2010 Cars, teams, drivers

Autosport mag published it on October 1st magazine... ;)

Quoting Meeke, he says that the easiest way would be to stay with Peugeot, but he's still thinking other ways (In fact, the magazine already says he must choose between Peugeot and Skoda):
"It's too early to think about next year. At the moment, it still hasn't sunk in that I'm IRC champion. I would have been easy to have made the decision to stay with Peugeot at the finish. There was so much emotion and what Peugeot and I have achieved is incredible; the whole team has been amazing. But I need to focus on what's best for Kris Meeke right now. In the past I've been loyal and made decisions born out of that. I can't do that now - now it's got to be the best thing for me. That said, this is a fantastic team and I'm fortunate to be in the position tp have options available to me for next season. I'll make decision after Rally Scotland, but right now I want to go there and enjoy the rally."

It sounds a bit of a farewell...

Whatever decision Meeke makes I hope it is the right one, especially for his longterm future.
If he does move on and Peugeot UK stay I wonder who could take his place, a British driver with IRC experience, wonder who that would be?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 'Mirek Fric [Cze

]This is article from forum member RS we were talking about before...

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Yes, the Meeke info came from Autosport but it has been talked about for some time that Skoda may be interested in Meeke. I expect it would work in a similar way to the Peugeot UK deal with maybe Skoda UK contributing (especially with new Fabia RS due next year and the previous model selling very well in the UK)

It would be fantastic to see Meeke in IRC with Skoda. I think the idea behind the rumour is that Skoda (or VW) are more likely to be able to offer Meeke a future WRC seat than PSA who are 'fully booked' with two very strong drivers in the Citroen.

If this came true, I could only imagine Skoda would dominate IRC next year with Kopecky, Hanninen and Meeke!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RS

Yes, the Meeke info came from Autosport but it has been talked about for some time that Skoda may be interested in Meeke. I expect it would work in a similar way to the Peugeot UK deal with maybe Skoda UK contributing (especially with new Fabia RS due next year and the previous model selling very well in the UK)

It would be fantastic to see Meeke in IRC with Skoda. I think the idea behind the rumour is that Skoda (or VW) are more likely to be able to offer Meeke a future WRC seat than PSA who are 'fully booked' with two very strong drivers in the Citroen.

If this came true, I could only imagine Skoda would dominate IRC next year with Kopecky, Hanninen and Meeke!

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And still the problem remains. Why limit the number of cars to 2? In years gone by there would be anything from 2-4 Works cars. That's why the new cars need to be inexpensive. Then a team can have more than 2 cars.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RS

Yes, the Meeke info came from Autosport but it has been talked about for some time that Skoda may be interested in Meeke. I expect it would work in a similar way to the Peugeot UK deal with maybe Skoda UK contributing (especially with new Fabia RS due next year and the previous model selling very well in the UK)

It would be fantastic to see Meeke in IRC with Skoda. I think the idea behind the rumour is that Skoda (or VW) are more likely to be able to offer Meeke a future WRC seat than PSA who are 'fully booked' with two very strong drivers in the Citroen.

If this came true, I could only imagine Skoda would dominate IRC next year with Kopecky, Hanninen and Meeke!

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RS, does this all sound logical to you? A team that has 3 top line drivers? Ok Hanninen is weak on asphalt but he's a match for most on gravel and ice and Kopecky is gradually getting up to speed on gravel and Meeke is happy on all surfaces. Can't see it happening, surely the current 2 drivers want WRC as well assuming that Skoda actually go that far. Have they said so officially that WRC is their ultimate target?
Personally I think Meeke will stay with Peugeot in the IRC in 2010 and will have the opportunity to enter WRC in 2011. But only my view, we shall see.

Eurosport has reveiled the 2010 calander. The big surprose is the Sardinia Rally, which falls out of the WRC in 2010, So Italy will have 2 events, just like Portugal, although both Portugees events are far from Portugal. Six tarmac rallies, 4 on gravel and Sanremo and Cyprus will be mixed events.

20-23 January: Monte Carlo Rally, asphalt
4-6 March: Rally de Curitiba, gravel
19-21 March : Rally Argentina, gravel
4-6 June: Rally of Sardinia,, gravel
24-26 June: Rally Ypres, asphalt
15-17 July: Sata Rally Azores, asphalt
5-7 August: Rally Vinho Madeira, asphalt
27-29 August: Barum Rally Zlin, asphalt
9-11 September: Rally Principe de Asturias, asphalt
23-25 September: Rallye Sanremo , asphalt / gravel
14-16 October: RAC Rally of Scotland, gravel
4-6 November: Rally of Cyprus, gravel/ asphalt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alleskids

Eurosport has reveiled the 2010 calander. The big surprose is the Sardinia Rally, which falls out of the WRC in 2010, So Italy will have 2 events, just like Portugal, although both Portugees events are far from Portugal. Six tarmac rallies, 4 on gravel and Sanremo and Cyprus will be mixed events.

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They are not that far, they are Islands but you can get to them in 1:30 hours by plane!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alleskids

Eurosport has reveiled the 2010 calander. The big surprose is the Sardinia Rally, which falls out of the WRC in 2010, So Italy will have 2 events, just like Portugal, although both Portugees events are far from Portugal. Six tarmac rallies, 4 on gravel and Sanremo and Cyprus will be mixed events.

20-23 January: Monte Carlo Rally, asphalt
4-6 March: Rally de Curitiba, gravel
19-21 March : Rally Argentina, gravel
4-6 June: Rally of Sardinia,, gravel
24-26 June: Rally Ypres, asphalt
15-17 July: Sata Rally Azores, asphalt
5-7 August: Rally Vinho Madeira, asphalt
27-29 August: Barum Rally Zlin, asphalt
9-11 September: Rally Principe de Asturias, asphalt
23-25 September: Rallye Sanremo , asphalt / gravel
14-16 October: RAC Rally of Scotland, gravel
4-6 November: Rally of Cyprus, gravel/ asphalt

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Azores on tarmac????

Mistake probably...

Is it me or is this calendar far more exciting than the WRC one for 2010? Don't want to start a WRC v. IRC argument, but having Monte Carlo, Argentina, Cyprus, San Remo, Sardinia and Scotland is very impressive.