Wrc 2012

[ArthDuro]

Originally Posted by Jurassic

I wouldn't be surprised if VW scale down or shelve the Polo WRC project as well with the current turmoil and financial situation.

well said on all accounts
but this is a real possibility
wrc is in real danger
sad sad state of affairs

really though it is like FIA wake the f up!

[Jurassic]

Originally Posted by ArthDuro

well said on all accounts
but this is a real possibility
wrc is in real danger
sad sad state of affairs

really though it is like FIA wake the f up!

The bit about VW is pure speculation on my part. I must admit that I was surprised that they (VW) decided to get involved directly with WRC. Since Audi pulled out in the eighties, VW efforts have been through SEAT and Skoda and I'd assumed that they didn't see rallying as being in keeping with their image (BMW have been the same until the Mini program). I remember years ago VW UK did toy briefly with a supercharged 4WD Golf in rallying (I saw it in competition once) but it was only a limited effort and only lasted one season iirc.
The FIA are still negotiating to try and get a TV deal in place for later in the season (obviously it's bad news for them as well and they'll be very keen to do a deal). In the meantime they're allowing individual event organisers to do a one off deal to cover their own event (as the Swedish organisers have done).

[doyle]

I doubt that VW will pull the plug just yet. They've put a lot into the Polo program after moving the funding over form the Dakar program. VW didn't court WRC for a long time because the board operated under the allusion of trying to move the brand upmarket. With products like the Phaeton, VW wanted to compete with Mercedes and BMW. As far as things seem, and quite frankly, I think to the surprise of VW management, Audi was really able to move into that position where in the 80's, they were quite distant from the prestige of both BMW and Mercedes.

This actually worked out and allows VW to remain where it operate most naturally, as a slightly more refined alternative to the boredom's that are Toyota and Honda.

As such VW has begun to explore things like the TDi cup and now the WRC. Seems every year they are linked with a F1 rumor, but it never pans out and would not necessarily be a good fit for VW where it would for Porsche or Audi, although with their relative successes over the past few years, I am not sure F1 would be a benefit and may do more harm than good a la Toyota and Honda.

[Jurassic]

Originally Posted by doyle

I doubt that VW will pull the plug just yet. They've put a lot into the Polo program after moving the funding over form the Dakar program.

I hope you're right and I'm wrong. The more competitors the better the spectacle.

[vander]

I also see a scenario with Citroën saying bye bye after the retirement of Loeb and the new german efforts. After all, they have been the main agent in the WRC for some years.

This also makes sense if you take the Dakar rumours into account.





BTW. Swedish Rally is ON, and Sordo&Mini are leading

[Turder]

JMLatvalaFan on it again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0fQ-5Y3H7I

[Jurassic]

Originally Posted by Turder

JMLatvalaFan on it again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0fQ-5Y3H7I

+1

[Motorfiets]

awesome!!! waiting for day two!!!!!!

[Jurassic]

Day two is up now. I'm enjoying the ESPN coverage and commentary. It seems good so far. GO PETTER!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACkAa...d8FUAAAAAAABAA

[Motorfiets]

whos is gonna be?!?

[Jurassic]

.................and day 3. Thanks JMLatvalafan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj7Qb...66FUAAAAAAAAAA

[Motorfiets]

favorite turn....

love Dani Sordo saying F it an flooring it thru the snow bank

[modernbeat]

Brianne Corn and I are making plans to tow her rally car to the Mexican "Rally America" event that runs alongside the WRC Mexico rally. We're leaving on the 3rd or 4th of March. Brianne is receiving the SCCA Driver of the Year award in Las Vegas on the 3rd, or we'd be leaving a day earlier.

[vander]

Prodrive-Mini (Sordo) only in 7 rallies this season :(




+ nice pictures from Sweden.
http://www.maxrally.com/galleries/

[modernbeat]

The whole team is in León, Guanajuato. Brianne Corn and Jeremy Rowland will be driving the WRC Mexico stages in the Rally Guanajuato parallel event. For those of you familiar with USA Rally events, it's similar to a combination National/Regional event. We had a long, but fairly uneventful tow. We've got four crew members along for the event. Veteran WRC attendee Josh Chang, Michael O'Connor, Chris Dismukes and repeat Crew Chief Jason McDaniel. It's obvious that this town LOVES WRC. There are banners and posters all over the city. There is a WRC swag store open year round in the mall. The service area is in the huge multi-use stadium in the center of the city. It's all very impressive and it hasn't even started yet!

Follow Brianne Corn Racing on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/BrianneCornRacing

And Rally GTO:
http://www.rallymexico.com/site/en