Rally News

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Julia
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Re: Rally News

Post by Julia » 01 Feb 2011, 15:25

Mar wrote:One of the reasons the new cars are even faster than the old WRC-cars (C4 and Focus) is that they’re lighter. The motor is also smaller, but the weight difference makes up for it.
ok, then I understand... its strange when some say that the cars speed is going to be nearer the s2000 cars and some say that they are already faster than the last years WRCcars... well, we have to wait&see.

its also going to be interesting to compare Petters&PG:s times with the top-guys times that have tested a lot and also compare wilsons times with the rest who hasnt tested more than a day and wilson has done a huge amount of testing...

Mar
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Re: Rally News

Post by Mar » 01 Feb 2011, 16:04

Loiste wrote:
Mar wrote:Since I can't imagine Citroën leaving Loeb or Ogier without a car to drive, that makes 5 drivers and only 4 cars for Portugal. :roll::
no) For cars were ready for Sweden. They already build more cars than 4. I'll try to explain :

001 - 003 - cars for tests (one of them has already destroyed by Ogier)
Constructed to the 1 st December :
004-005 - cars for Loeb
006-007 - cars for Ogier
Constructed to the 27 th December :
008 - car for van M. He let Petter have it for Sweden
009 - car for Kimi in Sweden
Constructed to the 15th Jan :
010 - Kimi's car №2
Cars 011, 012, 013 are under constraction now
011 - car for Petter, it will be ready to 10-12 february, this car is for Mexico
012-013 - Petter's cars, one will be ready to 7 march, second one - to the beginning of april.
Speed of car construction 23-25 days.
:O
Wow! where did you get that information? :blink: I like your sources :)

But according to that, and since Kimi is supposed not to do Mexico (we still can get surprised in the next 24 hours, if I remember well the entries deadline is today), all Citroën had to do was giving Petter Kimi's 2nd car (Nº010) and then give Kimi car Nº012 once it's ready (car nº012 would be already ready for Portugal, in case Kimi had already destroyed his nº009 in Sweden :blush: ). Doing that all the drivers could have done all the rallies they had planned. Not that I'm going to miss van Merksteijn in Sweden :p

Mar
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Re: Rally News

Post by Mar » 01 Feb 2011, 20:11

Ogier crashed DS3 WRC during tests today?!
http://twitter.com/paddocknews/status/32528298047180800
Again? :blink:

EDIT:

It's an old crash, but it seems it's the reason why van Merksteijn can't drive in Sweden:
@planetemarcus 2/2 why Peter Jr van Merksteijn couldn't start in Sweden. Crashed car was for Solberg and he's now in Van Merksteijn's car
http://twitter.com/ArnsMedia/status/32522284887441408

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sleenster
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Re: Rally News

Post by sleenster » 01 Feb 2011, 20:38

I'm beginning to feel bad for this van Merksteijn guy, he seems to keep getting the short end of the stick. He is after all, a paying customer and he is paying the same amount of money as Kimi and Petter for a car but he doesn't seem to be getting the same kind of treatment.

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Loiste
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Re: Rally News

Post by Loiste » 02 Feb 2011, 09:08

Mar wrote:Wow! where did you get that information? :blink: I like your sources :)
:lol: Insiders, ahaha))
Actually, it is not difficult if you have some good friends from local rally championship)
http://translate.google.ru/translate?js ... info/4294/

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Acropolis
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Re: Rally News

Post by Acropolis » 02 Feb 2011, 09:11

Just got this email, hope it was not posted before!

Issue 093 | WRC 2011

2011 World Rally Championship

Citroën Racing enters the third dimension!

The entry of the DS3 WRC in the 2011 World Rally Championship will open a new chapter in the history of the French make. The Citroën Total World Rally Team's aim is win its seventh Manufacturer's World Title, and to achieve this it has entered two crews: Sébastien Loeb-Daniel Elena, gunning for their eighth drivers' world title on the trot, and Sébastien Ogier-Julien Ingrassia who have been promoted to the works outfit full time after scoring two victories in 2010.

Three more Citroën DS3 WRCs will be driven by privateers: Petter Solberg, Kimi Räikkönen and Peter van Merksteijn. Citroën Racing, which has been involved in top-level world rallying for ten years, is about to give its third World Rally car its debut. After the Xsara and the C4, which racked up three world titles each, the DS3 WRC will make its bow on the world stage in the Swedish Rally (10-13 February). The team directed by Olivier Quesnel has fixed itself an aim as simple as it is ambitious for this key season that represents a turning point in the make's history - retain its Manufacturers' and Drivers' titles!

The Citroën DS3 WRC is a stunning synthesis of Creative Technology that complies with the new regulations drawn up by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The most visible change is its size. The DS3 WRC is more compact than the C4, which gives it much more spectacular behaviour. The revolution continues under the bonnet as the car is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder engine designed in-house by Citroën Racing. It is coupled to 4-wheel drive transmission with a manually controlled sequential gearbox and with a constant power sharing system between the front and rear axles.

The Citroën DS3 WRC was unveiled at last year's Paris Motor Show, and it has since undergone multiple test sessions to be ready for a season consisting of thirteen rallies, each one with its own specific characteristics, stretched over a 9-month period. From the polar chill of Sweden to the heat of the Jordanian desert, the World Rally Championship is a huge challenge for men and machines. The technical team managed by Xavier Mestelan-Pinon has reproduced the most extreme conditions during the sessions aimed at testing the reliability of the car and developing its performance.

The Citroën Total World Rally Team that represents the official colours of the make has entered two DS3 WRCs for crews that come from its own nursery, which today consists of the 'Citroën Racing Trophies' organized all over Europe.

Total continues its long-standing partnership with Citroën as title sponsor of the works team. The DS3 WRCs will also carry the famous Red Bull colours as the company pursues an involvement that began in 2008. Three brands will be back among Citroën's partners, Michelin which will supply tyres for the DS3 WRCs, as well as Facom and Alcon.

Three more DS3 WRCs run by Citroën Racing Technologies will be entered for private crews in 2011. Petter Solberg-Chris Patterson will start all thirteen rounds, Kimi Räikkönen-Kaj Lindström will take part in ten rallies while Peter van Merksteijn-Eddy Chevaillier will begin their season at the Portuguese Rally."

http://www.kimiraikkonen.com

Newsletter software developed by racecar.com

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luieluv
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Re: Rally News

Post by luieluv » 02 Feb 2011, 09:23

Henning Solberg faller

So its gonna be a mix of Ravishing Black and White for Kimi Raikkonen this season

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Re: Rally News

Post by Anelise » 02 Feb 2011, 10:50

Thanks Acropolis!! :O

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luieluv
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Re: Rally News

Post by luieluv » 02 Feb 2011, 15:39

MINI keen to 'annoy' WRC rivals

MINI seeks to 'annoy' its rivals when it joins the WRC later in 2011
BMW board member Ian Robertson says MINI is keen to 'annoy the opposition as soon as possible' when the marque returns to the World Rally Championship later this year.

The MINI World Rally Team is set to take part in a limited programme this season with the Countryman WRC before mounting a full championship challenge in 2012. Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo have already been named as drivers for the year ahead, which will encompass at least six outings for the team as it goes up against the new machinery entered by Citroen and Ford.

Prodrive, the team behind Subaru's success in the WRC, is currently working through a development programme with the Countryman ahead of its competition debut and Robertson admitted it was vital for the team to hit the ground running when the car appears on the stages for the first time.

“Anyone wanting to be successful in a World Championship must first gain experience and put in a lot of hard work,” he said. “We will do that together with our partner Prodrive. David Richards' team is very familiar with the World Rally Championship, so we can start at a very high level. Several rallies are planned for this year. In 2012 we will compete for the full season.

“It goes without saying we want to be competitive as quickly as possible, and I am optimistic we will succeed. The new regulations mean the gap to the top is smaller than it would have been at another time. We want to annoy the opposition as soon as possible.

“You can plan your own performance in motorsport, but not a title win. All you can do is work as hard as possible to move closer to your goal. Our goal is to win the World Championship.”

Robertson added that the reduction in costs for the 2011 season had been a key factor in MINI's decision to move into the WRC and said the series was the ideal showcase for the brand.

“The costs of developing a car and running it in the World Rally Championship have fallen significantly since the introduction of the new regulations,” he said. “We assume the costs will be about 25 percent lower than would have been the case in previous years. This was a huge influence on our decision to become involved. The 1.6-litre turbo engine cannot only be used in the WRC, but also in other categories as the World Touring Car Championship. In addition, the sale of customer rally cars has a positive effect on the total calculation. The WRC offers MINI an attractive platform – with manageable costs. The cost/performance ratio is excellent.

“Our involvement in the World Rally Championship effectively sees MINI returning to its roots. In the early years, success in the world of motorsport contributed significantly to the rapid rise of the MINI. Back then, people saw that this little car not only looked good in everyday traffic, but also had a sporty side. This has not changed since then.

“On the one hand, MINI can look back on a unique success story. On the other hand, MINI is the epitome of excitement for millions of fans around the world and thrills them with its energy. This is precisely what we are able to authentically and sustainably represent through our motorsport involvement in the World Rally Championship. Thrilling rally events, ultimate performances by man and machine, and as much success as possible, of course.

“Motorsport is pure emotion – just as MINI is for its fans.”
http://www.crash.net/world+rally/news/1 ... ivals.html
So its gonna be a mix of Ravishing Black and White for Kimi Raikkonen this season

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sleenster
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Re: Rally News

Post by sleenster » 02 Feb 2011, 16:14

Dani and Kris Meeke at a Mini WRC team presentation at the Historic Monte Carlo Rally. I just realized that we haven't seen any pictures of the two of them together until now...

Image
http://handbrakeshairpins.wordpress.com ... ew-models/

Image
http://yfrog.com/h8przkj



Edit: Pics of the Mini in red!
Image
Image

http://enboxes.com/?p=1174

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sleenster
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Re: Rally News

Post by sleenster » 03 Feb 2011, 00:59

Image

Image

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sleenster
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Re: Rally News

Post by sleenster » 03 Feb 2011, 01:04

And last but not least, my favourite bit of news...
He's not a five-year-plan nor a six-year-plan, he's a five-and-a-half year plan! :p

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Claudie_Schnaudie
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Re: Rally News

Post by Claudie_Schnaudie » 03 Feb 2011, 10:47

luieluv wrote:Henning Solberg faller

Ouchi :lol:
Kimi Kimi gimme just a little smile :)

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sleenster
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Re: Rally News

Post by sleenster » 03 Feb 2011, 19:09

luieluv wrote:Henning Solberg faller

Apparently this video even merited an article on wrc.com :lol:
Henning tumbles in hamster challenge

03 Feb 11

Henning Solberg says he has a new found respect for rodents after he was knocked briefly unconscious while racing in a giant hamster wheel.

The incident occurred when the M-Sport Stobart Ford team driver was taking part in a TV show in Norway with his younger brother Petter. And a clip of the bizarre stunt is proving an international hit on YouTube. (watch the clip here).

The Solbergs were special guests on the ‘who can beat Aamodt and Kjus’ show in which sporting celebrities take on Norwegian alpine skiers Kjetil Andre Aamodt and Lasse Kjus in tests of physical endurance.

In their challenge, Petter and Henning had to spin a giant hamster wheel as many times as possible in one minute by running inside it. Aamodt and Kjus were first to attempt the challenge and managed 32 rotations.

Things started well for the Solberg brothers, who managed 15 spins in the opening 23 seconds. Unfortunately, Henning tripped on the 16th rotation and was carried up inside the wheel before crashing down onto the studio floor.

“We were on course to beat them but the problem is we were going too fast,” Henning told wrc.com. “I might be bigger than Petter but I was doing okay racing with him - in the team they call me triple F because I’m fit, fat and fast! But that hamster wheel is dangerous. When I hit the ground I blacked out for five seconds and got some big bruises. Overall though it was great fun, and I have to admit the clip on YouTube is very funny.”

Henning is now back to full strength after the filming, which took place before Christmas, and is preparing hard ahead of his 2011 WRC debut on next week’s Rally Sweden. “The season is looking good and our plan is to do all the rallies,” he said. “Physically I’m feeling great. I’m out running now, actually, but I must be careful because there’s snow on the ground and I don’t have studs on my shoes.”
http://www.wrc.com/news/henning-tumbles ... ?fid=14070

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sleenster
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Re: Rally News

Post by sleenster » 03 Feb 2011, 19:41

Ford Abu Dhabi launches 2011 WRC bid (interviews with MH and JML :D)


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