[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

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Originally Posted by jbmarcus21

Skoda return ? http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/n...50166446405534

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does'nt work...

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php?id=...toru-1-6-turbo ;)

I wouldn't be surprised if VW gets to do an F1 project and leaves rallying to Skoda, after all they have more experience on World rallying than we sometimes remember.

Yes, it's true that Škoda confirmed 1.6T development. However they didn't confirm entering WRC as a works team.

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Originally Posted by fmcv

To prove you are a good driver you will need a fairly decent car. Is Proton at that level? I seriously doubt it.

If he plans to return to a competitive level, moving to Proton wouldn't add value to his career. On the other hand, the belgian championship is competitive enough to show one's skills.

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I don't necessarily agree with that. If a strong driver outperforms what it is expected his car is capable of then he can still improve his reputation. Look at what Basso or Rossetti can achieve with a Punto, or what Mikelssen or PGA achieved with an ancient Fabia WRC last year.

Anyway, that appears to have not been the sticking point for Duval, but rather than he did not want to do the events in Asia. It's a pity that neither party were willing to budge on that part of the deal because I think Duval had a lot of untapped talent.

It's good though that Proton are looking for good drivers and are willing to pay them. Hopefully they can get someone of the calibre of PGA/Atko/Gardemeister...

Well, I suppose both views are complementary. Anyway, fact is that winning an Asia Pacific championship would come down the list in case you wanted to write down his carrer achievments in priority order... So, the only true reason to accept Proton's deal was really the money...

Apparently 125000 euros wasn't enough for Duval to endanger his life. He talked a lot about the risks involved in rallying after Patrick (Pivato) nearly died back in Japan in 2008 and already then said that he is not going to endanger his (and co-driver's) life for small sums of money. I guess the Japan accident was quite traumatic for him...

Okay - at first - 125000 euros sounds like a lot of money but when you start to think all the travelling, testing and PR work combined to the fact that rallying is, even after all the new safety developments, somewhat dangerous and Duval used to be competing along the world's best boys. With this contract he would drive an uncompetitive car in a not-well-known series... Then it starts to feel like "just 125000 euros".

I agree.. :)

Malcom Wilson speaks about Marcus Grönholm for one or two more events this year ;)

Duval might be a ****, but I enjoy watching his driving than reading assumptions by arm chair experts.

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Originally Posted by serial jeff

I'm susrprised Duval refused... honestly, he's not very good. The few good results he had were often due to the retirements of better drivers. Like, his only win was after Loeb, Petter, Marcus and Colin had all retired and the only challenger left was Rovanpera. Chris is definitely better.

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Chris would probably also turn down the Proton offer so he's a **** as well. As he already had tested a Proton, but he prioritize in getting back to the WRC. Competing is the Asia Pacific would be a backward step.