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Post by chrisfinch on May 8, 2006 8:29:40 GMT
Yes come on. We can win the manufacturers title now!!!
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Post by Mixa on May 8, 2006 16:07:58 GMT
So my result wasnt a surprise . I still hope to get a better result.
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Post by Grenville on May 8, 2006 20:42:55 GMT
**Press statement** After careful consideration Suzuki Rally Team have decided to withdraw from the rest of the season. We feel this decision, though disappointing, will help the team in the long run. We plan to use the time off for testing and more development. Our early success hid the car's weaknesses. We would like to thank R83 as he drove well and gave the car some great results. He has been informed that he may look for a drive elsewhere with no contract obligations on our part. We hope to see the RFC next season with a full assault. R83 quote: "Well I must admidt that this has not been a dream season. Its been fun to drive different rally cars but it has also been unsettling. After I thought we had been doing well the team dropped a bomb on me after rally Cyrpus. So be it...I must move on a find a drive else where. I am in talks with Bozian Racing and a couple of other companies. I WILL race the rest of the season, I am just not sure in what car.
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Post by Curt on May 9, 2006 14:23:37 GMT
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Post by Grenville on May 9, 2006 14:33:13 GMT
Close enough to Cyprus ;D
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Post by Grenville on May 10, 2006 4:55:27 GMT
*R83 NEWS* "I am pleased to report that I have secured a deal to run a privatlely entered 2006 Ford Focus. The car is run by Ford Rally Team Australia. We are still on the look out for sponsors but I did manage to get some testing in. All I can say is WOW!"
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Post by Mitch on May 10, 2006 8:30:01 GMT
Pirtek Announcement: We at Pirtek would be honoured if Ford RS. Australia would take us onboard as major sponsor. We have been involved with Ford in other Motorsport before and would be happy to keep supporting the brand.
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Post by Mitch on May 10, 2006 8:36:06 GMT
Ford RS Australia Testing: "We've had a positive test with Ford Australia so far." states test driver and former WRC driver Michael Guest as the crew worked on the car during a break. "The car has really stepped forward since those first few days of design. It is amazing to see a car of this standerd here in Australia and it is a honour for me to be driving such a lovely car." Ford Australia are also looking to secure a second driver. They are currently targetting Stobart drivers FordTeamRS and Mitch. "I would think these two guys would really like to drive a newer car" said team manager Steve Hoinville. "Both are extremely competitive and want to win, they both also bring back a lot of good feedback in the car.' Excerpt from Press Conference with Mitch: "... It would be nice to be in a newer car. No offence to Stobart but the car is struggling to keep up with the newer opposition and the team is finding it harder and harder to find spare parts. I would also love to work back home in Australia to see my family..."
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Post by Grenville on May 12, 2006 23:27:48 GMT
Rally Turkey is a rally much like Acropolis and Cyprus. Its as rough as Cyprus but about as fast as the Acropolis. Non the less it is a rally where a driver worries more about being careful rather than going flat out. In the past the Citroens have done well here. They have won every Turkish rally since its inception in 2003. Perhaps we will see a change in fortune for the other teams. Many questions are being asked going in to Turkey. -The main one is will the C4 be reliable on such a rough rally? -Can Curt keep his lead in the title race? -Can RedBull Skoda take the lead in the manuf championship? Don't miss the Rally of Turkey....this Sunday!
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Post by Grenville on May 16, 2006 17:53:56 GMT
**Update** Well good news and bad news. Bad news is that I was informed by Ford Australia that their 06 Focus's will go to team Stobart being sponsored by Pirtek. They feel that the Stobart Team has a lot more to offer. So this news put me in the hunt for a car...again I am glad to say that I have found one. And a permanent one hopefully. Toyota South Africa have agreed to run a Toyota RunX(Corolla) for the rest of the season. The RunX will be like the Fiat as its also a S2000 reg car. I must say its great to be driving a car for my home country. Lets see what we can do! Testing Pic
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Post by Mitch on May 17, 2006 8:21:31 GMT
(good idea Gren ) Stobart drivers FTRS and Mitch are very happy to see many team personnel changes during this changeover. Stobart is no longer main sponsor (only on tarmac rallies) and Steve Hoinville is now team manager.
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Post by Grenville on May 22, 2006 4:17:13 GMT
*Pre-Rally* The excitement started before the rally even began. OMV-Peugeot driver Igor announced just days before rally Turkey that he was pulling out of the RFC for personal reasons. This left the OMV team in a rush to find a driver. At the last minute the team convinced FIAT driver SWolf to join their team. After a nerve racking couple of hours the FIA agreed to allow SWolf to join the team as well as score manuf. points. This season has seen the most changes in drivers in recent history. R83 has been to 3 teams to date....a feat I am sure he doesn't want to repeat. *DAY 1* The 1st day of the rally Turkey started with championship leader Curt who had to sweep the roads. He did quite well and posted a 9th fastest time. Mixa showed that he was on a mission and posted a time 1 second faster than Curt. But it was Skoda's Tumbo who set the fastest time. A great start to what seems to be a rejuvenated Skoda. FTRS set 2nd fastest time along with SWolf. Both drivers in new cars, the Pirtek/Stobart Focus 06 and the 307 respectively. A great start for these two drivers. *DAY 2* The second day would start with a shock for the Skoda team as Lita's Fabia was found to be underweight after last minute scrutinizing. The Skoda team decided to withdraw her car rather than paying the fine. Bad news for the Skoda team to say the least. But it wasn't all gloom and doom for the other teams though. Mitsubishi's Nick set the fastest time in his Lancer. Second fastest was Tumbo who was on a roll and was looking good for the out right win. Bad luck did strike later on in the day though as Nicole's Focus struggled on the dusty roads. The service crew tried to fix the problem but to no avail. Retirement was inevitable. *DAY 3* The final day saw a three way battle between Danii, SWolf, and Tumbo. Unfortunately this battle didn't live up to its expectations. Tumbo suffered transmission problems but still earned 2nd place. Danii chose the wrong tyre as did SWolf, finishing 7th and 3rd respectively. R83 had a good stage and showed that the RunX was a capable car setting the 2nd fastest time along with FTRS. Mixa along with CFinch set the fastest time. Mixa who had kept out of trouble won the rally putting him at the top of the standings. A good rally overall that showed that the drivers are not ready to let go of the championship just yet.
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Post by Vivski on May 22, 2006 5:42:44 GMT
Not good enough. Now we're last ing the manu title. Not good. Not good at all.
It has been all great and horrible results this season. No consistency at all.
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Post by FordTeamRS on May 22, 2006 7:37:58 GMT
FTRS - "I'm fairly pleased with my result considering we've had a couple of ordinary rounds. Shame that Mitch was lacking a bit of pace on this rally. We had a great start but it's somehow gone away unfortunately. We'll be kicking up the pace of our development work to get some more out of the car, and driver fitness also."
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Post by Lita on May 22, 2006 8:24:24 GMT
Lita-team Skoda driver:
This is an unbelievable moment for me-one that I would like to forget!! I am trying so hard and thought that this rally we just might come away with a good result-not to be. It's so disappointing.
At least I can say "Congratulations to my team mate Tumbo. Even with the transmission issues that he suffered the team was able to get the car to a point where we could still pick up valuable points. Second place is great for him-he drove very well and deserved it.
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