real life 2020 FIA World Rally Championship

[Dytut 89]

Allright people! Get your popcorn! the circus is about to start!

https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/september-2018/ogier-citroen-2019/page/5764--12-12-.html

[RipperGP 2]

Don't blame him, if Ford couldn't commit properly now then they never will in the WRC again.

Just a shame M-Sport cannot find another manufacturer to work with who are more serious about Rallying.

[RallyDriven 398]

It’s crazy that ford had a world champion sat in one of their cars and didn’t want their name associated with it.

Reading Ogier’s comments make sense to me, he wants to win a title for a third manufacturer, which will be a great challenge and help to further prove that he is one of the all time greats (as if he needs to do much more than he’s already done)

[tbtstt 2,387]

Just saw the story on Facebook. I think Ogier is mad to move to Citroen, but fair play to him for trying to spread his wings. His departure makes the 2019 driver line up more difficult to guess as well. 

[Dytut 89]

Yep. We'll see if Lappi will actually make his move to Citroën now. Most interesting will be who will drive for M-Sport.
Meeke?  Quite possible.
Latvala? Maybe, but sounds like he'll stay at Toyota.
Ostberg? Knows the car, but not quite a #1 driver.
Tidemand? Slight maybe, not a #1
Breen? Maybe if Citroën would fire him, but think he'll stay where he is
Lappi? Not likely, he apparently don't have much love for M-Sport
Kopecky? Maybe, same as Tidemand

[RipperGP 2]

think most likely line up now is:

Toyota - Tanak, JML, Meeke

Hyundai - Neuville, Mikklesen, Sordo/Padden

Citroen - Ogier, Lappi, Breen

M-Sport - Sunninen, Evans and probably Ostberg

[Dytut 89]

No big surprise, but Suninen is confirmed for M-Sport at least.

[Dytut 89]

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/139094/ogier-citroen-no-longer-doing-things-by-half

Allright then, if Citroën is going all in then that must mean they're going for a real three car lineup for 2019. I think they can actually make do with Ogier - Ostberg - Breen. Ostberg and Breen are both podium contenders. Lots of talk about Lappi maybe joining up, but if he gets the #2 spot then I'd be hard pressed to choose between OStberg and Breen for the last seat. I'd suspect Citroën will go for Breen in that case. But... my money is on both Ostberg and Breen staying with Citroën for the next year.

[RipperGP 2]

Not been confirmed yet but think Lappi to Citroen deal has already been done.

[juu1ius 5]

so another rumor - https://www.facebook.com/mwmsports/posts/879718102227794
Breen has offers from M-SPort 2+1y or Toyota, interesting choices. I would go for Toyota i guess - fast car, great budget and even better possibility to over come disappointing 2018 season. Redemption for Meek in M-SPort ? :smile:

[Dytut 89]

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/ogier-gave-ford-ultimatum-before-citroen-switch/3188115/

Oh Ford, I will never understand why you hate rallying so much nowadays.

[Dytut 89]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJWxS_-7brA

Tänak makes a whoopsie on shakedown.  Is he finally showing some nerves?

[CrazyNevada 52]

If you listen closely, the engine stalled mid braking (common issue for Toyota). Nothing to do with the championship battle nerves.

The car is now on the trailer and heading back to service, radiator is broken.

[nbates66 21]

CrazyNevada said:

If you listen closely, the engine stalled mid braking (common issue for Toyota). Nothing to do with the championship battle nerves.

So it's for certain that the engine stalled itself and the stall wasn't caused by locking the wheels under braking?

[CrazyNevada 52]

I'm sure the wheels locked under braking, but generally does the engine stall this quick? It's just that all Toyota drivers have said that they have problems with the engine stalling mid corner or mid braking in this season.

[Dytut 89]

I thought they had fixed it somewhat with the new enginge, but it seems to still be an issue.

[CrazyNevada 52]

Ott's car is fine, just a precautionary cooling system switch and ready to go again this evening, so no more SD runs.

Edit: Never mind, already heading back to the SD stage, seems like it wasn't that bad as they thought.

https://twitter.com/OttTanak/status/1047784797374959617/video/1

[RallyDriven 398]

Yeah I was just pulling into the service park when he was heading back out. They had all the front off after and gave it a good going over. All cars have left for ss1 now.

[bogani 756]

Wow. Rovanperäs pace is impressive!      

[Dytut 89]

Yeah... If I was Malcolm Wilson I'd consider grabbing Kalle for 2019.

[RallyDriven 398]

Well that was absolutely awful. Clocaenog was ok, Brenig was a bit rough but it was enjoyable. Unfortunately someone had a very bad accident and we got red flagged. Penmachno was without a doubt the worst stage I’ve ever done, unbelievably rough and it broke the front suspension. We limped to slate mountain where we hit a rock and that was game over

[F2CMaDMaXX 505]

:(
Sad day, rally is *very* hard on cars.  

[RallyDriven 398]

F2CMaDMaXX said:

:(
Sad day, rally is *very* hard on cars.  

I can’t express how bad it was. I’ll get some in car footage up in the next few days. There was a whole lot of swearing! I finished penmachno winded with pains in my stomach

[RallyDriven 398]

Went to watch dyfnant today before heading home and the speed of these cars still leaves me gobsmacked. First time my brother and sister have seen them live and they couldn’t believe it

[tbtstt 2,387]

RallyDriven said:

Well that was absolutely awful. Clocaenog was ok, Brenig was a bit rough but it was enjoyable. Unfortunately someone had a very bad accident and we got red flagged. Penmachno was without a doubt the worst stage I’ve ever done, unbelievably rough and it broke the front suspension. We limped to slate mountain where we hit a rock and that was game over

Damn, that explains why I didn't see you in Myherin.

Fully agree with your comment about the speed of the cars. The R5's look quick, the latest WRCars are just incredible.