Rally News

[sleenster]

Changes planned for Jordan Rally
23 Feb 11

Organisers of the Jordan Rally are promising "fresh challenges" for competitors contesting the fourth round of the 2011 World Rally Championship.

Based at the Dead Sea Resort, the event will feature 320 kilometres of competitive stage action when it runs from 14-16 April.

The gravel event first appeared on the world championship calendar in 2008. Its Saturday finish, which is a rarity in the WRC, is to respect the traditional Arabic weekend.

Clerk of the course Randa Nabulsi said: “The route has taken all the best aspects of 2010 and added some fresh challenges for the teams. The previous two events have received glowing reports from the WRC family and we are working hard to ensure this year’s event is even bigger and better.”

While the ancient Roman city of Jerash will once again host the ceremonial start of the rally on the morning of 14 April, the Rumman Forest stage, which took place close by, has been removed from the itinerary as part of efforts by the rally organisers to “ease the pressure on drivers, spectators and media reaching the early stages”, according to a statement.

The twisty Ma’in stage is a new addition to the schedule and organisers are currently supervising the construction of roads that will take competitors from below sea level through to 600 metres above.

In further changes, the water splash on the popular Dead Sea stage - located at the lowest point on Earth - is back on the competitive route, while plans are in place to include two spectacular jumps.

Jordan Rally bosses have again chosen the impressive King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre to house the event headquarters and media centre, while the service park will again overlook the Dead Sea and across to the Palestinian hills.

Competitors contesting the FIA’s Middle East Rally Championship will tackle a separate rally held on days two and three of the main event.

http://wrc.com/news/changes-planned-for ... &page=4612

[Kriss]

thanks sleen
middle of April

[Kriss]

Van Merksteijn Motorsport entered as WRC Team
Date: 23 Februari 2011


The number of entries for the World Rally Championship for Manufacturers has increased to eleven teams. Eight teams which had already registered for scoring manufacturer points in the championship at the beginning of the season of which two are official manufacturer entries by Citroën and Ford.

Van Merksteijn Motorsport registered as a WRC Team for 2011 with its driver Peter van Merksteijn jr.. The team will take part in 10 rounds starting the end of March during the Rally of Portugal. The Citroën DS3 WRC of Van Merksteijn jr. will be run by Citroën Racing from the factory in Versailles. A second DS3 WRC will be entered by the Dutch team in a limited number of events which will be driven by Peter van Merksteijn senior.

Joining the group of DS3 WRC teams is the Petter Solberg World Rally Team of the Norwegian World Champion. Although Solberg finished in 5th place during the opening rally of the season in Sweden, his late entry prevented him from entering as a WRC Team and was therefore in Karlstad not eligible to score points for his team.

The newly formed Brazil World Rally Team will be making its debut running the new Mini Countryman in Faro during the Rally Portugal. Running the car in a S2000 specification during the first two events, driver Daniel Oliveira will run the car in the WRC form starting in the Rally d'Italia Sardegna.

The deadline for entering the FIA WRC for Manufacturers will not close until April 26th so it is possible that more teams will enter the championship even further.

http://www.vm-motorsport.nl/en/news.php ... ItemID=694

[sleenster]

Whole new route of Neste Oil Rally Finland revealed in Rally Guide 1

The latest route for Finland's WRC qualifying round has been made public in Rally Guide 1. It can be found in the Competitors-section of the event´s home pages. The WRC classic taking place in 28.-30.7. is going to offer its spectators plenty of new features, without forgetting to respect its traditions.

Next summer Neste Oil Rally Finland is still going to be firmly rooted in Jyväskylä, but a change of scenery will be on offer on Friday, when the route heads from Central Finland all the way to the southern tip of Lake Päijänne. The rally´s 22 special stages have a total length of 314 kilometres.

-We wanted to bring the rally closer to the big population centres in the south and at the same time use some of the traditional stages further South than has been recently feasible, explains Clerk of the Course Kai Tarkiainen.

- Thursday´s opening programme in and around Jyväskylä has now more to offer, when the fans can experience rally fever in the forests in between watching the Shakedown in the morning and Laajavuori stage in the evening, says Tarkiainen with the Lankamaa and Laukaa Special Stages in mind.

- Those with long memories will fondly recall previous rally runs in Hassi, Evo and Mynnilä on Friday. Recent years´ favourite stages can also still rearrange the leaderboard on Saturday, believes Tarkiainen.

Novelty of Päijänne tour and Power Stage

- First stage of Friday morning will be the challenging Hassi, which includes parts of the old Ouninpohja. I believe this is a stage where the driver can make a difference, opines Assistant Clerk of the Course Seppo Harjanne, who is in charge of route planning.

- The second stage takes place in Evo before the route heads South of the main road between Lahti and Tampere and on to the fast Hyväneula stage. After service this tour around Lake Päijänne continues with Koukunmaa Special Stage, which will be familiar to fans living in the South. Next comes Koivukehä, which has been a feature of this rally at least in the mid-80´s, recalls Harjanne.

-After Koivukehä it´s back to Hyväneula for a second run, before the Jokimaa Super Special in Lahti trotting track, where drivers go out in pairs. These duels will be followed by a drive through Mynnilä Special Stage, in Sysmä, back towards Jyväskylä for overnight rest.

-The outcome will be decided on Saturday over the familiar stages of Leustu, Surkee, Urria and Jukojärvi, the last named now split in two halves. This has been done, because the regulations now require each rally to conclude with a Power Stage, which can be televised live throughout the world and which rewards extra points for the three fastest drivers, Harjanne highlights the climax of Neste Oil Rally Finland.

Winners of the legendary WRC event will receive their spoils in a prizegiving ceremony starting at 21.00 in Jyväskylä.

http://www.nesteoilrallyfinland.fi/en/28872.aspx

[sleenster]

Novikov plans cautious return

Friday, February 25th 2011, 17:18 GMT
By Matt Beer

World Rally Championship returnee Evgeny Novikov insists he will drive cautiously when he rejoins the series for next week's Rally Mexico.

The 20-year-old former Citroen Junior driver had to sit out the 2010 WRC due to a funding shortfall, competing in his native Russia instead.

He has now secured a partial WRC programme with Stobart Ford this year, but despite his hard-charging reputation, Novikov is adamant that his Mexico strategy will be conservative.

"For obvious reasons, I am not planning to fight for a high result in Mexico and I am not planning to drive to the limit," he said.

"It is a wonderful opportunity to try out the new Fiesta RS WRC and I will have a first chance to try the new car at Rally Mexico's shakedown which I consider as an ideal place to get acquainted with the car.

"The new class is a novelty for everyone and everyone needs some time to adapt and get used to the new cars."

Ford WRC boss Malcolm Wilson told this week's AUTOSPORT magazine that he had high hopes for Novikov's and his partnership with new co-driver Stephane Prevot.

"If you look through Novikov's history, he's been blisteringly quick," said Wilson. "There's no question he's got huge potential. He's also got an experienced co-driver. It's a promising combination."

Novikov struggled to add consistency to his speed when he last drove in the WRC in 2009, and became well-known for spectacular jumps and accidents. His best result at world level so far is fifth in Sardinia two years ago.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89652


Novikov? Drive cautiously? Huh? Can he really do that?

[Julia]

Novikov plans cautious return

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89652


Novikov? Drive cautiously? Huh? Can he really do that?

im sceptical but have to say Im excited he is back, spicing upp things whith his driving!

here is from his co-driver:

“He’s still young and if he can be patient and use this season to learn again then he can be very good,” said Prevot, 42. “But the driver is the boss and if he feels he can go for the win then I will do the best job I can to help him.”

http://www.wrc.com/news/archive/prevot- ... ?fid=14185

sounds like atleast he is dreaming of novikov doing a ostberg... although I doubt that because he has been in a completive car before...

[F1Fan88]

Villagra Testing in Portugal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNuN6w2q ... ture=feedu

[sleenster]

im sceptical but have to say Im excited he is back, spicing upp things whith his driving!

here is from his co-driver:

“He’s still young and if he can be patient and use this season to learn again then he can be very good,” said Prevot, 42. “But the driver is the boss and if he feels he can go for the win then I will do the best job I can to help him.”

http://www.wrc.com/news/archive/prevot- ... ?fid=14185

sounds like atleast he is dreaming of novikov doing a ostberg... although I doubt that because he has been in a completive car before...

I remember during one TotalRally podcast Clarky was saying that Novikov was "stupidly brave" and "absolutely useless at pacenotes"

[sleenster]

The fact that it drives like a kart sounds like it suits Kimi actually..

Van Merksteijn Jr: DS3 drives like a kart

2nd March 2011
By Charlie Contadeli

Peter van Merksteijn Jr has compared Citroen’s new DS3 World Rally Car to a kart after testing the Xavier Mestelan-Pinon-penned machine for the first time in France on Monday.

The Dutchman will tackle 10 world championship events this season with the factory Citroen squad albeit under the Van Merksteijn Motorsport banner.

He managed approximately 150 kilometres during the test, which he was using to adapt to the car ahead of his first competitive appearance on Rally of Portugal at the end of March.

“The car drives like a go-kart and I got the feeling that the car responds very well to what I want to do with it,” said van Merksteijn Jr. “We drove with various different set-ups during the day and I am very impressed with the car. It is a very professional team at Citroen Racing and I am returning home with a very positive feeling.”

The 28-year-old is planning a further test in the coming weeks.

http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/van_ ... ke_a_kart/

[luieluv]

WRC Promotion to accelerate with CSI deal

Promotion of the World Rally Championship will be further enhanced after Convers Sports Initiatives (CSI) bought North One Sport, the WRC's global promoter.

CSI is a London-based sports marketing group headed by Russian entrepreneur Vladimir Antonov. Its acquisition of North One Sport (NOS) from North One Television will result in increased investment designed to up awareness of the WRC around the world.

“Convers Sports’ acquisition of North One Sport starts a new page in the history of the WRC,” said Antonov. “Our team will use all the resources available to us to continue to excite fans with one of the best racing challenges in the world.

“Working in partnership with the FIA and other key stakeholders we plan to achieve even higher targets and continue to give an amazing challenge to manufacturers, drivers and teams. Our company plans to invest substantial resources to improve the promotion of the WRC and bring the quality of competition to even higher levels. This will benefit both participants and spectators in the long run.

“Convers Sports will dedicate our hearts and minds to continue building the legacy of this extraordinary sport. We want it to evolve into something exceptional. Convers Sports will do whatever is necessary to maximise this opportunity and leave our mark in global motorsport history,” he added.

North One Sport’s CEO Simon Long said: “In some ways it’s business as usual for North One Sport. The vision remains the same and we have continuity in that the great team of individuals that work for us will continue to do so. But with the extra resources now at our disposal - both financially and in terms of the related knowledge and experience that the team at CSI brings - we’re in a better position than ever before to push the WRC forward.

“The opening round of this year’s WRC in Sweden gave us an inkling of how thrilling and spectacular the WRC can be thanks to the close fight for victory over three days of intense competition. While it created headlines and enthralled television viewers around the world, the agreement with CSI will help to ensure the promotion of the WRC is taken to new levels.”

http://www.wrc.com/news/wrc-promotion-t ... ?fid=14220

[sleenster]

WRC rivals deny being 'at war'

By David Evans
Thursday, March 3rd 2011, 19:47 GMT

Citroen team principal Olivier Quesnel has laughed off suggestions that the French team is at war with British-based rival Ford.

The story came about after Petter Solberg's co-driver Chris Patterson pushed Sebastien Loeb's Citroen DS3 WRC following the final stage of Rally Sweden last month. The seven-time champion's car refused to start and was alleged to be blocking the road. Ford was reported to suspect that the outside assistance regulations had been infringed by the two Citroen crews.

Quesnel said: "I'm told we are at war with Ford. I had a meeting with Malcolm [Wilson] as I always do on the Thursday morning on a WRC round and we laughed about this, we have no problem at all. I have read the regulation and I am happy that we did not do anything wrong, I would do it again."

Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson added: "I don't have a problem with this. We will monitor [the regulation] as I think the FIA will be the for the rest of the year.

"But at the end of the day, Olivier and I are working together and having Ford and Citroen is good for the WRC - and that's what we all want."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89723

[Julia]

im sceptical but have to say Im excited he is back, spicing upp things whith his driving!

here is from his co-driver:

“He’s still young and if he can be patient and use this season to learn again then he can be very good,” said Prevot, 42. “But the driver is the boss and if he feels he can go for the win then I will do the best job I can to help him.”

http://www.wrc.com/news/archive/prevot- ... ?fid=14185

sounds like atleast he is dreaming of novikov doing a ostberg... although I doubt that because he has been in a completive car before...

I remember during one TotalRally podcast Clarky was saying that Novikov was "stupidly brave" and "absolutely useless at pacenotes"

Noooo, clarky, you ar suppose to be nice to everybody...

[Julia]

The fact that it drives like a kart sounds like it suits Kimi actually..

Van Merksteijn Jr: DS3 drives like a kart

2nd March 2011
By Charlie Contadeli

Peter van Merksteijn Jr has compared Citroen’s new DS3 World Rally Car to a kart after testing the Xavier Mestelan-Pinon-penned machine for the first time in France on Monday.

http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/van_ ... ke_a_kart/

mmm... all the comment that have come out since the beginning off the year get me atleast feeling that this car suits Kimi definitely better than the maybe a little bit clumsy last years model... wonder if van Merksteijn Jr media-allergick team-mate also tested at the same time as Peter and is going to test again same time as Peter ??

[Julia]

From the FIA WMSC about rallying:

RALLYING

The 2012 FIA World Rally Championship calendar has been examined and will be officialised before the end of this month. It will be submitted again to the WMSC via a fax vote. The dates will be confirmed taking into account the reduction of clashes with Formula 1.

The minimum weight of the seats will be increased from 1 January 2012 in order to increase safety. There will be greater freedom on seat material. This will enable competitors to use homologated seats with carbon shells at a more reasonable cost.

From 1 January 2013 the assumed weight of the crew will be increased from 150 kg to 160 kg to reflect average weights.
source http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre...sc_080311.aspx

[sleenster]

From the FIA WMSC about rallying:

RALLYING

The 2012 FIA World Rally Championship calendar has been examined and will be officialised before the end of this month. It will be submitted again to the WMSC via a fax vote. The dates will be confirmed taking into account the reduction of clashes with Formula 1.

The minimum weight of the seats will be increased from 1 January 2012 in order to increase safety. There will be greater freedom on seat material. This will enable competitors to use homologated seats with carbon shells at a more reasonable cost.

From 1 January 2013 the assumed weight of the crew will be increased from 150 kg to 160 kg to reflect average weights.
source http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre...sc_080311.aspx

According to this, Petter and his codriver will have to gain like 10 kg between them to meet the weight limits?
http://www.rallye-magazin.de/top/topnew ... index.html

Not sure about the translation, but it seems like now drivers and car = 1360 kg but the car is 11 kg over the minimum weight of 1200 kg. So that means Petter and Chris are 1360 - 1211 = 149 kg combined (give or take)?