The 2014 WRC Thread

[Alex Langheck]

Audi have moved on from Rallying – their rivals are BMW, Mercedes in the ‘Premium sector’. Anyway, stablemates VW are now in the WRC. No point in doing the same series with virtually a similar car; 1.6T 4WD. Unlike in the WEC were they will use a Diesel hybrid with part time 4WD against Porsche with a petrol hybrid.

[BlackpoolRock]

[quote=Allyc85]

Is that Kris's brother?

quote]

oops

[Emeye]

Alex Langheck said:

Audi have moved on from Rallying – their rivals are BMW, Mercedes in the ‘Premium sector’. Anyway, stablemates VW are now in the WRC. No point in doing the same series with virtually a similar car; 1.6T 4WD. Unlike in the WEC were they will use a Diesel hybrid with part time 4WD against Porsche with a petrol hybrid.

But BMW and VW have done Dakar Rally - I was surprised the VAG effort wasn't Audi.

[ArrowSC]

Monte on ITV4 now 20:00-21:00

[Leptons]

What was with the 10 second slow mo's of absolutely nothing of interest. Weird.

I can't understand what they have done to it. They are using the wrong size of car for a start. It's so sad to see what it's become.

[Slippydiff]

Allyc85 said:

From what I have heard he coasted down the 2nd run of the Col de Turini as the car was over heating from a blocked rad. I would like to think I played my part in his podium by shining my head torch on the boot pinsfor Paul Nagle, so he could see what he was doing when we saw them on the road section

Ahhh, it was you !! When interviewed, Paul mentioned something about being blinded by someone with a head torch and thus not being able to read his notes .......

Agree, with the comments about Kris, but think Elfyn did superbly in what I consider was a WRC "baptism of fire". So many have faltered on The Monte (ahem, Mr Neuville). That Elfyn kept it shiny side up and kept his nose clean speaks volumes for him and his future.

The weather looked pretty grim ? all the more so after the cracking photo you posted of that hairpin you found on your recce.

Pssssst, a couple of crackers here ;

Why tyre choice is such a 'mare on The Monte

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vclbcO8ncEg

Why Ogier is the current World Champion ......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OHZHxde8RE

Enjoy

[Slippydiff]

Alex Langheck said:

Too expensive to produce ‘Homologation specials’ – which is why the WRCar formula was brought in in 1997, at the request of the Manufacturers. It’s best to think of the WRCars as Prototypes, just like F1/ LMP cars.

Actually, at the Autosport show a few weeks ago, Dave Richards was interviewed; he reckoned the problem with the WRC was the cars. Whereas, in GT Racing it’s not. He said the cars in GT racing are aspirational; I;e, work hard, a lottery win, etc you will go and buy one of them. You won’t rush down and buy a Fiesta ST, Polo R, DS3, i20, etc

I don’t think the current cars are too bad – nothing a bit more power wouldn’t solve – and maybe a bit louder.

He's got more front than Brighton has Mr Richards.

[sanf]

Hyundai have said that the 'N' branding being carried on the car will be the road performance variants of their range.

I love the smaller hatchbacks - the DS3 is lovely looking, especially in gravel trim. If Hyundai really go for it with a 1.6T 4x4 i20, and it's a success, will be interesting to see if anyone else follows.

[Emeye]

Slippydiff said:

Alex Langheck said:

Too expensive to produce ‘Homologation specials’ – which is why the WRCar formula was brought in in 1997, at the request of the Manufacturers. It’s best to think of the WRCars as Prototypes, just like F1/ LMP cars.

Actually, at the Autosport show a few weeks ago, Dave Richards was interviewed; he reckoned the problem with the WRC was the cars. Whereas, in GT Racing it’s not. He said the cars in GT racing are aspirational; I;e, work hard, a lottery win, etc you will go and buy one of them. You won’t rush down and buy a Fiesta ST, Polo R, DS3, i20, etc

I don’t think the current cars are too bad – nothing a bit more power wouldn’t solve – and maybe a bit louder.

He's got more front than Brighton has Mr Richards.

He makes a good point though, I wanted an Impreza, never a Citroen DS3.

Edited by Emeye on Wednesday 22 January 11:24

[Slippydiff]

Emeye said:

He makes a good point, I wanted an Impreza, never a Citroen DS3.

So did I, so much so that I bought one ........

[F1GTRUeno]

Oh my that Impreza is lovely.

[lankyarcher]

Slippydiff said:

Emeye said:

He makes a good point, I wanted an Impreza, never a Citroen DS3.

So did I, so much so that I bought one ........

I don't suppose you live near North Wales, and fancy taking me for a quick passenger blat?
Lovely. Just lovely!
The best looking wrc car IMO.
Good work!

[SAGTAFF]

creationracing said:

Look at the following that the V8 Supercars in Australia enjoys. Thats because your average punter can identify with the cars. They're essentially similar to what you can buy in the showrooms so anyone with a bit of brand loyalty can get behind the teams and drivers.

There's nothing from the current WRC crop that resembles anything you can buy in a showroom. I think the cars are technical marvels and I'll be honest, looking at a WRC car up close gives me a chubby. But they're too far removed for what you can get to experience yourself.

In EVO a few months back they took a Fiesta R5 for a spin on the EVO triangle in North Wales. Pretty sure the article said M-Sport were willing to do a handful of road going versions for about £100k

[Rallycameraman]

Here's my highlights video from my first trip to the Monte. Includes Ogier nearly ending his rally in front of me

http://youtu.be/Z9s0fWfqusg

[epom]

GravelBen said:

epom said:

All we need now is a blister arched 2.0T 4wd Polo R and WRC is ready to take off again. Hopefully Hyundai might be brave enough to do something similar

Hyundai have actually been talking about road versions already... hopefully they follow through on the talk.

Massive global companies like VW listen to me, I make sense

[Allyc85]

Some of my pics from an amazing week at the Monte

Post shakedown service..


WRC Monte Carlo 2014 - Service Park by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


WRC Monte Carlo 2014 - Service Park by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


WRC Monte Carlo 2014 - Service Park by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


WRC Monte Carlo 2014 - Service Park by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr

Protosov was brilliant on the road section after the cancelled Col de Turini stage, handbraking around hairpins heading towards Sospel on the road section.


WRC Monte Carlo 2014 - Service Park by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr

Neuville's damaged i20 WRC.


Thierry Neuvilles Damaged I20 WRC by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr

Stage 3


WRC Monte Carlo - SS3 Montauban Sur L'Ouveze - Laborel by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


WRC Monte Carlo - SS3 Montauban Sur L'Ouveze - Laborel by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


WRC Monte Carlo - SS3 Montauban Sur L'Ouveze - Laborel by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr

Stage 4


WRC Monte Carlo - SS4 Orpierre - St Andre De Rosans by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


WRC Monte Carlo - SS4 Orpierre - St Andre De Rosans by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr

And then the rain got to my camera and it died, just as Meeke was approaching! Dried it out over night and all was well for Fridays stages.

TBC..

Edited by Allyc85 on Thursday 23 January 16:50

[Allyc85]

Evans being chased by Jari-crashy..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1ofZRWMDNo

[Mr.Jimbo]

Anyone going to Sweden? Going for my 25th Birthday, cannot wait now - just watched the review program on motors TV and was nice to see the order shaken up a bit. Shame about Neuville and Sordo, really want to see how competitive the i20 is (Looks to be, after Neuvilles pace right before his off!)

Couldn't believe the amount of snow on the Col de Turini either, mental that it was dry(ish) at the start and finish and like that up there!

[Slippydiff]

Allyc85 said:

Some of my pics from an amazing week at the Monte



TBC..

As ever, superb images. Thankyou

[Allyc85]

Cheers mate

Mr.Jimbo said:

Anyone going to Sweden? Going for my 25th Birthday, cannot wait now - just watched the review program on motors TV and was nice to see the order shaken up a bit. Shame about Neuville and Sordo, really want to see how competitive the i20 is (Looks to be, after Neuvilles pace right before his off!)

Couldn't believe the amount of snow on the Col de Turini either, mental that it was dry(ish) at the start and finish and like that up there!

It was far from dryish near the finish it was pissing down pretty much all day, starting late Friday night! Roads were closed and there were many landslides as we made our way towards the stage.