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Personally I think Chris wasted his money buying a one off ride. Even if he'd managed to beat Sordo I don't think that would have helped.Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzz Lightyear
If I was Sordo though I wouldn't be feeling to comfortable though. I wouldn't be in the least surprised if when Loeb retired, Citreon chucks it in. Or at best they'll stay and he'll be Ogier's no.2.
Thats a bit harsh seeing as they didn't 'get' drives, they pay for them and Ford doesn't sponsor young Wilson, his Dad does. It's not up to anyone on any forum to dictate howe any business/wealthy man spends his money. I am just glad that some do decide to spend it on rallying rather than an expensive yacht in Monte-Carlow, fair dues to them for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Camelopard
What is the problem? Are you jealous?Quote:
Originally Posted by Camelopard
If you have a son and much money or you have a big rallyteam, you give your own son also a wrc seat I think. Or are you yourself still is a child? :s mokin:
Do not forget that C.Atkinson also had paid drive first year (or 2)..
Quote:
Originally Posted by ST205GT4
i wouldnt be suprised that red bull's contract stipulates that there must be a french and spanish driver to cover there marketing exposure in those areas. they used sordo heavily in the x fighters last year, therefore making it almost impossible for atkinson to get in there, even if he wanted to. redbull is almost a 'perfect' company, it just gernerates cash, it does not have real product development (like a car or pharmaceutical) its simply spends 60% of what it earns on marketing, but even they are slashing budgets.
no matter who your investor is, wheather it even be roman abramovich, today is a totally different world from even last year. you will now not get anyone to sustain a spend of €200K per rally. i think chris will disappear from wrc, and reemerge in irc
I agree.. Better 5 years with F430 F1 than 4 days of driving and almost rebuilded codriver's right shoulder again.. Do not know if Australia also has Citroen cars..
They do, but it's not a woop di do brand like the big 3.... or even in the top 10 of car brand sales.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
I guess my problem is that I have been a life long supporter of Ford in rallying and it saddens me to see a seat given to someone who will never make the grade, dad's money or not. There have been many threads about this and how 'Malcolm can spend his own money on what he wants to', but is it in Ford's best interest to allow this to happen?Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother John
30 years ago I probably would have been jealous but I'm a realist, I know that I will never be as good as I wanted to be, whether it is rally driving or playing blues guitar, now I just like stirring the pot on internet forums and getting a rise out of people. :)
(but maybe I'm not very good at that either, looks like I'll have to go off and have another cry, now where did I leave those tissues? :) :) :) )
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzz Lightyear
AFAIK Red Bull is not sold in France.
wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by L5->R5/CR
I know that our top Four areQuote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
Toyota
Holden (General Motors / Opal)
Ford
Mitsubishi
After that.. it would be (if I were to guess)
hyundai
VW
kia
MBenz
BMW
Peugeot
Citeron
Renault
Basicly, I'd be surprised is Citeron aust paid for any drives for chris..
From April last year, couldn't find a more recent one on a quick google but should be near enough......Quote:
Originally Posted by Minke
Manufacturer - Monthly Sales - YTD Sales
1 - Toyota - 20,838 - 81,062
2 - Holden - 10,187 - 44,037
3 - Ford - 8,246 - 34,533
4 - Mazda - 6,749 - 28,439
5 - Mitsubishi - 5,007 - 21,697
6 - Nissan - 4,935 - 20,375
7 - Honda - 4,289 - 19,448
8 - Hyundai - 3,683 - 15,058
9 - Subaru - 3,158 - 13,473
10 - Volkswagen - 2,440 - 10,290
FCAI give similar top 10 Australian marques for 2007.
Did that change recently?Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzz Lightyear
I would have sworn that a couple of years ago Red Bull was not allowed to be sold in France.
You learn something everyday.
June 9, 2008, International Herald TribuneQuote:
In mid-May, the French government gave in, reaching an agreement with Red Bull to allow the sale of the original formula. Officials had no choice because under European Union rules, a product sold in other member states cannot be banned unless there is scientific proof of a danger to consumers, said a Finance Ministry spokeswoman, Sylvie Garnier.
Ford have very little say in the matter as M-Sport is largely self financing and the control comes with the cash.Quote:
Originally Posted by Camelopard
But isn't it Citroën's interest tho have a driver from France and Spain, its greatest markets?Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzz Lightyear
Btw. what about Fiat and Skoda in AUS??? (thinking of Atkinson's IRC engagement...)
While I had a visit from an Australian friend here in Europe recently, she laughed, she was really surprised, because she sees no cars of the Fabia/207/Punto class on the roads there... On the other hand she thought that Skoda Octavia/Superb would be an immediate success there...
We get Fiat and Skoda in Aus (Skoda is VW after all). Skoda's are selling well here (according to a friend at VW).. but certainly not in the league of raising $$$ for CA...Quote:
Originally Posted by FabiaFan
a fair few of 207's on the road too...
There are a whole load of 206's, 306's, 405's, 207's and 307's in Australia! Seen a few Fiat Punto's and 500's around as well so don't know where she is getting her info from or she doesn't know her cars! haha :p There are so many small classed vehicles here... Fiesta, Focus, 207, Barina, Astra, Honda Jazz (Fit), Mitsu Colt, Corolla bla bla blaQuote:
Originally Posted by FabiaFan
Where did you learn how to spell?Quote:
Originally Posted by Minke
Citeron? Opal?
Citroen don't have THAT much money to endorse Atkinson... only Subaru but they've left the Rally Scene many moons ago.... Also, Subaru left Rally and its heritage and went into circuit racing, and god knows where that has gone?! Toyota have also recently left the Australian Championship... Ford never had a chance and Skoda.... they don't sell the Fabia in Aus! :( Well not yet..... Oh and even Honda came to Aus for the Australian Rally Championship.... but again no money or something rather.... :)
hehe.. I can't spell.. I'll give you that..Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
yes you are correct in all that you've said.. Honda, Ford, Toyota and Subaru have all recently (more recent for some) left the Australian Rally C'Ship once considered the strongest national series in the world (if you believe the marketing hype)
2009 ARC will be interesting... if the ex toyota boys (Bates and Evans) can get some $$ together they'll be very strong..
Cody Crocker (Asia Pac champ) is a product of the ARC... always surprised that he didn't get a run in the WRC...
Just watched the second crash of Atkinson on WRC.com during stage 18. He is sooooo lucky or Citroen is veeeeery strong car. He basically went through the stonewall and got stuck on it and then (after some help by marshals and spectators) he just drove on:-) There is saying that luck is favoring the winners.. so, he has real potential to became winner :-)
There aren't that many Peugeot's in Australia. There are only a handfun of Grande Punto's and 500's in Australia as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
You're correct Daniel. Sure Peugeot and Fiat sell here, but they'd be lucky to make up more than 1% of the market.
Now I have your attention, please read this from the Australian Rally Ch'ship homepage.
The Nambour Showgrounds thundered to the sound of the region’s best rally stars today for the unofficial shakedown and Media day.
Red Devil Rally QLD ambassador Chris Atkinson was on hand to wish local and overseas competitors the best of luck – although he did sneak a ride with Championship leader Neal Bates.
"These S2000 cars go really well” He commented jumping out of the Red Devil s2000.
Source: http://www.rally.com.au
Talked to Chris briefly at Nambour Showgrounds, he misses the competition but for sure he will find a ride soon.
Hope to get more news over the weekend.
Overall a nice field here at Rally Queensland,some new Subaru's , some EvoX and several Evo9 ...
Start tomorow at 08:30 from Imbil Service park
Here he's doing a bit of PR work for Rally Australia while waiting for a very important phonecall.
http://rallyaustralia.com/australian...on-to-the-wrc/
It's painful to watch drivers like Chris and Petter in sideline. It would only take one little change to the rules to get them back in competitive cars. FIA, Citroen and Ford should do contract to drive three cars per team. Then we could see Chris driving Citroen and Petter in Ford.