2020 World Rally News

Announced today that Lappi, Sunninen & Greensmith sign for M Sport WRC Fiesta 2020

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/147770/citroen-wrc-exile-lappi-joins-msport-for-2020

Chris

thats that sewn up then....

Annoyed that Breen wasn’t chosen

agreed paul

Posted these as my top 5 predictions on another forum:

1 Ogier will be WDC
2 Toyota will win the Manufacturers
3 One round will be cancelled due to political climate/weather reasons
4 There will be a serious spectator related accident involving a WRC crew
5 M Sport wont get a single podium

Unfortunately, not too much i disagree with there - the unknown for me is Lappi - interested to see how quickly he goes in the Fiesta.

Sal the 2nd wrote:Posted these as my top 5 predictions on another forum:

1 Ogier will be WDC
2 Toyota will win the Manufacturers
3 One round will be cancelled due to political climate/weather reasons
4 There will be a serious spectator related accident involving a WRC crew
5 M Sport won't get a single podium

My predictions are:

After Monte Carlo and Sweden, The WRC will continue to decline in terms of peoples interest and TV coverage. Toyota will win the makers and drivers titles, M-Sport will pull out at the end of the year leaving only Toyota and Hyundai in for 2021 and by 2022 the series will revert to R5 cars in order to make it more attractive to manufacturers.

I’ve seen some interesting comments on R5+ vs R5. Essentially the same cars with maybe a little additional latitude with the aim of reducing the cost for the top format and narrowing the gap to R5. In principle I am supportive  of ditching the current WRC top tier if it gets more manufacturers back in.

I wouldn’t count out Tanak in the Hyundai though - he’s quick.

Disappointed Breen is not in a WRC seat, I think Lappi is a reasonable choice, but I think M Sport could have done better than they have with who all was available, but then perhaps we haven't heard all yet? I did read speculation about Breen and Mikkelsen in a Hyundia B team

The cars are not he problem, the problem now and for the past 20 or more years is that the sport gives nothing to also rans. Formula 1 and any circuit based championships do, even drifting does, rallying doesn't and IMO can't so it will evolve but remain a fringe sport.

New Retro Ford livery announced at the Autosport Show

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/147834/msport-fiestas-to-run-in-retro-livery-in-2020

Chris

Looks okay to me

M sports choice of drivers just shows us 1 thing. That money talks. Sunninen and Greensmith both paying/providing sponsorship. Lappi also a freebee if you believe that citroen are covering his wages this year. Msport have been ardent supporters of the wrc but the costs involved are colossal. Cars, preparation, logistics, staff. All crazy money. Also working with a smaller captive tv audience. How F1 gets the numbers and money into the sport is mind boggling. Something will have to give and unfortunately the spectacle of the new age world cars will have to end.
Having been fortunate enough to attend 6 wrc events over the last 3 years, I firmly agree with the above comment that there Will be another spectator fatality around the corner.
Also there is zero snow on many of the rally sweden stages. Hopefully that will change

NO number 1 in 2020

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/147915/no-driver-to-use-1-for-first-time-in-wrc-history

...so now you know!!

Chris

there you are now.....

So Monte Carlo starts tomorrow-about the only rally I have any interest in these days. Id say Ogier in the Yaris for the win!

Not a bad shout at all Rory. Think it will be very tight between him and Ott, BUT...... i'm with you. I think that in a car that is slightly faster than a Austin Allegro, Seb will be reinvigorated. Could be an interesting battle though as will the Factory vs Semi Factory backing make a difference (Hyundai vs Toyota Gazoo) - didn't help Shitroen last year though which is why I am going for driver over car (as both cars are good) - even though i'm not a massive Seb fan.

PARC FERME SETTING UP-BOLAND FIESTA AT 2 30ish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfhGcQnGHA0

SHAKEDOWN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ob7LcfVWqc

https://www.ewrc-results.com/video/31175-rallye-monte-carlo-wrc-2020-ott-tanak-crash-2/

Monster crash for Tanak. Crew ok!

and greensmith slid off too i believe...

Wow-thats a biggie!

Massive off but just shows the progress made in safety-i’d hate to think of the outcome of that crash a few years ago.

Unfortunately, M-Sports performance is pretty close to where I feared it might be. Hopefully a blip/early days and things will improve as we move through the season.

Proper scary crash for Tanak, was it just that he bottomed out? I'd like to see footage from other top cars there

David Napier wrote:Proper scary crash for Tanak, was it just that he bottomed out? I'd like to see footage from other top cars there

In car-didnt stop for a while!

The wreck!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFb6ok4DP48