It looks like Citroen and Ford may be making a trade of sorts for the 2012 WRC season. Apparently Sebastien Loeb, fresh off his 8th consecutive championship, mentioned to a journalist at WRC Rally GB that his teammate for 2012 could very well be Mikko Hirvonen. This could also move Loeb’s current teammate Sebastien Ogier to a Ford alongside Jari Matti Latvala. This would definitely be a big shake up in the WRC. It looks like we should be expecting an announcement from Citroen soon.
According to a note on Mikko Hirvonen’s Facebook Fan Page:
“The 2011 season of the WRC and Loeb has just finished celebrating his eighth title of the World Rally Championship. But, is not what we want to talk to you. As reported by Auto123 seems that Sebastien Loeb has revealed to journalists present at the Rally of Wales next year Mikko Hirvonen could be his Citroen teammate.
The exchange may be between Sebastien Ogier and Mikko Hirvonen, and Ogier, Ford and Hirvonen in a Citroen. The official announcement by Citroen should materialize in the coming days.”
Last week I took a trip out to Las Vegas to attend SEMA. SEMA draws some of the auto industry’s best and brightest. I have to admit the amount of cars, displays and exhibits was almost overwhelming. In 2 days, I was not able to see everything and a lot of what I did see was rushed.
One of the highlights of the show the SCION FR-S concept car, which is just a beautiful piece of work. I can’t wait to see the finished version. Some of the specs have leaked online and it should be a great car.
More…
Photos from the 2011 SCCA TireRack Solo Nationals have been posted in the photo gallery. Photos from nearly every heat are posted and grouped by class. Some of heat 1 on Th./Fr. are missing due to the fact I was competing in the STU prepared GotCone.com BMW 135i.
Photos are $5 for a full resolution digital copy or a photo package can be purchased for $20 which includes full resolution digital of all photos of your car (co-drivers included). Orders will be filled within 24 hours, an email will be sent with your photo (or a link to download photos).
Photos from the 2011 ProSolo Finale are also available.
If you have any questions or special requests please feel free to email me photo@gotcone.com
For more information visit: http://www.scca.com/event.aspx?hub=3&event=17058
See Results
Photos are now posted in the 2011 SCCA TireRack Solo Nationals photo gallery.
Sebastien Loeb is nearly unbeatable on tarmac and was the obvious favorite at the 2011 ADAC Rallye Deutschland held in Germany, but it was the other Sebastien driving for Citroen that took home the victory. Loeb got off to a great start, but a puncture on stage 14 left him chasing Ogier. Despite Loeb’s Power Stage victory, Ogier had too much and took first place for a 1-2 finish for Citroen.
Ogier’s victory snaps Loeb’s amazing streak of 8 consecutive wins in Germay. “For sure I really like to win in Germany but I cannot be perfect every time and every year I say that one day it will stop and it stopped this time. I was unlucky yesterday but I tried my best,” said an less than happy Loeb. It also vaulted Ogier up to 2nd place, 25 points behind teammate Loeb, in the driver’s championship standings. “Mathematically the championship is still possible and I have to believe I have a chance. As long as there is a chance then I am going to try,” said Ogier.
Germany also marked another first… More…
The latest installment of Ken Block’s Gymkhana series was just released. In Gymkhana 4, Ken Block takes his Monster Energy Ford Fiesta (Rally/Rallycross/Gymkhana) car to the streets of Hollywood in DC SHOES: KEN BLOCK’S GYMKHANA 4; THE HOLLYWOOD MEGAMERCIAL. Featuring zombies, ninjas, sharks, a gorilla on a segway (and ladder) and more, this installment is filled with special effects, explosions and of course the the Fiesta and lots of tire smoke!
Watch the video below:
Travis Pastrana thought it would be fun to mimic Ken Block’s livery and schedule announcement video with one of his own and then show the 2 side by side. Hilarity ensues as Pastrana’s models (3 of them) age adds up to his number… 199, “because according to Block hot chicks make your car go faster.” He then officially announces himself as a Hillbiligan and announces the possibility of a Pastranakhana. The video shows off his Boost Mobile sponsored Subaru STI rally car. “It’s going to be an amazing year when I beat Ken Block at X Games… again,” says Pastrana.
Watch the video below.
A couple of weeks ago, I headed out to Colorado to help the Dirty Girls Rally Team (Brianne Corn and Christy Carlson) take on Pikes Peak at the 2011 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The PPIHC is famous world wide as one of the most difficult and dangerous motorsports events. I now understand why it is considered as such.
Christy Carlson and co-driver Adam Kniepp in their #298 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX at 2011 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Not only is there the danger of going off the road and falling many many feet, there is the difficulty of preparing a car to survive the stress and strain that only Pikes Peak could put on a car. Elevation, altitude, tarmac, and gravel are just a few of the things you have to prepare for. More…
Tomorrow is the beginning of what has been dubbed The SCCA ‘Spring Nationals’. Hosted on the national championship solo site at the Lincoln Airpark in Lincoln Nebraska, this four day event is sure to please. It’s kicks off tomorrow with head to head competition at the Pro Solo round of competition. The Pro Solo portion of the weekend will conclude Saturday afternoon with a Super Challenge in a head to head elimination bracket format. Then on Sunday through Monday there will be a National Tour event in a race against the clock and the competition.
With well over 300 entrants registered for the weekend, the competition looks to be fierce with heavy hitters from across the country in attendance. If you are anyway near Lincoln, NE or are looking for an excuse to make a trip this Memorial Day weekend, you have to make the trek out to Lincoln to the best autocross site in the United States and see these national level competitors duke it out over four days of intense action!
Hope to see you there!
