Solberg to replace Loeb when he retires...LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by Plan9
Printable View
Solberg to replace Loeb when he retires...LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by Plan9
http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/a...lo_r_wrc_1.jpg
Wolfsburg (05 May 2011). “We have invited you to join us here in Olbia to announce Volkswagen’s entry in the World Rally Championship starting in 2013.” – These were the words used by Volkswagen Management Board Member Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg as he declared Volkswagen’s entry into the most versatile of the four automobile world championships (World Rally Championship, WRC).
In front of 200 journalists he unveiled the concept of the Polo R WRC, the car with which Volkswagen will compete from 2013 onwards, together with Luca de Meo, Head of Marketing of Volkswagen AG, and Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. Luca de Meo: "Almost exactly two years ago, in May 2009, the most recent model of the Polo was presented here in Sardinia. Today we are proud to show you the hottest Polo of all time – the Polo R WRC.” For Kris Nissen and his team the World Rally Championship entry marks a new commitment. "We look forward to this new challenge and are working on this project with the same passion with which we won the Dakar Rally in the past three years,” said Kris Nissen
http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/a...lo_r_wrc_2.jpg
After three consecutive victories at the Dakar Rally, Volkswagen has set itself new aims in top-calibre sport. With three car corporations currently involved in the championship and global media coverage, the WRC offers an attractive, highly competitive environment for Volkswagen. By 2013 the Wolfsburg-based brand will develop a near-300-hp rally vehicle with a 1.6-litre TSI engine and four-wheel drive based on the Polo.
Universal technological challenge, new rules
The World Rally Championship offers the most diverse technological challenge in worldwide car racing to the manufacturers involved. Various types of ground have to be considered during the concept design of a WRC vehicle such as all manner of gravel, scree, tarmac, ice, snow and mud. The calendar this season features 13 WRC rounds on four different continents. Hence a world rally car has to function in extremely different climatic conditions, from the blazing heat of South America to the icy ride in Scandinavia.
http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/a...lo_r_wrc_3.jpg
In addition, new technical rules have come into effect in the WRC this year. For the first time, engines with a maximum displacement of 1,600 cc, direct injection and turbochargers are prescribed.
"The new Technical Regulations of the World Rally Championship are an ideal fit for Volkswagen's philosophy with respect to the development of production vehicles,” says Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Management Board of the Volkswagen Brand, Development Division. "Downsizing, high efficiency and reliability are top priorities for our customers. The timing of the WRC debut is optimal for Volkswagen. The big task of engineering a vehicle that is competitive and capable of winning at a large number of challenges holds great appeal for us.”
http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/a...lo_r_wrc_4.jpg
Proven squad, new aims: Volkswagen Motorsport's factory commitment
Volkswagen will prepare and enter the Polo R WRC as a factory commitment. In doing so, the Wolfsburg-based squad can build on structures which have been established over the past few years. The World Rally Championship is a new ambitious aim for the team that has won the "Dakar” in the past three years. "We can draw on an experienced and proven squad which has done an outstanding job in top-calibre sport in the past few years,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. "Even though the WRC is new territory for us and involves learning in many areas the team already meets some important prerequisites now as it brings an unwavering professional attitude and resolve to deliver absolute perfection to this commitment.”
Volkswagen in the WRC: a success story
Volkswagen looks back on a small yet impressive rally tradition. Production-based vehicles from Wolfsburg celebrated rally racing successes in the middle end of the 1980s. The most important one: In 1986 the Swede Kenneth Eriksson and his German co-driver Peter Diekmann in the Volkswagen Golf GTI 16V claimed the world champion's title in the newly incepted Group A. In addition, Volkswagen vigorously promoted young rally talent through the Golf Rally Cup. The fielding of the Volkswagen Polo R WRC from 2013 onwards closes the loop: Today's WRC vehicles are still based on the philosophy of the Group A introduced back then, which enables rally sport to be conducted with vehicles based on production models.
[Text and photo's are from the site forums.vwvortex.com http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...012&p=71423635]
Or they will have a French man in the other VW seat ;)
I hope VW give Mattias Ekström a third seat when he retires from DTM after winning the series in 2011 or 2012. It would be great to see Mattias in WRC.
it would be great to see him 10 years ago.....now he has nothing to offer.
publicity is one of the quality's of Petter. and determination in the stages.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Does Petter still offer publicity?Quote:
Originally Posted by alleskids
http://pix.crash.net/motorsport/360/AU748450.jpg
http://pix.crash.net/motorsport/360/AU748451.jpg
Not bad ... looks better than the Mini anyway :D
I was refering to mattias ekstrom.
Then why the hell did Alleskids start talking about Petter. Strange :pQuote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Ten years ago he might even not had started his rallycareer. I´ve seen him driving en Evo 4 around 2002, maybe on his fourth or fifth rally so good that he set times not long after swedish champion. The rest of his rally career is history I know but he´s done well all the time he´d driven international rallies. Even a PWRC win in Spain about five years ago. He´s now at his best age starting a WRC career with VW in 2013. Top five almost at once. Believe me!Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
I became a huge fan of Ekstrom the moment he ridiculed the overhyped hamburger boy Paaasonen in Sweden....i think the years are over now, he chose track racing when the time to make the decision was there. And sorry but that top "five almost immediantely" coming from a guy who believes that Icecube is going to be champion in 1 year (or is it 2?) does not have any credibility......
would like to see him in selected events as guest star though
I don't think that anyone except me overhyped Paasonen in this forum. So once again you're totally wrong Mr.Mousefart.
Hamburger boy haha
Anyways wouldn't Ogier replace Loeb when he retires? Then P Solberg can take seat number two. Bet no one though that? Hah!
Talking about credibility....Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
However, when I read your quote the first two sentences I think can have some common sence. But as you might well know our quotes are quite subjective. And yes I´ve said KR could be champion in the next few years. And that is more near the truth than your dissing and humiliating quotes of a guy doing top five results the second season.
Top five is not so impressive, though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
Well, more impressive than PG and a bunch of other WRC-guys have managed so far this year.
Thats true! Its all about getting to the finish, and Räikkönen has been doing that in the top 8 on the rallies he has started. Great! But looking at the stagetimes it is not so impressive pace from him, and saying that he can be champion material is judging from that very unrealistic. He is a good rallydriver, but he will never even win a rally. Ever.
Kimi´s still learning....Quote:
Originally Posted by J.Lindstroem
Did Nissen say anything on why they are not doing it like Mini, taking on a few events in 2012 to collect data and find the gremlins on a new car ?
Who said they wouldn't do that? They have another brand for testing in real conditions.
Yes but read somewhere that the plan was to start in 2013, and not do anything but testing in 12, but did not think of the obvious Skoda option.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
lol...fast learner....
After having forced to leave SEAT the WTCC, and Skoda the WRC, this looks another ridiculous marketing project by the VAG group! but the car is a nice tunning idea! I hope more news in the future about this car...
For sure. :s mokin:
Best news of the year so far.
Not sure what sort of moment it may be but it doesn't belong here. This section is for history. There is an appropriate "modern" section.
I totally agree. I have merged it into the existing thread in the WRC forum
Duncan (Moderator)
I just hope Skoda can continue with class 1 and VW only in WRC.
I smell Carlos Sainz.... haha
Mathew Wilson also and we see where that's going..Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
If he's going to be a champion ever he would already showed some very nice things in a rally, since in WRC with the Punto never saw him doing that yet..
Three car team from VW in 2013, interesting stuff again on the excellent http://www.gpweek.com
Yes, as all teams should be.Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
Ford has three car team, has it made WRC better? Rules needs to be changed to have a real reason for teams to have three competitive drivers in their team otherwise also in VW will have two drivers and one tourist driving in the team.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
3 cars to score points for Drivers but 2 drivers for Team points? Silly... or not..
What's the difference they could easily change team name for 3rd driver will not harm anyone and everything just stay the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by DonJippo
I would made it the way that two best team cars of three get manufacturer points.
So in GPWeek it was in clear: In the last half of 2011 Skoda will have 2 new cars in WRC. We will use them for testing in 2011 and 2012 !
Nissen also said that both VW and Skoda could be in WRC, and could share the coffee tab and fight for the champagne !!
Would be nice, but doubt that the VAG leadership would share the total tab, and not just the drinks :)
It has been done and it failed :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
That would be so cool..... and I can keep on dreaming...Quote:
Originally Posted by Sulland