Crystal Ball Time for 2017

I'll phrase my predictions based on when I started to follow the WRC regularly around 2000 (though my number one is more early 90s).

1. Meeke in the Citroen is Sainz in the Celica. All the work finally pays off with a championship for a fast, deserving driver in a competitive year
2. Ogier in the Ford is McRae in the Ford. Big expectations, breakdown, breakdown, frustration, crash, breakdown but still ends up second or third in the championship
3. Latvala in the Toyota is Gardemeister in the Seat. Great on paper, some good stage results, but it doesn't translate to wins and can't get into contention for champion (FAIL)
4. Neuville in the Hyundai is Panizzi in the Peugeot. Very fast but only in ideal conditions so he's high in the championship but can't get enough points on gravel to be champion
5. Tanak in the Ford is Loix in the Lancer. "We have a second car. Some guy over there is driving it. Look over here; it's Makinen/Ogier!"

Special mention: Dani Sordo is Dani Sordo. Consistent points but will take a few calamities at the top of the leader board for him to get a win. Good overall points for the year, though. Enough to make Hyundai the manufacturers champion.

1) At least 1 corner where only 40% come out clean.
2) The flat out on-board footage will get 450 000 views on youtube
3) We see two new sponsors coming in - Lego and Nvidia
4) The new camera angles will also include the co-driver perspective
5) At the end of the season Ferrari will announce their WRC comeback

Oh I forgot 1:
6. WRC onboard cameras will downgrade from 10 fps to 5 fps.

1) Ogier champ (easy 1p)
2) There will be other cars in power stage points than WRC17 in several races
3) 3 different winners in first 3 events (Win)
4) we are going to see over 15 WRC17 cars in same rally.
5) Mikkelsen will start with VW this year several times.

Bonus: Toyota will get fastest SS time in Sweden but not in MC (WIN)
Bonus2: Mexico will see only 6 WRC17 in Top10 overall.

1) Breen will take his first WRC victory.
2) Hyundai will take the title, but Neuville loses the WDC because the team refuses to give teamorders during the season
3) Meeke will lose the WDC because he has too many punctures and suspension failures, which he and his fans will describe as 'bad luck'.
4) Ogier will continue to complain about his road position.
5) People who read this thread at the end of the year do not remember what the WRC Trophy was.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rallyper

I´m sure N.O.T. is sitting at home making last revision on his stunning contribution to this thread, being published in a few hours from now. Maybe though after midnight. Right NOT?

---

Or maybe he's still trying to figure out why there is no VW on MC entry list.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mariusz

Or maybe he's still trying to figure out why there is no VW on MC entry list.

---

He is busy on the Dakar thread.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Toyoda

1) WDC Neuville consistent drive and gets in Ogier and Paddon's head
...
Sorry I went overboard

---

The only head Neuville has ever been able to get into is his own. And the paranoia seems set to continue judging by his latest publicized tweet.
Let's hope he puts it all behind and delivers the season e all know he's capable of and we all want to see.

1. Ogier quickly on the pace. Good driver, good car, good team. Competitive but not dominant.(WIN)
2. Neuville and Paddon both take multiple wins. In hunt for title all season.
3. Mikkelsen back in WRC car by round 3. (FAIL)
4. Meeke to live up to mentor's nickname.
5. NOT to win Sick Dog village Ladyboy fashion parade. (WIN as a result of Toyota win in Sweden)

I forgot the fifth prediction.

1) Ogier will take the championship fighting with Meeke
2) Hyundai will be manufacturers champion. Citroen and Ford will loose the champioship due to irregularity of second drivers.
3) Citroen will be unbateable in asphalt
4) Toyota will be better than the most of forum members expect (some podium will be achieved)
5) Mikkelsen will take a sabatic year enjoying to make some tests and develop the VW Polo, that will be running with team Qatar in 2018 (FAIL)

1. Meeke ready to take first wdc. Ogier has too many mechanical problems. Many different winners and Neuville in good pace also.

2. Toyota takes first win in end of the season and first podium and stage win in Sweden. (FAIL _edit)

3. Suninen and Lappi surprises all. First stage wins in Poland (Half WIN)

4. Kalle Rovanperä turning 17 before rally of Wales so he will drive there r5 or wrc17

5. 17 cars will be 0.75-1.25 sec/km faster than wrc16 first half of season. Second half 1.25-2.00 sec/km faster

1) Drivers title decided in Australia, Paddon wins after starting Rally in 3rd.
2) Loeb convinced out of Retirement by Citreon to replace Breen/Lefebvre and wins 1 of 2 rallies entered, decides to do full 2018 championship
3) Toyota wins 1 rally during year after rally of major misfortune. (half WIN)
4) Ogier and Mikkelsen form "private VW" team for 2018 (FAIL)
5) Ogier fast in Ford but too many "Issues"

1)I expect to see Ogier with his head under the bonnet of the Fiesta on stages. 'Zee wasn't enuf testing & some bits have broken'. (WIN)
2)Sordo near the pointy end of the WDC due to consistency.
3) Evans to win his first event when the D-Macks match the surface better than the Michelins, very frustrated on events when tyres are 'slow'.
4) Mikkelsen and Tidemand to be drivers for VW North (Norway/ Sweden) running 2016 cars (from mid-season European rounds) with Qatar, 'Circle-K fuel company' and 'Urge-Intense' & 'Nexcite' energy drink branding. NAA turning up when rounds don't mesh with Cross country. (FAIL)
5) Latvala struggles to find his 'rhythm' by mid-season, retires to a Lappland vehicle testing facility. (FAIL)

1) Hänninen will win in Monte. Not by a Toyota factor but because a "Monte" factor. (FAIL-edit)

2) Citroens first podium is not from Meeke.(FAIL)

3) Tanak will win before Ogier. ( FAIL - edit)

4) Neuville will be leading WDC at some point.

5) Rally Finland will be VERY SPECTACULAR.

1. Min. 5 different pilot and 3 different manuf. will win rounds in 2017+ Mikkelsen will win a round in 2017
2. Ogier, Neuville, Meeke top3 at the end, most interesting year in past years
2. Cars become too fast - some huge crash coming, new reglations will come in 1-2 years
3. Monte Ogier win (WIN)
4. WRC Promoter become "nervous" due to Rallycross popularity and try to find out new stupid rules to rallying for next years

1) Malcolm finally gets a Sebastian, but this time the car isn't quite up to scratch. Ogler still fights for the championship but through consistency rather than speed.

2) New WRCars mostly don't look much quicker than the previous generation once they are in rally conditions and the WRC TV people have done their best to make them look as slow as possible.

3) VW take delivery of a pair of Fabia R5s to help them develop the Polo R5. Mikelssen mixes events in Polo WRC17 with R5 testing.(FAIL)

4) Mads Ostberg struggles with car 'problems', although these problems are not rally ending or visible to the human eye.

5) Subaru are seen cosying up to Kenneth Ericsson and decide to copy their Japanese rivals by appointing him to run their WRC programme. Ericsson sets up base in Sweden and immediately signs Pontus Tidemand and Emil Berqvist to drive in 2018. Forum member Rallyper issues a statement saying "The only thing that could make me happier is if the FIA banned asphalt rallying"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RS

5) Subaru are seen cosying up to Kenneth Ericsson and decide to copy their Japanese rivals by appointing him to run their WRC programme. Ericsson sets up base in Sweden and immediately signs Pontus Tidemand and Emil Berqvist to drive in 2018. Forum member Rallyper issues a statement saying "The only thing that could make me happier is if the FIA banned asphalt rallying"

---

ahahahhahahaha best prediction so far!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jiipee64

1) Hänninen will win in Monte. Not by a Toyota factor but because a "Monte" factor.

---

Which would be ironic, seeing as he lost a Monte due to 'monte factor' - and Bouffier benefitted.
However, we don't seem to see this anymore in the WRC; I think 1997 and Liatti winning mainly due to a fast time on Sisteron - was the last time a WRC Monte was won like this.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RS

5) Subaru are seen cosying up to Kenneth Ericsson and decide to copy their Japanese rivals by appointing him to run their WRC programme. Ericsson sets up base in Sweden and immediately signs Pontus Tidemand and Emil Berqvist to drive in 2018. Forum member Rallyper issues a statement saying "The only thing that could make me happier is if the FIA banned asphalt rallying"

---

For real where is Kenneth these days? You still see drivers from that era out competing in the odd rally or at least attending events. Not seen anything from Eriksson in years...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Simmi

For real where is Kenneth these days? You still see drivers from that era out competing in the odd rally or at least attending events. Not seen anything from Eriksson in years...

---

I think flying his own built helicopter. But knows nothing more.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RS

1) Malcolm finally gets a Sebastian, but this time the car isn't quite up to scratch. Ogler still fights for the championship but through consistency rather than speed.

2) New WRCars mostly don't look much quicker than the previous generation once they are in rally conditions and the WRC TV people have done their best to make them look as slow as possible.

3) VW take delivery of a pair of Fabia R5s to help them develop the Polo R5. Mikelssen mixes events in Polo WRC17 with R5 testing.

4) Mads Ostberg struggles with car 'problems', although these problems are not rally ending or visible to the human eye.

5) Subaru are seen cosying up to Kenneth Ericsson and decide to copy their Japanese rivals by appointing him to run their WRC programme. Ericsson sets up base in Sweden and immediately signs Pontus Tidemand and Emil Berqvist to drive in 2018. Forum member Rallyper issues a statement saying "The only thing that could make me happier is if the FIA banned asphalt rallying"

---

Yeah, that last one was really good. However both swedish guys has won on asphalt. I would rather say RMC out and Arctic rally in. And then I would like to be the one choosing drivers for the team which contents three top drivers. Third would be ...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RS

5) Subaru are seen cosying up to Kenneth Ericsson and decide to copy their Japanese rivals by appointing him to run their WRC programme. Ericsson sets up base in Sweden and immediately signs Pontus Tidemand and Emil Berqvist to drive in 2018. Forum member Rallyper issues a statement saying "The only thing that could make me happier is if the FIA banned asphalt rallying"

---

They'll please me if use STi for this.

worst thread in 15 years that i read this forum

1. Driver bravery and courage is much more visible. Ogier, Meeke, Tanak, Latvala, Neuville and Paddon ar clearly faster than enybody else;
2. Ogier wins Montecarlo by 2 minutes. First minute because he smashes everybody and second minute because his folowers are dropping out like flies !(WIN)
3. Mikkelsen 5th overall in Monte with R5; (FAIL - edit but only just!!)
4. Tanak wins Poland, but only 7th in champinship due to crashes and car problems;(Fail)
5. Latvala is on Pace -wins a lot of stages (at least 18) during 2017, but rally wins just won't come - 5th in a championship;(FAIL)

It is just for I believe.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Barreis

worst thread in 15 years that i read this forum

---

Nobody cares.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rallyper

Yeah, that last one was really good. However both swedish guys has won on asphalt. I would rather say RMC out and Arctic rally in. And then I would like to be the one choosing drivers for the team which contents three top drivers. Third would be ...

---

I just couldn't think of three Swedes who were ready but i'm sure you could?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RS

I just couldn't think of three Swedes who were ready but i'm sure you could?

---

PG Andersson och Daniel Carlsson ;)

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RS

I just couldn't think of three Swedes who were ready but i'm sure you could?

---

Mattias Ekström :)

I don´t think even Rallyper knows any faster 3rd swede

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pantealex

Mattias Ekström :)

I don´t think even Rallyper knows any faster 3rd swede

---

Errrmmm.... Mats Jonsson? :D

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cali

Errrmmm.... Mats Jonsson? :D

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

---

Per Eklund!

1.Neuville can be WDC but I have some doubt...Ogier again??
2 M-sport will win the manufacturing championship
3 Mikkelsen in top 8 at Monte Carlo rally(WIN)4 Toyota will win 1st rally this season (WIN)
5 Meeke will 3 rallies this season...one of them will be Swedish rally (FAIL)

No, no. Never said third man would be swedish. I´d choose Kalle R in third car. And Oliver Solberg in R5 version becoming youngest winner of WRC2 in 2020.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Simmi

For real where is Kenneth these days? You still see drivers from that era out competing in the odd rally or at least attending events. Not seen anything from Eriksson in years...

---

I saw him driving Possum Bourne's old Impreza at the Race to the Sky hillclimb in 2006/2007 so he was still competing then, no idea about the last 10 years though.

1. Kris Meeke world champion, winning on the last day
2. Hyundai beat Citroen by a whisker on the final day
3. M-Sport, Ogier and Tanak all in mathematical contention for championships with 3 races to go
4. More than half the rallies have 3 different teams on the podium
5. Mikkelsen hired by WRC1 team before 31 December 2017 (WIN)

1. Peter Roberts from Wauchope to win Rally Australia in a Red Bull Polo.
2. Toyota to finish 2nd in Manufacturers Title
3. Hyundai Manufacturer champs
4. Paddon 2nd in WRC
5. Ogier wins 5th title

Hi all, just want to say hello as this is my first time posting.
I'm a new member but have been watching the forum for a couple of months now and enjoyed what I was reading so decided to join.
You might be able to guess what country I am from judging from my predictions :P

1. Meeke to win WDC by 1 point. His power stage points throughout the year will be the difference
2. Breen to finish in top 5 in Monte Carlo in WRC and win his first rally later in the year
3. Finland will be the fastest rally ever recorded for the second year running
4. Toyota will take at least 3 podiums
5. Loeb will make a comeback drive on at least 1 round

1. Breen will be the highest finishing Citroën driver in Monte (WIN)
2. Sordo will win 2 events
3. Al Qassimi will contribute with points for Citroën
4. Mikkelsen will not be driving a WRC car this year (FAIL)
5. Ogier will have at least 2 consecutive retirements for the first time in his WRC career

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jewy46

Hi all, just want to say hello as this is my first time posting.
I'm a new member but have been watching the forum for a couple of months now and enjoyed what I was reading so decided to join.
You might be able to guess what country I am from judging from my predictions :P

---

Hi and welcome. I joined here 5 years ago during that Monte with GO FAST liveries :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SlowSon

Hi and welcome. I joined here 5 years ago during that Monte with GO FAST liveries :D

---

Ah yes the one with Henning's Fiesta, cool livery! Thanks for the welcome :D

To give you some more background on myself I have been involved in rallying all my life, competing since I was 16 as a driver. Although the insurance costs have risen so that entry fees are very expensive in my country I hope to compete again this year in the Junior category.
Like you all I'm a huge WRC fan and have been lucky enough to have spectated at 5 WRC events and hopefully more in the future.
I like this forum because of the great knowledge you all have and your passion for the sport.
Looking forward to having some friendly banter (fun) with you all!