This weekend the World Rally Championships heads to Greece along with its support series, WRC2.
Ex-F1 Driver Robert Kubica will be battling it out in his DS3, looking for a good result and gain more experience of the Rough Gravel stages seen in Rallying.
The Voice of the WRC and Rally Radio Legend Colin Clark has been out to Kubica’s Pre Rally Acropolis Test to talk to the Pole about what to expect on the event and about his Rally career so far.
Video link by Voice Of Rally (Colin Clark) below.
Hyundai, who are entering the WRC at the beginning of 2014 has had a “positive test” of the latest specification of the i20 WRC.
The car used has been developed at Hyundai Motorsport’s new Alzenau facility from the original design by the Hyundai the Namyang R&D centre in South Korea.
It was first given a shakedown 2 weeks ago at a private test facility before last week’s first full testing session over 550km, designed to get feedback on set-ups and engine.
Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan is quoted:
“We have an intensive testing schedule for the rest of 2013 which will take us to different venues across Europe, to evaluate the i20 WRC in different conditions and on different terrains which reflect the variety of circumstances we will encounter in the World Rally Championship next year. We are not disclosing our specific test venues or the names of the various drivers we will have but we will ensure that every aspect of the car’s performance is put to the test and thoroughly evaluated without leaving anything to chance.”
Michel Nandan is the team principal at Hyundai Motorsport. The team has issued this Q&A:
Michel, the last couple of weeks were pretty busy for the team at Hyundai Motorsport. Can you tell us a bit more about it?
“Indeed, it has been a busy few months here at Hyundai Motorsport as we prepared to kick-off our testing programme to get ready for the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship. After starting our operations from scratch at the Alzenau factory in early January, we have been developing the car and now we can put the theory into practice. The car is on the road and I have to admit it was quite an emotional moment to see the latest specification of the i20 WRC in action for the first time.
The car we are currently testing was originally designed by our colleagues in Korea at the Namyang R&D Centre. It has then been developed and prepared in Alzenau by the team which is growing constantly day-by-day.”
What are your thoughts on the first two outings of the i20 WRC on the road?
“The learning from the first tests for me is quite positive. I think we are starting from a good base that we can use to carry on working. This was crucial considering the tight schedule we have until the end of the year. We have now a lot of useful feedback to digest for the next steps of our preparation.
On the human side of things, I have already seen great teamwork, from the engineers in Namyang and the growing team of people in Alzenau. I have to say I’m very proud of everyone and I should thank them for the good job they have been doing so far. We have a lot of work ahead of us but I’m sure that with the commitment everybody showed so far we will respect all the timings and objectives we have for this year.”
What are the next steps in the testing programme?
“We have an intensive testing schedule for the rest of 2013 which will take us to different venues across Europe, to evaluate the i20 WRC in different conditions and on different terrains which reflect the variety of circumstances we will encounter in the World Rally Championship next year.”
“We are not disclosing our specific test venues or the names of the various drivers we will have but we will ensure that every aspect of the car’s performance is put to the test and thoroughly evaluated without leaving anything to chance.”
Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier are making their final preparations before going head-to-head in a support race at this weekend’s Formula One Monaco Grand Prix.
Three weeks after the pair fought for victory on Rally Argentina, Ogier and Loeb will race in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, driving identical 460hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.
It will be the first time the two Frenchmen will have raced each other on a tarmacked circuit.
The pair will first drive the famous 3.3km Monaco track on Thursday 23 May at a practice session starting at 1730hrs. Qualifying takes place on Friday from 0945hrs, with the 16-lap race scheduled for 0945hrs on Sunday.
Ogier, who leads the FIA World Rally Championship, said he was looking forward to his guest appearance in a 911 run by ‘Team Allyouneed by Project 1’.
“It will be very special for me to experience Monaco from a non-rallying perspective for once,” said Ogier. “I sat in the Porsche for the first time a fortnight ago at a test session in Hockenheim. Last year’s winner Sean Edwards gave me a few tips and I was coping really well by the end.
“I will obviously be keeping half an eye on Sebastien Loeb. The desire to be better is always there – but Seb has much more experience on racetracks. With that in mind, I will be trying to enjoy the weekend and, as always, do my very best.”
Loeb has not raced the Monaco circuit before but has prior knowledge of Porsches, having competed several times in the Porsche Carrera Cup in France, including a double victory at the Grand Prix de Pau in 2012. Most recently he finished eleventh in the Porsche Supercup round in Barcelona on 12 May.
“Running in this championship is quite a challenge – a challenge that is almost impossible!,” said Loeb. “I’ve always enjoyed my experiences in Porsche Carrera Cup France. This is real racing! Everyone has the same car and you have to fight. They are always hotly contested races, with great battles. Porsche Supercup is a level above.”
Source: WRC.com
PAGEANT OF POWER TO CELEBRATE ASTON MARTIN CENTENARY IN STYLE
· Pageant to celebrate the 100th birthday of iconic British car manufacturer
· Special Aston Martin race class will feature demonstrations and timed runs for manufacturer and privateers
· Display of over 100 Aston Martins, classic and modern, will include DB4 GT, open-wheeled track cars and new Vanquish
To mark Aston Martin’s centenary year, the 2013 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (14-16 June, http://www.cpop.co.uk) will feature static displays of more than 100 classic and modern Aston Martins, as well as full-acceleration timed runs by famous models from the marque on the event’s 1.2-mile race circuit.
Participating in a special race category at the Pageant will be more than a dozen famous Aston Martins, including the stunning DB4 GT, a rare Formula One racing car, the DBR4, and the new ultimate GT, Vanquish.
Members of the Aston Martin Owners’ Club will be out in force at Cholmondeley to display their cherished cars to the attending public, with the very best vehicles invited to enter an exclusive Aston Martin Concours d’Elegance. Further celebrations include an all-Aston Martin Lap of Honour.
James Hall, Event Director for the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, said: “For a century, Aston Martin has built some of the most evocative cars ever seen on the road, track and silver screen. The backdrop of the Pageant, with fast and beautiful cars from all eras of motoring and motorsport, will be a memorable location to celebrate this special year for this most iconic British car manufacturer.”
Now in its sixth year, the 2013 Pageant will take place on the Cholmondeley Estate in Cheshire from 14 to 16 June, celebrating power and performance in its many forms. Until 13 June, adult tickets start at just £24 for the Friday Preview Day, and £32 to see all the action on Saturday or Sunday. Under-16 tickets are currently available from just £5 for the Friday Preview Day and £7 for Saturday and Sunday tickets.
To buy tickets or find further information, visit http://www.cpop.co.uk.
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