Official Wrc Thread

[lukeh]

I decided to make this thread so I dont have to make a new thread for each rally. You can post news, results, pics or oppinions. what ever.
this is what chief engineer of Subaru said about Chris Atkinson

What did you think about Chris Atkinson's performance overall?
"Very exciting. I think the potential he's got is huge. He got caught out at the same place that Loeb retired last year, which proves that even with a far bit of experience you can make the same mistake. If you look at the speed he registered before that, it was exceptional. I'm not sure I've never seen anyone come into the sport and be so quick."

Read the last sentance.

[whiteballz]

well shit man, hes an aussie, what do you expect?

he is awesome. when he was racing super1600's two years ago, at the start of the ROC (rally of canberra) he light the front wheels up alllllll the way along a nice stretch lined with spectators. i wish i had my digi with me for that! this is in a suzuki ignis... which is amazing.

i still can smell that awesome AVgas mmmm avgas....

[Cotterik]

lukehow you seem to have some sort of obsession with atkinson, yes he is good, thankyou we get the point.

[lukeh]

Is that bad to have an obseseion with a wrc driver. look at the Norwegens they have a huge obsesion with petter

[UCR]

I wish people would stop making "official" threads.

[lukeh]

extremly intresting article that sums up who will win the wrc.
2 pages long
http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=4&nid=107286

[DasModell]

in the official WRC thread . one little off topic post ;)
http://www.lemans.maville.com/actu/Detail.asp?idDOC=208223&idCLA=53

[Mustang]

in the official WRC thread . one little off topic post ;)
http://www.lemans.maville.com/actu/Detail.asp?idDOC=208223&idCLA=53


so erm. yeah .......whats that in english :p

[DasModell]

learn that damn language :D .
i'm not very good in french either . but i understood :D . and it's big

[lukeh]

learn that damn language :D .
i'm not very good in french either . but i understood :D . and it's big
escussi moi
bet i spelt it wrong

[Rockefella]

and it's big
That's what she told me.

[lukeh]

Who do you think will drive for Subaru next year with Pugeot and Citroen leaving?

[DasModell]

i don't think both will leave .
but i would like Loeb and Solberg in the same team . same car :D :D

[Curt]

I think Gronholm will retire,
Leob will go to Ford,
Duval will go to one of the new teams (Hyundai or Suzuki)
Martin will move back to Subaru.

[lukeh]

Subaru: Petter Sohlberg and Sebastion Loeb
Ford: Marko Martin and Marcus Gronhalm
Mitisubishi: The same
Skoda: ?
Hyundi: ?
Susiki: Chris Atkinson or Stephan Sharizan

P.S. Martin was never at Subaru.

[netburner]

P.S. Martin was never at Subaru.


See and learn:

Rally Portugal 2001
http://www.rallye-info.com/images/backgrounds/subaru/2001portugal_martin_0800.jpg

Rally Estonia 2001
http://www.rallye-info.com/images/backgrounds/subaru/2001estonia_markko_0800.jpg

He drove 4 or 5 rallies for Subaru in 2001, then left the team for the Ford team and went racing for them in around 5 or 6 rallies in 2002

[lukeh]

didn't know that thought hes debut was in a Ford Focus Rs. What was his results.

[Cotterik]

yeah ofcourse martin was at subaru who doesnt know that?

my predictions for next year:

Subaru: Petter Solberg and Markko Martin
Ford: Sebastian Loeb and Toni Gardemeister
Mitsubishi: Harri Rovanpera and Francois Duval
Skoda: Jani Paasonen and Armin Schwarz
Suzuki: Chris Atkinson and Roman Kresta

Marcus Gronholm will retire and so will Gilles Panizzi

[lukeh]

Skoda are thinking about getting rid of Janni Passon this year. I dont think they will have him next year. Skoda do not sound particularly pleased with him. But I think Skoda have got no chance with the drivers they have got now.
Ford wont keep Toni Gardemeister either I think they will take Marcus Gronholm.

[netburner]

My thoughts for next year:

Subaru:
Petter Solberg
Stephane Sarrazin (if he will make a good job this year)
Chris Atkinson (maybe)
Markko Martin (he will not return to Ford because he had some trouble with Malcolm)

Ford:
Francois Duval
Toni Gardemeister (if he will make his job as good as in the last three rallies)
Anthony Warmbold (maybe)
Sebastien Loeb (maybe)

Suzuki:
Per-Gunnar Andersson (they have him in all rallies (not only JWRC) this year and he won the JWRC last year)
Sebastien Loeb (maybe, Suzuki has much money and he could bring a new team to the top positions)

Mitsubishi:
Harri Rovanpera (maybe)
Henning Solberg (maybe)
Kristian Sohlberg (maybe)

Skoda:
Armin Schwarz
Mattias Ekstrom (he said he would change from DTM to rally if he will win the title this year again)
Jani Touhino (maybe)
Roman Kresta (maybe)

[lukeh]

WRC new Zealand is now. whats with you wrc fans.
???????????????????

[DasModell]

i am covering it :D
Loeb drove a very good day 1 . and hope to continue just like that

[LotusLocost]

I think these two will win :D
In NZ and this season...

[DasModell]

we'll see ;)
for now Loeb has a 50 seconds lead over Gronholm .

[Cotterik]

top 10 after stage 16:

1. 1 S. LOEB 2:33:36.4
2. 7 M. GRÖNHOLM 2:34:28.3
3. 5 P. SOLBERG 2:34:35.1
4. 2 F. DUVAL 2:34:56.4
5. 3 T. GARDEMEISTER 2:35:58.4
6. 8 M. MÄRTIN 2:36:08.3
7. 6 C. ATKINSON 2:36:35.2
8. 10 G. GALLI 2:38:08.8
9. 9 H. ROVANPERÄ 2:38:23.0
10. 14 M. STOHL 2:38:24.7

[fpv_gtho]

7. 6 C. ATKINSON 2:36:35.2

w00t!

Someone remind him this year's mainly to learn the stages :p

[whiteballz]

F#)(%&@)#&%)*!@$(*^*&$*&~@#)(&%_@#*(%)(@#&%&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jeeeeeezus christ he is good.

[henk4]

F#)(%&@)#&%)*!@$(*^*&$*&~@#)(&%_@#*(%)(@#&%&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jeeeeeezus christ he is good.

that of course goes for Loeb, who was 10 seconds faster than everybody else in the final stage, while already on a comfortable winning margin :D

[whiteballz]

i was refering to attkinson, but it works too :D

[lukeh]

I think all ausies are proud of our chris

[Homem de Gelo]

Loeb has been the best driver so far this seaosn. Only mechanical problems have taken him from the podium in all races and a clear lead.

[DasModell]

it's official . Loeb driving for Pescarolo for the LeMans 24h race

http://www.sebastienloeb.com/html/actu/031-24hdumans.htm

[lukeh]

Next year i have got my bets on Ford. They probably know that theve got no chance this year so the best thing they can do is get ready for next year which they are doing.
http://www.wrc.com/page/BreakingNewsDetail/0,,10111~655437,00.html
Hey Sardina is coming up should be a good battle this rally but Sharizan is driving for Subaru this race.

[DasModell]

you probably refer to Sarazin . Stephan Sarazin

[lukeh]

hey next rally is comin up got any news i heard skoda will be running 3 cars and it should be sohlburg and Loeb batteling it out unfortunantly i want be on ucp for the rally weekend i have to go to a race at lausitzring. But please keep all the news and result coming.

[labomba]

Yeah I think Ford have deliberately farmed out, or got rid of their high earning star drivers so that they can pu the money into their 2006 'New' Focus.
Subaru and Ford can pretty much choose their drivers for next year. Though I expect both will be fighting hard for Sebastien Leob.

I've heard that Gronholms' old Finnish buddy has recently taken over running the Skoda or Suzuki team?? So maybe he might take a year to help bring up a new manufacturer to a competitive level.
It will be a real shame If Gronholm retires, especially after the trials and tribulations of racing the 307. Which compared to the 206 was a complete piece of S#@t. If you look at the DVD of the 2004 championship, I wouldn't have blamed Marcus if he had quit then!!
Gronholm and Solberg and the retired Sainz are the only WRC drivers with any real personality. I hope the up and coming drivers Sarazzin and Atkinson are way more interesting than Loeb/ Duval/ Martin !!!

[labomba]

hey next rally is comin up got any news i heard skoda will be running 3 cars and it should be sohlburg and Loeb batteling it out unfortunantly i want be on ucp for the rally weekend i have to go to a race at lausitzring. But please keep all the news and result coming.

Let us know how the DTM goes!! Why not take a camera?

[lukeh]

I know it's a bit old but how was Marcus Gronholm recovery on the last wrc rally. Come into the corner a bit late slid down the hill and landed on the other side of the hampien. Start the car and he is off amazing.
But the next rally is coming up, im so excited. Can't wait to see Atkinson kick ass.

[lukeh]

Overall times after SS3:

1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Xsara WRC 1hour 01mins 12.6secs
2. Petter Solberg Subaru Impreza WRC 2005 +00mins 12.3secs
3. Toni Gardemeister Ford Focus RS WRC 04 +00mins 45.5secs
4. Manfred Stohl Citroen Xsara +01mins 01.5secs
5. Harri Rovanpera Mitsubishi Lancer Evo WRC05 +01mins 02.3secs
6. Henning Solberg Ford Focus RS WRC 04 +01mins 29.9secs
7. Roman Kresta Ford Focus RS WRC 04 +01mins 48.3secs
8. Daniel Carlsson Peugeot 206 WRC +01mins 52.2secs
9. Antony Warmbold Ford Focus RS WRC 04 +01mins 54.5secs
10. Markko Martin Peugeot 307 WRC +02mins 10.1secs

11. Janne Tuohino Skoda Fabia WRC +02mins 21.8secs
12. Armin Schwarz Skoda Fabia WRC +02mins 58.3secs
13. Francois Duval Citroen Xsara WRC +03mins 20.4secs
14. Mark Higgins Subaru Impreza +04mins 17.8secs
15. Nasser Al-Attiyah Subaru Impreza +05mins 17.2secs
16. Marcos Ligato Subaru Impreza +05mins 41.1secs
17. Brice Tirabassi Subaru Impreza +06mins 05.6secs
18. Sebastian Beltran Subaru Impreza +07mins 20.9secs
19. Gabriel Pozzo Subaru Impreza +06mins 50.6secs
20. Hamed Al Wahaibi Subaru Impreza +08mins 13.5secs


Overall PCWRC after SS3:

1. Mark Higgins Subaru Impreza 1hour 05mins 30.4secs
2. Nasser Al-Attiyah Subaru Impreza +00mins 59.4secs
3. Marcos Ligato Subaru Impreza +01mins 23.3secs


Notable retirements*:

SS1. Marcus Gronholm Peugeot 307 WRC Cam belt.
SS2/3. Chris Atkinson Subaru Impreza WRC 2005 Clutch