WRC2 news & rumors 2024

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Crowdfunding Estonian's help Robert Virves to continue at the Acropolis Rally. Well done guys !

https://rallyjournal.com/the-rally-hopeful-managed-to-scrape-together-the-funds-set-to-participate-legendary-rally/

[Jarek Z]

It's strange, seeing Camilli is a real blast from the past. When I started watching WRC1, maybe 2015 or 2016, he was on the fringes of it. I saw your post and thought "Is he still going?"

Camilli is currently leading the French rally championship:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/season/2024/28-france-tarmac/

[Eli]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/wrc2-contenders-ask-for-revision-to-points-system/

Basically so they’ll compete with one another more often.

[saco0o]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/wrc2-contenders-ask-for-revision-to-points-system/

Basically so they’ll compete with one another more often.

interesting, but budget and costs
its cool the way f1 and motogp run their f2/f3 moto2/3 on basically every round, but eh... budget and costs

[mknight]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/wrc2-contenders-ask-for-revision-to-points-system/

Basically so they’ll compete with one another more often.

Funny read when you notice Solberg won't drive a single tarmac round whole year and has pretty good chance of securing the title that way.

[TypeR]

Funny read when you notice Solberg won't drive a single tarmac round whole year and has pretty good chance of securing the title that way.
Well if it is allowed by the rules, then it would be stupid to drive on events that doesn't suit best(against main rivals)..

[mknight]

Well if it is allowed by the rules, then it would be stupid to drive on events that doesn't suit best(against main rivals)..

Sure it is a perfectly valid strategy, but in the article they make it sound like Solberg is not doing it:

“The way I look at it, I don’t care about choosing this and this and that, because my goal is WRC. And then I have to be fast everywhere. It’s very simple. So I just try to do my best every different rally when I do in WRC, too. That’s it.”

He doesn't care, yet hasn't done a single tarmac since Croatia last year.

[denkimi]

Sure it is a perfectly valid strategy, but in the article they make it sound like Solberg is not doing it:

“The way I look at it, I don’t care about choosing this and this and that, because my goal is WRC. And then I have to be fast everywhere. It’s very simple. So I just try to do my best every different rally when I do in WRC, too. That’s it.”

He doesn't care, yet hasn't done a single tarmac since Croatia last year.
He did monte this year.

[mknight]

He did monte this year.

True, though he wasn't nominated for WRC2 points. So all his point scoring rallies this year are gravel/snow.

[NaBUru38]

If European drivers don't want to travel overseas, then maybe the WRC2 should have less European rounds. And make the remaining European rounds part of the ERC.

[Mirek]

And make the remaining European rounds part of the ERC.

God forbid!

ERC fine, don't destroy it.

[Backa]

If European drivers don't want to travel overseas, then maybe the WRC2 should have less European rounds. And make the remaining European rounds part of the ERC.

It's issue of budget, not desire or lack of it.

[saco0o]

If European drivers don't want to travel overseas, then maybe the WRC2 should have less European rounds. And make the remaining European rounds part of the ERC.

please do not mess with erc cuz its the only championship that is always 100% good.

[Jarek Z]

Yes, please don't touch ERC. It's in a good shape.

[denkimi]

It's issue of budget, not desire or lack of it.
Indeed. If they could, they would all drive every rally.

[mknight]

Indeed. If they could, they would all drive every rally.

The issue that started the discussion was that drivers actually avoid rounds that they could do (in Europe!) and instead pick other rounds (often overseas) to get better chance at title.

For Kajetanowicz it was the only way he could get the title (in 2022).
For Solberg and Rossel this year it just improves their chances.

So you have Rossel not nominating any fast gravel(or snow) and going to Chile (likely) and Solberg not nominating any tarmac and going to Chile instead of Greece (semi-confirmed).

[Mary Mary]

I'd like to ask you all what makes a championship good or in good shape?

In ERC, there are approximately 10 regulars, with 5 (point-scoring) drivers have started every round. Only one of the regulars has won a round, but that winner has missed a third of the season so far. The top 3 in the championship have 3 podiums between them from 18 starts, no wins. 5 of the 6 rally winners this season have only entered the round that they won, leaving them outside the top 10 in the championship. ERC is in great shape, it is said here.

On the flip side in WRC Rally1, there are also approximately 10 regulars, with 6 drivers have started every round. Only two of the full timers have won a round each, the same 2 are the only two in the top 5 in the championship to have won - excepting Ogier. Ogier has now flipped from a local/specialist driver mentality (part time wants to win rallies), to now being a championship regular with a point-scoring focus. WRC Rally1 is in terrible shape, we can read here. But ERC and Rally1 are very similar in these descriptions.

In WRC2, it is complained that the regulars can avoid each other, and the top 2 in the championship have not covered any asphalt, which begs the question are they even regulars or specialists/locals?

So what is it that makes a good championship? I have focused on championship points and scores here, so maybe missing the point on what makes things great/poor for a championship. But I think also to ask why do specialist local drivers add value to a championship?

[Mirek]

I'd like to ask you all what makes a championship good or in good shape?

In ERC, there are approximately 10 regulars, with 5 (point-scoring) drivers have started every round. Only one of the regulars has won a round, but that winner has missed a third of the season so far. The top 3 in the championship have 3 podiums between them from 18 starts, no wins. 5 of the 6 rally winners this season have only entered the round that they won, leaving them outside the top 10 in the championship. ERC is in great shape, it is said here.

On the flip side in WRC Rally1, there are also approximately 10 regulars, with 6 drivers have started every round. Only two of the full timers have won a round each, the same 2 are the only two in the top 5 in the championship to have won - excepting Ogier. Ogier has now flipped from a local/specialist driver mentality (part time wants to win rallies), to now being a championship regular with a point-scoring focus. WRC Rally1 is in terrible shape, we can read here. But ERC and Rally1 are very similar in these descriptions.

In WRC2, it is complained that the regulars can avoid each other, and the top 2 in the championship have not covered any asphalt, which begs the question are they even regulars or specialists/locals?

So what is it that makes a good championship? I have focused on championship points and scores here, so maybe missing the point on what makes things great/poor for a championship. But I think also to ask why do specialist local drivers add value to a championship?

That's normal in ERC (actually it used to be a lot worse before it merged with IRC a decade ago) and that is also one of the reasons why it makes no sense to compare it with WRC2 or even WRC. It's all different and that's why it shall be always standing separatly from WRC events.

The reason why I think absolutely everyone involved in ERC refuses merging of any ERC event with a WRC one is that in ERC the competitotrs fight for the overall results not for class one. The whole organism especially sponsorship stands on that very basis. If it is merged with WRC events it will become a class within WRC event and moreover a lot more expensive to run that to compete for overall glory in ERC. Naturally it means that in case of merging it would not help WRC events having more competitors but instead would quickly become an empty shell where noone competes.

On the plus side the ERC rules are a lot friendiler to the local competitors and that's what makes it very defficult to predict and completely different to WRC.

ERC is not WRC. Just keep it as it is.

[Backa]

The issue that started the discussion was that drivers actually avoid rounds that they could do (in Europe!) and instead pick other rounds (often overseas) to get better chance at title.

Kajto's sponsors are willing to pay extra to to give him overseas rounds to maximize his title chances but it doesn't mean he could easily convince them to pay for extra rounds that wouldn't count in classification.

Trying to resolve that, you either risks having guys with bigger budgets having too big advantage over talented drivers with more limited budgets or you risk overseas rounds to have even more weak WRC2 entry lists than it has now. I would keep it at it is personally, winning WRC2 title is less important than having chance to get rally1 experience (Pajari) anyway.

[saco0o]

I'd like to ask you all what makes a championship good or in good shape?
?

to be honest, "in general", your personal taste is what make a championship good or not. theres no objectively "better" or "worst". its just about 'how you feel' and 'what you like'. HOWEVER, one can say that "wrc is not in good shape" because theres just these same few entries, not much stories going on, no infos on how they plan to improve that in the next regulations etc. you can percieve this as "not good" or you can just see this as "well, but ogier is trying to beat neuville from now on, im excited!". so, its not good or bad, better or worst. its more about how you see it.
on the other hand "erc" is "in good shape" because its not a global championship trying to compete for attention against every other form of enterteinment. its just a place where some guys race, we have a decent way to watch the broadcast and thats it. ...nothing special tho.
i can only speak for me but maybe theres some truth to this. what are your thoughts on this general view?

[Mary Mary]

You are right that what you enjoy is what you enjoy, that is fair, and am happy you answered.

However, there are many great rallies happening across Europe most weekends of the year that could be televised and be good entertainment. The question isn't about the entertainment value of individual rallies, it's what links several of them together to form a championship calendar each year that is really behind my question. I never suggested about 'merging' but perhaps part of Mirek's answer was the explanation that involvement with the championship helps with sponsorship is all that it is.

But, 5 of the ERC rally winners have only done one rally. Mirek's answer now doesn't make sense. "I'm competing in one rally of the ERC, it's my home rally, please sponsor me". Apparent to me is a dualistic approach from the entrants. I am not convinced that Paddon is thinking about the rally wins but the championship points each rally. So, the championship regulars are putting all the effort into making what is attractive about the series for the local and specialist drivers.

So why not, for example, make a touring series out of ERC for entertainment value, expand the series to 20, 30, 40, + rallies a year. A tour is what WRC2 is but restricted to the WRC calendar, is it not? Do either need championship points from classification and a champion?

I realise I may be thinking out loud and poorly explaining my thoughts.

[Mirek]

You are right that what you enjoy is what you enjoy, that is fair, and am happy you answered.

However, there are many great rallies happening across Europe most weekends of the year that could be televised and be good entertainment. The question isn't about the entertainment value of individual rallies, it's what links several of them together to form a championship calendar each year that is really behind my question. I never suggested about 'merging' but perhaps part of Mirek's answer was the explanation that involvement with the championship helps with sponsorship is all that it is.

But, 5 of the ERC rally winners have only done one rally. Mirek's answer now doesn't make sense. "I'm competing in one rally of the ERC, it's my home rally, please sponsor me". Apparent to me is a dualistic approach from the entrants. I am not convinced that Paddon is thinking about the rally wins but the championship points each rally. So, the championship regulars are putting all the effort into making what is attractive about the series for the local and specialist drivers.

So why not, for example, make a touring series out of ERC for entertainment value, expand the series to 20, 30, 40, + rallies a year. A tour is what WRC2 is but restricted to the WRC calendar, is it not? Do either need championship points from classification and a champion?

I realise I may be thinking out loud and poorly explaining my thoughts.

What you describe exists. It's called European Rally Trophy. Nobody except for the hardcore fans know about it. That's the effect of having dozens of rallies where nearly no regulars start. No interest.

The current ERC has its own regulars however you are right that for them it is difficult to beat the local specialists because they don't have the advantage of different machinery like in case of WRC. But that is fine. Please also take into account that there are ERC regulars in other classes. ERC3, ERC-Junior or ERC4 and there is quite a lot of them.

[Danny0405]

Pajari saves the win by the smallest margin possible after his puncture.

For the title fight:

- Solberg is clearly the front-runner, if he wins in Chile, he clinches the title… however, in case he doesn’t win, it would open a shot for Rossel (depending of Chile results) and Pajari in Central Europa rally.

- Pajari will rely on Chile’s result…

- For Rossel, this is harder: he must win in Chile and Solberg not being better than 3rd to be able to play the title in Central Europa rally.

[Danny0405]

Situation pretty clear in WRC-2 now

- If Pajari wins in Japan, he clinches the title
- If Rossel doesn’t win in CER and Pajari does 2nd in Japan, Pajari clinches the title
- If Rossel wins in CER and Pajari doesn’t win in Japan, Rossel clinches the title
- every other result would give the title to Solberg

Only thing that could change the situation is Rossel withdrawing from CER to fight directly with Pajari in Japan but I don’t think it’ll occur.

Question mark about which level of competition will be in Japan… should be very weak but Citroen (Gryazin would still have one event remaining) or, less probably, Toksport/Skoda could bring someone depending on the result in CER.

[mknight]

Greensmith is likely going to Japan (maybe Skoda funds it a bit?).
He is not nominated for points in CER and still has one round available.

Both him and Gryazin are likely to beat Pajari on tarmac.

[deephouse]

Right now:
1. Solberg 123
2. Rossel 111
3. Pajari 108

Solberg did finish scoring points. Pajari will drive Rally1 car in CER so he will probably score points in JPN. Rossel is competing in CER.

Possibility after CER (if Rossel win the event)
1. Rossel 136
2. Solberg 123
3. Pajari 108

Possibility after JPN (if Pajari win the event)
1. Rossel 136
2. Pajari 133
3. Solberg 123

[Danny0405]

You have to remove 10 points to Rossel in your calculation (it’s only 6 best results so Sardinia would be removed if Rossel wins CER)

[saco0o]

if i was a billionaire i'd fund lappi, mikkelsen, loeb, ostberg, paddon in toksport entries to try to hold pajari and rossel hahaha

also, curious how wrc2 top guys are always on top. in erc its so common to have local entries beating the full timers/top drivers. wish we could have more of that in wrc2.

[macebig]

So, Rossell has to win CER and Pajari has to finish at least 2nd in Japan respectively for one of them to win WRC2. Any other result and Oliver is champion.

[Danny0405]

Greensmith is likely going to Japan (maybe Skoda funds it a bit?).
He is not nominated for points in CER and still has one round available.

Both him and Gryazin are likely to beat Pajari on tarmac.

Not sure they will decide to go there if nothing is at stake (Toksport can’t win the team Championship anymore, Greensmith can’t win anything individually and if Rossel wins in CER, Solberg can’t win the championship anymore).

But possible that there are 2 or 3 guys (Gryazin and 1 or 2 Skoda) in the entry list who could withdraw depending on what happens in CER - 1 month between CER and Japan.

[Managarium]

...

[Fafe]

Situation pretty clear in WRC-2 now

- If Pajari wins in Japan, he clinches the title
- If Rossel doesn’t win in CER and Pajari does 2nd in Japan, Pajari clinches the title
- If Rossel wins in CER and Pajari doesn’t win in Japan, Rossel clinches the title
- every other result would give the title to Solberg

Only thing that could change the situation is Rossel withdrawing from CER to fight directly with Pajari in Japan but I don’t think it’ll occur.

Question mark about which level of competition will be in Japan… should be very weak but Citroen (Gryazin would still have one event remaining) or, less probably, Toksport/Skoda could bring someone depending on the result in CER.

As far as I understand the regulations a 2nd place in Japan is also enough for Pajari to clinch the title, even if Rossel wins CER.
Assuming exactly this happens, both would have 3x1st, 2x2nd, 1x3rd place making up for 126 points from 6 point scoring events. Rossels 5th place in Portugal wouldn't be considered at all. Pajari would win the championship because he has beaten Rossel twice with wins in Sardegna and Acropolis in his 3 events where he was directly battling Rossel.

I.e. if Rossel wins CER he most probably needs Gryazin and Greensmith beating Pajari in Japan or more likely Pajari to get problems or crash.

[Danny0405]

As far as I understand the regulations a 2nd place in Japan is also enough for Pajari to clinch the title, even if Rossel wins CER.
Assuming exactly this happens, both would have 3x1st, 2x2nd, 1x3rd place making up for 126 points from 6 point scoring events. Rossels 5th place in Portugal wouldn't be considered at all. Pajari would win the championship because he has beaten Rossel twice with wins in Sardegna and Acropolis in his 3 events where he was directly battling Rossel.

I.e. if Rossel wins CER he most probably needs Gryazin and Greensmith beating Pajari in Japan or more likely Pajari to get problems or crash.

Well, dirtfish says the opposite
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/greensmith-ready-to-come-to-solbergs-rescue/

«* a win would be needed for Pajari to claim the crown should Rossel top CER.*»

Well, you may be right but I find the regulation not totally clear.
Let’s hope we won’t have this situation.

[deephouse]

So basicaly since Gryazin have two more outings he could also be there to help. This battle will be interesting for sure till the end.

[Jarek Z]

I.e. if Rossel wins CER he most probably needs Gryazin and Greensmith beating Pajari in Japan or more likely Pajari to get problems or crash.


«* a win would be needed for Pajari to claim the crown should Rossel top CER.*»
Let’s hope we won’t have this situation.

And we won't have this situation, because Rossel made his first mistake already on SS2. And then another one on SS9. Here's WRC2 summary from day 1 and day 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lItlFQ4aShw

[Jarek Z]

Rossel is now 12th in WRC2 with a 15-minute loss.

[Danny0405]

Rossel is now 12th in WRC2 with a 15-minute loss.

Well, it was already almost over after yesterday but now, it’s official
So situation is:
- If Pajari 1st or 2nd in Japan, he clinches the title
- Else Solberg wins (in case Pajari finishes 3rd, they would have the same amount but Solberg has the tiebreaker)

Considering Solberg’s behavior these last few months, I would clearly prefer Pajari to win… but I hope there will be a proper fight so at least two good drivers against him in Japan so that he has to fight at least a bit for 2nd position.

Greensmith will be in Japan as he said himself.
Gryazin highly probably also (even if Rossel not anymore in contention) for the Challenger title

Maybe Toksport will also bring someone else with Greensmith.

[Jarek Z]

That's how it ended:


Citroen also using same rear wheel turning as Mikkelsen's car yesterday..
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GaPGC5xXUAAomqL?format=jpg&name=small

[Jarek Z]

Rossel's crash:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/492564840446881

[Jarek Z]

Guys, is it true?
https://www.facebook.com/RallyTroll/posts/pfbid02EDZ5HGBeZfHQge7eAjA5XtsxEthhX3Hvc27AQzWU1CD MxDZebVEM7QswwHMrwffol

[Jarek Z]

Oliver Solberg says he doesn't go to Japan:
"I don't think I will be in Japan, I will lay on the sofa. For sure the pressure is on Pajari now."

[Jarek Z]

Actually, it's a real Central European Rally in WRC2 this year:

1. Russia
2. Czechia
3. Poland
4. Poland

[Walach]

Russia is not Central Europe

[Jarek Z]

Dangerous moment for Kajto (but he doesn't lose his good mood) :)
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=893365679557006

[deephouse]

https://rallyjournal.com/now-thats-a-bold-claim-former-wrc-star-returning-to-the-wrc/ strong rumours about Meeke being next year in WRC2 with Toyota.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

@Castrol
Breaking news ! The Castrol MEM Rally Team to take part in Rally Japan.

@ChrisIngramGB and Alex Kihurani will compete in the WRC2 class with the iconic Castrol Yaris next month.

We’re already excited for this spectacular event !

[saco0o]

@Castrol
Breaking news ! The Castrol MEM Rally Team to take part in Rally Japan.

@ChrisIngramGB and Alex Kihurani will compete in the WRC2 class with the iconic Castrol Yaris next month.

We’re already excited for this spectacular event !

this last round will be fun. cheering for nobody pass Oli on points, and now cheering for ingram! can toyota team order him into letting pajari pass if needed for the title? i hope not, but if they do, its better they $back$ a full wrc2 campaing for the british bloke next year :P

[Us44]

Highly doubt that he will be competition for the current WRC2 top guys.

[rallyfiend]

Highly doubt that he will be competition for the current WRC2 top guys.

Yep, he's always been well off the pace in previous WRC events - some of which he has competed on before....

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Why the 2024 British title means more for Ingram and shows his WRC2 future could look bright again:

https://dirtfish.com/rally/brc/why-ingrams-british-title-means-more-than-it-seems/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://blackwatergraphics.com/cdn/shop/files/japanposter_720x.jpg?v=1731404136

More merch: https://blackwatergraphics.com/collections/chris-ingram

[Jarek Z]

WRC2 Day 1 & 2 Highlights from Rally Japan 2024:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQY11IdlSRc

[NoFear85]

Enni Malkonen leave Sami Pajari as codriver. Someone have more information? They are WRC2 champion, this info appears after last rally WRC Japan.

[Eli]

Enni Malkonen leave Sami Pajari as codriver. Someone have more information? They are WRC2 champion, this info appears after last rally WRC Japan.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/pajari-and-co-driver-malkonen-end-their-partnership/

[Rallyper]

Seems things going on in Toyota team.

@Pantealex: Can you tell smth more?

[Jarek Z]

WRC2 Event Highlights have just been published:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1xo5HemQFo

[TypeR]

Enni Malkonen leave Sami Pajari as codriver. Someone have more information? They are WRC2 champion, this info appears after last rally WRC Japan.
Maybe she is going to concentrate more on co-driving for Latvala and it doesn't suit with Pajari's plans..?

[mousti]

Maybe she is going to concentrate more on co-driving for Latvala and it doesn't suit with Pajari's plans..?Nope she said on her socials she totally didnt expect it and definately didnt want to end the partnership.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn 2406APNFAG met Tapatalk

[deephouse]

Nope she said on her socials she totally didnt expect it and definately didnt want to end the partnership.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn 2406APNFAG met Tapatalk

It could be that the team does choose a co-driver. Since I wonder why Katsuta have non-japanese one, like there isn't anyone available. He said himself that he sometimes doesn't understand him, when they talk off the stages, but on stages he knows every call he receive from his pal. And interviews also, he jsut smiles like he doesn't have a clue what are they talking about.

[TypeR]

Nope she said on her socials she totally didnt expect it and definately didnt want to end the partnership.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn 2406APNFAG met Tapatalk
Ahh.. If so, then it totally scks and is disrespectful.