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Citroën announced the R5 already one year a go. It's easy task, they just transform the 208 R5 to another bodyshell. I don't expect many differences between the cars technical-wise.Quote:
Originally Posted by It's JM
In fact it's clever thing to do because with R5 there is very limited number of jokers (changes allowed during the service life) so having two homologations instead of one could give the PSA an upper hand over the competitors.
To be fair the ERC is about as well covered as the WRC now, and has lots of private entries to sell to. Plus, I don't know if the Tour de Corse is maybe a big deal in the French media still, and they want to win it over Peugeot or Renault?Quote:
Originally Posted by It's JM
Very easy: Citroen has some agreement with Abu Dhabi about the WRC program, but once this agreement ends in future, Citroen will leave WRC and they will focus only on regional championships etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by trickydicky
fair enough
In the French media, rally is no more a big deal - even MC or Rallye de France.Quote:
Originally Posted by trickydicky
I must have missed out on that announcement, although I wasn't really following WRC news in-depth now as I was last year, nor the year before that. But I see what you're getting at. With 2 of basically the same cars, they have a technological advantage over the rest of the field.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
Also, are there any other manufacturers that have expressed interest in building an R5 car? (e.g. Mini - if the current out of control bus can be stopped, Skoda, Renault, Toyota....Hyundai? )
In that time the information was included in some interview with Matton or somebody else from Citroën I think, not some official presentation.
In the moment I think Peugeot/Citroën, M-Sport, Škoda, Renault and maybe Opel are working on R5. Of course I'm not sure :) Hyundai sure not, at least Michelle Nandan said so several times. I don't expect anything about Mini and I know nothing about Toyota.
I think this whole new cathegory R5 will be successful (also economically) so if some factory like Opel or Honda hesitates these days and waiting with their final decision about this point, they will finally do it and develop R5 car (it is just my opinion). Moreover Opel started Motorsport program with that Adam cup cars and they are doing pretty well so I think step by step...Adam R2...Corsa R3...Corsa R5 ;) Fingers crossed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
Swedish site emotorsport.se reports that R5 might take over from WRCar as top class from 2016/17.
Makes sense, but could happen even sooner in my book.
As well as testing the 208 R5, Kris Meeke will be involved in the development of the Citroen DS3 R5 too (if that's a difference!)
Anyhow, let's hope he gets some ERC events with one or both of these manufacturers.
M-Sport are hoping to run the Fiesta R5 as course car on Corsica and then on Ypres as a proper entry if given FIA dispensation.