The 2015 Rallying Thread
Discussion
When Citroen signed him, they should have given him a 2 year contract; no pressure, just 2 years to deliver the potential we know he has. Instead he got a 1 year deal, with pressure to perform, and on many events he hadn't done before. He got the 2nd year, but with a car which is not at the level of the VW. Yes, he's made mistakes, but Matton really has no idea how to manage drivers; constantly putting the pressure on; something which VW boss Capito does not do.
I can't see him at Citroen next year, but hope I'm wrong; he has talent. Can the WRC afford to let talented drivers leave?
I can't see him at Citroen next year, but hope I'm wrong; he has talent. Can the WRC afford to let talented drivers leave?
Regarding spectator safety, the recent Hamsterley Stages had the best speccy info I've seen since the new guidelines were brought in; prohibited areas were taped off, but everywhere else was okay, plus a area for less hardcore speccies was set up. This is preferable to the small 'spectator area', were elsewhere is no go - which tends to be the norm. It's then hit or miss whether the speccy area is any good.
RyanTank said:
Got a free month for WRC Live, thinking this will be worth using as it'll cover both Spain and GB.
Looked at the live schedule, and only 2 live stages on WRCPlus!
How come I've been able to see pretty much all of the top cars on sections of the shakedown stage via social media, yet nothing from the official promoter!? Social media is kicking their butt when it comes to availability of live content.
I wasn't expecting full commentary or production, but couldn't they just hook up 2 live stream cameras to sections like the roundabout and or the start/finish line?
Nissan did it for Le Mans, hooked up HD Webcams and just left them run. it really can be that simple!
WRC is miles behind – even with Red Bull as promoters. They’ve done absolutely nothing revolutionary. Events with 1 or only 2 Live stages. It’s 2015, it has to be far better!!Looked at the live schedule, and only 2 live stages on WRCPlus!
How come I've been able to see pretty much all of the top cars on sections of the shakedown stage via social media, yet nothing from the official promoter!? Social media is kicking their butt when it comes to availability of live content.
I wasn't expecting full commentary or production, but couldn't they just hook up 2 live stream cameras to sections like the roundabout and or the start/finish line?
Nissan did it for Le Mans, hooked up HD Webcams and just left them run. it really can be that simple!
As for WRCLive – it would have to be free; it’s not worth the price people are paying.
Disappointed that RallyGB have accepted an earlier date; if anything, the event needs a later date. More chance of wintry weather and after the F1 season has finished = more general Motorsport media coverage, as there used to be.
It hasn't always been the final round; the Olympus and Bandama were sometimes afterwards, but it was mid/ late November.
I get the feeling if the FiA asked them to move to July they would; they are that desperate to stay a WRC round.
It hasn't always been the final round; the Olympus and Bandama were sometimes afterwards, but it was mid/ late November.
I get the feeling if the FiA asked them to move to July they would; they are that desperate to stay a WRC round.
GravelBen said:
I agree! But I would say that 
Part of what annoys the NZ rally community about it is that Aus struck a deal with NZ to alternate 3 year stints of WRC, the NZ event management backed off then the Aussies turned around and said screw you, we'll do everything we can to keep it to ourselves.
In the meantime a heap of Aussie drivers come to NZ for local and national rallies and tell us how much better it is here...
Aussies are really only interested in V8 Supercars - look at the small spectator numbers for RallyOZ. The event isn't that good - the Perth based event was fantastic, this is just another gravel event. Rant over!!Part of what annoys the NZ rally community about it is that Aus struck a deal with NZ to alternate 3 year stints of WRC, the NZ event management backed off then the Aussies turned around and said screw you, we'll do everything we can to keep it to ourselves.
In the meantime a heap of Aussie drivers come to NZ for local and national rallies and tell us how much better it is here...
Normally you'd want to get into a safe position 1-2 hours before the first car. I don't know if they're allowing people to walk on the stage to get to a viewing point away from the allocated 'spectator areas'. Any marshals on here will have a better idea.
I just hope it's not going to be packed 'sheep pens' were you can't see much....
I just hope it's not going to be packed 'sheep pens' were you can't see much....
I think it was due to lack of entries. The reason they can no longer use the Yorkshire forests is because of the 'litter problem'. Before that, the FC in Yorkshire didn't want fireworks set off in their forests, didn't want overnight parking, etc there is always some reason they use to pull access. The just don't want rallying in their forests; leisure and mountain biking is more their thing.
coppice said:
Sorry but you are talking balls;it is nothing to do with finding reasons to 'pull access' but rather the FC having good reasons to deny it . Fireworks- in a bloody forest ? Has it not occurred to you that this might present a teeny bit of a fire risk ? Overnight parking - if the idiots who bring and discard bbqs ,light fires and make a hell of a noise by driving like tossers in the small hours didn't spoil it for the rest of us it shouldn't be a problem. Motor sport still takes place - certainly it does in the forest 5 minutes walk from my house but in my experience the scrambling bike folk know how to behave .
Nothing different from RallyGB - yet that is never under threat. Overnight parking, fireworks, BBQs, litter etc all happen on RallyGB... People are asked to take their litter home, not to light fireworks, etc but they still do it. Yet, I've never heard of the FC in Wales pulling access. It's been apparent for quite a few yeas that the FC in Yorkshire would rather not have rallying in their forests, which is why the allocation is now down to a few events; the Trackrod, Riponian & Malton Forest. How long before they get the chop?
I think next year is one to get through before the new 2017 cars. It's Ogier & VW to dominate again.
I can't see Ford returning officially, especially now as they have the dual programme with the Ford GT - that seems to be their global Motorsport programme. Gerard Quinn ( Ford of Europe Motorsport boss) did state they needed to see better marketing & promotion of the WRC. I don't think it is any better.
I'm sure Kubica has the funds for a drive, as for Meeke, who knows what, and were he'll be. He's been a PSA test & development driver for years - he's likely the best man for the 2017 car.
I can't see Ford returning officially, especially now as they have the dual programme with the Ford GT - that seems to be their global Motorsport programme. Gerard Quinn ( Ford of Europe Motorsport boss) did state they needed to see better marketing & promotion of the WRC. I don't think it is any better.
I'm sure Kubica has the funds for a drive, as for Meeke, who knows what, and were he'll be. He's been a PSA test & development driver for years - he's likely the best man for the 2017 car.
RyanTank said:
great news for Kris. And I think the right choice too. Better the devil you know in Citroen & Matton than the potential fireball Toyota could turn out to be (still hoping to be proven wrong)
He's probably got the thought of tailoring the 2017 car to his style and not having to fit into a car built for a different driver as has been with the outgoing DS3.
A bit of speculation on social media that the emission scandal is going to cost VW Rally a chunk of budget and despite last year committing to the championship until at least 2019, that could be in doubt. I've yet to see an official article or statement, as at the moment its more of idle chit chat/rumours from sources like "my mate who's mates brothers girlfriends cousin works for a SEAT dealership and he's heard from his mates sister who's a receptionist to the barber who cuts the VW sales managers hair" type of stuff.
We'll both Audi and Porsche are only running 2 cars at all WEC rounds next year - instead of the 3 at Spa & Le Mans; and other projects have been binned or put on hold. VW are cutting back on the PR & hospitality - but I'm not sure that's enough. He's probably got the thought of tailoring the 2017 car to his style and not having to fit into a car built for a different driver as has been with the outgoing DS3.
A bit of speculation on social media that the emission scandal is going to cost VW Rally a chunk of budget and despite last year committing to the championship until at least 2019, that could be in doubt. I've yet to see an official article or statement, as at the moment its more of idle chit chat/rumours from sources like "my mate who's mates brothers girlfriends cousin works for a SEAT dealership and he's heard from his mates sister who's a receptionist to the barber who cuts the VW sales managers hair" type of stuff.
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