[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

Martin Holmes was on a recent podcast and I lost count of the number of times he answered 'I dont know'.

I'm afraid he sounded like he's past it.

Martin Holmes was past it even when he was with it.

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Originally Posted by Allez Andruet

And if that's the logic, how in the world did the sport came through 1997 alive?

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Originally Posted by AnttiL

Or 2016. Three teams with three cars, Citroens doing one-offs here and there.

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The advantage back in the 90's were what one was used to, and a healthy number of privateers.

In 2016 you also had privateers that could join in.

Not so much these days.

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Originally Posted by Myrvold

The advantage back in the 90's were what one was used to, and a healthy number of privateers.

In 2016 you also had privateers that could join in.

Not so much these days.

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http://juwra.com/2016_result_compilation.html

what is the best privateer result in 2016? Ligato and Prokop finishing 7th? That's as high as the best WRC2 drivers can do these days as well. Once you're the next fastest car after the slowest works WRC, it doesn't matter much if you're in a WRC or R5 car.

http://juwra.com/1997_result_compilation.html

In 1997 there was even more private Group A and WRC cars, but rarely they were faster than the works cars. On a quick look Uwe Nittel was the only works driver that got beaten by privateers, or Auriol in the still troublesome Toyota Corolla WRC.

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Originally Posted by AnttiL

[url]Once you're the next fastest car after the slowest works WRC, it doesn't matter much if you're in a WRC or R5 car.

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Exactly. It wouldn't make the sport any better (or worse for that matter) if we had 10 Al-Qassimis and Serderidises motoring around the stages with latest-spec WRCs. There's so much more to take into account than only the number of top class entries.

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Originally Posted by Allez Andruet

Exactly. It wouldn't make the sport any better (or worse for that matter) if we had 10 Al-Qassimis and Serderidises motoring around the stages with latest-spec WRCs. There's so much more to take into account than only the number of top class entries.

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At least all works teams could run all 3 cars. If Citroen will win the titles then it's matter of time when Hyundai and Toyota will cut off their 3rd cars. Then two more seats will be lost...

Remember that Toyota and Citroen ran good parts of their 2017 seasons with just two cars. Citroen had first DS3’s as third car and often Al-Qassimi as third driver. Although Citroen and Hyundai did run four cars in one rally, plus Østberg and Suninen brought some competitive private entries.

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Originally Posted by deephouse

At least all works teams could run all 3 cars. If Citroen will win the titles then it's matter of time when Hyundai and Toyota will cut off their 3rd cars. Then two more seats will be lost...

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Oh yes, there's no denying that.

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Originally Posted by AnttiL

Remember that Toyota and Citroen ran good parts of their 2017 seasons with just two cars. Citroen had first DS3’s as third car and often Al-Qassimi as third driver. Although Citroen and Hyundai did run four cars in one rally, plus Østberg and Suninen brought some competitive private entries.

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True, it's understandable because new rules comes and they haven't had ready that much cars in time, but after what a half of a year they start doing with just two beacuse it's too expensive. It would be different if few seasons passed already. Really hope that all teams stay comited and will no reduce their involvement.

After two days (Monday-Tuesday) with Teemu Suninen, it's now over for M-Sport test days #MonteCarlo2019 during this week ► http://bit.ly/2EqWmfh