2016 Silly Season

[Simmi]

Quite big news as Mads Ostberg and Jonas Andersson partnership breaks up for 2016.

http://www.tv2.no/2015/12/02/sport/m.../rally/7735043

Jonas signed a deal with EVEN. Not sure who he will partner next year but now right on the eve of Monte testing Mads has no co-driver!

[AndyRAC]

Somebody has to pay for the WRC programme - and it seems Malcolm has the last season. Now he's decided he won't anymore - so drivers with funding will have to. Elfyn could have kept a full WRC seat - if he could get the money - but like Kris, as a Brit, he's got no chance of raising sponsorship; similarly, M-Sport need a Title sponsor - but where are they supposed to get one from?

[Rally Power]

Somebody has to pay for the WRC programme - and it seems Malcolm has the last season. Now he's decided he won't anymore - so drivers with funding will have to. Elfyn could have kept a full WRC seat - if he could get the money

Come on Andy, this moaning about Evans step back it's a bit over dramatic...

Wilson gave (for sure it's the proper word) Evans 3 wrc seasons: 2013 (WRC2), '14 and '15.

He did a promising job on the first two but this year he completely stagnated (I think even Evans has admit it).

Maybe WRC2, ERC or BRC can help getting his confidence back. We all remember how important was IRC to revamp Meeke career!

[tommeke_B]

"Revamp" Meeke's career??? In contrary to Evans now, Meeke never had a real opportunity in WRC (only JWRC) before his IRC-seasons.

[AndyRAC]

Come on Andy, this moaning about Evans step back it's a bit over dramatic...

Wilson gave (for sure it's the proper word) Evans 3 wrc seasons: 2013 (WRC2), '14 and '15.

He did a promising job on the first two but this year he completely stagnated (I think even Evans has admit it).

Maybe WRC2, ERC or BRC can help getting his confidence back. We all remember how important was IRC to revamp Meeke career!

You misunderstand - I actually don't have a problem with the decision - he hasn't stepped it up a level this year - but if he had the £$£$£ he probably would still have a drive. My issue is that the sport in the UK can't generate sponsors, mainstream interest, etc

[focus206]

Come on Andy, this moaning about Evans step back it's a bit over dramatic...

Wilson gave (for sure it's the proper word) Evans 3 wrc seasons: 2013 (WRC2), '14 and '15.

He did a promising job on the first two but this year he completely stagnated (I think even Evans has admit it).

Maybe WRC2, ERC or BRC can help getting his confidence back. We all remember how important was IRC to revamp Meeke career!

I don't agree that Evans did such a bad job this year as some say. He didn't reach what it was expected from him, but look at the final standings, he missed 6th place by one point from Neuville, finishing in front of Tanak, Sordo and Paddon (the latter 2 did one event less though). In an ideal WRC I would have kept both Evans and Tanak for another year, but well that's not how it works...

[macebig]

"Revamp" Meeke's career??? In contrary to Evans now, Meeke never had a real opportunity in WRC (only JWRC) before his IRC-seasons.

Unfortunately McRae's passing and the Prodrive-BMW debacle really hurted his chances.

[Rally Power]

"Revamp" Meeke's career??? In contrary to Evans now, Meeke never had a real opportunity in WRC (only JWRC) before his IRC-seasons.

Why all those question marks?

After 4 JWRC seasons (some of them with McRae support, others with Citroen backing) the logical step for Meeke was to go into a WRC team, but his erratic results didn't open any door. He was doing local rallys in Ireland and Barbados when Peugeot invite him for IRC. Can you get a better example for a career revamp move?

PS: Now I've got it Andy. Maybe revived BRC can change the picture.

[TheFlyingTuga]

Why all those question marks?

After 4 JWRC seasons (some of them with McRae support, others with Citroen backing) the logical step for Meeke was to go into a WRC team, but his erratic results didn't open any door. He was doing local rallys in Ireland and Barbados when Peugeot invite him for IRC. Can you get a better example for a career revamp move?

PS: Now I've got it Andy. Maybe revived BRC can change the picture.

Mikkelsen, Abbring...

The first one went full WRC in 2006 and by 2008 nobody remember who he was anymore. He got back to Norway before start again with the Skoda UK program on IRC for two years and then get to the official VW Fabias.

Abbring was in the JWRC the same year as Neuville, and both where beat by Burkark. He made a few more outings with the Clio R3 in their European Champ before getting the chance to go to the VW Fabias team. After VW entered officialy the WRC in 2013, he step really back, going to the 208 Cup in France and climbed his way back to the top. For me Abbring it's the young gun with most potencial of those who are not currently in the WRC.

[Nornbugger]

[QUOTE=focus206;1073497]I don't agree that Evans did such a bad job this year as some say. [QUOTE]

I'd agree with this, the Sebs have made some people think success should be instant. I hope this is not the end for Evans but even if it is I'm glad he got a the chance that Ford never gave his father, Gwyndaf IMHO could have been a WRC winner if he had been given a proper break.