I thought this merited a thread all of its own.

There isn't anything on their website yet, but Autosport just dropped through my door and they have what I take to be a promising story about a possible VW entry into the WRC.

The jist is that Kris Nissen is "challenging" the WRC to improve and to convince them to enter. VW are to decide their motorsport future in March 2010 and it seems the options are a WRC assault for 2012 or to build a Race Touareg 3 and commit to the Dakar/Raids for the longterm. The point being they need to decide now what they are doing.

Interestingly Nissen says VW would like to see more manufacturers and a maximum of 12 events - but with a return to classic events. It seems the Monte is a key event for them so that needs to return.

He also says along with the rumoured Scirocco they might also go down the route of a Golf or a Polo for a possible WRC. They basically have 3 options for car choice.

Finally he says that Carlos Sainz is staying with the team and he could be very valuable as a tester and to help the team with his experience of rallying. So reading between the lines perhaps he could be a senior team member.


So VW have basically laid out their stall and said they want to enter the WRC - but certain things need to happen.
Do you think they will? Is there actually any benefit to building another Dakar challenger when you can only beat yourself? Will the FIA/ISC be able to bring back the Monte? etc...