I know it's been talked about in other places but here's to hoping it actually comes true: https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/1...off-wrc-return
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I know it's been talked about in other places but here's to hoping it actually comes true: https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/1...off-wrc-return
Ypres confirmed today that Neuville will do the additional WRC class event in the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC.
As a spectator I don't like that he will not push the R5 behind its limits like in last years :(Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
Next year WRC Rally Japan will be a tarmac rally. It would be highly appreciated in Japan / TGR that Katsuta would get proper tarmac rally practise with WRC before that. It would make sense that Taka would drive WRC in Germany and Catalunya this year. Even more so, if JML does not perform in next 5 gravel rallies and loses the possibility to drivers championship, after that there is no critical reason why Taka could not replace him in coming tarmac rallies.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight----------------
While Latvala obviously does not have good season so far I really don't see him getting replaced before the end of the year. The only somewhat "safe" choices are Paddon, Østberg and Breen, out of these only Breen seems completely free. In any case nothing is going to happen on that front until after Finland.Quote:
Originally Posted by Allez Andruet
It would make sense for Toyota to have a points scoring driver who could score many points and allow them to take the title(s), last year Mr. Toyoda was very much interested in it, probably hasn`t changed. Katsuta`s only option could be practising in a fourth car, not replacing JML. Quite a critical reason i`d say.
Completely agree with the text, Neuville's lead is different this year but I believe that it can't last long with the current Hyundai performances and non existing support from the team mates. Neuville wasn't the fastest guy in neither of the previous rallies and that's a fact. Being luck and avoiding offs won't bring him title in the end if he doesn't perform fastest times continously.Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
I'm sure there's plenty of drivers who will do that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
TGR had 4 cars in Sweden.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmop
And could have in other rallies also.
It´s 100% sure that Takamoto is NOT their 3rd driver this year.
And you'd think Hyundai would rather see their R5 car promoted...Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
Still, many fans who dont travel to rallies will be glad to see the WRCar in action.
TN: "To repeat last year and drive an R5 in the Renties Ypres Rally would not have been newsworthy to the fans. We won the race last year. What more could we do? On the other hand, we really want to be part of it in Ypres, because it is great to drive for our fans in our own country. The enthusiasm of our supporters was fantastic in Ypres last year, which is why we are starting again, but this time with the Hyundai i20 Coupé WRC. "
"Last year, Nicolas and I wondered what it would be like to drive the WRC on the Ypres course. The rally is very specific, with deep cuts, and also very fast. It will be a challenge to go fast with our Hyundai i20 Coupé WRC, " laughs Thierry. "We may miss a bit of a competitive feeling because we are not competing against the other R5s, but that way we can entertain the fans. For me it is certainly interesting to tame Ypres with the WRC. We are going to drive at a fast pace without taking unnecessary risks. It will be great for the fans! "
https://mailchi.mp/ypresrally/rentie...9-news-1795065
First of all they`d rather improve their WRC and win the titles this year...
No. I saw the last two editions and nobody was even close to his level of driving.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
With the WRC he won't be pushed by anyone to drive like that (the i20 R5 was obviously slower than cars of his main rivals in last two years).
Does the entry into Ypres not count as testing days?
rallies are not testing days...Quote:
Originally Posted by T16
i strongly believe that the british should pay a subscription fee to this forum... their intellectual level spans between unilad and wrc.com levels of intelligence.
Sorry old boy, I’m not familiar with Unilad.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
https://www.eurosport.fr/wrc/wrc-la-...52/story.shtml
Apparently it’s decided: WRC will go Hybrid from 2022. Matton revealed it to AFP, mentioning they are still deciding the tech specs; according to the interview, the purpose is to add an affordable hybrid system to the current WRC engines. If so, it seems to be a smart move.
Which of course is why you chose to live in the heart of it all, nothing like seeking comfort in the arms of like minded peopleQuote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Rallye Magazin expects Skoda to end works rally programm for E-TCR
https://www.rallye-magazin.de/wrc/ar...g-rundstrecke/
Wild speculation from a rally podcast:
Petter Solberg to run a returning hybrid-powered Subaru WRT in 2022.
Huttunen's car at the Pirelli Rally. Car run by Philip Case Rally Sport.Quote:
Originally Posted by Allez Andruet
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5F6cUSWwAE-wQV.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5Gku8BW0AMqDfe.jpg:large
From what I remember it was actually Sweden rather than the more obvious Finland or Australia they offered him as a consolation drive, for whatever reason.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
Not that it makes much difference, in general I agree with you - to come back for a one-off after not driving the wrc car at all this year, and most likely with team orders to play it safe for points (and not take any off Neuville) anyway... There wouldn't be much value in that for him other than making sure his name and face are seen in Europe.
Lappi the first name that was said out today to compete on Rally Estonia this summer.
the big question for me: who is it going to be from Hyundai?
Im sure M-sport will be with Suninen.
[QUOTE=EstWRC;1215556
the big question for me: who is it going to be from Hyundai?
[/QUOTE]
Their 3rd driver for Finland....unless it's Sordo, in which case one of the other two will start there.
Neuville is doing Ypres and Loeb the French event so maybe Mikkelsen goes to Estonia?
I'd say he is actually the least likely. Most likely is the 3rd guy (unless it's Sordo). Then Neuville cause he fights for championship. Mikkelsen has never been good in Finland and I don't see that changing with just better set-up car.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
That would actually be good for him. Find best setup for the car and maybe prapere a little bit for Finland, as he has been awful there for past years.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnttiL
when do Rally Finland entries close compared to dates of Rally Estonia ?Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
Could Hyundai send Huttunen to Estonia then depending upon his result make a decision if they or don't send him to Finland ?
Estonia is only 2-3 weeks before Rally Finland, I'm pretty sure it's not enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by KiwiWRCfan
https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/apri...9--12-12-.html
"The British squad [MSport] heads directly to Santiago for a week of mountain biking with great local guidance from Pedro and Alberto Heller."
Mountain biking and rally drivers is usually a good combination.... until they can't enter next rally.
Rally Finland entries close on the 1st July , Estonia is 12/14 JulyQuote:
Originally Posted by KiwiWRCfan
if you refer to Loeb, it was actually a motorbike accident... that was covered with a mountain bike accident.
Given the direct quotes from Hrabánek, this sounds likely. At least they will stay in rallying as a provider of customer cars.Quote:
Originally Posted by CWJ
Well, Škoda has been engaged on the international rally scene for nearly a century-long period. It would be sad if they leave.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sal the 2nd
Sounds like they will continue with the R5 programme at least, I hope beyond the current (new) version.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
I am not against electric racing of any form but it would be sad to see Skoda choose this over a full WRC return.
VAG leadership decided already some time a go to push for full electric future.Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
I guess that we need to forget about Skoda and hope for Subaru to really step into it.
It looks like Skoda’s electric vehicles will for now at least be standalone models (apart from the Citigo) so a hybrid Fabia RS is possible, but not until the next generation road car.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sal the 2nd
Seems pretty obvious the FIA are going to have to introduce some kind of hybridisation to the top classes of rallying in the near future. Even F1 has been running hybrids of some type for years now.
But this Skoda to ETCR rumour might explain the driver cull at the end of last year and the huge scaling back of their WRC2 programme.
As late as about 1,5 years ago Skoda was seen as "almost certain" to join WRC (by me as well). Now we have rumors of moving out completely. Add to that Citroen "threatening" to leave next year if rule changes are not introduced and Ford not joining MSport even after winning 3 titles (2 driver + 1 manu) and having the 6 time champion in the car.
Wonder what all the people saying how WRC rules are perfect and FIA should not "destroy" them with changes think about it.
The top category will go hybrid from 2022, that is already decided, now how the system will be introduced is still in discussion.Quote:
Originally Posted by mknight
VAG is very frustrated because they have heavily invested in the iD race car with low social media engagement, that is why they are desperately looking for another electric race series to promote their technology, cant blame them for that.
Maybe Skoda is stepping away to give VW room for a full WRC return in 2022, with a hybrid car. Despite the big announcements of future EV’s launches, VW is intensifying the use of mild hybrids systems on their ICE models, which will still be dominant during the next decade (at least).Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
Look how that story about all electric went in World RX. It was all decided and then all of sudden everyone leaves. I still think that even if they plan to introduce electric there no one will join. Here will be the same story.Quote:
Originally Posted by Francis44