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21 Oct 2016, 21:29 (Ref:3681819) | #26 | ||
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That is exactly the problem, too fast through the corners, impressive 0-60 times, but ok on the longer straights. These car are way off road cars, there is no way you can identify your hot hatch to this. |
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21 Oct 2016, 21:34 (Ref:3681820) | #27 | ||
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The same could be said about the even wider cars, making them even more distant from a normal hot hatch. Or wheels that nearly hit the bonnet. I think most classes go over the top these days, even Porsche 911 GT 3's aren't competition enough if you look at WEC or GTE. |
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31 Oct 2016, 11:01 (Ref:3684251) | #28 | ||
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VW on the verge of pulling the plug on their WRC program? Perhaps just gossip...
http://www.autosport.com/news/report...-wrc-programme ...but an interesting snippet to read after the Audi announcement last week. Would they back out when they have already poured so much into development of a car for 2017? |
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31 Oct 2016, 11:56 (Ref:3684255) | #29 | |||
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__________________
Go woke, Go broke… Here’s hoping a random universe works out in your favour… The meaning of life… ENJOYING THE PASSAGE OF TIME! #CANCERSUCKS |
31 Oct 2016, 12:23 (Ref:3684262) | #30 | |
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Feels a bit late to stop the program now doesn't it? They started testing the outlines for the 2017 car over a year ago.
Even if VW have been hit hard by dieselgate, surely they would have foreseen the huge costs of it. |
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31 Oct 2016, 16:27 (Ref:3684316) | #31 | |||
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Interesting chat about it on last weeks Midweek Motorsport, and Hindy was also on TalkRadio's car show on Saturday; worth downloading. |
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1 Nov 2016, 00:13 (Ref:3684422) | #32 | |
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So after reading an article from autocar.uk.com and some tweets, VW is to quit WRC what it seems like. I feel a bit sad about it to be honest ...
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1 Nov 2016, 12:19 (Ref:3684500) | #33 | |
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1 Nov 2016, 12:27 (Ref:3684502) | #34 | |
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If true, this will be an absurd decision. I think Audi quitting the WEC made sense (though after 2017), but this would be just stupid. And for what - to watch them join that electric rally-cross series they are trying to start?
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1 Nov 2016, 12:31 (Ref:3684503) | #35 | ||
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Absolutely gutted to read that. I was really looking forward to seeing VW fend off the challenge of the returning marques next year, and we'd have had five manufacturers in play for the first time in an age.
Plus we'll never get to see the 2017 incarnation of the Polo WRCar! |
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1 Nov 2016, 13:17 (Ref:3684527) | #36 | ||
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Could a private team run the Polos? Or are they to be consigned to a warehouse in Hannover?
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1 Nov 2016, 13:39 (Ref:3684532) | #37 | ||
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So if VW are gone from WRC, Audi gone from WEC - is the Skoda rally programme safe? Or is that ok as that's customer cars rather than a 'works' effort?
It makes the driver market interesting too - Ogier, Latvala and Mikklesen all available . Do any of the teams with 'confirmed' lineups chop and change? Add another car? Or are we looking now to slot these drivers into the remaining unconfirmed seats? |
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1 Nov 2016, 14:18 (Ref:3684538) | #38 | |||
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Perhaps a mighty coincidence, but Ekstrom was showing Ogier around the EKS S1 a week or so ago, wasn't he? I wonder... |
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1 Nov 2016, 14:50 (Ref:3684551) | #39 | |
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I agree. Although the championship could be a bit more open next season now, what a waste after going through the effort of building the car. It would have been more respectful to see it through even with reduced backing
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He who dares wins! He who hesitates is lost! |
1 Nov 2016, 15:15 (Ref:3684562) | #40 | |
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I was not really surprised by Audi pulling out of WEC but this one I didn't see coming.
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1 Nov 2016, 15:25 (Ref:3684563) | #41 | ||
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1 Nov 2016, 15:53 (Ref:3684572) | #42 | ||
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I did see it coming, because it has cost a massive amount of money! Obviously prompted by the dieselgate issue but it was domination with little competition and they are getting little airtime or media time from it.
It has little impact on them selling cars, as VW are a massively established brand with a clear clientele, never really understood them coming in, in the first place, other than them losing the Dakar program. That budget was seemingly just diverted to WRC and increased. The drivers I would think will end up in rallycross or there might be some interesting decisions at teams like Ford, problem might be can rallycross teams afford them? |
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1 Nov 2016, 16:02 (Ref:3684575) | #43 | |||
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As for the Rallycross teams - I wouldn't have thought any of them would have the budget. |
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1 Nov 2016, 16:33 (Ref:3684585) | #44 | |
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Funny thing, got some numbers from EKS but forgot to post it. Heard about a month ago that Heikkinen had to pay 12 million SEK for a drive at EKS, which converts into around 1 090 000 British pounds.
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1 Nov 2016, 19:35 (Ref:3684614) | #45 | |
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That's a lot of money for a few small Laakkonen and Schonox logos on the the car.
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2 Nov 2016, 12:51 (Ref:3684737) | #46 | ||
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And there it is:
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/octob...6--12-12-.html They've gone. But apparently they will develop an R5 version of the Polo for customer sales. |
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2 Nov 2016, 14:41 (Ref:3684769) | #47 | |
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A sad and stupid decision, with no financial basis. I don't think I'll be buying a VW or an Audi anytime soon. This is just an insult to all fans.
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2 Nov 2016, 14:55 (Ref:3684774) | #48 | ||
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No it's not, that's crybaby talk!
They are going to lose potentially billions in the nest few years, what do you expect? Oh ok we will continue to fund a program that costs tens of millions a year, one that we have nothing to prove in that we have utterly dominated for three years. While probably paying off hundreds of workers and paying out billions in compensation! Get in to the real world chap, sorry. |
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2 Nov 2016, 15:44 (Ref:3684792) | #49 | ||
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 363
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Quote:
No, it's not cry baby talk, though I'm disappointed. And I have the right to be disappointed, and the right to choose what car I buy. Subaru is still using the WRC in their commercials, even though it's been ages. If you look into the numbers, they aren't saving that much by quitting. They are still keeping and paying for all their staff, much like Audi Sport. Money for the fines and litigation was set aside already last year, and profitability at VW is going up this year. VW Group Sales are doing well too. This is a STUPID, misguided move that has to do with "image", not finances. I bet it's because they want to enter that supporting electric Rally Cross series that is envisioned. STUPID. VW still had a lot to prove with the new WRC cars. Everyone couldn't wait to see how it goes next year, the car was even ready, for Gods's sake! |
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2 Nov 2016, 18:43 (Ref:3684825) | #50 | ||
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This opens a lot the 2017 drivers market with 3 cars per team. Hyundai, Citroen, Ford and Toyota will be more than happy to get Ogier, Latvala or Mikkelsen.
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