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Is that even true though? Is Finland not mostly fast, smooth gravel roads? (this is a genuine question but it is all i have seen)Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
I rather thought this is why the Finnish have struggled in recent years if they do not get out of Finland quick enough.
Yes, I agree the roads are quite similar in nature, but I was meaning they're best for testing the cars suspension mostly, travel, strength, behaviour; chassis rolling, etc, etc. For the drivetrain & engine torque probably best would be some tarmac tests, in Finland sure have these as well, not much used for Rally though. May be German tarmac could used more proper for that....Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
Let's hope Toyota has a long term WRC program, unlike a certain German manufacturerQuote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Initial three-year programme with a strong budget is what Colin Clark said today.
most of which will be spent on english lessons for tommi to be able to communicate properly...Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
Not only for Tommi, but also the Japanese drivers, executives, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Probably we'll see GT86 instead of Yaris (thanks to executive meddling)
Τeemu/Rallirinki.net
@HartusvuoriWRC
Toyota and Tommi Mäkinen are expected to anniunce the location of their HQ in July. It could be in Finland. http://yle.fi/uutiset/kisa_toyotan_r...uumana/8187827 … #WRC
A detailed interview with Makinen about the plans. Apparently the team will be based in Jyvaskyla and both an R5 and WRC will be developed at the same time. Michael Zotos will be the chief designer and technical director.
http://www.rallye-magazin.de/wm/nach...nen-die-tests/
I hope so!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Arnold Triyudho Wardono
First 3 years will be a Yaris according to the interview makinen_fan posted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Allyc85
The GT86 might be gone from the market after 3 years if Toyota and Subaru can't figure out other cars to build on its RWD platform. The cars were hot sellers at first, but their sales have cooled since then. Pretty much everyone who's wanted one has already bought one. For other consumers, The cars aren't that cheap (though still somewhat inexpensive), and they're not especially practical or comfortable. In essence, it's a car that appeals only to a limited market.Quote:
Originally Posted by EightGear
If Toyota and Subaru can figure out how to create a hatchback, convertible, wagon/estate, or even a small sedan based on the GT86 platform, then it might still have a chance.
Finland is logical choiche. Toyota headquarter is in Nagoya, 11 km from the hotel I am living at the moment. Shortest flight from Nagoya to Europe is to Finland, 9 hours and you are in Helsinki. If Japanese want strong control, then it is the most logical option - direct flight every day with very good flight times. Toyota is so important for locals here that they just cannot give all the WRC team responsibility to Europeans. There will be strong Japanese involvement I belive (compared to Hyundai for example).
So, they're going to build new premises in Jyvaskala? When they have a perfect place already in Cologne? Hmmm... Not very logical...
Well, it's their money...
Hardly will be a success when doing outside factory but time will tell...
Come here and you can understand how they work. I have been here for 7-8 days now and I can see it easily (well, one of my scientific group leaders is Japanese and I have been working with him for 5 years already).
1. When they plan big investment then they want to control it 100%.
2. They trust Tommi and it is one of the most important thing for them. Winning their respect is not easy job and it is among the most important things here
3. Cologne is too far from here and no proper connection with their headquarter. If they take business class ticket to Finland then they can have proper good-night sleep and they are on their base in 10 hours. It is additional 4 hours to Germany (all my German and even Italian colleagues here came by Finnair via Helsinki) + drive to Cologne, that means they loose a day=big money etc. It just does not fit into their plans.
4. They did not had good memories with Cologne base = better to use it as some kind of sub-base.
Michael Zotos (Greek)was chief engineer of Makkinens car at prodrive days.Quote:
Originally Posted by makinen_fan
I had the pleasure to talk to him some times,and he helped us with some setups problems before some years.
Very helpful guy,hope the best for him,even i have my doubts about the way Toyota want to engage at wrc.
You have then connections to the team :). What was he doing before this appointment, working at Prodrive?Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
The questions are:Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
Apart from point 2, did previously Cologne was closer to Japan? Did they plan big investments without controling them 100%? Did they had better memory of Cologne?
This kind of situations show confusion most of the time. I hope it is actually the right choice for a better development of the car (it can be of course). For sure they've wasted money so far imho.
Bad memories = Toyota turbo cheat.:(
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Motorsport_GmbH
“In 1995 TTE was banned for 12 months[1] from the World Rally Championship (WRC) for cheating by designing an illegal air restrictor[2] on the ST205 that included both a bypass mechanism and spring-loaded devices to conceal it from scrutineers.”
[1] http://homepage.virgin.net/shalco.com/tte_ban.htm
http://www.inpmedia.com/2014/06/03/t...ctive-amnesia/
i ve lost the touch with him for many years.Quote:
Originally Posted by OldF
he has worked for RML-Msport-ralliart-prodrive(subaru & mini)
Last years was responsible for clients programm at prodrive with mini(Araujo)
he has worked also for some teams at circuits.
So pulling together a few of the rumours -
Car: Yaris
Base: Jyvaskyla
Testers: Makinen/Hirvonen/Hanninen
Design/development: Michael Zotos
Team role: George Donaldson (rumoured)
Driver 1: ???
Driver 2: Lappi (rumoured)
Driver 3: Japanese dev driver TBC
Colin Clark @voiceofrally
Mäkinen confirms he would be interested in bringing @EsapekkaLappi to the Toyota team. Hopes to have the car testing in Q1 2016
Yves Matton said for Belgian Auto News last week that he is keeping his eye on Lappi too. I'm sure Jost Capito isn't indifferent either.
If I was Lappi (or his management) I'd be pushing for a season in Volkswagen Motorsport II next year. Maybe with a WRC outing this year as a toe in the water - WRC2 title situation dependent.
The only thing I could see against that is EVEN might not want to place Mikkelsen and Lappi in the same team - effectively pitting them against each other?
interesting that the wrc teams have him in view of a potential drive at wrc level..i guess there is the possibility of changes within citroen and maybe hyundia and ford tooQuote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
but how would he fit into VW wrc team, as they already have 3 drivers which they "seem" to want to retain? and it doesn't look like they are expanding the number of wrc cars they run from the current 3
Matton literaly said that Citroën team will have different driver line-up next year.
About VW I don't know. There were signs that VW leadership wasn't happy with Latvala as he was viewed as too expensive for what he delivers but now it looks like he continues. I also thought that Škoda went to WRC2 to be a kind of VW "kindergarten" but maybe all my thought are wrong.
from today at Finland
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLLNBKPWcAA1wKS.jpg
Nice one!
Wonder what the story behind the desition to leave 2 yrs of development and move everything to a new place and team.
Ahhh he was the engineer of Araújo at Motorsport Itália... not good times for bothQuote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
Quote:
Originally Posted by skarderud
I agree. I'd like to know the thinking behind the decision. Sadly, WRC journalists don't like asking questions, so I guess we may never find out.
Tommi clearly sold Toyoda-san the dream over some long evenings in the sauna. Now he's got to actually produce.
It really seems like a maverick move for what is a major manufacturer programme. Because right now it just seems like Tommi is getting his mates together.
quick an easy money for everyone involved... 2 years maximum then the party will be over.
Don't forget the Finnish vodka........Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
But you've said what I've thought. It seems like a 'jolly' for Tommi and his mates....
It should be interesting to see how the whole programme develops.
Tanks, let’s hope Michael has a successful reunion with Tommi. At least I hope so, don’t know about others.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
What’s behind it is I think that Toyota want a WRC dedicated team which members doesn’t have to be involved in any other motorsport projects.Quote:
Originally Posted by skarderud
It doesn’t mean that two years of development is rejected, just that another organisation continues the development. With the new regulations with wider cars I don’t know how much the geometry of the suspension will change and if the current geometry design can be used as a base of the new one or has it to be designed from zero. By Mäkinen the engine & aerodynamic development and testing will still continue at TMG.
About the location Mäkinen has said that they will start at Puuppola at his current base for about a year and he will decide during August where the location will be in the future. He has close by a new building which is at the moment a kindergarten and he’s said that he don’t won’t to throw the kids out from there although the city of Jyväskylä has said they could consider a new location for the kids if Tommi needs the building.
And in fact there’s no need for any big facilities and +100 staff in the beginning because it’s all about designing the new car and build the prototypes to the 2017 regulations. He once said that about a half hour away there’s good testing roads for gravel testing. I think tarmac testing have to done some elsewhere because there’s no suitable tarmac roads in Finland except maybe the roads on Ahvenanmaa that I know are very narrow and could be the only roads in Finland for a tarmac testing or a rally.
Btw, Puuppola is closer to the Jyväskylä airport than the city of Jyväskylä.
Is it Tommy Makinen in a Toyota with a Subraru Helmet? Or what'Quote:
Originally Posted by danon
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
You guys seems to have something against Mäkinen or is it something against Finns in generally? Quite pathetic posts if there’s a change of a new manufacturer in the WRC, Pffft .Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC