[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

[BleAivano]

EDIT: hari's link answers a lot of questions.

It will be interesting to see what they come up with. I went this year and loved it but wasn't overly impressed by the service park

From what I have read, the service park will not be open for the public during day time, only mornings and evenings.

[hari]

From what I have read, the service park will not be open for the public during day time, only mornings and evenings.

I read it as there will be no action in servicepark during the day - what makes sense given the Location and the rough route. There will only be morning and evening Service in Karlstad. Tyrefitting zones during the day out somewhere else like in previous years at the Norway leg.

[dimviii]

WTCC programme helping Citroen work on 2017 WRC regulations

Citroen is yet to make a decision on its future in the World Rally Championship beyond 2016, but team principal Yves Matton says the French manufacturer already has the edge on its rivals in terms of its '17 World Rally Car.

The World Touring Car Championship's technical regulations have enabled Citroen to run preliminary engine investigation work into what a 36mm restrictor would mean to a World Rally Car.

The WRC's shift from a 34mm turbo restrictor is among changes aimed at making cars faster, wider and more aggressive, with a boost from the current notional figure of 300bhp to 380bhp.

Citroen will remain in both the WRC and WTCC next season, but a decision for 2017 and beyond will be taken at the end of this year.

"In the first steps, we are in advance of the other manufacturers because we have the engine, thanks to WTCC," said Matton.

Citroen, WTCC
"So we know the strength and the weakness in this area.

"A big part of our engine work is done and we have a very good knowledge of working with this restrictor.

"For the moment, we are making a pre-study on some other technical topics, just to see how we can improve this.

"This is also part of our study to be back in 2017.

"If we are coming back in 2017, we are coming back to play for the victories against Volkswagen."

CITROEN OPEN TO NEUVILLE

Talk of Thierry Neuville's future has been spiced up by Matton's admission that his door would be open if the Belgian was to leave Hyundai.

Strong criticism of Neuville's recent performances from the Korean manufacturer reignited speculation that last year's Rally Germany winner could walk away at the end of this season.

Matton says he would be happy to see him back in Versailles, despite the way the relationship reportedly soured when Neuville turned his back on Citroen, preferring a full M-Sport programme for 2013.

"When Thierry Neuville is free, then you have to put him on the list," he told AUTOSPORT.

"From what I heard, he has a contract, but OK, you can always break a contract.

"For the moment, there has been no discussion. If he does come back then it's the proof that he has made two mistakes in the past..."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120733

[Simmi]

That's good to hear from Citroen that they are making those kind of studies. Better than nothing at least. If they knew they could snare a supposed 'marquee' driver like Neuville in 2017 that would probably also be a big tick towards them coming back.

Although Neuville leaving Hyundai next year just doesn't make sense. That new car is the only thing that has a chance of beating the VWs on pace. It would render the last two years a complete waste if he leaves before the pay-off. Assuming the car is as good as they say.

[Eli]

WTCC programme helping Citroen work on 2017 WRC regulations

Citroen is yet to make a decision on its future in the World Rally Championship beyond 2016, but team principal Yves Matton says the French manufacturer already has the edge on its rivals in terms of its '17 World Rally Car.

The World Touring Car Championship's technical regulations have enabled Citroen to run preliminary engine investigation work into what a 36mm restrictor would mean to a World Rally Car.

The WRC's shift from a 34mm turbo restrictor is among changes aimed at making cars faster, wider and more aggressive, with a boost from the current notional figure of 300bhp to 380bhp.

Citroen will remain in both the WRC and WTCC next season, but a decision for 2017 and beyond will be taken at the end of this year.

"In the first steps, we are in advance of the other manufacturers because we have the engine, thanks to WTCC," said Matton.

Citroen, WTCC
"So we know the strength and the weakness in this area.

"A big part of our engine work is done and we have a very good knowledge of working with this restrictor.

"For the moment, we are making a pre-study on some other technical topics, just to see how we can improve this.

"This is also part of our study to be back in 2017.

"If we are coming back in 2017, we are coming back to play for the victories against Volkswagen."

CITROEN OPEN TO NEUVILLE

Talk of Thierry Neuville's future has been spiced up by Matton's admission that his door would be open if the Belgian was to leave Hyundai.

Strong criticism of Neuville's recent performances from the Korean manufacturer reignited speculation that last year's Rally Germany winner could walk away at the end of this season.

Matton says he would be happy to see him back in Versailles, despite the way the relationship reportedly soured when Neuville turned his back on Citroen, preferring a full M-Sport programme for 2013.

"When Thierry Neuville is free, then you have to put him on the list," he told AUTOSPORT.

"From what I heard, he has a contract, but OK, you can always break a contract.

"For the moment, there has been no discussion. If he does come back then it's the proof that he has made two mistakes in the past..."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120733

it seems like they want to stay in the WRC or else why say they want Neuville unless theyr'e not thinking about staying..

[dimviii]

That's good to hear from Citroen that they are making those kind of studies. Better than nothing at least. If they knew they could snare a supposed 'marquee' driver like Neuville in 2017 that would probably also be a big tick towards them coming back.

Although Neuville leaving Hyundai next year just doesn't make sense. That new car is the only thing that has a chance of beating the VWs on pace. It would render the last two years a complete waste if he leaves before the pay-off. Assuming the car is as good as they say.

imho as i ve wrote before 2 years when he left ford for hyundai,Neuville is overated.

[AL14]

imho as i ve wrote before 2 years when he left ford for hyundai,Neuville is overated.

It could be true. But the desperation to find a possible champion can make wonders.

[Francis44]

Introducing another subject and not necessarily related to Mads crash on recce, as we were discussing in another topic the driving of participants on road section I came across a video I found very interesting and I would like to hear your opinions on this. How can the organizers control these kind of actions?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX_ZBxVv6Dw

Cross red light - Check
Drive a good 200 metres on wrong side of the road and cross red sign - Check.

[Ucci]

Introducing another subject and not necessarily related to Mads crash on recce, as we were discussing in another topic the driving of participants on road section I came across a video I found very interesting and I would like to hear your opinions on this. How can the organizers control these kind of actions?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX_ZBxVv6Dw

Cross red light - Check
Drive a good 200 metres on wrong side of the road and cross red sign - Check.

First I must say - video shows, what is not OK ! They are not driving according to traffic rules. Period!
But (there is always but....), I was a copilot for some years (maybe end of this season again...) and we did it (almost) all time on the liaisons. Overtaking, intrusion between vehicles, red lights-honestly I do not remember....but we never endanger ourselve or others...
One reasons for those maneuvers : beeing late for TC (a lot of traffic, maybe tyre change after SS, toilet..) was always excuse. On 99% of case no one complained, on many occasions other drivers gave you enough space, smile & thumb up, and we were lucky with police.
And this is still happening : if you don't have enough time to catch the time control on time, than you will break the law. Simple.....Why are you running out of time, is another story.

[tommeke_B]

Things like this video aren't unusual, especially in WRC... In Sardinia last year we almost had a frontal crash with a Fiesta RRC (who was overtaking another rallycar in a blind corner), he could just avoid us but for that he had to hit the rallycar he was overtaking (a Subaru group N). Fortunately only very minor damage for both of them. In Sweden we've seen some WRC cars overtaking before blind crests on quite fast roads (over 100kph). It's a miracle not more accidents are happening on road sections.

It's up to the organizers to make sure that drivers have enough time to get to the next stage + some extra 10 minutes for a stop... Also organizers should be more aware of the traffic from spectators moving between stages. It's a problem that can be solved, if organizers want to.