FROM: ABU DHABI FORD WORLD RALLY TEAM: Ford’s all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car made a perfect debut at Rally Sweden today to hold first and second places after the opening leg. Four of the top five positions in this opening round of the FIA World Rally Championship were owned by the car after an unpredictable start to the 2011 season in the blizzard-hit forests of central Sweden. Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen are second, just 14.8sec from the lead, with team-mates Jari-Matti…
Read MoreTag: Racing
Rally – Ford WRC 2011 Sweden Preview
Rally – Tire War in 2012?
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…
Read MoreRally – Ford Fiesta RS Breaks Cover in 2011 Color Scheme
FROM: FORD BIRMINGHAM, 13 January 2011 – Ford’s all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car was revealed in its 2011-specification today when the company unveiled the color scheme that will adorn the car in the FIA World Rally Championship. Team driver Mikko Hirvonen and Ford of Europe motorsport chief Gerard Quinn unveiled the livery for the eye-catching Fiesta RS WRC at the Autosport International Racing Car Show in Birmingham, motorsport’s traditional start-of-season showcase event. Ford’s official WRC squad for 2011 also confirmed its new name and logo – it will compete…
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 MoreVideo – State of INDYCAR Music Video
Episode 72 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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 MoreDakar – El Matador Showing Perfection
Carlos Sainz has been perfect after two stages of the Dakar in his VW. The Spaniard has began his title defense by winning the two opening stages of the rally and has done so in convincing fashion. The rally is now underway and Sainz VW is now in a battle with X-Raid BMW’s Stephane Peterhansel. A one sided battle really as Sainz has taken comfortable margins in both stages. VW teammate Nasser al-Attiyah is third overall after finishing P2 in today’s stage. American Robby Gordon was not so fortunate today.…
Read More