[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

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Originally Posted by Mirek

There was a months long investigation done by our driver's association in co-operation with number of specialized doctors. As a result the association asked our ASN to change status of HANS from mandatory to voluntary as they found direct connection between the use of HANS and the new phenomena of broken lumbar vertebrae after HANS introduction (You are wrong in Your assumption that this kind of injuries was frequent before - it was very rare). The request was also directed to FIA. There was no result at all so as a next step there was a petition of drivers and co-driver's against the obligation of HANS use. It was signed by some 200 drivers and co-drivers but the result from ASN was again zero. Only repeating of same phrases like You do. Nobody denies very positive effect of HANS in case of frontal impact but on the contrary to circuits most of rally crashes are not frontal ones. Anyway if somebody wants to use it on voluntary basis, no problem. Fact is that to make HANS mandatory in all events run under FIA rules created demand for thousands of devices and that was a huge business. When that market was filled they put HANS into cross-country events where it has even less meaning, especially for truckers where it also limits side-visibility which is very dangerous when driving close to "small" competitors such as buggies or even bikes. I have never heard any positive word from cross country crews about HANS but a lot of complains.

Anyway You are reported for constant infractions. You don't need to reply because I will not read it.

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I thought I was on your ignore list anyhow so why reply now ?


Does this new phenomena have a name ?


Your inferring a conspiracy within the FIA because of invested business interests or conflict of interest , that's a bold comment and a whole different argument.
I can only assume that FIA gave the study due diligence and decided there was not the evidence . Was it peer reviewed ?


I'm not wrong about the incidences of Lumbar vz Cervical complaints and injuries. They have always been more prevalent.


And yes I know that the HANS is designed for front impact but did your ASN study the relationship between side impact , seat design and any unintended consequence of the wearing a HANS ? Or what the outcome differences be between not wearing HANS and wearing it might be ? Testing data ? Sled tests ?


I'm not baiting here but the investigation sounds more like a drivers referendum with a preconceived outcome than a sound scientific study.


I would love to read this investigation if someone can refer it to me.

Mirek, I absolutely agree with your position on HANS. I have fought for many years for my own ASN to refrain from making HANS compulsory in any level of the sport in my country.
HANS is a frontal impact device designed for use in circuit racing. The dynamics and the risks in rallying are totally different and I do not believe the HANS is an appropriate bit of kit at all.
As you suggest, there has been quite some evidence that it may be doing more harm than good.
Happy for it be a voluntary use item with users well informed.

From Ott Tänak`s FB : "Back in a proper car, I've been missing it a lot!"https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...90095495_n.jpg

Becs Williams ‏@Becsywecsy42λ
Huge congratulations to @E_Brynildsen who welcomed a baby girl into the world today! You can't be 'babyface' now! Lots of love to the family

Hybrid man...
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Auriol and Delecour with 2 Fiesta WRC in Rally France? Anyone heard something? :eek:

World Rally Championship - News - Nagle to co-drive for Mikkelsen in Australia

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Originally Posted by euskalteam

Auriol and Delecour with 2 Fiesta WRC in Rally France? Anyone heard something? :eek:

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Auriol is expected to drive in Catalunya. The co-driver will be the one we love, you know. A pic of their last participation together in the WRC.

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2005/wrc/m...6_auriol_2.jpg

The one who will run in Alsace is Romain Dumas, driving a Fiesta too.

As I wrote on Twitter, it is published today in Autohebdo. All the credits to them, I'm just a forest :D .

Kubica refused to drive for Hyundai

La victoria en Alemania facilita el futuro a Dani Sordo | Más Motor | AS.com

Any particular reason why he said no?
I'm guessing he doesn't have the confidence to lead a brand-new team.

I reckon the best thing for Kubica would be for Lotos to stop funding the Lotos WRC team and instead back customer Polos. Put Kubica in one car, and Mikkelsen in the other. Just run it as Volkswagen Motorsport II under a new name.

I'm afraid Kubica won't be rallying anymore next year, to me it seems like he wants to return to the circuits.

Do you have anything to support that idea? I know Citroen wanted him alongside Loeb in the WTCC, but then they took Muller. And despite the silliness of the Formula 1 silly season, Kubica's name hasn't come up once (though I have heard rumours that he is faster than both Hamilton and Rosberg in the Mercedes simulator), and there would still be serious questions about his arm.

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Originally Posted by Prisoner Monkeys

Do you have anything to support that idea? I know Citroen wanted him alongside Loeb in the WTCC, but then they took Muller. And despite the silliness of the Formula 1 silly season, Kubica's name hasn't come up once (though I have heard rumours that he is faster than both Hamilton and Rosberg in the Mercedes simulator), and there would still be serious questions about his arm.

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Looks like maybe you could be right reading this: Google Übersetzer

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Originally Posted by Prisoner Monkeys

Do you have anything to support that idea? I know Citroen wanted him alongside Loeb in the WTCC, but then they took Muller. And despite the silliness of the Formula 1 silly season, Kubica's name hasn't come up once (though I have heard rumours that he is faster than both Hamilton and Rosberg in the Mercedes simulator), and there would still be serious questions about his arm.

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Just listen to him: Robert Kubica - Rajd Niemiec 2013 - dekoracja - YouTube
And I don't think so he wants to drive WTCC, he refused DTM so I'd be shocked if he agreed to WTCC deal.

One way to see Robert in circuit is F1, no WTCC, no DTM. F1 or WRC. I'm not surprised that Kubica refused Hyundai, he want to be a World Rally Champion not development driver.

Is Kubica capable to handle WRC car shifter yet?

He was capable of handling it during Portuguese rally when hydraulic system broke down and paddle shifter didn't work. But I guess it would be modified just as his WRC2 rally car.

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Originally Posted by thuGG

He was capable of handling it during Portuguese rally when hydraulic system broke down and paddle shifter didn't work. But I guess it would be modified just as his WRC2 rally car.

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As I have though, no one will allow him to use that paddle system in WRC-car. Just for WRC2.

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Originally Posted by HarriK

As I have though, no one will allow him to use that paddle system in WRC-car. Just for WRC2.

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That's your opinion or facts?

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Originally Posted by thuGG

That's your opinion or facts?

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It is a fact...paddle shifters are banned... but they might make an exception for Kubica...

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Originally Posted by Prisoner Monkeys

Any particular reason why he said no?
I'm guessing he doesn't have the confidence to lead a brand-new team.

I reckon the best thing for Kubica would be for Lotos to stop funding the Lotos WRC team and instead back customer Polos. Put Kubica in one car, and Mikkelsen in the other. Just run it as Volkswagen Motorsport II under a new name.

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I think the particular reason why "he refused" must be because this trash-newspaper made it all up before and there was nobody else to confirm the story? ;)

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Originally Posted by HarriK

As I have though, no one will allow him to use that paddle system in WRC-car. Just for WRC2.

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FIA gave approval...

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Originally Posted by NxOxT

It is a fact...paddle shifters are banned... but they might make an exception for Kubica...

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FIA made an exeption (WRC2) for Kubica after Citroen proved that no advantage can be gained from the system (it's made little bit slower than a standard gearshift allows a good driver to shift). So I would expect similar arrangement is quite possible in WRC too as the system is a handicap for a good driver, not an advantage.

RRC are a WRC downgrade, same homologation sheet, so... ;)

Don't be surprised if you see an announcement that Kubica has a contract with Citroen for full program in WRC

WUff1, I could read that.

Except that I can't because I don't speak the language.

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Originally Posted by scn

Don't be surprised if you see an announcement that Kubica has a contract with Citroen for full program in WRC

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I wouldn't be surprised. Is it some kind of insider info?

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Originally Posted by thuGG

I wouldn't be surprised. Is it some kind of insider info?

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Yes, inside info from inside his dreams. :)

does anybody know if Peugeot are planning a return to the WRC???

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Originally Posted by tommeke_B

Yes, inside info from inside his dreams. :)

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It is certainly not insider info and it is not from inside my dreams.
If you want my opinion, such a thing would be the final disaster for the already desperate Citroen.

Well, Yves Matton already said several times (public) that Kubica may do some events with WRC next year, but not the whole championship... ;)

I think Kubica can start the 2014 season in the WRC.
His progress is huge :)
What about the WRC calendar 2014?
Any news?

http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/...ml#post1156889

They dropped Acropolis and exchanged it with Rajd Polski

Would be great if Poland was again WRC ;)
In 2009, it was great

By throwing acropolis out of the championship they just destroy-decompose the wrc.Im not saying that as greek but i support this as a wrc fun.Iwould say the same thing for tour de corse, monte,sweden porugal,italy,finland,rac,safari.When todt became fia chairman i was expecting totally different approach towards rallying because of his prior experience,i was expecting wrc to thrive during todts days.Unfortunatelly i was wrong.I really dont understand what are they trying to achieve by making that kind of moves.Something that i also cannot understand is the high fee that a rally must pay in order to be part of wrc.Do they have that big need for money?(fia and promoters)

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Originally Posted by nafpaktos

By throwing acropolis out of the championship they just destroy-decompose the wrc.

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LOL... the classic holy cow myth.... ridiculous..

De Gaulle once said "The graveyards are full of indispensable men"

Acropolis was a shadow of its former shelf once they moved it to Athens for the dogs of the capital to feast on it...from the then on it was crap....simple as that... the last few years survived due to some people spending their own money and they fully deserve every credit but still the event was crap...

The WRC will survive no matter what... so my advice is that the organisers should live up to its standards and not just wait for the FIA to choose them because of tradition.

@NOT
I met a lot of people from all over the europe in ss or in sp the last years and all of them were excited with acropolis.Explain to me why you thing the rally is not good since it moved to athens.Of course my preference is central greece(lamia)because of the beautiful ss but i dont think it sucks since it is moved to athens.It is well knwon that people from north greece hate athens and this is why you talk about dogs from athens,because they took the event far from north greece.When it was in central greece people from north greece were able to follow the event,now its difficult for them.The problem for you is Athens and nothing else.NOT you confirm the rule (by saying about dogs from athens)that a lot of people from north greece are prejudiced against athens.(even for an earthquake in north greece athens is to blame for)Τhanks again for confirming the rule.

As I've said elsewhere, an event shouldn't change just so it can remain in the WRC. Making all events the same has ruined many events. And once changed - it's not possible to go back.

Αndy if you talk about acropolis i must inform you that even the location has changed our rally remains the toughest in the callendar and the character of the rally hasnt changed.i must also mention that south greece was part of rally acropolis during the epic decades of the past.South greece is not something strange for acropolis ,it used to be part of the rally for MANY years.Now it is just the main part.