Is it a coincidence that Donaldson has close links with an R5 manufacturer... .
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Breen supports the idea of R5 cars on main level https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/breen...rally2-future/
Its a good idea for cost-saving and getting private entries but the problem is manus want to promote hybrid / electric cars now.
R2 (R5) as the top level would only work with private teams running them. And who would then create any new R2 cars going forward ?
What are the existing cars going to be called... eg Citroen C3 R5... Citroen C3 Rally2 ?
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/how-p...riving-styles/
Esapekka Lappi reminds again how the new rules will mean that they cannot drive flat out all the time like now
As automotive companies are starting to face the harsh realities caused by the lockdowns and the potential future, I think we might end up thinking of a completely different kind of rallying future. When sorting old magazines last weekend, came upon a graph showing who controls which car brands. There are 14 different big companies controlling most of the brands.
Today read the news that Renault is in deep trouble (Link to Reuters article, dated 22nd May). And obviously everyone is on a cost saving mission but tough times lead to mergers as well. So the outlook for new manufacturers to enter WRC doesn't look very bright, in my opinion.
If to look at the very dark scenario, that many different manufacturers will have very difficult times and even more brands will end up being owned by even less companies, then could we end up with a situation where no manufacturer would be interested in running a WRC marketing campaign? If it goes that way, will the customer racing have to take the leading role in WRC? Or could there be a crazy move to private outfits and more prototype style class (if the manufacturers won't let use their vehicles' designs or other restrictions from them)?
Just throwing some ideas in the air as the future looks very different now than it was 5 months ago.