Rally – Manufacturer Supply and Demand Issues

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…

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Episode 31 – Open Paddock Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadJoin myself and Mike as we get into the lack of news this week. We wrap-up Sebring and get into a small portion of rally news. We talk about the IndyCar 2012 panel as well as some news regarding the potential Baltimore Grand Prix. F1 is on tap and we preview both St. Pete and Melbourne. McLaren “snorkel” debate is heated!!! Grab your favorite adult beverage, sit down and enjoy! Be sure to post your opinion on the McLaren “snorkel” debate…we are going to…

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Rally – Fiesta to Test Current Focus Motor

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…

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Rally – Pastrana Wins Sno* Drift

Defending Rally America champion and defending winner of this event Travis Pastrana was close to not making the race. Not only did he make the race, he dominated the event from start to finish. Travis had suffered a broken collarbone and actually had surgery to fix it so he could compete this weekend. The pain has paid off as Travis has taken the opening round of the 2010 Rally America National Championship. The conditions were some of the worst competitors had ever seen. Much of the stage distance covered was…

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Rally – Block’s New Ride Is Revealed

The Monster World Rally Team revealed its WRC Focus that will be piloted this year by Ken Block. Honestly, its one of the coolest rally cars I’ve seen in a long while. The car while predominantly sponsored by Monster also sports the logos of DC Shoes, Ford, Dirt 2 (all for obvious reasons), and Castrol. As happy as I am to see Ken move to a Ford, I’m even happier for what this could do for the Rally America series. With Block running in both the WRC and in the…

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Rally – Hirvonen Strikes Gold at Monte

The third and final day of the legendary Monte Carlo Rally has come to an end and Mikko Hirvonen has won in fine fashion. The WRC driver claimed his first victory in the IRC and made a statement for M-Sport and Ford in the process. The Ford Fiesta S2000 has tasted victory in its very first outing and did it easily after an exciting third day seen some of the best driving to date from Frenchman Sebastian Ogier. WRC Citroen Junior driver Ogier proved why he was be groomed to…

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Rally – M-Sport Enter IRC

Malcolm Wilson and his M-Sport squad have decided to follow up the much anticipated launch of the new Fiesta rally car with their entrance into the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. The team will compete in the opening round of the championship with Mikko Hirvonen at the wheel. Ford becomes the eighth manufacturer to participate in the IRC, adding a certain level of excitement to the 2010 season. This and the welcome addition of a Subaru car for sale have made this a lucrative off season for the IRC as it looks…

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