IRC Intercontinental Rally Challenge
Mikkelsen in IRC 2012
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IRC Intercontinental Rally Challenge
Mikkelsen in IRC 2012
You forget the tires as Tänak was running on DMack's, so you cannot really have adequate comparison. But I also think that maybe it's too early for Tänak to run in a A teamQuote:
Originally Posted by ridder
Suggestions Tanak's not "ready" for a full WRC drive are nonsense. The kid's as ready as he's ever going to be. If there weren't such a limit on opportunities we'd all be rooting for him. What's the worst that he could do, crash more cars than McRae? Not possible.
Speaking for myself I would be very disappointed if he didn't live up to the hype. I think the current kiwi competitor could also be at risk of this.
As an example I would site Bruno Senna in F1. His last name gives everyone (who likes F1)a buzz but his recent results damped it down so much.
At the end of the day, the likes of Tanak, Paddon, Ostberg and all of the other candidates are where they are presently because they have fought off the competition wherever they have respectively been battling.
In the case of Paddon, his competition which he has ably beaten to 2 national titles and a brace of APRC round wins, not to mention his PWRC crown, is generally vastly more experienced. Yet he has disposed of them at will not only on events and surfaces he knows well but at those which are new to him also.
I do not know much of Tanak's history but would be surpised if it were much different, in this respect.
What's lacking is time in the car, and we do know that the WRC cars of the previous era were reputedly difficult for a novice to step into, but there time to sort this.
Rumours at the moment , but the talk is that Ford have pulled out of the WRC. This apparently leaves `M`Sport on their own to keep the brand alive. There will be lots to discuss at Daventry Hall!!!
Se you prefer him as second driver over Petter Solberg?
Se you prefer him as second driver over Petter Solberg?Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
So disappointing, just when the championship was starting to get betterQuote:
Originally Posted by bassist
Is it not Dovenby Hall?Quote:
Originally Posted by bassist
Oops ! My Mistake! Oh well, I was never on Mr Wilsons Christmas Card List!Quote:
Originally Posted by Doon
I hope not, but I fear Ford will really pulls out. A very stupid decision if you ask me...
Did You make an audit of Ford WRC program that You know it is stupid to leave and go for another sport/marketing tool?
Ford did make, Ford's view of WRC: Ford Motorsport Boss Praises World Rally Championship | FacebookQuote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
Is that the 'Official' Ford view, or Gerard Quinn's view..??
If, and it's a big if, Ford do pull out - maybe the rest of the stakeholders will finally realise the current set up isn't working. However, I get the feeling they are like Emperor Nero while Rome burns....
The history repeat itself.
When Audi made big sucess in World Rally with Quattro after being a nobody in caramaking in the 80`s, they became high nosed and skipped rallying. A big mistake I would say, because the brand isn´t like BMW or Merc and will never be.
Maybe Ford think they are a champagne brand only competing in nice racing with VIP-tents serving champagne and strawberrys...? Neither will Ford become more than the brand everyone knows as the rallybrand!
Audi have moved on - they view their Greatest Motorsport successes as their LeMans triumphs.....and they view their competitors as Merc & BMW, hence the DTM programme, and also Sportscars. If Audi ever return to Rallying, then I'll eat my hat. It won't happen whilst Dr Ulrich is in charge of AudiMotorsport.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
It might not be too bad from a business point of view - the way that is rumoured they either have to put in less (or no) money and still get publicity for their car and brand. I imagine Ford will still give the necessary backing to homologate new components e.t.c.Quote:
Originally Posted by focus206
This situation is a little bit different but when Skoda pulled out of WRC Kopecky and Duval achieved better results with their private team than the works boys did.
I never said they´ll come back to rallying. Only they thought they were better and bigger than they were by the times they pulled out.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
And maybe Ford is thinking the same.
(if it´s a true fact, then the rallysport itself have to consider its way of performing the sport)
I think you have to ask what does Ford (or anyone for that matter) get out of WRC right now during the deepest recession since the 1930s? All spends have to be looked at.
Performance cars? Not really...and they could just as easily do so from WTCC with the Focus.
Brand recognition? Maybe but audiences for WRC are low and people will still know Ford exists without WRC.
Sell more Fiestas? Seriously doubt that if it does sell more, it's enough to even come close to the outlay
If Ford was leaving amid raving success - or maybe a year after everyone eclipsed them and they didn't want to design and build a competitive car - then maybe I could see a comparison with Audi. But I don't think this is a case of Ford thinking they're too fancy for rally.
And they don't have to because VW is now in the WRC.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
I wasn't saying that. Rather I was merely countering the suggestions that he's not "ready" to step up.Quote:
Originally Posted by J.Lindstroem
However since you've asked, yes I do. Tanak is the future and an exciting one at that. Petter is the past and something of a spent force.
:down: There should be a dislike button aswel!Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
I wonder if Tanak gets a drive how long it will be till the knives are out for him when he isnt getting results, the lad isnt ready for a works seat yet, he needs a year to mature 1st, he can be a great driver but he deserves time.
+1 :up: He is definetly on the "one to watch" list. But like you say, he does need a little more time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nornbugger
Agree, I hope too that the seat goes to Tänak or to some other who has the future in rally, no point in signing guys from the past.Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
If Ford go with Tanak as the 2nd driver next year then they definitely won't be here in 2013. Yes, Tanak has a lot of potential, but he's nowhere near the real deal yet. Another year in SWRC or in a B-Team would help his career much more than being thrown into the deep end at a factory team.Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
Ford have to have Petter in the 2nd seat if Sordo is unavailable (which he seems 99% sure to be at Mini) as he is the only driver available who can compete for wins. Tanak, Ostberg etc will be good, but Ostberg on snow apart they will not provide JML enough support for a Championship assault. Even Henning would almost be a better choice than Tanak for 2012 - a bit of experience and someone who is known to be capable of scoring points regularly, while Tanak can drive without pressure alongside Ostberg in Team B.
Sorry, there's no evidential basis for this statement. It's purely conjecture as is the rest of the post.Quote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
What's another year in the shadows going to do "for his career"? It's nonsense. When you've got a young racehorse with the capacity to win the Grand National or the Melbourne Cup you don't keep it in the stables developing a liking for the hay & shagging the draft horse.Quote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
I get that you're a fan, so am I. But Petter has almost petered out sorry. Time to move on.Quote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
Almost? You don't sound too sure, and if you're not, why not give Tanak the benefit of the doubt? After all, Henning has hardly set the the world on fire anytime.Quote:
Originally Posted by pettersolberg29
I guess it doesn't change much if its tanak / henning / peter / ostberg...
What we all realize is that Loeb / Hirvonen in the ds3, well it's simply the best team you could imagine at the moment.
And i am not saying that because I am french (i have always been pro ford and pro Hirvo), but the ds3 has proven to be fast and reliable, loeb is still the best driver in the world, and mikko is maybe not the fastest driver out there but he still has been runner up world champion 3 times the past 4 seasons...
Maybe Ogier / loeb was a faster pair, but for me Loeb / Hirvo can smash the constructor title mid season next year...
And for me Latvala is a very talented driver, but it seems that he is only fast and reliable when we tell him before a rally "well, do the best you can, and on the last stage you will drop position to help mikko..."
Lets hope citroen will stay as they are for 2013, this could be an amazing season...
Citroen sold more Citroens in Norway then ever since Solberg started driving the Xsara, C4 and DS4... so he could do the same with Ford?
So, one Citroen less in the championship next year (Kimi that is).
Do you think that Tanak could score more points over a season than Petter already?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomi
If they can find the funding to give Tanak a full season in a b-team first that surely makes more sense unless M-Sport have given up on the title before the season even starts.
I don't think anyone here has suggested Tanak isn't worthy or ready of a full time WRC drive. He is.
But he's not shown enough to be given the 2nd works seat at Ford, he should be given a junior programme for a full season on WRC events to see what he can do without the pressure of needing to score manu points or support JML in a title push.
Exactly. It would be much better for him without that pressure.Quote:
Originally Posted by I am evil Homer
I'm not saying there is any evidence for it, but likewise there is no evidence that Tanak has the ability to be in a factory team yet. With only 3 manufacturers in the sport in 2012, that would mean Tanak should be in the top 6 drivers - that is a ridiculous thing to suggest in my opinion. And driving in the B-Team wouldn't be a 'year in the shadows' - Ogier didn't do too badly with Citroen Junior Team. It would give Tanak a chance to prove himself and gain experience without the pressure. I'm willing to bet anything that Tanak will finish minutes behind the winners of rallies next year if he is in the WRC - there is nothing to suggest otherwise.Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
It doesn't matter if you are a fan of Petter or not - he is the only viable option without a manufacturer seat. He's won rallies, and still challenges for wins and podiums consistently. He is undoubtedly in the top 5 rally drivers in the world, and with Ogier out next year that makes him 4th best option. How anyone could think throwing Tanak in at the deep end when there is a proven podium finisher avalible is crazy. And I mention Henning and 'almost' because even if his talent isn't equal to Tanak's he has got experience, and Tanak does not need the sort of pressure being in a team with JML and needing to fight for wins.
Tanak needs to follow Ogier's development path - get in a B-Team and show everyone what he's got. Then he will get a chance with a manufacturer when he proves his ability and therefore deserves it.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...administration
Hmm, owners of NorthOneSport, CSI in administration.......
just read this in facebook
Vladimir Antonov's Convers Sports Initiatives, the owners of North One Sport, the commercial promoters of the World Rally Championship, has gone into administration.
The fact has only just become public: the move came on Friday.
A statement from the Joint Administators reads:
“On the 25th of November 2011 my partner at UHY Hacker Young Andrew Andronikou and I were appointed as Joint Administrators to Convers Sports Initiative plc (CSI).”
“CSI own a number of sports teams, media franchises and entertainment rights businesses.”
“We were appointed as Administrators after uncertainty arose over the future of CSI. CSI has a number of sports related assets and we are very confident of finding interested buyers for these subsidiaries. Our aim is to ensure that the sale process is as smooth as it possibly can be.”
“We will now be undertaking a period of due diligence at CSI and once that has been completed we will be in a better position to answer questions.”
Antonov has resigned.
A statement on the webpage of CSI adds:
"The business and assets of the Company are now managed by the Administrators."
"Please note that the Administrators are agents of the Company and act without personal liability."
"The subsidiaries of Convers Sports Initiatives plc are not subject to an Administration Order."
These are Very bad news for the sport. Hopefully this will be resolved soon, although with such difficult economic climate I doubt someone will buy CSI to continue their work.
Last weekend Juho Hänninen was selected as the best Finnish autosportsman of the year. In the prize giving evening he was of course asked about his season 2012. For elisa.net, he commented that:
- There's no signed contract yet, but he strongly hinted that he will continue with similar program and same manufacturer in 2012 as he did in 2011.
- He said it's highly unlikely that he will compete in WRC machinery next season, but he hopes for WRC work, namely testing VW.
- He is looking forward to compete in Monte Carlo, New Zealand and Finland next season, his favourite events of the series