VW News 2012 & WRC 2013

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Plan9

That's interesting. I thought that touring cars were fading out a bit; just like the WRC! I think that F1 massive calendars have been a bit of a problem for any series that is not as easy to package to the media. It will be interesting to see if WRC gets bigger calendars in the years ahead. After all VW has deep market penetration worldwide! It will also be interesting to see if IRC/ERC becomes the GP2 of the rally world (i.e each year we will be blessed with a new gravel Vettel wannabe).

Lastly, I think that for Mikkelsens generation of drivers it will be make or brake for world rallying as well (I hope he wins IRC this year as it may introduce a new market).

---

This is true, but what they need to learn to do isnt only on the stages, they need to learn to work the media etc, mainstream media is increasingly superficial, right now sports stars profiles are more likely to rise from their private/love lives than for their sporting ability(Beckham anyone?) Mikkelsen is a good looking lad, he need to dodge the odd days testing and start dating models/actresses etc if he wants to get really big.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mousti

He debuted last year already with Lara in Hellendoorn last year. He continued rallying with her this year at Boucles de Spa and the rest of the rallies he started in France, only Ypres this year he did with Erwin.

---

Thanks. How is Lara rated (for her co-driving!) in Belgium?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mintexmemory

Thanks. How is Lara rated (for her co-driving!) in Belgium?

---

She is rated quite high by most drivers she was codriving for.

And only 20 years old. A perfect duo like Neuville - Gilsoul.

Regardless, Abbring did what I expected, a great drive. Citroën should actually pick him up for some sort of program next year. He did very well for them in French gravel championship this year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nornbugger

This is true, but what they need to learn to do isnt only on the stages, they need to learn to work the media etc, mainstream media is increasingly superficial, right now sports stars profiles are more likely to rise from their private/love lives than for their sporting ability(Beckham anyone?) Mikkelsen is a good looking lad, he need to dodge the odd days testing and start dating models/actresses etc if he wants to get really big.

---

Good idea! also he should take some PR lessons from Ken Block and Lewis Hamilton!

I think the marketing aspect of WRC is crucial. I hate reading how the WRC has a passionate "but dwindling" fan base. What the hell does that even mean? Load of bollocks I reckon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Josti

Regardless, Abbring did what I expected, a great drive. Citroën should actually pick him up for some sort of program next year. He did very well for them in French gravel championship this year.

---

The question is will there be enough cars for all these people? I don't see how all these new driver could all possibly find a home

Surely Solberg will take the money and finish his career by sitting out the 2012 season to develop the VW? He has found himself in a lucky position with the other main contenders for the seat all committing themselves to other seats. It would be a wise move and would line his pockets after his expenses over the last few seasons and maybe set in place some building blocks for the Petter Solberg World Rally Team.

He also recently mentioned that he options in other forms of motorsport that he could take up for 2012 so the VW test job and a season in Global Rallycross would go well together.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by J4MES

Surely Solberg will take the money and finish his career by sitting out the 2012 season to develop the VW? He has found himself in a lucky position with the other main contenders for the seat all committing themselves to other seats. It would be a wise move and would line his pockets after his expenses over the last few seasons and maybe set in place some building blocks for the Petter Solberg World Rally Team.

He also recently mentioned that he options in other forms of motorsport that he could take up for 2012 so the VW test job and a season in Global Rallycross would go well together.

---

Is he so luck after all? We have no idea that he will actually BE in VW AT ALL!! Everything that has come out about Petter and VW link-up has most been responses to the fandemonium that both these brands elicit from audiences.

What we know is that there are 2 VW seats and no suggestions coming from VW that they will be filled by anyone other than a German wunderkind. Not even Hanninen and Mikkelsen have had official confirmation yet. For all we know this could be the last we see of Petter sadly. If it came down to it Ogier could sit out the season if Ford does not commit. He is a far better future prospect at this stage I would think.

Global Rallycross would be fun for him but I think he would like something much more new like WTCC that may provide a fresh start.

WTCC - I hope not, that's a dead-duck series with even less prestige than the WRC.