I didn't see a discussion thread regarding the WRC, so I figured I would start one for those who have a passion for the finest sport around.

Just a brief overview for those who haven't been following (All info provided by http://www.wrc.com):

2004-2005 season saw some dramatic driver swaps and changes. Most notably, Ford lost their star "up and comers". Ford's M. Martin and F. Duval left for Peugeot and Citroen respectively, leaving Ford to acquire T. Gardemeister and R. Kresta. Mitsubishi reentered competition with an improved Evo, although results are somewhat lacking even with the famous lineup including the Panizzi brothers, Gigi Galli and Harri Rovenpera (SP). Mitsu is doing well in the manufactuers' competition but has yet to place a driver in the top 5. Peugeot has been working out the kinks in the new 307 and so far, has delivered good results. The 307 has big shoes to fill as it replaced the infamous 206. Citroen and Subaru are also delivering a healthy combination of both driver and manufacturer victories: Seb. Loeb and P. Solberg are duking it out tooth and nail in what are considered to be two of the finest WRC cars in competition.

The rallies run so far have been:
Monte Carlo
Sweden
Mexico
New Zealand

Overall Driver Standings (Top 5):
P Solberg (HELL YEH!) 26 PTS
S Loeb 25 PTS
M Martin 23 PTS
T Gardemeister 20 PTS
H Rovenpera 11 PTS

Overall Manufacturer Standings (Top 5):
Peugeot 43 PTS
Citroen 31 PTS
Subaru 28 PTS
Ford 26 PTS
Mitsubishi 24 PTS

Driver Results w/ manufacterer (SP) from April's NZ Rally (Order of Finish, top 5):

Sebastian Loeb (Citroen)
Marcus Gronholm (Peugeot)
Petter Solberg (Subaru)
Fracois Duval (Citroen)
Marko Martin (Peugeot)

Personally, I am a Solberg fan and am happy to see "Hollywood" Solberg doing so well. However, I am disappointed in F. Duval's performance. He showed a lot of potential with Ford but has yet to deliver for Citroen. The Focus platform is very solid and a combination of learning the Citroen car and minor mechanical failures are associated with Duval's performance. Marko Martin's performance is pretty consistent although I would like to see him step it up. He is a very talented driver and seems to be doing well with Peugeot, although I think his confidence in driving the vehicle is hampering him from the aggressive driving he has utilized in the Ford.

If anyone wants to add to the facts or correct me (I think I got most of the info correct) please feel free to do so. I love this sport and anyone who would like to talk away, please do.

The next rally is Sardinia (Italy) April 29-May 1. IT can be seen on the Speed TV Sunday nights around 2300 or Midnight (I forget which).

SOLBERG! SOLBERG! SOLBERG!

 

I lost interest when Colin McCrae left. Any word on when he's coming back?


Modified by FormulaIntegra at 2:56 PM 4/20/2005

 

I'm a Solberg fan as well, and would like McRae to come back, but it will never happen. All the teams are trying to cut costs and Colin just costs too much. I have a bad feeling that WRC is going to either die or have to go through a serious reformatting in the next year or two. I kinda see the same thing that happen to the BTCC, all the teams are going to drop out except for 2 or so.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FormulaIntegra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I lost interest when Colin McCrea left. Any word on when he's coming back?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Last I heard, he was negotiating with Skoda and possibly Mitsubishi as a gravel specialist for 2006. However, I think that if he were to come back, it would have been negotiated by now. He's turned to a bunch of other interesting racing endevours such as Paris/Dakar, LeMans and some motorcycle racing events. I like Colin, however, I don't think the sport is dependent on him. IMO, the great thing about the WRC is the various personalities of the drivers and the way the sport brings them out.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FIA Suitcase &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a bad feeling that WRC is going to either die or have to go through a serious reformatting in the next year or two. I kinda see the same thing that happen to the BTCC, all the teams are going to drop out except for 2 or so. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree to a certain extent although it is hard to get a perception for that being in the US. IE, its easy to get a feel for the lack of interest in the NHL since we obviously live here. Last time I really delved into the future of WRC, I remember reading somewhere that Citroen was considering pulling out in 2007, however, Renault and Suzuki (good performance in JWRC, however ugly and uninspiring their car maybe), are "heavily" considering getting into the Championship. The sport will always have a cult following to it and the fact that the sport is the biggest thing in Scandanavia and very big in England may help limp it along to a point of rebirth. Its not a great time for the WRC, but I don't think its a total dark time either. With the new rules about running a retired car for "test purposes" during competition and other provisions such as tires and engine repair limitations, I think they are aiming to make the sport more challenging to compensate for what some "old school" rally drivers and fans consider a much easier sport with the new transmissions and overall nature of the sport. Just my .02.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FormulaIntegra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I lost interest when Colin McCrea left. Any word on when he's coming back?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I never really got behind him. I'd rather watch Giles Panizzi tear up some Tarmac in a 206.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr Hammond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I never really got behind him. I'd rather watch Giles Panizzi tear up some Tarmac in a 206. </TD></TR></TABLE>

EXACTLY! I have the 02 DVD and there is an awesome 9 min long in cockpit video of him in the 206 at Monte Carlo. HOLY HELL! Who can forget the doughnut at Rally Spain too, that **** was awesome.

 

Sebastien Loeb all the way. Then again I am multiply prejudiced...

Sebastien "MadFrog" Richard.

 

Petter Solberg.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GetAwayDriver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

EXACTLY! I have the 02 DVD and there is an awesome 9 min long in cockpit video of him in the 206 at Monte Carlo. HOLY HELL! Who can forget the doughnut at Rally Spain too, that **** was awesome.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm pretty sure I have watched that clip at least twenty times.

Oh how I wish The Brothers were still driving a 206. I would find a way to make it out to Spain for Catalunya. I don't know what it is about that course, but it is my favorite. Give me some Paella, a couple ice cold cervezas' and a comfy spot on the hill near the C25 Bridge and I am set. Plus the Spanish fans are NUTS! That would be entertainment in itself. Granted I'll have to pretend to route for Sainz, but I wouldn't be able to hold back the excitement as The Brothers came by in a flash around the hairpin.

 

I competely feel you. My choice pick would be either Finland to see the cars fly over the hills of Ouninpohja, or to see the mud fling at Rally UK and nestle up with some New Castles and a good helping of Shepard's pie.

Spanish fans are fanatics, but the Argentinian fans are crazy. I can't remember how many recaps I have seen with fans standing in the course and suddly fly away like fish just a second before a car comes careening around a turn. I remember one photo from 03 Argentina where there are two dudes with a huge bottle of who knows what and Loeb's Xsara skidding around in the back. Makes me so jealous.

Either way, I plan to go to one in the next year. We will see