2012 World Rally Championship

[Steptoe]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

It may be internet BS, but I've read a few comments indicating that the Abu Dhabi sponsorship may be no more?

I heard similar things so that leaves them without any major sponsors unless they get very friendly with Ken B and get Monster to sponsor a multi car effort next year. ???

[Burnsie]

Originally Posted by Steptoe

It may be internet BS, but I've read a few comments indicating that the Abu Dhabi sponsorship may be no more?

Sounds possible after reading an article in this week's Autosport magazine, stating that Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi are "to cut down on international championships in an effort to help develop local motorsport". It sounds like a decision taken by the circuit themselves, but perhaps the country's ASN shares the view that it should concentrate on domestic motor sport.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

It may be internet BS, but I've read a few comments indicating that the Abu Dhabi sponsorship may be no more?

I thought the Abu Dhabi sponsorship was linked to Nasser Al Attiyah? With him jumping to a Citroen for next year I assume the sponsorship will follow?

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Very unpatriotic of me, but I don't see this as a great loss. There are many other drivers who were more deserving of that seat (in my opinion).

I'd have to agree, Matt has been in that seat for a long time now and not really done anything with it. There are drivers out there that deserve a chance more than Matt now (including several British drivers). The problem as ever is money - with no Stobart money there's likely to be no Matt, but is there anyone with enough cash to step into the car or is it another one gone from the list of entries?

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Burnsie

Sounds possible after reading an article in this week's Autosport magazine, stating that Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi are "to cut down on international championships in an effort to help develop local motorsport". It sounds like a decision taken by the circuit themselves, but perhaps the country's ASN shares the view that it should concentrate on domestic motor sport.

Originally Posted by BertMk2

I thought the Abu Dhabi sponsorship was linked to Nasser Al Attiyah? With him jumping to a Citroen for next year I assume the sponsorship will follow?

Al Attiyah is from Qatar and is backed by Qatari real estate company Barwa. Abu Dhabi's sponsoprhip of the Ford team is from the Tourist Board and comes from Khalid Al Qassimi, who is from Abu Dhabi.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Steptoe

I heard similar things so that leaves them without any major sponsors unless they get very friendly with Ken B and get Monster to sponsor a multi car effort next year. ???

I've not seen anything indicating Block will be back next year yet, so if Monster do remain in the WRC, perhaps the seat will go to someone else.

Given that Wasserman group have taken over the running of the GRC next year and that Block hasn't had massive success in the WRC, I wonder if he will go back to the States for that next year (and perhaps Rally America again?). I think the only reason Monster are in the WRC is because of Block though, so if he goes I wonder if they will bother to keep the MWRT going.

Originally Posted by BertMk2

I thought the Abu Dhabi sponsorship was linked to Nasser Al Attiyah? With him jumping to a Citroen for next year I assume the sponsorship will follow?

He's going to Citroen as well?! Ha, I didn't know that!

Originally Posted by Steptoe

I'd have to agree, Matt has been in that seat for a long time now and not really done anything with it. There are drivers out there that deserve a chance more than Matt now (including several British drivers). The problem as ever is money - with no Stobart money there's likely to be no Matt, but is there anyone with enough cash to step into the car or is it another one gone from the list of entries?

Yeah, very true. Undeserving or not, at least he was another entry in a World Rally Car. Hopefully someone else can step up and fill the void.


EDIT: Just done a bit of Googling and there have been some comments made in the last few days indicating that Block will be driving in the WRC in 2012, but on a more limited schedule than 2011, seems his focus is going to be switched back toward the US again.

[rich_cooper]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

EDIT: Just done a bit of Googling and there have been some comments made in the last few days indicating that Block will be driving in the WRC in 2012, but on a more limited schedule than 2011, seems his focus is going to be switched back toward the US again.

Yes as i understand Monster wont to put a big push into the GRC next year, Remember that the GRC is going global in 2013.

I for one want to See Block back in the WRC, yes he might not be the quickest but he brings character to the championship. And the WRC needs that, and lets face it, he isnt that slow!

[rich_cooper]

Will Seb 2.0 be driving the Skoda S2000 in the WRC next year then ?

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by rich_cooper

Yes as i understand Monster wont to put a big push into the GRC next year, Remember that the GRC is going global in 2013.

Yeah, be interested to see how this Global X-Games/GRC thing pans out in 2013. I think rallycross will better suit Block, need him to bring his new toy to Lydden for testing next year really...

Originally Posted by rich_cooper

I for one want to See Block back in the WRC, yes he might not be the quickest but he brings character to the championship. And the WRC needs that, and lets face it, he isnt that slow!

Yeah, I agree he's a personality and he has unquestionably bought more attention to the WRC. Its just his own PR machine that seems to rub a lot of the long term rally fans up the wrong way!

Originally Posted by rich_cooper

Will Seb 2.0 be driving the Skoda S2000 in the WRC next year then ?

That seems to be the suggestion, but I haven't seen anything official saying that yet? Just that he will be "helping with development" next year.

I assumed (perhaps wrongly) that we'd see the Polo R WRC making select appearances throughout the year the same way the MINI has this year?

[chunder]

I dont think Block would be so much of a problem if he was getting good results. Bit like Raikkonen really, though it seems people were beginning to warm to Kimi a little. But his results where not that good, though arguably better than Block who has far more rally experience.

I can understand purists getting sniffy with Block, but you cant argue that his profile online is huge, and he is brining in sponsors and new fans to rallying.

Whether they want to watch it is unknown, as Gymkhana and stunts are a little different to WRC!

[vyselegend]

Originally Posted by rich_cooper

Will Seb 2.0 be driving the Skoda S2000 in the WRC next year then ?

In this autohebdo news (french), Ogier is quoted saying:

"We have a big load of work ahead, there should be 20 weeks of testing, and I should do every rounds in a Skoda Fabia S2000."

I guess that's one of the gifts they had to concede to get his signing. No racing driver loves to miss a year of racing and that was the weak point in their offer initially.

He also say he doesn't exclude the possibility of racing the Polo R in the late season if they feel they're ready enough.

[JorritVD]

http://twitter.com/#!/KevinAbbring

Kevin Abbring:
Dear fans! @ Citroen Racing tonight. Tomorrow one day test with Sebastien Ogier's GB WRC car on gravel!! Thanks for the opportunaty! :-D :-D

[vyselegend]

Originally Posted by JorritVD

http://twitter.com/#!/KevinAbbring

Kevin Abbring:
Dear fans! @ Citroen Racing tonight. Tomorrow one day test with Sebastien Ogier's GB WRC car on gravel!! Thanks for the opportunaty! :-D :-D

I wonder if this means Citroen is reloading its Junior team. Any hints if other drivers were tested?

As a side note, here's a link to the (seemingly deserted) video subforum where I posted the Rally du Var highlights, where Latvala clinched his first victory on asphalt. Worth watching.

[rich_cooper]

Kevin Abbring is one of the best young drivers out there, hope he can get a wrc seat with someone.

Still no word from Ford, Its not looking good!

[rich_cooper]

Mads Ostberg will be in the WRC 2012, the money is in place but what car is still unkown. They are still waiting on Ford to say what they are doing. BUT Mads has also tested a Mini WRC in Norway

[wolfhound]

I see Convers Sports has gone into administration, what effect is this going to have on next years championship?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96585