Tag: DS3

Episode 64 – Openpaddock.net Podcast

Shaun

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin the paddock boys for a World Championship edition of the podcast. We talk about Sebastian Vettel’s title drive and why we think he is deserving. We also go over Rally Wales and some of the WRC silly season rumors as we say good bye to the Focus and C4. The final part of the show will bring about the IndyCar talk for the week as we look at Chevrolet and some of the engine specs for 2012. Sit back for with your favorite…

Read More

Rally – Solberg’s Future TBD in 2011

Shaun

The last man to win the World Rally Championship that was not Sebastien Loeb is questioning his future in the sport for 2011. The 2003 champion has revealed that he does not have the budget to continue his privateer efforts when the new S2000T cars come on line next season. Solberg has been piloting a Citroen C4 the last couple seasons after offered a really good deal. This budget issue however may make Solberg a key player in the driver market if sponsorship cannot be found. Petter said he has…

Read More

Episode 59 – Openpaddock.net Podcast

Shaun

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadApologies for the late arrival. The show is 24 hours old but I left all of my important server uploading info on an external drive that I left at the hospital. #EpicFail! We take a good look at the season finale as well as the pecking order that is the IZOD IndyCar series. Silly season rumors are everywhere for IndyCar and the WRC, while we talk a little bit about Petit. Great discussion and a little comedy makes for a really long show time,…

Read More

Rally – Loeb set to Retire After Next Year

Shaun

The age of Seb 2.0 may be upon us after next season. Citroen number one and most successful rally driver of all time Sebastian Loeb is set to walk away from rally after next season. It has not been a secret that Loeb’s time in the WRC was coming to an end soon, and it looks as though 2011 will be it for the French ace. To be honest, what is there left for him to do? He has already smashed every record in the book and done so with…

Read More

Rally – Loeb and Ogier Extend @ Citroen

Shaun

Citroen look set to dominate the WRC for at least another three years as they have resigned Sebatian Loeb and phenom Sebastian Ogier. We can only hope that the new cars upset the balance as Citroen now have THE driver lineup that every Ford fan cringes at (including this one). It was thought that a small chance existed that Ford would be able to shanghai the Frenchman Ogier, but it took next to no time for the phenom to make up his mind. Ogier will replace Sordo next season on…

Read More

Rally – Ford Getting Ambitious on Ogier

Shaun

The Works Ford squad have gotten a little ambitious over the last couple days by announcing publicly their pursuit of Citroen ace Sebastian Ogier. The French driver who took his first WRC victory in Portugal by out gunning Citroen works phenom Sebastian Loeb, has announced that he is actually entertaining the idea. The driving slot that would become available would be at the the factory Ford outfit along side Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala. Reports indicate that Ford have been in touch with Ogier’s management team and that a formal…

Read More

Rally – Skoda 1.6T in WRC

Shaun

There are now reports surfacing out of the Czech Republic that home automaker Skoda will now develop a 1.6T engine and continue development on the Fabia S2000 chassis. While the details are a little thin at the moment, it would appear that the WRC will have at least the four manufacturers it was hoping for. There is currently no news on whether this will be a supply to privateers or a factory effort, but the Czech team has shown itself very well in the IRC at the factory level. From…

Read More

Rally – Manufacturer Supply and Demand Issues

Shaun

2011 will see both Ford and Citroen drop their current WRC cars in favor of the new technical regulations that allow for only S2000 chassis and 1.6 litre turbo engines. That has presented an interesting issue. Both Citroen and M-Sport are at capacity building the DS3 and Ford Fiesta WRC respectably. Because of the manufacturers efforts in developing, testing, and building these machines in time for next season, there is currently no way to produce a C4 or Focus in case of emergency this season. This can be a REAL…

Read More

Rally – Fiesta to Test Current Focus Motor

Shaun

With the World Motor Sport Council agreeing to run the S2000 chassis with a 1.6 litre turbo engine, Ford has decided to take a head start on the issue of development. The Fiesta S2000 will be fitted with the current 2.0 litre turbo charged engine used in the Ford Focus WRC. This is a tactic that has been used by Citroen in the development of the DS3 using the C4’s engine. Ford hopes that by using the chassis and engine package, they will be able to gauge how the car…

Read More