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| Non Scooby / Non Car Related Anything Non-Scooby related. |
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#1
30-09-2012, 10:27 PM
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Could the WRC be on its way back up?
Undoubtedly the WRC has taken quite a hit in recent years - less manufacturers, less tv coverage and less sponsors certainly isn't good. There's a big difference in crowd numbers too, i'd guess that spectator numbers on Wales Rally GB are now are maybe only a quarter of what they were ten years ago
 A lot of this demise can be blamed on North One Sports - the WRC's (bad) promoter. They went into administration at the end of last year  However, now the FIA has awarded the global promotion rights to Red Bull  We know they're not short of a few quid, and with VW confirmed to join the WRC next year, as well as several other manufacturers showing interest (Hyundai look certain) lets hope the sport can get back to its best  http://www.wrc.com/news/exciting-cha...wrc/?fid=17531 And with Loeb only doing selected rounds next year, someone else might finally get a chance to win the title. Looks like this year will be his 9th title in a row, its become more boring than the Schumacher era! http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102935 
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#2
01-10-2012, 10:40 AM
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I really, really hope so mate. The news from the last week or so has (I think) been the most positive news the Champioinship has had in years.
I've actually thought that the competition has been a bit closer since the arrival of the 1.6T WRCars, but no one has seen that thanks to the total lack of decent coverage. In theory the coverage issue should be resolved now, next years season has four manufacturers running - 5 if Hyundai debut the car at some point in 2013 - plus there are several others in the background rumoured to be joining (Toyota seems to be the most likely of those at the moment). VW have got to the be the ones to watch next year. They seem to have done a lot of testing with the Polo R and, given where they have been tsting, they must have a pretty good idea how it compares to the DS3. Hope we don't replace one dominant Sebastian with another!  PS: A point I saw raised on another forum: I wonder if Loeb will revert a full time season if they find that Loeb/DS3 is faster than Ogier in the VW...
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#3
01-10-2012, 10:50 AM
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Quote:
Think he's worried about being beaten fair and square for the first time? He knows how quick Ogier is from his time at Citroen, so if the VW is *that* good, he must be concerned!
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#5
01-10-2012, 11:05 AM
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Quote:
If Loeb starts the season as a "part timer", loses a few rallies and then goes off to other things mid season, he doesn't really lose any face. If he started the season as a full time driver though, then leaves after a defeat or two it'll make him look like a bit of a bad loser! Quote:
Sort of related though, but I think the restriction of stages to a small area is one of the major factors responsible for the decline of Rally GB: a rally confined to a small corner of Wales is not representative of "GB".
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#6
01-10-2012, 11:34 AM
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I agree about covering more area, last couple of years getting to stages up in Dyfi, Dyfnant, Radnor etc was an improvement, but this years was even less again. I can see why they do it though, its a lot easier to keep it more focussed around one area, and suitable good stages are plentiful in south/mid Wales.
The double running of stages isn't a bad idea either, it just needs a bit of variety. We've been doing the same Crychan, Halfway, Sweetlamb, Hafren, Rheola etc for the last ten years - and the drivers know them inside out (to the point of not necessarily needing notes on some sections!). To me, thats not challenging enough.
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#7
15-10-2012, 10:58 AM
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Guessing you guys may have already read about it, but a bit more WRC news. BMW have confirmed they won't be running a works team next year:
http://handbrakeshairpins.wordpress....raws-from-wrc/ Which seems like bad news, but Prodrive are still continuing to pursue a full season for two cars in 2013, including a drive for Dani Sordo: http://handbrakeshairpins.wordpress....mini-campaign/ Fingers crossed they will be another entry that can challenge for the title in 2013. 
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Last edited by tbtstt; 15-10-2012 at 12:13 PM. Reason: I'm talking out of my ass: post edited accordingly!
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#8
16-10-2012, 12:32 PM
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#9
16-10-2012, 12:59 PM
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only thier front line sponsorship, still supporting M-sport (as they have always done engineering wise)
similiar to the BMW/Prodrive arrarngement
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#11
16-10-2012, 08:51 PM
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Historics seem to be getting popular , quite a few decent drivers are going back to mk11 escorts 70s / 80s machinery bit cheaper than the wrc cars and a lot more exciting to watch...
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#12
16-10-2012, 09:44 PM
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not sure about the "bit cheaper" when the front guys have spent 100K+ on "old escorts", etc...........
as popular as it is, its not going to be a World championship again is it
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ASPerformance 0191-4103770 PELTOR, PFC BRAKES, PAGID MOTUL, FERODO, SPEEDLINE, TRS, MINTEX, PIAA, HELLA, TEIN, WHITELINE, SUPER-PRO, MILLERS OILS online shop!!
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#13
17-10-2012, 01:02 PM
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__________________
"If in doubt... flat out!"
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#15
17-10-2012, 03:04 PM
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Quote:
 Hopefully if Latvala is back in the number 2 position it will take the pressure off and he can bring some consistent results in......but I wouldn't bet on that!
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