Still Hope for Skoda?

[Zytek_Fan]

Word in the paddock at last week’s Rally Australia season finale was that Skoda owners Volkswagen had already decided to halt the Czech firm’s WRC program, after a mostly disappointing 2005 season which saw the Fabia WRC score just 21 points.

Skoda has been involved in the sport’s top level since 1999, and its pullout would come at the worst-possible time, as Citroen (in a one-year sabbatical) and Peugeot also won’t come back next year, placing the WRC in a position of perhaps suffering a 50-percent slash in manufacturer involvement, from six to just three: Ford, Subaru and Mitsubishi, although the latter also has yet to officially confirm its permanence for ’06...

But according to this week’s Autosport magazine, WRC commercial boss David Richards will engage in a series of meeting with top VW executives in an attempt to convince them to stay. His trump card is the talent of veteran Colin McRae, who ran as high as second in Australia before his mechanics were timed out in an attempt to change his clutch, just three stages from the end.

"If they put this car in the hands of a competitive private team with a fraction of the resources Skoda has had, the car could be challenging for a podium regularly - especially with Colin McRae driving," Richards believes.

McRae himself outlined that he would be available, provided enough resources are at hand to further develop the car.

"I haven’t heard anything about the plans for the coming season" the Scot admitted. "[But] if the right opportunity was there with Skoda, I would surely be interested, if the car is competitive."

According to McRae, the Fabia does have the potential to be a frontrunner: "I was surely helped by road positioning in Australia [on the first day], but you could see on the re-run stages that I was driving at a competitive speed."

[Spastik_Roach]

Such a shame. WRC is such a great sport and its really sad to see all these manufacturers leaving!

[Zytek_Fan]

I would really like to see Skoda stay in. If they have Colin McRae driving for them next year they'll probably have some good results.

[spi-ti-tout]

Originally Posted by hdkkdka

Ford, Subaru and Mitsubishi, although the latter also has yet to officially confirm its permanence for ’06...

Mitsubishi is in, no doubt about it

[Evil Ewok]

Don't forget the possible inclusion of Suzuki coming into the fray.

[jorismo]

Originally Posted by Evil Ewok

Don't forget the possible inclusion of Suzuki coming into the fray.

That would be great of course! Are they planning to make a Suzuki Ignis WRC or something?

WRC really needs to have some more teams for sure. I personally hope that Renault joins the WRC. I think the new Clio or perhaps the Megane could make a great rally car.

[spi-ti-tout]

What we really need is Lancia and Matra back, that would so kick ass

[jorismo]

Originally Posted by spi-ti-tout

What we really need is Lancia and Matra back, that would so kick ass

Think of the battle: Lancia, Matra and Citroen!

[spi-ti-tout]

Originally Posted by jorismo

Think of the battle: Lancia, Matra and Citroen!

Lol! And bring back Tommi Makinen's VI

THEN GO CRASHING INTO EACHOTHER

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by spi-ti-tout

What we really need is Lancia and Matra back, that would so kick ass

Matra in rallying?

[Matra et Alpine]

my nic causes the transposition no doubt.

I'm sure you guys meant ALPINE

Yes, Matra DID rally including a Bagheera in 1000 Pistes and the the RAC International.
NOT a startling performance on the latter for sure !!!!


1973
Le Mans 24 Hours
Pace car !

1975
Mobil Economy Run
VICTORY !

1976
Lombard RAC rally
42nd overall

1977
Acropolis rally
Failed

1977
Lombard RAC rally
54nd overall, 2nd group 4

1978
1000 pistes
Failed

1978
Lombard RAC rally
Failed

1978
French Tour Auto
VICTORY !

1979
French Rallyes sur terre
Failed

1979
Rallye du Portugal
Failed

1979
1000 Pistes
Failed

1980
Rallye du Portugal
Failed

[h00t_h00t]

Originally Posted by jorismo

That would be great of course! Are they planning to make a Suzuki Ignis WRC or something?

No, they are baseing their car on the Jimny

[Evil Ewok]

Originally Posted by spi-ti-tout

Lol! And bring back Tommi Makinen's VI

THEN GO CRASHING INTO EACHOTHER

-shakes head in despair- Such a fan boy :P

[Evil Ewok]

Originally Posted by jorismo

That would be great of course! Are they planning to make a Suzuki Ignis WRC or something?

WRC really needs to have some more teams for sure. I personally hope that Renault joins the WRC. I think the new Clio or perhaps the Megane could make a great rally car.

Suzuki has said that this year was their testing year, the reason for running very event held, including the ones that weren't up for points in the JWRC. This gave them the opportunity to give them the experience needed to have enough notes for the wrc season. I've been hearing rumors of a new 2.0 turbo awd car coming sooner or later, maybe a beefy version of their swift (best choice in my opinion) or something more 4 doorish (Forenza esque.). Either way it should be entertaining to see them scrable, I've always enjoyed suzuki's way of participating in motorsports. Renault said at the end of the 2004 season that they would love to be able to participate in the wrc but that they would first need a different car (the clio v6 is a great car, but firstly it's a V6, and it's also RWD). But the way F1 has been going for them, I doub tthat they will have any other resources to be able to fund anything else in motorsports terms.

BRING THE HF ELEPHANT AND THE ALPINE TREE PLEASE?!

[spi-ti-tout]

Originally Posted by Wouter Melissen

Matra in rallying?

Well Alpine, but Matra too, without the crashes

Originally Posted by MetA

NOT a startling performance on the latter for sure !!!!

Was it the driver or the car?

-shakes head in despair- Such a fan boy :P

Ssshhhh