Huh? Wtf? How is JML different to Loeb? They've both had backers.....
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Huh? Wtf? How is JML different to Loeb? They've both had backers.....
Please read my post...! Seb had millions behind him! Mr. Champeau and his friends funded (=PAID!) Seb's drivings until Citroen started to pay salary to him. Sometimes it feels that you don't read anything that others write...Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
Oh c'mon! Why don't you answer to DonJippo's pretty straight-forward question? Because you're too busy making completely false accusations based on your own, distorted views which have no real life basis at all! This has nothing to with patriotism.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
Tariq Azzi school of grandiose presumptions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
Any particular year spring to mind when "payers" ruined the sport. Non contracted drivers have been renting, or paying, for cars to contest the WRC since the WRC has existed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
Some have been sons of rich daddies, some have been rich daddies themselves, others just determined competitors who managed to put a deal together.
None have "ruined" the sport. All have added value.
If you have brain, you all know what I'm talking about.. Seb.Loeb's father wasn't millioner and his son successed.. :)
So everyone else is wrong and you're right.
You do also realise that JML and Mathew Wilson are different people right?
JML was here in Zagreb, Croatia few months ago and seems to be really pleasant bloke but I would rather see some JWRC champ as WRC champ then rich son who's when turned to 18 in WRC car in BRC or WRC.. Anyway stop this.. If you'll come to Zagreb, Croatia I invite you for a coffie and then we can have propper conversation (fight :D ), especially Finns.. :D :D :D
LOEB was supported by CHAMPEAU for rallies in the french championship, driving a citroen SAXO kit car. In 2001 for the rally du Var guy frequelin offered him his first salary to drive a rally in the XSARA kit car, about 30.000Euros. He won the rally and from that point on he was paid a salary.
LOEB was overall supported by sponsors for max 2 seasons in french champ. to run in a SAXO, about 400.000Euro per season. So it is nowhere to be compared with the sort of sums that JOUHKI has pumped to keep Hirvonen and Latvala alive in motorsport.
I don't care if somebody gets support, good for him afterall. The problem is that JOUHKI's tactics are unfair to others. He kills off other drivers, just as skilled or potentially better as his drivers, by using his endless supply of cash to forcefully and endlessly place HIS drivers in the OFFICIAL teams.
Ask Gronholm, Pykalisto, Tuohino, Paasonen how it was for them when they started without help from JOUHKI ??
If you are Wilson and you get 2 calls in November : one from JOUHKI and his 2.5mill Euros to take Hirvonen as n°2 factory driver or Pykalisto who is supported by Gronholm and DHL, with maybe 3 or 400.000 Euro, or nothing.
Who does Wilson take ?
And then what happens when Hirvonen crashes ? first time is ok, says Wilson...then 2nd time Wilson starts to make a face...3rd crash Wilson rings Jouhki and says who pays for my crashed cars ??
A guy like Pykalisto would not have this kind of insurance. After 2 crashes you are OUT. :(
When the second SUBARU seat was open for 2004 season, Jouhki knew that PRODRIVE was not so hot to take his Hirvonen, so what does he do ? :confused:
He flies, together with his driver TOMMI MAKINEN who had just been retired, over to the SUBARU HQ in JAPAN and convinces the JAPS to have PRODRIVE hire Hirvonen, seeing MAKINEN support the kid, they agree and apply the pressure.
Do you see Tuohino being able to do that ??
But this stunt backfired in Hirvonen's face because PRODRIVE was so unimpressed that he never got equal treatment with SOLBERG, and got the boot at the end of the year.
In 2005 JOUHKI rented JARI VIITA's car for Hirvonen. They chose a few rallies where they thought they could be really competitive. There was proper testing organised and god knows what else. Naturally, with very good starting positions on gravel rallies due to him not competing in the WRC, a very competitive car supported by M-Sport and some good experience he managed to pull off a performance. 6 rallies, 3 retirements, 2 times 5th and a 3rd place, including one factory drive in NESTE RALLY (5th).
Luckily for Hirvonen an official pay to drive seat opened at Ford in 2006 for the n°2 car. GRONHOLM was hired by Wilson for a fortune so JOUHKI's money was very welcome. At that moment Hirvonen's CV was not good enough to hope for a free drive, needless to say a salary. Afterall his best results was 3rd in Catalunya and 2 times fourth in the IMPREZA.
Hirvonen's first win came in Australia 2006, on his 52nd WRC event since GB 2002, driving a top WRC car, of which he retired 18 times for various reasons including multiple accidents. :eek:
Over the years KANKKUNEN, ROVANPERA, MAKINEN, MIKKOLA, GARDEMEISTER, LATVALA, HIRVONEN have all been supported by JOUHKI, and in some cases have only managed to survive thanks to his cash, to the detriment of some other poor blokes who should have had their chance too.
To give you an idea about JOUHKI's abilities, in 2003 season he managed
Gardemeister in factory SKODA
Rovanpera in factory PEUGEOT
Makinen in factory SUBARU
Hirvonen in semi-factory FORD
Latvala in semi-factory FORD.
If what Kaffi wrote is true, then Hirvonen lost some of my respect as I thought he got his seat out off pure talent.