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Post by Roo on Jun 26, 2009 6:53:41 GMT
Biggest change is that the FIA have decided not to go with the S2000/Grp N idea, and have instead gone with a new formula. From 2011, the WRC regulations will require that the engine is a 1600cc Turbo-charged unit. This is mainly due to the large number of 1.6L turbo engined cars on sale to the general public, especially in Europe. The WRC Cup has been divised for Super2000 cars. It is a new seven round championship (similar to the PWRC and JWRC) also set to start in 2011. The FIA are also loosening the requirements on how rallies are to be run, in order to give more variety and different challenges. Rallies are permitted to run over two, three or four days, and must finish on a Saturday or Sunday. Mixed surface rallies are again encouraged, not only within the itinerary of an event day, but also mixed surfaces within the same special stage. SuperRally is also set for an overhaul. Time penalties will be replaced with bonus points for stages completed. Still reading through it... Calendar for 2010 14 Feb: Sweden 07 Mar: Mexico 04 Apr: Jordan 18 Apr: Turkey 09 May: New Zealand 30 May: Portugal 11 July: Bulgaria* 01 Aug: Finland 22 Aug: Germany 12 Sept: Japan 03 Oct: France 24 Oct: Spain 14 Nov: Great Britain *subject to final FIA approval Heaps more info here: www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=101&id=5292&desc=FIA%20maps%20out%20the%20future%20of%20the%20WRCwww.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=101&id=5311&desc=More%20WRC%20rule%20changes%20announcedwww.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=221&featureid=1578&desc=Q&A%20with%20Simon%20LongThe FIA have been busy... Reactions? Opinions? Concerns? Thoughts?
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Post by Vivski on Jun 26, 2009 9:09:57 GMT
This sounds like a breath of fresh air. I like what I'm hearing so far.
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Post by tfliprex on Jul 13, 2009 3:43:53 GMT
The news of these changes does indeed bring some fresh air. Although I do have questions regarding the future of Petter Solberg. He is still eagerly awaiting for a manufacturer team to pick him up; could it be Proton? Fiat? Citro? Ford will not be there for him; they are comitted with Latvala and Hirvonen. Munchies are content with thier drivers, Henning and company seem to be set as well. Petter keeps on talking about working on a shoe-string budget, and that if he can't afford a rally then he wont show-up. He has done marvels with the Xsara, but he can't push that car more than what he is. His results are matching the ones he got when he was with Prodrive/Subaru, and that should say loads about the new Subaru. Subaru needs to rethink their car; changes are needed for it to be competative again. I think that the car was badly thought out from the start and people in general were saddened by the new look. Public support dropped just as Solberg and Atkinson were struggling again. SWRT leadership was faultering and fracturing. They simply could not extend the lies regarding the car. They kept on saying that they continuosly were analyzing data and improving the car, when in reality nothing was been done about it. Prodrive had been eyeing for a F1 opening and only focused on that. It is a shame because I believe that the poor results have knocked down Subaru's prestige, thus the retirement was not 100% about the global finantial downturn. Loeb has an eye for F1 and much news is circulating about this topic. Dani is set, and if Loeb does change to F1, I think that Ogier will be sent up. The junior team has a large pool of drivers to pull from, and Atkinson is not on that list. Atkinson I think is done. I fear that he has been side-lined too much and should be taken out of the equation. There has been no news regarding his future, his name is slowly being forgotten in the WRC circuit.
So yes, the news are a breath of fresh air, but how will 2010 look like is anyone's guess. I know I ramble too much and most of the times what I write does not convey 100% of what I meant to say... but I try my best.
Flip
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Post by tfliprex on Aug 12, 2009 21:03:18 GMT
I read this on crash.net. It is certainly an interesting poll.
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Post by Will on Aug 13, 2009 0:44:39 GMT
I read this on crash.net. It is certainly an interesting poll. I've always wanted to see it completely scrapped, if you crash out or retire for whatever reason, you're out the rally and not in the results, zero points...
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Post by tfliprex on Aug 14, 2009 4:40:04 GMT
I guess this will make some people happy! Atko. trying to return in 2010. Would be nice to have him back. I just hope that he does get a break, being that he has been out for a while now, he has many people to convince that he is worth a shot. Flip
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Post by Roo on Aug 14, 2009 10:02:43 GMT
I read this on crash.net. It is certainly an interesting poll. I've always wanted to see it completely scrapped, if you crash out or retire for whatever reason, you're out the rally and not in the results, zero points... I remember a while ago there was an article about the FIA changing the way points are warded for a rally. Instead of the traditional, 10, 8, 6, etc. given at the completion of the rally, there was talk about the rally being divided into two heats. Points would be awarded at the end of each heat, with the person at the end of the event with the most points winning the rally. A bonus point would also be awarded to the driver with the most stage wins. This system has been used in the Australian Rally Championship for a number of years now, and back when there were a number of teams and drivers competing, it was a very exciting and entertaining spectacle. This would be beneficial to drivers if the world rally championship opted to go down this path. A driver who retired in the first heat could still earn points in the second heat, including the bonus point for most stage wins, so there would be real incentive for manufacturers to keep their drivers in the race. It is a big departure from the more traditional way of running world rallies, but with manufacturers wanting more media exposure for their motorsport exploits, giving them more oppurtunities to showcase their product is important. This is also important given that there are only two manufacturers in the sport currently, and although the FIA announced their new formula changes recently, no news has come to light on any new or previous manufacturers entering the WRC. - - - - - - - - And we need more manufacturers and teams so that awesome drivers like Chris Atkinson can get a drive! He says he has been talking to the teams... so there are three options: He drives a Ford, he drives a Citroen, or he doesn't drive at all! Citroen: Yes, he has driven with the team, albeit once with a good result, but it appears they have plenty of drivers at their disposal. Sordo and Ogier in short. Would struggle to get into the main team ahead of those two. Ford: Henning is getting on, nearing retirement. He is still quick of course. Latvala has shown that he has still got a lot to learn, his big and embarrassing crashes have dented his confidence, his speed and future chances. Hirvonen is going okay, not brilliant though. Could Atko be looking for a drive with Ford? Ford certainly have a much bigger market share in Australia than Citroen. Money would be the key issue. Wait and see I suppose.
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Post by Nick McRae on Aug 14, 2009 13:26:31 GMT
I saw this round on the WRC magazine show a few weeks back and I was immediately excited about the future. Rally GB looks set to move away from Wales next season... killer Kielder is back!
However, it's not alll perfect on reading further! The constant admendments to the superally system proves it doesn't work and is struggiling. Maybe having more cars is good for the media and fans but they shouldn't get bonus points! If they do get bonus points, perhaps a seperate "superally" championship? It'll just get too confusing though, so it's not worth the hassle!
And a podium at the end of every day? Which has to finish before 4pm? I can only imagine by that night stages will form part of the following days route! Which again, confuse mr general public by seeing the end of day one, then watching day two - on the same day!
But bar that it's looking ok!
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Post by tfliprex on Aug 15, 2009 5:36:27 GMT
And here is someone else that is throwing his hat into 2010 season. Gardemeister needs to get back into a car soon, he has lots of potential. Flip
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Post by Roo on Aug 15, 2009 7:59:48 GMT
Which again, confuse mr general public by seeing the end of day one, then watching day two - on the same day! Which is why the term "Day 1" isn't (or shouldn't) be used. Instead, the name Leg 1 or Heat 1, that way there is no confusion between days. Maybe having more cars is good for the media and fans but they shouldn't get bonus points! I agree and disagree on this point. The FIA's proposal is definitely not easy to understand and follow, and the idea of bonus points awarded for stages completed, replacing time penalties for missed stages seems a bit weird. The ARC system I talked about before though, the only bonus point on offer is for the most stage wins over the entire rally. So if a driver retired from a heat, the chances of that driver taking the bonus point for most stage wins would be very small. Only an effort similar to Loeb's Monte Carlo second placing in 2006 could possibly earn the bonus point. But anyway, onto drivers, its interesting to see Gardemeister's opinions on IRC and WRC. Obviously he wants to return to the WRC as that is the pinnacle of the sport, but he is supportive of the IRC as well. It seems many drivers either love or loath the idea of driving S2000 cars in the IRC. We've seen plenty of drivers who have not been able to break into (or back into) the WRC, move to the IRC. Jan Kopecky, Freddy Loix, Alex Bengue, Guy Wilks, Kris Meeke, there are plenty more. If the shortage of available drives in the WRC continues, the IRC may become an interesting support championship, even if it is unintentional. But unfortunately, I think the current situation of drivers being cashed up getting the nod will continue for a few more seasons yet.
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