Looks like Mikkelsen has given up chasing sponsors for 2009. So he'll most probably do his army service instead. Hope for a last minute solution thow.
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Looks like Mikkelsen has given up chasing sponsors for 2009. So he'll most probably do his army service instead. Hope for a last minute solution thow.
Reality check for Mikkelsen.
All the hype, teams talking-him-up.
Welcome to the real world.
Yes, the financial crisis is really starting to show the effect now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzz Lightyear
I bet that a maximun of 2 (realistically only one) of the expected M2/MT teams in 2009 will actually happen.
None of the M2 teams Stobart, Munchi's, PH-Sport, Adapta and VM Motorsport have secured both drivers for a minimum of 8 rounds. My guess is that PH-Sport and Adapta won't happen after all, they will just drive as normal privateers.
And I expect Stobart, Munchi's and VM Motorsport might merge as one M2/MT Ford team to make sure they have drivers for all 12 rounds.
...and that's an optimistic view (IMHO) :-/
PS: And since Suzuki is 50/50 according to WRR I don't expect them to be there in 2009 either.
I am little bit more optimistic about some M2 teams.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeD
for sure we are going to see:
Citroen:
1. Loeb
2. Sordo
Ford
3. Hirvonen
4. Latvala
Subaru
5.Solberg
6.Atkinson
and very likely we are going to see:
Citroen M2 (PH Sport)
1. Rautenbach
2. Aava? - sponsors gave him green light and certain amount of money for next year. He said that as a result of current economy all the teams are lowering their prices and he is still trying to find the best option.
van Mijerkenstein Ford MT
1.jun.
2.sen. + mr x?
Drivers who have confirmed their participation:
1. Al Qassimi Ford
2. Ogier Citroen (6 rounds)
3. Ostberg Subaru
4. Wilson Ford
5. Villagra Ford
Drivers we are going to see quite likely:
1. Wilks (Subaru)
2. Novikov?
3. Galli (ford)
4. Solberg
5. Gardemeister (Suzuki)
6. Andersson (Suzuki)
7. Tirabassi
Well.. I don't remember such a mess list in such a short time before the start of new season :-)
Rautenbach is not confirmed in the Citroen M2 team, he might change teams or considering the current economical climate not drive at all.
http://www.rallybuzz.com/rautenbach-...nfirmed-m2-09/
Autosport today predicts Suzuki will go.
If they want to stay in rallying, surely their best option is to take a sabbatical in 2009 and develop and test an S2000 car properly in anticipation for 2010.
A team with Suzuki's limited resources won't be able to run a 2009 programme and develop a new car too, I would have thought.
Does anybody know about Mr. Gronholm?
Yes Bluuford, you are an optimist ... but not a realist ;) I think some people in here are forgetting exately how hard this finansiel crisis has hit everybody. Huge budget cuts will be made all over the world during december, and sponsorship are likely to be the first to go.Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
The PH-Sport haven't signed a single driver, and Aava might not have the budget for 8 rounds (which is required for an M2/MT entry). Rautenbach might have the funding, but might look for a cheaper solution.Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
I say that team has app. 10-15% of happening
That team has huge private funding, and I think they might enter as an M2/MT team.Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
I say that team has app. 50% of happening
I agree with Wilks and H.Solberg. Forget Galli and the Suzuki boys, they are not gonna happen. Suzuki is out and Galli wont be able to find funding in Italy atm. That country is in a deep crisis.Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
Novikov and Tirabassi are hard to judge, but I think Novikov might be able to collect the nessary sponsorship for some events. I think Tirabassi is using personal funding, so he might drive some rounds.
And that's the signal from the crisis, and why many of the things on your list aren't gonna happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
Don't know if it can be seen as a link, but Suzuki chairman was forced to retire from his functions(illness was the official reason, but who knows)... :mark:
Today my friend from PH-Sport send me the letter with this text:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaanus
"For the moment, Conrad RAUTENABACH for the championship, Ogier for 6 races. No more news yet for 2009".