2006 WRC Drivers Market news

[Nick Koan]

Manufacturer Entrants:
Subaru World Rally Team: Solberg, Atkinson, Sarrazin (asphalt and testing)
BP-Ford World Rally Team: Gronholm, Hirvonen, Kresta (testing and occasional non-points rounds)
Total Kronos Citroen WRT: Loeb, Xavier Pons

Manufacturer 2 Entrants:
Red Bull Skoda: Andreas Aigner, Panizi (Monte Carlo), Ekstron (Sweeden)
OMV Peugeot Norway: Henning Solberg, Manfred Stohl
Stobart VK M-Sport Ford: Matt Wilson, Kosti Katijamaki

Other Privateer teams with works cars:
Czech Team (Skoda): Jan Kopecky, ?
Oreca (Citroen): ?
PH Sport (Citroen): ?
Astra Racing (Peugeot): Toni Gardermeister (Monte Carlo only)
Ralliart Italy (Mitsubishi): Galli (Monte Carlo and Sweden), Rovanpera (Sweden).

Possible drivers for next years top level seats:
Duval
Martin
Touhino
Passonen
McRae
Meeke

[sperry]

I just hope that Skoda gets a real commitment from Audi to stay in the WRC so McRae and Bubbles, er Grist, get back to full time driving.

And if Gronholm thought the reliability of the Puegot was suspect, I can't wait to see him in a Ford. Instead of the door handle coming off in his hand, this time it'll be the steering wheel!

[Nick Koan]

Oh yeah, I forgot that McRae does stand a good chance of getting a drive with Skoda if they stay for another year or two.

What we really need is another manufacturer to step up after losing two, potentially three manufacturers. I'm sure the FIA is doing everything they can to try and keep Skoda in the WRC. Hyundai should be making a limited return next year, so there is also a possibility they will grab a few mid-to-top level drivers for testing and development next year.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by nKoan

Oh yeah, I forgot that McRae does stand a good chance of getting a drive with Skoda if they stay for another year or two.

What we really need is another manufacturer to step up after losing two, potentially three manufacturers. I'm sure the FIA is doing everything they can to try and keep Skoda in the WRC. Hyundai should be making a limited return next year, so there is also a possibility they will grab a few mid-to-top level drivers for testing and development next year.

Skoda should just switch back to the Audi name for WRC... that would get the ball rolling. It might even get some big-name german manufacturers like Porsche, BMW, and Benz into the fray.

The problem I think is that WRC is a showcase for the "lower" car manufacturers, which keeps the premium brands out of it. If the FIA can get names like Audi, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Ford (i.e. the same fellas running in F1) on board w/ WRC, I think it would do wonders for the sport.

[MattR]

So the Citroen factory team is going to be disolved after all? I still don't think that is a good move. I agree that Audi should take over the Skoda team, for brand recognition if nothing else.

[AtomicLabMonkey]

Originally Posted by sperry

The problem I think is that WRC is a showcase for the "lower" car manufacturers, which keeps the premium brands out of it. If the FIA can get names like Audi, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Ford (i.e. the same fellas running in F1) on board w/ WRC, I think it would do wonders for the sport.

Yeah, but who's going to want to shell out money to support a WRC team after spending $300-gazillion on F1 in a given year?

[Nick Koan]

Yeah, PSA made the announcement at the beginning of this season that they were pulling Citroen and Peugeot out of the WRC. There stands a good posibility, though, that Citroen will come back in 2007, while Peugeot probably won't be back for a while. They are trying to focus on sports and touring cars. Peugeot's first goal is to be the first Diesel LMP1 car to win the 24 hours at Le Mans.

And, although it would be cool to see Skoda turn to Audi, it probably won't happen. Audi doesn't need the WRC to sell cars, but Skoda does.

[Dean]

I think the A3, or R32 would make good platforms for WRC, and might make good alternatives to te Skoda nameplate... Maybe in Europe it is making a differenece, but just don't see it here obviously. Is Skoda in Australia?

[Nick Koan]

Skoda is a Czechoslovakian manufacturer, and I believe they are sold in Europe, Africa, Middle East, India and South American markets. Nothing in Australia or North America.

And yes, the WRC is helping Skoda a little bit. It'd help them more if they got wins. Audi and VW have such a good market share and brand recognition, that they don't need the WRC for marketing. There is more return for their advertising budget on programs like DTM, ALMS, Le Mans, etc. Or at least that is what VAG thinks.

[sperry]

I'm not argueing that there's an incentive for Audi propper to get back into the WRC. I'm just saying that if they did, it'd be good for the sport.

[Nick Koan]

But that can be said about any manufacturer. The WRC needs more manufacturers badly.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by sperry

I'm not argueing that there's an incentive for Audi propper to get back into the WRC. I'm just saying that if they did, it'd be good for the sport.

I realize you aren't, but I think I am. I think you could show an overall net gain in sales, especially for VW as an addition/replacement for Skoda.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by sperry

And if Gronholm thought the reliability of the Puegot was suspect, I can't wait to see him in a Ford. Instead of the door handle coming off in his hand, this time it'll be the steering wheel!

IIRC that's more of a Subaru issue.

[Nick Koan]

http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view...d=4&nid=121355

Citroen is returning in 2007 for sure now.

Which means Loeb is all but confirmed to drive a privateer Xsara run either by Oreca or Kronos racing.

[Nick Koan]

Also, some what of a shift for the WRC is coming in 2007 also.

Simply put, 2007 will only have 8-9 rounds, from January to June. The 2008 season will start in August of 2007 and end in May of 2008, and from then on the championship will run August - May.

http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view...d=4&nid=121354

[MattR]

That's great for us in the US, a winter motorsport to follow is perfect!!! I think that is a great move.

[skimonkey30]

I just saw the schedule for 2006 and Rally monte Carlo is happening while I'm supposed to be in Switzerland

[MattR]

Originally Posted by skimonkey30

I just saw the schedule for 2006 and Rally monte Carlo is happening while I'm supposed to be in Switzerland

Every time you type something, my hatred grows!

You better go there son.

[Nick Koan]

Originally Posted by skimonkey30

I just saw the schedule for 2006 and Rally monte Carlo is happening while I'm supposed to be in Switzerland

Damn. That sucks you'll be so far away from Europe during the Rally Monte Carlo.

[skimonkey30]

Originally Posted by nKoan

Damn. That sucks you'll be so far away from Europe during the Rally Monte Carlo.

Shit thats right!!

My train ticket is going to be so expensive since I have to actually travel into Europe

[Nick Koan]

Kronos confirmed to be running Loeb in 2006.

http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view...d=4&nid=121713

Xavier Pons will be his team mate.

[Nick Koan]

Hirvonen signed to Ford.

http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view...d=4&nid=122347

[Nick Koan]

http://www.swrt.com/842511.html

Atkinson re-signs at Subaru

[sperry]

I'm stoked Chris Atkinson kept his ride at Subaru... no doubt due to his strong finish to the season! I think once we see just a touch more maturity from his driving, we're gonna see that kid start winning some rallies!

[Nick Koan]

Subaru re-signed Sarrazin for 4 tarmac events and testing duties.

Much more limited program then last year for him, but with Chris's performance last year, I can see they feel less of a need for Sarrazin.