2011 IRC: rallies, drivers, teams, plans?

Provisional 2011 IRC schedule:

19-22 January (Monaco): Rallye Monte Carlo (Asphalt)
4-6 March (Argentina): Rally de los Alerces (Gravel)
14-16 April (Spain): Rally Islas Canarias (Asphalt)
6-8 May (France): Tour de Corse (Asphalt)
23-25 June (Belgium): Geko Ypres Rally (Asphalt)
14-16 July (Portugal): Sata Rallye Acores (Gravel)
4-6 August (Portugal): Rali Vinho Madeira (Asphalt)
26-28 August (Czech Republic): Barum Czech Rally Zlin (Asphalt)
9-11 September (Hungary): Mecsek Rallye (Asphalt/gravel)
22-24 September (Italy): Rallye Sanremo (Asphalt)
14-16 October (Scotland): RACMSA Rally of Scotland (Gravel)
3-5 November (Cyprus): Cyprus Rally (Gravel)

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Originally Posted by 'Mirek Fric [Cze

]Nothing to worry about. Just wait a bit ;)

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Maybe Fabia WRC in 2011?

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Originally Posted by wwbroe

They will not run so many IRC events next year, i think they will do only about four events. They will be concentrating indeed to develop 1,6T Fabia. :)

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Where do you know from? Or just guess?
Any news/rumors about Skoda plan for 2011? Especially about WRC

http://www.motorcanario.com/articulo...x.asp?id=15860

The Canary Islands round might be in jeopardy already as they need backing from Canary Island tourist board and at the moment it looks as though that support will not be forthcoming..

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Originally Posted by sal

http://www.motorcanario.com/articulo...x.asp?id=15860

The Canary Islands round might be in jeopardy already as they need backing from Canary Island tourist board and at the moment it looks as though that support will not be forthcoming..

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Are there too many events relying upon tourist boards/regional assemblies, etc for their backing? When priorities change, they pull the plug. It's slightly worrying that events can't get other sponsors.

WRC is not popular anymore and what to say about other championships.. But live show on Eurosport changes everything and that's why organisers count on tourist boards..

According to Maxrally, Skoda Motorsport has the intention to do every rally in the IRC 2011, but "only"' with 2 factory cars

“At this moment, we suppose [we will do every round of the IRC next season],” said Skoda Motorsport team manager Pavel Hortek. “Because we are selling cars constantly I don’t think we will run more than two cars. At the moment, we’ve already sold 25 cars and we should pass 30 before the end of the calendar year. We are calculating quite a lot of customers and private teams to come to us and the IRC series next year.”

Current Skoda driver Juho Hanninen and Jan Kopecky are under contract to the firm for 2011 although their schedule remains fluid. Maybe 2 cars but with different drivers on several rallies?

http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/s...actory_effort/

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Originally Posted by alleskids

According to Maxrally, Skoda Motorsport has the intention to do every rally in the IRC 2011, but "only"' with 2 factory cars

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Interesting what Peugeot is planning to do next year especially if take into account Olivier Quesnel words several weeks ago...

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Originally Posted by sbrytskyy

Interesting what Peugeot is planning to do next year especially if take into account Olivier Quesnel words several weeks ago...

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That was when he was having a little tantrum. Since then they have won in Sanremo so maybe he will change his mind.

Btw, what are differences between factory team and private team in respect of IRC? What are advantages, preferences etc?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alleskids

According to Maxrally, Skoda Motorsport has the intention to do every rally in the IRC 2011, but "only"' with 2 factory cars

“At this moment, we suppose [we will do every round of the IRC next season],” said Skoda Motorsport team manager Pavel Hortek. “Because we are selling cars constantly I don’t think we will run more than two cars. At the moment, we’ve already sold 25 cars and we should pass 30 before the end of the calendar year. We are calculating quite a lot of customers and private teams to come to us and the IRC series next year.”

Current Skoda driver Juho Hanninen and Jan Kopecky are under contract to the firm for 2011 although their schedule remains fluid. Maybe 2 cars but with different drivers on several rallies?

http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/s...actory_effort/

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The Fabia is seen as a better car than the 207...but sells LESS ??? :s

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Originally Posted by Tom206wrc

The Fabia is seen as a better car than the 207...but sells LESS ??? :s

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I suppose is a problem of capacity of production abilities. I guess Peugeot can make more cars than Skoda although Fabias may be better than 207 nowadays

Skoda Motorsport is only a team of some thirty people. If they are out on rallies, they can't build new cars ;)

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Originally Posted by Mirek

Skoda Motorsport is only a team of some thirty people. If they are out on rallies, they can't build new cars ;)

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There was a nice three spread (+ cover) article on Juho Hänninen and Skoda Motorsport on the latest issue of Vauhdin Maailma (VM). It said the same that the team is not that big and they are busy with the number of cars they maintain now. There were also some pictures from the Skoda Motorsport garage which were said to be rare.

On the article Hänninen was hoping to take part on some rounds of WRC or even SWRC season. He was especially interested in doing the WRC rounds that will most likely remain a part of the championship in the future. So far, of 2011 season, he knows it'll start in Monte but rest is undecided.

So if Hanninen is doing SWRC, will Skoda MSport split up into 1 IRC camp and 1 WRC camp, and will they run two cars in each championship - or just 1 camp and 1 car in each series ?

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Originally Posted by Sulland

So if Hanninen is doing SWRC, will Skoda MSport split up into 1 IRC camp and 1 WRC camp, and will they run two cars in each championship - or just 1 camp and 1 car in each series ?

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I think Hanninen's WRC events will be in addition to his IRC programme.

Edit: I just read the news and rumours thread on the WRC forum. It seems Hanninen is being groomed for VW's programme.....

Kopecky and Loix for Skoda in IRC?

Mikkelsen will either do a full IRC or a full SWRC season with a Ford or a Skoda, aiming at WRC in 2012. They are still negotiating with teams for the different options !

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Originally Posted by Tom206wrc

The Fabia is seen as a better car than the 207...but sells LESS ??? :s

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It's about the money.. Six months ago diff. in prize was about 50000 euros..

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Originally Posted by Sulland

Mikkelsen will either do a full IRC or a full SWRC season with a Ford or a Skoda, aiming at WRC in 2012. They are still negotiating with teams for the different options !

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Skoda is better, but Ford gives him a nice potential step up for 2012 into a factory seat.

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Originally Posted by Barreis

It's about the money.. Six months ago diff. in prize was about 50000 euros..

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No, that's not true. Recently Peugeot base price for asphalt up-to-date car is 264 thousand Euro. Price for Škoda in asphalt spec. used to be 245 thousand if I remember right. It's about manufacturing and service capacity which is completely different. Škoda Motorsport is very small compared to Peugeot Sport.

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Originally Posted by pettersolberg29

Skoda is better, but Ford gives him a nice potential step up for 2012 into a factory seat.

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Now that Volkswagen is coming to WRC in 2012, it gives possibillities for Skoda drivers to step up to a factory team in WRC. Ford already has plenty of young drivers in their reach with Fiesta's. Mikkelsen would be a good member for the VW/Skoda group in 2012, together with Hanninen.

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Originally Posted by pettersolberg29

Skoda is better, but Ford gives him a nice potential step up for 2012 into a factory seat.

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The Fabia is no better, says Andreas Mikkelsen. http://www.bilnorge.no/artikkel.php?aid=36562

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Originally Posted by Bobcat

The Fabia is no better, says Andreas Mikkelsen. http://www.bilnorge.no/artikkel.php?aid=36562

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Which means Andreas has signed up with Wilson. Just PR nonsense.

Yeah, Skoda's PR bots are the best around the IRC world. :p :

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Originally Posted by Bobcat

The Fabia is no better, says Andreas Mikkelsen

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He must say so, because driving ford ;)

No, ...driving the Ford and Skoda's car. ;)

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Originally Posted by Bobcat

No, ...driving the Ford and Skoda's car. ;)

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He has been driving works Ford and once this year he drove private Škoda. He has no ties to Škoda Motorsport unlike to M-Sport. That's quite a difference in many aspects.

That is bull**** because the Skoda Rally Team Italy is not really a private team. http://new.skoda-auto.com/COM/about/...mpionship.aspx

It is private team of Mr. Zanchi. Starts of Kopecký in Italy were their own initiative paid by their own sponsors and Pirelli. They decided to do so because they lost their driver (Pierro Longhi) just before the season and there was no free Italian driver capable of fighting for podium places.

You're spreading too much strong words around. I don't really like that...

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Originally Posted by Mirek

It is private team of Mr. Zanchi. Starts of Kopecký in Italy were their own initiative paid by their own sponsors and Pirelli. They decided to do so because they lost their driver (Pierro Longhi) just before the season and there was no free Italian driver capable of fighting for podium places.

You're spreading too much strong words around. I don't really like that...

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And I really don't like liars...

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Michal Hrabánek, head of the Škoda Motorsport team said: "This is a combination of factory, importer and private activities. The Škoda Rally Team Italia is amongst our first customers and our cooperation has been top-class for a long time....which I firmly believe will make the most of this experience in the colours of the factory team.

Axel Mohr, Director of Škoda Italia, is enthusiastic: “This is an important chance for Škoda Rally Team Italia, Kopecký is a great driver and now he is officially part of our team. We started this project last year, it has been strongly developed in the last months and in 2010 we will take part in the Italian Championship with 2 cars. I would like to thank Škoda Motorsport for their support.

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Sir, if Your only sources are press information, than any discussion with You is just wasting of time. I'm sorry, but real world isn't made in public relation office.

Which manus have registrated to IRC for 2011.
And is it necessary to registrate every year.
Ford
Skoda
Peugeot
Fiat?
Proton?
Mitsu?
Subaru?

Anyone else and how about 2wd?

All the 2WD cars will take point ;)

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Originally Posted by vino_93

All the 2WD cars will take point ;)

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But I believe that´s only for drivers standings. For makes, theses must be registered...

Quesnel warns IRC bosses
http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/q...ns_irc_bosses/

Isn't he complaining of the same things he did to the WRC?

When I hear his voice..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TyPat107

Quesnel warns IRC bosses
http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/q...ns_irc_bosses/

Isn't he complaining of the same things he did to the WRC?

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+1, I think Quesnel warns the Skoda manufacturer team, lol...

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“Maybe next year I put the DS3 and my red army in there and then Skoda won’t exist, but if I do that, then Peugeot will stop what it is doing. This is the danger of what is happening now, this is why I say to the organisers of the IRC: “Take care.”

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Yeah, the PSA's big WRC boss.

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the Peugeot importer teams have struggled on a much smaller budget and with less development of the 207 S2000.

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What's the problem to have bigger budget and more development?? Quesnel speech is just babbling.

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but what will happen in two years when Skoda has one, two or three titles? The IRC will be empty, because nobody can do anything against Skoda.

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He forgot to add that absolutelly the same situation we have in WRC and nobody complains.

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Originally Posted by TyPat107

Quesnel warns IRC bosses
http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/q...ns_irc_bosses/

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Disgusting...

Quesnel...idiot.