[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[Lundefaret]

I heard rumour (and I am nearly sure) the DS3 WRC was more powerful and with better suspensions than Fiesta WRC but needs only one style of driving- the Loeb style. On the other hand Fiesta WRC is good for variety of customizing of setup. That´s why Loeb in development of C3 WRC would be counterproductive.

This is not correct.
With Reiger, M-Sport has been in the forefront of suspension development in the WRC, and still is - tough surpassed by the enormous budget and engineering capabilities of VW.
The suspension in the current DS3 WRC is seen up on as being a little old fashioned compared to the competitors. But the car is still a very effective tool You can win rallies with (as proven by Loebs speed in Monte, and by the speed of the inexperienced Meeke).
Also in the engine departement there is room for improvement, which will come with the 2017 car and the "WTCC-engine."
The DS3 WRC is built around the Loeb-style, or Nose End First or what ever You want to call it, as modern rally cars should be. And by that its faster in the right hands than a car not built for this type of driving (Ford is the car that is furthest from the DS3).

Loeb would be a great asset in developing the DS3 WRC, but I think Citroën wants to prove that they can have a life whit out Loeb, and that they can manage by them self.
They got a huge confidence boost by the WTCC, and the way they dominated the whole series, and off course have high hopes for what they can do in rallying. But they have done to big mistakes in the fight to be future world champions, and thats to close the door on both Loeb and Ogier.
In hindsight Ogier should have taken Loebs place when they had the chance. But everything is easier in hindsight.

To realise how similar the WRC cars really are, and how important the driver is, if we take away Ogier from the 2015 championship, this would have been the winners:

Monte: Latvala, VW
Sweden: Neuville, Hyundai
Mexico: Østberg, Citroën
Argentina: Meeke, Citroën
Portugal: Latvala, VW
Sardina: Paddon, Hyundai
Poland: Mikkelsen, VW
Finland: Latvala, VW
Germany: Latvala, VW
Australia: Latvala, VW
Corsica: Latvala, VW
Catalunya: Mikkelsen, VW
Wales: Meeke, Citroën

This both shows that with out Ogier, there would have been better chances for the other drivers and teams to win, and also how good a season Latvala really has had (but doesn't help when You are competing against a master).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Talking of Mon. Loeb... he's now won his first two stages on the Dakar 2016...

[gorganl2000]

Talking of Mon. Loeb... he's now won his first two stages on the Dakar 2016...

i realised, it seems there is nothing this guy can't drive. he's just a great competitor across a wide range of motorsports.
dakar is such a long and brutal race that anything can happen, but he's done quite well on his first outing against more experienced drivers.

imo, wrc could do with a few drivers of this calibre coming up in the ranks.... and maybe sooner rather than later

and i believe he would have been a real asset to citroen in developing the 2017 wrc car....there is no doubt in my mind that a guy with his driving and developmental knowledge is an asset to the planned C3 wrc programme. Even if they dont want him as a driver (in which he doesn't want to be a full time driver anyways) they should have considered a "consultancy" contract within the PSA group to allow his input......i do believe Kris is a valuable asset too, but loeb would have a lot to bring to the C3

as i see it, these past great drivers are sought after by these manufacturers for their input---vw/marcus/carlos,,, toyota/tommi

[makinen_fan]

[itix]

Ok Pug... now that you have Loeb under contract and he will win the Dakar for you, why not take him and that budget and come back to WRC? ... that'd be so awesome. A proper brand and driver battle in the WRC. Although I doubt they could put anything together before -18. Maybe Loeb can give the old 208 T16 a go like Ogier did when he joined KDF-wagen.

Sorry for silly daydreaming in an otherwise serious thread.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Wish there was better coverage of the Dakar... would be great to be able to properly watch Loeb smashing the experienced opposition...



All I've seen so far are some cars getting stuck in the mud and Sainz going thru a watersplash and losing his bonnet ..

[Mirek]

Can't speak for other countries but Dakar has pretty good coverage in CZ, a lot better than WRC. It's every day in main news both on TV and internet and the state TV has a daily review available also as online stream.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Seem to be growing Twitter rumours of Loeb entering WorldRX in a Peugeot ...

[EightGear]

Argentinian public TV has a YouTube page where they upload daily highlights of every category. Obviously in Spanish.


Edit: in the Netherlands it's quite strange but there's a lot of coverage. All privateer/gentlemen drivers pay money to the TV station to show them though, not very much attention to the overall classification. WRC? Absolutely nothing.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

All I can watch in the UK is Eurosport and they have more interviews than action... and only 1/4 of the action is of the Cars (rest is the Trucks, Quads & Bikes).