WRC/ERC/Irish & British Rallying 2014 - News and Chat

h3000

So there has been a bit of news in rallying news over the last few days, I think it's time for the 2014 thread.

Just going to quote some of Robbo's post from the 2013 thread.

Robbo wrote: »

And so the driver lineups begin to materialise:

VW: Ogier, Latvala, Mikkelsen
Hyundai: Neuville, Hanninen (partial campaign), Sordo (likely)
Ford: Hirvonen, Kubica (Ford have applied for a dispensation to run a modified paddle shift which points to Kubica driving)

Citroen aren't announcing anything until December 16th and it could well be Meeke and Ostberg.

Robbo wrote: »

Motorsport News this week has a story that Toyota are building a Yaris to evaluate a return to the WRC.

Some new rules for next years start orders.
I'm not too impressed with it to be honest.

FIA wrote:

The start order for both gravel and tarmac rallies has been amended as follows, in order to increase the show for fans and reduce the use of tactics:

Day 1: Provisional Championship classification order for P1 and P2 drivers
Day 2: Reverse provisional rally classification order for P1 and P2 drivers
Day 3: Reverse provisional rally classification order for P1 and P2 drivers

Cars having retired and restarting (Rally 2) will be placed the next day after the P1 and P2 drivers group.

In order to allow greater flexibility to contract different drivers, manufacturers will no longer be required to nominate one permanent driver for the season. Instead, manufacturers will be obliged to nominate one driver for a minimum of 10 Championship events.

To bring consistency to events and thereby aid the Promoter, rallies must now follow a fixed format. There will be a ceremonial start on Thursday, with the last stage run on Sunday at approximately 12:00 hrs for European events. The final stage is defined as the Power Stage, the length of which will be set at a minimum of 10 kilometres.

All competitors registered in the Championships – WRC, WRC 2, WRC 3 and Junior WRC - will be obliged to use a colour-coded windscreen sticker to promote and identify the category in which they are competing and scoring points.

It was agreed to rename all classes of eligible cars in order to harmonise the numbering with the other FIA Championships. Therefore, the smaller number will define the most powerful cars (RC1 being World Rally Cars).

Permanent competition numbers will no longer be allocated to P3 drivers competing in the support championships. Drivers wishing to request a permanent number for marketing or promotional purposes will however be able to do so. The restriction on the number of servicing personnel has also been removed and testing during the three weeks preceding an event is now permitted for P3 drivers.

The date for the 2014 Rally d’Italia has changed to 08 June.

I will try to add some more to the thread over the next day or so.

guyfo

Toyota to start testing a WRC spec Yaris in 2014 to compete in 2015

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111749

h3000

The ERC will have a teams championship from 2014 too. With a bit of luck we may see some new teams committing to a championship.

FIA wrote:

In order to increase the presence of professional teams, new titles have been created in the FIA European Rally Championship; the FIA ERC Manufacturers’ Cup, the FIA ERC Manufacturers’ Cup for 2WD Cars, and the FIA ERC Manufacturers’ Cup for Production Cars. The best two cars of each manufacturer entered in the Championship will score points in the respective classifications. The existing team titles have been deleted.

Free Practice and Qualifying will be staged on all tarmac rallies, as well as gravel events, following the same regulations concerning the definition of the rally start order for the first day.

A Junior Championship will be created within the framework of the FIA European Rally Championship to create a genuine ladder between the ERC and WRC for young talent. Designed to be an accessible and cost-effective series for drivers under 25 competing in currently named R2 cars, the Championship will run over seven events with the best four results – including one gravel or snow rally – counting towards the title.

Irish man Craig Breen will also run in 2014 with Sainteloc-run Peugeot Sport team. It looks like he will start the year in the 207 S2000 but should be in the new 208 T16 (R5) before the Circuit of Ireland which is part of the ERC for 2014.

Robbo

M-Sport want Kubica. This is a very good thing.

I believe the 2014 WRC entry list is closed next weekend and Citroen are having their announcement on the 16th. Hyundai will confirm their lineup tomorrow I think.

h3000

Robbo wrote: »

M-Sport want Kubica. This is a very good thing.

I believe the 2014 WRC entry list is closed next weekend and Citroen are having their announcement on the 16th. Hyundai will confirm their lineup tomorrow I think.

Do you think we will see a Meeke & Ostberg line up in Citroen?

Robbo

h3000 wrote: »

Do you think we will see a Meeke & Ostberg line up in Citroen?

Has to be. I don't think there's anything to the talk that Duval's been putting about.

Kubica brings money and serious profile which should make M-Sport far more secure.

afatbollix

Kubica is doing the first round of the ERC in a fiestia R5 so he is deffo going to M sport.

If M sport have Kubica and the mad Russian I feel sorry for there pannel beaters all ready..

Robbo

Meeke and Ostberg officially confirmed at Citroen.

h3000

Robbo wrote: »

Meeke and Ostberg officially confirmed at Citroen.

Excellent news woohoo. Paul Nagle back in the passenger seat too.

mjhickeyie

Robbo wrote: »

Meeke and Ostberg officially confirmed at Citroen.

Great news!

h3000

Some talk that Breen tested with Scott Martin last week. I wonder will he sit beside him next year.

h3000

WRC 2014

A quick look at how the driver line up is looking so far. I'll update as more news is confirmed. Question marks below are not officially confirmed.

Constructor Car Team Driver Co-Driver Rounds
Citroën DS3 WRC Citroën Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team Kris Meeke Paul Nagle Full Season
Citroën DS3 WRC Citroën Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team Mads Østberg Jonas Andersson Full Season
Citroën DS3 WRC Citroën Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team Khalid Al Qassimi ?? ??
Ford Fiesta RS WRC M-Sport World Rally Team ??Mikko Hirvonen?? ??Jarmo Lehtinen?? Full Season
Ford Fiesta RS WRC M-Sport World Rally Team ??Robert Kubica?? ??TBA?? Full Season
Ford Fiesta RS WRC Jipocar Czech National Team Martin Prokop ??Michal Ernst?? Full Season
Hyundai I20 WRC Hyundai Motorsport Thierry Neuville Nicolas Gilsoul Full Season
Hyundai I20 WRC Hyundai Motorsport Juho Hänninen Tomi Tuominen Selected Rounds
Hyundai I20 WRC Hyundai Motorsport ??Dani Sordo?? ??Marc Marti?? ??
Volkswagen Polo R WRC Volkswagen Motorsport Sebastien Ogier Julien Ingrassia Full Season
Volkswagen Polo R WRC Volkswagen Motorsport Jari-Matti Latvala Miikka Anttila Full Season

Tweet from Carlos del Barrio. Looks like theres some truth to Marc Marti.

Thanks @ DaniSordo x these 3 great years. Good luck in your new stage. Time for new challenges for both. Wishing to start 2014!

h3000

h3000

WRC 2014

UPDATED 2

A quick look at how the driver line up is looking so far. I'll update as more news is confirmed. Question marks below are not officially confirmed.

Constructor Car Team Driver Co-Driver Rounds
Citroën DS3 WRC Citroën Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team Kris Meeke Paul Nagle Full Season
Citroën DS3 WRC Citroën Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team Mads Østberg Jonas Andersson Full Season
Citroën DS3 WRC Citroën Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team Khalid Al Qassimi ?? ??
Ford Fiesta RS WRC M-Sport World Rally Team ??Mikko Hirvonen?? ??Jarmo Lehtinen?? Full Season
Ford Fiesta RS WRC M-Sport World Rally Team ??Robert Kubica?? ??TBA?? Full Season
Ford Fiesta RS WRC Jipocar Czech National Team Martin Prokop ??Michal Ernst?? Full Season
Hyundai I20 WRC Hyundai Shell World Rally Team Thierry Neuville Nicolas Gilsoul Full Season
Hyundai I20 WRC Hyundai Shell World Rally Team Juho Hänninen Tomi Tuominen Sweden, maybe more??
Hyundai I20 WRC Hyundai Shell World Rally Team Dani Sordo Marc Marti Tarmac/mixed rounds
Hyundai I20 WRC Hyundai Shell World Rally Team Chris Atkinson Stephane Prevot Australia, maybe more??
Volkswagen Polo R WRC Volkswagen Motorsport Sebastien Ogier Julien Ingrassia Full Season
Volkswagen Polo R WRC Volkswagen Motorsport Jari-Matti Latvala Miikka Anttila Full Season

leoch

Absolutely brilliant news about Meeks can't wait for it to start now.hope they can sort good tv coverage now

h3000

leoch wrote: »

Absolutely brilliant news about Meeks can't wait for it to start now.hope they can sort good tv coverage now

Colin Clark was saying that there should be better TV coverage now that there is a "UK" driver involved





**I know he is a UK citizen, just taking the piss

wobbles

Driver musical chairs always makes for an exciting down season. Hopefully its a sign things are going backwards to go forwards. Back in the early 00's teams often changed drivers. Its gotten stale the last few years with so few teams amongst all the other issues

h3000

M-Sport are to name their drivers on Friday.

h3000

Looks like it will be Hirvonnen & Elfyn Evans in M-Sport next year with Kubica in a M-Sport car in Lotos colours. We should know for certain tomorrow.

h3000

WRC 2014

Well M-Sport have confirmed their line ups today. Hirvonnen, Evans and Kubica. I'm really looking forward to next season. It's had a real good shake up with teams and drivers at least. Bring it on

Constructor Car Team Driver Co-Driver Rounds
Citroën DS3 WRC Citroën Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team Kris Meeke Paul Nagle Full Season
Citroën DS3 WRC Citroën Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team Mads Østberg Jonas Andersson Full Season
Citroën DS3 WRC Citroën Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team Khalid Al Qassimi ?? ??
Ford Fiesta RS WRC M-Sport World Rally Team Mikko Hirvonen Jarmo Lehtinen Full Season
Ford Fiesta RS WRC M-Sport World Rally Team Elfyn Evans Daniel Barritt Full Season
Ford Fiesta RS WRC RK M-Sport World Rally Team Robert Kubica ??TBA?? Full Season
Ford Fiesta RS WRC Jipocar Czech National Team Martin Prokop ??Michal Ernst?? Full Season
Hyundai I20 WRC Hyundai Shell World Rally Team Thierry Neuville Nicolas Gilsoul Full Season
Hyundai I20 WRC Hyundai Shell World Rally Team Juho Hänninen Tomi Tuominen Sweden, maybe more??
Hyundai I20 WRC Hyundai Shell World Rally Team Dani Sordo Marc Marti Tarmac/mixed rounds
Hyundai I20 WRC Hyundai Shell World Rally Team Chris Atkinson Stephane Prevot Australia, maybe more??
Volkswagen Polo R WRC Volkswagen Motorsport Sebastien Ogier Julien Ingrassia Full Season
Volkswagen Polo R WRC Volkswagen Motorsport Jari-Matti Latvala Miikka Anttila Full Season

http://www.m-sport.co.uk/m-sport-news/fiesta-rs-wrc/robert-kubica-confirms-2014-campaign.html
http://www.m-sport.co.uk/m-sport-news/fiesta-rs-wrc/youth-and-experience-m-sport-confirm-hirvonen-and-evans-for-2014.html

wobbles

Delighted for Elfyn Evans. Very talented driver that should have a great year. What sponsorship does he have behind him?

leoch

its just because he is gwyndaf evans son and british, Wilson wouldn't have gave meeke a drive in one of his vans and he is ten times the driver why could he not have gave Cronin a chance did he not win the british championship 9or breen)apart from hirvonen wilsons team is bottom of the barrel stuff to say the least sure kub... or whatever his name is got a drive cause he is bringing a bag of money he will be lucky to get into the top ten on any rally

mjhickeyie

wobbles wrote: »

Delighted for Elfyn Evans. Very talented driver that should have a great year. What sponsorship does he have behind him?

Does he have a connection to the Qatar money?
His R5 was in the full m-sport colours last year.

h3000

leoch wrote: »

its just because he is gwyndaf evans son and british, Wilson wouldn't have gave meeke a drive in one of his vans and he is ten times the driver why could he not have gave Cronin a chance did he not win the british championship 9or breen)apart from hirvonen wilsons team is bottom of the barrel stuff to say the least sure kub... or whatever his name is got a drive cause he is bringing a bag of money he will be lucky to get into the top ten on any rally

Evans is a great driver and deserves the seat in his own right but I will say he might be one year too early. That said give him 5 or 6 rallies and I really think he will be right up there.

Meeke is a great driver but he is in no way 10 times better than Evans. As for Breen I really think he is going about things right. The PSA seat could easily get him a Citroen seat in a year or two. Let's hope he an develop his speed.

h3000

Apparently an objection has been lodged with the FIA in regards to Kubica's paddle shift modification. No confirmed sources yet but sources on Twitter are stating that VW have lodged the objection. Sounds like very bad form if true

guyfo

h3000 wrote: »

Apparently an objection has been lodged with the FIA in regards to Kubica's paddle shift modification. No confirmed sources yet but sources on Twitter are stating that VW have lodged the objection. Sounds like very bad form if true

if it is true i'm sure it's nothing more than the time delay on the paddleshift not being long enough or something small that can be altered, VW have been nothing but sporting since they entered the series.

h3000

guyfo wrote: »

if it is true i'm sure it's nothing more than the time delay on the paddleshift not being long enough or something small that can be altered, VW have been nothing but sporting since they entered the series.

Turns out that VW just wanted clarification on how the system would work and if there was any competitive advantage. All seems okay now.

h3000

Looks like Chirs Patterson will partner Al Qassimi for 2014 and with that it looks like Scott Martin will sit with Breen.

h3000

Craig Breen has entered Rally Sweden in a Fiesta WRC. He will be co-driven by Scott Martin. Very interesting, I presume the PeugeotSport contract is still in place and this is just a one off. I think his dad bought a Fiesta WRC which he hires out and runs (team).

wobbles

Very surprised by this to be honest and would have to wonder whether Peugeot would allow one of their drivers drive another car, albeit privately owned.

On the other hand, they could be being sneaky and allowing Craig drive the WRC on the event, then test the Peugeot on the same stages to compare the times.

h3000

wobbles wrote: »

Very surprised by this to be honest and would have to wonder whether Peugeot would allow one of their drivers drive another car, albeit privately owned.

On the other hand, they could be being sneaky and allowing Craig drive the WRC on the event, then test the Peugeot on the same stages to compare the times.

It is a bit odd. There is still no real confirmation of his ERC program either, although I'm sure we would have heard if there was problems there too.

h3000

http://www.irallylive.com/ir_news.htm?00005864&10

iRally wrote:

Craig Breen will drive a Fiesta RS WRC at Rally Sweden next month with Scott Martin as co-driver. The news, announced tonight by his management company VV Sport Management, is at pains to explain that Breen, who's expected to spearhead Peugeot Sport's 2014 ERC efforts once the new 208 T16 is homologated in March, has had special release from Peugeot to compete in Sweden.

Craig Breen wrote:

“Firstly I am very grateful to Peugeot Sport for allowing me to take this opportunity to participate in Rally Sweden. We are purely focused on the ERC this year, and the much anticipated debut of the 208 T16 in March. However, it goes without saying that a chance to drive in the WRC is something that we couldn't turn down."

"This opportunity is something that I have dreamed of obtaining since I was a young boy, so to finally have my chance is something I am really excited about."

"This year will also see the introduction of a new co-driver for me in the form of Scott Martin. Scott and I have already tested together, and we are anxiously awaiting the start of our Peugeot Rally Academy programme."

afatbollix

Criag himself owns the car and its his company who rents it out to other people.

h3000

afatbollix wrote: »

Criag himself owns the car and its his company who rents it out to other people.

Oh right, thanks. I taught it was Ray's car.

chopperbyrne

Any news on a TV deal yet?

h3000

chopperbyrne wrote: »

Any news on a TV deal yet?

I don't think anything is confirmed yet but ITV4 and Motors TV are looking likely apparently.

guyfo

h3000 wrote: »

I think his dad bought a Fiesta WRC which he hires out and runs (team).

If its the car Craig used to drive you're referring to its not a wr car its an S2000.

h3000

guyfo wrote: »

If its the car Craig used to drive you're referring to its not a wr car its an S2000.

The S2000 is sold a while back. They have a WRC now.

wobbles

The S2000 was sold to Barrable before he got the R5 feista. They now have a WRC although who exactly owns it I dont know. Either way the Breens own it.

Have they had it hired out much abroad. Only James Colman has used it in Ireland. Hope someone in Ireland hires it out for a few ITC rounds next year. There were rumours of more WRC/RRCs being in Ireland next year but theres always rumours this time of year.

h3000

wobbles wrote: »

The S2000 was sold to Barrable before he got the R5 feista. They now have a WRC although who exactly owns it I dont know. Either way the Breens own it.

Have they had it hired out much abroad. Only James Colman has used it in Ireland. Hope someone in Ireland hires it out for a few ITC rounds next year. There were rumours of more WRC/RRCs being in Ireland next year but theres always rumours this time of year.

Didn't Barrable only do a couple of rounds in the S2000 before he got the R5. I wonder does he still have the S2000.
I think it was in France a little while back. I don't know with who though. I also could just be making it up, I do that from time to time

wobbles

He did do a few events in the s2000, Finland being one. Not sure where it is now, could even be upgraded to the r5 he currently has.

h3000

h3000 wrote: »

Didn't Barrable only do a couple of rounds in the S2000 before he got the R5. I wonder does he still have the S2000.
I think it was in France a little while back. I don't know with who though. I also could just be making it up, I do that from time to time

When I say it I mean the WRC. I was a few pints in at that stage last night.

kksaints

Kubica won the Janner rally the opening round of the ERC today.

afatbollix

wobbles wrote: »

He did do a few events in the s2000, Finland being one. Not sure where it is now, could even be upgraded to the r5 he currently has.

The R5 was a brand new car built for him. Seen it at his first event when he got the keys.

M sport don't even stick the stickers on it for you..

h3000

Speaking of M-Sport, i think this looks like a great 'affordable' program for young drivers to get on the world stage. A really nice prize for the winner too.

M-Sport wrote:

DMACK and M-Sport have joined forces to provide a cost-effective series within the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship which offers an incredible prize drive of a full WRC 2 season in a Ford Fiesta R5 car in 2015.

The Drive DMACK Fiesta Cup will use M-Sport's proven Ford Fiesta R2 rally car to provide a platform to encourage fierce competition among the world's top young rally talent. Competitors will battle over five European rounds of the WRC using DMACK tyres with the winner guaranteed a full seven-round WRC 2 campaign in the hugely popular Fiesta R5.

Registered competitors will be supplied with identical Fiesta R2s prepared and maintained by M-Sport. With the series set to cost a fixed fee of just £99,950, it will be the most affordable way for aspiring drivers to showcase their talent on the world stage.

Click here for full story

Robbo

h3000 wrote: »

Speaking of M-Sport, i think this looks like a great 'affordable' program for young drivers to get on the world stage. A really nice prize for the winner too.

Beats the new JWRC setup into a cocked hat. Citroen getting the contract to run it was insane. I know which way I'd go if I was an ambitious young driver with a few quid behind me.

h3000

Robbo wrote: »

Beats the new JWRC setup into a cocked hat. Citroen getting the contract to run it was insane. I know which way I'd go if I was an ambitious young driver with a few quid behind me.

Definitely so. I think the Citroen JWRC campaign is going to be very close to €200k madness.

h3000

Peugeot 2014 ERC program released.

PEUGEOT Sport wrote:

PEUGEOT RALLY ACADEMY 2014

The Peugeot Rally Academy, which was created in 2013 with a programme founded on the FIA European Rally Championship, is looking forward to its second season of competition in 2014. Designed to provide a framework for the promotion of talented drivers and models like the 208 T16 and 208 R2, this year’s Peugeot Rally Academy line-up will once again feature three youngsters, namely Irishman Craig Breen, Dutchman Kevin Abbring and Frenchman Stéphane Lefebvre. The Peugeot Rally Academy’s 2014 programme will kick off in Latvia at the end of January.


Building up to the 208 T16’s debut



Peugeot Sport’s eagerly-awaited new spearhead is currently undergoing final fine-tuning adjustments ahead of its homologation on March 1. Cars are being assembled concurrently in order for delivery to early customers to begin in the weeks ahead. Craig Breen and Kevin Abbring will both drive a 208 T16 in this year’s de FIA ERC in which their twofold mission will be to win events and continue to showcase their respective skills.

As in 2013, Craig Breen will contest eight rounds of the FIA-ERC, beginning with the Rally Liepaja (Latvia) in a 207S2000 before the 208T16’s competition debut on the Acropolis Rally (Greece). His co-driver for the season is Scott Martin.

Meanwhile, Kevin Abbring takes over from Jérémi Ancian in the Peugeot Rally Academy squad. Thanks to his victory in last year’s 208 Rally Cup France, and despite his young age, the 24-year old Dutchman has already carved out an international reputation for himself and his name was frequently cited in the same breath as that of Mikkelsen in 2012! His first outing with the Peugeot Rally Academy will be the Acropolis Rally (Greece) and all his six appearances will be in the 208 T16.

.
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January 31-February 2: Latvia, C. Breen (207 S2000) and S. Lefebvre (208R2)

March 28-30: Acropolis (Greece): C. Breen (208T16) and K. Abbring (208 T16)

April 17-19: Ireland, C. Breen (208T16) and K. Abbring (208 T16)

May 15-17: Acores (Portugal), C. Breen (208T16), K. Abbring (208 T16) and S. Lefebvre (208R2)

June 19-21: Ypres (Belgium), C. Breen (208T16), K. Abbring (208 T16) and S. Lefebvre (208R2)

August 29-31: Barum (Czech Republic), C. Breen (208T16) and K. Abbring (208 T16)

October 23-25: Valais (Switzerland), C. Breen (208T16)

November 6-8: Corsica (France), C. Breen (208T16), K. Abbring (208 T16) and S. Lefebvre (208R2)

Click here for full story

h3000

It's looking like BTsport, MotorsTV and ITV4 for WRC coverage.

h3000

And we're off..........(ish)

Shakedown has started in Monte Carlo, times so far are:
OGIER 2:15,3
MEE+1,2
ØST+1,2
LAT+2,9
KUB+3,0
NEU+3,1
HIR+3,5
SOR+5,1
MIK+5,1
BOU+6,6
EVA+6,7
PRO+7,3

I splashed out for a BT-Sport subscription, I was thinking about it for MotoGP but then the WRC coverage was announced I said I'd treat myself. Really looking forward to the live stage coverage.

mjhickeyie

h3000 wrote: »

And we're off..........(ish)

Really looking forward to the live stage coverage.

I presume that is only on BT Sport?

Good start for Meeke.

It looks like Motors TV will be showing daily highlights. Missed that last year.