[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

[able1]

Qassimi has a role to play in wrc , he is the "average joe " a benchmark of sorts. Makes Neuville Ogier and Tanak skill more visible.

[T16]

I've seen plenty of rally cars last 30+ years. I can assure You the car doesn't drive itself, it's the driver who makes the difference, no matter what class it's in.

So, have you seen both the new WRC cars and R5 live on a stage?... you didn’t make your answer that clear.

Sorry, but for me I just much prefer the top cars. Even with someone like Al-Qassimmi driving it.

I like the old, normally aspirated stuff... anything that makes a noise.

[T16]

I was going to ask the same of you to be honest. Are you mainly just spectating on straights or hairpins? I've seen Al-Qassimi on Rally GB last year and Rally Finland this year. On GB he appeared a bit 'meh', with the stop start nature you still get something out of the acceleration of the car, but in Finland he looked particularly uninteresting compared to many of the R5s, it was very apparent that he was just cruising with very little commitment being shown.

Not at all, I spend a lot of time researching lfor high speed corners before I go.
Don’t mind a straight, as long as it has a fast corner just at the end (which I can see).
I hate hairpins and I detest doghnuts!

[AnttiL]

I like the old, normally aspirated stuff... anything that makes a noise.

Then you need to come to Finland to see Ilmo Lario's BMW M3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5bsB9c-OAY

I have also seen WRC2017 and R5 as well as a variety of older factory cars live on stage and I think R5 stands well in spectacularity. Much better than Group N as a support series.

But one thing about the privateers annoys me is that competition-wise, they are in no man's land. There's usually only one privateer driving their own pace with no competition to the works cars. Maybe they would be more competitive in an R5? This was the case of Henning Solberg this year. Even in Østberg's Fiesta WRC, he couldn't beat the WRC2 top drivers, but in Turkey he was the best-positioned (maybe not fastest) R5.

EDIT: in terms of noise, the 208 T16 R5 is probably the best of its class, but competition-wise it's among the worst.

[Tarmop]

Do you mind me asking - the guys that replied to me above (Barrels / StefanVV / Tarmop / Allez Andruet) - have you all seen both 2017/18 WRC cars and R5 live on a stage?

All from the current spec. Fiesta WRC several times. And they are all quiet cars when driven with no angst.

[tomhlord]

After two days (Monday-Tuesday) with Teemu Suninen, it's now over for M-Sport test days #MonteCarlo2019 during this week ► http://bit.ly/2EqWmfh

A shame to see only one driver testing for M-Sport.

[AnttiL]

A shame to see only one driver testing for M-Sport.

I don't think they have more contracted drivers at the moment

[tomhlord]

I don't think they have more contracted drivers at the moment

Sigh - such a shame

[racerx1979]

We have not seen Mikkelsen or Paddon testing either obviously. I think Mikkelsen to MSport should be a no brainier for Malcolm. He can do well if the car is set up for him.

**edit** I stand corrected.. Mikkelsen did in fact test. Thanks guys!

[Lead]

We have not seen Mikkelsen or Paddon testing either obviously. I think Mikkelsen to MSport should be a no brainier for Malcolm. He can do well if the car is set up for him.

Mikkelsen tested for Monte.