Lada WTCC

[stedevil]

Sorry, it's not the Tsar that was assassinated, but the Governor.

[Bramzel]

Are we discussing politics or motorsports here?

[Valenok]

Originally Posted by stedevil

Which includes not building decent tracks to race on in Russia. We are saying the same thing, no?

But in the end russians will have their own tracks - there are too much money in Russia to avoid this way to spend it. I've heard about several real projects, which claim dates about near few years

Originally Posted by stedevil

And until 1809 it was a Swedish province since almost medieval times. Since the Finns "love" of the Swedish is almost as big as the one they have for Russians, I think it's safe to assume they didn't think they belonged to neither of the ruling countries. Also a national treasure in Finland is the bloodstanined shirt of a Russian Tsar assassinated in Helsinki. Maybe that explains why Russians don't think of Finns as compatriots?

Russian governors were assassinated all over the country - it's not a reason. Finland was russian province about one century - too little to make it real russian. Karelian isthmus was russian territory since 1709 - it's diffierent thing's

Originally Posted by stedevil

Ethnic Russian or Ethnic Karelian?

As far as I know, this region was settled anew by russians after WW2. Karelian territory lay easter than Vyborg.

[Valenok]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

Are we discussing politics or motorsports here?

Excuses, I just want to say, that russian drivers and russian cars - two different things.

[JMeissner]

No more political stuff guys Keep it to Lada/WTCC.

[stedevil]

Originally Posted by Valenok

I've heard about several real projects, which claim dates about near few years

Great to hear. I'm sure we will see a lot more Russian drivers of international standards in 10-15 years because of it, eg in WTCC.

[OJB]

Although it is a large country, there are a few decent Russian drivers out there. Vitaly Petrov, Mikhail Aleshin, Danill Move are all doing fine in GP2 and WSR at the moment.

They've had some ok sportscar drivers recently too, as there seemed to be an influx of them not long ago, although they seemed to have disappeared again. Timur Sadredinov didn't look awful when he drove the GR Asia Leon at Oschersleben last year.

[steve nielsen]

some footage from the test with the Lada at Zandvoort:

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...c&search_type=

[Craner Curves]

I love it! I can see this car being a bit of a cult hero out there.

[Mike_Wooshy]

yer I can see it similar to the way the MG's where recived. The underdog so to speak.

[Bernard Bram]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

Are we discussing politics or motorsports here?

Isn't it the same in WTCC?

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Bernard Bram

Isn't it the same in WTCC?

[stedevil]

Hehe indeed

[Testdriver]

well guys...I'm from Russia(sorry for my english)...and its a big BIG big shame for me and fow Russians this "Lada WTCC"...its a a crazy attempt for people who have a lot of money, but dont know how spend it....this team will be in derision again...

[Chris Y]

So Testdriver, how would you spend their money, given the chance?

Seriously, I'm interested in hearing of the alternatives for a Russian squad to race with (ideally) a Russian car..

[werner]

Another test, now for Jaap van Lagen at Zandvoort, according to www.autosport.nl. He was positive, thought their pace was reasonable, and with quite some opportunities to improve.
The article also said that Lada will be at the official WTCC-tests in Oschersleben. Both van Lagen and Shapovalov will be driving in the car.
Van Lagen's ambition was to be in the top-3 in the independentscategorie in the end of the year.

[Dani Filth]

Originally Posted by Chris Y

So Testdriver, how would you spend their money, given the chance?

Seriously, I'm interested in hearing of the alternatives for a Russian squad to race with (ideally) a Russian car..

we have a rider in 125cc MotoGP and the performance isn't that great .. but many people have a similar attitude as our new russian member .. as if he races for the honour of the country and not for his personal pleasure

[Chris Y]

Even if the team doesn't do all that well, I sincerely hope that the people of Russia do not take it as some sort of failure on the part of their country - it's just an independent team, not the whole country's combined effort.

If they were serious about doing well, challenging for the wins, etc., perhaps they would have bought an ex-winner's BMW or similar, but I am glad that they're bringing something new to the championship - otherwise the WTCC is in danger of becoming like the DTM with only 2 or 3 manufacturers.

[SGarage]

Originally Posted by Testdriver

well guys...I'm from Russia(sorry for my english)...and its a big BIG big shame for me and fow Russians this "Lada WTCC"...its a a crazy attempt for people who have a lot of money, but dont know how spend it....this team will be in derision again...

It may feels a shame for you, but don't speak for all russians. To develop a race car you need a knowledge and experience, and that's what russian racing teams don't have. Where else you can achieve the maximum possible result? So attempt that Russian Bears is doing by develoing and entering such high level of competition will bring to the team much more experience than doing the same localy.

[Dead-Eye]

Originally Posted by Chris Y

If they were serious about doing well, challenging for the wins, etc., perhaps they would have bought an ex-winner's BMW or similar, but I am glad that they're bringing something new to the championship - otherwise the WTCC is in danger of becoming like the DTM with only 2 or 3 manufacturers.

Exactly. The more diversity the better. Besides, people are talking about the project. Noone would talk about the 47th BMW
That could even prove to be a good move to attract sponsors.

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by werner

Another test, now for Jaap van Lagen at Zandvoort, according to www.autosport.nl. He was positive, thought their pace was reasonable, and with quite some opportunities to improve.
The article also said that Lada will be at the official WTCC-tests in Oschersleben. Both van Lagen and Shapovalov will be driving in the car.
Van Lagen's ambition was to be in the top-3 in the independentscategorie in the end of the year.

Same info here, but in English http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=2235

[FIRE]

Russian Bears should develop a S2000 version of this LADA:

Lada has unveiled an all-new model, the 2116, due to be launched this year in Russia and in Europe by 2010.

Lada_2116_2 Codenamed “silhouette”, the 2116 is a saloon developed in collaboration with Porsche. Compared to the other models built by the Russian carmaker, the new 2116 is a huge step forward. The cars looks tame but features modern lines.

The 2116 is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine [from Renault]. A diesel and hybrid-powered models will be launched later.

More pics on Petrol-Head

The car looks a bit like the Lacetti. It looks not bad and is a big improvement compared to their current cars.

Will be launched this year in Russia. Why is Russian Bears using the old LADA 110 instead of this more modern car?

[Dani Filth]

because it was already built ? ..
don't think Russian Bears have the facilities to build an S2000 car from scratch ..

[stedevil]

Indeed, let alone from a yet to be released car model...
That would pretty much require a factory team.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Russian Bears should develop a S2000 version of this LADA:





More pics on Petrol-Head

The car looks a bit like the Lacetti. It looks not bad and is a big improvement compared to their current cars.

Will be launched this year in Russia. Why is Russian Bears using the old LADA 110 instead of this more modern car?

Hot **** that's one ugly car, haha.