[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

Whoever governs the sports, there must be stability in the regulation, and that's what's really lacking in the current WRC. Manufacturers are not there for fun but their involvement in WRC must be a good investment for them in the form of promotion, technical development, etc., but with regulation changing faster than you can adjust to, the manufacturers cannot really invest in WRC these days. And the problem with FIA is that manufacturers don't have much say about the changes. I think FIA should need to stop changing regulations and open the door to manufacturers so the WRC can be good place to invest.

I'd suggest FIA and manufacturers review the regulation every 3 to 5 years to make adjustment as requested from both sides and stick with the same regulations (including calender) for that period of time.

I have said they need a 5 year minimum on regulations. The cars aren't that expensive to build, it's the rebuilding and retesting every other year that drives the price up so much.

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Originally Posted by Saabaru

I have said they need a 5 year minimum on regulations. The cars aren't that expensive to build, it's the rebuilding and retesting every other year that drives the price up so much.

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Not expensive - I'm not sure about that. Isn't a WRC gearbox about £70,000? Totally ridiculous amount.
I'm all for the simpler the better; a H-Pattern/Sequential manual gearbox, get rid of the fancy electronics. There is more chance of attracting new Manufacturers if things are simpler. Unsurprisingly, the current Manufacturers want Hi-Tech, and while I can understand their point - they're being selfish. 2/3/4 teams is no way to have a competitive World Championship.

These are suppose to be the worlds most prestigious rally cars and cutting them down to S2000 would be a shame. I would be happy with S2000+ or even a Group N+. If you took a PWRC car and put the WRC wing, simpler hydraulic gear box, better brakes and a 40mm restrictor on it I would be ecstatic.

I very much agree on the stability request:
The new regulations should be the ones that are in effect in the 1 jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2014.

Small adjustments to correct unintended errors/effects of the regs is all thatg is allowed !

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Originally Posted by Saabaru

These are suppose to be the worlds most prestigious rally cars and cutting them down to S2000 would be a shame. I would be happy with S2000+ or even a Group N+. If you took a PWRC car and put the WRC wing, simpler hydraulic gear box, better brakes and a 40mm restrictor on it I would be ecstatic.

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If they really think about it through, that'll be the only possibility :up:

Needless to say, I'd be ecstatic too :D

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Originally Posted by Saabaru

These are suppose to be the worlds most prestigious rally cars and cutting them down to S2000 would be a shame. I would be happy with S2000+ or even a Group N+. If you took a PWRC car and put the WRC wing, simpler hydraulic gear box, better brakes and a 40mm restrictor on it I would be ecstatic.

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I agree with you that a WRC car should be little more than a S2000. This is more technical than news and rumours, so I continue in the thread “The Technical Regulations for 2010 (part 2)”

Bernardo Sousa will test Škoda Fabia S2000 and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X to choose one of them for PWRC 2009.

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Originally Posted by Saabaru

"Actions speak louder than words". If you want to read press releases and eat up every word they feed you then go ahead but don't call me ignorant because I choose to look at the facts and what actually happens instead of living in the dark like some people. Group B is just where it got started and it nevered ended and if you want proof then all you have to do is wait and see what a tight leash they keep on this new promoter. The manufactures wanted to fix Group B not get rid of it. Audi pulled it's Group B cars not because of the car itself but in protest of the crowed control, a safety issue that was never addressed.

But this is just ignorance talking, after you read those press releases you can enlighten us all...

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Man you sure can talk some hard facts.
BOTH you and Bruce are talking to some degree crap. Bruce I believe was old enough to be reading and talking to people in the time GpB was current.
GpB was banned as a ad hoc on the spot decision bt Jean Marie Balestre the terrible day Toivanen and Cresta were burned to a crisp in Corse in the Spring of 86. The safety concerns were real enough but mostly about utter lack of control of the spectators rather than the cars themselves, and there were immediate new rules announced such as the elevation of GpA to the top tier, the mandating that 300bhp be max permitted, the introduction of 40mm air inlet restricters for the turbo, the mandated max average speed on SSs.


So meetings schmeetings , Balestre was shocked as everybody was and said stupid things--"Group B banned from end of season!" then defended them from pure obstinacy.
It was a fait accompli, and he and the FIA were sued in court by Peugeot over the stability clause.

Your comments on Audi are BS tho. After I DNFed in the last GpB WRC event (on SS19 out of 38) I ran into a number of the other DNFed crews and even more fun, Hannu Mikkola's co-driver and former Saab 96 co driver Arne Hertz.
They knew the car was already outclassed as soon as the Pug 205 and Lancia S2 arrived, and even worse shape in the new GpA world. The craziness with French and Portuguese and Italian spectators had been bad for years, was bad for years after, the GpB cars were on average only about 4-5 km/hr faster than the works rwd Gp4 cars, so the spectator issues was nothing new, nor was the speeds excessively high.
The cars were outdated against purpose built, better balanced, lighter cars. No wins were possibible so no point.
Straight from the co-driver's mouth.

You deride Bruce---who as I said was likely active then and we all read EVERYTHING we could get our hands on, and yet doing so compels us to ask what your sources of knowledge are for you to form your opinions about things 22 years ago.

Were you active in the sport then?

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Originally Posted by 'Mirek Fric [Cze

]Bernardo Sousa will test Škoda Fabia S2000 and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X to choose one of them for PWRC 2009.

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Isn't true, itz false. I've talked to Bernardo and he said he don't know anything...

Adapta have signed an agreement today with SWRT to become a MT in 2009
http://rallybuzz.stagetimes.com/adap...r-mt-2009-wrc/

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Originally Posted by Motorsportfun

Isn't true, itz false. I've talked to Bernardo and he said he don't know anything...

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He could tell You that but it's true. Raimund Baumschlager, his team boss, is involved in Fabia S2000 programme and in the same time he is Mitsubishi Ralliart dealer. Believe me, if his guys don't go WRC (Aigner) or Pirelli Star Driver (one of them or both), they will choose either Fabia or Evo X. That's sure. The only other way is not to continue with RedBull/BRR team. :s mokin:

I hope Sousa will chose the Skoda :D

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6q...-testing_sport

Is it conformed that Andreas will run next season in C4?

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Originally Posted by dumb

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6q...-testing_sport

Is it conformed that Andreas will run next season in C4?

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Mikelssen does only a test. Citroen want him for their 'M2' team. Wilson want him too for Munchi's.

he can chose the best car/team.

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Originally Posted by Roy

Mikelssen does only a test. Citroen want him for their 'M2' team. Wilson want him too for Munchi's.

he can chose the best car/team.

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You might say that, but it still comes down to the money - unfortunately. I also read that he will talk to Subaru...

You can have a personal audience with The Pope when you have that much money.

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Originally Posted by 'Mirek Fric [Cze

]He could tell You that but it's true. Raimund Baumschlager, his team boss, is involved in Fabia S2000 programme and in the same time he is Mitsubishi Ralliart dealer. Believe me, if his guys don't go WRC (Aigner) or Pirelli Star Driver (one of them or both), they will choose either Fabia or Evo X. That's sure. The only other way is not to continue with RedBull/BRR team. :s mokin:

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That´s exactly the way it goes at BRR.
In my opinion Aigner will not sit in a C4 next year, because of his relation to BRR - but Fabia S2000 would be very interesting.

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Originally Posted by Halvis

You might say that, but it still comes down to the money - unfortunately. I also read that he will talk to Subaru...

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Well, Citroen will be gone in 2010 anyway, why waste time with them?

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Originally Posted by Saabaru

Well, Citroen will be gone in 2010 anyway, why waste time with them?

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I think Ford is leaving earlier... all money on Subaru then???

Mikkelsen will also test Subaru before he decides !

Not bad for a youngster !

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Originally Posted by Roy

I think Ford is leaving earlier... all money on Subaru then???

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And they're doing the WTCC?

Great, nobody left....

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Originally Posted by Sulland

Mikkelsen will also test Subaru before he decides !

Not bad for a youngster !

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No test, just a meeting from what i got.

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Originally Posted by Sulland

Mikkelsen will also test Subaru before he decides !

Not bad for a youngster !

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Even it is a crap team it propably would be the best choise for him.

I doubt that Subaru is the best choise for Mikkelsen, The best choise is either Ford or Citroen. With his best shot of become a factory driver at Ford, if Latvalla keeps crashing to much.

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Originally Posted by alleskids

With his best shot of become a factory driver at Ford, if Latvalla keeps crashing to much.

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No chance, he is to slow, and both drivers at Ford has long contracts but at Subaru there might soon be a free seat hopefully, then he would not at least have to pay to drive.

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Originally Posted by alleskids

Latvalla keeps crashing to much.

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And Mikkelson does not? At least Latvala sets some fastest stage times, for me Mikkelson has done nothing, other than set some good splits while running 15th on the road.

The full sentence was IF latvalla keeps crashing too much. Ford/Wilson was not happy with Latvala crashing in heavy Manufacturer points soring positions 3 times in a row when he cracked under the pressure. If Mikkelsen shows he can handle the pressure better, then he would have a good change graduating from the Stobart team to the BP team.

Now that the Citroen C4 WRC tests have been done, is it known who were the other 3 drivers ? Or wil they do their test later this month?

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Originally Posted by alleskids

The full sentence was IF latvalla keeps crashing too much. Ford/Wilson was not happy with Latvala crashing in heavy Manufacturer points soring positions 3 times in a row when he cracked under the pressure. If Mikkelsen shows he can handle the pressure better, then he would have a good change graduating from the Stobart team to the BP team.

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Your argument would be great, if Mikkelson was at the same level as Latvala. There is 10 other drivers out there quicker than Mikkelson.

Mikkelsen is not looking for a M1 seat in 2009, in 2010 there is maybe a possibility if he can show some concistent speed, Loeb, Sordo,Solberg and Atkinson has contracts that ends after 09, don`t know about the Ford drivers (if it is like it was before they dont have any) :)

2010 - Who knows what happens then? Will Ford /Subaru still be here? S2000/S2000+/Milkfloats

some more news & rumours:
http://www.rallye-magazin.de/r/wm/d/...wrc/index.html

according to this german article VW is interested in entering WRC with their new scirocco, but only with special regulations.

moreover it seems that VW is retiring Rally Raid after Dakar 2009

but only rumours - so just wait.

Were was Latvala at Mikkelsen's age, or with the same amount of experience? Buzz, he has done quite a bit more than setting good split times though. 5 in Sweden and loads of stage times well within top 10.

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Originally Posted by SubaruNorway

Were was Latvala at Mikkelsen's age, or with the same amount of experience? Buzz, he has done quite a bit more than setting good split times though. 5 in Sweden and loads of stage times well within top 10.

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While running in 13 place, and a clean road.

its not that impressive, not for me anyway.

Were not talking about age.. where talking about today.

in 4 years he maybe at Lavala's level.

he maybe a good driver, but he has about 15 more wrc cars to write off before then, and no manufacturer is even going to look at him as a paid driver

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Originally Posted by Buzz Lightyear

While running in 13 place, and a clean road.

its not that impressive, not for me anyway.

Were not talking about age.. where talking about today.

in 4 years he maybe at Lavala's level.

he maybe a good driver, but he has about 15 more wrc cars to write off before then, and no manufacturer is even going to look at him as a paid driver

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Dude he was faster than Loeb on the test! I'm almost getting the feeling you have something against him....

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Originally Posted by StevieWonder

but only rumours - so just wait.

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Really it is - ONLY a rumour.
Sportcars - Audi
Touring - SEAT
Reids - Volkswagen
Rally - Skoda

Mikkelsen i definitly an upcoming star, but a lightning speed on a test doesn't show every aspect of a driver. Place him on a proper rally stage against Loeb, and he will naturally be a lot slower.

Give him some time, and we'll see where he ends up.

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Originally Posted by SubaruNorway

Dude he was faster than Loeb on the test!

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who actually did drive at that test? any reliable sourse on that one?

Whatever the finns say, Mikkelsen is bloody fast for his age and experience. Non-Finns are always slow, even Loeb is slow but he is backed by FRM (...no no, it's French Rally Mafia), so he is just lucky ;)