WTCC WTCC 2013 - Page 2

**FIRE** · 15 Oct 2012, 15:49 (Ref:3152339)

Ford leaves WRC:

Quote:

Ford will cease to have a factory presence in the World Rally Championship at the end of the 2012 season.

A statement issued by Ford of Europe on Monday said that the decision had been taken due to the current economic climate, following a major review of its marketing activities in the continent.

...

"At this time, however we determined that it was better for the company and the Ford brand to reduce our commitment to the WRC and deploy our resources in other areas."

...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103466

More support for Arena?

touring fan01 · 15 Oct 2012, 16:02 (Ref:3152355)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Ford leaves WRC:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103466

More support for Arena?

probably the opposite. why would they stop an activity thats good for their brand to support one thats an embarrasment?

**FIRE** · 15 Oct 2012, 16:23 (Ref:3152372)

Their WRC involvment was an success?

Of course the Arena Fords need to improve a lot but it's not impossible.

touring fan01 · 15 Oct 2012, 16:29 (Ref:3152377)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Their WRC involvment was an success?

52 wins and two manufacturers championships up against the might of Loeb and citroen so thats not bad going.

I Rosputnik · 15 Oct 2012, 18:01 (Ref:3152426)

While Ford may be giving Team Aon some money, the only way they will get anywhere closer to the pointy end of the grid is with full works backing. However just because M-sport is losing it's works backing does not mean Team Aon will be given it. In fact they could lose something out of this. So the cynic inside of me will say I doubt they will get works backing and the best outcome is that they keep some form of funding.

Then again, it was Ford of Europe that was doing the works backing for the WRC? If I remember was it Ford of the USA that was helping Team Aon money wise. (This could be wrong.)

Here's some reading about the pull out.

**FIRE** · 15 Oct 2012, 18:10 (Ref:3152434)

Quote:

Originally Posted by touring fan01

52 wins and two manufacturers championships up against the might of Loeb and citroen so thats not bad going.

15 years...only 2 titles...hmmm.

To be honost I don't think Ford will move to WTCC.

Craner Curves · 15 Oct 2012, 20:10 (Ref:3152496)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

15 years...only 2 titles...hmmm.

To be honost I don't think Ford will move to WTCC.

Without going too off topic, it was better than they'd done in the WRC since the MK2 Escort days. From 1985 to the mid 90s, they were very poor.

NaBUru38 · 16 Oct 2012, 11:22 (Ref:3152791)

I'm not sure if WTCC is a better deal than WRC.

**BertMk2** · 16 Oct 2012, 14:16 (Ref:3152880)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Without going too off topic, it was better than they'd done in the WRC since the MK2 Escort days. From 1985 to the mid 90s, they were very poor.

As far as results were concerned maybe - but they did make the RS200

and Escort Cosworth

Without the rally program neither would exist and the world would be a poorer place

Heading back towards the topic - Rene Munnich is replacing O'Young at STR for the final round of the WTCC with a view to running a team next year. Currently he runs the all-inkl.com team in GT1 but as that's been canned for next year he's looking at options. They'd be a good addition to the grid - well backed and professionally run team, not sure what model they'd run though.

Craner Curves · 16 Oct 2012, 14:52 (Ref:3152908)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Heading back towards the topic - Rene Munnich is replacing O'Young at STR for the final round of the WTCC with a view to running a team next year. Currently he runs the all-inkl.com team in GT1 but as that's been canned for next year he's looking at options. They'd be a good addition to the grid - well backed and professionally run team, not sure what model they'd run though.

Seat possibly. Keeping up the VAG connections with his Lambo GT car and Skoda rallycross machine.

**BertMk2** · 16 Oct 2012, 15:14 (Ref:3152917)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Seat possibly. Keeping up the VAG connections with his Lambo GT car and Skoda rallycross machine.

It's an option - but they've been running Mercs in GT this year. He's also got an Audi A3 being built for rallycross (at least that fits with the VAG stuff

).

Craner Curves · 16 Oct 2012, 15:25 (Ref:3152922)

Ah right. I'm a bit out of the loop with FIA GTs due to the TV coverage being on ESPN.

Robbe · 16 Oct 2012, 16:55 (Ref:3152966)

Motorsport Total has a very honest interview with Rene Münnich.

He says he doesn't expect to get good results, because he doesn't have the experience and also no testing, but the main idea of the guest start is to collect information about the series.

WTCC is the only real possibility they have for 2013 and unless the Suzuka races are a complete disaster, they will enter. As for the cars, he says SEAT is their first option, a new manufacturer (Honda?) is also possible but SEAT seems most likely. And he wants to field professional drivers.

**BertMk2** · 17 Oct 2012, 08:21 (Ref:3153238)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbe

WTCC is the only real possibility they have for 2013 and unless the Suzuka races are a complete disaster, they will enter. As for the cars, he says SEAT is their first option, a new manufacturer (Honda?) is also possible but SEAT seems most likely. And he wants to field professional drivers.

If he does enter a team I'd expect it to be a well run professional outfit, he seems to do things properly in whatever category he's racing. Hiring professional drivers isn't a surprise, he's run decent drivers in GT1 and I don't think budgets are a problem!

**FIRE** · 17 Oct 2012, 16:23 (Ref:3153412)

It's a well funded and professional team.

I Rosputnik · 25 Oct 2012, 15:10 (Ref:3157515)

Alan Gow on the WTCC and it's future.

Looks like they are looking at new regs for 2015. (Around when Citroën are looking at entering.)

lms · 25 Oct 2012, 16:42 (Ref:3157554)

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

Alan Gow on the WTCC and it's future.

Looks like they are looking at new regs for 2015. (Around when Citroën are looking at entering.)

"The technical department of the FIA sit down with the manufacturers and look at the regs. I don't get deeply involved in that aspect. However the promoter, Eurosport, also obviously has to be involved, because the regulations have to work for them too"

wtf, eurosport involved in creating the regs????? this sounds so ****ed up XD

redshoes · 25 Oct 2012, 17:07 (Ref:3157565)

Quote:

Originally Posted by lms

wtf, eurosport involved in creating the regs????? this sounds so ****ed up XD

Eurosport Events are the promoter and rights holder for the WTCC, so of course they are involved in discussions over future regulations.

It's no different to Bernie Ecclestone and FOM being involved in discussions over F1 regulations.

**FIRE** · 25 Oct 2012, 17:09 (Ref:3157566)

Quote:

Originally Posted by lms

wtf, eurosport involved in creating the regs????? this sounds so ****ed up XD

I am glad it's totally different in F1. Bernie Ecclestone and his FOM have no involvement in creating the regs.

lms · 25 Oct 2012, 17:35 (Ref:3157586)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

Eurosport Events are the promoter and rights holder for the WTCC, so of course they are involved in discussions over future regulations..

ok, i didnt know that.

NaBUru38 · 25 Oct 2012, 18:45 (Ref:3157625)

The WTCC has close to no media coverage in Hispanic America. I think it's broadcasted on Speed Channel, but outside it nobody hears about it.

Sodemo · 25 Oct 2012, 20:28 (Ref:3157668)

I strongly disagree with Alan Gow about national championships having their own rulesets. A single ruleset is whats needed throughout Europe and possibly worldwide.

ArnageWRC · 26 Oct 2012, 07:57 (Ref:3157855)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

The WTCC has close to no media coverage in Hispanic America. I think it's broadcasted on Speed Channel, but outside it nobody hears about it.

It’s a 2nd class World series – and no amount of ‘bigging it up’ can help it. It should be the best Touring cars, with the best drivers, on the best tracks. It’s none of those.
Whatever problems the WRC has had recently – it does have history, and has been a success in the past – the WTCC is stuck on a ‘minority’ channel. Does Joe Public know about it? Does he even care? No!

I think Touring cars as a World series are finished – leave them for National series. 300BHP mainly FWD tin tops....er, no thanks.

ArnageWRC · 26 Oct 2012, 08:00 (Ref:3157856)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I strongly disagree with Alan Gow about national championships having their own rulesets. A single ruleset is whats needed throughout Europe and possibly worldwide.

Won't happen though - too many vested interests - mainly from the Premium German brands. And you can't blame them.

And how many jobs/seats does Alan Gow have? ToCA, MSA Chairman, FiA Touring car commission......

Sodemo · 26 Oct 2012, 08:11 (Ref:3157860)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArnageWRC

Won't happen though - too many vested interests - mainly from the Premium German brands. And you can't blame them.

And how many jobs/seats does Alan Gow have? ToCA, MSA Chairman, FiA Touring car commission......

If you are referring to the DTM, then I kinda agree that the DTM is a one of its kind type of series. I wouldn't lump all touring cars together, however I would like to see perhaps a 2-tier touring car ruleset. 1 set of rules for your 300bhp saloons / hatchbacks and another set of rules for your 450bhp RWD series.