will see if that no is still valid if they don't get anyone else. On the other hand it's not very good situation for Paddon to drive in Finland either. He is not likely to fight for the win or even podium there unless Hyundai does some miracle upgrade (very unlikely, they have 0 podiums from that rally for a reason). If he finishes 4th-5th it will just be "normal" and doesn't increase his chances for a seat in any way, anything else, for example worse than 5th, worse than any of the other two Hyndais or a crash will hurt him a lot.

So I do understand why he is not so keen to join just for one rally.

------------------

Seeing how ruthless Adamo is, I'd guess/presume Mikkelsen will now be out of Germany and Spain (unless Loeb actively doesn't want to do one of those events for whatever reason).

Adamo being extremely "realistic" is exactly why I don't think that Loeb automatically drives both rallies and that Sordo drives Germany.

In Corsica Loeb crashed in first stage, crashed 2 times in the rally in total (when did that ever happen before?), didn't have good pace, finished worse than Mikkelsen the year before and brought 0 points to the team. Hard to do worse than that. (btw. I don't think it's down to Loeb as a driver). Sordo crashing out of Germany the last two years was mentioned.

Imo Mikkelsen will drive in Germany as the "safe" choice, just like Sordo drove on Corsica. So will Loeb (if he wants/has time) as the "risky" choice and Spain will be decided depending on their results.

----------------

https://www.rallit.fi/wrc-huoltoalueella-on-kuhistu-jari-matti-latvalan-asemasta-saako-ajaa-kautta-loppuun-saakka/

Speculation (in Finnish) about the upcoming Rally Argentina and more interestingly about Latvala's situation at TGR. According to Heinonen and Hietavala (the two doing the talking on the video) there's been rumor around the service park whether JML will remain in the TGR squad till the end of the season if he doesn't start to deliver. And as we're already approaching Argentina, he better do it sooner than later.

Ofcourse it's nothing more than pure speculation at the moment, but as both of these guys are actively involved in Finnish WRC gossip, it's interesting to hear nevertheless. What was the saying again about the smoke and fire...

While Latvala obviously does not have good season so far I really don't see him getting replaced before the end of the year. The only somewhat "safe" choices are Paddon, Østberg and Breen, out of these only Breen seems completely free. In any case nothing is going to happen on that front until after Finland.

Eli

24th April 2019, 11:02

I know it's been talked about in other places but here's to hoping it actually comes true: https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/142909/new-zealand-tipped-for-oneoff-wrc-return

AnttiL

24th April 2019, 11:03

Ypres confirmed today that Neuville will do the additional WRC class event in the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC.

Mirek

24th April 2019, 11:20

Ypres confirmed today that Neuville will do the additional WRC class event in the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC.

As a spectator I don't like that he will not push the R5 behind its limits like in last years :(

Crazy J

24th April 2019, 13:57

----------------

https://www.rallit.fi/wrc-huoltoalueella-on-kuhistu-jari-matti-latvalan-asemasta-saako-ajaa-kautta-loppuun-saakka/

Speculation (in Finnish) about the upcoming Rally Argentina and more interestingly about Latvala's situation at TGR. According to Heinonen and Hietavala (the two doing the talking on the video) there's been rumor around the service park whether JML will remain in the TGR squad till the end of the season if he doesn't start to deliver. And as we're already approaching Argentina, he better do it sooner than later.

Ofcourse it's nothing more than pure speculation at the moment, but as both of these guys are actively involved in Finnish WRC gossip, it's interesting to hear nevertheless. What was the saying again about the smoke and fire...

While Latvala obviously does not have good season so far I really don't see him getting replaced before the end of the year. The only somewhat "safe" choices are Paddon, Østberg and Breen, out of these only Breen seems completely free. In any case nothing is going to happen on that front until after Finland.

Next year WRC Rally Japan will be a tarmac rally. It would be highly appreciated in Japan / TGR that Katsuta would get proper tarmac rally practise with WRC before that. It would make sense that Taka would drive WRC in Germany and Catalunya this year. Even more so, if JML does not perform in next 5 gravel rallies and loses the possibility to drivers championship, after that there is no critical reason why Taka could not replace him in coming tarmac rallies.

Tarmop

24th April 2019, 14:16

It would make sense for Toyota to have a points scoring driver who could score many points and allow them to take the title(s), last year Mr. Toyoda was very much interested in it, probably hasn`t changed. Katsuta`s only option could be practising in a fourth car, not replacing JML. Quite a critical reason i`d say.

Pršljen

24th April 2019, 14:37

https://www.worldrallyblog.com/2019/04/22/wrc-news/has-thierry-neuville-cracked-the-code/

Completely agree with the text, Neuville's lead is different this year but I believe that it can't last long with the current Hyundai performances and non existing support from the team mates. Neuville wasn't the fastest guy in neither of the previous rallies and that's a fact. Being luck and avoiding offs won't bring him title in the end if he doesn't perform fastest times continously.

AnttiL

24th April 2019, 15:05

As a spectator I don't like that he will not push the R5 behind its limits like in last years :(

I'm sure there's plenty of drivers who will do that.

pantealex

24th April 2019, 15:17

Fast Eddie WRC

24th April 2019, 15:55

As a spectator I don't like that he will not push the R5 behind its limits like in last years :(

And you'd think Hyundai would rather see their R5 car promoted...

Still, many fans who dont travel to rallies will be glad to see the WRCar in action.

TN: "To repeat last year and drive an R5 in the Renties Ypres Rally would not have been newsworthy to the fans. We won the race last year. What more could we do? On the other hand, we really want to be part of it in Ypres, because it is great to drive for our fans in our own country. The enthusiasm of our supporters was fantastic in Ypres last year, which is why we are starting again, but this time with the Hyundai i20 Coupé WRC. "

"Last year, Nicolas and I wondered what it would be like to drive the WRC on the Ypres course. The rally is very specific, with deep cuts, and also very fast. It will be a challenge to go fast with our Hyundai i20 Coupé WRC, " laughs Thierry. "We may miss a bit of a competitive feeling because we are not competing against the other R5s, but that way we can entertain the fans. For me it is certainly interesting to tame Ypres with the WRC. We are going to drive at a fast pace without taking unnecessary risks. It will be great for the fans! "

https://mailchi.mp/ypresrally/renties-ypres-rally-27-29thjune-2019-news-1795065

Tarmop

24th April 2019, 16:00

First of all they`d rather improve their WRC and win the titles this year...

Mirek

24th April 2019, 16:01

I'm sure there's plenty of drivers who will do that.

No. I saw the last two editions and nobody was even close to his level of driving.

With the WRC he won't be pushed by anyone to drive like that (the i20 R5 was obviously slower than cars of his main rivals in last two years).

T16

24th April 2019, 19:55

Does the entry into Ypres not count as testing days?

N.O.T

24th April 2019, 20:00

Does the entry into Ypres not count as testing days?

rallies are not testing days...

i strongly believe that the british should pay a subscription fee to this forum... their intellectual level spans between unilad and wrc.com levels of intelligence.

T16

25th April 2019, 06:38

rallies are not testing days...

i strongly believe that the british should pay a subscription fee to this forum... their intellectual level spans between unilad and wrc.com levels of intelligence.

Sorry old boy, I’m not familiar with Unilad.

Rally Power

25th April 2019, 14:48

https://www.eurosport.fr/wrc/wrc-la-prochaine-reglementation-fera-place-a-une-solution-hybride-matton_sto7242152/story.shtml

Apparently it’s decided: WRC will go Hybrid from 2022. Matton revealed it to AFP, mentioning they are still deciding the tech specs; according to the interview, the purpose is to add an affordable hybrid system to the current WRC engines. If so, it seems to be a smart move.

Mk2 RS2000

25th April 2019, 22:20

i strongly believe that the british should pay a subscription fee to this forum... their intellectual level spans between unilad and wrc.com levels of intelligence.

Which of course is why you chose to live in the heart of it all, nothing like seeking comfort in the arms of like minded people

CWJ

26th April 2019, 09:27

Rallye Magazin expects Skoda to end works rally programm for E-TCR

https://www.rallye-magazin.de/wrc/artikel/d/2019/04/26/verabschiedet-sich-skoda-in-richtung-rundstrecke/

Fast Eddie WRC

26th April 2019, 18:17

Wild speculation from a rally podcast:

Petter Solberg to run a returning hybrid-powered Subaru WRT in 2022.

Fast Eddie WRC

26th April 2019, 19:57

So is he entered by Hyundai Motorsport or not? :confused:

Huttunen's car at the Pirelli Rally. Car run by Philip Case Rally Sport.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5F6cUSWwAE-wQV.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5Gku8BW0AMqDfe.jpg:large

GravelBen

27th April 2019, 12:33

Sure Paddon is the best pick in Finland, but he reportedly said no to that in December. We will see if that no is still valid if they don't get anyone else. On the other hand it's not very good situation for Paddon to drive in Finland either. He is not likely to fight for the win or even podium there unless Hyundai does some miracle upgrade (very unlikely, they have 0 podiums from that rally for a reason). If he finishes 4th-5th it will just be "normal" and doesn't increase his chances for a seat in any way, anything else, for example worse than 5th, worse than any of the other two Hyndais or a crash will hurt him a lot.

So I do understand why he is not so keen to join just for one rally.

From what I remember it was actually Sweden rather than the more obvious Finland or Australia they offered him as a consolation drive, for whatever reason.

Not that it makes much difference, in general I agree with you - to come back for a one-off after not driving the wrc car at all this year, and most likely with team orders to play it safe for points (and not take any off Neuville) anyway... There wouldn't be much value in that for him other than making sure his name and face are seen in Europe.

EstWRC

29th April 2019, 05:29

Lappi the first name that was said out today to compete on Rally Estonia this summer.

the big question for me: who is it going to be from Hyundai?

Im sure M-sport will be with Suninen.

mknight

29th April 2019, 06:28

[QUOTE=EstWRC;1215556
the big question for me: who is it going to be from Hyundai?
[/QUOTE]
Their 3rd driver for Finland....unless it's Sordo, in which case one of the other two will start there.

AnttiL

29th April 2019, 06:30

Neuville is doing Ypres and Loeb the French event so maybe Mikkelsen goes to Estonia?

mknight

29th April 2019, 15:27

Neuville is doing Ypres and Loeb the French event so maybe Mikkelsen goes to Estonia?

I'd say he is actually the least likely. Most likely is the 3rd guy (unless it's Sordo). Then Neuville cause he fights for championship. Mikkelsen has never been good in Finland and I don't see that changing with just better set-up car.

Lead

29th April 2019, 17:01

Neuville is doing Ypres and Loeb the French event so maybe Mikkelsen goes to Estonia?
That would actually be good for him. Find best setup for the car and maybe prapere a little bit for Finland, as he has been awful there for past years.

KiwiWRCfan

1st May 2019, 12:13

the big question for me: who is it going to be from Hyundai ?

when do Rally Finland entries close compared to dates of Rally Estonia ?
Could Hyundai send Huttunen to Estonia then depending upon his result make a decision if they or don't send him to Finland ?

AnttiL

1st May 2019, 12:52

when do Rally Finland entries close compared to dates of Rally Estonia ?
Could Hyundai send Huttunen to Estonia then depending upon his result make a decision if they or don't send him to Finland ?

Estonia is only 2-3 weeks before Rally Finland, I'm pretty sure it's not enough.

mknight

1st May 2019, 19:33

https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/april-2019/whos-doing-what-this-week/page/6299--12-12-.html

"The British squad [MSport] heads directly to Santiago for a week of mountain biking with great local guidance from Pedro and Alberto Heller."

Mountain biking and rally drivers is usually a good combination.... until they can't enter next rally.

satnav

1st May 2019, 20:15

when do Rally Finland entries close compared to dates of Rally Estonia ?
Could Hyundai send Huttunen to Estonia then depending upon his result make a decision if they or don't send him to Finland ?

Rally Finland entries close on the 1st July , Estonia is 12/14 July

spiderem

1st May 2019, 22:42

if you refer to Loeb, it was actually a motorbike accident... that was covered with a mountain bike accident.

2nd May 2019, 05:24

Rallye Magazin expects Skoda to end works rally programm for E-TCR

https://www.rallye-magazin.de/wrc/artikel/d/2019/04/26/verabschiedet-sich-skoda-in-richtung-rundstrecke/

Given the direct quotes from Hrabánek, this sounds likely. At least they will stay in rallying as a provider of customer cars.

Mirek

2nd May 2019, 09:17

The sister company VW could always use their abilities to produce a reliable R5 car..

Well, Škoda has been engaged on the international rally scene for nearly a century-long period. It would be sad if they leave.

2nd May 2019, 09:22

Well, Škoda has been engaged on the international rally scene for nearly a century-long period. It would be sad if they leave.

Sounds like they will continue with the R5 programme at least, I hope beyond the current (new) version.

I am not against electric racing of any form but it would be sad to see Skoda choose this over a full WRC return.

Mirek

2nd May 2019, 09:24

deephouse

2nd May 2019, 17:30

I guess that we need to forget about Skoda and hope for Subaru to really step into it.

2nd May 2019, 18:38

Had heard rumours that they were considering making a petrol/hybrid Fabia vRS with the electric motors adding a big boost to the performance however looks like they are going the full Scalectrix route.

It looks like Skoda’s electric vehicles will for now at least be standalone models (apart from the Citigo) so a hybrid Fabia RS is possible, but not until the next generation road car.

Seems pretty obvious the FIA are going to have to introduce some kind of hybridisation to the top classes of rallying in the near future. Even F1 has been running hybrids of some type for years now.

But this Skoda to ETCR rumour might explain the driver cull at the end of last year and the huge scaling back of their WRC2 programme.

mknight

2nd May 2019, 20:44

Francis44

2nd May 2019, 21:19

As late as about 1,5 years ago Skoda was seen as "almost certain" to join WRC (by me as well). Now we have rumors of moving out completely. Add to that Citroen "threatening" to leave next year if rule changes are not introduced and Ford not joining MSport even after winning 3 titles (2 driver + 1 manu) and having the 6 time champion in the car.

Wonder what all the people saying how WRC rules are perfect and FIA should not "destroy" them with changes think about it.

The top category will go hybrid from 2022, that is already decided, now how the system will be introduced is still in discussion.

VAG is very frustrated because they have heavily invested in the iD race car with low social media engagement, that is why they are desperately looking for another electric race series to promote their technology, cant blame them for that.

Rally Power

3rd May 2019, 00:01

Sounds like they will continue with the R5 programme at least, I hope beyond the current (new) version.
I am not against electric racing of any form but it would be sad to see Skoda choose this over a full WRC return.

Maybe Skoda is stepping away to give VW room for a full WRC return in 2022, with a hybrid car. Despite the big announcements of future EV’s launches, VW is intensifying the use of mild hybrids systems on their ICE models, which will still be dominant during the next decade (at least).

deephouse

4th May 2019, 14:14

The top category will go hybrid from 2022, that is already decided, now how the system will be introduced is still in discussion.

Look how that story about all electric went in World RX. It was all decided and then all of sudden everyone leaves. I still think that even if they plan to introduce electric there no one will join. Here will be the same story.

Tarmop

4th May 2019, 14:17

They are not planning to introduce full electric, read about it first, before making assumptions out loud.

Norm75

4th May 2019, 15:29

I guess that we need to forget about Skoda and hope for Subaru to really step into it.

Subaru are looking to go hybrid with their next generation of wrx .

AnttiL

7th May 2019, 12:46

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D59mAMyWwAEHk2O.jpg

A new great super special for Wales Rally GB...

Fast Eddie WRC

7th May 2019, 13:01

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D59mAMyWwAEHk2O.jpg
A new great super special for Wales Rally GB...

I wonder if that's it.

There were strong rumours of a street stage in Liverpool.

AnttiL

7th May 2019, 13:20

The rumors were of a Thursday street stage in Liverpool. But this one's planned for Saturday.

tommeke_B

7th May 2019, 14:02

Very disappointed in seeing more and more "stages" like these. Has nothing to do with rallying.

rallyfiend

7th May 2019, 14:06

Very disappointed in seeing more and more "stages" like these. Has nothing to do with rallying.

Yeah, but it does in 'paying the bills'.

tommeke_B

7th May 2019, 14:22

Yeah, but it does in 'paying the bills'.
In events where the entrance is free, you can use that argument indeed... But in Wales spectators are paying a lot of money to see the cars in action. Nobody buys an entry ticket, looking forward to see a WRC car taking a donut on a parking area. Having this "thing" in the itinerary means there's probably no room for a proper forest stage at night.

Fast Eddie WRC

7th May 2019, 14:22

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D59mAMyWwAEHk2O.jpg
.

The Mickey Mouse stages of the old RAC Rally (in the grounds of stately homes) were like real rallying compared to this !

Fast Eddie WRC

7th May 2019, 14:34

Ceremonial start in Liverpool & maybe street stage:

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/143216/new-street-stage-in-colwyn-bay-for-wales-rally-gb

AnttiL

7th May 2019, 15:44

Having this "thing" in the itinerary means there's probably no room for a proper forest stage at night.

I don't think it would have been an option anyway

The Mickey Mouse stages of the old RAC Rally (in the grounds of stately homes) were like real rallying compared to this !

Agreed!

Rallyper

7th May 2019, 15:56

The Mickey Mouse stages of the old RAC Rally (in the grounds of stately homes) were like real rallying compared to this !

However I remember Bjorn Waldegard always saying those were the stages you never gained any time, just risking to loose a lot, only. But that was in the 70-80´s ... :)

Allez Andruet

7th May 2019, 17:36

Jesus f-kin Christ. This is BS in its purest form.

Fast Eddie WRC

7th May 2019, 18:07

However I remember Bjorn Waldegard always saying those were the stages you never gained any time, just risking to loose a lot, only. But that was in the 70-80´s ... :)

Sure, they were MM stages compared to the forests. But for fans and tv viewers they looked much more like 'rallying' than these current, street SSS.

Rallyper

7th May 2019, 18:25

Sure, they were MM stages compared to the forests. But for fans and tv viewers they looked much more like 'rallying' than these current, street SSS.

Yes. Maybe so. But still in the gardens of he rich people... Not much of stages anyway...

Rallyper

7th May 2019, 18:26

Jesus f-kin Christ. This is BS in its purest form.

I´m not sure what you mean? Are you commenting my quote or something?

Allez Andruet

7th May 2019, 18:49

I´m not sure what you mean? Are you commenting my quote or something?

No no no, that was not what I meant. Sorry for being unclear. I should have quoted the post I was referring to. The point was to express my dissatisfaction regarding the Welsh SSS, which is very much ex anus, if such Latin phrase is acceptable.

the sniper

7th May 2019, 18:51

I'm not endorsing that stage, but if you want to look at the positives, a stage like that is very much a part of this Rally's heritage! https://youtu.be/v-JntnA0RyA?t=51 :D

I'm all for a return to a traditional RAC Rally style Rally GB, though the return of seafront promenade tests isn't quite what I was thinking of...

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the Start/Thursday evening. Realistically speaking, I'd like them to have some balls like Automobile Club de Monaco and go for a Ceremonial start in Liverpool, before heading back to service via a run in darkness through a 30km Clocaenog and 10km Alwen. An entirely logical route, a great start to the rally, but I await disappointment...

EstWRC

7th May 2019, 18:52

i can not wait N.O.T commenting on this....

jbmarcus21

7th May 2019, 20:04

This week VW landing in french tarmac for new test with Polo R5 ... My video of today https://youtu.be/jDViKLOUjc8

er88

7th May 2019, 20:33

Zeakiwi2

7th May 2019, 20:52

How long before wrc introduces a drifting power stage. Points for style/ angle, closeness to the walls etc? That Colwyn sss is more like Gymkhana/ autokhana etc RAC Zero Cup tests rally uk 2018 - https://youtu.be/3Xl4U8oXdY0

Fast Eddie WRC

8th May 2019, 09:50

Spectator stages have always happened, but now they are less and less like the sport they are supposed to promote.

racerx1979

8th May 2019, 10:20

Who comes up with these SSS? Do they ask the drivers anything before coming up with such shite. Who thinks doing multiple donuts is cool as an actual competition? There's enough lame Ken Block videos on YouTube to entice people into that ....

EstWRC

8th May 2019, 14:37

this doesnt bode well....

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/teams-warning-hybrid-2022-fia/4383702/

Francis44

8th May 2019, 15:15

this doesnt bode well....

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/teams-warning-hybrid-2022-fia/4383702/

What doesnt bode well?! So the teams demand Hybrid systems and now they are afraid of the challenges while applying the technology.

EstWRC

8th May 2019, 15:20

Tauri_J

8th May 2019, 15:21

I think only Citroen is 100% in favour of hybrids.

AnttiL

8th May 2019, 15:38

What doesnt bode well?! So the teams demand Hybrid systems and now they are afraid of the challenges while applying the technology.

Teams don’t demand hybrids, manufacturers do. FIA must decide soon so the manus won’t drop their support and teams have enough time to develop the cars.

Rally Power

8th May 2019, 17:31

did you read the article at all ?
and it never bodes well when FIA has one opinion and the teams another, and for me it doesnt seem they are afraid, what can they be afraid of when they dont exactly know whats coming and how?

Actually, last year manus were still undecided about the degree of electrification they wanted for the WRC and VW was still pushing for full EV’s (a totally unrealistic option knowing how hard and expensive it’d be). Apparently, only at the start of this season there was a general agreement on hybrids use: https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/electric-hybrid-rules-2022-todt/4332167/

Taking some time to decide what hybrid system the WRC cars will have is not a waste. Matton said recently the FIA wants to avoid making a disruption into the series, suggesting they’ll use affordable and easy to implement mild hybrids (additional to current engines); that sounds quite reasonable, especially having in mind the recent WRX electric flop or WEC manus desertion through the high tech hybrid years.

Btw, the timeline Matton mentioned is pretty close to the one the IMSA is also planning for their series hybrid transition and no one seems to be complaining there: https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/imsa-confirms-mild-hybrid-evolution-for-dpi-2-0/

er88

8th May 2019, 18:48

It's just teams giving Matton the hurry up to have it sorted next month. Which is understandable seeing as Matton hardly inspires confidence in anyone....

Fast Eddie WRC

9th May 2019, 11:49

What about other classes like R5 and below... are they going hybrid too ?

I worry about the cost implications of this technology outside of WRC1 and Manufacturer teams.

AnttiL

9th May 2019, 12:04

What about other classes like R5 and below... are they going hybrid too ?

For sure not on the same schedule. Probably a new low-class hybrid/electric class is introduced at some point. Besides, lower classes aren’t in the marketing scope of manufacturers.

CWJ

9th May 2019, 15:13

Not sure about that, could be good and easy way to score for some niche produc(er)t or junior cup as long the dinos continue to sleep.

dimviii

13th May 2019, 14:26

Sebastien Loeb al via del Rally di Alba con la Hyundai i20 WRC Plus

Not even time to celebrate the third place achieved at the weekend at the Rally of Chile that Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena are already ready to try their hand at a new adventure behind the wheel of the Hyundai i20 WRC Plus. Waiting to face the last two races (probably Germany and Spain) of the six scheduled (in the World Rally Championship) with the Korean team, the nine-time world champion specialty crew will be at the start of the Rally Vosges Grand Est, valid for the French championship (scheduled from 14 to 16 June) and the Rally di Alba, fifth round of the Italian WRC Championship. From Rome came the green light for the presence of the latest generation cars - if registered by an official team - in the six races of the three-color series on asphalt. "We are grateful for the hospitality that the Cinzano Rally Team offers us - says Andrea Adamo, Team director of Hyundai Motorsport - and we take this opportunity to allow Loeb to become more confident with our car in anticipation of participation in future rallies on asphalt. Thanks to the splendid roads that we will find at the Rally of Alba we will bring home a very positive experience ». The event will begin on the evening of Saturday 27 with the performance show in the industrial area of the city. On Sunday, July 28, in addition to a new passage on the Alba special, timed sections will be played twice in the area of Albaretto Torrre, Sino and Roddino, in the Municipalities of Igliano, Torresina and Paroldo and between Santo Stefano Belbo and Cossano Belbo for a special test dedicated to Moscato d'Asti. A total of 105 race kilometers will be held.

http://www.rallyemotion.it/news/2019/35816/Sebastien-Loeb-al-via-del-Rally-di-Alba-con-la-Hyundai-i20-WRC-Plus?fbclid=IwAR0fSnK6M_WOCAI_py23uNCwzldSHarGn0jc pxzbkY78Hb-xEM1HkQjQI60

denkimi

13th May 2019, 14:29

mknight

13th May 2019, 14:37

I don't understand why teams don't do more local rally's. It gives them the opportunity to get experience and set up the car without having to worry about the testing limit. They could do a rally every weekend on pretty much every kind of road if they wanted.

Obviously Hyundai ("just") started to exploit this big time this year (Loeb 2 rallies, Neuville and Mikkelsen 1). I don't like it. Neither do I like Toyota's "exploiting".

Both increase the costs and potentially give them advantage over the teams that don't use so much money on this. Yes factory teams will do anything to gain advantage and the one with most money will always have some advantage, but that's why we have rules to try to limit this as much as possible. Otherwise we might just give up.

---------------------------------------

Anyway the Italian rally is 27-28. July, which is the weekend before Finland. Therefore it's highly unlikely that Loeb will drive in Finland. Will be interesting to see who drives there then.

denkimi

13th May 2019, 16:37

Obviously Hyundai ("just") started to exploit this big time this year (Loeb 2 rallies, Neuville and Mikkelsen 1). I don't like it. Neither do I like Toyota's "exploiting".

Both increase the costs and potentially give them advantage over the teams that don't use so much money on this. Yes factory teams will do anything to gain advantage and the one with most money will always have some advantage, but that's why we have rules to try to limit this as much as possible. Otherwise we might just give up.

---------------------------------------

Anyway the Italian rally is 27-28. July, which is the weekend before Finland. Therefore it's highly unlikely that Loeb will drive in Finland. Will be interesting to see who drives there then.
Msport has been "exploiting" this for years by selling and renting cars.

Tarmop

13th May 2019, 16:46

The more WRCs are used, the better. Has been like that all the time one way or the other.

mknight

13th May 2019, 16:54

Msport has been "exploiting" this for years by selling and renting cars.

Not really in the last 2 years. As they said themselves they have sold almost no 2017+ cars and the renting in WRC rallies is a fair game. Also latest generation WRC car have been forbidden in most national championships for a while.

If you recall there was also some controversy about this in 2017 when Østberg (in Prokops team) was testing without using Msport days and FIA immediatelly responsed by changing the rules to counter that.

Anyway my point wasn't to show that one team is better than other, but that the whole idea (of allowing latest gen factory cars in local rallies) is a problem.

mknight

13th May 2019, 16:57

The more WRCs are used, the better. Has been like that all the time one way or the other.
No to both.
- hasn't been like this for last 3-4 years
- it can potentially result in national rallies dominated by 2-3 drivers who can afford the cars instead of the large armies of R5 that are there now

Tarmop

13th May 2019, 16:58

Well, all those Monza shows, GFOS, with their own drivers, 3 sold cars, out of which 2 have also taken part in show events and nationals . M-Sport still has the largest number of"out of the series starts" in this generation. And they will keep it, probably.

*There aren`t so many R5s like some people tend to think, basing their opinions on their regions, but the world is bigger.
*New WRC can be succesfully beaten by a R5, (Gross vs O. Solberg, Fiesta 17 vs Polo R5).
*Those countries that allow them now, mostly allow them outside of the championship so again, no harm there..
*Great for fans who can`t allow experiencing a WRC round themselves.

Andre Oliveira

13th May 2019, 20:47

One thing is car other is car + official driver.

M-Sport official drivers don't run.

AnttiL

13th May 2019, 20:49

*New WRC can be succesfully beaten by a R5, (Gross vs O. Solberg, Fiesta 17 vs Polo R5).

Bottas was fifth in Arctic Rally

EDIT: I remembered wrong Katsuta in Itäralli. He won that just with a slight margin, but was first on the road in snowy conditions.

Tarmop

14th May 2019, 05:17

One thing is car other is car + official driver.

M-Sport official drivers don't run.
On show events, they do/did. Ostberg also falls in that category.

Allez Andruet

14th May 2019, 05:40

the whole idea (of allowing latest gen factory cars in local rallies) is a problem.

I can't help but quote myself from some month ago:

What I somewhat fail to understand here is that it's not like we're getting these market disruptors on each national championship. The 2017 machinery is anyway so expensive and so restricted for bunch of reasons, that it just won't happen. Instead, we're treated with likes of Neuville and Loeb doing the odd outing here and there, giving the events more exposure and bringing more fans than they'd normally draw. I.e. no-one's definitely losing here.

AnttiL

14th May 2019, 05:51

Obviously Hyundai ("just") started to exploit this big time this year (Loeb 2 rallies, Neuville and Mikkelsen 1). I don't like it. Neither do I like Toyota's "exploiting".

They were only now allowed to enter the cars to national rallies and France and Italy. Also the Ypres WRC parallel event was created for this year.

Although, Neuville already started Autoglym rally in Finland 2017.

Like I've said earlier, I see this as a positive thing, a chance for people to see WRC cars and drivers when the series doesn't run an event in their country (which is partially true in the case of Italy and France when their WRC rallies are hosted on islands). Just as long as they're kept away from the championship points, there's no harm done.

mknight

14th May 2019, 13:32

Are you guys suggesting an R5 car is not slower than WRC17 car?
Cause it almost sounds like that. Sure a better driver in R5 can beat worse one in WRC. Heck in right conditions even "worse" driver can beat WRC in R5 (lately Sweden powerstage first run with Hutunen, Kopecky numerous times on SSS on tarmac).

That doesn't change the fact that given similar drivers and normal circumstances WRC driver easily wins. If both cars are allowed then the one with more money wins.

Running them outside normal national classification is good and fixes this issue.

Doesn't fix the other issue of using this as "exploit" to circumvent testing rules.
This in turn leads to inceased cost by manufacturers. Listening to the teams, testing is by far the most effective use of money when it comes to improving performance. Though it has its limitations as C3 showed.
We already have half the teams in WRC running only 2 cars regularly. Surely we don't want further cost increase? Say Hyundai and Toyota that have money use them on additional testing (each with their own exploit) . Citroen to stay competetive for drivers title abandons 3rd car. But we should be happy cause we see a WRC car with manu driver on some national rally with very limited media coverage and no competition? (at least in Estonia there will be competition)
------

... (which is partially true in the case of Italy and France when their WRC rallies are hosted on islands).
As you are well aware of, all the stages and SD of Rally Monte Carlo are in France, so this was a particularly terrible example.

Tarmop

14th May 2019, 15:01

Yup, with those not-so talented drivers, there is almost a chance for everyone. They will never dominate the scenery anyway and take part of it without earning points, mostly. Many nationals can say also that those few R5 are too expensive and fast for guys with old N`s. Next there is a significant difference between old R5s vs new R5s or evolutions, we already have that with the evo vs non-evo versions, not to mention the Polo r5. And in the end...what are local championships with people competing with R5s made from? Usually just wealthy people enjoying themselves, ofc they want to win etcetc, but theirs or nobody else`s life quality suffers from it...and the ones with real talent shine out even brighter.

The cars are there so let them be used like cars should be used like: driven.

Essaj

14th May 2019, 18:08

Allez Andruet

14th May 2019, 18:21

BOOM! Go Jari!

Tarmop

14th May 2019, 18:22

So maybe they are testing him as a possible candidate for the NORF?

Allez Andruet

14th May 2019, 18:25

So maybe they are testing him as a possible candidate for the NORF?

If it hasn't been decided already...

It's not the first time Huttunen drives that car. I'm sure the team is fully aware of his capabilities, even without the Riihimäki entry.

AnttiL

14th May 2019, 18:30

Such a surprise! And sadly I can’t go spectate the event...

Rallyper

14th May 2019, 19:00

Fast Eddie WRC

15th May 2019, 10:32

Rally GB to leave Wales? The main story in this week's MN is WRC Promoter's desire for the event to visit other parts of the UK - otherwise the British round's future could be in doubt. https://t.co/jjpoaUSHlW

Eli

15th May 2019, 16:24

And now you can see it online: https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/143416/move-away-from-wales-key-to-rally-gb-wrc-future

Wales Rally GB should make a short-term move to Northern Ireland for 2020 and then rotate around Britain to safeguard its World Rally Championship future, says the WRC Promoter.

The 2020 calendar will be discussed at Friday's meeting of the WRC Commission in Geneva.

Corsica and Germany are expected to drop off the calendar to make way for returns to Japan and Kenya, putting more pressure on European events to earn the right to be on the calendar.

To retain one of those slots, the WRC Promoter favours a move to Northern Ireland next season, followed by a process of rotating Britain's premier rally around UK regions.

WRC Promoter's Oliver Ciesla told Autosport: "Britain is one of the big markets where we would definitely like to be with the WRC.

"There's a huge fan base and lots of tradition.

"But we are running this event, not in the heart of the country where the fans are.

"We have been pushing for change and we are hopeful this can be achieved in the next year already."

There has been growing speculation of a possible switch to Belfast for next season and Ciesla said such a move would be vital for the rally's future at the sport's highest level.

He added: "Is a move to Northern Ireland key to GB's future? Yes. I would say it is key [to the future].

"If you look in the long-term perspective, I do not see a long-term calendar where we continue to go to Wales again and again.

"Northern Ireland is of interest [to the WRC]. I don't want to say this is necessarily a long-term plan, but to go for a while or once could be an interesting variation for Rally GB.

"Maybe [there is] a model inside the UK moving from one location to another; it's an idea that's been circulated recently and it is very appealing to us.

"It would deliver on the notion to bring as much change and entertainment and to reach out to many destinations to keep this passion for rallying alive in many locations."

A WRC event ran in the Republic of Ireland in the late 2000s, but Northern Ireland's only major internatoonal event has been the Circuit of Ireland, which was part of the European Rally Championship between 2014-16, but hasn't run since then over funding issues.

Rally GB clerk of the course Iain Campbell told Autosport that talks for a potential move to Northern Ireland have already started.

"Motorsport UK [British governing body, formally MSA] has been working with the Welsh Assembly, the WRC Promoter and the devolved governments of Northern Ireland and Scotland about securing the long-term future for [the] WRC in the United Kingdom for some time now," Campbell said.

"The whole of the county offers the opportunity of providing a superb backdrop to the best rallying action in the world - through the special stages, the unique heritage and the passionate rally fans no matter where it is based.

"Our focus just now is on delivering an exciting challenge in October '19, encompassing new stages and a new rally base right in the heart of Llandudno."

AnttiL

15th May 2019, 16:30

What kind of roads would Northern Ireland offer? Would it be a tarmac rally? Do they have the public road legislation which passed in Wales and Scotland?

I would love to see the current WRC cars in Kielder and Grizedale.

mknight

15th May 2019, 16:56

Jari Huttunen
‏ @HuttunenRacing
2 min2 minuuttia sitten

Next step: Finnish Rally Championship Riihimäki Ralli on 25th of May with Hyundai i20 WRC. “The feeling is very good and we are trying to get more mileage and build confidence in this rally.” #rally

I see 3 options:
- It has already been decided he will drive the WRC car in Rally Finnland and this is for him to get used to it

- He is a candidate and his performance/feedback from this rally will decide. (but I don't see anyone to compare with, he should beat Katsuta easily)

- This is for testing/data before homologating the new upgrades they plan before Finland

Last point can clearly also be combined with first two.

er88

15th May 2019, 16:59

Said it a few years back that this is what GB event should do. Rotate around Wales, NI, Scotland and England. Even if it's 3-5yrs in each place so local business and sponsors can come on board it would be great - there's some fantastic roads all over the uk, tarmac and gravel. A rally in NI would definitely be a tarmac event which might suit for next year if Germany and Corsica go

AnttiL

15th May 2019, 17:12

I see 3 options:
- It has already been decided he will drive the WRC car in Rally Finnland and this is for him to get used to it

- He is a candidate and his performance/feedback from this rally will decide. (but I don't see anyone to compare with, he should beat Katsuta easily)

- This is for testing/data before homologating the new upgrades they plan before Finland

Last point can clearly also be combined with first two.

Also remember Sporting Regulations 66.4.4

For Manufacturers, 7 additional test days may be allocated to each team in addition to Art. 66.4.2.
These additional days will only be applicable to guest drivers who have not been nominated to score points
up to the requested testing date in the Manufacturers Championship in the previous or current year. Teams
should advise the FIA of any guest drivers’ test, by email, five days in advance, with copy to all other
registered teams (no test form required). The test must comply with articles 66.1 and 66.2.

By using Huttunen, they gain more testing days (although competing does not reduce testing days, but most likely he'll do also testing in addition to the events).

Toyota can also now use Hänninen as a "guest" driver.

AnttiL

15th May 2019, 17:15

A rally in NI would definitely be a tarmac event which might suit for next year if Germany and Corsica go

There's also rumors of Catalunya becoming an all tarmac event and Japan will be a tarmac rally.

PLuto

15th May 2019, 17:30

There's also rumors of Catalunya becoming an all tarmac event and Japan will be a tarmac rally.

I remember Catalunya on tarmac around Lloret and it was really great.

er88

15th May 2019, 17:39

There's also rumors of Catalunya becoming an all tarmac event and Japan will be a tarmac rally.Catalunya has to be now imo, we need more tarmac. I like the idea of a mixed event but not when there's maybe only 2 full tarmac events in the championship. It would be a shame to lose Germany over Sardinia

Mirek

15th May 2019, 17:40

I think that to have a mixed event is great - if it's a real mixed event (not what Catalunya is now).

Fast Eddie WRC

15th May 2019, 17:43

Funding is the big issue for Rally GB. It's basically only because of backing from the Welsh Govt (Visit Wales) that the rally has continued there for so long.

Parts of England and Scotland have the forests, and N.Ireland has the roads, but do their regions have enough interest in rallying to provide the money to make it happen ?

N.Ireland certainly has the interest, but as seen with the Circuit of Ireland event, it cant always find the funding to keep it running.

PS. As for the type of rally, it would really have to be tarmac-only in N.I.

Mirek

15th May 2019, 17:49

Allez Andruet

15th May 2019, 18:12

Eddie it's big difference to seak money for World-level event (no matter the sport) and anything more local/regional. You can't automatically compare that. Of course I don't know the state of things in Northern Ireland but I can imagine that it can be actually easier to fund a big world event than anything smaller.

I would somewhat disagree about the ease of securing proper funding. Sure it's more attractive to be part (as a sponsor) of a truly global event than some local happening, but the size of the investment is also something else, which narrows the pool of potential partners quite a lot.

tommeke_B

15th May 2019, 18:31

Seeing the number of organizers who are interested to join the WRC calendar, the return on investment must be quite good at the moment. ;)

Japé

15th May 2019, 19:08

It would be extremely sad if Corsica and Germany would be dropped from calendar permanently. Both are spectacular rallies, Corsica has multiple nice route options - this year e.g. SS7 north from Bastia was really nice. Also Germany in vineyards is really special. For multiple reasons WRC should have more tarmac rallies overall. Good that Japan is coming in. Even Australia has a lot of nice mountain tarmac roads e.g. near to Brisbane, etc. Now WRC has way too many gravel rallies. Maybe it would be time to bring back the idea of rotating rallies every season in different countries and local areas, instead of killing the WRC spirit completely from some countries.

Franky

15th May 2019, 19:23

As it has been proved a few times, rotating events does not work.

Eli

15th May 2019, 19:57

IMHO, you need a few fixed Tarmac Rallies, i.e: Monte-Carlo (yeah OK I know it's with snow/ice but you get the idea), Corsica, Spain, Germany & now Japan. As for the other events, as suggested, rotate Rally GB around UK & Ireland so when it comes to Ireland, it will be a tarmac rally. Also you can put each year a different Tarmac rally- once (just throwing it in as an example) Bulgaria, another time- San-Remo, the next year Ypres rally, after that Barum Czech rally Zlin, and so on.

AnttiL

15th May 2019, 20:11

It's super exciting for us fans to fantasize with a different calendar every year, but in real life it's a tough job to put up the infrastructure for a WRC event. It works best when you can keep the same level year after year instead of building it up and tearing it down every year. Also many contracts (financial partners, roads etc) are often better when they are multi-annual instead of just a one-off.

Fast Eddie WRC

15th May 2019, 20:49

Eddie it's big difference to seak money for World-level event (no matter the sport) and anything more local/regional. You can't automatically compare that. Of course I don't know the state of things in Northern Ireland but I can imagine that it can be actually easier to fund a big world event than anything smaller.

It's relevant here though as the Circuit of Ireland is the oldest and best known rally on the island of Ireland and the people are massive rally fans there. And yet it has struggled to continue, even despite being part of the ERC quite recently.

There is also the political situation in N.Ireland where power-sharing has broken down they don't have a functioning executive. I cant see their civil servants considering spending the tax-payers money on a rally (even a WRC one).

Japé

16th May 2019, 11:00

In rotation there is many limitations yes, but also many options how to do it. It does not meant that rallies would have to be year by year, but mix matching longer contracts in calendar we would reach fresh calendar for every year. It could be that agreement with some rally would be e.g. 5 years on, then 4 years off, then again 5 years on, etc. This way co-operation contracts etc would be easier to manage and forecast, especially when the rally would be e.g. national level rally when not having WRC status. Other options are e.g. that rally organizers (from key functions) would start to act more as none location based organizations, so e.g. when the rally A would be off from WRC calendar in next three year but there would be rally B added to WRC calendar to that position from neighboring country, this rally A organizer core team could take the key responsibilities from rally B.

AnttiL

16th May 2019, 11:20

It could be that agreement with some rally would be e.g. 5 years on, then 4 years off, then again 5 years on, etc.

You must also realize that it's impossible to make this long-term agreements with rallies. The whole series could change a lot in that time.

Rally Power

16th May 2019, 12:37

They were only now allowed to enter the cars to national rallies and France and Italy. Also the Ypres WRC parallel event was created for this year.
Although, Neuville already started Autoglym rally in Finland 2017.
Like I've said earlier, I see this as a positive thing, a chance for people to see WRC cars and drivers when the series doesn't run an event in their country (which is partially true in the case of Italy and France when their WRC rallies are hosted on islands). Just as long as they're kept away from the championship points, there's no harm done.

Hard to agree on that one. Allowing current WRC cars in national series is like allowing F1’s in F3 local championships; it simply doesn’t make sense. Even if they don’t take championship points, allowing them to get the overall win on a national event it’s a disrespect for drivers and teams involved in local championships, as it’s impossible to match the WRC car pace with a R5, which is the most balanced and well succeed category for national use. The only way I believe it’d be fair is to allow them to run on demo mode, without getting stage times or using the complete route (like apparently it’ll be done in Ypres).

AnttiL

16th May 2019, 12:51

Hard to agree on that one. Allowing current WRC cars in national series is like allowing F1’s in F3 local championships; it simply doesn’t make sense. Even if they don’t take championship points, allowing them to get the overall win on a national event it’s a disrespect for drivers and teams involved in local championships, as it’s impossible to match the WRC car pace with a R5, which is the most balanced and well succeed category for national use. The only way I believe it’d be fair is to allow them to run on demo mode, without getting stage times or using the complete route (like apparently it’ll be done in Ypres).

How much does a local event overall win hold value?

And on the contrary, think about the value a WRC car gives to the rally organizers – I've already heard one person say "I haven't gone to a Finnish championship rally in 12 years but I'll go to Riihimäki now that they have two WRC cars"

Tarmop

16th May 2019, 13:08

There will always be the richest guys doing events with a WRC, a bit less richer doing them in R5s ( again, like i said, there`s starting to be a huge difference among them also), wealthy guys in Protos or old A`s/N`s and poorer guys sitting out or trying it in 2wd. Local events are mostly for people enjoying themselves and will never-ever be equal, although they have different classes for all...

tommeke_B

16th May 2019, 14:00

How much does a local event overall win hold value?

And on the contrary, think about the value a WRC car gives to the rally organizers – I've already heard one person say "I haven't gone to a Finnish championship rally in 12 years but I'll go to Riihimäki now that they have two WRC cars"
It's different from country to country...

In Belgium we had WRC cars allowed 10 years ago. We had 2 people fighting for the win. Normally you could predict the complete top 5 correctly just because of the huge difference between the cars. Now without WRC cars destroying the competition, we have an average of 15 R5 cars in all BRC events, with more than 5 drivers capable of winning. All thanks to the more "reasonable" price of R5, and more equal competition. And of course thanks to having a good promotor. Most (if not all) top drivers in Belgium are driving only with sponsorship money, without own budget (or very little own budget). Right now most organizers have doubled the spectator figures compared to 10 years ago.

About the value of winning a local or national event, it's as big as the competition is. In Rallye de Wallonie few weeks ago, the difference between first and second was only 3 seconds. Last year in 5 of the 9 BRC events, the difference between first and second was less than 10s at the end of the rally. Closest win was Haspengouw with a 1,2s difference between Princen and Verschueren. With such competition, people are getting more excited and start following the sport more closely. Winning as only WRC car with 5 minutes advantage will be soon forgotten indeed... ;)

For me it's a no-brainer, I prefer to see the WRC cars only in WRC.