Inside Rally

Fans pledge for Ford to stay

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Daniel Darrall

Rally fans from around the world are joining together to try and persuade Ford manufactures to stay in WRC for 2012 onwards.

Fans have formed a group on Facebook ‘We want Fords’s continuation in the WRC (as a manufacture)’. A similar group was set up by fans, for Ford to run their Fiesta’s in Black livery, and Ford bosses say that apparently was crucial in persuading them to do just that for Rally France.

Currently the facebook group has over 1,200 members, some of the members include the 8 times World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, Nicky Grist, Tony Mason, Armin Schwartz and Rodger Clark amongst many more.

The link to the facebook page: http://on.fb.me/fordwrc

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Ogier goes to VW

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Daniel Darrall

Sebastien Ogier will be a Volkswagen driver when the German manufacturer makes its World Rally Championship debut in 2013.

The 27-year-old from France (above right), who severed his ties with Citroen last week, will spend next season developing the firm’s Polo R WRC alongside co-driver Julien Ingrassia (left) after a signing a long-term contract.

“Volkswagen is the number one in Europe and will soon be number one in the world,” said Ogier. “I’m sure that they’re going to compete with the goal of clinching the WRC title. And I’m happy to be part of this from the outset.”

“I am very happy about Sebastian Ogier and Julien Ingrassia joining us,” said Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management for the Development Division. “Both of them are important pieces of the puzzle on our way towards building a successful team in the World Rally Championship. It is also a mark of confidence for our team if such a strong pairing opts for a new team in the WRC that is still in the process of being developed.”

Volkwagen Motorsport boss Kris Nissen addd: “We are proud that such a successful and quick duo as Sebastian and Julien have decided to join Volkswagen. The aim of putting a competitive Polo R WRC on the road for them as quickly as possible will additionally drive our team. We look forward to working with them and are hoping for many victories and titles in the future.”

Ogier will perform his first public duty as a Volkswagen driver when he takes part in the Race of Champions event in Dusseldorf from 3/4 December.

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Kimi returns to F1

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Daniel Darrall

After two years in the WRC, 2007 F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula One after signing a two-year agreement with Lotus Renault GP.

By D.Darrall

Raikkonen was paid off from his contract at Ferrari a year early and in 2010 started his first ever season in the WRC in the Citroen junior team in a C4 WRC before switching to Citroen’s DS3 WRC for 2011. Co-driven by fellow Finn Kaj Lindstrom, Raikkonen finished 10th in the drivers’ championship standings on both occasions.

The highlights his 2 years in WRC included a stage win on ADAC Rallye Deutschland in 2010 and a fifth place finish on the Rally of Turkey earlier that year.

Raikkonen has said the two seasons he spent in the World Rally Championship helped him as a driver, “I’m delighted to be coming back to Formula One after a two-year break, and I’m grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity. My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver, but I can’t deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming.”