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I was in the Condroz that year. He was given a stupid penalty in what was an awesome battle between him (Loix) and Duval. Loix didn't start on Sunday because of the penalty. He had collector problems (was on the stage), but that didn't really slow him if I recall correct.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
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2 factory teams are not a problem, the problem is when one is considerably better than the other. If Citroen and VW are competitive with one another (and little of Loeb may help) then we have a great championship.Quote:
Originally Posted by RAS007
The best circuit race I ever saw had 3 cars entered (in NOT terms it was a village meeting), one car was useless, the other two fought like tooth and nail for 10 laps, the winner won by about half a meter.
Of course more WRC teams would be better although I'm sure we'll see some kind of M-Sport effort next season.
I'm curious to know what the source of all this is?
It seems like a totally unreasonable timing for Ford to quit.
1. Loeb scales back his program.
2. There is a new promotor.
3. Latvala claims to have had an offer from Ford for next year (Autosport even reporting today that Ford has upped the offer to let him stay)
4. Autosport saying today that Sordo and Solberg are on both Citroen and Ford's list of potential drivers for 2013.
maybe Ford will continue as a full factory team(like Citroen) and M-Sport can take a Hyundai deal.
I must admit I have wondered if it would be in each others best interests for Ford and M-Sport to separate. They've been together since 1997; no drivers Title and a couple of Manufacturers Titles is hardly a raging success.
It's probably one of the cheapest high profile international motorsport programmes for a manufacturer. The ancillary services that MW provides no doubt hugely subsidise the factory involvement. Sure, MW no doubt makes a bucket of cash, but this would still be far, far cheaper than taking in-house.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Ford are hardly likely to take any steps that increase their costs. If they split from M-Sport, it's only because they're leaving the sport.
Speculation is highly entertaining, isnt it? It makes people curious, and perhaps able to think outside well known "tracks". I must admit I'm sceptical myself, but it may well make some sense. Because its no doubt my source is an insider...Nuff said.
Caramba! Why doesn't anyone turn this "Ford every year quiting topic" into a TV soap opera?
Ford is commited to WRC with MSport for 2012 and 2013: Ford extends World Rally Championship participation with new two-year agreement with M-Sport
2013 is their biggest chance to become world manufactureur champions again and get a Ford driver world champion for the first time since Vatanen (1981!!!). Surely they won't miss the try.
But for 2014 no one can tell, so this MSport/Hyundai rumour could make some sense (not so difficult to Mr. Wilson to use a satellite company for the Hyundai WRC development).
I'd guess that even if M-Sport did take on the Hyundai project it wouldn't be until 2014 and there would still be a strong Ford presence as the Fiesta is such a favourite car for the privateers. I know for a fact that a top driver has been offered a one year deal by Ford so unless things have changed massively in the past week I have to assume there will be a top Ford team (be it run by M-Sport or not) in the WRC next year.
2014? Who knows? Has the potential to be the new dawn of the WRC with 5 manufacturers, or to be a continuation of the end with 2 manufacturers, one of which would be a new and unknown quantity of Hyundai. Be interesting to see what happens!
One of Finland´s biggest websites&tv-channel says in their website that Hänninen is close to WRC deal with MINI..
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