FIA WRX 2017

[tbtstt 2,387]

Janneman60 said:

Keep in mind that VW and Hoonigan/Msport have their roots in rally. When we talk about skyrocket budgets don't forget it is still marginal compared to rally 

The figures that have been attached to the PSRXVW team this year are far from "marginal". Yeah, it's not as much as the WRC program, but it's a far bigger financial commitment than the other "works" rallycross teams. Just looking at the team setup is enough to tell you that they have poured some serious money into the rallycross program...

...worryingly, the interviews with the team engineers earlier in the year implied that the development of the Polo was still being limited by budget: which implies that there could be even more speed to come from the car!

[Narzugon 0]

I've been watching old RX footage the last few days. Ran across this 50 year tribute to RX. I'm assuming it's just hitting the highlights but I enjoyed it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWG-5zlGjFM

[WeamDreaver 12]

Who is typically broadcasting RX these days?
Is there something like WRCplus for RX?

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

WeamDreaver said:

Who is typically broadcasting RX these days?
Is there something like WRCplus for RX?

Here is the link to the TV listings http://www.fiaworldrallycross.com/article/tvlisting If you live in Europe you can also watch live stream via the official website. If you live in North America you can watch live stream via Ford Performance YouTube page.

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

tbtstt said:

Janneman60 said:

Keep in mind that VW and Hoonigan/Msport have their roots in rally. When we talk about skyrocket budgets don't forget it is still marginal compared to rally 

The figures that have been attached to the PSRXVW team this year are far from "marginal". Yeah, it's not as much as the WRC program, but it's a far bigger financial commitment than the other "works" rallycross teams. Just looking at the team setup is enough to tell you that they have poured some serious money into the rallycross program...

...worryingly, the interviews with the team engineers earlier in the year implied that the development of the Polo was still being limited by budget: which implies that there could be even more speed to come from the car!

VW is insane! They dominated the WRC when they were using the Polo, they have been dominating Red Bull GRC for a few years now with the Bug and currently they are dominating FIA WRX. They have deep pockets and are set out for world domination. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw a new for 2018 VW Formula 1 team.

P.S. I still love VW as a company. I'm a huge VW Golf and Scirocco fan.

[dwkGravey 0]

DiRTKiNG808 said:

WeamDreaver said:

Who is typically broadcasting RX these days?
Is there something like WRCplus for RX?

Here is the link to the TV listings http://www.fiaworldrallycross.com/article/tvlisting If you live in Europe you can also watch live stream via the official website. If you live in North America you can watch live stream via Ford Performance YouTube page.

The official livestream works in Canada, just not in the US. 

[tbtstt 2,387]

Just seen the entry lists for Loheac: 60 Supercars (25 World/35 Euros) and 35 Super 1600's! Should be a great round. 

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

dwkGravey said:

DiRTKiNG808 said:

WeamDreaver said:

Who is typically broadcasting RX these days?
Is there something like WRCplus for RX?

Here is the link to the TV listings http://www.fiaworldrallycross.com/article/tvlisting If you live in Europe you can also watch live stream via the official website. If you live in North America you can watch live stream via Ford Performance YouTube page.

The official livestream works in Canada, just not in the US. 

I watched the live stream on Ford Performance.

[tbtstt 2,387]

No more rounds for Guy Wilks. Real shame to read that he won't finish the season, though I must admit I was hoping he would have posted some better results this year. 

Less than two weeks to Loheac, I can't wait! I wonder if Codemasters will be on site again this year? 

[KingOfCoins 286]

Yeah, it's a shame. On the other hand, he's replaced by Alister McRae. So it will be interesting to see how he fares in the remaining rounds

[WeamDreaver 12]

DiRTKiNG808 said:

Here is the link to the TV listings http://www.fiaworldrallycross.com/article/tvlisting If you live in Europe you can also watch live stream via the official website. If you live in North America you can watch live stream via Ford Performance YouTube page.

Are you guys actually talking about live coverage or is it just the two hours summary of the whole weekend that we can watch on the WRX youtube channel?

Because Ford Performance youtube channel also presents this summary as their broadcast
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTbkV5qzFkTw7HYHLXH-WQZnJ37rVLXjC

Is there actually live coverage anywhere on the net? And if so, is it only for supercars or the whole weekend?

[Janneman60 154]

As far as I've watched it,  the first hour is a summary of what happened in the heats and the second hour is live with the semi's  and final of Supercsrs and in between final erx or rx2 depending on what is driving that weekend.

[dwkGravey 0]

EKS is selling four of its five cars, and might not be back in 2018. :'(


(Alternate headline: EKS might not be fährting in 2018)

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

I don't think anyone does live coverage of the Heat races but on the Ford YouTube channel it is live for the Semi's and the Finals.

[tbtstt 2,387]

Just got back from the Friday Supercar practice: amazed how packed the circuit was! Polos looked very quick, very respectable times from McRae as well. 

[Scyy 0]

It's overview of the first two heats than full coverage of heat 3 and on.

[KingOfCoins 286]

That was a great win by Bryntesson in the EuroX final!

[tbtstt 2,387]

The Euros have been excellent all weekend: got absolutely soaked today though! 

[WeamDreaver 12]

Looks like Petter fractured his collarbone.
Found this info on some french news sites.
http://www.autohebdo.fr/autres-courses/rallycross/breves/world-rx-fracture-de-la-clavicule-pour-petter-solberg-188753.html
The incident didn't looked like anything serious though. Must have been hit at a very unfortunate angle.
Bad season for Petter.

[shadow118 18]

It was on FIA WRX twitter as well
https://twitter.com/FIAWorldRX/status/909423368855851009

[Dytut 89]

I keep wondering what it is that makes the Polo so bloody good. The WRX car is pretty much the WRC car, and it has dominated both disciplines now. 
Is it all down to budget, and did VW have a much bigger WRC budget than their competitors? And is their budget for WRX also that much bigger than the competitors?

[bogani 756]

Dytut said:

I keep wondering what it is that makes the Polo so bloody good. The WRX car is pretty much the WRC car, and it has dominated both disciplines now. 
Is it all down to budget, and did VW have a much bigger WRC budget than their competitors? And is their budget for WRX also that much bigger than the competitors?

Dunno, they probably just managed to perfect the chassi/suspension to more traction than their competitors.

Kristoffersson seems to be as dominant as Loeb in the WRC back in the day atm, while Solberg is struggeling a bit and more on par with the best of the rest.

[tbtstt 2,387]

Dytut said:

I keep wondering what it is that makes the Polo so bloody good. The WRX car is pretty much the WRC car, and it has dominated both disciplines now. 
Is it all down to budget, and did VW have a much bigger WRC budget than their competitors? And is their budget for WRX also that much bigger than the competitors?

Yes, the VW budget is bigger. I have heard a few figures stated around the paddock which vary between being it a bit bigger than the other teams to a hell of a lot bigger than the other teams! 

I too am curious to know exactly where the extra speed is coming from. I was watching the cars closely during the opening practice at Loheac at the PSRXVW Polo seems to behave differently to the rest of the field, it's just so planted in the corners. Even when the handbrake is used it doesn't seem to drift. I wonder if the fact all the weight is up front in the Polo is a contributing factor, or if PSRXVW are just that much further ahead of the competition when it comes to chassis and suspension setup. 

I just read that Petter has broken two ribs as well, so there is doubt about him racing in Germany.

Uploaded a few pictures from Loheac last night, few of my faves: 









Took a lot more pictures than usual, so loads more to look at here: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22961613@N06/sets/72157689256438105

If anyone is interested!

[Janneman60 154]

Still compared to rally this budget is low for VW. For people used to ralkycross thow it is ridiculous

[Dytut 89]

@tbtstt : Yeah I agree, it's always looked so much more planted than the other cars. Almost like it can be softer than the other cars but somehow avoid all the body roll and suspension overloading.
 It would be nice to see if VW could replicate the same success on another car or if the Polo is just that magical perfect. Makes one wonder what they did with the car. 

I hope they make some kind of documentary about it in a few years when they've stopped racing it and show us all the black magic.