2012 World Rally Championship General News and Discussion

[bpratt]

Thanks for the update Ian ! 

[Ian G.]

No worries,i'll try & keep it updated for those that are interested but don't have the time to chase the Info.
Main off season News so far is Mikko Hirvonen(Ford) to Citroen to replace Sebastien Ogier who has joined VW,he will drive a Skoda until development is completed on the Polo which is being prepared for the 2013 WRC.

[Oldtony]

I wonder if not getting the second seat at Citroen (and not being good enough to deserve it) was a factor in Kimi going back to F1?
The other interesting factor is that the Minis were starting to look competitive by the end of the season.

[Ian G.]

Hard to know Tony,unlike F-1 where there is 24/7  scrutiny by Journo's,a lot of WRC behind the scenes stuff never makes it to the public domain.One thing thou.,a lot of Journo's had Kimi 99% certain to get Ogier's seat at Citroen so there is a story there that will probaly come out in the years to come,did Citroen back out when Hirvonen became available or Kimi when approached by Williams,apparently Renault only became involved when the Williams deal leaked out.
I read an article earlier this year that said Kimi never got the respect he deserved from the other WRC competitors,treated more like a celebrity like Block rather than a genuine threat.However top of the tree WRC in 2011 was very dysfunctional,both Citroen & Ford team-mates  hated each other and only spoke when they had to at Team functions.

[Ian G.]

......words from Seb. Ogier,apologies for the translation,its Google from a Website.
"Hi all,

That's it, I am Volkswagen factory driver for three years and I am very happy! I acknowledge that I am also relieved to have put an end to the last weeks of procrastination: I was not worried about my future, but I still head cluttered with this choice between what I proposed Volkswagen and Ford on one side of the other. I thought a lot, but I now think clearly and I am delighted with this new adventure.

I could not but be convinced by the Volkswagen Group, the leading European manufacturer and soon world leader. Their position gives them real credibility and put me at ease. If they commit it to win, and they have the means to their ambitions, which reassured me. I also find it very interesting to build a team from scratch and to support the development of the car. I hope to write a great story with Volkswagen!

The only thing that made me hesitate was the need to agree not to run the WRC in 2012. We still quarrel all the rounds of the championship, at least with the Skoda S2000 and why not with the Polo end of the season: it would be a great reward if we have worked to develop it! This will allow us to Julien and myself but also for the team to gain experience that will prove useful in the future. In addition to this comprehensive program, we have twenty test sessions scheduled in the world and in all fields covered by the world championship. I guarantee you not be idle in 2012!

Last week we had our first contact with the team, in Hanover. It went very well, we were well received. We wanted to show the team we are delighted to integrate their family. Despite the dictionary that has been offered this opportunity, I believe that we should not expect miracles from me in German! Fortunately, the team speaks English well and then Julian has some remains of his schooling, he will need to act as my interpreter the first time.

I soon found Germany for the Race of Champions in Düsseldorf, where I will be driving for the first time a Volkswagen, before giving you visit Paris for the ERDF Kart Masters.

Tchüss!

Seb"

[Oldtony]

And a nice win in the ROC over Tom Kirstensen in the Final.
First time out for VW as the Polo was the Rally car supplied.

[Ian G.]

Solberg looks likely to get 2nd Ford seat but whispers continue that Ford are downscaling their WRC effort and are looking to support private Teams rather than maintain a genuine factory Team.History tells us this will probaly be the last year(for a while) for Ford Factory Team,a facebook page has been set up to keep Ford in the WRC for those interested.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96731

[bpratt]

Sounds very much the norm for Ford in motorsport throughout the world.

The come in for a period of time, then back right out again by initially supporting the privateers, then reducing that support fairly quickly over the next couple of years.

Meanwhile their manufacturing competition stick with that code of motorsport either continuously or at least for several years. We've all seen it happen in F1 and even locally here. 

[Ian G.]

Latest News has Ford continuing until the end of 2013,this is probaly dependant on Wilson obtaining large amounts of outside sponsorship so probaly not as definite statement as it appears,time will tell.
FIA close to taking control of the WRC back from North One Sport.
 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96765

[Mothers Worry]

Thanks for the updates Ian. They are very much appreciated.

I do follow rallying but, at the moment, I am up to my eyeballs in work and time is of the essence so I have very little time to chase down this news and post in this sub-forum.

It's great to be able to follow the news you post. 

[Ian G.]

Thanks,they're mainly links off Twitter i read most days,i'll try and keep the thread up-todate when time allows.

[Ian G.]

Alister McRae to contest selected events for Proton.
http://www.wrc.com/news/proton-brings-mcrae-name-back-to-wrc/?fid=15881

[Mothers Worry]

Thanks to Ian G. for posting the WRC Calendar for 2012 which can be found here:

http://www.australianmotorsportforums.com.au/forum/off-road-wrc/2012-world-rally-championship-calendar/

[Ian G.]

FIA finally acts on North One Sport,cutting it fine with the Monte due in 2 Weeks.
http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/wrc/2012/Pages/wrc-nos-2012.aspx
 

[Ian G.]

At this stage the Monte is still on but things are getting messy,cloak and dagger regarding the make up of the field isn't helping,it should have been published by now.

http://www.sport360.com/article/mounting-issues-place-2012-world-rally-championship-serious-jeopardy

[Oldtony]

The other problem for the Monte is that the timing gear is programmed and operated by a group contracted to North, and who are chasing North for what is owed to them. Apparently they are willing to go ahead with the timing but the dispute ties the hardware up as part of the assetts of North.
Remind me never to get into a contract to but a postage stamp if FIA are involved in the deal

[Ian G.]

Thanks Tony,i guess thats part of the "unspecified legal problems" and "not appropriate to discuss" statements coming from the FIA.

[Ian G.]

Monte is still on(?) and the Mini's have decided on a late entry.

http://www.ausmotive.com/2012/01/16/mini-wrc-team-ready-for-monte-carlo-rally.html

Eurosport is to cover the Rally for the FIA,i think i read somewhere its part of Dietrich Mateschitz's Red Bull empire/conglomerate.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96991

[Ian G.]

Monte has started but the WRC is still in a mess and the FIA is relying on the good will of the factory teams to avoid major dramas.

http://www.crash.net/world+rally/news/175756/1/rallye_monte_carlo_entry_list_released.html

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/18/sport/motorsport/motorsport-world-rally-loeb/index.html

[Oldtony]

I'm trying to set up a booze up in the brewery at Milton.
Do you think the FIA could organise it for me?

Oh well situation normal. Lavatala chucks it into a wall on day one and Le Seb leads.