2016 Global Rallycross

[NaBUru38]

No schedule announcement so far.

Ken Block won't race full-time in Global Rallycross.

There were rumours of Bryan Herta switching to Honda.

[NaBUru38]

2016 Global Rallycross schedule

May 21-22: Phoenix
June 4: Dallas
June 18-19: Daytona Beach
July 2-3: The Base
July 30: Washington DC
August 28: to be announced
September 17: Seattle
October 8-9: Los Angeles

X Games Austin has been removed. Same with SEMA Show Las Vegas.

Also, Michelin's BFGoodrich became the exclusive tyre supplier.

- o -

It's believed that OMSE will switch to Honda.

[rx-guru]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

It's believed that OMSE will switch to Honda.

Oh, really?

[NaBUru38]

That's what they said in the FIA RX forum.

[NaBUru38]

http://www.redbullglobalrallycross.c...nbcsn-in-2016/

NBC will broadcast live coverage of all 2016 GRC Supercar races.

NBCSN will telecast encore presentations of Supercar races and (non-live) coverage of all GRC Lites races.

"Encore" means race re-runs or a highlights / magazine show?

[The Eye]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

That's what they said in the FIA RX forum.

Do you have a link to this forum?

[GHOGH]

Dave Mirra dead at 41.
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/02/04/d...a-dead-report/

[FIRE]

r.i.p.

[rx-guru]

Originally Posted by The Eye

Do you have a link to this forum?

I bet he means this: http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...144744&page=14

[NaBUru38]

The Phoenix race will be held at Wild Horse Pass, which hosts NHRA and LOORS.

[tbtstt]

Block's GRC Fiesta now up for sale:

http://www.motorsportauctions.com/ca...-WRC-HFHV.html

Does this completely rule out any US rallycross appearances from Block in 2016?

[tbtstt]

Forgive the double post, but I've just thought my above post through and I believe the "HFHV" Fiesta (the car for sale) was only used for gymkhana demos and rally last year, where as the "RX43" (the most recently built M-Sport Fiesta) was the one Block used for the GRC in 2015.

With that in mind I'm wondering if the "RX43" will be shipped over to Europe for use in the World RX, of if that car will stay in the US and Block will use another Fiesta for the World Championship?

If the "RX43" stays in the US, then perhaps a GRC appearance (or two) from Block is still a possibility?

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Forgive the double post, but I've just thought my above post through and I believe the "HFHV" Fiesta (the car for sale) was only used for gymkhana demos and rally last year,

So what spec is that built to? Which championships is it legal for? Is it useful or is it a white elephant?

Originally Posted by tbtstt

the "RX43" (the most recently built M-Sport Fiesta) was the one Block used for the GRC in 2015.

With that in mind I'm wondering if the "RX43" will be shipped over to Europe for use in the World RX, of if that car will stay in the US and Block will use another Fiesta for the World Championship?

If the "RX43" stays in the US, then perhaps a GRC appearance (or two) from Block is still a possibility?

I'd guess that there will be 2 new builds for World Rallycross - if Ford are pumping in the cash then that is more likely to mean new builds and you'd want both cars in the team built to the same spec. So there will be at least 1 more likely 2 new build cars ready for WRX. The existing car could be left in the US for Block to use in the GRC and/or for another driver to use in GRC if and when Block isn't using it (simple enough to throw another vinyl wrap over the top for alternate liveries).

[rx-guru]

Are Block and Bakkerud really coming with Fiestas?

[crossfades]

Originally Posted by rx-guru

Are Block and Bakkerud really coming with Fiestas?

Yes, no Focus

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by rx-guru

Are Block and Bakkerud really coming with Fiestas?

Fiestas are the obvious choice - presumably M-Sport built, paid for by Ford. Have you heard different? I'm intrigued by that comment, do you know something we don't?

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

So what spec is that built to? Which championships is it legal for? Is it useful or is it a white elephant?

The HFHV has been used for rallies in the US and New Zealand. I'm not sure what class it ran in for New Zealand, but in Rally America it ran as an "Open" class car. I'm really can't think of an equivalent car class it would fit into over here in Europe without an engine transplant or some serious reworking, given it's WRC based and a bit of mish-mash of parts under the skin.

It was eligible for the GRC but, given how much it's been chopped up, I wonder if it would make the cut for World Rallycross specification? Perhaps that's something that could be resolved, but it's not exactly a cheap car as it is now.

In unrestricted gymkhana spec it would be good for Gymkhana Grid, Fueltopia Barrel Sprint and maybe some other sprint series... but it's a lot of money for a sprint car!

I have a better idea: as it can be configured to be a rally car, that means it must be capable of being road legal. So if you have it in road legal configuration with the rallycross engine specification then voila, you have yourself a road legal rallycross car. Just needs a new paint job and it's pretty much the ultimate road toy. Just need £250,000 and I'll be able to live the dream...

Originally Posted by rx-guru

Are Block and Bakkerud really coming with Fiestas?

The Focus rumour still seems to be a strong one. I can see how using pair of Foci (what is the plural for Focus?) would make sense from a marketing point of view, but given how much knowledge M-Sport have of the Fiesta I wonder how keen they'd be to switch to the Focus..

...or do you already know something Guru?

[rx-guru]

Originally Posted by crossfades

Yes, no Focus

Where does this info come from?

[crossfades]

Don't have my computer with me right now but I remember an article that said that M-sport will prepare Fiestas for Block's team. I will try to find the article later and post it.

[crossfades]

Here it is! Good article and worth a read.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122464/

[rx-guru]

Originally Posted by crossfades

Here it is! Good article and worth a read.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122464/

Isn't that article based on Block's own PR when he announced his WRX plans? Doesn't convince me! Maybe people write what they expect he (and Bakkerud) will drive. Seem to remember that Block himself has just claimed that Ford will get his team very good cars, but not mentioned them to be Fiestas. However, time will tell.

[crossfades]

Originally Posted by rx-guru

Isn't that article based on Block's own PR when he announced his WRX plans? Doesn't convince me! Maybe people write what they expect he (and Bakkerud) will drive. Seem to remember that Block himself has just claimed that Ford will get his team very good cars, but not mentioned them to be Fiestas. However, time will tell.

I thought so to but in the article it says that Block told this info to Autosport directly. Some of the things in the article is not among the things told in his press release also so I believe it makes it more authentic.

Personally I am guessing for Fiestas because it feels more likely and it is mentioned in this article (besides the Focus is a bit ugly according to me), but as you say we will see in time.

[The Eye]

Another article that writes it's Fiestas M-Sport will build for Block/Bakkerud.

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/01/23/k...-championship/

[Distracted]

Scott Speed is now being sponsored by Rockstar. Wondering if we'll see him in WRC at some point now!

[rx-guru]

Originally Posted by Distracted

Scott Speed is now being sponsored by Rockstar. Wondering if we'll see him in WRC at some point now!

WRC?