[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

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Originally Posted by jbmarcus21

Skoda return ? http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/n...50166446405534

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does'nt work...

http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php?id=...toru-1-6-turbo ;)

I wouldn't be surprised if VW gets to do an F1 project and leaves rallying to Skoda, after all they have more experience on World rallying than we sometimes remember.

Yes, it's true that Škoda confirmed 1.6T development. However they didn't confirm entering WRC as a works team.

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Originally Posted by fmcv

To prove you are a good driver you will need a fairly decent car. Is Proton at that level? I seriously doubt it.

If he plans to return to a competitive level, moving to Proton wouldn't add value to his career. On the other hand, the belgian championship is competitive enough to show one's skills.

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I don't necessarily agree with that. If a strong driver outperforms what it is expected his car is capable of then he can still improve his reputation. Look at what Basso or Rossetti can achieve with a Punto, or what Mikelssen or PGA achieved with an ancient Fabia WRC last year.

Anyway, that appears to have not been the sticking point for Duval, but rather than he did not want to do the events in Asia. It's a pity that neither party were willing to budge on that part of the deal because I think Duval had a lot of untapped talent.

It's good though that Proton are looking for good drivers and are willing to pay them. Hopefully they can get someone of the calibre of PGA/Atko/Gardemeister...

Well, I suppose both views are complementary. Anyway, fact is that winning an Asia Pacific championship would come down the list in case you wanted to write down his carrer achievments in priority order... So, the only true reason to accept Proton's deal was really the money...

Apparently 125000 euros wasn't enough for Duval to endanger his life. He talked a lot about the risks involved in rallying after Patrick (Pivato) nearly died back in Japan in 2008 and already then said that he is not going to endanger his (and co-driver's) life for small sums of money. I guess the Japan accident was quite traumatic for him...

Okay - at first - 125000 euros sounds like a lot of money but when you start to think all the travelling, testing and PR work combined to the fact that rallying is, even after all the new safety developments, somewhat dangerous and Duval used to be competing along the world's best boys. With this contract he would drive an uncompetitive car in a not-well-known series... Then it starts to feel like "just 125000 euros".

I agree.. :)

Malcom Wilson speaks about Marcus Grönholm for one or two more events this year ;)

Duval might be a ****, but I enjoy watching his driving than reading assumptions by arm chair experts.

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Originally Posted by serial jeff

I'm susrprised Duval refused... honestly, he's not very good. The few good results he had were often due to the retirements of better drivers. Like, his only win was after Loeb, Petter, Marcus and Colin had all retired and the only challenger left was Rovanpera. Chris is definitely better.

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Chris would probably also turn down the Proton offer so he's a **** as well. As he already had tested a Proton, but he prioritize in getting back to the WRC. Competing is the Asia Pacific would be a backward step.

I'm hearing from TotalRally that Duval is quiting from international rallying? Now that isn't a good decision.

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Originally Posted by serial jeff

The few good results he had were often due to the retirements of better drivers. Like, his only win was after Loeb, Petter, Marcus and Colin had all retired and the only challenger left was Rovanpera.

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But every win is just the same, and after a year of bad luck in 2005 the Australia win is what Duval desrved. :)

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Originally Posted by tmx

I'm hearing from TotalRally that Duval is quiting from international rallying? Now that isn't a good decision.

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Not really, because I would have liked him to get onto the WRC podium again.

Yesterday he said to a Belgian tv station that he's working on a program of 3 wrc rallies.

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Originally Posted by MartijnS

Yesterday he said to a Belgian tv station that he's working on a program of 3 wrc rallies.

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Think Duval will drive the tarmac events this year, Bulgary, France are new ones and Germany is his favourite one. If Ford's worksteam not given a car to him to replace Latvala or beside Latvala than he might doing the same with the Struct-Focus back in 2008. I will be happy if he's back.

Duval for sure is one the best drivers, can't see drivers like Wilson, Villagra driving and boys like Duv, Galli, PG are sitting home. Pg luckily is doing now something , he will be back to the big ones next year i think.

Duval's decision to not sign the contract with Proton is a brave one, like he said: if it was in his thirst years as a really driver he had signed, but now the situation is different. He's not hopeless if he's not driving.

Nevermind, I'll take back what I said. Guess he was happy with the test (and didn't mind the wages).

http://rallybuzz.com/chrisatkinson-proton-aprc/

So Proton seeks an other driver to compete in the IRC, aside of McRae? Atkinson in Asia Pacific, Duval in IRC? Duval refused the offer only because of the Asia part of the deal.

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Originally Posted by alleskids

So Proton seeks an other driver to compete in the IRC, aside of McRae? Atkinson in Asia Pacific, Duval in IRC? Duval refused the offer only because of the Asia part of the deal.

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Sounds like a plan :up:

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Originally Posted by RS

Sounds like a plan :up:

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Yes, but a bad one.
Put Atkinson in for all and leave Duval at home.

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Originally Posted by jacko

Think Duval will drive the tarmac events this year, Bulgary, France are new ones and Germany is his favourite one. If Ford's worksteam not given a car to him to replace Latvala or beside Latvala than he might doing the same with the Struct-Focus back in 2008. I will be happy if he's back.

Duval for sure is one the best drivers, can't see drivers like Wilson, Villagra driving and boys like Duv, Galli, PG are sitting home. Pg luckily is doing now something , he will be back to the big ones next year i think.

Duval's decision to not sign the contract with Proton is a brave one, like he said: if it was in his thirst years as a really driver he had signed, but now the situation is different. He's not hopeless if he's not driving.

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Can someone clarify then if he has retired completely then?

He is not retired: CLICK

Great!!
Go, go, go Dudu!!

http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/d...from_rallying/

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Originally Posted by principe IRC

Any news about Aaron Burkart season?

Thanks.

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Back:

Aaron Burkart will do it again. Again takes the Suzuki pilot attempt to get to the title in the 2010 Junior World Championship.
The cat is finally out of the bag, this year Aaron Burkart start in the Junior World Cup. As the official factory rider for Suzuki Sport Europe.......

Burkart erneut in JWRC

Ogier gets to go to New Zealand, Räikkönen doesn't.

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Nogier emphasised the decision to send the former Junior World Rally Champion was taken before last week’s Jordan Rally, quashing speculation in the service park that Citroen had funded Ogier’s trip as payback for the Frenchman dropping from second place to sixth in order to run ahead of Sebastien Loeb on the final day of the Dead Sea event.

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Originally Posted by Hartusvuori

Ogier gets to go to New Zealand, Räikkönen doesn't.

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Ogier gets his bonus from extra services in Jordania. I actually predicted this in my head, because this has happened before too :)

They will need Ogier for sweeping tactics in New Zealand + they need Ogier to get some experience in NZ, remember he is set to replace Loeb sometime!

I see this being a negative for the sport but a positive for Ogier...

Just because he's helping Loeb win rallies doesn't mean not giving chances for other drivers to drive an event. It sucks but it happens. Wish there were more drivers and manu's in the championship! hah

Sorry I mean 'opportunities'

Mini Prodrive with Kris Meeke.. Atkinson or PG.Andersson ? http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/248649/

If this Mini/Prodrive idea actually comes through, I think their best lineup would be with PG and Atko purely based on experience at WRC level.
I believe Meeke isnt as experienced on WRC stages as the other 2 and hence that would be my choice.

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Originally Posted by grugsticles

If this Mini/Prodrive idea actually comes through, I think their best lineup would be with PG and Atko purely based on experience at WRC level.
I believe Meeke isnt as experienced on WRC stages as the other 2 and hence that would be my choice.

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Why not have all 3???? Seriously, remember 3 car teams?
I would have thought a British driver is a must - the UK is meant to be a huge market, and might kick start renewed interest in the sport. Which has virtually died in UK in recent years.

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Originally Posted by AndyRAC

Why not have all 3???? Seriously, remember 3 car teams?
I would have thought a British driver is a must - the UK is meant to be a huge market, and might kick start renewed interest in the sport. Which has virtually died in UK in recent years.

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I think it dissapeared with Colin and Richard and that this interest and passion for the sport will be very hard to rebuilt ur even come close to. But i really hope that Mini can do this with the help of Kris or an other british driver, as you say the potential market is very big over there as we have seen during the years.

Regarding British drivers - Jerry Williams had an interesting comment in his column a few weeks ago, when he referred to a mainstream newspaper sports editor only interested in who won between Meeke and Wilks in South America when Mexico WRC was on. Even the Kimi novelty factor had worn with the mainstream press in the UK. To get sustained interest in UK it needs a British driver (please no Matt W comments) in with a chance, or at least a hope of developing a chance to be at the front, if thats in a British team, even better.

Or a Northern Irish driver.........

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Originally Posted by MJW

To get sustained interest in UK it needs a British driver (please no Matt W comments) in with a chance, or at least a hope of developing a chance to be at the front, if thats in a British team, even better.

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Its true offcourse, but it can be difficult to find a guy like that, there has not been any really talented driver from UK in many, many years.

What about Cronin, Gould for the future? :)

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Originally Posted by AndyRAC

Why not have all 3???? Seriously, remember 3 car teams?
I would have thought a British driver is a must - the UK is meant to be a huge market, and might kick start renewed interest in the sport. Which has virtually died in UK in recent years.

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I totally agree on the 3 cars per team idea. I really dont know why they changed to 2 car teams in the first place.
Good point on the British driver theory too.

Maybe the young Scottish driver Dave Weston jr. is a real talent for the future?

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Originally Posted by Tarmac Tommy

Or a Northern Irish driver.........

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???

Kris Meeke is from Northern Ireland.