WRC 2016 : All Chat Here

[lackingBHP]

Audi had developed a 2017 wec car and pulled out last week.

 

[swansty]

Surely it would be foolish to do so with the money they've spent developing a new car for 2017. Bound to be at least a year before they pull the plug if they do.

They could also see it as throwing good money after bad. Still takes big money to run a competitive team for a year. I wonder do manufacturers these days see any sales increases due to WRC wins? I feel that only Subaru and Mitsubishi and perhaps Ford seemed able to do that, albeit on niche models rather than mainstream.

 

[Cess]

Interesting times.

If VW do pull out, it's going to mess up my draft article. Which was basically, what do VW get out of rallying? They throw bundles of cash at it, have dominated the series to such an extent that everyone else knows the best they can achieve is second place in the Championship, yet don't publicise it.

There's no marketing connection between the rally operation and the business of selling cars. In fact, I'd argue that the typical VW demographic and the VW ethos isn't really going to be swayed by motorsport participation.

VW have conquered everything in rallying and probably don't need the WRC. The WRC does need VW though.

EDIT: I see @swansty is of a similar mind!

 

[swansty]

Maybe it comes down to choice these days and the vast array of it when it comes to buying a car. Maybe it takes more than advertising motorsport wins to sell your car or brand. So what do they get out of it?? development of technologies for road cars? come on @Cess, answer this burning question

 

[Cess]

I have no idea, I really don't. WRC seems like the VW group's biggest secret.

Hyundai isn't cool and they know that. If they can make something from WRC. Sign the right guys, win a few rounds, it shows that their cars are fast, reliable and cool. They are using WRC to push the whole Hyundai N thing. Citroen use it to push into and connect with their developing markets. It was Citroen that wanted WRC in China, for example. M-sport flog rally cars.

VW?

 

[lackingBHP]

Vw group like cheap world titles , be it wtcc, Dakar, Wrc or wec. They come in buy a few championships and outspend the teams that have supported a series for years. They have have signed up for formula E and will do it there.

 

[DC.]

Motorsport is not cheap, especially the scale that VW Group go in at.

WEC budget would be on a par with F1.

 

[lennyd]

I'd say it would be different if you could buy something that resembles the cars. Evos and Imprezas have a cult following as did the Serrias, escorts and cossies all which lead to brand loyalty. What can you buy now days that even gets close to the wrc's?

 

[Graham]

Volkswagen to quit World Rally Championship | Autocar

 

[lackingBHP]

Seb will be in demand but can't see him being that interested in what seats are left

 

[Graham]

Very few that could afford him too I'd say, likely love to rallyX ?

 

[lackingBHP]

Could do or take a year out and return in 18 at Citroën

 

[Graham]

Channel 5 NOW...

 

[weeloaney]

Good the thing on yesterday was rubbish

Channel 5HD ftw

 

[weeloaney]

Lol at the drilled spanners for weight saving


Interviewer at end of stage- what was the fog like in there

Meeke- foggy

LOL

 

[Sam.]

Volkswagen to quit World Rally Championship | Autocar

 

[Reno_LV]

VW and their stupid emissions, eh?
In all seriousness, I hope they stay. Couldn't care less about statistics, figures and all boring politics - they are amazing WRC cars and the more manufacturers the better in WRC. I hope they can resolve finance issues!

 

[Sam.]

Colin Clark's latest "Thoughts from the kitchen table" concludes that he's slightly more concerned now than he was when he made the tweet above...

 

[dufunk]

That would be a pity would liked to see Toyota give them some competition in coming years, they seem like a great WRC outfit but the jap guys have been out of it for to long has maybe been to easy the last 4 years as no1 else really got close and they had ogier!

 

[DC.]

Autocar have now updated their story confirming the withdrawal of VW from WRC. Haven't heard anything from any other publication.

Maybe they will go to the new all-electric RallyX in 2018?

*Edit. Set to be announced officially tomorrow. Rally Australia will be the end for the Polo R WRC. 2017 program mothballed. Gone.

 

[Cess]

Board meeting is today @DC. but seems to have become the world's worst kept secret. Everywhere is running with the story. Volkswagen didn't need WRC and WRC wasn't delivering for them, making the massive budget commitment hard to justify in the current financial climate.

For every loser, there's a winner. I imagine Malcom Wilson is licking his lips right now at the prospect of three top notch drivers becoming available.

For what it's worth, I never liked the new rules for the new cars. Making the highest class of car more expensive to design run and build as well as more exclusive to drive was a backward step.

 

[sc_evo]

where do the three vw drivers fit in now? interesting.. and will a private team buy out the 2017 vw?

 

[DC.]

where do the three vw drivers fit in now? interesting.. and will a private team buy out the 2017 vw?

No, 2017 Polo R WRC is headed to the scrapheap.

 

[sc_evo]

thats some waste after all the testing/

 

[DC.]

Summed up pretty well here: VW quits the WRC: The implications for rallying and Sebastien Ogier