2016 Silly Season

[tommeke_B]

It's quite a well-known fact that the first year Thierry was at Hyundai, he had to spend most of his (nicely large) money to pay back Malcolm and Nasser who invested in him to give him the WRC drive at M-Sport....

LOL! The ones who know the least talk the most. I don't believe many of these "well-known facts" posted here on the forum.

[rallyfiend]

LOL! The ones who know the least talk the most. I don't believe many of these "well-known facts" posted here on the forum.

You think that Qatar branding was on his Citroen as some sort of PR action to drive tourism to that part of the world while using a Belgian driver?

Next time you see Thierry, ask him how Nasser invested in his career. He's quite open about it.

[leighton323]

LOL! The ones who know the least talk the most. I don't believe many of these "well-known facts" posted here on the forum.

Paddon will be paying back his investors with his new contract, I can tell you that

[vino_93]

Ewrc is your friend
http://www.ewrc-results.com/profile....t=Eric-Camilli

Anyone know what he was doing 2010-2012? Studies?

Yes. He started rally, but that doesn't work well as he had no money. So he focused on studies (he wanted to become chartered-accountant).
Then he tried Rallye Jeune and won (or finished second ? Don't remember, but he had the drive with Laskowski). Then he moved to 208 Cup, did well but crashed too many times to be champion, so he didn't finish the championship ... he did a few JWRC and was fast, and then moved to TMG.

[rage82]

Now that, let's say almost all drives are settled for 2016 what do you guys think about that: Meeke and Lefebvre with partial program in 2016 with PH sport ( already running the car of Lefebvre ) and developing the 2017 car around them and in 2017 both a factory Citroen drivers?

[Karukera]

Paddon will be paying back his investors with his new contract, I can tell you that

It's been common practise in the WRC for ages. Timo Jouhki never worked for free.

[Simmi]

Now that, let's say almost all drives are settled for 2016 what do you guys think about that: Meeke and Lefebvre with partial program in 2016 with PH sport ( already running the car of Lefebvre ) and developing the 2017 car around them and in 2017 both a factory Citroen drivers?

Apart from a select few all current driver contracts are up heading into 2017. So all the top guys (apart from Mikkelsen) should be available. So with that said it would be foolish for Citroen to lock up two long-term deals right now. One (Meeke) would make sense. I'd guess they want to see some more from Lefebvre next year.

[PLuto]

Such an understatement of Lefebvre's case. He won JWRC and JERC in 2014 and he's pace in R2 at the time was unmatched. He's move up to 4WD has been disappointing, but at least I have not given up on him yet.

Thats not completely true, Lefebvre in JERC he was not "unmatched". In Latvia, before his retirement, there were 4-5 drivers usually faster than him. In Acores he was fastest as his rivals were making too many mistakes. In Ypres he was pushing as he was closing the gap after loss on one stage and won only because of win in first stage as he had in finish same time like Andrea Crugnola. On Barum he was also first, but he was only one without problems, Zawada, Griebel or Crugnola were on same pace. In Tour de Corse, despite lack of competitors, Lefebvre was on most of the stages slower than Crugnola and Andolfi and sometimes also than Gino Bux (but of course, there was part of tactics as he must finish the rally). So in total, Lefebvre won the championship, but it was not so big domination and mostly Cerny and Crugnola were on same speed (Cerny only in first half, the he lost everything due to his mind). Of course, JWRC was much easier for him.

[PLuto]

Ostberg is getting paid for the seat

Joke of the year

[Viking]

Joke of the year

Remembering Petter said that the only time he had to take money from his own pocket for a seat was at the 2012 “Factory Ford” M-Sport team… I guess Mads has to bring a £ or two...