Crystal Ball Time for 2017

I'll phrase my predictions based on when I started to follow the WRC regularly around 2000 (though my number one is more early 90s).

1. Meeke in the Citroen is Sainz in the Celica. All the work finally pays off with a championship for a fast, deserving driver in a competitive year
2. Ogier in the Ford is McRae in the Ford. Big expectations, breakdown, breakdown, frustration, crash, breakdown but still ends up second or third in the championship
3. Latvala in the Toyota is Gardemeister in the Seat. Great on paper, some good stage results, but it doesn't translate to wins and can't get into contention for champion (FAIL)
4. Neuville in the Hyundai is Panizzi in the Peugeot. Very fast but only in ideal conditions so he's high in the championship but can't get enough points on gravel to be champion
5. Tanak in the Ford is Loix in the Lancer. "We have a second car. Some guy over there is driving it. Look over here; it's Makinen/Ogier!"

Special mention: Dani Sordo is Dani Sordo. Consistent points but will take a few calamities at the top of the leader board for him to get a win. Good overall points for the year, though. Enough to make Hyundai the manufacturers champion.

1) At least 1 corner where only 40% come out clean.
2) The flat out on-board footage will get 450 000 views on youtube
3) We see two new sponsors coming in - Lego and Nvidia
4) The new camera angles will also include the co-driver perspective
5) At the end of the season Ferrari will announce their WRC comeback

Oh I forgot 1:
6. WRC onboard cameras will downgrade from 10 fps to 5 fps.

1) Ogier champ (easy 1p)
2) There will be other cars in power stage points than WRC17 in several races
3) 3 different winners in first 3 events (Win)
4) we are going to see over 15 WRC17 cars in same rally.
5) Mikkelsen will start with VW this year several times.

Bonus: Toyota will get fastest SS time in Sweden but not in MC (WIN)
Bonus2: Mexico will see only 6 WRC17 in Top10 overall.

1) Breen will take his first WRC victory.
2) Hyundai will take the title, but Neuville loses the WDC because the team refuses to give teamorders during the season
3) Meeke will lose the WDC because he has too many punctures and suspension failures, which he and his fans will describe as 'bad luck'.
4) Ogier will continue to complain about his road position.
5) People who read this thread at the end of the year do not remember what the WRC Trophy was.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rallyper

I´m sure N.O.T. is sitting at home making last revision on his stunning contribution to this thread, being published in a few hours from now. Maybe though after midnight. Right NOT?

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Or maybe he's still trying to figure out why there is no VW on MC entry list.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mariusz

Or maybe he's still trying to figure out why there is no VW on MC entry list.

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He is busy on the Dakar thread.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Toyoda

1) WDC Neuville consistent drive and gets in Ogier and Paddon's head
...
Sorry I went overboard

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The only head Neuville has ever been able to get into is his own. And the paranoia seems set to continue judging by his latest publicized tweet.
Let's hope he puts it all behind and delivers the season e all know he's capable of and we all want to see.

1. Ogier quickly on the pace. Good driver, good car, good team. Competitive but not dominant.(WIN)
2. Neuville and Paddon both take multiple wins. In hunt for title all season.
3. Mikkelsen back in WRC car by round 3. (FAIL)
4. Meeke to live up to mentor's nickname.
5. NOT to win Sick Dog village Ladyboy fashion parade. (WIN as a result of Toyota win in Sweden)

I forgot the fifth prediction.

1) Ogier will take the championship fighting with Meeke
2) Hyundai will be manufacturers champion. Citroen and Ford will loose the champioship due to irregularity of second drivers.
3) Citroen will be unbateable in asphalt
4) Toyota will be better than the most of forum members expect (some podium will be achieved)
5) Mikkelsen will take a sabatic year enjoying to make some tests and develop the VW Polo, that will be running with team Qatar in 2018 (FAIL)