2019 Rallying Thread (WRC, ERC and all other)!
Discussion
Slippydiff said:
Why would Tanak even contemplate moving back to MSport ?? 
Because they've built a reliable car that has won the last two driver's titles?And also because Tanak and Wilson have a very good relationship.
With the new R5 now on sale and lots of R2s having being sold, as well as the increasing success of other areas of the business I think M-Sport will be in a better position to pay for someone like Tanak in 2020.
I genuinely can't see Tanak moving back to M-Sport if he does take the title this year. He's getting a good wedge and has the best car in the championship this year.
I'd be surprised if Meeke does get canned by Toyota. he's shown his times are as good as, and better than, his team mate on more than a few stages this season. I can see Jari-matti leaving at the end of the season for Kalle to have the seat. It's not confirmed he's got a full fat WRC seat from what I've read so could be a bit art season as TGR are releasing the R5 Yaris soon aren't they? Maybe it'll be a mixed season or WRC & R5 drives for him.
M-Sport will probably be lucky to keep Elfyn and Teemu given their consistent and positive form of current. Perhaps JML will move back to them for 2020, followed by an ever increasing fed up Esapekka Lappi? I heard he was signing for M-Sport before Citroen dumped Breen for him last minute.
Regarding Breen & Paddon, Hayden can't deny he said he didn't refuse a one rally deal as he posted a video around xmas in which he said he turned down a single rally offer " as its not in everyones best interests". Perhaps he needs to separate himself from Hyundai for a better chance of a WRC return?
https://www.facebook.com/haydenpaddonwrc/videos/vb...
Good luck to Craig and Paul in Finland. He should do a great job of collecting points which is why he's in the car. he's unlikely to win the event but will be happy enough to bring the car home and just enjoy his drive.
I'd be surprised if Meeke does get canned by Toyota. he's shown his times are as good as, and better than, his team mate on more than a few stages this season. I can see Jari-matti leaving at the end of the season for Kalle to have the seat. It's not confirmed he's got a full fat WRC seat from what I've read so could be a bit art season as TGR are releasing the R5 Yaris soon aren't they? Maybe it'll be a mixed season or WRC & R5 drives for him.
M-Sport will probably be lucky to keep Elfyn and Teemu given their consistent and positive form of current. Perhaps JML will move back to them for 2020, followed by an ever increasing fed up Esapekka Lappi? I heard he was signing for M-Sport before Citroen dumped Breen for him last minute.
Regarding Breen & Paddon, Hayden can't deny he said he didn't refuse a one rally deal as he posted a video around xmas in which he said he turned down a single rally offer " as its not in everyones best interests". Perhaps he needs to separate himself from Hyundai for a better chance of a WRC return?
https://www.facebook.com/haydenpaddonwrc/videos/vb...
Good luck to Craig and Paul in Finland. He should do a great job of collecting points which is why he's in the car. he's unlikely to win the event but will be happy enough to bring the car home and just enjoy his drive.
DelicaL400 said:
Slippydiff said:
Why would Tanak even contemplate moving back to MSport ??
Because they've built a reliable car that has won the last two driver's titles?And also because Tanak and Wilson have a very good relationship.
With the new R5 now on sale and lots of R2s having being sold, as well as the increasing success of other areas of the business I think M-Sport will be in a better position to pay for someone like Tanak in 2020.
Much as I admire Wilson’s achievements, I’m not sure he could oversee the Tanak/Fiesta combination to a world drivers title. Hope I’m wrong ...
Would be brilliant if he beats the Hyundai team in a Hyundai NZ sponsored Ford! 
The podium might be a tough ask as a one-off drive in a car he hasn't driven before and with only one day of testing before the rally, but he usually goes well in Finland and has been keeping his hand in with fast flowing gravel rallies at home so top 5 should be realistic.
The podium might be a tough ask as a one-off drive in a car he hasn't driven before and with only one day of testing before the rally, but he usually goes well in Finland and has been keeping his hand in with fast flowing gravel rallies at home so top 5 should be realistic.
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 4th July 07:20
Paddon looks like he's having fun in the Fiesta!
https://twitter.com/HaydenPaddon/status/1155763840...
https://twitter.com/jussinaarajarvi/status/1155772...
Going to be the most exciting WRC rally this year for me (and every other NZ rally junkie)
https://twitter.com/HaydenPaddon/status/1155763840...
https://twitter.com/jussinaarajarvi/status/1155772...
Going to be the most exciting WRC rally this year for me (and every other NZ rally junkie)
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 29th July 10:34
Too much fun sadly!
https://twitter.com/tuomastoyry/status/11558400739...
Crew ok, but out of the rally.
https://twitter.com/tuomastoyry/status/11558400739...
Crew ok, but out of the rally.
Bugger! Big rock right on the line in a blind 6th gear corner, no chance of avoiding it. Rock bounced the front end up (and split the sump guard in half) and she's all over rover. Rock must have been pulled out on the previous run.
Incredibly unlucky, gutted for him.
Incredibly unlucky, gutted for him.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 29th July 22:58
Watching the onboard vid there doesn't look to be anything he could have done to avoid that, and the team are making pretty clear statements too that it wasn't his fault.
Pity they didn't have a separate test car available instead of testing with his car for the rally just a few days before, presumably just due to logistics etc.
On the bright side he seemed to be getting on very well with the car and team, which gives some hope of seeing him there again.
Pity they didn't have a separate test car available instead of testing with his car for the rally just a few days before, presumably just due to logistics etc.
On the bright side he seemed to be getting on very well with the car and team, which gives some hope of seeing him there again.
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