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Toyota seem to be splitting hairs as far as their Rally2 plans are concerned.
Previously, they were adamant there would be no "official" driver(s). Today's confirmation that they will field two young Japanese drivers under the junior program points to some level of official involvement.
https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/...uits/10560021/
Not necessarily WRC2 Toyota Team though.Quote:
Originally Posted by 240RS
To me it looks more and more likely that the rumors about Toksport financial troubles were true.Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
How does that mean M-Sport badly need a driver? Their car is nearly expired with no word of another.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
But this is nothing new. They are not official factory drivers, but it is programme of development of the drivers. From beginning it was sure that in this project from 2024 they will step up into R5 cars...Quote:
Originally Posted by 240RS
I was reacting to your post about Bulacia leaving Škoda.Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
Does anyone know details about how did Toksport Skoda programme work in recent seasons? Like was Mikkelsen paid by Skoda or Toksport? How many drivers were paid and how many drivers were just renting car? Or any other interesting details that don't come to my mind? Or was it only about creating the Skoda army so other manufacturers don't have a chance to get the championship, so they support Toksport with material and personnel in order to run as many cars as possible?
Of course people knows these details. But I am sure almost nobody will publish them on public forum :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenneth
And is it possible that some of them would atleast reveal some if that without going into details?
I think it's pretty clear just by looking there was varying levels of works support for many of the Toksport drivers. Mikkelsen had no sponsors on the car, others did but for example Lindholm was also a Skoda Motorsport test driver and did promotional work too.
Bouffier confirmed
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GB-xyIBW...jpg&name=large
Quote:
Originally Posted by 240RS
I believe this is the 3rd generation that will start on national series with Rally3 or Rally4 cars. I think the ones that are stepping up to Rally2 next year are Kogure and Yamamoto. This is just their academy program to get Japanese drivers into the WRC, it started even before they joined the WRC, the first generation was Katsuta and Arai (Hiroki, Toshihiro's son).Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
Great news! I'm very happy to read this. However, there are some question marks here. How good can Bouffier be after a 4-year break? What is this new ERACE World Rally Team? How good is this new Toyota? We'll see it all in January!Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
It's a shame that it will be a one shot only!
https://www.wrcfanatix.com/2023/12/b...LTriJu6MOyqCqc
ERACE WRT is of Raoux i think.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarek Z
How many Toyotas will we see in Monte, and how many will have gotten their cars by Sweden?
Must be 4 in Monte and more in Sweden.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sulland
Lancia returns to rallying!
A new Ypsilon Rally2 will be developed in 2024, according to an Italian journalist (he follows every rally on site, plus he's head of Press Office at rally Sardinia)!
The car will be developed in 2024, but will hit the stages officially in 2025.
Source: https://www.lanuovasardegna.it/sport...25-1.100449177
Amazing that Stellantis have made a sensible decision for once. The car is there already (Citroen C3). Change the panels and milk Lancia's legacy.
Beginnings are not easy. New Ypsilon already leaked ;)
https://jalopnik.com/lancia-ypsilon-...cle-1851093871
Hopefully the new Ypsilon looks better than this:
https://s.yimg.com/os/en_MY/News/Mot...090010-072.jpg
The portion of the rear half that was visible above water doesn’t look to bad, hopefully it’ll not look dreadful from the frontQuote:
Originally Posted by Jarek Z
So, to make it clear, Lancia will build an Ypsilon Rally2 to enter the WRC 2025 when Rally2 will be the top category?
Yes, with Martini as title sponsor and Alessandro Fiorio as team principal. The junior team will be run by Astra Racing and sponsored by Giesse, Agip and Totip
You forgot to mention that Miki Biasion and Andrea Aghini are already testing the new car somewhere in the Italian Alps ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by HKSjbg
Totip sponsored Jolly Club, not Astra Racing ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by HKSjbg
I think it's important that Stellantis Board made a step for the brand towards the WRC, returning to where it belongs. Also the "tribute" to Stratos in their road car is another important step. It's probably a project dedicated to customer racing, but it's a first attempt after so many years.
It was an intended mish-mash of the non-Martini Lancias ;) I forgot to mention ESSO Super Oil will sponsor the black and gold Team Tabaton entry :DQuote:
Originally Posted by focus206
Lets hope!Quote:
Originally Posted by bomber21
If true, Lancia comeback would be great news!!
For any rallyfan the rally2 category is becoming more and more interesting!
Will there be a blue one for Bernard Darniche?Quote:
Originally Posted by HKSjbg
so, the idea seems to be to develop a "platform" for rally2 future, aiming to be ready in 2027 when "rally2+" will replace rally1 hy as wrc top tier. very long shot imho.
2024 -> rally2 dev
2025-2027 ->rally2 race and fine tune
2027 -> rally2 + for wrc new reg.
looks like that if lancia rally2 is officially confirmed, we ll have a big hint on the next regulation...
imo if Rally2 based cars become top class, there is need to replace Rally2 somehow. Rally3 imo aren't attractive enough, and idk
I would love to see something mix of Rally1 and Rally2, space-frame based cars with as many production parts as possible. And for god's sake get rid of current Rally1 engines, what is the point of rally car that doesn't even use production-based engines.
The hints from FIA and these rumours suggest a new Rally2 for 2025 even. Ideal for Toyota and Lancia.Quote:
Originally Posted by wyler
Lancia Ypsilon Integrale... ;)
https://www.clubalfa.it/en/assets/me...ncia-rally.jpg
and maybe for a puma rally2?Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
i won't believe in any of these rumors until i see msport working hard on his rally2...(or rally2+ for 2027).
can't believe they leave fiesta and wrc2 championship behind if the perspective is going to rally2+. possibly they're working on a new car/iteration for '25?
No way wrc2/rally2 spec changes too much in couple of years..
I'm sure Toyo(d)ta has made it sure, that their development and investment in rally2 isn't just for 2 or smth years..
OR.. they did this project so thoroughly that in case of ,,rally2 on steroids'' will be the top class they have the best base to start from..
Think H-Rally2 and E-Rally2 alongside (ICE-)Rally2. Could be called something different, I don't know.Quote:
Originally Posted by TypeR
IF hydrogen is viable and Toyota are keen to push it, then any H2 car would be so much closer to an ICE developed car than any ICE developed rally car that later becomes fully electric, cough, Lancia. They intend to be fully electric by 2028, sell me why they are interested in rallying without an EV class. Maybe in a relevant thread, this is off-topic.
It is possible that Rally2+ contingency propelled the Yaris build, but not for so far away.
https://yle.fi/a/74-20067955?utm_sou...ent=ralliradio
Sami Pajari (as discussed here before) will switch to a Toyota Yaris Rally2 this season.
Absolutely beautiful, WRC2 this year is going to be pretty exciting, Škoda (Toksport) will have a hard time this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC