2012 World Rally Championship - Page 3

rich_cooper · 25 Nov 2011, 11:32 (Ref:2991197)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbtstt

EDIT: Just done a bit of Googling and there have been some comments made in the last few days indicating that Block will be driving in the WRC in 2012, but on a more limited schedule than 2011, seems his focus is going to be switched back toward the US again.

Yes as i understand Monster wont to put a big push into the GRC next year, Remember that the GRC is going global in 2013.

I for one want to See Block back in the WRC, yes he might not be the quickest but he brings character to the championship. And the WRC needs that, and lets face it, he isnt that slow!

rich_cooper · 25 Nov 2011, 11:33 (Ref:2991198)

Will Seb 2.0 be driving the Skoda S2000 in the WRC next year then ?

tbtstt · 25 Nov 2011, 12:57 (Ref:2991222)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich_cooper

Yes as i understand Monster wont to put a big push into the GRC next year, Remember that the GRC is going global in 2013.

Yeah, be interested to see how this Global X-Games/GRC thing pans out in 2013. I think rallycross will better suit Block, need him to bring his new toy to Lydden for testing next year really...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich_cooper

I for one want to See Block back in the WRC, yes he might not be the quickest but he brings character to the championship. And the WRC needs that, and lets face it, he isnt that slow!

Yeah, I agree he's a personality and he has unquestionably bought more attention to the WRC. Its just his own PR machine that seems to rub a lot of the long term rally fans up the wrong way!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich_cooper

Will Seb 2.0 be driving the Skoda S2000 in the WRC next year then ?

That seems to be the suggestion, but I haven't seen anything official saying that yet? Just that he will be "helping with development" next year.

I assumed (perhaps wrongly) that we'd see the Polo R WRC making select appearances throughout the year the same way the MINI has this year?

chunder · 25 Nov 2011, 13:01 (Ref:2991223)

I dont think Block would be so much of a problem if he was getting good results. Bit like Raikkonen really, though it seems people were beginning to warm to Kimi a little. But his results where not that good, though arguably better than Block who has far more rally experience.

I can understand purists getting sniffy with Block, but you cant argue that his profile online is huge, and he is brining in sponsors and new fans to rallying.

Whether they want to watch it is unknown, as Gymkhana and stunts are a little different to WRC!

vyselegend · 25 Nov 2011, 13:15 (Ref:2991227)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich_cooper

Will Seb 2.0 be driving the Skoda S2000 in the WRC next year then ?

In this autohebdo news (french), Ogier is quoted saying:

"We have a big load of work ahead, there should be 20 weeks of testing, and I should do every rounds in a Skoda Fabia S2000."

I guess that's one of the gifts they had to concede to get his signing. No racing driver loves to miss a year of racing and that was the weak point in their offer initially.

He also say he doesn't exclude the possibility of racing the Polo R in the late season if they feel they're ready enough.

JorritVD · 25 Nov 2011, 21:18 (Ref:2991376)

http://twitter.com/#!/KevinAbbring

Kevin Abbring:
Dear fans! @ Citroen Racing tonight. Tomorrow one day test with Sebastien Ogier's GB WRC car on gravel!! Thanks for the opportunaty! :-D :-D

vyselegend · 28 Nov 2011, 10:22 (Ref:2992345)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JorritVD

http://twitter.com/#!/KevinAbbring

Kevin Abbring:
Dear fans! @ Citroen Racing tonight. Tomorrow one day test with Sebastien Ogier's GB WRC car on gravel!! Thanks for the opportunaty! :-D :-D

I wonder if this means Citroen is reloading its Junior team. Any hints if other drivers were tested?

As a side note, here's a link to the (seemingly deserted) video subforum where I posted the Rally du Var highlights, where Latvala clinched his first victory on asphalt. Worth watching.

rich_cooper · 28 Nov 2011, 11:23 (Ref:2992375)

Kevin Abbring is one of the best young drivers out there, hope he can get a wrc seat with someone.

Still no word from Ford, Its not looking good!

rich_cooper · 29 Nov 2011, 15:09 (Ref:2992988)

Mads Ostberg will be in the WRC 2012, the money is in place but what car is still unkown. They are still waiting on Ford to say what they are doing. BUT Mads has also tested a Mini WRC in Norway

wolfhound · 29 Nov 2011, 18:07 (Ref:2993066)

I see Convers Sports has gone into administration, what effect is this going to have on next years championship?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96585

kober · 2 Dec 2011, 18:39 (Ref:2994510)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfhound

I see Convers Sports has gone into administration, what effect is this going to have on next years championship?

Negligible, because North One Sport is a stand-alone subsidiary and is not in administration.

rich_cooper · 4 Dec 2011, 10:40 (Ref:2995009)

Motorsport Italia will run 2 JCW Mini WRC cars in the 2012 championship. Armindo Araujo and Paulo Nobre will drive them.

Also reports that Daniel Oliveira will drive a Fiesta insted of a Mini

**FIRE** · 4 Dec 2011, 13:00 (Ref:2995050)

Motorsport Italia is the former Ralliart Italia?

rich_cooper · 4 Dec 2011, 15:12 (Ref:2995088)

yes it is

vyselegend · 15 Dec 2011, 13:54 (Ref:3000216)

Better late than never:

Ford to remain in World Rally Championship until at least 2013 (Autosport)

And
Petter Solberg joins Ford for 2012 World Rally Championship (Autosport)

I'm relieved. Petter joining Ford was sounding obvious, but only if Ford were confirming their presence first. Now that's a strong line-up for them too!

IMO Mini has the weakest driver crew at the moment (although they're no slouch either), but neither Ford nor Citroen did lose anything in all this drivers swaps. Shame WV isn't ready for 2012, because it going to be a titanic fight when they come!

In other news, seems Montecarlo training lead to lots of spins and minors accidents, despite no snow. Latvala is reported to have crashed a Fiesta but is ok.

**BertMk2** · 15 Dec 2011, 14:16 (Ref:3000226)

That's good news

it was looking dodgy for a while with Ford seemingly undecided. They needed to grab an experienced driver too - Solberg fits the bill nicely. Hopefully Ford will be competitive and we'll see Solberg pushing for wins.

mountainstar · 15 Dec 2011, 14:37 (Ref:3000234)

I've been impressed how Solberg has hung in there since Subaru wound up.

But Ford's now got 2 emotional guys that are erratic, so it should be interesting to see how that one goes.

Also mentioning Subaru reminded me the new 2014 WRX/STI is supposedly being built as a short boxy vehicle to the same dimensions as a current WRC car. And in addition will have a 1.6 liter turbo engine. So who knows Subaru could be back soon.

**BertMk2** · 15 Dec 2011, 16:01 (Ref:3000284)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainstar

I've been impressed how Solberg has hung in there since Subaru wound up.

I'd agree with that, it would have been easy to just call it a day but he stuck at it with the Xsara then the C4 and has done well. The move to Ford has to be a good one though as even with the best will in the world beating the Works Citroens in a privateer Citroen wasn't going to happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainstar

But Ford's now got 2 emotional guys that are erratic, so it should be interesting to see how that one goes.

Two drivers that go all out for the win - Ford could have some big repair bills coming up but it'll be exciting to watch.

tbtstt · 15 Dec 2011, 16:29 (Ref:3000300)

Great news that Ford have confirmed and brilliant news that Solberg is back with a works drive. (Guess himself and Ford buried the hatchet there?)

Certainly shaping up to be a good season in 2012.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainstar

Also mentioning Subaru reminded me the new 2014 WRX/STI is supposedly being built as a short boxy vehicle to the same dimensions as a current WRC car. And in addition will have a 1.6 liter turbo engine. So who knows Subaru could be back soon.

I'm glad this has been mentioned. Yeah, the forthcoming "small" standalone WRX/WRX STI does seem like it would drop nicely into the current WRC regulations quite nicely. I thought the engine would still be an issue for Subaru though as I was sure the new regulations didn't allow for flat engines?...

(...or have I got that completely wrong?)

1975DCS · 15 Dec 2011, 19:16 (Ref:3000405)

You would expect to see the 1.6 T engine become the new norm for road cars, but at this moment VW is only offering 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0 T engines, you think that 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0 T would have better gaps in between. Also Renault doesn't have one, shame as they have Rally history too. Would also be nice to see a WRC version of the new 208, with a spoiler like the Rallycross 207 of JLP. And howabout a Corsa WRC based on the OPC/VXR, that would be pure porn!

rich_cooper · 15 Dec 2011, 20:16 (Ref:3000426)

Now Petter can stop moaning about not having the same spec as the rest, and get on with it. He is one of my favourite drivers so happy he will be back.

Glad Ford are back, i would think the M-Sport team will be Mads Ostberg and Ott Tanak

Novikov will be back but no car decided as of yet, wonder what he will go for ?

Also looks like Gassner Jr will stay in SWRC with a Red Bull backed Mini S2000

NaBUru38 · 17 Dec 2011, 23:49 (Ref:3001406)

The Abu Dahbi tourism agency has left the Ford works team for 2012, so the Fiesta will return to white, blue and green only, and Al Qassimi won't race for the team. Lots of lost money for M-Sport for sure.

JAG · 18 Dec 2011, 15:54 (Ref:3001564)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1975DCS

You would expect to see the 1.6 T engine become the new norm for road cars, but at this moment VW is only offering 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0 T engines, you think that 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0 T would have better gaps in between. Also Renault doesn't have one, shame as they have Rally history too. Would also be nice to see a WRC version of the new 208, with a spoiler like the Rallycross 207 of JLP. And howabout a Corsa WRC based on the OPC/VXR, that would be pure porn!

You can downsize a 1.8, the road car doesn't need to use a 1.6.

BTW, it was mentioned in Autosport Citroen are developing an RRC, joining Ford and Mini, these are basically WRC's with less power, with performance similar to S2000's.

G.Walker · 18 Dec 2011, 16:22 (Ref:3001574)

Delighted Ford and Petter Solberg have done a deal for 2012 . This will hopefully keep things interesting in WRC

NaBUru38 · 19 Dec 2011, 06:18 (Ref:3001756)

Fiat has delayed the fourth-gen to 2014, so an eventual World Rally project will get delayed too. Mind that their 500 and Punto Abarth are filling many of Europe's national and regional rally championships.

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