World Rally Championship WRC 2019

Class photos Paul. I know how lucky I am - some of those cars I now "know" and likewise a number of the crews. Rallying in all its guises is a very small community and I have been in the very fortunate position to have been able to dip my toe into a number of its facets. Reinhard Klein of McKlein fame drives the 6R4 usually with his wife and sometimes his son brings a car also - the Germans put all their cars on an artic transporter in the same way as the Finns have done this year when doing the Eurpoean Historic Rally Championship. Looks impressive but the most economical way of moving metal. Delighted you enjoyed the event. Finland and Sweden are special and if you get the chance - go. As my late father used to say - take the ball on the hop. It may not come back around a second time.

I will quote you to my wife James!

Tanak to Hyundia has been confirmed today I'm surprised, it will be interesting to see which of Neuville or Ogier end up in the Toyota

yeah a strange one david, unless the deal had been done weeks or months ago no matter how he fared in the championship...

Breen gets the 3rd Hyundai seat for Australia too!

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/146922/breen-replaces-mikkelsen-at-hyundai-for-australia

Paul

Great photos, pleased the weather was good for you in sunny Spain.

Love the variety of historics, but the early Stratos, the Turbodelta and that Merc do it for me!!

Chris

Smashing pics, Paul.  I notice that we were within a stones throw of each other on more than one occasion!  We'll have to wear DRM jackets for future outings
Always enjoy this rally, easy to get to, usually good weather and great atmosphere.  Will miss it in 2020.  Anyways, here's my contribution of a few pics.

Another batch;

News for 2020

Evans, Neuville & Ogier have all recently visited Toyota for a drive in 2020

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/147008/evans-in-frame-to-replace-tanak-after-toyota-visit

Chris

Thanks Chris and lovely pics Ted. Maybe DRM baseball caps!!

Last round in Australia cancelled due to the horrendous bush fires they have been having in the country.

Tough for Breen and Paddon, but the right decision IMO, Im glad the drivers title was already settled

The right decision given the situation out there

David Napier wrote:Tough for Breen and Paddon, but the right decision IMO, I'm glad the driver's title was already settled

yes for Breen. He might get a seat for next year given the topsy-turvy situation with Tanak moving and Mickelson out of favour it would seem. Toyota or Ford a possibility too.

Would love to see Breen and Meeke at M-Sport

citroen confirming in autosport that it will definitely not be in WRC come 2022 with new hybrid regulations, yet to confirm or deny reports that theyre contemplating pulling plug right now and not doing 2020.....

If Ogier goes to Toyota then Citroen won't bother turning up as they have no chance of winning if he is in the Yaris

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/147136/toyota-could-announce-evansogier-within-week

confirmed Ogier Evans and Rovanpera with toyota 2020......no word yet on jml and meeke

RORY O CONNOR wrote:If Ogier goes to Toyota then Citroen won't bother turning up as they have no chance of winning if he is in the Yaris

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/147136/toyota-could-announce-evansogier-within-week

Very insightful- exactly what panned out. If you look at Citroen Racings comments they were awful, showed zero class, and completely disrespectful to all the other drivers. Essentially it was “If we can’t have Ogier then we won’t have a world class driver in the car so we are pulling out”. I was never their biggest fan, now i am happy to view them with the same contempt as they showed others.

I really hope Breen gets a full year drive with M-Sport, as whilst Greensmith has talent, I don’t think he’s as good.

hi paul, totally agree re citroen...but then having seen 2019 SPOTY nominees, again ignoring Jonathan Rea, and colin turkington i'm in a humpy mood anyway lol!! (and i dont even follow bikes lol!!)

M-Sport gave a lesson to Citroen, their release about Evans going to Toyota was a complete contrast.

I'm still amazes that Tanak left Toyota, there must have been something more behind the scenes as IMO it defies logic.

Breen has to be favourite for the No.1 seat at Ford, IMO he is the stand out of the many who are available.

David Napier wrote:M-Sport gave a lesson to Citroen, their release about Evans going to Toyota was a complete contrast.

I'm still amazes that Tanak left Toyota, there must have been something more behind the scenes as IMO it defies logic.

Breen has to be favourite for the No.1 seat at Ford, IMO he is the stand out of the many who are available.

There is an interview with Marko Martin who was Tanaks advisor in the move to Hyundai. A couple of days since i read it but from memory he said Tommi and the Toyota mgt hadn’t seemed that fussed about keeping him or investing in him or the team whereas Hyundai were keen to have him and pay what Ott felt was appropriate. Its not the best translation (google translateish) but worth a read.

I agree with M-Sport comment - it’s consistent behaviour so not false (first team to congratulate Ott when he won the title) and even a demanding driver like Ogier held Malcolm in very high regard.

article on the  fight for remaining seat


https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/november-2019/msport-seat/page/6864--12-12-.html