[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

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Originally Posted by dodge33cymru

Genuine question N.O.T.:

Next year there will be at least 10 factory cars (more likely 12 or 13 on some rounds, assuming Toyota turns up).

All other factors aside, which 10 current drivers (participating in rallies in 2016) would you say should fill those seats, on a purely 'by talent' basis?

I'm genuinely curious to know, seeing as you frequently put down all but the top 2 or 3 and teams that consider other drivers, as to who you think should be in the factory seats.

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Good question, I want to hear it from the Greek god's mouth.

unrelated, this quote from that Elfyn Evans article is funny:

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Esapekka Lappi of Finland. He has flown to Argentina specially to complete the two-day recce of this year's event. He could be available and he could even teach Evans a trick or two.

"It was a long way to come," he told me. "But it was important. I hired a rental car and I looked at every stage. Unfortunately I think I broke something on the car's suspension. But then that's ok because the rental agreement is in my co-driver's name."

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Fun way off thinking about 2017 line up.

If i was in charge, this would be line up. (forgetting contracts, and not being realistic).

Citroen: Meeke / Neuville / Bergkvist
VW: Mikkelsen / Latvalla / Lappi
M-sport: Ogier / Tanak
Hyundai: Paddon / Abring / Sordo
Toyota: Ostberg / Tidemand

As i said, it's not realistic that way, Ogier will never go to M-sport. I do think this way we would have the best line-up's for close battles.

If Loeb wants to do a full season again, someone will have to go. Also Petter Solberg could still have his place.

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Originally Posted by Duvel

Fun way off thinking about 2017 line up.

If i was in charge, this would be line up. (forgetting contracts, and not being realistic).

Citroen: Meeke / Neuville / Bergkvist
VW: Mikkelsen / Latvalla / Lappi
M-sport: Ogier / Tanak
Hyundai: Paddon / Abring / Sordo
Toyota: Ostberg / Tidemand

As i said, it's not realistic that way, Ogier will never go to M-sport. I do think this way we would have the best line-up's for close battles.

If Loeb wants to do a full season again, someone will have to go. Also Petter Solberg could still have his place.

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As a swede it´s a smasher!!!

Evans did a good season in ’14 but didn’t managed to progress during ’15 like expected. As it was already said, this season step back could be positive for him in order to regain confidence and show all his abilities.

That’s what he’s been doing, with amazing exhibitions in WRC2 and BRC. Probably during this year Wilson will promote Evans back to the WRC team, securing him from other teams proposals.

Btw, Suninen’s also in Argentina and has done the recce. https://twitter.com/teemusuninenrac

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Originally Posted by Rally Power

Evans did a good season in ’14 but didn’t managed to progress during ’15 like expected. As it was already said, this season step back could be positive for him in order to regain confidence and show all his abilities.

That’s what he’s been doing, with amazing exhibitions in WRC2 and BRC. Probably during this year Wilson will promote Evans back to the WRC team, securing him from other teams proposals.

Btw, Suninen’s also in Argentina and has done the recce. https://twitter.com/teemusuninenrac

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Evans needs to be in a French designed car to suit his less flamboyant driving style, I feel teams don't put enough importance on matching driving style with car design, picking the right driver for the car is key.

So have anyone heard any kind of news/rumours regarding next years Swedish Rally? It seems that it has been very quiet so far.

Why should there be news ? Organizer signed a 3 year deal with WRC. The only thing they are looking at is moving some of the SS areabut this news will probably not come before December.

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Originally Posted by Luijbregts

Why should there be news ? Organizer signed a 3 year deal with WRC. The only thing they are looking at is moving
some of the SS areabut this news will probably not come before December.

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IIRC, there were allot of things that they had to fix before the end of April. Things such as a solid plan for snow guarantee and how they would plan for it.
So that likely mean that they have to decide now which stages that will be moved for 2017 and possible if the entire rally will be moved for 2018/19.

Even if not everything is intended for public release there usually are leaks and rumours and etc.

More info about Subaru/Prodrive Man TT partnership: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-new...ecord-attempt/

New test with Abbring-Marshall with new i20R5
Full gallery => http://goo.gl/glm0Ug