WRC 1.6T or IRC S2000

Now that it looks likely that the re-launched WRC championship wont be a 'winter series' i.e Finalnd in August 2010, but a January 2011 start with the cars being powered by a 1.6T rather than the simple S2K that Max spoke about. What do you think will happen in 2010 and beyond? 2010 looks like another Citroen versus Ford year with Loeb staying. In simple terms that means most of the current drivers without a factory drive, Petter, Meeke, Hnninen,Chris A, Gigi, PG etc. etc etc, wont all get drives next year, also will those teams, Peugeot, Skoda, Fiat, Proton etc currently competing in IRC decide to build a 1.6T (remembering that Max and FIA said that costs of developing a S2K+ (turbo) would be too much whilst the car manufactureres were in melt down. Now all of a sudden we have a WRC platform that will suit Citroen and Ford (i.e the ones without a S2000) whilst forcing those manufactureres currently in IRC to have a new engine if they want to play in WRC. Whats your thoughts and opinions, will the current IRC manufacturers say, lets stick with IRC and let that become the top level or will they want to join the WRC and build a new engined car, or do Citroen and Ford want to keep WRC as their exclusive club?

Wouldn't a supercharger be a better option? It can be added to the NA engines with very little work and is much easier to police?

stay s2ooo,they sound fabulous and are great to watch,

I have seen 1,6T car here on Acores. I must say, also S1600 are more interesting for watching...

What I am trying to gauge is will those IRC teams make the switch to WRC if they have to build a new engine? Personally I am a big fan of the normally aspirated 2 WD Super 1600 class, Renault Clio, Citroen C2, and Suzuki Swift, far more entertaining than a group N cornering on rails and sounding flat. But thats not what I am asking - will the delay to 2011 finally kill off WRC if these teams say f**k it and start giving paid drives to quick drivers whilst WRC continues to be a gentleman driver and Seb formula?

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Originally Posted by PLuto

I have seen 1,6T car here on Acores. I must say, also S1600 are more interesting for watching...

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Pluto, what You saw is a car for some 25 tousand Euro with stock engine (only electronics changed) and 28 mm restrictor. The car was 1/10 of S2000 in price...

I thought the decision to base it on S2000 had already been made? :confused:

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Originally Posted by J4MIE

I thought the decision to base it on S2000 had already been made? :confused:

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Yes - that was correct, smart money (informed gossip) is that in the June World Council meeting it will be ratified that the engine initailly talked about for 2013, (the 1.6T) will be brought in in 2011 - I understand that Ford and Citroen wanted this. Therby meaning that status quo (WRC)remains to 2011 and then the new WRC car becomes a 1.6Litre Turbo engine - all the S2000 transmission and less technology stays, just a brand new engine. If true this means ALL the current IRC teams will need a new car to play in the WRC, wheras Citroen and Ford will have their new car based on the future rules.

I am also in favour of the S2000 pattern!

I was wondering if anybody remembers what the great Colin McRae said about how the top class in WRC should be. I think he said 2.5lt, no turbo, 4WD!

I just cannot imagine how such beasts would sound and look! S2500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wonder if the IRC will go with the 1.6T rule or stick to the 2.0 atmo. Manufacterers with excisting plans (Proton, MG, Peugeot, Peugeot, Fiat, Skoda) do not want to devellop a second rallycar and want value for ther investment and have a platform to show their potential.
Ford and Citroen will be on the 1.6T route and maybe new team with only paper plans (Suzuki?) can follow them.