AL-ATTIYAH GUNT HANS WEIJS KANS IN WRC
Weijs has permission from Capito.
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AL-ATTIYAH GUNT HANS WEIJS KANS IN WRC
Weijs has permission from Capito.
Sounds like a shake-up indeed. Its a shame, we have been waiting for a 3rd strong manufactor for a while now, and when its finally here, one of the old ones quit. I reeally hope its not true!!
Ford quit after so many years in Rally? Hard to believe that, but who knows. About Huyndai I thought they want to run the team factory based.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iskald
Yes, but if Ford leaving leaves a perfectly good garagiste ready to go, then why not investigate.Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
I thought they were setting up a facility in Offenbach?
Was it ever competitive to begin with? Not even Loix could make it shine in Ieper if I remember. Then again I only remember it on IRC events and don't know how it fared locally.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
Ford have been gradually quitting the sport for many years.Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
That they should one day finally cut the apron strings altogether should not come as too much of a surprise to many.
So, still 2 manufacturer teams in 2013 if these rumours are to be believed!
Or failing a perfectly good garagiste they could talk to M - Sport! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by rallyfiend
I don't possess the vocabulary to express how much I hope this is not true. Having only 2 factory teams for the last few years is what has made the sport so unbearably boring, and has been probably the largest contributory factor to the decline of the series.Quote:
Originally Posted by rallyfiend
Ramona Karlsson and Miriam Walfridsson will do a guest appearance in a new (non fictional) tv-series called "Motorsystrar" (motor sisters).
Ramona och Miriam med i SVTs nysatsning
Motorsystrarna tar pulsen på motor-Sverige | SVT.se
I was in the Condroz that year. He was given a stupid penalty in what was an awesome battle between him (Loix) and Duval. Loix didn't start on Sunday because of the penalty. He had collector problems (was on the stage), but that didn't really slow him if I recall correct.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
Verstuurd van mijn ARCHOS 80G9 met Tapatalk
2 factory teams are not a problem, the problem is when one is considerably better than the other. If Citroen and VW are competitive with one another (and little of Loeb may help) then we have a great championship.Quote:
Originally Posted by RAS007
The best circuit race I ever saw had 3 cars entered (in NOT terms it was a village meeting), one car was useless, the other two fought like tooth and nail for 10 laps, the winner won by about half a meter.
Of course more WRC teams would be better although I'm sure we'll see some kind of M-Sport effort next season.
I'm curious to know what the source of all this is?
It seems like a totally unreasonable timing for Ford to quit.
1. Loeb scales back his program.
2. There is a new promotor.
3. Latvala claims to have had an offer from Ford for next year (Autosport even reporting today that Ford has upped the offer to let him stay)
4. Autosport saying today that Sordo and Solberg are on both Citroen and Ford's list of potential drivers for 2013.
maybe Ford will continue as a full factory team(like Citroen) and M-Sport can take a Hyundai deal.
I must admit I have wondered if it would be in each others best interests for Ford and M-Sport to separate. They've been together since 1997; no drivers Title and a couple of Manufacturers Titles is hardly a raging success.
It's probably one of the cheapest high profile international motorsport programmes for a manufacturer. The ancillary services that MW provides no doubt hugely subsidise the factory involvement. Sure, MW no doubt makes a bucket of cash, but this would still be far, far cheaper than taking in-house.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Ford are hardly likely to take any steps that increase their costs. If they split from M-Sport, it's only because they're leaving the sport.
Speculation is highly entertaining, isnt it? It makes people curious, and perhaps able to think outside well known "tracks". I must admit I'm sceptical myself, but it may well make some sense. Because its no doubt my source is an insider...Nuff said.
Caramba! Why doesn't anyone turn this "Ford every year quiting topic" into a TV soap opera?
Ford is commited to WRC with MSport for 2012 and 2013: Ford extends World Rally Championship participation with new two-year agreement with M-Sport
2013 is their biggest chance to become world manufactureur champions again and get a Ford driver world champion for the first time since Vatanen (1981!!!). Surely they won't miss the try.
But for 2014 no one can tell, so this MSport/Hyundai rumour could make some sense (not so difficult to Mr. Wilson to use a satellite company for the Hyundai WRC development).
I'd guess that even if M-Sport did take on the Hyundai project it wouldn't be until 2014 and there would still be a strong Ford presence as the Fiesta is such a favourite car for the privateers. I know for a fact that a top driver has been offered a one year deal by Ford so unless things have changed massively in the past week I have to assume there will be a top Ford team (be it run by M-Sport or not) in the WRC next year.
2014? Who knows? Has the potential to be the new dawn of the WRC with 5 manufacturers, or to be a continuation of the end with 2 manufacturers, one of which would be a new and unknown quantity of Hyundai. Be interesting to see what happens!
One of Finland´s biggest websites&tv-channel says in their website that Hänninen is close to WRC deal with MINI..
Lehtiväite: Suomalaiskuski lähellä WRC-pestiä - MTV3.fi - Urheilu - Ralli - Uutiset
So, a fight Atko vs. Juho for the 10th place next time?
Or will Juho get the ex-Sordo mini?
Don't know what to think about it. I don't pretend I wouldn't mind him leaving Škoda. No, I would like him to stay but sure I understand he wants to go to WRC as his time is running - especially considering this and coming year Škoda doesn't make any interesting program with him. But with Mini Italia I fear it will turn into a bad joke. Anyway fingers crossed wherever You go, Juho! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Co-FIN
Speaking of that, where is Aaron Burkart (you know, the guy who WON that year!)? Was he just unable to continue because he doesn't have millions backing him up?Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
Aaron won it by luck, not by speed. He wasn't bad but he is far from these named guys. Last time i saw him was in Rally Bohemia 2011 in Fiesta S2000 I think and he was rather slow to be honest.
A bit like Pons won it in SWRC.
Last year in Catalunya he was visibly slower than the SWRC runners and S2000 debutant and winner Yeray Lemes almost 5 minutes slower..
Ah, that's a pity. Seemed like a pretty decent guy, all smiles during the rallies. Sometimes you want guys to succeed just for their character (Solberg comes to mind)!
I do not think we should criticize Chris, he says, well actually "wrong direction".Quote:
Originally Posted by skarderud
I'm a big P.S. fan, but in this case we should expect that he in the WRC, with the longest experience, should be one that could keep the head clear in such a situation. He actually heard the notes, which should tell him that he is on the wrong track before he hit the post.
We understand that andrenalin play in, but this is to lose Head.
I dont think that Hyundai will go to cooperation with M-Sport. After bad experience with MSD they dont want to have external team...
Agree. It's interesting to see what really happens. There are quite strong rumours from reliable sources in Finland that Mini will be a serious contender from 2014.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
nice!Quote:
Originally Posted by EightGear
Bad NEWS!! :(
"MINI will terminate its works involvement in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) at the end of the 2012 season. The company has made this decision after careful consideration."
Not surprising though. If Prodrive can get some money I still have (a little) hope...
"The comeback" feels so ironic now. Its not worthy!
eee.. mm.. what is different now? Prodrive still builds new parts, BMW develops engine.. What was MINI works involvement?
I would guess Prodrive might turn their attention to the S2000 / RRC version in ERC now? If they can raise the cash to pay Eurosport for the registration fee?Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
OK Ford, your move....
BUT here is PRODRIVE news:
prodrive