Toyota announces WRC plans

[dimviii]

Wasn't it Škoda's first WRC start or Peugeot failed so hard too? I don't remember anymore

it was Peugeots 206 that didn't managed to start at frozen Monte morning, due to mapping error.

[Mirek]

That's a fair point but probably the info you got is the same we got: they’ve started a WRC team from almost scratch; their facilities aren’t state of the art but they’re good enough for the job; despite the remote location they’ve managed to attract experienced staff; they’ve designed and hugely tested a whole new WRC car in a very limited time; the car is ready and will be homologated without delay; they’ve got a balanced driver line up for their first season…honestly, anyone looking at this facts in a sensible and fair way will be puzzled to find all the wrong doings appointed by the eager critics of this Makinen/Toyota venture. To me they've already proved they're a serious WRC contender and I'm quite happy to see Toyota back in WRC alongside TMR. Best luck to them!

Just like VW. The point is that VW and Toyota are very much the same kind of animal on the car market. They are the two biggest giants in the arena and they have huge money available for achieving a real success. Nobody should expect anything else from them. They are not some underdogs but gigantic and rich corporations.

The story with VW showed to everybody that it is possible to come and destroy all the experienced and established teams if the team management is doing its work properly and can use the funding it has. Why shall anyone expect something else from Toyota?

[Mirek]

it was Peugeots 206 that didn't managed to start at frozen Monte morning, due to mapping error.

Thanks, so it was similar with Škoda few years earlier

[dimviii]

Thanks, so it was similar with Škoda few years earlier

didn't remember that! when?

[Mirek]

The very first start of Octavia WRC on Monte 99. Schwarz and Sibera both retired before SS1 due to technical problems in the cold weather.

[Rally Power]

Just like VW. The point is that VW and Toyota are very much the same kind of animal on the car market. They are the two biggest giants in the arena and they have huge money available for achieving a real success. Nobody should expect anything else from them. They are not some underdogs but gigantic and rich corporations.
The story with VW showed to everybody that it is possible to come and destroy all the experienced and established teams if the team management is doing its work properly and can use the funding it has. Why shall anyone expect something else from Toyota?

I agree with you. VW set new standards in WRC. They’ve spent millions creating a fabulous in house team that no one could compete. But now they´re leaving and besides their dominant mark and the broken records in what way can we say they’ve help to develop the sport?

Probably in no other way: one can still remember them pushing the promoter to adopt new rules totally disrespectful to WRC heritage and showing no interest about privateer teams and drivers needs, in international or national rally series; their only target was to become a steamroll in WRC.

Should we desire a similar attitude from Toyota? I don’t. Despite all the troubles and misfortunes they can came by choosing a private partner, I really hope Toyota and TMR will be a top contender in WRC and, specially, will be able to provide a wide range of rally cars to private customers around the world, making a serious contribution to the sport development. Just like Ford and MSport have been doing for a long time.

[focus206]

The very first start of Octavia WRC on Monte 99. Schwarz and Sibera both retired before SS1 due to technical problems in the cold weather.

Skoda at Monte '99 debut, Peugeot at Monte '00 (first Monte for the 206, not debut of the car)

[Gregor-y]

The story with VW showed to everybody that it is possible to come and destroy all the experienced and established teams if the team management is doing its work properly and can use the funding it has. Why shall anyone expect something else from Toyota?

Toyota's F1 program comes to mind. Their motorsports efforts have had plenty of money but not much success since the 90s. Sure it could be successful, and VW shows it can be done. Against that is Toyota's track record (or lack thereof).

[Zeakiwi]

Obviously Ogier thinks the Fiesta 2017 wrc is better than the Toyota wrc at the moment.

[electroliquid]

Obviously Ogier thinks the Fiesta 2017 wrc is better than the Toyota wrc at the moment.

Or maybe suits his driving style better