World Rallycross Championship 2018

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by chunder

He has a couple of Mk2's. Numerous Fiesta's. But this youtube clips alone make him milions so easy to ping a few hundred grand to buy a WRC Escort

God knows how many Fiestas there are now! One was up for sale (the "HFHV" Fiesta), but I think there are at least two more. Think he just has the one Escort? It was a rally/showcar...



...then the same car was rebuilt for gymkhana:



(Not too sure how I feel about the above: it was a pretty well sorted rally car, so a shame to see it hacked up)

Originally Posted by FIRE

Last year I was very positive about the Focus but they didn't make a step forward this season.

Yeah. I was expecting more development of the car in the off season and Bakkerud to take several race wins this year.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Yeah. I was expecting more development of the car in the off season and Bakkerud to take several race wins this year.

But with MSport only contracted to build and develop the car I can imagine there's less initiative from them to really make it better. No extra money, no extra development. Probably would be different if it would really a MSport project.

[CS1]

Originally Posted by crossfades

Hansen-Peugeot are very bitter

Its a bit hypocritical really considering Hansen turned up with the only true manufacturer supported car in 93 and continued for years with far more support than anyone else

The comments on here are only reflecting what happens in any form of motorsport.... at any level someone will always turn up having spent more money over the winter and pushed the boundaries further

Look what happened when Isachsen turned up, then Larsson, etc..

From the nineties onwards all the diehards (including me) wanted to see manufacturer support but it took far longer than we all wanted but when it came along we all privately knew it would change the goalposts.

Lets hope some of the smaller manufacturers turn their eye to the championship and it doesn't alienate itself. Personally Id like to see a few things happen...
A local star driver in a hire car (not a clubman but someone who has international status, Mcrae, Meeke etc...
The odd F1 driver have a go
The cars continuing to be filtered down to privateers the same as it always has and as WRC cars do.

[chunder]

We have had all that already, we had an ex F1 driver, he was useless.

We had McRae, we have Loeb, Block, Solberg Wilks, had Meeke in the past.

The issue now is that you cannot compete with the elite, you could in the past. Even with the budget you can't unless you are in a team or something, you are encouraged to do ERX.

Hansen was not works, the car was works supported, and all that meant was that he got special engines and more than one so he could blow them up if he wanted! Citroen did not run or build the car, they gave him some budget and free engines!!

Schanche was the same. As was Eklund to some extent.

Isachsen had a bottomless pit and was prepared to push the envelope with what he spent, he was a very good driver but he drove the same car for years!!! Larsson learned his craft in other cars, went through the classes in Sweden and finally built one of the best rallycross cars of the modern era. Hardly spending millions more than anyone else. And this was in the amateur days. not WRX.

The current issue is one of disproportionate budgets. It did not matter in the past as it was an amateur sport, now it is borderline pro, with big money and huge marketing, they want close racing and entertainment, and they are getting much less of both

[CS1]

Originally Posted by chunder

We have had all that already, we had an ex F1 driver, he was useless.

We had McRae, we have Loeb, Block, Solberg Wilks, had Meeke in the past.

The issue now is that you cannot compete with the elite, you could in the past. Even with the budget you can't unless you are in a team or something, you are encouraged to do ERX.

Hansen was not works, the car was works supported, and all that meant was that he got special engines and more than one so he could blow them up if he wanted! Citroen did not run or build the car, they gave him some budget and free engines!!

Schanche was the same. As was Eklund to some extent.

Isachsen had a bottomless pit and was prepared to push the envelope with what he spent, he was a very good driver but he drove the same car for years!!! Larsson learned his craft in other cars, went through the classes in Sweden and finally built one of the best rallycross cars of the modern era. Hardly spending millions more than anyone else. And this was in the amateur days. not WRX.

The current issue is one of disproportionate budgets. It did not matter in the past as it was an amateur sport, now it is borderline pro, with big money and huge marketing, they want close racing and entertainment, and they are getting much less of both

Chunder
I didnt say Hansen was works I said manufacturer supported...... at the time support and free engines was a massive advantage over everyone else
Larsson was certainly more geared up than everyone else at the time. With the skoda they had at least 1.5 cars as spares with them at anyone time... so much so he built a car from them over the winter one year

Borderline pro....... Hansen was a professional driver as was Schanche

[chunder]

But the thing is, thatw as personal money or sponsors with Larsson and a few drivers at that tie could afford the same. That car was brilliant and Lars was a great driver. His situation as similar to Isachsen, a lot of money was behind the team yes but they pushed it to the point where they could go harder as they had the backup to deal with anything.

Hansen was a pro driver yes, but so were Eklund, Jernberg, Larsson et al, he was not the only one.

[ebby]

What confirmed dates have been set for WorldRX 2018? I see Hell is advertising advance ticket sales for 8-10 June and Silverstone have their date confirmed although I will be boycotting that meeting. I'd like to book flights for other rounds but am nervous before FIA agree the calendar. Do we know of any others that are dead certain dates for 2018? Thanks

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[CS1]

Anyone know who's bought the Audis?

[MissClarrpz]

Hello CotA http://www.fiaworldrallycross.com/ar...x-to-visit-the

They've put it only 3 weeks before F1 which should be okay. It's still in the same part of the track as GRC tracks. I thought the last GRC track there was good but "Construction of the new rallycross circuit is expected to get underway in the coming months."

Still a 12 round schedule (to be released tomorrow) with 1 less Euro round. Which European event will be dropped? I thought I read on here IMG weren't happy sharing with DTM but can't remember the post

[ebby]

It's only fair Hockenheim should disappear as there's already another German round at Estering

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[FIRE]

I agree.

[mivec]

On the other side:
Hockenheim is a nice track, you can see the whole track from every point.
Great facilities, nice prices...

Buxtehude is a nice track, it has history, euh...

[chunder]

I would think it would be the other way round, DTM would be less than happy sharing with WRX. However DTM is on its arse right now!!

Depends on money, Estering can't make much from WRX, fair play they are holding on and the last bastions of an old track that doesn't get insane crowds. But it must be costing them a fortune to host it. Hockenheim don't have much new these days, so cant be as flush as they once were, and building the track must have cost a lot, cant be easy to recoup it. Same story as Turkey, Argentina and others I am afraid, WRX doesn't raise enough from one event a year to make building the track worthwhile.

Can't believe GRC are keen on WRX going to the USA, but it might be good if they can all race together.

But really if you didn't know this would eventually happen you have your head in the clouds. IMG are American after all.

[crossfades]

I think Turkey was rather removed because of the instability in the country at the time back then. But that is just what I think happened.

There have been some rumours that Estering already has a contract for next year, and potentially for another four or five years.

[chunder]

I think Turkey was only there to say they had a world championship early on and it was in Asia!

Also, no-one went to watch and did they not get out of their contract early?

Hockenheim now confirmed as dropped

They cant seem to get a settled calendar now can they, lol!

[Hickey]

Well it's out now. No Hockenheim. USa is in but bizarrely isn't twinned with Canada. In fact there's only 2 weeks either side of it between other events. Seems crazy to me. I think it's a good idea to have a joint USA event though. About time!

Silverstone has no support series (presumably other than rx2 which is yet to be announced. Nothing more than it deserves. Hope it fails.

Belgium and France looking well worth a visit next year, and Barcelona for those wanting a longer journey and some sun

[MissClarrpz]

I don't get why CotA is in-between Riga and Estering. Why not Canada + US or US then South Africa. Air freight = higher cost plus crashes make harder turn arounds and also whatever you have at Latvia will have no updates till after Germany

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by MissClarrpz

I thought the last GRC track there was good but "Construction of the new rallycross circuit is expected to get underway in the coming months."

Perhaps Austin will do a permanent track, so it can also host off-road trucks.

[chunder]

I would guess this is al to with the existing dates and tracks contracts.

I think from the off IMG would want Canada and USA together, but the other events have contracts to hold their events on those dates, and that would need renegotiating, which would mean IMG have to compensate the tracks, obviously not going to happen!!!

So, this is the best they can do, make teams trek back and forth twice!!! I would think they will offer travel cost reductions as it is because they don't want Hockenheim, not that Hockenheim don't want WRX!!!

[S griffin]

Not really surprised COTA has been given a place, it’s a good location and I’m sure they’ll come up with a good rallyx circuit

[chasing cars]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Not really surprised COTA has been given a place, it’s a good location and I’m sure they’ll come up with a good rallyx circuit

I guess that depends on what is thought to be a good circuit. For me viewing the whole circuit is important, a circuit where cars can actually overtake on track, a good proper rough section ( not dusty tarmac)and a free paddock. Sadly this hadn't been the case recently with many new and old tracks

Does seem daft not to put it back to back with Canada, 3 separate fly away races may just be the straw that breaks the camels back for some teams, and may force them to compete in the European championship instead leaving the world short on numbers.

Also wonder how the US will promote it, no doubt when the deal was done Block was one of the things that sold it to COTA, wonder if he will be tempted back for that round to help promote it.

[chunder]

GRC does not get a crowd and neither will WRX unless it has thousands spent on marketing, they don't care.

They ever have really for GRC. Even when it was held on NASCAR weekends on the same tracks.

[tbtstt]

Been away for a few days*, so just catching up on the latest news now. I'm not surprised to see the World Championship appear in the US, but I didn't think it would happen while the GRC was still in existence.

As others have said it seems silly not to have had the US and Canadian rounds back-to-back but, accordingly to what I have seen on Facebook (specifically comments from Andrew Coley), it seems it wasn't possible to align the schedules.

Confirmation that Silverstone is to be a World round only is yet another snippet of news that is making it increasingly difficult to find any positives with the move of the British round.


*OFF TOPIC: I was away at Rally Legend: it was an expensive weekend when compared to the average rallycross weekend, but one of the best events I have ever been to. Cannot recommend it enough!

[chunder]

I would love to go to Rally Legend actually, looks a truly epic event.

And the Italians do it so right, a show, a real show.

Outr version, Roger Albert Clark rally, basically a histrionic event with no show, no daftness, no pazazz!

Coach trip mate nest year, sort it!!

[tbtstt]

I did it with a company called Rally Tours. You could probably do it cheaper yourself, but they have done it on a number of occasions and know the whole event inside and out. We were taken to the best spots on the stages and pointed in the right direction depending on what we wanted to see. Plus they incorporated stops at Pagani, Ducati, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Imola and K-Sport into the travel days either side of the rally weekend, so we got to see a hell of a lot. If I go again, I'll do it with them.

As for Rally Legend I can't recommend it enough, they basically turn the whole town over to the rally teams. The industrial estate in one corner of the town becomes a massive Super Special Stage, there are full length tarmac Stages in and around the area and they run night stages through San Marino old town (which was one of the best environments I have ever seen rally cars in) and out into the countryside.

(Sorry for the off topic, back to the rallycross now!)