The WRC 2012 Thread

[ArnageWRC]

interloper said:

I think you are missing the point slightly, yes TV coverage is very important but tv companies tend to ignore stuff that is seen as small and minority interest. When the RAC was big, it got big TV coverage, which then lead to big sponsor interest.

Now its Rally Wales GB, its rather small and mainstream telly stays away.

It's interesting you mention sponsors. Only 5 of the 13 WRC events have commercial sponsors, the rest are regional/ tourist boards. Also, did you notice the lack of sponsors? Think of all the advertising boards you see at F1, football, etc I can recall only 1, and that was at Halfway - there were 2 for 'Wales'.
On the old RAC, the majority of the Sunday spectator stages were sponsored. The program for RallyGB had a page with the official WRC sponsors; I think there were about 4; Michelin, Edox, and I can't even remember who the others were.

If RedBull can pull something together, then sponsors, Manufacturers are more likely to sign up, as there is a return on investment. At the moment, especially in the UK, they are not.

[anonymous-user]

Good news folk!

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/paris-motor-show...

And it looks good.
5 manufacturers next year? Epic!

[Emeye]

Good news. But I am worried that all the wrc cars are starting to look a bit samey

[Mini1275]

Loeb will not compete in all of next year's rounds...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102876

Autosport said:

Sebastien Loeb will complete a partial programme in the World Rally Championship next season.

The Frenchman announced at the Paris motor show on Thursday that he will compete in the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, but that he has no fixed plans for the rest of the year.

AUTOSPORT revealed in August that Loeb was considering scaling-back his programme and only competing on his favourite events.

Citroen confirmed that Mikko Hirvonen will do the full season, while another, yet-to-be announced crew will be join the Finn.

"We will be making another announcement in due course about the second crew that will compete in the absence of Seb and Daniel [Elena, co-driver]," said Citroen.

World Rally champion Loeb, who has clinched the last eight titles, said himself and Citroen are considering entering the World Touring Car Championship in the future.

Loeb has been full-time in WRC machinery since 2002. He has won an unprecedented 74 events, all of them with Citroen.

Loeb, 38, is on his way to secure his ninth title in a row, leading team-mate Hirvonen by 61 points with just three rounds left.

[Emeye]

Running away before Ogier turns up to spank his arse. Poor form old boy.

[anonymous-user]

It'd be funny if Loeb was still 2013 champion but as much as I admire him (greatest WRC driver ever imo) it'll be nice to see the others fight without him.

[EDLT]

Emeye said:

Good news. But I am worried that all the wrc cars are starting to look a bit samey

They are based on road cars, what do you expect them to do?

[matt3001]

Emeye said:

Running away before Ogier turns up to spank his arse. Poor form old boy.

Agreed. Does this mean Neuville will be made up to a works driver next year?

[anonymous-user]

matt3001 said:

Emeye said:

Running away before Ogier turns up to spank his arse. Poor form old boy.

Agreed. Does this mean Neuville will be made up to a works driver next year?

For the races where Loeb hasn't entered I imagine so. He's one of my favourite drivers too.

[ArnageWRC]

I can’t understand the thinking behind a possible move to the WTCC – that’s a lame duck series. Loeb has often stated he wants to drive powerful cars – WTCC aren’t what I’d call powerful. Was expecting him to do more WEC, GT, ELMS races.

[TankRS]

Could Loeb be the first driver to win a championship with only a partial campaign!?


my money is on Neuville filling his seat when he's not driving, and keepin his Citroen Jr seat with Al Qassimi when Loeb is driving.

if JML stays at Ford it will be an epic possible 4 way battle for the 2013 crown

Hirvonen
Ogier (if VW are going to be as strong out of the blocks as they look to be)
JML
& Petter - still a good wildcard bet for it!


loeb has been interested in endurance racing for years now, as his own team demonstrates. if peugeot return to Le Mans in 2013 i'd wager he'd be filling one of the seats.


there wont be 5 manufacturers next year, Hyundai have said a limited run at best for 2013 with the aim to a full season in 2014. news has gone quiet on the Toyota front for a while now too.

[Jerry Can]

PSBuckshot said:

matt3001 said:

Emeye said:

Running away before Ogier turns up to spank his arse. Poor form old boy.

Agreed. Does this mean Neuville will be made up to a works driver next year?

For the races where Loeb hasn't entered I imagine so. He's one of my favourite drivers too.

ffs! he's an 8 time world champion, soon to be 9 time. I think he has done enough, proved enough, to be able to look any driver in the eye and say 'I am better than you'

[Trophybloo]

PSBuckshot said:

matt3001 said:

Emeye said:

Running away before Ogier turns up to spank his arse. Poor form old boy.

Agreed. Does this mean Neuville will be made up to a works driver next year?

For the races where Loeb hasn't entered I imagine so. He's one of my favourite drivers too.

Actually Neuville if nominated as No2 is No 2 for the whole season unless injury or force majeur intervenes. Loeb would have to take a private entry (like Prodrive this season)to do just a part season and couldn't be part of the 'Manufacturer' team

[epom]

Sad news re Seb, but also great news. It will make it all the more exciting next year. Think the WRC also needs Toyota in it, but Hyundai entering is also great news.

[Allyc85]

Jerry Can said:

ffs! he's an 8 time world champion, soon to be 9 time. I think he has done enough, proved enough, to be able to look any driver in the eye and say 'I am better than you'

Of course he has but it the Loev V Ogier battle was the one surely any fan wanted to see?!

Disappointed Seb!

[EDLT]

Jerry Can said:

PSBuckshot said:

matt3001 said:

Emeye said:

Running away before Ogier turns up to spank his arse. Poor form old boy.

Agreed. Does this mean Neuville will be made up to a works driver next year?

For the races where Loeb hasn't entered I imagine so. He's one of my favourite drivers too.

ffs! he's an 8 time world champion, soon to be 9 time. I think he has done enough, proved enough, to be able to look any driver in the eye and say 'I am better than you'

If you think that is bad go read a thread involving Michael Schumacher.

[sanf]

Interesting article in MN around how long they think VW will take to get up to speed - SO,

Ogier vs Latvala vs Hirv vs Mikkleson vs Solberg vs Ostberg vs Meeke (hopefully)

Think Seb has done more than enough to enjoy some time off. He is a legend, but a new dawn is breaking, can't wait to see who Hyundai get to drive, Prodrive pull in for the second MINI and who may end up leading Ford. The next few years could be something really special.

And while Eurosport may not be as 'sexy' as Red Bull, they are better than nothing, plus I already have Eurosport.....it may also officially end the IRC, as it transforms into the ERC. With the launch of various R5 cars this is also very good. Having 2 'premium' championships in any form of motor-sport doesn't seem to work. So this will allow Eurosport to focus on promoting the WRC, and to be honest they weren't too shabby at getting the IRC up and running from scratch.

[anonymous-user]

On the subject of Meeke in the Mini...Am I the only one who'd have Sordo over him?
Meeke is British so I can see why so many people want him in a seat but I think Sordo is just a better driver.

[sanf]

PSBuckshot said:

On the subject of Meeke in the Mini...Am I the only one who'd have Sordo over him?
Meeke is British so I can see why so many people want him in a seat but I think Sordo is just a better driver.

Considering last year was Meeke's first in the WRC I thought he looked very good against a far more experienced team-mate. Meeke won MINI's first ever powerstage - on tarmac, beating Sordo, and he outpaced him again on rally GB.

I think Sordo is more 'complete' but is also far more experienced having spent so long at Citroen. Meeke needs to be given a decent couple of seasons to see what he can really do.

[ArnageWRC]

Meeke is a talent – sadly lacking funds for a drive. He impressed last year – up against drivers with 3/4/5 years worth of experience in WRCars. His years in a S1600 don’t really count – making notes in a WRCar are different to in a WRCar. His off in France was because of his notes – this year was meant to be about getting more experience of the events & making notes. There’s a reason why the PSA Group have used him for testing – as well as being a quick driver, he’s a qualified engineer.