The 2018 Rallying thread..(WRC, ERC, etc)
Discussion
Allyc85 said:
I’d be happy for M-Sport to turn up at all. Not that long till entries for 2019 close now.
I'd not be surprised if they don't enter. Plenty of business in R5s, they've just launched a new R2 they've got the Bentley programme and the road car testing/development facility as well the the MS-RT stuff. I'm not sure they need to be involved in the WRC now. It'd be nice to see an Abu Dhabi-backed Loeb/Breen/Tidemand team though.
Allyc85 said:
DanielSan said:
I'd quite like to see Breen at M Sport.
I’d be happy for M-Sport to turn up at all. Not that long till entries for 2019 close now.Not much given away from malcolm here, but not sounding too positive either
https://www.facebook.com/LoricarnochanITV/videos/2...Really hope they get something together as I want something else to support instead of just Meeke in the Toyota.
Just able to catch a glimpse in the background of the I-Pace development cars they are running as this years Formula E support series right at the start of the vid.
You have to wonder at how successful the WRC actually is when the team which has won the last two drivers Championships, and a Manufacturers Title aren't guaranteed to enter next year. Something isn't right. As already said, they have their finger in many pies, and will be successful, whether in the WRC or not; but rallying is it's bread & butter. Hopefully, something will turn up.
I've often said that the sport of rallying is a pretty small world compared to circuit racing, and can feel like the poor relation.
I've often said that the sport of rallying is a pretty small world compared to circuit racing, and can feel like the poor relation.
The lack of media profile is a serious issue, especially given the costs of competing in today's very geographically spread (and long!) WRC season.
And Malcolm must know that without Ogier he's facing fairly slim pickings in 2019. All three rivals will have better driver/vehicle packages so wins - or even podiums - may be scarce.
Plus the Bentley works effort is stepping up a gear next year with four Pro cars at the Spa 24 and a full-season entry into Intercontinental GT Challenge. Maybe a year out of the full WRC to concentrate on that?
And Malcolm must know that without Ogier he's facing fairly slim pickings in 2019. All three rivals will have better driver/vehicle packages so wins - or even podiums - may be scarce.
Plus the Bentley works effort is stepping up a gear next year with four Pro cars at the Spa 24 and a full-season entry into Intercontinental GT Challenge. Maybe a year out of the full WRC to concentrate on that?
ArnageWRC said:
You have to wonder at how successful the WRC actually is when the team which has won the last two drivers Championships, and a Manufacturers Title aren't guaranteed to enter next year. Something isn't right. As already said, they have their finger in many pies, and will be successful, whether in the WRC or not; but rallying is it's bread & butter. Hopefully, something will turn up.
I've often said that the sport of rallying is a pretty small world compared to circuit racing, and can feel like the poor relation.
There is little, if any, corporate sponsorship. Most of the money comes from manufacturers and the trade, with a few small deals on the side. Gone are the days when large brands (admittedly mainly cigarettes) would fund the sport. It's primarily the same at all levels of rallying, the main sponsors are mostly there because the company owner likes rallying (e.g. Legend Fires, Swift Caravans, Beatson's Building Supplies etc). I've often said that the sport of rallying is a pretty small world compared to circuit racing, and can feel like the poor relation.
Toyota seem to have scooped a couple of good brands with Microsoft and Panasonic. Red Bull and Abu Dhabi are corporate sponsors.
But none are like the brand immersion of e.g. 555 and Rothmans were.
The Colin Clark Podcast with Gerard Quinn was interesting, basically Ford are getting enough brand exposure from the R5 and R2 programmes, which is close to cost-neutral for Ford, and profitable for M-Sport.
That in fact raises a whole other question.
I think we all agree the new WRC cars are spectacular, and have moved WRC back into some sort of frame, where for the Loeb Ogier years in other cars before it was literally non existant in terms of interest.
The R5 cars are still rgeat to watch and listen to, far cheaper.
I read somewhere that over 70 are booked in to compete at the Monoza rally soon, that would never happen even in the GpA days when rallying last boomed.
Maybe it's time for someone to really push an R5 WRC, insetad of it being totally in the shadow in every way of WRC cars of which there are about 10!
I think we all agree the new WRC cars are spectacular, and have moved WRC back into some sort of frame, where for the Loeb Ogier years in other cars before it was literally non existant in terms of interest.
The R5 cars are still rgeat to watch and listen to, far cheaper.
I read somewhere that over 70 are booked in to compete at the Monoza rally soon, that would never happen even in the GpA days when rallying last boomed.
Maybe it's time for someone to really push an R5 WRC, insetad of it being totally in the shadow in every way of WRC cars of which there are about 10!
chunder27 said:
Maybe it's time for someone to really push an R5 WRC, insetad of it being totally in the shadow in every way of WRC cars of which there are about 10!
Like the WRC2 Pro?https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/october-2018/wmsc-...
There will be a works Skoda team (factory-run and funded).
I imagine there will be works teams from M-Sport and Citroen, factory run but commercially-funded like Gus Greensmith this year.
It won't be long before R5 cars (+/- a few mods) will become the top level. There's no way the current WRC cars are financially sustainable.
I imagine there will be works teams from M-Sport and Citroen, factory run but commercially-funded like Gus Greensmith this year.
It won't be long before R5 cars (+/- a few mods) will become the top level. There's no way the current WRC cars are financially sustainable.
One of my many sins!
The bad thing is I hadn't even started on the beers!
Back to rallying and I see Loeb has had talks with Hyundai, and I heard a rumour about a change of team manager at the team!
https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/hyundai-loeb-s...
GravelBen said:
Back to rallying and I see Loeb has had talks with Hyundai, and I heard a rumour about a change of team manager at the team!
https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/hyundai-loeb-s...
83 R5 or more cars now booked for Monza Rally, insanity, don't think you will ever see anything like that elsewhere.
Some great names too.
Rossi has hired three Fiesta's for himself Uccio and Brivio (at God knows what cost), plus Suninen is there in a works car.
Toni Cairoli also and weirdly Chad Reed, for those who dont speak motocross, two of the best riders ever!
Nearly 60 R5 cars! just bonkers event.
Some great names too.
Rossi has hired three Fiesta's for himself Uccio and Brivio (at God knows what cost), plus Suninen is there in a works car.
Toni Cairoli also and weirdly Chad Reed, for those who dont speak motocross, two of the best riders ever!
Nearly 60 R5 cars! just bonkers event.
Allyc85 said:
The bad thing is I hadn't even started on the beers!
Back to rallying and I see Loeb has had talks with Hyundai, and I heard a rumour about a change of team manager at the team!
https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/hyundai-loeb-s...
Maybe more beers needed then? Back to rallying and I see Loeb has had talks with Hyundai, and I heard a rumour about a change of team manager at the team!
https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/hyundai-loeb-s...
I wouldn't be too surprised if there are some changes in their team management, they made (and/or failed to make) a few risky decisions which you could argue cost them their championship goals - Hyundai company oversight may want someone to take a fall for that failure to meet goals which looked well in sight earlier in the season.
https://youtu.be/jyoxvTjejD8
I see 3/4 of the current spec WRC Fiestas at the Monza Rally Show have the Ogier spec rear aero package and also seen on the WRC instagram page a video explaining the 2019 Aero is being tested very soon as well. If M-Sport are reportedly looking to step back next year why still develop the car at this stage?
I see 3/4 of the current spec WRC Fiestas at the Monza Rally Show have the Ogier spec rear aero package and also seen on the WRC instagram page a video explaining the 2019 Aero is being tested very soon as well. If M-Sport are reportedly looking to step back next year why still develop the car at this stage?
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff