Autoblog

Umlautfest: Kimi Räikkönen signs with Citroën Red Bull rally team

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:22:00 EST

Kimi Räikkönen is now a WRC driver. The Flying Finn will pilot one of two Citroën CR4 Junior Team cars with Kaj Lindström as his co-driver. It's been in the works for a while, and from the sounds of it, no one appears to have any doubts that Raikkonen will do well there. Team boss Olivier Quesnel rates the ex-Ferrari pilot highly, saying, "What he did there in a S2000 was amazing," when speaking of Kimi's run in an Abarth in a Finnish rally earlier this year.

Even 2003 WRC title winner Petter Solberg puts Kimi in with a shout, commenting, "If he's in a decent World Rally Car next season I think he could finish between third and fifth on some rallies." This will put four Citroën cars in next year's Championship, with returning title winners Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, Dani Sordo and Marc Marti, plus the junior cars of Räikkönen/Lindström and Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia. You can check out Citroën's official release after the jump.

[Source: Citroën]

Continue reading Umlautfest: Kimi Räikkönen signs with Citroën Red Bull rally team

Umlautfest: Kimi Räikkönen signs with Citroën Red Bull rally team originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prodrive reportedly working on phantom Mini crossover rally car

Noah Joseph — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:21:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Crossover, Mini, Specialty

Mini Crossover Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors have been circulating for months that Mini is preparing an upcoming assault on the World Rally Championship. But since they surfaced, little else has been said. The apparent reason for that delay, as emerging reports indicate, is due to the postponement of the car on which it is to be based.

Following the departure of BMW from Formula One, the German auto group hardly has any involvement in any major form of motorsport, foreshadowing its arrival on the rally scene. While previous reports didn't delve into the question of whether Mini would mount the campaign itself or solicit outside help, the latest word is that legendary motorsport contractors Prodrive - who've been without a manufacturer partner since Subaru withdrew from rallying - is already working on a rally-spec Mini. But rather than use one of the existing models as its basis, they're reportedly waiting for the arrival of the new Countryman crossover.

That model, however, has been delayed, with pre-production debut pushed back from the Detroit Auto Show in January possibly until Geneva in March. Given the setback, Prodrive is reportedly working on the parts it can without laying hands on the vehicle on which they'll be installed. Sources now suggest that the WRC-sped Mini Countryman will make its debut next fall at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept

[Source: Autosport via MotoringFile]

Prodrive reportedly working on phantom Mini crossover rally car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SPOILER ALERT: 2009 World Rally Championship decided at Rally Great Britain

Noah Joseph — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, UK

2009 Rally Great Britain - Click above for high-res image gallery

Everyone has their own idea of what constitutes an exciting season in motorsport. For some, it's witnessing the dominant driver shatter records while sailing to one victory after another. For others, it's the down-to-the-wire action that leaves championships undecided until the very last minute.

For decades, Formula One was dominated by the same few teams - Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Benetton/Renault - winning the title every year until Jenson Button and Brawn GP broke the cycle this season. On the other end of the spectrum, French rally ace Sebastien Loeb has been dominating the World Rally Championship with Citroen for the past five years. But as this year's championship drifted 'round the corner to its final round in Great Britain this weekend, the title remained up for grabs. Follow the jump to read how it unfolded.

Gallery: 2009 Rally Great Britain

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: 2009 World Rally Championship decided at Rally Great Britain

SPOILER ALERT: 2009 World Rally Championship decided at Rally Great Britain originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ken Block heading to WRC with new Monster Ford team

Noah Joseph — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford

One of the most significant deals in rally history. That's how news of Ken Block's imminent move to the World Rally Championship is being touted in the motorsport press. And we couldn't agree more.

Now don't get us wrong. We enjoy watching Block's famous antics behind the wheel of his purpose-built Gymkhana Subaru Impreza as much as the next guy. Probably more. But we can't help but feel that the superstar's otherworldly car control skills couldn't be put to better use than pure showboating. And this deal could give him exactly that opportunity, graduating from the relatively low-visibility Rally America series to the top-tier WRC.

Since Subaru, for whom Block competes in the USA, pulled out of the WRC, Ken's been hunting for another ride in the premier series, and reports now indicate that he - along with former Subaru driver Chris Atkinson - will be driving the 2009-spec Ford Focus WRC for the new Monster Energy Drink World Rally Team (which could, incidentally, go some way towards explaining what the two rally stars were doing behind the wheel of that old Ford Escort). Once the details are hammered out, both Block and Atkinson are expected to start next season in select rounds of the championship before challenging the full calendar the year after, presumably behind the wheel of the new rally-spec Fiesta.

[Source: Autosport]

REPORT: Ken Block heading to WRC with new Monster Ford team originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Citroen's 2011 DS3 rally fighter revealed in spy shots

Noah Joseph — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Spy Photos, Hatchback, Citroën, Specialty

Citroen DS3 WRC test mule - Click above for image gallery

With all the regulatory changes in Formula One over the past couple, the rally world is arguably in the midst of an even greater state of flux. Manufacturers are dropping out of the World Rally Championship en masse, the rival Intercontinental Rally Challenge is closing in fast, and soon the WRC will be changing to a more cost-effective formula. Along with it, the participating manufacturers will be developing new rally machinery, but none will be as important as the one you see here.

With rally superstar Sebastien Loeb behind the wheel, Citroen has won five consecutive drivers' titles, and five out of the past seven manufacturers' titles as well - first in the Xsara and then in the C4. But to adapt to the new formula, the French rally team will be switching to a rally-spec super-mini.

Rather than basing their new challenger on the new C3, however, Citroen has opted to use the opportunity to promote the more premium DS3, released in production form just last month at the Frankfurt show. The Mini rival's avant-garde interior has been stripped out and fitted with a pair of competition buckets and a full roll cage. And to keep the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine breathing, the Citroen rally team has fitted its new machine with more scoops than a paparazzo. The rally-prepped DS3 is expected to hit tarmac, gravel and snow for the 2011 season, but you can check it out now in the gallery of photos below.

Gallery: 2011 Citroen DS3 WRC spy shots

[Source: Racingpassion via Autocar]

Citroen's 2011 DS3 rally fighter revealed in spy shots originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HD Theater to begin screening WRC in October 4 [w/VIDEO]

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Ford Focus WRC - click for high-res image gallery

"Gentlemen, start your DVRs!"

Anyone that has ever watched a major league rally event knows that this form of motorsports is perhaps the most engaging form of four-wheeled competition in the world. Nothing compares to standing in a forest and watching these high-powered monsters blasting down a dirt road - sideways - at ridiculous speeds. While most people can't head out into the woods for a rally, watching the World Rally Championship on a big screen in the glory that is high definition broadcasting might be the next best thing. That's where the Discovery Channel's HD Theater comes in.

Starting October 4, HD Theater will run 17 hours of fresh WRC programming. In fact, that Saturday afternoon and evening there will be six solid hours of action. Following that, every Sunday night at 8 pm through December, the channel will feature a one hour wrap of one of the season's rallies. Check out the high-res gallery below as well as the full schedule and a video trailer after the jump for more details.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus WRC

[Source: HD Theater]

Continue reading HD Theater to begin screening WRC in October 4 [w/VIDEO]

HD Theater to begin screening WRC in October 4 [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sebastien Loeb's people in touch with USF1

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

New-for-2010 Formula One World Championship entrant USF1 has stated several times its commitment to finding American drivers. That was, at least, until representatives for five-time World Rally Championship-winning driver and Frenchman Sebastien Loeb called to make some inquiries. At the moment this is just questions, two sides exploring what might be possible. But USF1 sporting director Peter Windsor did say, "We are looking more on the American side but are going to take him seriously."

On the other side, Citroen, the team Loeb drives for, has several times tried to put down just such speculation. The last time there were rumors of a switch to F1 for Loeb, both Loeb and Citroen said it was nothing. Citroen hasn't said anything about this latest news, but Loeb said he's "on the verge of extending [his] contract with Citroen," and that this is just about filling in when the F1 and WRC schedules don't conflict.

Not long ago it would have been considered absurd to have a part-time driver that just shows up for race weekends, and it would be pretty unusual even now. But with the in-season testing ban, it won't make as much difference as it used to. And besides, he probably couldn't be worse than Luca Badoer is at the moment... Hat tip to James!

[Source: F1 Live | Image: Roni Rekomaa/AFP/Getty]

Sebastien Loeb's people in touch with USF1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mini could be headed for WRC by adapting new crossover model

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:40:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Crossover, Mini, Rumormill

MINI Crossover concept - Click above for hi-res image gallery

The original Mini Cooper earned its performance credentials back in the 1960s being flung about on the Monte Carlo rally. Paddy Hopkirk won the Monte in 1964 at the wheel of a Cooper S. While modern Minis are still considered fun to drive cars, they have never been used in a major factory-backed motorsports program. In a move that could rectify that shortcoming, AutoCar is reporting that the company's new crossover could form the basis of a World Rally Championship program in 2011. The all-wheel drive crossover first appeared as a concept vehicle last year in Paris and is expected to debut in production form next month in Frankfurt.

The new model possibly called "Countryman" is expected to get a high performance John Cooper Works edition sometime next year which could form the base of a rally car. The demise of parent BMW's Formula 1 program and the restructuring of Formula BMW could certainly make room in the budget for something with closer ties to a production program.

Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept LIVE

Gallery: MINI Crossover Concept

Rumormill: Mini could be headed for WRC by adapting new crossover model originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Raikkonen to leave Ferrari for new Fiat rally team, VW to follow?

Noah Joseph — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Volkswagen, Ferrari, Fiat, Rumormill

Raikkonen drives Rally Finland in a Fiat Punto Abarth

The World Rally Championship is targeting the participation of four major manufacturers within the next two seasons, and according to the latest scuttlebutt, they just might get what they are wishing for. At the turn of the millennium, the premier rally series had seven manufacturers, but series organizers and promoters reportedly feel that four would make for a more competitive environment.

Suzuki and Subaru recently withdrew their works teams from the championship, leaving Ford and Citroën as the only manufacturers in the sport together with the independent customer teams. Both Volkswagen and Fiat are expected to launch WRC efforts in the near future, but it's Fiat's initiative that's garnering the most interest in the motorsport press, as it's rumored to include one very big name.

According to rumors, Kimi Raikkonen will leave Formula One and Scuderia Ferrari to lead the Fiat rally team, expected to compete under the Abarth name. Raikkonen recently contested a series of rallies in his spare time behind the wheel of his own S2000-spec Fiat Punto Abarth (pictured above), adding fuel to the speculation suggesting that Raikkonen could have his existing contract with Ferrari simply transferred over to the Abarth outfit, as it falls under the same Fiat group umbrella as Ferrari. The move would make room for Fernando Alonso to take Kimi's place in the culmination of a long anticipated move for the Spanish champion.

[Source: Autosport and Pitpass | Image: OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty]

Rumormill: Raikkonen to leave Ferrari for new Fiat rally team, VW to follow? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Discovery Channel's HD Theater bringing WRC coverage back to U.S.

Chris Paukert — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

For World Rally Championship fans living in the U.S., it's been tough to keep up on the action, as domestic television coverage has been virtually nonexistent for some time now. That's about to change, however, as the series has inked a deal with Discovery Communications' HD Theater, a channel with an audience of 633 million. HD Theater has committed to show weekly coverage "from every round of the championship" beginning in October, and it will also air shows featuring related WRC content and news.

The adventure/technology channel already shows other forms of motorsports coverage and car-related programming that we've enjoyed, and we're particularly excited for the return of WRC, as the rallying genre lend itself particularly well to the channel's 1080i, 5.1 digital surround high-def format. After all, the races regularly take place in spectacular settings, and HD broadcasting ought to provide for a heightened level of detail in everything from flying dirt to the look on bystanders' faces as the competitors whip by. Consider us psyched.

Official press release after the jump. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[Source: WRC | Image: Massimo Bettiol/Getty]

Continue reading Discovery Channel's HD Theater bringing WRC coverage back to U.S.

Discovery Channel's HD Theater bringing WRC coverage back to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DiRT 2 will honor Colin McRae in-game

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:35:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Lifestyle

Former WRC driver Colin McRae died just before the game bearing his brand, DiRT, was released. That game didn't get a chance to honor the 1995 WRC champion, but the game's sequel, DiRT 2, will make up for that. In addition to a host of off-road events that you can run in a variety of off-road vehicles, there will be a Colin McRae Memorial Cup that you can qualify for. Other drivers in the game will also be heard talking about McRae, and he is "the central figure in the narrative." As a step to pay tribute it is commendable, and it's good to see that Mr. McRae hasn't been forgotten.

[Source: Joystiq]

DiRT 2 will honor Colin McRae in-game originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Evo X Group N rally car by MML Sports

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mitsubishi

MML Sports Mitsubishi Evolution X Group N - Click above for an image gallery

Automakers are cutting motorsports spending to weather the economic downturn, leaving privateers and independent teams to take the reigns at the upper echelon of racing. UK-based MML Sports is one such shop that's ready to take on the Production class during the 2009 World Rally Championship (WRC) season.

Based on the Mitsubishi Evolution X RS, MML's Group N-spec Evo features a custom roll-cage and fuel tank, along with BOS dampers, upgraded springs and modified gearing. Per Group N rules, the suspension geometry and engine must remain stock, however a MOTEC ECU has been employed to eek out every last bit of performance from the turbocharged 4B11 four-cylinder, along with controlling the center differential.

Check out MML's site for all the details and get an eye-full of the build-up and completed car in the gallery below.

Gallery: MML Sports Group N Mitsubishi Evolution X Rally Car

Mitsubishi Evo X Group N rally car by MML Sports originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WRC confirms series to go normally aspirated?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology

The heavily modified S2000 car that will form the base package for some of the cars in the 2010 World Rally Championship will be stripped of at least one major modification the following year. According to Autosport, the World Motorsports Council has agreed to a new regulation that turbochargers would not be allowed on the 2011 cars, leaving aero mods as the only alterations left to be made to the basic car.

In 2011 and 2012, when S2000 cars take over from the current WRC runners as the template, the cars will be naturally aspirated. Then, from 2013, in a decision proposed by the World Rallies Commission of the FIA and also ratified by the WSMC, the cars will run "cost-effective" 1.6-liter turbocharged engines.

While the regulations have driven industry stalwart Subaru out of the WRC, they could open the door to other manufacturers such as Peugeot, Skoda, Abarth, and Proton who already run S2000 cars in the WRC-rival Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Hat tip to bn_me!

[Source: Autosport]

WRC confirms series to go normally aspirated? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prodrive selling very first Subaru WRC car from 1997

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Motorsports, Subaru, Specialty

Click above for a high-res gallery of Prodrive's first Impreza WRC car

Prodrive helped make its name - and a whole lot of World Rally Championship fans - with its race prepped, royal blue Subaru Impreza race cars. Now the very first one of them, piloted by no less than the power duo of the late Colin McRae and Nicky Grist, is for sale. Introduced at the Rallye Monte Carlo in 1997, the car is privately owned now and can be yours for £85,000 (about $123,000). While that's a lot for an old Subaru, something tells us that as the years roll by, this car will prove to be a very large bargain.

The 1997 RDH tarmac version of the Subie wears chassis number PRO-WRC-97-001, and now bears the registration number P18 WRC. It has been thoroughly rebuilt by Ireland's McKinstry Motorsport, since no matter how much you like Colin McRae, Pierro Liatti, and Kenneth Erikkson, you probably don't want to deal with the stressed-out pieces of a steed they have ridden hard. If you're interested, Prodrive has all the details, and the pics are below.

Gallery: First Prodrive Impreza WRC

[Source: Prodrive via Auto Fiends]

Prodrive selling very first Subaru WRC car from 1997 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially official: Subaru leaving World Rally Championship

Noah Joseph — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Subaru

Click above to view Subaru's 2008 WRC car in our high-resolution image gallery

Rally fans who were troubled by the rumors yesterday that Subaru was preparing to do the unthinkable and scrap its WRC team will be disappointed to learn that the speculation has proven to be true, as parent company Fuji Heavy Industries has announced it is pulling its participation effective immediately.

Not unlike its fellow Japanese automaker Honda, which has canceled its Formula One program, Fuji Heavy points to cost-cutting measures amidst the current global economic crisis as its reason for canceling its motorsport program. Still, it's a shocking move for the automaker that earned its reputation on the rally circuit, even if they haven't won a single stage since 2005. The move also means that Prodrive, the racing consultancy firm that has operated the Subaru WRC team for over 20 years, will need to find a new partner for next season and beyond as the WRC moves ahead with new regulations. But Prodrive may find the rally circuit a lonely place after Suzuki also canceled its participation, leaving Ford and Citroen as the only manufacturers fielding factory teams in the top level of rallying. Follow the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: Subaru Impreza WRC2008

Gallery: Subaru WRC2008 Race Debut

Continue reading Officially official: Subaru leaving World Rally Championship

Officially official: Subaru leaving World Rally Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Subaru pulling out of WRC tomorrow

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Subaru

Even more bad news (motor)sports fans. According to a report by Finnish sports site MT3.fi, Subaru will follow in the footsteps of Suzuki and pull out of the 2009 World Rally Championship (WRC) season. While Suzuki's declaration was a surprise, Subaru's exit from the world of rallying would be a serious blow to the sport as a whole and its fans in particular. A formal announcement will supposedly follow tomorrow, but we're keeping our fingers crossed that the Finns got this one wrong. Thanks to Eralp for the tip!

[Source: MTV3.fi - Google Translated | Image: Ross Land/Getty]

Rumormill: Subaru pulling out of WRC tomorrow originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki suspends WRC program

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Suzuki

Another one bites the dust. Today was the deadline for manufacturers to announce their intentions to race in the FIA World Rally Championship for 2009, and Suzuki saw fit to let its entry expire after just a single year of competition. The Japanese automaker calls the move a countermeasure to "the contraction of the automotive sales caused by recent global economic turmoil." In other words, fewer car sales mean less excess money for racing. Worse, Suzuki says it expects things to stay bad for the foreseeable future, so riding out the storm wasn't a possibility.

Suzuki was just beginning to see some success in WRC, finishing in the top five for the last two races of the season with its SX4 WRC racer. The manufacturer's Swift Cup will remain active in 2009. This move follows rival automaker Honda's announcement that it would be suspending Formula 1 and AMA Roadracing competition, also a result of the global economic downturn. Thanks for the tip, everyone!

[Source: World Rally Championship]

Suzuki suspends WRC program originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WRC switching to S2000-spec car for 2010 season

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

For whom does the cost-cutter's bell toll? It tolls for Formula 1... and for the World Rally Championship. The FIA has announced that from 2010 the WRC will use Super 2000-spec cars, instead of the current championship's Group N racers. As with the FIA's moves in F1 to standardize components in order to help teams save money, the S2000 cars all have third-party-supplied gearboxes and drivetrains, use 2.0-liter engines with 8,500 rpm rev limits, and are prohibited from being excessively modified (if you have some time, check out the FIA-mandated S2000 specs), among other things. Should manufacturers wish to sell their S2000 cars to privateer teams they can charge no more than €168,000. Five time WRC champion Sebastien Loeb has spoken out against an S2000 WRC, saying he won't be interested in rallying if the 2010 regs actually take effect. The Group N cars that drivers like Loeb currently pilot will be relegated to the P-WRC come 2010. We'll find out then if Sebastien Loeb goes with them.

[Source: WRC]

WRC switching to S2000-spec car for 2010 season originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pirelli calls for a junior World Rally Championship

Noah Joseph — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

The World Rally Championship has lots of problems. Many of the manufacturers have dropped out, and the action just isn't compelling as it once was, relegating top-tier rallying to obscurity. We've got our own ideas on how it might be fixed, but more on that later. Italian tire maker Pirelli, meanwhile, which supplies the control rubber to the series, has a proposal of their own.

While other motorsport disciplines like formula, stock car and even motorbike racing have feeder series, as in steps along a continuous ladder that starts with the most accessible and tops out at the pinnacle, rallying, for the most part, does not. A junior class of rallying would allow aspiring drivers to showcase their talents and top-tier teams, on the other hand, to scout new drivers (and co-pilots, for that matter). Pirelli, for its part, is trying to start up such a program with the Pirelli Star Driver initiative, which will pit a field of five drivers against each other in identical cars - possibly Group N-spec Subaru Imprezas or Ford Fiesta STs - on six rounds of next season's WRC calendar. But more support would be needed to turn Pirelli's junior driver program into a full-on WRC2, and Pirelli hopes that parties behind the existing WRC will ante up in an effort to save the sport.

[Source: Autosport | photo courtesy of Pirelli]

Pirelli calls for a junior World Rally Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Loeb gets free Red Bull F1 test for fifth rally championship

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

Last year, Sebastien Loeb swapped his WRC Championship winning Citroen Xsara for a test in Renault's F1 car (and former Renault driver Heikki Kovalainen hopped in the Citroen). This year, Loeb's going to take a turn in Red Bull's F1 runner for a test at the Catalunya circuit on November 17th -- Red Bull also sponsors Loeb's WRC team. The difference this time: instead of a quiet get-to-know-the-car session, Loeb will be running with the other teams and drivers during an official F1 testing session. Although he'll be piloting the Renault-powered RB4 with a mission not to embarrass himself, he has no plans to vacate his Citroen rally seat. After five straight WRC championships, piloting an F1 car is just what you do in your time off, for fun. Must be nice...

[Source: F1 Live]

Loeb gets free Red Bull F1 test for fifth rally championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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