2016 News and Results

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Originally Posted by Rally Power

With such a great entry list and the expectation for a strong fight for the win between BRC drivers, some ERC regulars and other international top guys it’s a bit strange to see this words from Ypres organizer.

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Not a bit, really weird, some out of the blue i guess... One of the best startlist ever i would say for Ypres itself, the ERC is only in it's third year and yes the lost Skoda is a manufacturer but the will comeback or supported some drivers for sure. Peugeot never was a factory-team, but a strong supporter. And they were more involved in the IRC-days then 2014 & 2015. I agree they will support drivers like Citroën, Ford and Hyundai will do. That's for the show even better when there's mostley competition between semi-factory-drivers. The ERC will grow more and more the next few years but it will always be a competition with every time new drivers because you can see it like a step-up to the WRC (normally). And to have locals involved like in Ireland, Azoren, now in Ypres, later on also in a few rally's, that's good because we an judge the drivers compete against eachother.

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Originally Posted by Jarek Z

Current leader of ERC3, Hungarian driver Zoltan Bessenyey, had a serious crash in Hungary. He was seating in co-driver's seat in Andras Hadik's car when this happened:
http://forum.autosport.cz/viewtopic....tart=10#p82288

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Does anyone have news about health of Zoltan?

Eurosport gives a cheap ammo for the discussion. After half an hour there is not a single stage time on the official live timing website while the live timing works normally on the event website. No word on the event website why. Now tell me that the organization has no reasons to be unsatisfied...

ERC Rally Radio is also a shambles.

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Originally Posted by Rally Power

The trip (ferry+truck) from Açores to central Europe takes 3 to 4 days. Saying that "we have the same problem with Azores: by the time the cars are back, it's already too late for Ypres" it's simply not true. The time problem with major repairs can also happen between other events.

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Sorry, but reality is different. Our mechanics were 27 days out of home because of Azores. Island events like Canarias, Azores or Cyprus are big problem for ERC mainly in terms of time...

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

Ypres Rally not happy with the current ERC...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report...goes-backwards

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Are they planning another BREXIT?

(BREXIT = Belgian Rally Exit :) )

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Originally Posted by Rally Power

This Evans fellow seems a Sun journo, always looking for dramatic headlines

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Finally, someone else sees what I've seen for years, the man is a pillock.

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Originally Posted by Jarek Z

Are they planning another BREXIT?

(BREXIT = Belgian Rally Exit :) )

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I liked was that Mr. Alain Penasse announce an official team of Hyundai in ERC, instead of being to regret the moment of the ERC. Everyone has to contribute not just throw the problem to others.

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Originally Posted by rallyfiend

Is anyone happy with the current ERC...?

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Yes! Andrea Adamo from Hyundai: "The ERC is a very healthy and popular championship, making it the perfect place to showcase the capabilities of our new car"

source:
https://www.fiaerc.com/hyundai-custo...gned-with-erc/

:)

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Originally Posted by PLuto

Sorry, but reality is different. Our mechanics were 27 days out of home because of Azores.

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27 days?!? Were they lost or is your team based in Siberia?

I’m joking mate, and I’ve no doubts that in some extreme cases it’s a logistical adventure to be at Ypres after Açores, but reality also shows that Mr. Penasse words about not being possible to enter both events are false, as the majority of the crews that were in Açores also were at Ypres: Lukyanuk, Tlustak, Botka, Orsak, Pieniazek, Ingram, Griebel, Gryazin, Broz, Tannert, Cid, Gago and Tokee. Besides, from the other ERC regulars that were in Açores (Katjo, Sirmacis, Jeets, Costerano, Chuchala, Alonso, Rockland and Pita), most of them never planned to be at Ypres.

For sure there’s room for calendar adjustments and even some changes (we all miss an event in Italy or France and probably the overall number of events could be reduced) but this travel matters shouldn’t be an issue for an organizer to complain. And being always remembering IRC golden era or moaning about not having manus teams it’s also a waste of time. Like Jacko wrote a couple of posts ago, we should be optimistic on ERC’s future. It can be the perfect step up into WRC for young drivers and a fantastic challenge for European top privateer rally teams and drivers.

If Hyundai enter as the only factory team they will do well and get some good publicity in 2017.

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Originally Posted by Rally Power

27 days?!? Were they lost or is your team based in Siberia?

I’m joking mate, and I’ve no doubts that in some extreme cases it’s a logistical adventure to be at Ypres after Açores, but reality also shows that Mr. Penasse words about not being possible to enter both events are false, as the majority of the crews that were in Açores also were at Ypres: Lukyanuk, Tlustak, Botka, Orsak, Pieniazek, Ingram, Griebel, Gryazin, Broz, Tannert, Cid, Gago and Tokee. Besides, from the other ERC regulars that were in Açores (Katjo, Sirmacis, Jeets, Costerano, Chuchala, Alonso, Rockland and Pita), most of them never planned to be at Ypres.

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Sorry, but it is really not easy. Tlustak's car was ready on Monday before race. Car of Broz was in paintshop, they collected it and arrived on very last moment, one hour before scrutineering on Thursday. Botka finished rebuild of his car on Wednesday before race. Kasperczyk finally didnt come after Azores. Some drivers like Jeets, Costenaro or Chuchala decided earlier to miss the Ypres mainly because of time issues. Of course, if there were no problems in Azores, there is chance to be in time in Ypres. But dont forget that most of the teams are privateers and it is not so easy for them to work on the cars so quickly between events...

The calender was not done well, rally like Azores, Canarias, Ireland and Cyprus, can not stay together for other events. The case of the Azores is still the worst two rallies in the same month, and just three weeks separates them.

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Originally Posted by PLuto

Sorry, but it is really not easy. Tlustak's car was ready on Monday before race. Car of Broz was in paintshop, they collected it and arrived on very last moment, one hour before scrutineering on Thursday. Botka finished rebuild of his car on Wednesday before race. Kasperczyk finally didnt come after Azores. Some drivers like Jeets, Costenaro or Chuchala decided earlier to miss the Ypres mainly because of time issues. Of course, if there were no problems in Azores, there is chance to be in time in Ypres. But dont forget that most of the teams are privateers and it is not so easy for them to work on the cars so quickly between events...

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No doubt it’s not easy, but it’s feasible. Anyway, as probably no team has budget to run the whole 10 events some will always be left aside. It’s great to see that Açores has managed to be among the series top events and it’s now chosen by so many ERC regulars.

Chris Ingram stopped working with K.Becker and is looking for a new codriver now.

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Originally Posted by CWJ

Chris Ingram stopped working with K.Becker and is looking for a new codriver now.

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that is strange I wonder what happened they seems an ok match..


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Originally Posted by CWJ

Chris Ingram stopped working with K.Becker and is looking for a new codriver now.

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What's the source of this info... I cant find anything ?

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

What's the source of this info... I cant find anything ?

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After Ypres it wouldn't really surprise me..

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONE E1003 met Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by AndyRAC

The Promoter could, well, actually, do their job; Promote the ERC properly! The ERC doesn't seem to be going anywhere at the moment.

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Exactly! Look at the official website of the ERC. They still haven't managed to calculate the points - two weeks after Ypres! Isn't it miserable?
https://www.fiaerc.com/standings/

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Originally Posted by mousti

After Ypres it wouldn't really surprise me..

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONE E1003 met Tapatalk

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What happened?

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Originally Posted by cosmin_sb

Does anyone have news about health of Zoltan?

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No. Isn't it also the job of the promoter (or whoever runs the official website) to publish news about the drivers competing in the championship? Bessenyey was the leader of ERC3 until this serious crash happened. Can't they find any info about his state? In the XXI century?

It's not so easy with information about medical state. Unless it's authorized by the family it may be illegal to publish anything.

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Originally Posted by EightGear

What happened?

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Before Podium I went to their car, with Chris I could talk easily, Katrin stayed in the car totally shut down. Afterwards I saw Chris again and there I heard they aren't not so on the same page..

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Originally Posted by mousti

Before Podium I went to their car, with Chris I could talk easily, Katrin stayed in the car totally shut down. Afterwards I saw Chris again and there I heard they aren't not so on the same page..

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Maybe they had a fall out over BREXIT... Ingram is very patriotic and Becker is, well, a German ! ;)

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

Maybe they had a fall out over BREXIT... Ingram is very patriotic and Becker is, well, a German ! ;)

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It is also hard not be to close by driver and codriver. It is a personal relation inside the car. May be stars not match..
Wish them best for the rest of their careers.

And i heard that Ole Floene will have an agreement for a Turkish Driver for 2017 ERC season just a gossip :))


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Chris Ingram confirmed:

Would like to thank @katbecker_rally for our time competing together. We will go separate ways. Top co-driver & person.

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Originally Posted by Jarek Z

No. Isn't it also the job of the promoter (or whoever runs the official website) to publish news about the drivers competing in the championship? Bessenyey was the leader of ERC3 until this serious crash happened. Can't they find any info about his state? In the XXI century?

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There was also prepared support action in Ypres (like in the past with Bianchi or Gryazin). But it is request of Zoltan's family not to make any publicity around. So everybody around team and ERC respects their wishes.

New co-driver for Chris Ingram in Estonia is fellow-Brit, Elliott Edmondson.

Six events in to the season and the reigning champ hasn't won one of them!

Still leading the championship through consistency but this year's championship has turned out more interesting than I thought it might.

Sirmacis has to be the surprise of the year and has stopped it being a Luky/Kajto only show.

Now I hope Lukyanuk can compete in the remaining events so we have a fight to the end but that sounds as if it is still difficult?

No Lukyanuk in Poland, out of money :(

I expect PLuto is pulling some strings to try and get him on the Barum entry list..

Wow - no Circuit of Ireland next year - http://www.circuitofireland.net/#!pr...ase-1701/v3quw

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Originally Posted by Simmi

Wow - no Circuit of Ireland next year - http://www.circuitofireland.net/#!pr...ase-1701/v3quw

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hopefully it won't ruin their chances to get in to the WRC calendar in the near future

The same has happened a few times in recent years and yet still there had been talk of WRC, I don't think the cancellation of the 2017 event will be any different. They're smart in that they're not just ploughing on regardless, in denial about the circumstances on which they find themselves and, as Bobby Willis said, not doing the name of Circuit of Ireland a disservice

Sad news, but a sensible decision. Obviously not a reflection on Bobby or his event; merely a reflection on the sport. Where are the big money sponsors to back events like this? Didn't it win a Tourism award last year? But can't attract funding to run....

Shock news.. :( And after such a successful 2016 event all the more so.

The ERC could be struggling for top events next year.

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Originally Posted by Simmi

Wow - no Circuit of Ireland next year - http://www.circuitofireland.net/#!pr...ase-1701/v3quw

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Damn, that's bad news :(

It's not all bad news on the Circuit of Ireland front today ...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CoY3r2MWEAA8amN.jpg

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

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The ERC could be struggling for top events next year.

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Yes, we shouldn´t forget also Ypres organizers were complaining loudly this year.

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It's not all bad news on the Circuit of Ireland front today ...

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Don´t find anything positive about Jean-Baptiste Ley´s words. It´s just standard talk.

I read that Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy can go to ERC in 2017, anyone know of any information about this?

Polish champion Lukasz Habaj added Barum and Liepaja to his rally programme for this year. More details at:
https://www.fiaerc.com/polish-champi...nt-in-the-erc/