This should get the ball rolling. Anyone surprised to see Mr. Loeb back in WRC? How about the "one-off" biz? I guess whether it will really be just one rally depends on his motive. As in, why is he doing even the one? Did they tempt him back with BIG money or is he unable to resist? Time will tell. WRC Monte Carlo: Loeb heads up Rally Monte Carlo entry list (Crash.net)
Not really: Part of his duties are to promote the Citroen brand. He did finish 3rd in WTCC. The problem was the 2 guys in front of him were his team mates. And Lopez really trounced 'em. Loeb said he really enjoyed WtW racing. So, does he think with some more track time he can develop the race craft he needs to win a WTCC title? Or does he go back to WRC as a team leader to get beat by Seb O? I'd like to see him stay in WTCC, but maybe his ego can't handle it.
I'd love to see Seb Loeb back in a WRC car. He may say that being in the WTCC is where he wants to be, but from what I saw on the broadcasts he didn't seem to crack a smile more than once or twice.
Kris Meeke is tuning up for the season. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bdln20toMs"]Test Rallye Monte Carlo 2015 - Kris Meeke DS3 WRC [HD] - YouTube[/ame]
Mr. Loeb has a bit of an off during his pre-Monte test. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pam42Rkja8Y"]Loeb out off road during test for Monte-Carlo 2015 [HD] - YouTube[/ame]
Lucky to have 50 happy Frenchman help him regain the road. Tricky conditions for sure, snow & ice with water on top. Slippery as as shirt for sure.
Let the VW sparks fly now... [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3LVtaduIP4"]WRC 2015 ✔ Test RALLY Monte-Carlo ✔ VW Polo WRC ✔ ACCELERATIONS - YouTube[/ame] [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlEvZk8y9kc&index=3&list=PL_WUTRgseAVWYNME0bosgba4WV-8EaX89"]WRC 2015 ✆Test RALLY Monte-Carlo ✆VW Polo WRC ✆OGIER INTERVIEW - YouTube[/ame]
I think that this was asked before but I don't know the answer. What is the purpose of the light shining below the driver's side of the front bumper? I believe you only see it on practice runs and not the rally proper. Any ideas?
I remember that same question, but don't think we got an answer. Well we got some smart arse ones I'm sure. Pre-warming the pavement.
Yup, we've had that discussion before. I think the collective mind decided the light on the pavement is probably a side-effect of illuminating something like suspension components for a camera (or cameras) mounted under there so they can study articulation, etc, after the session. Seems reasonable, esp. since neither driver nor co-driver should be able to see that spot on the ground when they're strapped in their seats.
That issue was bugging me, too. On another note, I'm suddenly confused about Toyota. I had seen a lot of YouTubes of their GT86 (sold in the US as a Subaru BRZ and Scoin FR-S, but not Toyota). I really liked that car, and actually thought it was the one that was supposed to be used for WRC in '15. OTOH, it is a different beast. It has a longer wheelbase than anything being used now, which seems to be compacts or subcompacts (in American terms). In looking for some Toyota vids to put up here, I only saw the Yaris. Less exciting to me, but still a neat car, and much more in line with other WRC models. Is this actually what is being used?
The GT86 is being homologated for a 2-wheel drive class (R3?). However, despite all the Toyota + WRC news being focused on the Yaris, it's hard to tell whether they'll actually use it in the WRC. Here's where I first read about this, lifted directly from WRC.com. I was surprised when I saw it because everything I'd read prior made it look like Toyota was on the verge of reentering WRC, and soon, and with the Yaris. Since then I've read other supposed quotes from people at Toyota that flip flop back and forth. One day they're proceeding with the Yaris and just don't know exactly when they'll enter and the next day more of the highlighted biz below. Toyota buoyed by first Yaris WRC test (WRC.com)
Here's a bit of Yaris testing. Looks good to me. Seems like most makers use one of the smallest cars in their line to base their WRC car off of, that makes sense to me. But MINI used the largest one in their lineup? Never could understand why they did that. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl8vbqwZ7mo&list=PLVyRAt2cxbxvkb9kEixDfqw4QWe2wxYdY#t=55"]Stéphane Sarrazin Test Toyota Yaris WRC - Belgium 2014 - YouTube[/ame] https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLVyRAt2cxbxvkb9kEixDfqw4QWe2wxYdY&v=GFBQLQCQH3k
Should make it a bit easier to discern Kubica's car from the other Fiestas in 2015. Kubica reveals 2015 WRC livery (racer.com)
Hyundai and Citroen look very familiar but M-Sport (last, below) look like they went with nearly the reverse of VW's new livery.