2015 World Rally Championship - Page 6

Mekola · 22 Jun 2015, 00:09 (Ref:3552854)

But at least, WRC has brief highlights of their races in some TV news channels, like Euronews, in the Sports sections.

kurski · 26 Jun 2015, 19:36 (Ref:3554130)

Toyota Motorsport activities will be treated Puuppola village of hand - Tommi Mäkinen Racing Oy Ltd, near the big contract with Japanese brand. If all goes according to plan Mäkinen, he must assume the historic large project. Never before has from Finland have been treated any one big motorsport project.

**FIRE** · 26 Jun 2015, 20:13 (Ref:3554134)

Makinen running the WRC team? Or what's this about?

kurski · 26 Jun 2015, 20:38 (Ref:3554140)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Makinen running the WRC team? Or what's this about?

Maybe it would be a bit similar to the co-operation as Ford is M-Sport.

http://www.tommimakinen.net/company.htm

Alex Langheck · 26 Jun 2015, 20:44 (Ref:3554142)

Hmm, interesting..... Not sure if that is good news or not.

**BertMk2** · 2 Jul 2015, 11:02 (Ref:3555359)

Rally Poland this weekend - Meeke has already rolled it (on the shakedown

). At the moment no news on whether it's repairable or not. Kubica obviously the big draw for the crowds - so how long until he bins it too?

tbtstt · 2 Jul 2015, 13:36 (Ref:3555378)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Rally Poland this weekend - Meeke has already rolled it (on the shakedown

). At the moment no news on whether it's repairable or not.

Really not a good start. I didn't actually think the crash looked that severe in the video, but the article on WRC.com...

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/july/...7--12-12-.html

...states that he rolled seven times! He should make the start though, which is great news.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Kubica obviously the big draw for the crowds - so how long until he bins it too?

You cynic... (I reckon by SS3

)

NaBUru38 · 2 Jul 2015, 15:11 (Ref:3555399)

According to Autosport, Citroën will drop either the WRC or WTCC program for 2017.

They want to race in China, which is their first market. WTCC does, WRC does not, so...

Alex Langheck · 2 Jul 2015, 19:34 (Ref:3555445)

Well, you have to ask which are they more likely to win?? Simple, the WTCC - they have no competition, and no VW Group rival.

Mekola · 3 Jul 2015, 01:27 (Ref:3555516)

And they will include Formula E programme from the end of this year. It seems they can't keep three programmes... I think WTCC is suitable to remain.

BudLightJaguar · 3 Jul 2015, 08:40 (Ref:3555561)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Makinen running the WRC team? Or what's this about?

Well...let's cut the crap and remove blue and white glasses. Mäkinen himself was interviewed yesterday at local evening paper and his answer in English was quite close to "What is this? I don't even...."

tbtstt · 3 Jul 2015, 12:05 (Ref:3555596)

Tanak seems to be on a push today (or perhaps the rest of the field are holding back): stage wins in SS3, SS4 and SS5.

tbtstt · 10 Jul 2015, 11:14 (Ref:3557273)

Citroen make noises about the return of Loeb...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/119916

...not sure on how likely it is to happen, but its the Championship fight we all (or at least I!) would like to see.

**BertMk2** · 10 Jul 2015, 14:38 (Ref:3557314)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Citroen make noises about the return of Loeb...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/119916

...not sure on how likely it is to happen, but its the Championship fight we all (or at least I!) would like to see.

Citroen are dropping either WTCC or WRC for 2016 aren't they? The article talks about Loeb doing a partial WRC season - which makes no sense either - why would he do that? Surely he's better off committing to one series full time and then doing the occasional 'other' events (so Dakar and the Monte Carlo WRC round alongside a full WTCC campaign for example). But if Citroen bin the WRC program the discussion becomes redundant unless Citroen have a 'not a works team' run a car for Loeb like they did with the Xsara.

chunder · 10 Jul 2015, 15:29 (Ref:3557333)

I can't really see them staying in WRC, they have been there, done that and done what they are doing in WTCC, ruining a series by spending more than anyone else, only to lose ther top man as he had no competition, sign two guys that either crash or are not quick enough and start getting itchy feet. They seem to playing at it really, and the budget is clearly far bigger now in WTCC

I do not blame them, VW are doing their job very well, spending a bunch, dominating, just like they did, sour grapes really.

Loeb for me looks bored in WTCC, and why not, there is only competition from his team-mates, he has transferred from one dull series where he dominated to another where he his two rivals.

Dakar for me, and maybe time to leave Citroen, something in my opinion he should have done many years ago and made himself unquestionably the best rally driver ever. For me he though he is the best of the modern era, staying in one car just means he is marked down a little for me.

**FIRE** · 10 Jul 2015, 15:36 (Ref:3557337)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunder

I can't really see them staying in WRC, they have been there, done that and done what they are doing in WTCC, ruining a series by spending more than anyone else, only to lose ther top man as he had no competition, sign two guys that either crash or are not quick enough and start getting itchy feet. They seem to playing at it really, and the budget is clearly far bigger now in WTCC

I do not blame them, VW are doing their job very well, spending a bunch, dominating, just like they did, sour grapes really.

Loeb for me looks bored in WTCC, and why not, there is only competition from his team-mates, he has transferred from one dull series where he dominated to another where he his two rivals.

Dakar for me, and maybe time to leave Citroen, something in my opinion he should have done many years ago and made himself unquestionably the best rally driver ever. For me he though he is the best of the modern era, staying in one car just means he is marked down a little for me.

WRX + Dakar is no option for Loeb?

crossfades · 10 Jul 2015, 16:05 (Ref:3557345)

Loeb tested a M-Sport Ford before (don't remember where I read it though) but decided to stay with Citroen, maybe he has his heart there.

Østberg and Meeke has not really challenged the Polos so I can see why they would like Loeb back. I'm not sure but was it not after 2016 they would decide between WTCC and WRC?

NaBUru38 · 10 Jul 2015, 19:18 (Ref:3557386)

Loeb should do rallycross, that suits his style.

(Actually he crushed his rivals at the X Games, so perhaps the promoters aren't too interested in him.)

**BertMk2** · 10 Jul 2015, 19:51 (Ref:3557396)

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossfades

Loeb tested a M-Sport Ford before (don't remember where I read it though) but decided to stay with Citroen, maybe he has his heart there.

I believe Loeb is a 'brand ambassador' for Citroen now so he's unlikely to go elsewhere (other than the odd Peugeot outing - but same parent company)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Loeb should do rallycross, that suits his style.

(Actually he crushed his rivals at the X Games, so perhaps the promoters aren't too interested in him.)

Getting Loeb into WRX full time would be great for the promoters - Loeb vs Solberg? Easily marketable!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

WRX + Dakar is no option for Loeb?

Could be a good option - WRX in a Citroen, Dakar in a Peugeot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunder

I can't really see them staying in WRC, they have been there, done that and done what they are doing in WTCC, ruining a series by spending more than anyone else, only to lose ther top man as he had no competition, sign two guys that either crash or are not quick enough and start getting itchy feet. They seem to playing at it really, and the budget is clearly far bigger now in WTCC

I do not blame them, VW are doing their job very well, spending a bunch, dominating, just like they did, sour grapes really.

Loeb for me looks bored in WTCC, and why not, there is only competition from his team-mates, he has transferred from one dull series where he dominated to another where he his two rivals.

Dakar for me, and maybe time to leave Citroen, something in my opinion he should have done many years ago and made himself unquestionably the best rally driver ever. For me he though he is the best of the modern era, staying in one car just means he is marked down a little for me.

I mostly agree with this - Citroen came into the WRC and outspent everyone else (moreso after Peugeot left) - that pretty much killed the competition off, only Gronholm managed to keep it interesting. The Citroen WTCC effort really is overkill - the margin they have there is bordering on taking the ****. Best car, best drivers - no competition.

Loeb is wasted in the WTCC - his skill would be better used elsewhere - WRC, WRX or Dakar - any of those would be better. I suspect though a full time return to the WRC isn't on the cards - he has nothing to prove and nothing to gain.

Alex Langheck · 10 Jul 2015, 20:01 (Ref:3557398)

Loeb has shown great loyalty to Citroen, and vice versa. However, I think he should have moved to VW when he was offered the chance. Just look at the VW Group motorsport; he could have done WRC, then some GT, DTM, and maybe even WEC. Instead he has ended up in the WTCC, which is a 'dead duck' series; and I'm not convinced he actually is happy there.

tux · 10 Jul 2015, 20:55 (Ref:3557407)

Maybe im just getting old but this concept for the 2017 cars looks awful at best. http://www.fia.com/news/2017-world-rally-car

NaBUru38 · 11 Jul 2015, 20:21 (Ref:3557602)

As a proud Super TC2000 fan, I support fatter bodykits, but not silhouettes like that render.

However, to make cars more spectacular to watch, they must slide more. Bigger wings and electronic diffs will conspire against that.

tbtstt · 13 Jul 2015, 13:43 (Ref:3558197)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tux

Maybe im just getting old but this concept for the 2017 cars looks awful at best. http://www.fia.com/news/2017-world-rally-car

That concept sketch is truly awful, someone at the FIA needs a slap for that! The idea of more power and a wider track for the cars sounds brilliant to me, then they represent it with that awful drawing! I have seen a concept on Facebook of the current cars with the new rules applied and they are pretty encouraging:

The only thing I'm not so sure about is the return of electronic diffs, the current generation of cars look far more skittish than the last of the 2.0L cars and I'm afraid electronic diffs will remove that.

cg7aa · 17 Jul 2015, 13:52 (Ref:3559175)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbtstt

That concept sketch is truly awful, someone at the FIA needs a slap for that!

Just the one slap? Several slaps more like, it looks shoddy; first impressions and all that.

Anyway, going back to Poland, does anyone know the cause of Meeke's bizarre shakedown crash? Talk about being taken by complete surprise, it was like he had driven over a mine.

Did anyone in UK watch the Motors TV daily highlights? It seems they've given up on editing for language! I guess given the time the program goes out, it doesn't matter. The amount of swearing had me in stitches; the boys can swear when they are having a bad day in the car.

It was nice to see the revised Fiesta and Tanak/Molder find some form at last. Quite encouraging. Paddon also built on his Sardinia form but what happened to the French cars? Both Meeke and Ostberg was nowhere to be seen; I presume they were down on top speed and if so, are the engines down on power due to lack of development?

Finally, what was the deal with the 'no service stops' on day 1? I don't quite understand that one given how the tyres were turning into chewing gum on some of the cars. Note particularly safe is it?

cg7aa · 17 Jul 2015, 14:00 (Ref:3559178)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cg7aa

but what happened to the French cars? Both Meeke and Ostberg was nowhere to be seen; I presume they were down on top speed and if so, are the engines down on power due to lack of development?

Oops, someone took their eye off the ball then.

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/july/...5--12-12-.html

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