[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

[AnttiL]

So it wouldn't be wrong to assume next year's calendar will be something like: MC, Sweden, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Portugal, Sardegna, Kenya, Finland, Turkey, NZ, Japan, Spain & Ireland(?)

Not Ireland. Northern Ireland maybe, but it’s still unclear, as is NZ. Otherwise well assumed.

If they say they don't want the island rallies and they boot out Corsica, by that logic, Sardegna should be out no? Why can't they leave Germany in the calendar? It's location is ideal to attract people from more than just Germany, they have very nice stages, Japan will be a Tarmac event anyhow, why not keep it & have more Tarmac events??

NI would be a tarmac rally, that must be a motivation to move it from Wales. But that is an island rally in any case!

[Eli]

Not Ireland. Northern Ireland maybe, but it’s still unclear, as is NZ. Otherwise well assumed.




NI would be a tarmac rally, that must be a motivation to move it from Wales. But that is an island rally in any case!

My bad, but even with NI as a tarmac rally, wouldn't it be nice to see more Tarmac events?

[rallyfiend]

Well, if i remember correctly, someone behind his kitchen table just claimed, after visiting Otago rally, that it was packed with spectators.

Well, he was being paid to attend there and create good PR, so he's not going to bash it....

[EstWRC]

How many more would you expect in NZ?

It may have nice roads, but it's not known for its huge spectator numbers either.....

it all depends if Paddon participates or not, im sure if he does then there would be a lot of people. im just assuming, i cant be 100% sure.

but at the moment it isnt hard to get more people on the stages than at Australia. For me that rally has stagnated.

Would be great to at least give a chance to NZ and to see what happens.

[AnttiL]

https://www.rallit.fi/toyotan-wrc-ti...juttu-tama-on/

Hänninen says Sardegna is most likely his last WRC event and the purpose is testing

[AnttiL]

My bad, but even with NI as a tarmac rally, wouldn't it be nice to see more Tarmac events?

Catalynua could also become an all-tarmac rally according to rumors. That would make it Japan, Spain, Monte and maybe NI.

[Eli]

Catalynua could also become an all-tarmac rally according to rumors. That would make it Japan, Spain, Monte and maybe NI.

Will be an interesting year then, we'll see how it rolls out.

[Allez Andruet]

https://www.rallit.fi/toyotan-wrc-ti...juttu-tama-on/

Hänninen says Sardegna is most likely his last WRC event and the purpose is testing

Or maybe it's the last one before the next one? That would fit well into this Tommi-esque communication strategy.

[EstWRC]

Good podcast interview with Julian Porter - season so far, news and rumours.

Absolute Rally: https://www.podbean.com/media/player...22b88-pb?vjs=1

thanks for the link.

very interesting to hear Porters insights. Especially about the Toyota rim problems, Kruuda was saying the same after Corsica as Porter here.

and the fact that Mikkelsen now has rally-to-rally contract. I didnt know that.

Nobody hasnt mentioned it here ?

[racerx1979]

thanks for the link.

very interesting to hear Porters insights. Especially about the Toyota rim problems, Kruuda was saying the same after Corsica as Porter here.

and the fact that Mikkelsen now has rally-to-rally contract. I didnt know that.

Nobody hasnt mentioned it here ?

Apparently they renegotiated to a specific term at the beginning of 2019. Not sure of the exact terms, but Hyundai has given Andreas plenty of chances. Loebs Chile results did not help. They're now short of drivers for Finland and we all know Andreas performs poorly in Finland...he said it himself during Chile. So now they're desperate and have Huttunen testing as he might be their only hope for Finland. What to do with Andreas moving forward? Loeb won't do the full season... Bring Paddon back or try to get Ostberg or Breen??