Rally News

[saif]

Tweet from @dank_ross

Rumour has it that Toyota will announce its return to the #WRC next week.

[luieluv]

yea Toyota.. plzzz bring it on

[saif]

Tweet from @WRCgerardquinn

FiA just announces open tyres for the 2011 WRC season. It's going to be an expensive season me thinks!

continued: Additional testing of tyres from all suppliers in all compounds in differing conditions. Thats a lot of testing.

[saif]

FIA announces new tyre rule for 2011
Posted on 11/08/2010 by Evan Rothman

Following a fax vote by the members of the World Motor Sport Council, the sporting regulations for tyres in the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) have been approved to allow any tyre manufacturer to supply tyres. This reflects a desire to have greater association with road relevant technologies, environmental sustainability in motor sport, while maintaining cost control. Additionally, it will provide greater freedom for amateur competitors in the WRC.

For 2011, a tyre manufacturer must register its intent to supply tyres to entrants competing in WRC events. On or before 15 September 2010, the FIA will publish a list of nominated tyre companies. All entrants in 4WD cars must use the tyres produced by these companies, except for non-priority entrants driving 4WD Group N and 2WD cars.

New regulations have been adopted to respect parity between teams and avoid any increase in cost. Tyres will be bar coded and allocated to a particular driver under a random selection system controlled by the FIA. The maximum price of tyres is fixed by the regulations and the number of test days prior to the start of the season has been restricted. While the quantity of permitted tyres per event remains restricted and unchanged for 2011, in 2012 and 2013 quantities will be reduced by 15-20% each year.

http://handbrakeshairpins.wordpress.com ... -for-2011/

[Arli Racegirl]

Finland chief considers new start city

Rally Finland bosses are considering including more cities in the route of the world championship qualifier next season.

Although event chief Jarmo Mahonen is keen that the rally continues to be based in Jyvaskyla and will shortly begin discussing an extension to the contract which expired after last month’s 60th anniversary rally – he wants the event to “visit” other cities with Lahti and Tampere among those under consideration.

“From the business point of view I would like to visit other cities and I’m saying visit other cities [not move there],” said Mahonen. “Perhaps we could start somewhere else and then come [to Jyvaskyla]. You couldn’t move it to [Finland’s capital] Helsinki, it wouldn’t be the right city, but Lahti and Tampere would be very good and you could do some stages around there as well.

“But our plan is to stay [in Jyvaskyla]. This place is perfect. Together with the city we are building and one of our terms to stay here is to influence what they are going to build on [the service park] site. They are going to fill in the lake so we can get the service park in a better place with a tunnel so you will be able to look at the lake from the service park. There will be a hotel built here in the service park as well.”

Mahonen confirmed a new superspecial stage would be built in Jyvaskyla for next year’s rally with several sites being explored. However, a return to the superspecial at the Killeri trotting track on the outskirts of Jyvaskyla has been ruled out.

“There was no growth with the crowd anymore there,” said Mahonen. “It’s a business and you look at the figures. It didn’t go down but I didn’t get growth.”

http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/finl ... tart_city/

[sammyosammy]

Finland chief considers new start city

Rally Finland bosses are considering including more cities in the route of the world championship qualifier next season.

Although event chief Jarmo Mahonen is keen that the rally continues to be based in Jyvaskyla and will shortly begin discussing an extension to the contract which expired after last month’s 60th anniversary rally – he wants the event to “visit” other cities with Lahti and Tampere among those under consideration.

“From the business point of view I would like to visit other cities and I’m saying visit other cities [not move there],” said Mahonen. “Perhaps we could start somewhere else and then come [to Jyvaskyla]. You couldn’t move it to [Finland’s capital] Helsinki, it wouldn’t be the right city, but Lahti and Tampere would be very good and you could do some stages around there as well.

“But our plan is to stay [in Jyvaskyla]. This place is perfect. Together with the city we are building and one of our terms to stay here is to influence what they are going to build on [the service park] site. They are going to fill in the lake so we can get the service park in a better place with a tunnel so you will be able to look at the lake from the service park. There will be a hotel built here in the service park as well.”

Mahonen confirmed a new superspecial stage would be built in Jyvaskyla for next year’s rally with several sites being explored. However, a return to the superspecial at the Killeri trotting track on the outskirts of Jyvaskyla has been ruled out.

“There was no growth with the crowd anymore there,” said Mahonen. “It’s a business and you look at the figures. It didn’t go down but I didn’t get growth.”

http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/finl ... tart_city/

In that case Tampere would be the city for them; easiest to travel into in Finland

[Denorth]

just a reminder for those in UK about a chance to win a trip to Rally Spain:

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default ... ryId=22223

[luieluv]

Citroen boss wins the Sebastien lottery

Citroen Total World Rally Team principal Olivier Quesnel has described his two-Sebastien driver liver line up as like winning the lottery twice.

The Frenchman is delighted with the way Sebastien Ogier has slotted in to the factory team alongside legend Sebastien Loeb and Quesnel is confident there will be more pace on the two remaining gravel rallies of the season where the two Sebs will drive alongside each other again. Next season they will run in the same team for the entire year.

Quesnel said: “I was honestly not anxious to have Sebastien Ogier still with Citroen. It was the job of Ford to do that [and make him the offer]. I was not surprised and not anxious. Now he is here for the next three years and it's the beginning of a long story. It feels [like] I have won the Euromillions twice. The first time with Loeb the second time with Ogier and I don't think that happened to anyone in the world. It's completely crazy.”

Ogier contested his first event in Citroen’s main team - rather than the Junior Team, where he has driven for the past 18 months - on Rally Finland last month. He showed tremendous pace on only his third visit to Jyvaskyla, and only missed out on winning by 10 seconds. Ogier eventually finished second, ahead of his new team-mate Loeb.

“Things are happening very fast for me and I know it's easy to go back in the other way so I really try to stay calm,” said Ogier. “I'm very happy with each step I can pass. I know it is not going to be easy to continue in this direction, even though my start has been very, very well. For the moment, I know I have to be consistent and win everywhere and there is a lot of work to do for that.

“For sure, I’m more relaxed now that I know what my future is. It was also very motivating in Finland, because it was my first time in the big team and it was important to be there at the end of the rally. Besides the team ask me that. They said not drive as fast as you can but be sure to finish the rally. I am very happy to be with Citroen.”

Ogier will return to the Citroen Junior Team for Rallye Deutschland next week, with Dani Sordo returning to his usual berth alongside Loeb.

http://www.wrc.com/news/citroen-boss-wi ... ?fid=13468

[luieluv]

WRC - Quesnel: "Citroen opts Sportsmanship"

Reconsidering the Rally of Finland. Sébastien Ogier in second place behind Loeb and many observers expected that you reverse the positions ...

"As in Portugal, we chose the map of sportsmanship in not acting on the ranking artificially. He had to see the big picture: Mikko Hirvonen and Petter Solberg had left behind was our two drivers. Even after finishing third, Sebastien Loeb was on a very good deal for the Drivers' championship. Leaving Sebastien Ogier to second place, we could keep the pressure on Jari-Matti Latvala. At the same time, this result allows Ogier not lose too many points on Latvala, who is his direct opponent in the championship. I would add that we have discussed the situation with our drivers and we Sebastien Loeb confirmed that he does not get second place in this way. "

Does this mean it that you leave your drivers fight each other until the end of the season?

"Racing Citroen aims to keep the titles of Champion of the World Rally Drivers 'and Manufacturers'. For now, our plan must be respected, since Sebastien Loeb and Citroen are leading both championships. As in Finland, it will analyze each situation as a whole. "

Dani Sordo will Diego Vallejo to first officer from the rally. Is this the beginning of a new season for him?

"I hope so! Apart from the Rally of Bulgaria, Dani has been a season rather difficult. Throughout the rally, it became evident that a change was needed. It was for him to make a decision. Dani has made his choice with confidence after studying several possibilities. We welcome Diego Vallejo and we hope that Dani will make a nice end of season. I remain convinced that his victory in the World Championship is not far! "

link:
http://www.madeinmotorsport.com/fr/actu ... -9662.html

[momo]

WRC - Quesnel: "Citroen opts Sportsmanship"

Reconsidering the Rally of Finland. Sébastien Ogier in second place behind Loeb and many observers expected that you reverse the positions ...

"As in Portugal, we chose the map of sportsmanship in not acting on the ranking artificially. He had to see the big picture: Mikko Hirvonen and Petter Solberg had left behind was our two drivers. Even after finishing third, Sebastien Loeb was on a very good deal for the Drivers' championship. Leaving Sebastien Ogier to second place, we could keep the pressure on Jari-Matti Latvala. At the same time, this result allows Ogier not lose too many points on Latvala, who is his direct opponent in the championship. I would add that we have discussed the situation with our drivers and we Sebastien Loeb confirmed that he does not get second place in this way. "

Does this mean it that you leave your drivers fight each other until the end of the season?

"Racing Citroen aims to keep the titles of Champion of the World Rally Drivers 'and Manufacturers'. For now, our plan must be respected, since Sebastien Loeb and Citroen are leading both championships. As in Finland, it will analyze each situation as a whole. "

Dani Sordo will Diego Vallejo to first officer from the rally. Is this the beginning of a new season for him?

"I hope so! Apart from the Rally of Bulgaria, Dani has been a season rather difficult. Throughout the rally, it became evident that a change was needed. It was for him to make a decision. Dani has made his choice with confidence after studying several possibilities. We welcome Diego Vallejo and we hope that Dani will make a nice end of season. I remain convinced that his victory in the World Championship is not far! "

link:
http://www.madeinmotorsport.com/fr/actu ... -9662.html

Thank you so much luieluv!

[luieluv]

Prodrive to mentor through Mini plan

By David Evans Tuesday, August 17th 2010, 08:21 GMT

Prodrive chairman David Richards says the firm's Mini World Rally Car project will be used to develop the next generation of staff at the Banbury factory.

While many members of the team which established Prodrive and Subaru in the World Rally Championship 21 years ago remains, Richards says they will only oversee the development and implementation of the first World Rally Car to come out of Prodrive since 2008.

Richards said: "I've set a very new ambition for this [Mini project]. People like myself and [technical director] David Lapworth have set a challenge: we will be mentors for the project. We're not hands-on on a day-to-day basis. We are going to recruit young people to run it.

"The whole idea and the whole concept is to recreate what we did in the Subaru days with young people and our job is to give them all the resources they need to do the job properly and to stand back and let them get on with it."

Richards said he would be extending the same policy to drivers as he searches for the next Colin McRae or Richard Burns.

"In the same vein we took on Colin McRae and Richard Burns, we want to do that again," he said. "We want to create a team that everybody feels part of and feels passionate about. I remember the days when we were running Colin and the following which we created. It was about finding an enthusiastic group of people and creating a dream. We started with a car which farmers drove to market and ended with an iconic brand which is seen as a sportscar."

The Mini Countryman WRC project was finally announced earlier this month after weeks of anticipation. Richards admitted he wasn't surprised it took so long for the deal to be concluded with Mini's parent company, BMW in Munich.

"These things are very hard fought for," said Richards. "Clearly when BMW pulled out of Formula 1, it wasn't an easy decision to come back in to a major motorsport programme at world championship level so quickly. It was quite challenging to persuade everybody at director level that this was the right thing to do. It was no surprise that it took so long."

link:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85988

[Wolfie]

It would be great to have Mini back in WRC - they are über-cute

My sister sold her Mustang and wants desperately a Mini and she regrets selling it years ago. But she has a friend who has been storing a Mini for her when she is ready and lately that's all she has been thinking about

[momo]

Citroen DS3 R3 Ulster Rally preview
Racing series WRC BRC
Date 2010-08-16
The Citroen DS3 R3 takes up the challenge

The Ulster Rally gets underway in one week, based in Antrim to the north east of Ireland. The start of this event will have a special significance for the DS3 R3, which makes its competition debut. The crew of Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri are determined to showcase the capabilities of the latest challenger from Citroen to the best of their abilities.

Behind the scenes, the entire Citroen Racing team is eager to see their car in action, which was created in the French company's workshops and then developed over a bespoke test programme. But this will be the first time that the DS3 goes head to head with its rivals, before being offered for sale to customers. In a baptism of fire, Citroen's latest two-wheel drive machine, equipped with a 210-horsepower engine, will rack up its first competitive miles on extremely specialised terrain. Irish asphalt is notorious for its lack of grip and bumpy surfaces, which the new car will face over the 205 stage kilometres of the rally. The famously changeable weather in Ulster could also play a key role over the course of the event. Whatever happens, French driver Bryan Bouffier who was an important part of the new car's development programme will be doing his best to take the DS3 R3 towards the top of the leaderboard, although he will face considerably more powerful local opposition.

Jean-Francois Lienere, in charge of customer competition at Citroen Racing, commented: "While we have been very pleased with our progress in testing, nothing replicates real competition. The Ulster Rally is a very tricky event where competitors have to deal with narrow roads that offer little grip. The variable weather conditions in Ireland are capable of springing both nice and nasty surprises so these are sure to be a determining factor in the outcome of the rally. The ideal result for us in Antrim would be to win Group R and finish in the top five overall. From a sporting point of view, Ireland and Great Britain are very important customer competition markets for our company. Citroen has a strong presence thanks to the Citroen Racing Trophy, which boasts a high profile and several top quality drivers. These people are very interested in the new DS3 R3 and I believe that our latest challenger will live up to all their expectations."

Not only the drivers, but also thousands of fans are looking forward to seeing the new Citroen out in anger for the first time next week. The cars will be flagged off the ramp for the start of the Ulster Rally in the early afternoon of Friday 20 August.

Three questions to... Bryan Bouffier

You've been chosen for the competition debut of the Citroen DS3. How are you going to approach this event?

I was the first driver to test the Citroen DS3 R3 and now it is a great honour for me to be at the wheel when it has its first taste of competition. I'm going to start this rally hugely motivated, with my objective being to show the world just how fantastic this new car is.

This will be the first time that you have competed on a rally in Ireland. Have you already driven on similar surfaces?

It's true that this is going to be a completely new experience for me: I've never had the chance before to contest any British or Irish Championship events. The roads in Ireland are well known for being bumpy with several jumps throughout the rally. But I'm not worried at all: I know that the DS3 R3 will be very forgiving and consistent on these types of roads, whatever the conditions.

You helped to develop the DS3 R3. What do you think of the car?

From the very first time I drove it, my feeling was immediately good. The Citroen DS3 R3 is easy to drive and it's a huge pleasure to be behind the wheel. There are some interesting technical innovations as well. I'm thinking in particular of the hard work we accomplished on the suspension, but also on the torque from the engine and the sequential gearshift. All this makes the DS3 R3 a really formidable machine.

-source: citroen

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=382395

[Wolfie]

Wow, thanks Momo! The car looks great

[Maria d]

that is such a cool car, i wish they sold them in the states, i would love a test drive. we are looking at the ford fiesta for next year.