|
Post by Mitch on Nov 6, 2008 4:40:35 GMT
Both Mikkelson and Gronholm have tested the current Subaru whilst Japan was on. Gronholm hasnt commented yet though. Citroen1. Loeb 2. Sordo 3. Ogier PH Sport Citroen1. Conrad Rautenbach 2. Mikkelson, Aava, Prokop, Meeke BP Ford1. Hirvonen 2. Latvala 3. Al Qassimi Stobart Ford1. Wilson 2 & 3. Galli, Duval, Clark, H Solberg, Mikkelson Munchis Ford1. Villagra 2. H Solberg, Duval, Mikkelson, Clark, Raies Van Merkstjein Motorsport Ford1. Van Merkstjein Jnr 2. Stohl, H Solberg, Mikkelson, Duval Subaru1. P Solberg 2. C Atkinson 3. B Tirabassi Subaru B Team Wilks, Tirabassi, Sarrazin, Aava, Mikkelson, Martin, Pons, Arai, H. Solberg Adapta AS Subaru1. Ostberg 2. Wilks, Tirabassi, Sarrazin, Aava, Mikkelson, Martin, Pons, Arai, Grondal, H. Solberg Suzuki1. Gardemeister 2. Andersson Uncontracted DriversGigi Galli Francois Duval Toshihiro Arai Henning Soberg Urmo Aava Manfred Stohl Martin Prokop Guy Wilks Kris Meeke Xavier Pons Anders Grondal Stephane Sarrazin Markko Martin Kosti Katajimaki Freddy Loix Andreas Aigner Matti Rantanen Daniel Carlsson Patrik Sandell Juho Hanninen Armindo Araujo Alex Bengue Janne Tuohino Jani Paasonen Jussi Valimaki Roman Kresta Dani Sola I think its time for the teams to take risks and use drivers who haven't been able to prove themselves yet in the WRC. Like Mitsubishi did in 2002 with Paasonen, Skoda using Tuohino, Paasonen and Bengue in 2005, Ford with Duval and Hirvonen in 2003, and again in 2005 with Garde and Kresta and Subaru in 2004 with Hirvonen and 2005 with Sarrazin and Atkinson... Ok it is harder to get drives now without $$$ but it can happen. Suzuki took a step in the right direction, got Andersson and look how fast he went in Japan. Citroen are taking a gamble on Ogier, which is a good thing. If I had my way I'd get Ford to run more young kids, a younger Argentinean in Munchis etc. I guess when S2000, all hell will break loose and we'll be able to see who is the fastest driver out there, as most can afford S2000
|
|
|
Post by Hurricane on Nov 6, 2008 15:35:00 GMT
Freddy Loix isn't an uncontracted driver, since he's driving a Peugeot 207 S2000 for Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg in the IRC. Both teammembers Loix en Vouilloz have already been confirmed as line-up for the team in 2009. Thus, no WRC for Loix.
|
|
|
Post by tfliprex on Nov 7, 2008 6:35:08 GMT
Found this article on RallySport Magazine:
Written by Peter Whitten Wednesday, 05 November 2008 "Two-time World Rally Champion, Marcus Gronholm, tested a Subaru Impreza WRC2008 last week, and was reportedly three seconds quicker than regular drivers Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson. According to RallySport Magazine sources at Prodrive, the test took place on a stage in the UK. After the SWRT drivers finished testing in the morning and left, it is believed that Gronholm, Andreas Mikkleson and Urmo Aava were helicoptered in by Subaru, and tested the car. Although it is not known what times were posted, the word around Prodrive is that Gronholm was three seconds faster. Autosport magazine in the UK reported that Gronholm drove the car in a secret test, but Subaru World Rally Team managing director, Richard Taylor, declined to comment. Gronholm indicated at Rally Japan that he was interested in doing a few rallies next year, however he all but ruled a full-time return to the WRC in 2009."
Flip.
|
|
sarah
Chief Marshall
Posts: 79
|
Post by sarah on Nov 7, 2008 7:31:33 GMT
Gronholm has denied a full-time return, following that. Can't remember where I read it.
|
|
|
Post by Nick McRae on Nov 7, 2008 9:45:02 GMT
Whilst we are on the subject of silly seasons, here's next year's confirmed calendar:
2009 FIA World Rally Championship
1 30 Jan – 1 Feb Ireland 2 13 – 15 February Norway 3 13 – 15 March Cyprus 4 3 – 5 April Portugal 5 24 – 26 April Argentina 6 22 – 24 May Sardinia 7 12 – 14 June Greece 8 26 – 28 June Poland 9 31 July – 2 August Finland 10 4 – 6 September Australia 11 2 – 4 October Spain 12 22 – 25 October Great Britain
2009 FIA Production Car World Rally Championship
1 13 – 15 February Norway 2 13 – 15 March Cyprus 3 3 – 5 April Portugal 4 24 – 26 April Argentina 5 22 – 24 May Sardinia 6 12 – 14 June Greece 7 4 – 6 September Australia 8 22 – 25 October Great Britain
2009 FIA Junior World Rally Championship
1 30 Jan – 1 Feb Ireland 2 13 – 15 March Cyprus 3 3 – 5 April Portugal 4 24 – 26 April Argentina 5 22 – 24 May Sardinia 6 26 – 28 June Poland 7 31 July – 2 August Finland 8 2 – 4 October Spain
P.S. Also reported in this week's MN that Gronholm may fancy a shot at Rally Norway next year as a one off - time will tell!
|
|
|
Post by FordTeamRS on Nov 8, 2008 3:14:51 GMT
It seems a rather odd calendar given that Monte Carlo won't feature, call me a traditionalist but I'm still not overly keen on rotating events every couple of years. Having said that, I was worried about losing Finland next year and losing Australia for good. It looks like a solid calendar though otherwise, just hoping it's a lot more competitive.
I cannot wait for Rally Australia! I'd love to compete in it, but I have $1.32 as of yesterday sitting in my bank account. I can barely afford to go karting!
|
|
|
Post by Hurricane on Nov 8, 2008 15:30:41 GMT
I'm still wondering what rally I will go to then, now that rally Germany isn't running. They're also not going to give a shot at the IRC, so there won't be much spectacular to see I think...
|
|
|
Post by tfliprex on Nov 9, 2008 4:19:19 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Roo on Nov 9, 2008 11:10:06 GMT
...but I have $1.32 as of yesterday sitting in my bank account. For a WRC car that would get you... o about 150mL of racing fuel, or o one Aussie flag sticker for one of the rear windows, or o a pink fluffy dice for the rear view mirror, or o the cork for the champaign bottle. I think that'll do, it's a bit depressing. Bart, as to what rallies to see, what are the national championships like at the moment? I know the Dutch Rally Championship was pretty interesting last year, as there was a large variety of WRC cars, this year hasn't been quite as exciting from what I've heard.
|
|
|
Post by Hurricane on Nov 9, 2008 17:43:12 GMT
Bart, as to what rallies to see, what are the national championships like at the moment? I know the Dutch Rally Championship was pretty interesting last year, as there was a large variety of WRC cars, this year hasn't been quite as exciting from what I've heard. I'm not Dutch, so I don't know much about their national rally championship. As for the Belgian ( ) championship, it has gone down to the wire today. Melissa Debackere was leading the pack before the Condroz rally with 3 points over Hubert Deferm and 14 points over Patrick Snijers. All three of them entered the Condroz rally and in the end it's Hubert Deferm (56 years old) that could make up the points and take the Belgian title before what would be the first ever female to become champion. I went to see the Condroz today, it was quite good! The weather wasn't ideal though. There were a few WRC cars lining up the startline, but only few of them actually finished. Start numbers of WRC and S2000 entries for the Condroz rally 2008:01. Freddy Loix (BE - Peugeot 207 S2000) 02. Nicolas Vouilloz (FR - Peugeot 207 S2000) 03. Pieter Tsjoen (BE - Ford Focus RS WRC 07 - Duval's car) 04. Rene Kuipers (NL - Ford Focus RS WRC 06) 05. Melissa Debackere (BE - Toyota Coralla WRC) 06. Hubert Deferm (BE - Subaru Impreza WRC S10) 07. Patrick Snijers (BE - Subaru Impreza WRC S5) 08. Dennis Kuipers (NL - Ford Focus RS WRC 06) 09. Bernd Casier (BE - Volkswagen Polo S2000) 10. Xavier Bouche (BE - Subaru Impreza WRC) In total there were > 200 crews starting the rally!! Final results:01. Pieter Tsjoen (BE - Ford Focus RS WRC 07) 02. Hubert Deferm (BE - Subaru Impreza WRC S10) 03. Bernd Casier (BE - VW Polo S2000) 04. Patrick Snijers (BE - Subaru Impreza S5) 05. Melissa Debackere (BE - Toyota Corolla WRC) 06. Bertrand Grooten (BE - Subaru Impreza N14) 07. Gilles Schammel (LU - Subaru Impreza N14) 08. Olivier Collard (BE - Subaru Impreza N12) 09. Dennis Kuipers (NL - Ford Focus RS WRC 06) 10. Stephane Lhonnay (BE - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) Important retirements:Freddy Loix (crashed into tree) Nicolas Vouilloz (rolled) Sebastian Ogier (gearbox) To make it short: there are plenty of WRC cars driving in Belgium, and it has been a thrilling season!
|
|
|
Post by Mixa on Nov 9, 2008 18:56:12 GMT
Thanks to the results Hurricane. I will see the highlights then later on at the Rally Action for sure but werent Deferm driving the 555 at one point or is that Belgian who driven it succesfully agaisnt WRC cars a few years back still at the serie? I even kept him as a promising driver. Its still great to see Snijers runnng and yes,hes at the memorial rally side too so Im happy . What comes to Melissa a few years back I remember her driving the Celica. At those times she didnt looked too good but I might be wrong. The serie has got better or have to as Im shocked not to see any GT cars at top10. Its a shame that Belgian specials cannot do any better What comes to this topic and silly season just wait and see. GB will show a lot already about next year drivers already.
|
|
|
Post by Hurricane on Nov 9, 2008 19:08:04 GMT
I'm actually looking forward to the 2010 season, where I think many new manufacturers will feature, with more than 2 cars lining up. This will enable more talent to get a WRC drive.
|
|
|
Post by Roo on Nov 9, 2008 23:14:46 GMT
I'm not Dutch, so I don't know much about their national rally championship. As for the Belgian ( ) championship, I know you're not Dutch , thought that instead of hoping over to Deutschland for a weekend, a round of the Dutch series may be worth looking at, seeing as though it is really not that much further than traveling to Germany. What made me mention the Dutch championship, was because last year, there was a wide variety of WRC cars on each event. Escort, Focus, Evo 6.5, Lancer WRC, Impreza 97 - 07, Fabia, Corolla, Celica GT-four, list goes on. It would have been like attending a number of WRC seasons in one stage. But it seems Belgium have got a few WRCs hanging around too. I think I'll have to get saving and come over and see some national rallies, before the WRC cars become even rarer.
|
|
|
Post by Roo on Nov 9, 2008 23:19:47 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Hurricane on Nov 10, 2008 8:16:30 GMT
Hehe, I'll try, but my mother tongue isn't French either, it's Dutch *** François Duval came to the Condroz rally this weekend, and the interviewer saw a different person. He was there physically, but not mentally. François talks a bit about what happened. The pole they struck took out their radio, so they had to wait for Matthew Wilson to arrive. Patrick was helicoptered to a nearby hospital, where they told Duval it was serious. Duval was really glad when Patrick awoke from his coma. Patrick has said that he stops his carreer here, and is going to concentrate on safety in a rally car. He encouraged Duval to continue on though and win Wales Rally GB. However, Duval is hesitating to compete in the Wales Rally GB, and he's even hesitating about his participation in the 2009 WRC. "Why would I risk the life of another person and my own when we don't have anything to pay for a good insurance. Ford only lets me drive when they need me, but during this week, I've not seen anyone from Ford at the hospital. ANYONE! I don't want to drive in semi-pro anymore, without getting paid properly. If Skoda asks me to drive for them in the IRC, I will say yes. Next Saturday I will drive the Focus again in Lommel (a small town in Belgium - near my place ) and then my final decision will be there." *** This accident marked Duval for the rest of his life I think. We will have to be patient to know how his future will look. Also his own website says that he will seriously consider it when an IRC manufacturer team would ask him to drive for them. I'm seriously mad at Ford for not even visiting the hospital!!! I would punch Malcolm Wilson in the face right now.
|
|