[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

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Originally Posted by sollitt

Same with Team Portugal. Sure, it'd make more sense if it were Prodrive, but the Germans have given the branding rights to the Portugese.

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I'm not so sure about that. My understanding is that Mini - as a whole - decided to terminate their manufacturer support for teams. Seeing an opportunity, Mini's Portuguese arm decided to fund the Armindo Araujo-Palmeirinha Rally teams, merging them together under the Mini Portugal banner. That has since been disbanded.

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Originally Posted by sollitt

It's ridiculous to suggest M-Sport is not a manufacturer. Sure they're not Ford Motor company. But they never have been. They've been the chosen representative and flown the flag for Ford for many years, and that's qualification enough. What's different this year? A few less pennies from Ford. They still have factory technical support and you can be sure, when they win, Ford'll be claiming the kudos as much as they ever have.
Same with Team Portugal. Sure, it'd make more sense if it were Prodrive, but the Germans have given the branding rights to the Portugese.
Storm in a teacup, get over it.

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What you said is perfectly logical to rally fans like everyone here. I think what vw wants is for your average consumer to feel that the polo they drive to work just beat that Citroen or ford in a world rally. The consumer could care less who m-sport or Prodrive are. It's all about brand recognition and selling cars.

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Originally Posted by Kielder

They're absolutely right: VW questions FIA rule waiver on Ford and MINI names

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I found his last comment the most interesting.

Start of a new season, with a new Promoter and there's no representative of the FIA in attendance?

Ford has been removed from WRC.com as a Manufacturer on the wesbite!!

What are you going to believe - the FIA making an annoucement about the status of certain teams as manufacturers ... or a website that once called St. Gwynno the definitive Rally GB stage and one of the most difficult in the world without mentioning Clocaenog or Resolfen?

Romanian car maker Oltcit on the verge of building a World Rally Car :

http://www.motorsportnews.ro/wp-cont...RC-640x426.jpg

Fake but funny news here:
http://www.motorsportnews.ro/bloguri...ficial-in-wrc/

How do you pronounce Oltcit? Oh sh*t?

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Originally Posted by Prisoner Monkeys

However, in 2014 there is a very real prospect of five manufacturers on the grid: Citroen, Ford, Hyundai, Mini and Volkswagen.

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Wow.... I hope you are right.

I dont think there will be Mini...

Any news on Subaru something was supposed to be announced back in November wasn't it?