| runnah | 12-11-2006 08:46 AM |
SWRT to use 06 Spec car for first 3 07 Rallies!!!
�
�
[quote]Howarth: We are right to wait to use new car.
by Rob Wilkins
Subaru's operations director, Paul Howarth has defended the teams' decision not to introduce its new 2007-spec Impreza WRC car until the Rally Mexico next year, the fourth round in the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship.
Speaking exclusively to Crash.net Radio recently, on the Thursday prior to the start of the Wales Rally GB, Howarth explained that it was the right decision to make, especially in the long-term. He also added that the current car should be fine for the first three events, although he did understand recent comments attributed to their number one driver, Petter Solberg, who is apparently none-to-pleased he won't get the new car until after the first three events in Monte Carlo, Sweden and Norway.
"You are going to see the new car in Mexico, but you are not going to see a completely new shaped car or anything like that. Underneath though, a lot of the detail, the geometry and other aspects of the car have been addressed," said Howarth. "For sure, Petter is a driver and he wants to win events. No driver wants to start the championship off in a way that puts him at a disadvantage to his opposition. The team don't willingly want that, no way, but we have got to learn from the past and we have got to know that the car is right.
"We cannot turn up with something that is not 100 per cent and is not how we want it - long term this tactic will pay off. In the short term I think we have got a package, which strategically for Monte Carlo, Sweden and Norway can deliver results that will keep us in line for the championship. So that is what the team has to do. It is a combined thing.
"I respect that Petter wants to go out from day one and wants to get a good result in Monte Carlo, for sure he will want to win Norway, it is his home event and he won't want to be beaten there. He is emotional sometimes, but he is onboard with exactly what the team want to do. We have a strategy between us all and that is what we are going to deliver."
In a bid to try and get back on par with Ford and Citroen, after a dismal season in 2006, Subaru made a few changes internally over the summer and Prodrive boss, David Richards is also due to take up a more hands on role again in '07. Howarth reckons the outfit will need to lift its game if they are to start winning again.
"We have a plan to get the team back on the top. We are here to win world championships, but you have to be careful when you say we are going to win world championships. You have to be realistic," he added. "You have to deliver at the same level as your opposition. Ford is now a very good operation, they deserve the manufacturers' championship this year - they have worked hard, the package is good and the drivers' are good. It is the same with Citroen.
"Our opposition is a lot stronger that what it was in the past and we have got to lift our bar now. The bar is up there and we have to be level on that bar everyday of the week."
[/quote]
Maybe I am confused, but didn't they just have the worst season ever?!
Petter is going to be pissed if he loses Norway because they used last year's car.
Sigh. :(
by Rob Wilkins
Subaru's operations director, Paul Howarth has defended the teams' decision not to introduce its new 2007-spec Impreza WRC car until the Rally Mexico next year, the fourth round in the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship.
Speaking exclusively to Crash.net Radio recently, on the Thursday prior to the start of the Wales Rally GB, Howarth explained that it was the right decision to make, especially in the long-term. He also added that the current car should be fine for the first three events, although he did understand recent comments attributed to their number one driver, Petter Solberg, who is apparently none-to-pleased he won't get the new car until after the first three events in Monte Carlo, Sweden and Norway.
"You are going to see the new car in Mexico, but you are not going to see a completely new shaped car or anything like that. Underneath though, a lot of the detail, the geometry and other aspects of the car have been addressed," said Howarth. "For sure, Petter is a driver and he wants to win events. No driver wants to start the championship off in a way that puts him at a disadvantage to his opposition. The team don't willingly want that, no way, but we have got to learn from the past and we have got to know that the car is right.
"We cannot turn up with something that is not 100 per cent and is not how we want it - long term this tactic will pay off. In the short term I think we have got a package, which strategically for Monte Carlo, Sweden and Norway can deliver results that will keep us in line for the championship. So that is what the team has to do. It is a combined thing.
"I respect that Petter wants to go out from day one and wants to get a good result in Monte Carlo, for sure he will want to win Norway, it is his home event and he won't want to be beaten there. He is emotional sometimes, but he is onboard with exactly what the team want to do. We have a strategy between us all and that is what we are going to deliver."
In a bid to try and get back on par with Ford and Citroen, after a dismal season in 2006, Subaru made a few changes internally over the summer and Prodrive boss, David Richards is also due to take up a more hands on role again in '07. Howarth reckons the outfit will need to lift its game if they are to start winning again.
"We have a plan to get the team back on the top. We are here to win world championships, but you have to be careful when you say we are going to win world championships. You have to be realistic," he added. "You have to deliver at the same level as your opposition. Ford is now a very good operation, they deserve the manufacturers' championship this year - they have worked hard, the package is good and the drivers' are good. It is the same with Citroen.
"Our opposition is a lot stronger that what it was in the past and we have got to lift our bar now. The bar is up there and we have to be level on that bar everyday of the week."
[/quote]
Maybe I am confused, but didn't they just have the worst season ever?!
Petter is going to be pissed if he loses Norway because they used last year's car.
Sigh. :(
| Weasel 555 | 12-11-2006 08:53 AM |
^was just reading same article lol!
this gives them more time for testing of the new car to make sure its right outta the box.
this gives them more time for testing of the new car to make sure its right outta the box.
| mbs627 | 12-11-2006 09:01 AM |
Also, it kinda seemed he got more in tune with the 06 car near the end of the 06 season so i don't think it should be a big deal.
| ccortinas | 12-11-2006 09:07 AM |
I thought the same thing happened with the last new model?
| runnah | 12-11-2006 09:09 AM |
[QUOTE=mbs627;16281288]Also, it kinda seemed he got more in tune with the 06 car near the end of the 06 season so i don't think it should be a big deal.[/QUOTE]
I think it was more the case of the car staying in one piece long enough to complete a whole rally.
The terrible repair record this season never really gave them the chance they needed to dial in the car to the level that it was at, towards the end of the season.
I just hope 07 sees better results on all aspects of SWRT.
I think it was more the case of the car staying in one piece long enough to complete a whole rally.
The terrible repair record this season never really gave them the chance they needed to dial in the car to the level that it was at, towards the end of the season.
I just hope 07 sees better results on all aspects of SWRT.
| WRXedUSA | 12-11-2006 09:33 AM |
This happens every year.
| burned | 12-11-2006 09:44 AM |
while watching rally gb i was more as ceartin that the car was capable of more but peter made some stupid moves . Broken steering his fault tha car worked good last two outings (i didnt say that for the tires) subaro is getting new rubber will see what they can do whit it . And if i was team manager i would serve a big foot up petters ass :D
| runnah | 12-11-2006 09:45 AM |
[QUOTE=WRXedUSA;16281577]This happens every year.[/QUOTE]
Then why do teams like Citroen and Ford have new cars ready for the starts of seasons and SWRT still is using last year's car?
I've seen clips of the C4 testing since mid-season.
Its it just a matter of who has deeper pockets?
Then why do teams like Citroen and Ford have new cars ready for the starts of seasons and SWRT still is using last year's car?
I've seen clips of the C4 testing since mid-season.
Its it just a matter of who has deeper pockets?
| Subaru_555 | 12-11-2006 09:54 AM |
SWRT usually get good results in Mexico and the car is well suited there. Great place to kick off the new car. Petter usually never does well at the Monte anyhow.
| runnah | 12-11-2006 09:58 AM |
[QUOTE=Subaru_555;16281819]SWRT usually get good results in Mexico and the car is well suited there. Great place to kick off the new car. Petter usually never does well at the Monte anyhow.[/QUOTE]
What about Norway and Sweden? call me crazy but I think that if Petter had a good car under him he'd have a good shot at Norway.
What about Norway and Sweden? call me crazy but I think that if Petter had a good car under him he'd have a good shot at Norway.
| Calamity Jesus | 12-11-2006 10:05 AM |
What makes you people think the 07 car is going to be so much better than the 06 car? :confused: More development time for both is better, IMHO.
| LastResort | 12-11-2006 10:07 AM |
I just hope this one is a little more mechanically sound than previous iterations.
| Jaxx | 12-11-2006 10:07 AM |
i am still wondering if we will see the hatch back with the 07 car ...
espically if they do the offical release at NAIAS
he says otherwise ... but
espically if they do the offical release at NAIAS
he says otherwise ... but
| 4wdwrx | 12-11-2006 10:16 AM |
[QUOTE=Jaxx;16281965]i am still wondering if we will see the hatch back with the 07 car ...
espically if they do the offical release at NAIAS
he says otherwise ... but[/QUOTE]
Im pretty sure the 07 spec car will look the same from the outside.
espically if they do the offical release at NAIAS
he says otherwise ... but[/QUOTE]
Im pretty sure the 07 spec car will look the same from the outside.
| runnah | 12-11-2006 10:28 AM |
[QUOTE=4wdwrx;16282052]Im pretty sure the 07 spec car will look the same from the outside.[/QUOTE]
Yeah its right in the article. Same outside with a tweaked inside.
Yeah its right in the article. Same outside with a tweaked inside.
| WRXedUSA | 12-11-2006 10:35 AM |
[QUOTE=runnah;16281730]Then why do teams like Citroen and Ford have new cars ready for the starts of seasons and SWRT still is using last year's car?
I've seen clips of the C4 testing since mid-season.
Its it just a matter of who has deeper pockets?[/QUOTE]
Monte Carlo-Sweden-Norway are specialist events.
Benchmarking performance on the new car on a specialist event is not a well thought out idea.
I personally think the Subaru WRC does not perform well with passive diffs.
I've seen clips of the C4 testing since mid-season.
Its it just a matter of who has deeper pockets?[/QUOTE]
Monte Carlo-Sweden-Norway are specialist events.
Benchmarking performance on the new car on a specialist event is not a well thought out idea.
I personally think the Subaru WRC does not perform well with passive diffs.
| runnah | 12-11-2006 10:45 AM |
[QUOTE=WRXedUSA;16282309]Monte Carlo-Sweden-Norway are specialist events.
Benchmarking performance on the new car on a specialist event is not a well thought out idea.
I personally think the Subaru WRC does not perform well with passive diffs.[/QUOTE]
I see what you're saying.
They just changed that for the 06 season right? Doesn't that speak more of the driver's skill than the car? Or does it make the car so much different that it becomes harder to drive?
Benchmarking performance on the new car on a specialist event is not a well thought out idea.
I personally think the Subaru WRC does not perform well with passive diffs.[/QUOTE]
I see what you're saying.
They just changed that for the 06 season right? Doesn't that speak more of the driver's skill than the car? Or does it make the car so much different that it becomes harder to drive?
| Yotsuya | 12-11-2006 11:58 AM |
They've had diff problems all year but couldn't change them because of holomogation rules. That's why the car was slow when it wasn't broken, and a lot of times it got broken because of wrecks trying to manage the problems.
Subaru probably figures Monte Carlo a lost cause, and the current setup will be tolorable for Sweden and Norway (I believe Petter had an engine problem in Sweden this year)
Subaru probably figures Monte Carlo a lost cause, and the current setup will be tolorable for Sweden and Norway (I believe Petter had an engine problem in Sweden this year)
| davis10 | 12-11-2006 11:59 AM |
Im still looking forward to them braking out the hatchback, I can see that being a good chassis.
| runnah | 12-11-2006 12:01 PM |
[QUOTE=Yotsuya;16283307]
Subaru probably figures Monte Carlo a lost cause, and the current setup will be tolorable for Sweden and Norway (I believe Petter had an engine problem in Sweden this year)[/QUOTE]
Drive shaft.
The engine was sound all year except for germany where it popped. IIRC that had to do with the off they during the shakedown.
Most of the problems this year were steering, drive shaft and transmission.
You could probably lump Tires in there aswell but thats more of a Pirelli problem than a SWRT problem.
Subaru probably figures Monte Carlo a lost cause, and the current setup will be tolorable for Sweden and Norway (I believe Petter had an engine problem in Sweden this year)[/QUOTE]
Drive shaft.
The engine was sound all year except for germany where it popped. IIRC that had to do with the off they during the shakedown.
Most of the problems this year were steering, drive shaft and transmission.
You could probably lump Tires in there aswell but thats more of a Pirelli problem than a SWRT problem.
| OBShahn | 12-11-2006 12:03 PM |
[QUOTE=WRXedUSA;16282309]Monte Carlo-Sweden-Norway are specialist events.
Benchmarking performance on the new car on a specialist event is not a well thought out idea.
I personally think the Subaru WRC does not perform well with passive diffs.[/QUOTE]
I think it is more of a case of bad balance and chasis dynamics that can't be overcome with active differentials. I'm not saying it is fact but there are a lot of very experienced people that seem to think that is the case...
Benchmarking performance on the new car on a specialist event is not a well thought out idea.
I personally think the Subaru WRC does not perform well with passive diffs.[/QUOTE]
I think it is more of a case of bad balance and chasis dynamics that can't be overcome with active differentials. I'm not saying it is fact but there are a lot of very experienced people that seem to think that is the case...
| FTD | 12-11-2006 01:19 PM |
I think it will be very interested since they will be in the old car (with minimal changes to this year's car), but with Michelins.
This way we can have some indication of how much the tires where affecting them.
That being said, the target is always moving since all the other teams will be developing during the off season as well.
This way we can have some indication of how much the tires where affecting them.
That being said, the target is always moving since all the other teams will be developing during the off season as well.
| pio!pio! | 12-11-2006 02:36 PM |
At least they will be on the BFG's instead of Pirelli's...they should be more successful
| Subaru_555 | 12-11-2006 07:34 PM |
[QUOTE=runnah;16281858]What about Norway and Sweden? call me crazy but I think that if Petter had a good car under him he'd have a good shot at Norway.[/QUOTE]
Hey I agree with you. Sweden the event that kicks off Solberg's season but you wouldn't want to see a "Mitsubishi" early entrance of the car. Norway should be awesome as well. Gotta love the snow events.
Hey I agree with you. Sweden the event that kicks off Solberg's season but you wouldn't want to see a "Mitsubishi" early entrance of the car. Norway should be awesome as well. Gotta love the snow events.
| nKoan | 12-11-2006 08:03 PM |
[QUOTE=WRXedUSA;16281577]This happens every year.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, don't a lot of teams that wait through the first few specialist rallies before introducing new cars? I thought it was pretty common, unless there are dramatic rule changes (like 06) that prevented doing just that.
Yeah, don't a lot of teams that wait through the first few specialist rallies before introducing new cars? I thought it was pretty common, unless there are dramatic rule changes (like 06) that prevented doing just that.
| OBShahn | 12-11-2006 08:08 PM |
[QUOTE=FTD;16284499]I think it will be very interested since they will be in the old car (with minimal changes to this year's car), but with Michelins.
This way we can have some indication of how much the tires where affecting them.
That being said, the target is always moving since all the other teams will be developing during the off season as well.[/QUOTE]
I am not expecting the results to be all that different. Remember the 06 car was designed and optimized thus far on Pirellis. Ideally they should be testing the 07 car aggressively and not focusing on the 06 car and adapting it to the 07 tires...
This way we can have some indication of how much the tires where affecting them.
That being said, the target is always moving since all the other teams will be developing during the off season as well.[/QUOTE]
I am not expecting the results to be all that different. Remember the 06 car was designed and optimized thus far on Pirellis. Ideally they should be testing the 07 car aggressively and not focusing on the 06 car and adapting it to the 07 tires...
| StuBeck | 12-11-2006 08:12 PM |
They do this all the time, I think its better for them to wait on developing the new car, especially with all the problems they had this year. Hopefully having a car which can last the event will make Solberg not push to hard for once.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét