WRC, ERC, National rallying 2016 - News & Chat

h3000 · 20-11-2015 10:41am #1

Well there has been a load of rally news over the last few days so I think it's time for the 2016 thread.

Citroen have committed their future to WRC from 2017 but will not run a factory program in 2016. There may be a few private DS3 teams though. they are pulling out of WTCC at the end of 2016.

It looks like Meeke will do a part WRC program in a DS3 and help develop the new 2017 car.

Ostberg has left Citroen and looks to be rejoining M-Sport for a full program in 2016.

Citroen also part ways with Loeb, I taught they would do anything to keep his name associated with Citroen.

I'll add a few news links when I get a few minutes in a while.

mjhickeyie · 28-11-2015 12:32am

Ott Tanak will drive a WRC Fiesta for the DMACK team in 2016. M Sport will run the car.

h3000 · 30-11-2015 1:12pm

So Ostberg and Camilli to lead the M-Sport charge for 2016. Tanak in a D-Mack rub M-Sport supported team, no news on where if at all Evans might end up.

http://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/ostberg-secures-return-to-m-sport-for-2016/

http://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/tanak-leaves-m-sport-to-join-new-dmack-team/

Camilli is a bit of a shock tbh

mjhickeyie · 30-11-2015 1:30pm

"h3000 wrote: »

no news on where if at all Evans might end up.

Camilli is a bit of a shock tbh

Camilli is big shock.

WRC.com saying Evans still in negotiations with M Sport to do a limited programme.

recyclebin · 30-11-2015 1:43pm

I had to search who Camilli was! Looks like he was part of Toyota development program for the Yaris. Maybe he brings some interesting information with him.

leoch · 30-11-2015 2:20pm

aye and probably a bag of money

h3000 · 04-12-2015 4:10pm

Ostberg and his navigator Andersson have split. It looks like Andersson is off to a management roll. I think Mads tested with Ilka Minor in the passenger seat today. I think there was one other navi there but not sure who.

It looks like Meeke is off to Toyota too to help develop the new car.

I wonder would there be any room in Citroen for Breen and Evans in test roles for the 17 car. A few outings in 16 to see if they are up to the mark for a 17 drive.

Robbo · 04-12-2015 4:38pm

h3000 wrote: »

Ostberg and his navigator Andersson have split. It looks like Andersson is off to a management roll. I think Mads tested with Ilka Minor in the passenger seat today. I think there was one other navi there but not sure who.

It looks like Meeke is off to Toyota too to help develop the new car.

I wonder would there be any room in Citroen for Breen and Evans in test roles for the 17 car. A few outings in 16 to see if they are up to the mark for a 17 drive.

Didn't see that Meeke move happening. I thought he'd stay with Citroen, develop to the car in 2016 and keep his hand in. With them canning their WTCC programme and the reg changes, I thought they'd put a serious amount of effort and resources into a 2017 car.

I'm not entirely convinced with what Toyota have put in place so far, especially with Makkinen developing the car in Finland. It's a big jump from building Group N Subarus to spec to developing a WRC car from scratch with only help from Toyota on the engine.

He'll need some kind of programme of events to keep him match fit in 2016 and to get used to China.

h3000 · 04-12-2015 4:59pm

Robbo wrote: »

Didn't see that Meeke move happening. I thought he'd stay with Citroen, develop to the car in 2016 and keep his hand in. With them canning their WTCC programme and the reg changes, I thought they'd put a serious amount of effort and resources into a 2017 car.

I'm not entirely convinced with what Toyota have put in place so far, especially with Makkinen developing the car in Finland. It's a big jump from building Group N Subarus to spec to developing a WRC car from scratch with only help from Toyota on the engine.

He'll need some kind of programme of events to keep him match fit in 2016 and to get used to China.

Agreed, it sounds like a bit of a gamble. Maybe to right options with Citroen were just not there for him either though.

Robbo · 04-12-2015 5:05pm

h3000 wrote: »

Agreed, it sounds like a bit of a gamble. Maybe to right options with Citroen were just not there for him either though.

Citroen may well find themselves with a good car and no talent behind the wheel to make it win in 2017. They'd need to look at spending big and poaching one of the VW drivers.

h3000 · 04-12-2015 5:28pm

Robbo wrote: »

Citroen may well find themselves with a good car and no talent behind the wheel to make it win in 2017. They'd need to look at spending big and poaching one of the VW drivers.

It would be a good move if they can pull it off but it will be a hard job getting anyone to give up the Polo though. That said Citroen could very well have the best 17 car, Hyundai even might :eek: I think M-Sport will need a very big sponsor or proper backing from Ford before the will be a championship contender again.

mjhickeyie · 06-12-2015 10:43pm

Mads Ostberg just announced that Ola Floene will co-drive for him next year. Seems a crazy move by Floene, surely Mikkelsen & VW would be a better place to be.

h3000 · 06-12-2015 10:45pm

Well the co-driver market is proving to be even more exciting than the drivers market. Ola Floene is off to navigate for Ostberg.

h3000 · 06-12-2015 10:47pm

Ha ha jinx MJ

Floene said he only had a one more year deal with Mikkelsen hinting at a longer term contract with Ostberg.

mjhickeyie · 06-12-2015 10:47pm

Floene must be still sour after Mikkelsen dropped him for a while a few years ago.

h3000 · 06-12-2015 10:51pm

I wonder would Nagle go back to Mikkelsen, particularly if Kris doesn't have a full season drive.

mjhickeyie · 06-12-2015 11:00pm

Would be very tempting for Nagle.

If Kris gets a 3 year contract with Toyota that would surely mean Nagle will stay.

wobbles · 07-12-2015 1:38pm

Dont underestimate the speed that the Fiesta has. Its not a slow car by any means, its just M-Sport dont have a top driver in it. I would have put the Fiesta a better car then the DS3 this year.

A drive with Mikkelsen would be good drive for Nagle to have, but Mikkelsen may win the odd event when Oiger hits trouble but he would never be allowed go for the title. At least if Meeke can get the Toyota/Citroen seat they would at least have a shot at the 2017 title.

The interest from Toyota is great for Meeke though. He has years developing cars under his belt and would be in the top 3 of fastest drivers over a single stage. Thats the kind of driver Toyota need, its also the driver Citroen need to develop their new car.

Toyota dont have a car to compete on some rallys next year. At least he could do some events in a DS3 R5 with citroen. Meeke still needs experience on events, his age is against him. Taking a full year out to develop a car is not a good option for him

h3000 · 16-12-2015 7:46am

Well Kris Meeke signs a three year deal with Citroen. He will develop the new car and do 10 rallies in 2016 in a PH Sport fun DS3. Delighted for him.

Robbo · 16-12-2015 11:23am

h3000 wrote: »

Well Kris Meeke signs a three year deal with Citroen. He will develop the new car and do 10 rallies in 2016 in a PH Sport fun DS3. Delighted for him.

Best move possible and it instantly turns him into the lad with the least career security in the WRC to probably the most secure driver next to Ogier.

If Citroen really want to get their money's worth, they should have him further develop the R5 car in parallel and really market the hell out of it. M-Sport do awful well financially from these yokes and with the upgrade package they've developed, the Fiesta R5 will be the only car to have.

There's been talk of Toyota being wedded to having a Finn on board so I'd make Lappi an offer if I was Makkinen. Poach Mikkelsen as well to lead the team.

h3000 · 16-12-2015 1:52pm

There's is a bit of talk now that Craig Breen will also be in a DS3 WRC next year supported by Khalid Al Qassimi. Fingers crossed

wobbles · 16-12-2015 4:26pm

h3000 wrote: »

There's is a bit of talk now that Craig Breen will also be in a DS3 WRC next year supported by Khalid Al Qassimi. Fingers crossed

If this happens, we should make Khalid Al Quassimi an honorable Irish man and invite him over for Kilarney or Donegal. He is responsible for getting Meeke the Citroen drive in the first place

h3000 · 16-12-2015 8:21pm

It looks like Mikko Hirvonen and Juho Hanninen will be the Toyota WRC test drivers.

h3000 · 18-12-2015 4:10pm

WooHoo we will have Craig Breen in the WRC 2016 too. It's not a full program but he will have a few rallies. He will start in Sweden.

https://twitter.com/Craig_Breen/status/677849418138304512

Robbo · 18-12-2015 5:09pm

Early Christmas for Irish drivers getting quality programmes in place for 2015.

Looks like both the ITRC and BRC will have a strong fields as well. Lots of R5 and S2000 cars being acquired.

mjhickeyie · 18-12-2015 5:36pm

Great news for Breen. Will be interesting to see what kind of pace he'll have.

ianobrien · 21-12-2015 7:25pm

Robbo wrote: »

Early Christmas for Irish drivers getting quality programmes in place for 2015.

Looks like both the ITRC and BRC will have a strong fields as well. Lots of R5 and S2000 cars being acquired.

Strong fields in the ITRC? I don't think so. Well, not for the ordinary clubman anyway.
http://rally.ie/index.php/stories/151221-052122

h3000 · 13-01-2016 10:50am

M-Sport have released images of their new livery. I like it..

1915430_10153380217175678_1166289583641212362_n.jpg?oh=554aeeb640068e07ab7410f6824d60f0&oe=5740B82C

1915430_10153380217175678_1166289583641212362_n.jpg?oh=554aeeb640068e07ab7410f6824d60f0&oe=5740B82C

h3000 · 13-01-2016 2:27pm

Elfyn Evans will compete in all rounds of the British Rally Championship in a DMACK sponsored Fiesta R5. He will still do a limited WRC2 campaign.

h3000 · 15-01-2016 3:55pm

The Abu Dhabi Citroën Total WRT 2016.

12541077_722193717917914_1396896626214585998_n.jpg?oh=6c14b32b572f4858a0c86be1b469a52b&oe=5700D674

h3000 · 16-01-2016 3:29pm

Jost Capito is to leave VW and head off to McLaren F1. I wonder will it affect the team much.

mjhickeyie · 16-01-2016 7:47pm

h3000 wrote: »

Jost Capito is to leave VW and head off to McLaren F1. I wonder will it affect the team much.

I think he has a great team built there. They'll be fine if VW keep pumping in the cash.

There's a 2 page interview with Craig Breen in today's Irish Examiner.

jelutong · 18-01-2016 6:15pm

VW might be thinking of pulling the plug on its WRC programme down the line.

h3000 · 23-01-2016 11:57am

Monte is well underway at this stage and is as unpredictable as Monte always is. Ogier out in front as usual but Meeke is putting in a great performance too and in second.

h3000 · 23-01-2016 3:07pm

Feckity fook it looks like Kris Meeke is out of Rallye Monte Carlo with a gearbox issue. The boys were flying too.

h3000 · 23-01-2016 3:17pm

:(

https://twitter.com/krismeeke/status/690900479421784064

mjhickeyie · 24-01-2016 7:13pm

Bad luck for Meeke after giving Ogier a great battle.

I'm afraid that Ogier will totally dominate the championship this year.

Latvala got a suspended 1 rally ban & €5000 fine for not stopping after hitting a photographer yesterday. Good footage of the accident on YouTube. The guy went to get his camera instead of getting himself out of danger.
Latvala says he didn't realize he'd hit the guy.

h3000 · 24-01-2016 11:40pm

mjhickeyie wrote: »

Latvala got a suspended 1 rally ban & €5000 fine for not stopping after hitting a photographer yesterday. Good footage of the accident on YouTube. The guy went to get his camera instead of getting himself out of danger.
Latvala says he didn't realize he'd hit the guy.

I'm a fan of Jari Matti but I think he knew well that he hit that spectator. You can see him stop for have a second just as he hits the guy but then drives off. He is luck to get away with I think. Now the spectator should never have been there in the first place and marshalling at some of these events needs to be improved but JML should have stopped and checked on the guy.

It does look like Ogier will run away with the championship again this year. Hopefully Meeke will put on some pressure when he is there, Mikkelsen is getting quicker and quicker too and may challenge for some wins.

kksaints · 24-01-2016 11:51pm

h3000 wrote: »

I'm a fan of Jari Matti but I think he knew well that he hit that spectator. You can see him stop for have a second just as he hits the guy but then drives off. He is luck to get away with I think. Now the spectator should never have been there in the first place and marshalling at some of these events needs to be improved but JML should have stopped and checked on the guy.

It does look like Ogier will run away with the championship again this year. Hopefully Meeke will put on some pressure when he is there, Mikkelsen is getting quicker and quicker too and may challenge for some wins.

Monaco always seems to have issues with spectators. There is usually drivers saying that snowballs and occasionally stronger stuff than that like bricks thrown at the cars or stuff being left on the road during stages.

But Latvala was lucky enough to avoid an actual ban instead of it being suspended. Im a big fan of his but like I said last year he just makes too many mistakes to be a world champion. He needs to win in Sweden badly because unlike the last few seasons since Loeb has retired there is slightly more competiton this season with Meeke and Mikkelsen improving. Ogier should win the championship again this season.

h3000 · 04-02-2016 11:21am

Just spotted this folks. World Rallycross secures live free-to-air coverage on Quest
Read more at http://www.crash.net/wrc/news/226385/1/world-rallycross-secures-live-freetoair-coverage-on-quest.html#LpcqyqRvDx68Cl84.99

h3000 · 08-02-2016 8:15am

So there is no snow and above zero temperatures around the area of rally Sweden. The road surface is thawing and organisers said even the recce would tare up the road. If things don't change very quickly the event could very well be cancelled or postponed.

Robbo · 08-02-2016 2:14pm

Shortened route, changed recce days and praying for snow for the rest of the week.

h3000 · 08-02-2016 4:10pm

Robbo wrote: »

Shortened route, changed recce days and praying for snow for the rest of the week.

21 stages cut to 13 stages. It's a shame

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/february-2016/sweden-route-change/page/3224--12-12-.html

http://www.crash.net/wrc/news/226510/1/rally-sweden-cancels-four-stages-due-to-warm-weather.html

h3000 · 08-02-2016 5:54pm

Some snow starting to fall now. Lets hope for a bit more.

https://twitter.com/OfficialWRC/status/696714338053316608

h3000 · 10-02-2016 4:05pm

Still very little snow in Sweden and Ogier is not too happy

https://twitter.com/RallyingUK/status/697435185659449345

Robbo · 10-02-2016 6:01pm

Our first Ogier moan of the season.

h3000 · 10-02-2016 6:05pm

Robbo wrote: »

Our first Ogier moan of the season.

Ah it's a justified moan this time though.

h3000 · 29-02-2016 4:05pm

Loeb to take on Solberg in WorldRX
http://www.fiaworldrallycross.com/article/9100/loeb-joins-world-rx-with

Colser · 29-02-2016 7:43pm

h3000 wrote: »

Loeb to take on Solberg in WorldRX
http://www.fiaworldrallycross.com/article/9100/loeb-joins-world-rx-with

If by any chance any one on here has gone to any of these events could you let me know if you arranged the trip yourself or is there any organised trips.Im trying to book a surprise birthday present for someone,can be any car/bike event except rally Finland but Id prefer to just pay rather than organise it myself. Any recommendations?:)

h3000 · 29-02-2016 8:13pm

Colser wrote: »

If by any chance any one on here has gone to any of these events could you let me know if you arranged the trip yourself or is there any organised trips.Im trying to book a surprise birthday present for someone,can be any car/bike event except rally Finland but Id prefer to just pay rather than organise it myself. Any recommendations?:)

WorldRX events are held at race track type facilities. For these you can just by tickets and just show up.

WRC rounds are held out in public roads, each stage could be vary far apart. If your organising it your self you'd probably need car hire and a lot of planning before hand. There are companies like http://www.rallytravel.com that organise trips to WRC rounds that take a lot of the hassle away from you. Wales RallyGB is a great event and a huge amount of Irish go over to it. There are a few specific Irish rallying forums that you'll get a lot of information from and you may be able to join one of those groups.

The Circuit of Ireland is on on the weekend of the 7th April and forms part of the European Rally Championship ERC and is a great event. It's a step below the WRC but still has great cars and drivers.

Colser · 29-02-2016 8:23pm

Thanks h3000. Im thinking rallycross as all the irish Rallies and a few abroad will be attended anyway. I might ring a few travel agents tomorrow and check it out,would just prefer to go on an organised trip rather than booking flights accomadation myself. Maybe Isle of Mann?

WRC, ERC, National rallying 2016 - News & Chat

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