[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

Problem of Tidemand is almost no international and asphalt experience. Driving fast on home soil is one thing, driving fast elsewhere is the other and it takes time to learn that. I'm sure that for the long term "junior" seat they want German or at least German speaking guy.

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Originally Posted by Plan9

+3. I agree with what you guys have been saying. If the circumstances were different I am sure that things would be different for Petter, I for one am horrified about what has happened to Petter. Hirvonen's dip in form is understandable considering his team and the main opposition I feel.

The following article has quite an interesting take on the VW driver situation (although it is only a speculation on the author's part) Which WRC Drivers Will VW Sign?

I suspect that the GFC and loss of car companies has undermined the WRC's cred somewhat. Also there is a much wider variety of skills in the field, in comparision to the 1990's where most front running drivers had a similar level of skill.

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I'm afraid you're right with this - it was, and is meant to be second only to F1 in terms of prestige. Sadly, it's nowhere near......and with the new FiA WEC next year, it will likely fall even more. Unless, some more Manufacturers can be tempted - and when are they going to join???

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Originally Posted by Mirek

Problem of Tidemand is almost no international and asphalt experience. Driving fast on home soil is one thing, driving fast elsewhere is the other and it takes time to learn that..

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Agree,we ve seen it plenty of times.

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Originally Posted by Mirek

I'm sure that for the long term "junior" seat they want German or at least German speaking guy.

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i have the same feeling from their choices,and that remembers me the last time they were in wrc.
Seems that they confuse France system with the German one....

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Originally Posted by focus206

I like Australia, but I prefer NZ... if it was for me, I would have them both in the calendar, instead of Jordan or Mexico, but well... just a personal opinion.

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Bugger it, lets just have the lot ;)

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Originally Posted by Mirek

Problem of Tidemand is almost no international and asphalt experience. Driving fast on home soil is one thing, driving fast elsewhere is the other and it takes time to learn that. I'm sure that for the long term "junior" seat they want German or at least German speaking guy.

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I think you´re wrong. Pontus is even a former gocart racing driver, and of course he has been competing in Norway championship as well. More experienced than you think.

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Originally Posted by N.O.T

Hirvonen at WV would be a solid choice.

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what´s that WV thing about? i just dont get it...

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Originally Posted by Rallyper

I think you´re wrong. Pontus is even a former gocart racing driver, and of course he has been competing in Norway championship as well. More experienced than you think.

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It's nice to be fast on go karts but that itself doesn't make You good asphalt rally driver. Of course it helps but would You believe that for example Antonín Tlusťák was many years a go similarly fast on karts as Jan Kopecký (if You even know who Tlusťák is :) )? There are many examples like that... The same comes to foreign experience. Sweden, Norway, ok, I know about that. It's two countries but still just two neighboring countries. There are many very different terrains all over the world.

I don't say he won't one day become a world class driver but I'm sure that factory teams are searching prior between drivers who already proved themselves on the roads of WRC or IRC. Hopefully he can get into the world soon because it will take time for him to become more than just a local specialist.

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Originally Posted by Mirek

It's nice to be fast on go karts but that itself doesn't make You good asphalt rally driver. Of course it helps but would You believe that for example Antonín Tlusťák was many years a go similarly fast on karts as Jan Kopecký (if You even know who Tlusťák is :) )? There are many examples like that... The same comes to foreign experience. Sweden, Norway, ok, I know about that. It's two countries but still just two neighboring countries. There are many very different terrains all over the world.

I don't say he won't one day become a world class driver but I'm sure that factory teams are searching prior between drivers who already proved themselves on the roads of WRC or IRC. Hopefully he can get into the world soon because it will take time for him to become more than just a local specialist.

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Why should asfalt experience be the ultimate measure for a good driver? Wouldn´it be gravel and snow that is most important? Having said that doesn´t mean tarmac/asfalt experience shouldn´t be counted out, but in my world it isn´t the way you pick best drivers from. That is I think been proven so many times (except for the two Sebs maybe)

Including one Seb - Ogier who was long time faster on gravel than on tarmac ;)

I didn't say tarmac driving is all but to be an important world class player You have to be all-rounder. Being fast on gravel and snow is not enough because those like Loeb or Ogier are not slower on gravel and in the same time they make You a clown on asphalt and make Your championship efforts over just by that.

Finns aren't masters anymore.