It would appear as though a year away from the WRC is all Pirelli needed. The Italian manufacturer has indicated that they would like to rejoin rally’s top flight as soon as 2012 after a one year break. The intent of the return is to attack Michelin and have a battle amongst top teams in 2012. “I want us to be back in the WRC in 2012, once those regulations are out, we will study them carefully and begin – if the conditions are right – to prepare ourselves. We…
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Episode 73 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin a full panel as the Openpaddock.net podcast returns from a week long break. Kristi joins us to talk Monte Carlo Rally and other odd rally news. Spike is back from Baltimore and provides us with an interview from Simona de Silvestro. We also talk Baltimore GP and other INDYCAR related stuff! Sit back and enjoy the show and thank you so much for the download!
Read MoreRally – Ford switches Fiesta RS WRC test plans for Arctic Rally
FROM: FORD Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team has dropped plans to debut its all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car in Finland’s Arctic Lapland Rally (28 – 29 January) next weekend. Team drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen and team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila were scheduled to drive a leg each in the two-day snow and ice rally based in Rovaniemi. It was due to be the final part of the squad’s pre-season test programme before next month’s opening round of the FIA World Rally Championship in Sweden. However,…
Read MoreRally – Sunday Service Park 1/23/11
After a brief break, we are back for another Sunday Service Park with just a few things happening…including the Monte Carlo Rally. Not a big deal is it? Team that with a few driver signings and we now present this weeks service park. Monte Carlo The IRC kicked off its season with the centenary edition of the Monte Carlo Rally. The Indy 500 of rally has really become an invitational event since leaving the WRC a couple years ago. Every year we see a couple WRC drivers step outside of…
Read MoreInside the Helmet *EXCLUSIVE* – Jari-Matti Latvala
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe Inside the Helmet segment is back and we are honored to have the 2010 World Rally Championship runner up joining us. Jari-Matti Latvala has been gracious enough to allow us a few minutes and talks about what happened in 2010 as opposed to 2009, the Monte Carlo rally, and Ken Block’s impact on the WRC. Special thanks to all the members at Abu Dhabi Ford for making this happen so quickly. We wish all the team members the best of luck in 2011!
Read MoreRally – Stobart Changes
A number of changes have already occurred in preparations for what experts are calling an amazing 2011 WRC season. More changes have been released today involving the Stobart team this time. The satellite Ford team has made slight changes and added a driver for Sweden to up its chances for a great points haul in the opening round. First, the team that was known as the Stobart M-Sport Ford World Rally Team has changed its name to the M-Sport Stobart Ford Rally Team. Not a huge difference in a name…
Read MoreEpisode 72 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin Shaun, Kristi, and Mike as they run down the State of INDYCAR Address from today’s winter meetings. Lots of small announcements for on and off track stuff. Shaun also discusses the craziness that has turned into the WRC offseason. Lots of movement on Monday and the picture has become clear heading into Sweden. So as always, sit back and enjoy your favorite beverage and the show!
Read MoreRally – Citroen Situation Update
The last 24 hours have been full of confusion and questions in regards to exactly what it is Citroen will be doing in the WRC. Heading into yesterday, we already knew that Loeb and Ogier would house the two factory rides. The former Citroen Junior squad was half full. Peter Van Merksteijn had been confirmed for 10 rounds of the championship which was due to start in Sweden for him. Enter Kimi Raikkonen and Petter Solberg. Both were rumored to land a Citroen ride as well but only four cars…
Read MoreRally – FERM World Rally Team
The World Rally Championship got some news this morning as FERM Power Tools World Rally Team has entered the Manufacturer’s Championship for 2011. Dennis Kuipers will be the man behind the wheel of the M-Sport Fiesta for 11 out 13 rounds (Australia and Argentina missing). Kuipers was originally slated to run only 10 rounds of the championship in a Fiesta, however the recent deal with FERM has opened up an 11th round. Kuipers best result last season was an 11th overall at Rally Spain. He was driving under the Stobart…
Read MoreOpenPaddock.net Awards
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadYes it is the end of 2010 and so with it we will offer our awards! This is not your mom’s award show…so sit back and enjoy as we honor those who were brilliant and those who were not so!
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