WRC 2011 - Page 5

AussieTimmeh · 7 Mar 2011, 11:18 (Ref:2841423)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steptoe

Ken Block is obviously attracting a lot more potential fans to the sport & his marketing is brilliant for the sponsors (just look at the you tube hits for his Gymkana stuff) That said is he a good ambassador for the WRC? What do the die hard WRC fans think? It just seems he's getting lots of TV coverage compared to all the guys that finish ahead of him that don't get the recognition they deserve.
I'd love to hear what the rest of the WRC teams think.

I follow Ken Block for many reasons:

1. His daily video blogs during rallies and constant updates via facebook in between events are the best from any rally team I have found, I love the perspective they give and how real he is about things.
2. He likes to goof around but he isn't totally full of himself and thinks he is the best driver ever. When he is driving rubbish, he knows it and says so. He knows he can't win the Rally of Sweden but tries hard anway and has a crack at the Colin's Crest trophy because he knows everyone will enjoy it. I follow him to see if he is having a good rally or a not-so-good one, rather than a vague interest in which of the two usual drivers won this time.s that it's about giving it a go and he looks to have way more fun than some of the other drivers.
3. He always has time for the fans. Even when the Fiesta wouldn't start, he was signing autographs for kids and stuff. The video blogs nearly always include Ken's comments about and video of the fans.
4. He enjoys doing things outside the WRC like the Gymkhana stuff and the GRID invitationals, things I don't get to see from the other drivers. I am not saying other drivers don't do such stuff, but I don't hear about it normally.
5. He puts his name, face, time, and voice into games like Dirt, which isn't the best rally game in the world but it's fun and further makes the association stronger.
6. It's someone different to Loeb and the usually under-performing Finns that have been at Ford since forever. It's been all about Loeb for years - and credit to him, he is awesome, but it's the same when Schumacher was winning everything too.
7. Someone with a bit of warmth - definitely the language barrier has something to do with this but I find Ken easier to identify with than any of the other drivers. He's the sort of person I'd have as a friend. I will add though that Petter Solberg probably shows the most flamboyant emotion and is good for a laugh.

They are a few reasons I can think of for starters. My interest in his activities has rekindled my interest in WRC and I will probably head to the WRC in my country for the first time ever this year to see him in attendance.

tbtstt · 7 Mar 2011, 11:55 (Ref:2841437)

I have to say I'm pretty much in total agreement with everything in your post there. There is obviously a massive marketing push behind Block (which is why he looks like he is in an advert 90% of the time

) but, as an individual, he always comes across as someone likeable, with a genuine love for the sport.

I think its fair to say that Block isn't quite at the level of the other top WRC (he is certainly talented) but, as you say, he doesn't claim to be. He is just an amateur driver who has been given the opportunity (and who has the finance) to have a go at the WRC. I'd question any rally fan who says they wouldn't do the same thing if they were in his position!

NaBUru38 · 8 Mar 2011, 20:29 (Ref:2842306)

Standings after Mexico:

WRC Drivers:

1. Mikko Hirvonen, 46
2. Sébastien Loeb, 37
3. Jari-Matti Latvala, 31
4. Mads Østberg, 28
5. Petter Solberg, 23
6. Sébastien Ogier, 15
7. Henning Solberg, 8
8. Martin Prokop, 6
9. Per-Gunnar Andersson, 6
10. Kimi Räikkönen, 4
10. Juho Hänninen, 4
12. Matthew Wilson, 2
12. Federico Villagra, 2
14. Khalid Al Qassimi, 1
14. Ott Tänak, 1

WRC Manufacturers:

1. Ford, 73
2. Citroën, 47
3. Stobart, 36
4. Solberg, 12
5. Ice 1, 8
6. Abu Dhabi, 6
7. Monster, 6
8. Munchi's, 6
9. Ferm, 4

JAG · 10 Mar 2011, 21:09 (Ref:2843576)

Todays Autosport says the VW program could be announced at Portugal, development of the Polo is underway and Solberg has been signed up.

Budget could be upto £80m and they may try to sign Loeb.

Auto Express article.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...ts_closer.html

**BertMk2** · 10 Mar 2011, 21:20 (Ref:2843581)

VW works effort with Solberg? Sounds good if it comes off. I can't see them getting Loeb though, I'd have thought he'd be happy where he is.

AussieTimmeh · 10 Mar 2011, 22:44 (Ref:2843639)

Great news!

**FIRE** · 11 Mar 2011, 19:27 (Ref:2844150)

€100 million/year...Isn't that ridiculous amount of money? Is this the new and cheaper WRC?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertMk2

VW works effort with Solberg? Sounds good if it comes off. I can't see them getting Loeb though, I'd have thought he'd be happy where he is.

But what if Ogier becomes Citroens #1 driver?

BTW Russian Antonov has bought the WRC promotor North One. He's also owner of Spyker and invester in Saab...

JAG · 11 Mar 2011, 22:32 (Ref:2844256)

I would think the budget is for 3 years including start-up costs.

1975DCS · 15 Mar 2011, 22:39 (Ref:2846519)

Like I posted some time ago, all drivers and teams in Rally or Rallycross could do an awfull lot more with internet as they currently do. Why don't they lend or hire a video cam and make their own video for YouTube? It's near free. It is not like Ken Block is very commercial, it is the others that suck in that point!

**FIRE** · 16 Mar 2011, 17:54 (Ref:2846963)

It's not only in rally(cross) but also in other forms of motorsport. I too don't understand that. In the US they are miles ahead of European motorsport.

JAG · 26 Mar 2011, 16:38 (Ref:2853592)

Good start for Mini S2000.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/90200

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/90139

rustyfan · 28 Mar 2011, 09:56 (Ref:2854746)

Didn't realize Ken Block's shakedown flip in Portugal was caught on tape, but apparently it was. Glad to see him walk away from that one.

AussieTimmeh · 28 Mar 2011, 10:13 (Ref:2854754)

Yeah the car seems to defy gravity in that one. Amazing crash.

cmotd · 29 Mar 2011, 09:32 (Ref:2855270)

Gotta feel sorry for peter - FIVE punctures on day one in Portugal. That guy has no luck

rs 200 · 31 Mar 2011, 22:00 (Ref:2856560)

not sure if right place but will ford loose out now

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/859708-t...-the-age-of-56

rustyfan · 1 Apr 2011, 21:45 (Ref:2857111)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs 200

not sure if right place but will ford loose out now

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/859708-t...-the-age-of-56

Was he involved in the motorsport sponsoring side of things in some way? Just wondering since he no longer was directly involved in the company itself, having sold it to his brother in 2004.

JAG · 12 Apr 2011, 18:18 (Ref:2862532)

Mini WRC demo, these 1.6T WRC's sound somewhat like the 205 T16, also turns out they are a little quicker than last years cars.

If your interested £400k apiece!

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=Mh...mbedded#at=128

1975DCS · 12 Apr 2011, 18:47 (Ref:2862546)

It is too bad it isn't a 3 door...

**FIRE** · 12 Apr 2011, 19:02 (Ref:2862560)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAG

If your interested £400k apiece!

Cost cutting new rules....

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1975DCS

It is too bad it isn't a 3 door...

Yep

I never understood why they not picked the 3-door Mini for their WRC car.

leonidas · 13 Apr 2011, 13:38 (Ref:2862892)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

I never understood why they not picked the 3-door Mini for their WRC car.

Agreed - it may be a marketing issue? The longer car came in for a lot of criticism in the motoring press and hasn't sold as well as expected. So you put it in the WRC to make it look cool...

There may be good engineering reasons though too - particularly if they're having problems with straight line stability.

rs 200 · 13 Apr 2011, 18:54 (Ref:2862993)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAG

Mini WRC demo, these 1.6T WRC's sound somewhat like the 205 T16, also turns out they are a little quicker than last years cars.

If your interested £400k apiece!

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=Mh...mbedded#at=128

i am lost, sounds like 205 gti
this is what a t16 sounds like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL3CnGNbZC4

JAG · 16 Apr 2011, 16:47 (Ref:2864348)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

I never understood why they not picked the 3-door Mini for their WRC car.

Too short, I do think the car will look much better when full sponsorhip logos are applied.

Amazing finish to Rally Jordan, won't spoil it if you don't know the result.

JAG · 5 May 2011, 16:53 (Ref:2874755)

VW Polo WRC announced.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91126

NaBUru38 · 5 May 2011, 18:03 (Ref:2874825)

What a boring car!!! They had the Scirocco and the Beetle...

But this is of course great news for the World Rally Championship.

**FIRE** · 5 May 2011, 18:33 (Ref:2874839)

The Scirocco is not boring?

I assume the Scirocco is to large for S2000. Although I thought the rules were changed on request of VW.

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