Going from a single regional rallycross entry to a WRC programme is a bit of a leap.
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Going from a single regional rallycross entry to a WRC programme is a bit of a leap.
Especially as that's the old 1er which has since been replaced, which has since been facelifted. So clearly no official involvement from BMWQuote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
Edit: Also a quick google shows this isn't the first BMW rallycross car
Its several Bmw's in rallycross in Scandinavia atleast. Homemade all of them.
So…..is it likely? No, no, it isn't likely. But………..is it possible? No.Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanvv
Esapekka Lappi's management confirms he will stay with Skoda in 2016 to get experience of WRC events - http://www.iltasanomat.fi/ralli/art-1438562463184.html
2017 is obviously a really big year in the WRC. New cars, likely plenty of movement in the driver market. So it gives them some options certainly. It also gives an insight perhaps into Skoda's plans next year - i.e. not good news for the ERC.
Nice, but it would be good if he will have the chance to drive 3-4 round with a WRC if he confirms his actual level until the end of this year. Don't know how it's possible with a Skoda contract. Maybe VW could make him use a 2014 Polo?Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
IMO bad management from Lappi's managers. We have seen Östberg, Mikkelsen, Hirvonen and Latvala driving in wrc at the point of their career when their level were worse than what Lappi was three years ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by AL14
It could be also that he has already a signed pre-contract with Toyota. Mäkinen said that he would want to have Ogies, Lappi and Paddon. My taste of drivers is exactly matched in this.
This should mean Lappi has already a VW seat guaranteed for 2017. Wise move!Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
Some of the drivers you have mentioned would have benefited to some proper training in lower classes instead.Quote:
Originally Posted by Finne
I think it is a clever move. He is 24 and has got all the time to debut in WRC. Learn some more discipline instead to get lost soon is the right choice.
They drove WRC 'cos they had money/rich parents... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Finne
This.Quote:
Originally Posted by Finne
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rally Power
Yep keeping him in the VAG group is wise. It's very doubtful that both Ogier and Latvala will still be on VWs books come 2017.
I guess the ideal scenario for EVEN is to have Mikkelsen move up into the #2 car and then Lappi move into the #9. A couple of WRC outings late 2016 with zero pressure makes sense too.
If Citroen would like to excel they should close either Lappi or Paddon. If Lappi goes to Wolkswagen it seems like Wolkswagen eats almost all the talent.Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
Maybe that is possible if he can wrap up the WRC2 title early next year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Simmi
What could be done to attract more WRC entries during the year? No news during the season, neither some driver to learn to next year. I like the idea of Prokop to WC of Privateers.
Not sure if this has been shared here before but this photoshop should give an idea of how the 2016 Hyundai i20 WRC will look:
I thought the final decision was that the new I20 WRC 2016 will be 5-door version. Did something change?
There's a thousand testing photos of the 2016 car testing. It's not going to look drastically different to that.
In actual news - Motorsport News are reporting that Wales Rally GB will be on the 2016 calendar. Haven't had chance to read the article yet.
EDIT: Okay press release says that they have government funding confirmed through 2018. Which I'm sure David Evans had already said on Autosport. It doesn't say anything about them having a calendar place - http://www.walesrallygb.com/news/3320.php#.VcHWVflVikp
I think it looks like a nice move to put pressure on the WRC Promoter.
Good news after all for GB. Seems them being left off the provisional calendar was dependent on this funding, which has now come through - http://www.autosport.com/news/report...nd%20awareness
Any info on when the complete calendar will be revealed? So far I think only Monte Carlo (18-24th of January) and Sweden (11-14th of February) are sure of their exact dates.
VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT IS DUE TO BEGIN TESTING A WORLD RALLY CAR INCORPORATING NEW-FOR-2017 TECHNICAL REGULATIONS THIS MONTH, WRC.COM UNDERSTANDS.
ADVERTISING
The German squad will be the first manufacturer to test a car featuring the exciting new-generation rules, the outline principles for which were given the green light by the FIA last month.
Double world champion Marcus Grönholm will drive the car when testing starts. It is believed that up to two weeks’ work is planned before the end of the year, with the Finn responsible for most of that.
Neither Grönholm nor Volkswagen Motorsport director Jost Capito would comment on the plans, but it is believed the test car will be a modified 2015 Polo R WRC, fitted with bodywork complying with the 2017 rules.
It is understood it could be the second quarter of next year before Volkswagen is ready to test a full 2017-specification car.
Grönholm, who inked a deal to join Volkswagen 12 months ago as a test driver, will be involved in the development of the new car both this year and in 2016.
An artist's impression how a 2017 World Rally Car could look
“Volkswagen’s event drivers will be busy testing the current Polo in preparation for rallies this year, so Grönholm will play a big role now and especially next year,” a source told wrc.com.
Following the FIA’s acceptance of the principles, it is expected the final regulations will be approved by the World Motor Sport Council later this year.
A striking aggressive look via a new aerodynamic package which includes a bigger rear wing, and engine power raised to 380bhp are the headline changes.
Cars will be bigger due to a 55mm increase in permitted width and a greater overhang at the front and rear, electronically-controlled centre differentials will return and they will be 25kg lighter.
The changes will be the biggest since the current technical rules were introduced in 2011, but FIA chiefs stress they are evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/augus...medium=twitter
Great to read about the funding being in place for Rally GB :D
Bloody ominous for the rest of the WRC field to see VW testing so early for 2017!! Looking forward to having a better idea of how the new cars will look!
should be in the next WSMC meeting held on the 30th of septemberQuote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120271 Paddon to drive the #8 hyundai in australia
Ah well, here is a proof that VW is doing their homework properly. You can assume this from a Championship team but still, here is a solid confirmation again. What is the rest doing ... It differences from saying "we have a veeeery good car and regular drivers are shit we want Neuville" to "we want a WRC rally in China and have to decide" to "Finnish cash party at Tommi's" to "hope Thierry likes the i20" ... The rest sticks to the short term, VW is stable and thinks ahead.Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
Cant wait to see the first shots of (Gronholm testing) the '2017 VW' ... will be great to get a proper idea of how the future cars might look, as opposed to that terrible mock-up on WRC.com !
Then booom. The new car is just like the current one but 10cm wider... :P haha cant wait
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120317 Network Q returns to Wales Rally GB to sponsor National event.
I still doubt they would go for the max width. In my opinion it's practical only for asphalt of Catalunya or wide gravel events like NORF. How will they deal with ruts on snow from gr.N and small cars? By using crazy wheels sunk deep in the wheel arches? How about narrow apshalt roads of German wineyards or Corsican mountains, how about narrow bridges of El Condor etc.?Quote:
Originally Posted by giu canbera
Maybe we will see some Safari Delta S4 / 037 thing :) With teams use two cars (current and 2017 regs).
I just found that Porsche 997 GT3 RS has 1852 mm which is quite close to the new WRC regs.
http://wrcbehindthestages.blogspot.b...f-fortune.htmlQuote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
there will be no problem, its only 55mm.
That rises one more question - will '17 cars will be that fast, or just not that much depending on circumstances?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirek
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120338
Good for you! Employ him instead of Ogier so we can see someone other than VW win for once!
Ogier can go to Msport instead of Evans... that would be interesting.
As someone said a long while ago in this thread, Capito is on drugs again! (was that in connection with him saying endurance was shit? hmmm)
Are these episodes being aired somewhere?
http://www.redbull.tv/shows/AP-1GJUZ...mpionship-2015
They are great for TV..
Colin Clark @voiceofrally
From a friend in China "Strong rumours that a contract for 2016 WRC has been signed. To be in mountains north of Beijing in mid October"
That's the standard TV programme that's available on all TV channels....Quote:
Originally Posted by giu canbera
I wonder which rally might have to make way for China!
I hope none of the Tarmac rounds and for god's sake not Poland... ...and the rest has too much history/too big following to make way. I am genuinely worried :/
Sardinia maybe?