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Katsuta is full time for next year @CeskyOndra
Now Toyota just needs to fix their ugly livery.
Glad to see Evans continue too, shame that Pajari and Enni spilt up, I hope it wasn’t Pajari’s decision. That would be (even more) cruel after their success together.
It would surprise me much if it was Pajaris choice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli
Toyota muscles up and you have to go with their planning.
Yeah that’s what I’m thinking too, shame, they were a great pairing and it feels harsh to rob Enni from stepping up too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Happy for Pajari, definitely well deserved.
I guess there really isn't a good Japanese substitute for Katsuta. I like the guy but he has been underwhelming...
I just would like to add some oil to the fire here: I like that young guys like Pajari get all their chances from R3 to R2 to R1. Good. Even great. Another fast Finn in the pipeline of championship capable drivers. But I think today car brands are not the ones that attract people to rallying - it is people, personalities and national heroes. Popularity of rally would grow regionally if we would have strong drivers from Italy, England, Germany, Spain, South America, Eastern Europe. How adding another Finn or Japanese driver would rise awareness and popularity of the WRC in Italy or Germany, for example, or even England? Please understand me correctly, Pajari fully deserves his place in WRC, he has potential to become the champion one day, clearly. It is like automatic - if you are a fast Finn, you will get your chance. But if you are fast Italian, Spaniard, Englishman, Pole or even Argentinian - would you have equal opportunities?
I think we have been looking to the wrong direction with how to rise the popularity of rally - everyone thinks that bringing rally to new territories or having 1 more manufacturer is the key to success. I would start to doubt it. We need local heroes, stars, national heroes, potential national billboard figures. Smth like Sesks became in LAT this summer. Imagine rise of the rally-fever in ITA if Lancia gets fast Italian driver with championship potential? Golden. Or if M-Sport would have English driver or some fast young man from Poland. (By the way, McErlearn from Ireland is very interesting prospect. He is fast on all surfaces, keep an eye on him) . In the end, Pajari promotion is good for Toyota and Finns, but WRC is not gaining from it in the long run.
I would like to use a very popular word - we need Diversity!
I’m sure that the teams would be happy to get a driver from a country that doesn’t have a WRC driver yet, but the thing is they want the best, not the most suitable (some exeptions of course). But I rather have all the fastest there, than half the field of Munsters.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndersX
The simple answer is NO!! It's 2024 and the sport can't let go of the Finnish obsession......Another reason the sport is never going to be big; even countries with motorsport history can't supply drivers to the WRC. We've seen countless Finns get opportunities, even when they didn't deserve them - whereas other drivers never get a sniff. The passport is still a major obstacle in the sport - and the Finns look out for each other, so there'll always be chances for a seat.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndersX
Imagine the WRC without a Finn.....that would tell you the sport was in a strong place.......
Look in WorldRX championship and find diversity there. It could be called WSRX (World Scandinavian Rallycross Championship).
If I would choose I would rather pick many finns than any new french driver. I mean they are so arrogant and egoistic, full of themselves and the world spins arount them (I mean they think it does). Even Fourmaux is getting like that, I'm more and more towards hating him.
But it's true of diversity. It should be many flags on the grid, but sadly even WRC is running by money and connections. I can name one driver at least who shouldn't be here today or tomorrow. I may be wrong but I have a feeling it will be the same story next year, but what can we do if the money is playing major role here and the real talents don't even get a real shot to shine on stages. (And that's how one always dominate stages and the other ones have 2 or 3 minutes differences.)
Latvala confirms 2025 Historic Championship entry with Janni Hussi...
https://rallyjournal.com/jari-matti-...r-janni-hussi/
Correct..Quote:
Originally Posted by COD
if you're good enough you will make it.