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8 Apr 2011, 17:49 (Ref:2860605) | #1 | ||
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2012 World Rally Championship
A provisional 2012 WRC calendar has been leaked. The most significative news is that three of them will be held on two countries (among them mine, Uruguay!). These would have over 500km of special stages. The FIA is also looking of a Monte Carlo WRC/IRC doubleheader. Italy would be dropped, NZ would replace Australia as usual, a new Gulf race would replace Jordan and Japan wouldn't return.
Except for the absence of Japan, this is a great calendar. I'd love a Corsica-Sardinia endurance race, and Germany and France (Alsace) be merged. Sweden-Norway Mexico Portugal Argentina-Uruguay Greece Finland Germany New Zealand France Spain Abu Dhabi-Oman-Dubai Great Britain |
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Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
8 Apr 2011, 18:59 (Ref:2860633) | #2 | |
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I think the merged country rallies are a good idea and I heard a rumor about the FIA lengthening some of the rallies to longer events.
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3 Jun 2011, 23:11 (Ref:2890821) | #3 | ||
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January 22 - Monte Carlo
February 12 - Sweden March 11 - Mexico April 1 - Portugal April 29 - Argentina May 27 or June 6 - Greece June 24 - New Zealand August 5 - Germany September 16 - Great Britain October 7 - France October - Italy November 4 - Spain Monte Carlo for Finland, only 3 non-European races... not sure if I like that. |
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Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
4 Jun 2011, 01:10 (Ref:2890846) | #4 | |
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4 Jun 2011, 01:14 (Ref:2890847) | #5 | ||
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And Germany on August 26. My mistake, sorry. Now it's much better. But a 13-race world championship shouldn't have 10 European races. Japan should be back.
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Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
4 Jun 2011, 14:47 (Ref:2891064) | #6 | ||
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No Finland? Oh dear. That's one of the classic events.
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4 Jun 2011, 17:18 (Ref:2891118) | #7 | |
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Japan and Abu Dhabi could be part of the WRC in future years, but it was more important to get Monte back and have some endurance events like Argentina.
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5 Jun 2011, 00:56 (Ref:2891274) | #8 | ||
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It is not a merged Rally Sweden and Rally Norway. Rally Norway have been an economic fiasco, the same goes for the attendance. Introducing stages in Norway is just a way of strengthening the Swedish Rally.
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6 Jun 2011, 14:34 (Ref:2892194) | #9 | ||
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Official news: "There will be one full day of stages run in Norway"
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Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
8 Jun 2011, 20:06 (Ref:2893840) | #10 | |
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I do miss the Tarmac rallies we see a few years back...
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9 Jun 2011, 12:02 (Ref:2894241) | #11 | ||
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I don't know if this is a sign that the economic conditions are forcing rallying to return to its 'core' European market? If so its a backward step. F1 is going in the other direction.
I guess we've all got favourites but I'd like to see the Safari back. Okay its expensive but its a great spectacle and would really add something to the championship. Jordan was fairly spectacular too. I wonder if we'll get a US round in the future given the profile of rallysport in the X-games? |
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9 Jun 2011, 14:41 (Ref:2894347) | #12 | ||
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Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
10 Jun 2011, 14:58 (Ref:2895165) | #13 | |
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21 Jun 2011, 14:31 (Ref:2902903) | #14 | |
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Can you change Abu Dhabi to TBA please as i saw on Autosport that has been ditched and still planning to go to Middle East but we have to wait for a new place to be found
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21 Jun 2011, 17:57 (Ref:2903000) | #15 | ||
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The 2011 Rally Abu Dhabi will be a WRC Candidate Event, that is non-points and I guess also no-World Rally Cars.
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Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
23 Sep 2011, 16:12 (Ref:2960014) | #16 | ||
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Confirmed 2012 World Rally Championship calendar:
January 17/22 - Monte Carlo February 9/12 - Sweden March 8/11 - Mexico March 29 / April 1 - Portugal April 27/29 - Argentina May 25/27- Greece June 22/24 - New Zealand August 2/5 - Finland August 24/26 - Germany September 13/16 - Great Britain October 4/7 - France October 18/21 - Italy November 1/4 - Spain 2012 Super 2000 World Rally Championship calendar: January 17/22 - Monte Carlo February 9/12 - Sweden March 29 / April 1 - Portugal June 22/24 - New Zealand August 2/5 - Finland September 13/16 - Great Britain October 4/7 - France November 1/4 - Spain No Mexico (major Fiesta market), Germany and Italy (tarmac rallies) - terrible decision. They should have left New Zeland out instead. 2012 Production World Rally Championship calendar: January 17/22 - Monte Carlo March 8/11 - Mexico April 27/29 - Argentina May 25/27- Greece June 22/24 - New Zealand August 24/26 - Germany October 18/21 - Italy November 1/4 - Spain No Finland and Great Britain - terrible decision, they are Group N classics. Mexico and Germany should have been left out instead. |
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Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
16 Nov 2011, 11:46 (Ref:2987181) | #17 | ||
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WRC 2012 - Rumours, Facts, Opinion......
Hi. My first post in the Rally section of ten tenth!
I've been very surprised (and pleased) to learn that Mikko Hirvonen is switching camps and joining Citroen for next year. (Official anouncement due later in the day, at 2pm GMT) Finnaly things are changing at the front, which can only be exciting since the situation was getting boring these last year, with Loeb dominating. I'm impatient to see how Mikko fare against Seb on equal machinery! Also, this reveals tensions between Ogier and Loeb inside Citroen have reached the breaking point. So now Ogier is off, heading to one of the three other camps. Where do you think he's going? My bet is on Volkswagen, but I'd be happy with any of the possible move. If he's not going to Ford, who's going to partner Latvala?(which was pretty solid this season, even stronger than in 2007 IMO) Btw thanks to the people of the forum who kept raising WRC threads over the years when nearly nobody seemed to bother. I regret having not contributed, but I will do it from now. WRC is gaining some momentum again after a long dark period, and I believe in two years it will be one of the most popular motorsport again. |
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16 Nov 2011, 11:55 (Ref:2987187) | #18 | |
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I wasn't expecting that, but yes it should make things more interesting at the top end. Ford are very competitive though, I wonder if Ogier will move there in a straight swap for Hirvonen?
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16 Nov 2011, 12:32 (Ref:2987200) | #19 | ||
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Ogier will be going to Ford, Suprised Mikko has gone to a team where he will be the number 2 driver, but atleast now we might get to see what Seb2.0 and JML can do without being held back.
Also will be intresting to see what happens with Petter, Only works drive left would be VW, but is he a good test and development driver as thats what they need. They have said they want 2 front running driver. Think Mini will keep the 2 drivers they have, but after such a good first season, i wonder how many of the second string teams will switch from Citroen/Ford to Mini! |
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16 Nov 2011, 13:10 (Ref:2987214) | #20 | ||
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Looks like being an interesting off season in the WRC (which is a welcome change!).
So lineups for next year? Ford: Latvala, Ogier Citroen: Loeb, Hirvonen MINI: Meeke, Sordo VW: Solberg, ? If VW are looking for another experienced driver who's most likely? I think Hirvonens best chance of beating Loeb was this year I'm not convinced he'll be able to match him in identical equipment. On the other hand I think Ogier needed to move - he's obviously very good but was number 2 behind Loeb, the move will give him a chance to stake a claim to the Ford team leader role (although Latvala will obviously be pushing for this too). |
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16 Nov 2011, 14:59 (Ref:2987258) | #21 | ||||
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Now official: Autosport-Mikko Hirvonen replaces Sebastien Ogier at Citroen
Indeed Ogier is unanimely expected to be confirmed at Ford, so it's a direct swap. The reason I thought he was heading for Volkswagen was because I have read interviews of Volkswagen Motorsport's boss Kriss Nissen in which he confirmed trying to snatch Ogier (after failing to secure Loeb's services) was amongst the priorities. And Carlos Sainz was sharing the same opinion. But it's good news for Ford, because not only they get strong fresh blood to shake things a little, plus signing a new driver's contract proves the CEO board must have given the green lights to continue the WRC program, which was not looking obvious recently. Also, both manufacturers have diversified their line up with that move, which is good for both from a marketing point of view. Quote:
Quote:
Sure Prodrive has such a score that it could seem obvious to some that they were going to perform well, but after the last years of the Subaru program, and the total Fiasco of the AMR-One sportscar journey, it was not so obvious they would meet succes with that Mini. I think at least Ford do not decide who's number 1 before the season, unlike Citroen. So both him and Jari-Matti have their chance. |
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17 Nov 2011, 12:36 (Ref:2987699) | #22 | ||
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So, after six straight seasons driving a works Ford Focus and clinching three vice-championships, Mikko Hirvonen will switch to Citroën to join eternal rival Sébastien Loeb.
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Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
17 Nov 2011, 13:36 (Ref:2987723) | #23 | ||
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Very surprised at this move. Seems Loeb has managed to get the youngster the boot!
He never was bothered with Sordo when he was his team-mate but ogier beating him cleraly doesnt wash! Eitehr that or Ogier knows what dies his bread is buttered on and while Loeb is at Citroen, he knows he will never get the best of everything or have the car built round him. Latvala is good, but Ogier has proved to be the only guy around at the moment who can beat Seb if not all the time, with a car built for him perhaps, he might start to chip away. Let's hope so as WRC remains a dull thing to watch up front, if not further back. |
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17 Nov 2011, 16:16 (Ref:2987795) | #24 | |
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I really hope that other manufactures join the new 1.6T WRC's. I also hope that one day it would be possible to compete with current rented or bought WRC's rather than team orders. To be honest I only like to watch the tarmac stages and those in snow and Wales...
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17 Nov 2011, 17:16 (Ref:2987828) | #25 | |
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Ogier has always been a bit of a hothead and he will never equal Loeb's record. I think initially a lot of people thought he could be a direct replacement of Loeb, but I don't think that's ever was going to happen.
In any case I was a bit surprised to see the news on my phone yesterday and it will be interesting to see how it all shakes out. |
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