http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/4513372.stm Time to figure out the teams for next year. Starting with Skoda, there is no Skoda. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/4513372.stm Two private outfits will race Skodas with some limited support from the manufacturer.
Update as you see fit::: Citroen: GONE, various private teams Ford: Hirvonen, Gronholm Mitsubishi: Galli? Peugeot: GONE Skoda: GONE, 2 private teams Subaru: Solberg, Atkinson, Sarazin running asphalt Duval-> ? Loeb-> private Kronos team (Citroen) Martin-> semi-retired???
Will Speed be broacasting again this year in the US? I only watched a bit of two or three rallys last year, but was enteratained. I think i am gonna follow it much closer this year.
Speed's website is a disaster, so I am having trouble telling if they will carry the rallies next year. If they do not, I have no idea who would. If WRC wants to build the sport in the USA, then they should pay Speed to carry the races.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/4527786.stm Mitsubishi is out of WRC! They might return in 2008. That leaves just two factory teams, Ford and Subaru. Next year's championship is starting to look like a mess. Update as you see fit::: Citroen: GONE, various private teams Ford: Hirvonen, Gronholm Mitsubishi: GONE Peugeot: GONE Skoda: GONE, 2 private teams Subaru: Solberg, Atkinson, Sarazin running asphalt Duval-> ? Gardemeister-> ? Kresta-> ? Loeb-> private Kronos team (Citroen) Martin-> semi-retired??? Rovanpera-> ?
Monte Carlo rally stages http://it.sports.yahoo.com/23112005/24/74-rally-monte-carlo.html Venerdì 20 gennaio PS 1 ST SAUVEUR SUR TINÉE – BEUIL 22.23 km 08h33 PS 2 GUILLAUMPS – VALBERG 13.60 km 09h31 PS 3 PIERLAS – ILONSE 23.22 km 10h19 PS 4 ST SAUVEUR SUR TINÉE – BEUIL 22.23 km 14h25 PS 5 GUILLAUMPS – VALBERG 13.60 km 15h23 PS 6 PIERLAS – ILONSE 23.22 km 16h11 Sabato 21 gennaio PS 7 SIGALE – BIF.D10/D110 22.54 km 07h53 PS 8 ST ANTONIN – TOUDON 20.22 km 09h06 PS 9 LA TOUR SUR TINÉE – UTUELLE 18.73 km 10h19 PS 10 ST ANTONIN – TOUDON 20.22 km 14h30 PS 11 LA TOUR SUR TINÉE – UTUELLE 18.73 km 15h43 PS 12 LA BOLLÉNE VÉSUBIE – SOSPEL 31.25 km 16h38 Domenica 22 gennaio PS 13 COL DE BRAUS – LA CABANETTE 12.60 km 07h55 PS 14 COL ST ROCH – LANTOSQUE 14.45 km 08h23 PS 15 LA BOLLÉNE VÉSUBIE – SOSPEL 31.25 km 08h56 PS 16 COL DE BRAUS – LA CABANETTE 12.60 km 11h44 PS 17 COL ST ROCH – LANTOSQUE 14.45 km 12h12 PS 18 LA BOLLÉNE VÉSUBIE – SOSPEL 31.25 km 12h45
http://rally.racing-live.com/wrc/en/index.html Just found the above website from that Italian website, but this is in English. The team assignments for next year look like this. I think we are going to have to get used to lots of non-factory names and teams this year, as they might figure on podia on nearly every event. Kronos Total Citroen WRT, racing Citroën Xsara WRC: S. Loeb, X. Pons, D. Sordo BP-Ford World Ralley Team, racing Ford Focus WRC 2006: M. Gronholm, M. Hirvonen Subaru World Rally Team, racing Suburu Impreza WRC 2006: P. Solberg, C. Atkinson, S. Sarrazin Skoda République Tchèque, racing Skoda Fabia WRC: J. Kopecky Red Bull-Skoda Team, racing Skoda Fabia WRC: A. Aigner, J. Paasonen (?), J. Tuohino (?), A. Bengue (?), D. Carlsson (?), M. Ekström (?) Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team, racing Ford Focus WRC: M. Wilson, P. Tsjoen, R. Kresta, M. Higgins OMV Peugeot Norway, racing Peugeot 307 WRC: H. Solberg, M. Stohl
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/4587870.stm Matthew Wilson, son of the director of the Ford factory team, will race a non-factory Ford this year. He is only 18. He tells fans not to expect much from him this year.
That's too bad, but I understand his contemplation. I always liked him...Perhaps he will make an apperance in the Dakar.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/4625034.stm A lot of speculation on the state of the sport at the BBC website. The WRC boss says, "You will see private competitors competing when they've never had the chance before. In many respects this is what the general public want, this is what builds demand and interest in motorsport."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/4636974.stm Gronholm wins in a Ford. Loeb was leading at one point but got into a wreck, but worked his way back to second. Solberg forced to retire with an oil leak. Here are the manufacturer's standings, but I don't understand how they are developed. Last year, just two Citroen factory teams would have been able to score Citroen points. Now, there are two independent Citroen teams. Do they get together and decided which of their four drivers will be the points scorers? Ford 14 Citroen 11 Peugeot 6 Subaru 5 Skoda 3
just remembered last night that the season was starting only to find that Speed isn't showing the races. ******** that stupid nascar channel.
Ouch ! There must be people posting bittorrents links of the WRC events broadcast on Eurosport somewhere. I hope for you.
LOL, see this is what happened to me when I stopped being a mod. I felt free to express myself. Oh, I won't bother with torrents - I just won't watch at all.
Rare mistake from Loeb, but at least he knows his Xsara still has a lot of pace. Incredible come back he made there. Of course Kronos has the support from the Citroën team yet it's important to note that it isn't the case for the Peugeot 307 clients. The firm from Sochaux has definitely (or at least for the forseeable future) quit the WRC. Well, it's now or never for Ford !
here is a link to Monte Carlo highlights: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2626908880396010791&q=wrc Damn you Speed Channel, damn you to Hell.