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I am very excited about M-Sport's lineup. I really hope Mikko hasn't lost it, and that he can be a genuine contender to Ogier& Neuville this season. The Fiesta is a proven fast car, and Mikko was fast in it. And, call me overly optimistic, but I think Kubica will win at least one rally this year :)
Decent lineup- evans is a lucky lucky boy getting full seat - wow, ... :o Btw not trying to be all doom and gloom but i feel Kubica is overated by some. He has won wrc2 against against a bunch of nobodies, did sweet feck all in ERC which is harder championship than wrc2 aswell. In ERC on few tarmac founds he did show really good pace till he retired, but even still this was by far the weekest IRC/ERC we have seen in a while too. The fact Kopecky walked the championship proves that. However it is Robert's first few years in rally so he has good potential but imo, people expecting him to be near the top are very optimistic to say the least. Id really love to be proved wrong though :). Wish both drivers a good 2014, hopefully alongside a rejuvenated Mikko!
This forum is strange, it let me to believe that Lappi, Evans, Paddon were actually pretty highly rated, now it turns out that they are bunch of nobodies.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
Lappi did only two events (1 victory by several minutes, 1 crash from 1st place). Paddon not much more. It's same like counting every driver who once-twice appeared in IRC/ERC and telling how crazy good the championship was.
Sad thing is that system of WRC2 makes any comparison based on season results pretty useless. How many times the first two drivers of overall standings really met on stages? Once, twice? Even their fight for the title was indirect when each of them started in different round (Kubica and Al Kuwari).
I'm not saying the championship challange was tough, but it wasn't that he competed only with himself. He competed with highly rated guys and on most occasions was ahead of them. And some people act like he only fought Al Kuwari.
It will be interesting to observe how the new drivers adjust their style to suit the WRC cars. The comment passed back to me was that while the S2000 Skoda was like a go-kart to drive, the WRC car with it's far greater suspension travel was more like a motocross bike on steroids.
I think that 2014 is going to be an interesting season as with new cars and drivers in the championship along with drivers changing teams, no one can state with absolute certainty what the outcome will be.
You must be very lazy ignorant, I don't want to repeat same things again and again about Kubica's lack of everything related to rallies,that's been said thousand times, just compare stage times for Kubica this season and Ogier last season in Skoda.Quote:
Originally Posted by er88
The one thing Kubica has is real speed ... that's what is important, the rest can be learned or gained with experience ...
Latvala disagrees with you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC
[quote=N.O.T]Latvala disagrees with you.[/quote:3favvife]Quote:
Originally Posted by "Fast Eddie WRC":3favvife
I said CAN be learned / experienced, not WILL be ...
You cant learn speed.
I think Mikko will show a better performance back in the Ford but I don't believe he can challenge Ogier (or Neuville in an equal car)Quote:
Originally Posted by urabus-denoS2000
One or more win would be a great achievement.
It´s very much think or can or will, even me have quoted predictions for next year, but now we have to wait and see. For sure, and that can be truly said, next year will be exciting for at least first two rounds, then we´ll see what has happened...
Paddon will be back with M-Sport for a bunch of rounds no doubt. He'll be in Nassers Car when he's off doing other things , funding his own drive or both.
Is Nasser/Qatar still involved with M-Sport?Quote:
Originally Posted by ThomasS
Was this photo here? That looks like proper facelifted WRC not a mock up made of R5. Or? At least the front wheel arches are different than R5.
https://scontent-a-mxp.xx.fbcdn.net/...87612966_n.jpg
no idea , I'm guessingQuote:
Originally Posted by noel157
It was posted in Testing thread couple of days ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
Old car with "implant". This car was the car of WRC Fafe Sprint f.e.: http://ewrc-results.com/carinfo.php?cid ... -WRC-/-RRC
The front bumper is different than the R5 too so it looks like they actually bothered this time, they put stickers on the focus to make the headlights "faceliftet" :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
Exactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by SubaruNorway
I read that Nasser could run in WRC2 with a Fiesta R5, but nothing confirmed yetQuote:
Originally Posted by ThomasS
I read he wants full MERC, 5 WRC and some global rallycross. Car is not confirmed, but logically what else than Ford could it be?
Does anybody get the feeling that we could see more financial input from Ford next year? What with Nasser/Qatar money unconfirmed, Novikov and his money disappearing and both Hirvonen and Evans presumably taking a salary rather than bringing big money, surely M-Sport have got some pretty solid funding lined up?
Looking at that facelifted Fiesta, if it is indeed WRC spec, with nothing but its Ford decals, I can't help but wonder if they'll be more involved as a sponsor in 2014. Surely only Ford gain from the car receiving this facelift? If it's not Ford of Europe, does anybody know what kind of sponsorship budget Ford of Britain might have to play with?
Yes, that was my thought too. Just speculation, but it seems maybe Ford can see marketing values in renewing sponsorship for MSport, maybe to begin with, just to ensure they can afford decent driver lineup, without screaming out they´re on the train again.Quote:
Originally Posted by the sniper
[/quote]I read that Nasser could run in WRC2 with a Fiesta R5, but nothing confirmed yet[/quote]
It could be R5 for Paddon also but he would be aiming higher I'm sure. My thoughts are we'll also see him embedded in the team in a support role . Gravel crew etc.
Mikko will Never be a winner. Happy though that M-sport is the only team to really employ a young talent, sceptical though if Evans is a real talent. I hope I'm wrong there. It will interesting to see the livery of M-sport machine. I doubt either of the drivers are paid salary by M-sport, their drives are free without salary is my prediction, if even that. So where is the money coming from? Maybe previous wins finally invested to season of staying in WRC?
Paddon's NZ PR has been saying he expects 7-8 WRC events and will do recce on all the rallies he isn't competing in.Quote:
Originally Posted by ThomasS
He'll have other options I'm sure but M-sport seems to be a logical home for him. He acquitted himself well in Spain and I suspect he gets on well with M-Sport as a personality.
Since he's scrapped together money from sponsors in NZ I can't imagine him wanting to drive R5 but we'll see. I can't see why Nasser would want to drive an R5 in WRC either ?
Given that Qatar weren't announced as a title sponsor for next year, I assume their logos will only appear on Nasser's car, or if they are on the main team they will be smaller than this year.
Or maybe they will be the same size as they were this year and will appear on all if the cars, but they were not announced at the driver launch because they have not yet come to an agreement with M-Sport.
You are right, COD. It is very interesting to know how you managed to get the job at the factory team?! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by COD
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BbW3Kc6CIAEYnAt.jpg:large
Fiesta with Focus WRC turbo, 34mm restrictor, etc.
Maybe M-Sport should concentrate on the job at hand rather than poncing around with a dozen different versions which are irrelevant for international competition :rolleyes:
M-Sport is business first of all and have to make money. Malcolm potentially sees the local championships especially since new holomogation is expected from next year and the current cars will be obsolete for WRC anyway.
And given that Ford only ever commit the bare minimum in funds, M-Sport have to get their revenue from somewhere. There's a reason why a dozen Fiestas compete over the course of a season, but there are only ever three or four DS3s.
Was there a single customer for these non-FIA variants?
They are so eager to get the best, but salary negotiations are still ongoing so I deny to have signed anything yet. Does Lotos really have enough money to hire me :laugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jarek Z
Seems M-Sport hold customer days to promote their new creations. Euan Thornburn (BTRDA champion) send this in fb:Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
Brilliant day at Msport testing yesterday! Was very impressed with the New Fiesta R5+ and it was a dream bonus getting the opportunity to drive the WRC RS34! Massive thank you to John Steele and Msport. The future is bright...
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 4269_n.jpg
M-Sport should be given our gratitude for fighting on and raising the backing from new sponsors, enabling us to see so many WRC machines in the 2013 Championship...
If they had pulled out when Ford officially withdrew the series would have been dead. :burn: